bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life After Translabyrinthine Vestibular Schwannoma Resection—Reliability of the German PANQOL Questionnaire
Authors: Glaas Marcel Fabian , Schäfer Ralf , Jansen Philipp , Franz Matthias , Stenin Igor , Klenzner Thomas , Schipper Jörg , Eysel-Gosepath Katrin , Kristin Julia 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
To quantify the postoperative quality of life (QOL) of patients after translabyrinthine surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) using the German version of the Penn acoustic neuroma quality-of-life questionnaire (PANQOL) in a university hospital.

Methods:
The PANQOL questionnaire was administered to 72 patients who were treated in our department with translabyrinthine surgery for VS between January 2007 and January 2017. Descriptive evaluations of results were performed in addition to analyses of the reliability and convergent validity of the results and a subgroup analysis.

Results:
For the first time, QOL was measured in German-speaking VS patients after translabyrinthine surgery. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and Guttman's split half, used as measures of reliability, showed values between 0.39 and 0.92 (raw alpha) and 0.58 and 0.98 (Lambda 4), respectively.

Descriptive Statistics:
The mean total PANQOL score of patients after translabyrinthine VS resection was 61.96. The domain “hearing” had the lowest score (50.87), while “facial dysfunction” had the highest score (74.88). Subgroup analysis showed that neither preoperative tumor size nor elapsed time postoperatively significantly influenced QOL outcomes.

Conclusions:
Depending on the different domains the German PANQOL questionnaire showed poor to good internal consistency, reliability, and convergent validity. Moreover, some VS patients suffer from reduced QOL for a long time after the translabyrinthine procedure, thus psycho-oncological care should be recommended in these cases.
The Sound of a Cochlear Implant Investigated in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness and a Cochlear Implant
Authors: Peters Jeroen P. M. , Wendrich Anne W. , van Eijl Ruben H. M. , Rhebergen Koenraad S. , Versnel Huib , Grolman Wilko 
Published: June 2018

Hypothesis:
A cochlear implant (CI) restores hearing in patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss by electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. It is unknown how this electrical stimulation sounds.

Background:
Patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) and a CI form a unique population, since they can compare the sound of their CI with simulations of the CI sound played to their nonimplanted ear.

Methods:
We tested six stimuli (speech and music) in 10 SSD patients implanted with a CI (Cochlear Ltd). Patients listened to the original stimulus with their CI ear while their nonimplanted ear was masked. Subsequently, patients listened to two CI simulations, created with a vocoder, with their nonimplanted ear alone. They selected the CI simulation with greatest similarity to the sound as perceived by their CI ear and they graded similarity on a 1 to 10 scale. We tested three vocoders: two known from the literature, and one supplied by Cochlear Ltd. Two carriers (noise, sine) were tested for each vocoder.

Results:
Carrier noise and the vocoders from the literature were most often selected as best match to the sound as perceived by the CI ear. However, variability in selections was substantial both between patients and within patients between sound samples. The average grade for similarity was 6.8 for speech stimuli and 6.3 for music stimuli.

Conclusion:
We obtained a fairly good impression of what a CI can sound like for SSD patients. This may help to better inform and educate patients and family members about the sound of a CI.
First Results With a New, Pressure-free, Adhesive Bone Conduction Hearing Aid
Authors: Dahm Valerie , Baumgartner Wolf-Dieter , Liepins Rudolfs , Arnoldner Christoph , Riss Dominik 
Published: June 2018

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing benefit, advantages, and disadvantages in a series of patients using a new, nonimplantable, pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid.

Methods:
Twelve patients were included in the study at the ear, nose, and throat department of the Medical University of Vienna. All patients suffered from conductive hearing loss for at least 3 months. A sound field audiometry, Freiburg monosyllables word test and Oldenburg sentence test were carried out. Additionally, sound quality (SSQ12) and quality of life (AQoL-8D) were assessed using questionnaires.

