Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
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To evaluate whether the intraoperative stimulus threshold and response amplitude measurements from facial electromyography can predict facial nerve function at 1 year after vestibular schwannoma resection. ⋯ Individually, minimal stimulus intensity or response amplitude was less successful in predicting long-term postoperative facial nerve function. However, if both parameters are considered together, the study demonstrates that they are good prognostic indicators for facial nerve function at 1 year after surgery.
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Given the associated risk of general anesthesia in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease, the authors set out to determine the feasibility of transcanal cochlear implantation under local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care. ⋯ Cochlear implantation using the pericanal electrode technique performed under local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care is possible in patients at risk for undergoing general anesthesia for cochlear implantation.
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Although mastoid and middle ear obliteration provides the ultimate repair of an encephalocele, retained squamous epithelium may result in the occult recurrence of cholesteatoma. For most patients, a preferable technique is to perform a canal-wall-up mastoidectomy with middle fossa craniotomy. However, temporal lobe encephaloceles are occasionally found in patients with canal-wall-down cavities along with active cholesteatoma. We sought to describe our management strategy for this dilemma. ⋯ A temporal lobe encephalocele can be safely repaired while maintaining a mastoid bowl. This may be the safest treatment option for patients with active cholesteatoma.
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Biography Historical Article
The deafness of Ludwig van Beethoven: an immunopathy.
To analyze and discuss the deafness of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) and to offer a logical theory for its etiology. ⋯ Beethoven's abdominal symptoms that began in his teens are highly suggestive of IBD, which we believe to be a correct diagnosis. IBD is an umbrella term that includes a number of named entities such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. IBD is now considered to be a problem of immune regulation with extra intestinal manifestations that include sensorineural hearing loss and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC eventually causes cirrhosis and failure of the liver. A diagnosis of IBD therefore provides a single entity that explains most of the composer's symptoms and was finally the cause of his death. Our conclusion is that Beethoven's sensorineural hearing loss was an immunopathy associated with IBD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effect of radiofrequency and mitomycin C on the closure rate of human tympanostomy.
To conduct a prospective, randomized, controlled trial determining the feasibility of radiofrequency with or without topical mitomycin C application in delaying the closure time of human tympanostomy and screening its efficacy in management of recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. ⋯ Radiofrequency and mitomycin C delay the closure rate of human tympanostomy. The efficacy of mitomycin C seems to be amplified in the presence of an inflamed tympanic membrane. Radiofrequency-assisted mitomycin-enhanced tympanostomy is a precise, safe, and cost-effective procedure that provides a viable approach in the management of recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion, especially when used in conjunction with adenoidectomy.