-
Insights Into Imaging Nov 2023To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) and HRCT in isolated fenestral otosclerosis (IFO).
PURPOSE
To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) and HRCT in isolated fenestral otosclerosis (IFO).
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients (85 ears) diagnosed with IFO between October 2020 and November 2022. U-HRCT (0.1 mm thickness) was performed for 20 ears, HRCT (0.67 mm thickness) for 45 ears, and both for 20 ears. The images were evaluated by general radiologists and neuroradiologists who were blinded to the diagnosis and surgical information. The diagnostic sensitivity of U-HRCT and HRCT for detecting IFO was compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Excellent inter-observer agreement existed between the two neuroradiologists (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.806, 95% CI 0.692-0.920), with good agreement between the general radiologists (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.680, 95% CI 0.417-0.943). U-HRCT had a sensitivity of 100% (40/40 ears) for neuroradiologists and 87.5% (35/40 ears) for general radiologists, significantly higher than HRCT (89.2% [58/65 ears] for neuroradiologists; 41.5% [27/65 ears] for general radiologists) (p = 0.042, p' < 0.000). General radiologists' sensitivity with HRCT was significantly lower compared to neuroradiologists (p < 0.000), but no significant difference was observed when general radiologists switched to U-HRCT (p = 0.152). Among the 20 ears that underwent both examinations, U-HRCT detected lesions smaller than 1 mm in 5 ears, whereas HRCT's sensitivity for neuroradiologists was 40% (2/5 ears), significantly lower than for lesions larger than 1 mm (93.3%, 14/15 ears, p = 0.032).
CONCLUSION
U-HRCT exhibits higher sensitivity than HRCT in diagnosing IFO, suggesting its potential as a screening tool for suspected otosclerosis patients.
CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
Ultra-high-resolution computed tomography has the potential to become a screening tool in patients with suspected otosclerosis and to bridge the diagnostic accuracy gap between general radiologists and neuroradiologists.
KEY POINTS
• U-HRCT exhibits higher sensitivity than HRCT in the diagnosis of IFO. • U-HRCT has a significant advantage in the detection of less than 1 mm IFO. • U-HRCT has the potential to be used for screening of patients with suspected otosclerosis.
PubMed: 38015307
DOI: 10.1186/s13244-023-01562-y -
European Archives of... May 2024Our aim was to investigate the course of the hearing capacity of the better-hearing ear in single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) over time, in a...
PURPOSE
Our aim was to investigate the course of the hearing capacity of the better-hearing ear in single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) over time, in a multicenter study.
METHODS
We included 2086 pure-tone audiograms from 323 patients with SSD and AHL from four hospitals and 156 private practice otorhinolaryngologists. We collected: age, gender, etiology, duration of deafness, treatment with CI, number and monosyllabic speech recognition, numerical rating scale (NRS) of tinnitus intensity, and the tinnitus questionnaire according to Goebel and Hiller. We compared the pure tone audiogram of the better-hearing ear in patients with SSD with age- and gender-controlled hearing thresholds from ISO 7029:2017.
RESULTS
First, individuals with SSD showed a significantly higher hearing threshold from 0.125 to 8 kHz in the better-hearing ear compared to the ISO 7029:2017. The duration of deafness of the poorer-hearing ear showed no relationship with the hearing threshold of the better-hearing ear. The hearing threshold was significantly higher in typically bilaterally presenting etiologies (chronic otitis media, otosclerosis, and congenital hearing loss), except for Menière's disease. Second, subjects that developed AHL did so in 5.19 ± 5.91 years and showed significant reduction in monosyllabic word and number recognition.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with SSD show significantly poorer hearing in the better-hearing ear than individuals with NH from the ISO 7029:2017. In clinical practice, we should, therefore, inform our SSD patients that their disease is accompanied by a reduced hearing capacity on the contralateral side, especially in certain etiologies.
Topics: Humans; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Deafness; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Unilateral; Hearing Tests; Speech Perception; Tinnitus; Male; Female
PubMed: 38006462
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08342-w -
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and... Dec 2023Our study aims to illustrate the clinical picture of otosclerosis in patients and the effect of surgery on the bone conduction thresholds compared to audiometry tests...
