Correlation of intraoperative middle ear status and hearing results in single-stage canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy with PORP—a prospective study

Background Mastoidectomy is one of the common surgical procedures performed by the otologist. It is commonly done for cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (CCOM) and can be performed as either canal wall up or down techniques. Most of the CCOM is associated with ossicular erosions which require ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) which can be done either in one stage or multiple stages. A multitude of factors affects postoperative OCR results with tympanomastoidectomy. Among various factors, the status of the tympanic membrane and middle ear mucosa is quite essential. To date, there are no randomized or prospective studies assessing the integrity of pars tensa and status of the middle ear mucosa in hearing outcomes in single-stage tympanomastoidectomy using partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) in the literature. Therefore, this study is performed to correlate the integrity of pars tensa and middle ear mucosa condition with postoperative hearing results of single-stage canal wall down (CWD) tympanomastoidectomy with PORP. Results Forty-two patients with cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media underwent single-stage canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWD) and partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) placement. The statistical analysis was done to compare the results of postoperative hearing with the intraoperative integrity of pars tensa and middle ear mucosa status. The mean pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABGs) of all cases were 23.9 dB and 21 dB, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. In the pars tensa intact group, the mean pre- and postoperative ABGs were 21.5 dB and 18.5 dB, respectively, and in the pars tensa not intact group, the mean pre- and postoperative ABGs were 25.7 dB and 22.8 dB, respectively, and both groups had statistically insignificant difference. The pre- and postoperative ABGs in the healthy middle ear mucosa group were 20.7 dB and 19 dB, respectively. Similarly, the pre- and postoperative ABGs in non-healthy middle ear mucosa were 24.4 dB and 21.2 dB, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant in both groups. Conclusion There was a statistically significant improvement in postoperative air conduction threshold (ACT) in all cases. The integrity of pars tensa and middle ear mucosa status did not affect the postoperative hearing outcome in single-stage CWD tympanomastoidecomty using PORP.

Assessment of Ossicular Necrosis in Tubotympanic (Mucosal) Type of Chronic Otitis Media

BACKGROUND We wanted to study the preoperative clinical, audiological, radiological findings & compare them with the perioperative findings of ossicular necrosis. METHODS 100 patients were clinically diagnosed as mucosal chronic otitis media (COM). They underwent a thorough clinical, audiological & radiological examination. X-ray mastoid Schuller's view on both sides was done in all patients & HRCT temporal bone was done in 51 patients. They were then posted for surgery & findings were compared with the perioperative ossicular necrosis. RESULTS 42 patients had ossicular defects perioperatively. Incus was found to be the most commonly necrosed ossicle & malleus was the most resistant ossicle. There was a positive association found between duration of disease, posterior perforations, large central & subtotal perforations, polypoidal middle ear mucosa, granulations over margins of perforations & audiological findings with the perioperative ossicular defects. HRCT was the most reliable investigation to predict ossicular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS From the study, it was concluded that all patients with mucosal COM can be assessed preoperatively for ossicular erosion. HRCT gives us a preoperative picture of the extent of ossicular necrosis & helps the surgeon in planning the surgical intervention. KEY WORDS COM, HRCT, Ossicular Necrosis, Mucosal, PTA

Immunohistochemical and qPCR Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the Human Middle Ear Versus the Nasal Cavity: Case Series

Viral infections have already been implicated with otitis media and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. However, the pathophysiology of COVID-19 as it relates to otologic disorders is not well-defined. With the spread of SARS-CoV-2, it is important to evaluate its colonization of middle ear mucosa. Middle ear and nasal tissue samples for quantitative RT-PCR and histologic evaluations were obtained from post-mortem COVID-19 patients and non-diseased control patients. Here we present evidence that SARS-CoV-2 colonizes the middle ear epithelium and co-localizes with the primary viral receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Both middle ear and nasal epithelial cells show relatively high expression of ACE2, required for SARS-CoV-2 entry. The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was use as a biomarker of epithelia. Furthermore, we found that the viral load in the middle ear is lower than that present in the nasal cavity.

A child’s mysterious ear

<p>Foreign body in ear is an emergency encountered by an otolaryngologist and if not removed it can lead to serious complications. Most commonly foreign body in ear is lodged in external auditory canal while it’s rare to find it in middle ear. We report a case of foreign body in the middle ear in a 3-year-old child who presented to us with chronic discharging ear who was then suspected to be unsafe ear and so was taken up for exploration under microscope. A pink polypoidal mass arising from middle ear mucosa was found and following its removal- to our surprise; a blackish rubbery debris filling the middle ear cavity and attic area along with embedded foreign body was extracted. We conclude that pediatric patients with chronic ear discharge not responding to antibiotics should raise a suspicion of FB in the middle ear and explored timely.</p>

A retrospective study on middle ear risk indices in analysing the post-operative outcome following tympanoplasty

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic otitis media is a highly prevalent disease of middle ear. As tympanoplasty plays an important role in management of otitis media it is important to predict the outcome of surgery and give proper counselling to the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Middle ear risk index (MERI) in determining postoperative graft uptake and postoperative air bone gap closure following tympanoplasty.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a retrospective study conducted to find the correlation between MERI and the result of tympanoplasty outcome and post-operative hearing gain. Ninety-six subjects who underwent tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media were included in the study. MERI score was calculated and was compared with postoperative graft uptake and audiogram. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In this study there was no statistical difference in graft uptake between the MERI categories. There was statistically significant decrease in postoperative air bone gap closure in both mild and moderate categories. Other prognostic factors associated with a favourable outcome were healthy middle ear mucosa and absence of smoking.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> MERI did not have a direct impact on the outcome of surgery in terms of graft uptake and hearing results. However certain factors like Belluci’s criteria and smoking had an impact on the outcome. Hence MERI can be used for pre-operative counselling of the patients.</p>