Results:
Analysis revealed an average aided threshold of 30.8 dB HL (±7.1 SD) and an unaided threshold of 45.1 dB HL (±7.0 SD), resulting in a statistically significant (p < 0.001) average functional gain. Additionally, participants experienced about 30% gain in word recognition scores at 65 dB sound pressure level, speech reception threshold in quiet was 56.8 dB (±6.1) and improved to 44.5 dB (±6.4) in the aided condition. Both, the SSQ12 and the AQoL-8D showed a statistically significant improvement when comparing the scores at the beginning of the study to the answers after 2 weeks of device usage (SSQ12 (p < 0.002) and AQoL-8D (p = 0.002)). Neither skin irritations nor pain were reported during the study period.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this new, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid has a high patient satisfaction rate while causing no skin irritation or pain.
Prognostic Factors of Pediatric Revision Ossicular Chain Reconstruction
Authors: Kaffenberger Thomas M. , Govil Nandini , Shaffer Amber D. , Chi David H. 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
Ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) is a surgical method used to repair conductive hearing loss. In children, up to 40% of OCRs will require revisions. In this study, our aims were to validate improvement in hearing outcomes following revision OCR and identify prognostic factors for successful revision OCRs.

Design:
Retrospective review at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 2003 to 2014.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Pediatric patients undergoing multiple OCRs who had demographic, operative, and pre- and postoperative audiogram data. Patients included in our study had ≥ 2 OCR procedures to the same ear. Forty-three of 123 patients met inclusion criteria.

Main Outcome Measures:
Pre- and postoperative audiograms were used to compare the changes in pure-tone averages (PTA), speech recognition thresholds, and air-bone gaps following OCR surgeries.

Results:
Revision OCRs significantly improved PTA, speech recognition thresholds, and air-bone gaps (p values= 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, respectively) and seven patients (14%) had return of normal hearing (PTA < 25 dB). Cholesteatoma at the time of first revision was associated with additional OCR revisions (hazard ratio [HR]: 10.3; p=0.013), while patients who had canal wall down or no mastoidectomy during first OCR revision were less likely to require additional revision compared with patients who had canal wall up mastoidectomy (HR: 0.170, p = 0.041 versus canal wall down; HR: 0.242, p = 0.041 versus no mastoidectomy).

Conclusions:
Revision OCR(s) are an acceptable method to improve residual conductive hearing loss following primary OCR surgery in pediatric patients. Patients with cholesteatoma and canal wall up at the time of revision OCR have increased chances of requiring further revision.
Vestibular Function and Hippocampal Volume in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)
Authors: Kamil Rebecca J. , Jacob Athira , Ratnanather John Tilak , Resnick Susan M. , Agrawal Yuri 
Published: June 2018

Objective:This study evaluated whether reduced vestibular function in aging adults is associated with lower hippocampal volume.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a long-running longitudinal cohort study of healthy aging.Patients:Eligible participants were aged ≥ 60 years and had both vestibular physiological testing and brain magnetic resonance imaging at the same visit.Intervention:Vestibular function testing consisted of the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) to assess saccular function, ocular VEMP to assess utricular function, and video head-impulse testing to assess the horizontal semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex.Main Outcome Measure:Hippocampal volume calculated using diffeomorphometry.Results:The study sample included 103 participants (range of 35–90 participants in subanalyses) with mean (±SD) age 77.2 years (±8.71). Multivariate linear models including age, intracranial volume, sex, and race showed that 1 μV amplitude increase of cVEMP was associated with an increase of 319.1 mm3(p = 0.003) in mean hippocampal volume. We did not observe a significant relationship between ocular VEMP amplitude or vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and mean hippocampal volume.Conclusions:Lower cVEMP amplitude (i.e., reduced saccular function) was significantly associated with lower mean hippocampal volume. This is in line with previous work demonstrating a link between saccular function and spatial cognition. Hippocampal atrophy may be a mechanism by which vestibular loss contributes to impaired spatial cognition in older adults. Future work using longitudinal data will be needed to evaluate the causal nature of the association between vestibular loss and hippocampal atrophy.
Evaluation of an Infant Temporal-Bone Model as Training Tool
Authors: Probst Rudolf , Stump Reto , Mokosch Markus , Röösli Christof 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
Evaluation of the face validity of a new artificial model of an infant temporal bone (TB) suitable for surgical training, including cochlear implantation.