Our study aims to illustrate the clinical picture of otosclerosis in patients and the effect of surgery on the bone conduction thresholds compared to audiometry tests before surgery. A retrospective study included 36 patients that fit the inclusion criteria based on the patient's files and Pure Tone Audiometry of the patients before and after surgery. The questionnaire used is attached at the end of the study. According to Our sample, 77.8% were females, and 22.2% were males. The youngest was 17 years old, the eldest was 61, and the mean age was 38.2 years old. Hearing loss was the most common symptom in 100% of patients, while tinnitus was found in 66.7% and vertigo in 11%. The Injury was bilateral in 72% of the cases. Before surgery, the mean air conduction threshold (ACT) was 54.7 dB, the mean value of the air-bone gap (ABG) was 38.3 dB, and the mean bone conduction threshold (BCT) was 16.1 dB. Meanwhile, after the surgery, the mean BCT was 18.2 dB. Otosclerosis is more common in middle-aged females. Most cases are bilateral. Two-thirds of the cases of hearing loss were associated with tinnitus, while only a few had vertigo. A slight increase was noticed in BCTs after surgeries, especially at 4000 Hz. Stapedectomy caused a noticeable decrease in the values of BCTs on the frequency 4000 Hz. Stapedotomy improved the BCTs after surgery by about 5.3 dB at 4000 Hz.
PubMed: 37974740
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-023-04034-3 -
Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 2023The article presents various classifications of forms of otosclerosis (OS), which change with the development of diagnostic methods. At the same time, according to the...
The article presents various classifications of forms of otosclerosis (OS), which change with the development of diagnostic methods. At the same time, according to the literature, a unified OS classification has not yet been adopted. All existing classifications are imperfect to some extent. The classification of clinical forms of OS according to TPA data makes it possible to determine the indications for surgical treatment and to suggest its possible effect, but not the localization of OS foci. X-ray classifications of localization of OS foci indicate their diversity, distribution, and do not always correlate with the type of hearing loss. At the same time, modern diagnostics of OS should be based on audiological data, localization of foci and their density according to the results of X-ray methods of examination. Based on the examination and treatment of 1532 patients with various forms of OS, a modern clinical and radiological classification of the disease is proposed, based precisely on these provisions. This classification, in our opinion, will improve the quality of diagnosis of various forms of OS, will allow to differentiate the tactics of treating patients with this disease to stabilize hearing loss, indications for surgical treatment, suggest its effectiveness with a reduction in the risk of surgical failures and possible further rehabilitation of the patient.
Topics: Humans; Otosclerosis; Stapes Surgery; Hearing Loss; Radiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Deafness
PubMed: 37970764
DOI: 10.17116/otorino20238805112 -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Dec 2023Evaluate the safety and efficacy of exoscope-assisted stapedotomy.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the safety and efficacy of exoscope-assisted stapedotomy.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective chart review.
SETTING
Tertiary care neurotology clinic.
PATIENTS
Adult patients with otosclerosis undergoing stapedotomy.
INTERVENTIONS
Primary stapedotomy.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Evaluation of audiologic outcomes, including pure-tone average, bone-conduction thresholds, word recognition score, and air-bone gap. Complications, need for scutum removal, and length of surgery were also evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 47 patients were identified, and 24 patients underwent surgery with the microscope and 22 with the exoscope. There were significant improvements in pure-tone average, mean bone-conduction thresholds, and air-bone gap for both groups. There was no difference in preoperative or postoperative audiologic status for either group. There was no difference in rates of dysgeusia, chorda tympani nerve damage, dizziness, or facial paresis in either group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates similar audiologic outcomes, complication profiles, and visualization when comparing exoscopic and microscopic stapedotomy. Demonstrated here, exoscopic stapedotomy can be safely performed in a transcanal manner.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Stapes Surgery; Ear, Middle; Bone Conduction; Otosclerosis
PubMed: 37939357
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004042 -
European Archives of... Jan 2024Several therapeutic options are usually discussed for otosclerosis management. Patients seek medical advice from an ENT specialist but are also increasingly using the...
PURPOSE
Several therapeutic options are usually discussed for otosclerosis management. Patients seek medical advice from an ENT specialist but are also increasingly using the internet for medical issues. This study intends to assess readability and quality of websites with information on otosclerosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study performed in a tertiary care centre. The results of the first two pages of a Google search with the keyword "otosclerosis" were reviewed by two independent investigators. Readability was assessed with the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Gunning Fog Index. For quality and reliability assessment, the 16-item DISCERN instrument was used. Spearman's coefficient was used for correlations, and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess differences. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated with concordance correlation coefficient.
RESULTS
18 websites were included. Two websites (11.0%) were authored by academic institutions, 5/18 (28%) by government agencies, 6/18 (33%) by professional organisations and 5/18 (28%) were medical information websites. The mean DISCERN score of the 18 websites was 40.8 ± 6.7/80 (range 28.7-51.7), corresponding to "fair" quality. The mean FRES score was 43.27 ± 10.6, and the mean FKGL was 11.43 ± 2.30, corresponding to "difficult to read". The mean Gunning Fog index was 12.90 ± 2.19 (range 9.81-18.20), corresponding to a "college freshman" level.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that internet information on otosclerosis has an overall low readability, while the quality is heterogeneous and varies from "poor" to "good". Efforts should be made to improve the readability of otosclerosis websites.