Competitive advantage of oral streptococci for colonization of the middle ear mucosa

The intermittent aeration of the middle ear seeds its mucosa with saliva aerosols and selects for a distinct community of commensals adapted to the otic microenvironment. We gained insights into the selective forces that enrich for specific groups of oral migrants in the middle ear mucosa by investigating the phylogeny and physiology of 19 strains enriched (Streptococcus) or transiently present (Staphylococcus, Neisseria and actinobacterial Micrococcus and Corynebacterium) in otic secretions. Phylogenetic analyses of full length 16S rRNA sequences resolved close relationships between the streptococcal strains and oral commensals as well as between the transient migrants and known nasal and oral species. Physiological functions that facilitate mucosal colonization (swarming motility, surfactant production) and nutrition (mucin and protein degradation) were widespread in all the otic cultivars, as was the ability of most of the isolates to grow both aerobically and anaerobically. However, streptococci stood out for their enhanced biofilm-forming abilities under oxic and anoxic conditions and for their efficient fermentation of mucosal substrates into lactate, a key metabolic intermediate in the otic trophic webs. Additionally, the otic streptococci inhibited the growth of common otopathogens, an antagonistic interaction that could exclude competitors and protect the middle ear mucosa from infections by transient pathobionts. These adaptive traits allow streptococcal migrants to colonize the otic mucosa and grow microcolonies with syntrophic anaerobic partners, establishing trophic webs with other commensals similar to those formed by the oral ancestors in buccal biofilms.

Middle Ear Ceruminous Gland Adenoma Obstructing the Eustachian Tube Orifice

Ceruminous glands are located in the skin of the cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal, and ceruminous gland adenoma originating from the middle ear mucosa is extremely rare. We report a case of middle ear ceruminous gland adenoma which caused long-standing otomastoiditis and mixed hearing loss with a large air-bone gap by obstructing the bony Eustachian tube. We discuss the clinical characteristics and histologic features of the present case.

Over-Underlay technique of myringoplasty.

Objective: To observe the success rate of Over-underlay technique of myringoplasty in patients with inactive tubo-tympanic type of CSOM. Study Design: Descriptive, Observational study. Setting: ENT Department Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: December 2018 to December 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 80 patients with inactive tubo-tympanic type of CSOM, from both genders, within age range of 15-45 years, having pure conductive hearing loss with an Air-Bone gap of not less than 15 dB were selected by convenient sampling technique. Patients having an active ear disease or previous history of ear surgery, an active sinus or URT disease, or any comorbidity were excluded from the study. Complete general and head-neck examination was done after taking history. Patients’ affected ears were examined under surgical microscope to see the drum perforation, condition of middle ear mucosa and the status of the ossicles. Hearing assessment was done by Pure Tone Audiometry through both air and bone conduction. Temporalis fascia graft myringoplasty was done in all these patients by over-underlay technique, and they were discharged on 5th post-operative day, and were followed up in ENT OPD after 3 weeks. Status of graft was seen under surgical microscope after removing the BIPP. After three months the patients were reviewed for graft status and hearing assessment. Successful outcome was taken as those patients in whom graft uptake was successful with complete closure of perforation, and secondly, closure of the Air-Bone gap by at least 10 dB. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19. Results: Mean age of the patients (n = 80) was found to be 30.8 Years. Gender distribution showed 57 (71.25%) Males and 23 (28.75%) Females with a M:F ratio of 2.5:1. Success rate was found significantly better among younger aged males. Graft uptake was successful in 74 (92.5%) of the patients. With respect to closure of A-B gap, post-operative mean difference in Air-Bone gap was found to be 9.6 dB ± 3.9 SD as compared to preoperative mean A-B gap of 28.5 dB ± 4.2 SD, thus a closure of A-B gap by 18.9 dB ± 2.4 SD. Conclusion: Over-underlay technique is found to be a successful technique for myringoplasty in terms of graft uptake and improvement in hearing thresholds in the patients with inactive tubo-tympanic type of CSOM.

IgG4 Expression in Patients with Eosinophilic Otitis Media

Objective: Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable middle ear disease recognized by an eosinophil enriched middle ear effusion and mucosa. Although precise pathogenesis of EOM remains unclear, it is characterized by type 2 inflammation. Since IgG4 is an IgG subclass induced by type 2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, we sought to characterize and compare local IgG4 expression in patients with and without EOM. Methods: Twelve patients with bilateral profound hearing loss, 9 of which underwent a cochlear implant surgery, were enrolled in this study (6 with EOM and 6 without EOM). The surgical specimens were harvested during surgery and were subjected to IgG4 immunostaining. Result: The middle ear mucosa showed the presence of a large number of IgG4-positive cells in patients with EOM, which was significantly higher than that in patients without EOM. Conclusion: Local IgG4 expression was observed in patients with EOM in comparison to those without EOM, suggesting that IgG4 contributes to EOM pathogenesis.