A Transcanal Endoscopic Approach for Management of Pulsatile Tinnitus due to High-Riding Dehiscent Jugular Bulb

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by a high-riding dehiscence jugular bulb (HDJB) is a rare but treatable otology disease. There are several managements include transcatheter endovascular coil embolization, transvenous stent–assisted coil embolization, or resurfacing the dehiscent bony wall of high jugular bulb under the use of microscope. Among those options, surgical resurfacing of HDJB might be an effective and safe choice with less destruction. However, previous studies approached middle ear cavity via microscope can only provide a lateral, indirect view, while resurfacing the vessel through a transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) approach may give surgeon a direct and easy way to manage HDJB. In this report, we presented a case of 40-year-old woman with HDJB and shared our clinical consideration and reasoning of the surgical management of PT via a transtympanic approach by TEES rather than a transmastoid approach.

Middle Fossa Encephaloceles Treated via the Transmastoid Approach: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Middle fossa (MF) encephaloceles are rare lesions resulting from herniation through defects in the tegmen tympani or mastoideum. Underlying etiologies and clinical presentations are variable. Surgical goals include fistula obliteration, resection of nonfunctioning parenchyma, and dehiscence repair. The middle cranial fossa approach (MCFA), transmastoid approach (TMA), and combined (MCFA + TMA) approaches have been described. The minimally invasive TMA provides excellent exposure of the pathology and allows for ample working room to repair the defect. OBJECTIVE We present short-term follow-up results in patients treated via the TM repair at our institution. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with symptomatic encephaloceles treated via the TMA by our multidisciplinary team. Patient demographics, clinical presentations, intraoperative findings, repair technique, and outcomes were highlighted. RESULTS A total of 16 encephaloceles in 13 patients were treated. Defect etiologies included spontaneous (50.0%), secondary to chronic infection (25.0%), or cholesteatoma (18.8%). Defects were most often within the tegmen mastoideum (68.8%). Average length of surgery was 3.3 h (95% CI: 2.86-3.67) and length of stay 3.9 d (95% CI: 3.09-4.79). On short-term follow-up (average 11.5 mo), no patients experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak or recurrence. The majority of patients (83.3%) experienced confirmed improvement or stabilization of hearing. CONCLUSION MF encephaloceles present with various clinical manifestations and result from multiple underlying etiologies. The TMA is an alternative to craniotomy and our short-term results suggest that this approach may be utilized effectively in appropriately selected cases.

Radical Resection of a Giant Epidermoid Tumor Associated With Miniature Chordoma Utilizing a Combined Endoscopic-Microscopic Technique: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Epidermoid tumors arise from misplaced squamous epithelium and enlarge through the accumulation of desquamated cell debris.1 Notwithstanding the prevailing conservative attitudes to minimize morbidity, optimal treatment consists of total removal of the capsule2,3; therefore, giant and multicompartmental tumors are particularly challenging. The utilization of simultaneous endoscopic microscopic techniques by tandem endoscopic and microscopic dissection to overcome the shortcomings of both modalities, markedly enhances the ability of radical removal,4 thus eliminating or at least long-delaying inevitable recurrences with subsequent accumulated morbidity. The transmastoid approach by skeletonizing and reflexing the transverse-sigmoid sinus offers wide exposure of the cerebellopontine angle avoiding cerebellar retraction and allowing 4-hands dissection.5 The patient is a 17-yr-old male with a giant epidermoid tumor in the cerebellopontine angle, extending through the incisura. The patient underwent surgical resection with maximum pursuit of the epithelial capsule. After removing the epidermoid tumor, a miniature intra and extradural midclival tumor was encountered and removed with a proven pathology of chordoma. Patient did well postoperatively with relief of his hemifacial spasms. Patient consented for surgery and photograph publication. Image at 1:23, ©1997, O. Al-Mefty, used with permission. All rights reserved.

Role of Endoscopy in Round Window Identification during Cochlear Implant

Aim: To access the usage of the endoscopy in round window (RW) orientation during cochlear implant (CI). Methodology: This was a retrospective case series study done in Otolaryngology Department, Tanta University, Egypt in 2018 and 2019. Inclusion criterion was all cases with CI surgery in which the endoscopy was used to locate the round window (RW) when this was difficult through the transmastoid approach. Results: The total cohort consisted of 13 CI patients in which endoscopy was used. Age mean was 35.5 years. Situations necessitating the usage of endoscope were: 6/13 with cochlear rotation, 4/13 with very narrow mastoid cavity, and 3/13 with narrow facial recess. By using the endoscope, the RW was fully visualized in all patients and CI insertion done through it. Conclusion: The endoscopy was of great value in some difficult CI cases.

Idiopathic temporal bone encephalocele: Diagnosed and treated during cochlear implantation

Objective: Meningoencephaloceles of the temporal bone are rare entities. There are two main categories, congenital and acquired. Acquired meningoencephaloceles are more common due to iatrogenic injury to the tegmen tympani which is a common complication during mastoidectomy. Case Presentation: We present a case of an idiopathic meningoencephalocele that was diagnosed and treated successfully during cochlear implantation via transmastoid approach. Fascia lata graft was used to reconstruct the deficit of tegmen tympani. Audiological outcome has been improved. Conclusions: Idiopathic Meningoencephaloceles present without specific clinical symptomatology and as a result diagnosis delay significant. In literature, there are various surgical approaches with mixed results.