Topics: Humans; Otosclerosis; Comprehension; Cross-Sectional Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Reading; Internet
PubMed: 37910206
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08311-3 -
Audiology Research Oct 2023There are several pathologies that can change the anatomy of the otic capsule and that can distort the bone density of the bony structures of the inner ear, but...
There are several pathologies that can change the anatomy of the otic capsule and that can distort the bone density of the bony structures of the inner ear, but otosclerosis is one of the most frequent. Similar behavior has been shown in patients affected by osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder due to a mutation in the genes coding for type I (pro) collagen. In particular, we note that otosclerosis and OI can lead to bone resorption creating pericochlear cavitations in contact with the internal auditory canal (IAC). In this regard, we have collected five cases presenting this characteristic; their audiological data and clinical history were analyzed. This feature can be defined as a potential cause of a third-window effect, because it causes an energy loss during the transmission of sound waves from the oval window (OW) away from the basilar membrane.
PubMed: 37887853
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13050072 -
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 2023Hearing loss is one of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. No drug therapies are currently available to protect or restore hearing. Inner ear auditory hair...
Hearing loss is one of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. No drug therapies are currently available to protect or restore hearing. Inner ear auditory hair cells and the blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) are critical for normal hearing, and the BLB between the systemic circulation and stria vascularis is crucial for maintaining cochlear and vestibular homeostasis. BLB defects are associated with inner ear diseases that lead to hearing loss, including vascular malformations, inflammation, and Meniere's disease (MD). Antibodies against proteins in the inner ear and cytokines in the cochlea, including IL-1α, TNF-α, and NF-kβ, are detected in the blood of more than half of MD patients. There is also emerging evidence of inner ear inflammation in some diseases, including MD, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, otosclerosis, and sudden deafness. Here, we examined the effects of TNF-α, IL6, and LPS on human stria vascularis-derived primary endothelial cells cultured together with pericytes in a Transwell system. By measuring trans-endothelial electrical resistance, we found that TNF-α causes the most significant disruption of the endothelial barrier. IL6 had a moderate influence on the barrier, whereas LPS had a minimal impact on barrier integrity. The prominent effect of TNF-α on the barrier was confirmed in the expression of the major junctional genes responsible for forming the tight endothelial monolayer, the decreased expression of and . We further tested permeability using 2 μg of daptomycin (1,619 Da), which does not pass the BLB under normal conditions, by measuring its passage through the barrier by HPLC. Treatment with TNF-α resulted in higher permeability in treated samples compared to controls. LPS-treated cells behaved similarly to the untreated cells and did not show differences in permeability compared to control. The endothelial damage caused by TNF-α was confirmed by decreased expression of an essential endothelial proteoglycan, syndecan1. These results allowed us to create an inflammatory environment model that increased BLB permeability in culture and mimicked an inflammatory state within the stria vascularis.
PubMed: 37808472
DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1243370 -
Cureus Sep 2023The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in temporal bone (TB) imaging have gained significant attention in recent years, revolutionizing the field of... (Review)
Review
The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in temporal bone (TB) imaging have gained significant attention in recent years, revolutionizing the field of otolaryngology and radiology. Accurate interpretation of imaging features of TB conditions plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating a range of ear-related pathologies, including middle and inner ear diseases, otosclerosis, and vestibular schwannomas. According to multiple clinical studies published in the literature, AI-powered algorithms have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in interpreting imaging findings, not only saving time for physicians but also enhancing diagnostic accuracy by reducing human error. Although several challenges remain in routinely relying on AI applications, the collaboration between AI and healthcare professionals holds the key to better patient outcomes and significantly improved patient care. This overview delivers a comprehensive update on the advances of AI in the field of TB imaging, summarizes recent evidence provided by clinical studies, and discusses future insights and challenges in the widespread integration of AI in clinical practice.
PubMed: 37795060
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44591 -
The Laryngoscope May 2024To report the case of the simultaneous treatment of otosclerosis and malleus fixation through an entirely endoscopic transcanal approach. A targeted transcanalar...
To report the case of the simultaneous treatment of otosclerosis and malleus fixation through an entirely endoscopic transcanal approach. A targeted transcanalar epitympanotomy with annular bony ridge conservation was planned preoperatively, with 3D CT localization of the fixed part of the malleus head. The upper part of the malleus head and the superior ossified ligament of the malleus were drilled. A 0.6 mm stapedotomy was performed and a piston inserted. The patient's recovery was uneventful, with closure of the air-bone gap on her postoperative audiogram, associated with an overclosure in 500Hz, 1kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. Laryngoscope, 134:2411-2414, 2024.
Topics: Humans; Female; Otosclerosis; Malleus; Bone Conduction; Stapes Surgery; Endoscopy; Treatment Outcome; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37792383
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31093