Subject:
Micro-computer-tomography images were obtained from a TB specimen of a 1-year-old normal infant available in an anatomical collection. The TB model was designed and constructed using these images and techniques known from similar models of adult TB.

Intervention:
Fifteen otology departments in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland rated the infant TB model and compared it with the established adult TB model manufactured commercially by the same company.

Main Outcome Measure:
The otologists responded to a semi-quantitative questionnaire with a rating scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Macroscopic and microscopic anatomic details, drilling experience, and surgical landmarks were rated. The surgical procedures included mastoidectomy, posterior tympanotomy, cochleostomy, and insertion of a cochlear electrode.

Results:
Overall ratings were similar (3.9) for both the infant and the adult TB models, with ranges of 3.47 to 4.47 (infant model) and 3.5 to 4.33 (adult model). Ratings of specific anatomical details differed as a function of type of model, but without preference of one model over the other.

Conclusions:
Infant TB models can be used similarly as adult TB models for surgical training, including cochlear implantation. They may deserve a more important role in surgical training because cadaveric human temporal bones of infants are not available.
Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Takeda Takamori , Kawashima Yoshiyuki , Hirai Chiaki , Makabe Ayane , Ito Taku , Fujikawa Taro , Yamamoto Katsura , Maruyama Ayako , Tsutsumi Takeshi 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
To describe the vestibular function in patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSCN).

Study Design:
Retrospective analysis.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Ten consecutive patients with SSCN. This study is the largest case series of SSCN in which detailed neuro-otological findings, including electronystagmography recording, video head impulse test (vHIT), and posturography, were described.

Interventions:
Audiological and neuro-otological examinations, including pure-tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem responses, electronystagmography recording, vHIT, and posturography.

Main Outcome Measures:
Pure-tone average, DP level, maximum speech discrimination score, interpeak latency between auditory brainstem responses waves I and V, eye tracking test, examination of optokinetic nystagmus, caloric response, visual suppression, vestibulo-ocular reflex gains, total center of pressure path length, and Romberg's ratio.

Results:
Audiological examinations suggested that the sensorineural hearing loss was of a cochlear etiology in 3 ears, a retrocochlear etiology in 11 ears, and a combined cochlear and retrocochlear etiology in 6 ears. Neuro-otological examinations revealed that eight out of nine patients had cerebellar disorders, while all patients also had peripheral vestibular dysfunction.

Conclusion:
In addition to cerebellar disorders, SSCN patients suffer from severe peripheral vestibular dysfunction, which can exacerbate the patient's imbalance. When otolaryngologists encounter patients with distinctly progressive sensorineural hearing loss and imbalance, they should include SSCN in the differential diagnosis and perform neuro-otological examinations, including an electronystagmography recording and vHIT and brain magnetic resonance imaging.
The Bony Obliteration Tympanoplasty in Pediatric Cholesteatoma: Long-term Hearing Results
Authors: van Dinther Joost Josephus Stephanus , Coopman Renaat , Vercruysse Jean-Philippe , Somers Thomas , Zarowski Andrzej , Vanspauwen Robby , Maryn Youri , Cremers Cornelis Wilhelmus Radboud Jozef , Offeciers Frans Erwin 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
To present the hearing results of a 5-year longitudinal study in a pediatric population undergoing surgery for extensive cholesteatoma using a canal wall up (CWU) approach with bony obliteration of the mastoid and epitympanic space, with a standard residual rate of 5.8%, a recurrence rate of 2.9%, and all ears waterproof, free of otorrhea and all external ear canals patent and self-cleaning.

Study Design:
Retrospective consecutive study.

Patients:
Thirty-three children (≤18 yr) undergoing surgery for cholesteatoma (34 ears) between 1997 and 2009.

Interventions:
Therapeutic.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Main Outcome Measures:
Hearing and gain in hearing at 1- and 5-year postsurgery: (1) pure-tone average (PTA), (2) pure-tone average high frequency, (3) pure-tone average including 3 kHz, (4) bone conduction at corresponding frequency averages, (5) gain at corresponding air conduction and bone conduction (gain at corresponding air conduction) frequency averages. (6) The Amsterdam Hearing Evaluation Plots were used to study the individual cases.

