Classification and Stages of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Using the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology / Japan Otological Society (EAONO / JOS) System

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the stage of middle ear cholesteatoma of patients who underwent middle ear surgery at the Southern Philippines Medical Center from January to December 2019, based on European Academy of Otology and Neurotology / Japan Otological Society (EAONO/ JOS) system. Methods: Design: Case Series Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Participants: A total of 42 charts were included in the study Results: Of the 42 cases evaluated, congenital cholesteatoma was seen in 4 while acquired cholesteatoma was noted in 38, (further subdivided into 34 retraction pocket cholesteatoma and 4 non-retraction pocket/traumatic cholesteatoma). A majority (57%) had Stage II cholesteatoma (mass occupying at least two sub-sites in the middle ear) at the time of surgery. Eight (19%) had stage I cholesteatoma (confined to one sub-site), five (12%) had stage III cholesteatoma evidenced by extracranial complications such as subperiosteal abscess and erosion of the semi[1]circular canals. Stage IV cholesteatoma was seen in 5 (12%) presenting with intracranial abscess. Canal wall down mastoidectomy was the most common surgical approach performed. The sinus tympani (S2 ) was the most commonly involved difficult to access site across all classifications of middle ear cholesteatoma (60%). Conclusion: Our study provided an initial profile of the stages and severity of middle ear cholesteatoma in our institution based on actual surgical approaches. Such a profile can be the nidus for a database that can help us to understand disease prevalence and compare local surgical practices with those in the international community.

Clinical study of active squamosal chronic otitis media

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Cholesteatoma term was coined by Johannes Muller in 1838. Cholesteatomas are the last stage of squamous epithelial retraction comprising either the pars tensa or flaccida that are not self-cleansing, which retain epithelial debris and elicit a secondary, inflammatory reaction. Active squamosal epithelial disease is a retraction pocket which is filled with keratinous debris.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 50 patients were selected presenting with active squamosal chronic otitis media (COM). For all cases a detailed history was taken, otoscopic and otomicroscopic examination along with tuning fork test were performed to know the status of tympanic membrane and status of air and bone conduction of sound waves. Audiological assessment was done by pure tone audiometry. X-ray mastoid and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) temporal bone was done for analysis. Pre anaesthetic fitness was taken and patients were posted for tympanomastoid exploration. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Most common presentation was of foul smelling otorrhoea in 40 patients, reduced hearing in 40 patients. 8 patients presented with vertigo and 2 presented with facial nerve paresis. Most common otoscopic finding was pf postero-superior retraction pocket in 26 patients. After clinical and radiological assessment 30 patients were posted for canal wall down mastoidectomy.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Primary acquired cholesteatomacan affect all age group with significant effect on hearing and quality of life.</p>

Pathogenesis of Retraction Pocket of the Tympanic Membrane—A Narrative Review

Several theories describe the development of the retraction pocket of the tympanic membrane (RP). Many authors suggest that the negative middle ear pressure is the main reason responsible for developing this condition. A narrative review has been undertaken, and conclusions are drawn reflecting a current knowledge with our new observations in the histological and immunohistochemical study. Recent studies show the important role of inflammation in the development and progression of RP. A review of the available literature shows that the inflammation plays a key role in pathogenesis of the RP and its progression to the cholesteatoma. We support this statement with our new results from histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the RPs.

Comparison of endoscopic and microscopic management of attic cholesteatoma: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To compare the endoscopic approach to manage attic cholesteatoma with conventional microscopic technique. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Participants: A total of 190 patients (192 ears) diagnosed with attic cholesteatoma extending to the antrum area (stages Ib and II) were randomly assigned into two groups: one undergoing endoscopic approach and the other undergoing the microscopic technique. Main outcome measures: The two groups were compared in terms of preoperative and intraoperative findings, access to hidden areas expressed in terms of the Middle Ear Structural Visibility Index (MESVI), mean operative time, and postoperative findings. Results: No difference in the parameters of the preoperative and intraoperative findings analyzed (patient age, computed tomography findings, disease stage, and intraoperative cholesteatoma characteristics) was observed between the endoscopic and microscopic groups. The median MESVI for the endoscopic group was better than that for the microscopic group (P<0.05). The mean operating time using the endoscopic approach was less than that using the microscopic approach (P<0.05). The median postoperative pain score in the endoscopic group was lower than that in the microscopic group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of taste sensation, air-bone gap closure at the end of 4 weeks, and vertigo experienced at the end of the first week. When long-term surgical outcomes were assessed 1 year postoperatively, five patients in the microscopic group had recurrence, four had cartilage displacement, three had perforation, and five had retraction pocket formation. In the endoscopic group, four patients had disease recurrence, three had cartilage displacement, two had perforation, and four had retraction pocket formation. Conclusion: Endoscopic management of limited attic cholesteatoma showed definite advantages over the conventional microscopic approach, such as providing better visualization, requiring less postoperative time, subjecting the patients to less pain, and decreasing the incidence of complications.

