Harner, Stephen G.

Restricted exposure and inconsistencies in sinus pneumatization place the optic nerve at risk during operations on the sphenoid sinus and posterior ethmoid cells. In this study, computed tomography was used to examine these relationships. We reviewed 80 patients who underwent high‐resolution computed tomographic scanning for ophthalmologic complaints in which the scan was negative. Forty‐eight percent of posterior ethmoid cells are separated from the optic nerve by the thin bony lamina of the optic canal. Nearly 90% of sphenoid sinuses contact the ipsilateral optic nerve and 10% contact both nerves. Eight percent of posterior ethmoid cells override the ipsilateral sphenoid sinus and contact the optic nerve on that side. Paraxial reformatted displays allowed estimation of the degree of projection of the optic nerve into adjacent sinus cavities. Three percent of optic nerves have significant projection into the posterior ethmoid cell, and 23% project significantly into the sphenoid sinus. The width of the bony plate that separates the optic nerve from the sinus cavity was the same for sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. Although sinus pneumatization varies among individuals, right and left sides are generally similar within one person.

Butyl 2‐cyanoacrylate was placed on the oval and round window of the ear of the chinchilla and was also used as an adhesive for myringoplasty with autogenous muscle fascia. Butyl 2‐cyanoacrylate was found to be difficult to manipulate and moderately toxic to the middle ear; there were occasional significant reactions in the inner ear.

From 1966 through 1983, 408 patients underwent primary removal of an acoustic neuroma at the Mayo Clinic. Of these, 21 had preoperative pure tone hearing levels of 25 dB hearing loss or better at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, which for this study was defined as normal pure tone hearing. Fourteen patients (67%) had dysequilibrium and 13 (62%) had subjective hearing impairment. Nystagmus was the most common physical finding. Five patients (23%) had completely symmetric pure tone hearing levels through all frequencies tested. The mean speech discrimination score was 90%. Mean tumor size was 2.4 cm. Brain stem evoked response audiometry was the most helpful of the special tests in the evaluation of these patients with normal pure tone hearing levels. Our results suggest that 5% of patients with acoustic neuromas have normal pure tone hearing levels. A careful history, a thorough physical examination, and an appropriate selection of tests will identify these patients.

Adenomas and adenocarcinomas originating from the middle ear are few in number and have met with significant controversy in the literature. Our experience with 11 previously described patients is updated and five new cases are added. These tumors were seen in persons whose ages ranged from 7 to 77 years. The most common initial symptom was decreased hearing (11 cases), followed by otorrhea (4 cases), and otalgia (4 cases). At the time of diagnosis, facial nerve weakness was present in several patients (seven), and this was a poor prognostic sign. These glandular tumors engender controversy regarding histologic origin and the pathologic demarcation between adenoma and adenocarcinoma. In this review, we show that otorrhea, bone erosion, facial nerve involvement, and aggressive clinical behavior can be the result of lesions that appear microscopically benign. Furthermore, we present evidence of the similarity of these glandular lesions to paragangliomas and carcinoid tumors. Finally, pathologic data are presented to develop the previously unreported theory that the origin for this group of tumors is paraganglionic tissue.

The etiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of Meniere's syndrome are poorly understood. The reported studies have had inadequate followup or insufficient numbers of patients to allow conclusions about the natural history. Our study group was 119 patients who had the classic symptom complex of episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss in the year 1970. After initial review of these charts, follow‐up information was obtained by questionnaire, telephone interview, chart review, or repeat examination, when possible, both in 1983 and in 1988, for a total followup of 18 years. In the patients with followups of at least 14 years, vertiginous episodes had disappeared completely in 50% of patients and somewhat resolved in 28%; hearing was absent in 48% and worse in 21%. Surprisingly, 43% of patients underwent surgery at some point for control of vertigo. Bilateral disease was present initially in 13% and developed subsequently in 45% of patients. Other areas reviewed included the efficacy of long‐term medical treatment, frequency and severity of vertiginous attacks, and contralateral ear symptoms.

Cochlear and neural auditory function for a series of 30 patients with acoustic neuroma was assessed pre- and postoperatively by transiently evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), auditory brain stem response (ABR), and acoustic reflex measures. Employing a retrosigmoid surgical approach, physical integrity of the acoustic nerve was preserved for 22 patients. TEOAEs were observed preoperatively for 13 patients and postoperatively for 6 of them. Postoperative neural function remained unchanged or improved following surgery for 7 patients, and cochlear function decreased. TEOAE, ABR, and acoustic reflex measurements were considered valuable in providing information about site of lesion and probable mechanisms of injury associated with tumor removal.