Results:
The Amsterdam Hearing Evaluation Plots at 5-year showed in 58.8% of patients a positive gain air conduction. In 23.5% a successful functional result was achieved, defined as an air-bone gap closure to 20 dBHL or less. In 6 patients (17.6%) a limited bone conduction deterioration was shown all limited to maximum 20 dBHL.

Conclusion:
The CWU bony obliteration tympanoplasty in a consecutive series of pediatric extensive cholesteatoma shows a similar to slightly improved hearing outcome as compared with CWU surgery without BOT. Although the series shows a clearly reduced reoperation rate and a significantly improved safety and hygienic outcome as compared with CWU without BOT, better hearing outcomes remain desirable in this group of children.
Role of Targeted Next Generation Sequencing in the Etiological Work-Up of Congenitally Deaf Children
Authors: Boudewyns An , van den Ende Jenneke , Sommen Manou , Wuyts Wim , Peeters Nils , Van de Heyning Paul , Van Camp Guy 
Published: June 2018

Objectives:
The purpose of this study is to report the results of a comprehensive etiological work-up for congenitally deaf children including targeted next generation sequencing.

Study Design:
Retrospective case review.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Fifty children with congenital, bilateral profound hearing loss (HL) (>90 dBnHL).

Interventions:
Etiological work-up included testing for pathogenic variants in GJB2, a phenotype driven genetic analysis, screening for congenital infections and imaging. When no etiology could be found, comprehensive genetic testing was performed using a HL gene panel including 45 syndromic and 96 non-syndromic HL genes.

Results:
Eleven patients carried bi-allelic pathogenic variants in GJB2. Phenotype driven genetic analysis identified two homozygous KCNQ1 patients (Jervell and Lange Nielsen syndrome) and one heterozygous CHD7 patient (CHARGE syndrome). One patient was diagnosed with achondroplasia and one had a clinical diagnosis of Waardenburg syndrome. A deafness gene panel evaluated 16 patients. In 12 out of 16, we identified a pathogenic (n = 12) or likely pathogenic (n = 2) variant and one variant of unknown significance (VUS). A definite diagnosis of non-syndromic or syndromic HL was made in 18 and seven patients, respectively. Non-genetic causes were congenital cytomegalovirus infection (n = 11), anatomic abnormalities (n = 2), neurological/metabolic/polymalformative conditions (n = 3), meningitis (n = 1), and auditory neuropathy (n = 1).

Conclusions:
A definite genetic cause was found in 25 (50%) of congenital, bilaterally deaf children. Our data show that implementation of a gene panel improves the diagnostic yield for etiological work-up of congenital profound HL to 86%. Identification of the etiology of congenital HL may contribute to predicting outcomes of cochlear implantation.
Audiometric Profiles in Patients With Normal Hearing and Bilateral or Unilateral Tinnitus
Authors: Song Kudamo , Shin Sun Ae , Chang Dong Sik , Lee Ho Yun 
Published: June 2018

Hypothesis:
Patients with subjective nonpulsatile tinnitus and a normal conventional audiogram have more objective audiologic evidence of hidden hearing loss and deafferentation-related pathology than patients without tinnitus.

Background:
The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiologic characteristics and audiologic profiles, including auditory brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emission, and threshold-equalizing noise test results, in patients with tinnitus and a normal audiogram.

Methods:
The test results for 20 patients complaining of nonpulsatile chronic tinnitus were compared with those of 91 subjects with normal hearing and no tinnitus.

Results:
Patients with unilateral tinnitus had higher tinnitus handicap inventory scores than those with bilateral tinnitus (p < 0.05). Threshold-equalizing noise tests were normal in all study participants. In patients with unilateral tinnitus, the ABR and distortion product otoacoustic emission test results were similar to those of controls. In contrast, patients with bilateral tinnitus showed a shortening of latency in wave III of the ABR on the right (p = 0.047) and in wave V on the left (p = 0.024). Logistic regression analysis revealed that enhanced wave III/I (p = 0.018) and V/I (p = 0.012) ratios on the left and poorer pure-tone average on the right were significant risk factors for bilateral tinnitus.