INTRAOPERATIVE FINDINGS OF OSSICULAR CHAIN STATUS IN CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA: OUR EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) is a permanent abnormality of the pars tensa (PT) or pars accida (PF) which may manifest in the form of atelectasis, perforation, tympanosclerosis, retraction pocket development, cholesteatoma, cholesterol granuloma, ossicular chain disruption etc. It has been further subdivided into active and inactive forms or Safe tubotympanic variety and Unsafe atticoantral variety. COM of all types is associated with erosion of the ossicular chain . The incidence and degree of ossicular destruction is much greater in cases of unsafe COM due to the presence of cholesteatoma and/or granulations .The aim of the present study was to correlate the type of COM, the site of perforation/retraction and the type of disease pathology with the pattern and degree of ossicular chain necrosis. Aims and objectives: AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the ossicular chain involvement in both safe and unsafe types of COM in patients attending to E.N.T. Department of a tertiary care hospital OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the incidence of ossicular chain pathology in both types of COM. 2. To study the frequency and type of involvement of each ossicle. 3. To compare the ossicular chain involvement in tubotympanic and atticoantral variety of Chronic otitis media.. Methodology: A prospective study was performed in 90 cases of COM who were subjected to tympanomastoidectomy in tertiary care hospital for a period of 1year from January2019 to December 2019. Pre-operative clinical and audiometric ndings were compared with per-operative ossicular chain status. Results: Ossicularinvolvement is seen in both types of COM more in unsafe type of COM. Incus is the most commonly affected ossicle while malleus is the least affected ossicle. Conclusion: Ossicular chain status should be checked in all patients with COM. So otolaryngologists should be able to address the ossicular chain reconstruction to give the best hearing outcome to the patient.

Surgical Management of Retraction Pockets: Does Mastoidectomy have a Role?

Introduction Retraction pocket is a condition in which the eardrum lies deeper within the middle ear. Its management has no consensus in literature. Objective To assess the role of mastoidectomy in the management of retraction pockets added to a tympanoplasty. Methods Prospective study of patients with retraction pocket and referred to surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one managed with tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy and the other group with tympanoplasty only. The minimum follow-up considered was 12 months. The outcomes were: integrity of eardrum, recurrence, and hearing status. Results This study included 43 patients. In 24 cases retraction occurred in the posterior half of the eardrum, and in 19 patients there was clinical evidence of ossicular interruption. The two groups of treatment were composed by: 21 patients that underwent tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy and 22 patients had only tympanoplasty. One case of the first group had a recurrence. In 32 cases patients follow up was longer than 48 months. The average air-bone gap changed from 22.1 dB to 5 dB. The percentage of air-bone gap improvement was assessed at 60% in those patients treated with mastoidectomy, and 64.3% in those without it (p > 0.5). Conclusion Tympanoplasty and ossiculoplasty should be considered to treat atelectatic middle ear and ossicular chain interruption. Mastoidectomy as a way to increase air volume in the ear seems to be a paradox; it does not add favorable prognostic factor to management of retraction pockets.

Assess the hearing of contralateral ear in patients with unilateral chronic squamosal otitis media

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic squamosal otitis media can occur due to many conditions affecting the middle ear. Most common sign of developing a chronic squamosal otitis media is formation of a retraction pocket in the tympanic membrane leading to further development of a cholesteatoma and if not treated properly, may lead to development of dangerous complication in the affected ear. These etiological factors may also affect the other ear. It is therefore very necessary to assess and diagnose the contralateral ear, so that the disease can be intervened and treated at the right time, to prevent any deterioration in hearing of the contralateral ear.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The prospective study was done in 100 patients with unilateral chronic squamosal otitis media, where the contra lateral ear was examined and assessed for any hearing loss. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> We found hearing loss in the contra lateral ear ranging from mild conductive hearing loss to sensorineural hearing loss with the maximum patients with mild conductive hearing loss (42%) and lowest in sensorineural hearing loss (1%). </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In our study, 76 patients were seen with conductive hearing loss. Out of that, 42% patients were seen with mild conductive hearing loss, 30% with moderate conductive hearing loss and 4% with severe conductive hearing loss. 20% patients were seen with normal hearing. 3% patients were seen with mixed hearing loss and only 1% patient was seen with sensorineural hearing loss in contralateral ear.</p>

Recurrence of Cholesteatoma - A Retrospective Study Including 1,006 Patients for More than 33 Years

Introduction Cholesteatomas are benign tumors consisting of skin, and growing inside a retraction pocket in the tympanic membrane. Cholesteatomas can occupy the entirety of the middle ear, and are known for their osteolytic capabilities. Surgery is the only curative treatment for cholesteatomas. Objective To describe the risk of recurrence after first-time surgically-treated middle-ear cholesteatoma (STMEC1) on the island of Funen from 1983 to 2015. Methods Cases of STMEC1 were identified in the Danish National Hospital Register. The medical records were reviewed. Time-to-event analyses were applied. The ears were followed from STMEC1 to a secondary cholesteatoma, emigration, death, or end of follow-up. Results Records from 1,006 patients with STMEC1 were reviewed. A total of 54 patients were submitted to surgery on both ears. The total sample consisted of 1,060 ears with STMEC1; 300 were children's (< 16 years) ears, and 760 were adult's ears. The total observation time was of 12,049 years.The overall estimated proportion with recurrence 5 years after surgery was of 37% in children and of 15% in adults. The older the child was at the first surgery, the risk decreased by 7% per year. In children, canal wall up (CWU) mastoidectomy without obliteration was associated with a hazard ratio for recurrence of 1.9 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.2–3.0) compared with CWU with obliteration. Conclusion Compared with adults, children were had 2.6 times more risk of recurrence. Procedures performed without mastoidectomy had the lowest risk of recurrence. In children, obliteration was associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrence. However, patients were not randomized regarding the surgical approach; thus, the association between approach and risk of recurrence was likely influenced by confounding factors.