Advances in hearing preservation in cochlear implant surgery

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Advances in hearing preservation in cochlear implant surgery Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review Advancements in cochlear implant surgical approaches and electrode designs have enabled preservation of residual acoustic hearing. Preservation of low-frequency hearing allows cochlear implant users to benefit from electroacoustic stimulation, which improves performance in complex listening situations, such as music appreciation and speech understanding in noise. Despite the relative high rates of success of hearing preservation, postoperative acoustic hearing outcomes remain unpredictable. Recent findings Thin, flexible, lateral wall arrays are preferred for hearing preservation. Both shortened and thin, lateral wall arrays have shown success with hearing preservation and the optimal implant choice is an issue of ongoing investigation. Electrocochleography can monitor cochlear function during and after insertion of the electrode array. The pathophysiology of hearing loss acutely after cochlear implant may differ from that involved in delayed hearing loss following cochlear implant. Emerging innovations may reduce cochlear trauma and improve hearing preservation. Summary Hearing preservation is possible using soft surgical techniques and electrode arrays designed to minimize cochlear trauma; however, a subset of patients suffer from partial to total loss of acoustic hearing months to years following surgery despite evidence of residual apical hair cell function. Early investigations in robotic-assisted insertion and dexamethasone-eluting implants show promise. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Emerging artificial intelligence applications in otological imaging

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Emerging artificial intelligence applications in otological imaging Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review To highlight the recent literature on artificial intelligence (AI) pertaining to otological imaging and to discuss future directions, obstacles and opportunities. Recent findings The main themes in the recent literature centre around automated otoscopic image diagnosis and automated image segmentation for application in virtual reality surgical simulation and planning. Other applications that have been studied include identification of tinnitus MRI biomarkers, facial palsy analysis, intraoperative augmented reality systems, vertigo diagnosis and endolymphatic hydrops ratio calculation in Meniere's disease. Studies are presently at a preclinical, proof-of-concept stage. Summary The recent literature on AI in otological imaging is promising and demonstrates the future potential of this technology in automating certain imaging tasks in a healthcare environment of ever-increasing demand and workload. Some studies have shown equivalence or superiority of the algorithm over physicians, albeit in narrowly defined realms. Future challenges in developing this technology include the compilation of large high quality annotated datasets, fostering strong collaborations between the health and technology sectors, testing the technology within real-world clinical pathways and bolstering trust among patients and physicians in this new method of delivering healthcare. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Use of xenografts and allografts in scalp reconstruction

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Use of xenografts and allografts in scalp reconstruction Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review Scalp reconstruction requires a full array of reconstructive options given the complex anatomy and protection of vital structures. Not all patients qualify for advanced reconstructive options and therefore rely on short, effective procedures with minimal morbidity. This review aims to focus on xenografts and allografts to achieve an adequate reconstruction while minimizing morbidity. Recent findings Although bovine xenografts have been used for many decades, there have been recent advances in porcine xenografts to aid in scalp defects. Similarly, new allogenic materials have emerged as additional tools in the armamentarium to promote wound healing. Summary Both xenografts and allografts offer viable options for complex scalp reconstruction. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Clinical usefulness of labyrinthine three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Clinical usefulness of labyrinthine three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review Literature on the use of current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is reviewed, emphasizing the role of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) MRI. The discussion focuses on the diagnostic role of temporal bone MRI using 3D-FLAIR and the relationship between MRI findings, clinical symptoms, and hearing outcome. Recent findings The currently suggested MRI protocol for SSNHL includes a 3D T2-weighted steady-state free procession sequence or its equivalent, pre and postcontrast T1-weighted, and pre and postcontrast 3D-FLAIR sequences. The 3D-FLAIR image identifies an underlying labyrinthine condition in 24–57% of patients with ISSNHL, contributing to understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms (e.g., labyrinthitis or labyrinthine hemorrhage). Recent studies demonstrated consistent results that initial hearing loss could be related to the signal change on the 3D-FLAIR image. Various results on 3D-FLAIR image value prediction for the final hearing outcome were shown. Summary 3D-FLAIR MRI application identifies an underlying labyrinthine condition. Abnormal MRI findings correlate with initial hearing loss and accompanying symptoms and hearing outcome. Performing temporal bone MRI with 3D-FLAIR sequence may clarify probable ISSNHL pathophysiology, improve diagnostic accuracy, provide prognostic information to physicians, and possibly guide toward a more specific treatment. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Subtype maturation of spiral ganglion neurons

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Subtype maturation of spiral ganglion neurons Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review We review recent progress in the characterization of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), the afferent neurons that transmit sound information from mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear to the central nervous system. Recent findings Single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing studies of murine SGNs have demonstrated that SGNs consist of molecularly distinct subtypes. The molecularly defined SGN subtypes likely correspond to SGN subtypes previously identified on the basis of physiological properties, although this has not been experimentally demonstrated. Subtype maturation is completed postnatally in an activity-dependent manner and is impaired in several models of hearing loss. Summary The recent molecular studies open new avenues to rigorously test whether SGN subtypes are important for the encoding of different sound features and if they show differential vulnerability to genetic factors and environmental insults. This could have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies to treat hearing loss. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Current management of skull base osteomyelitis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Current management of skull base osteomyelitis Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is a life-threatening condition. Due to an aging and increasingly multimorbid population, clinicians are more often challenged with this disease. Yet, there is no consensus on the optimal diagnostic and follow-up management. This review should aid clinicians in decision-making for their patients. Recent findings Treatment-resistant otalgia or headache is suspicious of SBO. Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains the most common pathogen but clinicians are challenged with increasing rates of sterile or fungal cultures due to previously applied antibiotics/steroids. No single imaging modality is able to detect the full extent of the disease. Whereas functional nuclear imaging with gallium-67 or methylene diphosphonate-technetium-99m was once advocated, its actual benefit is questionable. Newer modalities such as fluoro-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography, PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or diffusion-weighted MRI seem to be promising in diagnosis and follow-up. Finding the causative pathogen is of utmost importance followed by long-term intravenous antibiotics until the disease has completely resolved. Surgery plays a minor role in treatment but can be helpful in selected cases. Summary The numerous challenges in SBO render management difficult, but with a clear work-up including regular clinical, laboratory and imaging examinations, outcome can be improved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Current management of skull base osteomyelitis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Current management of skull base osteomyelitis Via Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery - Current Issue Purpose of review Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is a life-threatening condition. Due to an aging and increasingly multimorbid population, clinicians are more often challenged with this disease. Yet, there is no consensus on the optimal diagnostic and follow-up management. This review should aid clinicians in decision-making for their patients. Recent findings Treatment-resistant otalgia or headache is suspicious of SBO. Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains the most common pathogen but clinicians are challenged with increasing rates of sterile or fungal cultures due to previously applied antibiotics/steroids. No single imaging modality is able to detect the full extent of the disease. Whereas functional nuclear imaging with gallium-67 or methylene diphosphonate-technetium-99m was once advocated, its actual benefit is questionable. Newer modalities such as fluoro-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography, PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or diffusion-weighted MRI seem to be promising in diagnosis and follow-up. Finding the causative pathogen is of utmost importance followed by long-term intravenous antibiotics until the disease has completely resolved. Surgery plays a minor role in treatment but can be helpful in selected cases. Summary The numerous challenges in SBO render management difficult, but with a clear work-up including regular clinical, laboratory and imaging examinations, outcome can be improved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.