Conclusion:
The mechanism involved in the development of tinnitus may depend on its laterality. Bilateral tinnitus may be associated with hyperactivity at the level of the cochlear nucleus whereas a higher-order cortical area may be involved in unilateral tinnitus.
Occupational Noise Exposure and Risk for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Due to Temporal Bone Drilling
Authors: Vaisbuch Yona , Alyono Jennifer C. , Kandathil Cherian , Wu Stanley H. , Fitzgerald Matthew B. , Jackler Robert K. 
Published: June 2018

Background:
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational hazards in the United States. Several studies have described noise-induced hearing loss in patients following mastoidectomy. Although otolaryngologists care for patients with noise-induced hearing loss, few studies in the English literature have examined surgeons’ occupational risk.

Methods:
Noise dosimeters and sound level meters with octave band analyzers were used to assess noise exposure during drilling of temporal bones intraoperatively and in a lab setting. Frequency specific sound intensities were recorded. Sound produced using burrs of varying size and type were compared. Differences while drilling varying anatomic structures were assessed using drills from two manufacturers. Pure tone audiometry was performed on 7 to 10 otolaryngology residents before and after a temporal bone practicum to assess for threshold shifts.

Results:
Noise exposure during otologic drilling can exceed over 100 dB for short periods of time, and is especially loud using large diameter burrs > 4 mm, with cutting as compared with diamond burrs, and while drilling denser bone such as the cortex. Intensity peaks were found at 2.5, 5, and 6.3 kHz. Drilling on the tegmen and sigmoid sinus revealed peaks at 10 and 12.5 kHz. No temporary threshold shifts were found at 3 to 6 kHz, but were found at 8 to 16 kHz, though this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion:
This article examines noise exposure and threshold shifts during temporal bone drilling. We were unable to find previous descriptions in the literature of measurements done while multiple people drilling simultaneously, during tranlabyrinthine surgery and a specific frequency characterization of the change in peach that appears while drilling on the tegmen. Hearing protection should be considered, which would still allow the surgeon to appreciate pitch changes associated with drilling on sensitive structures and communication with surgical team members. As professionals who specialize in promoting the restoration and preservation of hearing for others, otologic surgeons should not neglect hearing protection for themselves.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection from a population-based study in Southern India
Authors: Shanmugam Rengasamy P. , Balakrishnan Selvakumar , Varadhan Hemalatha , Shanmugam Vivekanandan 
Published: June 2018

Objectives
This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) in the population through field-screening camps conducted by Chennai Liver Foundation, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is the largest population-based study from Tamil Nadu.

Patients and methods
A total of 75 camps were conducted across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu (2014–2017). Screening was done by rapid point-of-care assays (SD-bioline tests) and confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Monolisa tests). Those tested negative were offered first dose of HBV vaccine. Positive patients with HBV count of more than 2000 IU/ml or HCV-RNA positive on quantitative analysis were treated.

Results
A total of 18 589 people were screened, with HBV infection detected in 303 (prevalence 1.63%) and HCV infection in 56 (prevalence 0.3%), with significant variation among districts. Males contributed to about three-fourths of detected HBV [233/303 (77%)] or HCV [41/56 (73%)] infection. Screening detected a higher overall HBV/HCV infection rate in rural [203 (2.52%) infections in 8047 people] than in urban [156 (1.47%) infections in 10 542 people] areas (P<0.0001). Slum areas had a HBV prevalence of 5%. In a dialysis unit, all patients were found to have either HBV/HCV infection. A total of 162/303 (54%) people with HBV and 27/56 (48%) with HCV infection were treated, and 7704 people received the first dose of HBV vaccine.

Conclusion
The prevalence of HBV was 1.63% and HCV was 0.30% in Tamil Nadu. Three-fourths of HBV/HCV infected people were males. Prevalence of HBV/HCV was higher in rural areas. Slum area and dialysis unit had high HBV and HCV prevalence.