Harner, Stephen G.

Iatrogenic facial paralysis occurs in less than 4% of major otologic procedures. The prevention of iatrogenic injuries involves study, training and experience. These concepts are carefully woven into residency training, fellowship and, ultimately, into peer review. The reasons for injury may be errors of omission, such as inadequate preparation for the procedure, or errors of commission, such as inadequate surgical exposure. Currently, there appear to be enough surgical cases for training programs and the core training of otolaryngology residents prepares them to handle most facial nerve problems. Included in this article is a more detailed description of the anatomy in and around the facial nerve, particularly in the mastoid, with suggestions on how to avoid problems and reduce injuries.

The majority of cerebellopontine angle tumors are acoustic neurinomas; however, 10% to 15% are meningiomas. Meningiomas are benign lesions that must be removed but may require surgical approaches different from those used for acoustic neurinomas. To determine if meningiomas could be distinguished from acoustic neurinomas clinically, findings in 20 patients who underwent removal of a meningioma were compared to those in 131 patients who had an acoustic neurinoma removed during the same period. We found that in patients with meningiomas the tumors frequently are large at presentation, the otologic symptoms and audiometric findings are less dramatic, and roentgenograms of the skull and tomograms of the petrous apex rarely show erosion of the internal auditory canal. Computerized tomography is the most useful method for differentiating a meningioma from a neurinoma: when a meningioma is present the characteristic finding is a broad‐based mass aligned with the petrous ridge, not centered over the internal auditory canal.

Congenital choanal atresia is rare. Previous literature has dealt with the diagnosis and management of these patients, but there are no reports that accurately describe the nature of the deformity. This is a presentation of two patients with tomographic demonstration of the abnormality which confirms the surgical descriptions of previous authors. These abnormalities are (1) narrowing of the entire nasal chamber, (2) primary bony obstruction with an area of membranous obstruction, and (3) gross deformity of the vomer.

Hearing acuity and otologic symptoms were examined in 200 patients with adult‐onset diabetes mellitus. Data were analyzed according to sex and age and were compared with values of other documented studies; values were within normal limits except in two instances. Speech testing revealed that median speech reception thresholds and median discrimination scores were at the lower limits of normal. Hearing loss and otologic problems did not occur with any increased frequency in patients with adult‐onset diabetes mellitus.

Hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo have long been associated with Paget's disease of the bone. We reviewed the records of 463 patients with Paget's disease who were seen in the otolaryngology department. Hearing loss was common. It was our observation that mixed hearing losses were part of the disease process. Sensorineural hearing loss was the most frequent loss, but it usually was not part of the disease process. Tinnitus, vertigo, or both were seen in about 20% of these patients.

Benign chondroblastoma is a rare tumor in the temporal bone. It occurs preponderantly in middle‐aged men as a mass in the posterosuperior region of the ear canal and is accompanied by hearing loss. On pathologic examination, giant cells and focal regions of chondroid differentiation are noted. After the extent of the tumor has been determined, the treatment is surgical removal. Preoperative irradiation may be helpful. Long‐term follow‐up is essential.

Patients with chronic otitis media that did not respond to conventional treatment were studied for the types and incidence of complications from the use of large‐bore tubes inserted into their ears. The most common complication was otorrhea (41%, 50 of 123 ears). Permanent perforation occurred in 25% (17/68 ears). Use of large‐bore tubes proved effective and continues to be indicated in certain conditions of chronic otitis media that are refractory to other forms of treatment.

The need to preserve hearing during acoustic neuroma removal has rekindled interest in labyrinth‐sparing procedures. This review of 11 years' experience with the retrosigmoid approach to acoustic neuroma removal includes 335 procedures in 332 patients. There were no intraoperative deaths; two patients died in the postoperative period. The facial nerve was preserved in 86.3% of procedures, and auditory function was preserved in 45 procedures (34% of those tumors were 2 cm or smaller). Postoperative complications occurred in 101 procedures, the most common being cerebrospinal fluid otorhinorrhea in 40 cases; 25 of these required secondary surgery. Meningitis occurred 16 times and aspiration 8 times; all other complications were less frequent. Tumor removal was incomplete in eight procedures; In only one of these cases has tumor recurred. The six recurrences usually were identified 5 or more years postoperatively. This has prompted us to follow patients for 7 years postoperatively. Major changes in our management include the use of the supine position and of electrophysiologic monitoring. Advantages of the approach are: (1) wide access to the tumor, (2) applicability to all tumor sizes, (3) potential to preserve facial and auditory function in all cases, and (4) ability to change procedure without sacrificing labyrinth. This review confirms our confidence in this approach to acoustic neuroma removal.

The purpose of this study was to examine potential toxic effects of fibrin tissue adhesive to the middle and inner ears. Using the chinchilla as our experimental model, we placed fibrin sealant on either the footplate or the round window membrane in one ear, and placed similar amounts of normal saline in the same area of the opposite ear. In addition, the fibrin adhesive was used to anchor a fascia lata graft for myringoplasty. Both fibrin adhesive and normal saline produced mild reactions in the middle and inner ears when they were placed on the round window membrane; little reaction occurred when fibrin adhesive was placed on the oval window or when it was used for myringoplasty.