OBJECTIVE: This study compares hearing outcomes of two prosthesis materials, bone and titanium, used in ossiculoplasty.
METHODS: This retrospective nationwide registry-based study uses data systematically collected by the Swedish Quality Registry for Ear Surgery (SwedEar).
METHODS: The data were obtained from clinics in Sweden that perform ossiculoplasty.
METHODS: Patients who underwent ossiculoplasty using either bone or titanium prostheses were registered in SwedEar between 2013 and 2019.
METHODS: Hearing outcome expressed as air-bone gap (ABG) gain.
RESULTS: The study found no differences between bone and titanium for ABG or air conduction (AC) for either partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORP) or total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORP). In a comparison between PORP and TORP for ABG and AC outcomes, regardless of the material used, PORP showed a small advantage, with an additional improvement of 3.3 dB (95% CI [confidence interval], 0.1-4.4) in ABG and 2.2 dB (95% CI, 1.7-4.8) in AC. In secondary surgery using TORP, titanium produced slightly better results for high-frequency pure tone average. The success rate, a postoperative ABG ≤20 dB, was achieved in 62% of the operations for the whole group.
CONCLUSIONS: Both bone and titanium used to reconstruct the ossicular chain produce similar hearing outcomes for both PORP and TORP procedures. However, titanium may be a preferable option for secondary surgeries involving TORP. The success rate, a postoperative ABG ≤20 dB, is consistent with other studies, but there is room for improvement in patient selection criteria and surgical techniques.

In recent years, the use of smartphones and other wireless technology in medical care has developed rapidly. However, in some cases, especially for pediatric medical problems, the reliability of information accessed by mobile health technology remains debatable. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the relevance of smartphone applications in the detection and diagnosis of pediatric medical conditions for which the greatest number of applications have been developed. This is the case of smartphone applications developed for the diagnosis of acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, hearing impairment, obesity, amblyopia, and vision screening. In some cases, the information given by these applications has significantly improved the diagnostic ability of physicians. However, distinguishing between applications that can be effective and those that may lead to mistakes can be very difficult. This highlights the importance of a careful application selection before including smartphone-based artificial intelligence in everyday clinical practice.

Over the past 2 decades, the increasing availability of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as the growing professional expertise have significantly improved the diagnostics of middle and inner ear diseases in dogs and cats. In answering some of the diagnostic questions, CT and MRT demonstrate equivalent performance. For most questions, however, there are differences in the diagnostic performance due to the physical imaging properties of the 2 modalities.CT is more sensitive in demonstrating involvement of the bulla wall and is more effective for detecting abnormal content within the tympanic bulla. In addition, with CT it is often easier to guide tissue samplings. On the other hand, structural changes of the soft tissues of the skull, head, meninges, brain, and nerves are not or only insufficiently detectable on CT images. MRI is clearly superior here. Therefore, MRI is essential for the characterization of materials inside the bulla cavity and for demonstrating the extent of any central spread of otitis media (OM).In this image essay, CT and MRI features of OM and resulting secondary lesions described in the literature are analyzed and summarized. Own image examples are used for illustration. Information on the etiology, pathogenesis, pathomorphology, and clinical signs important for understanding these changes are presented in concise descriptions.
Über die letzten 2 Jahrzehnte haben die zunehmende Verfügbarkeit von Computertomografen (CT) und Magnetresonanztomografen (MRT) sowie die gewachsene fachliche Expertise die Diagnostik von Mittel- und Innenohrerkrankungen bei Hunden und Katzen erheblich verbessert. Bei der Beantwortung von einer Reihe diagnostischer Fragestellungen können CT und MRT als gleichwertige Verfahren angesehen werden. Bei anderen Fragestellungen wiederum bestehen Unterschiede in der diagnostischen Leistungsfähigkeit aufgrund der physikalischen Abbildungseigenschaften. Sensitiver ist die CT bei der Darstellung von Veränderungen der Bullawand. Die CT ist auch das effektivere Verfahren, wenn abnormaler Inhalt in der Bulla tympanica nachgewiesen werden soll. Darüber hinaus ist es mit der CT oft einfacher, die Entnahme von Gewebeproben zu planen und durchzuführen. Andererseits sind strukturelle Veränderungen der Weichteile des Kopfes, der Meningen, des Gehirns und von Nerven in der CT nicht oder nur unzureichend erkennbar. Hier ist die MRT klar überlegen. Daher ist die MRT für die Typisierung von Materialen in der Bulla sowie die Darstellung des Ausmaßes einer eventuell existierenden zentralen Ausbreitung einer Otitis media (OM) unerlässlich.In diesem Bildessay werden die in der Literatur beschriebenen bildmorphologischen Merkmale einer OM und die durch sie bedingten sekundären Pathologien analysiert und zusammengefasst. Eigene Bildbeispiele dienen der Illustration. Für das Verständnis der Veränderungen wichtige Informationen zur Ätiologie, Pathogenese, Pathomorphologie und dem klinischen Erscheinungsbild werden in kurzer Form dargestellt.

OBJECTIVE: To describe secondary secretory otitis media (SSOM) due to obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube in cats and dogs and to characterize the effusion by macroscopic description, microscopic cytology and bacteriological analysis.
METHODS: Three cats and 2 dogs with middle ear effusion and obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube detected on CT scans received myringotomy followed by macroscopic description, microscopic cytology and bacteriological analysis of the fluid obtained.
RESULTS: All animals had serous to mucoid middle ear effusions and, in 2 cases, large numbers of inflammatory cells and secondary infection. Causes of auditory tube dysfunction ranged from iatrogenic stents (2) to neoplasia (3). In the non-neoplastic cases, effusion resolved in all cases after removal of the underlying cause.
CONCLUSIONS: Obstruction of the nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube leads to accumulation of fluid within the middle ear in cats and dogs. If the cause of obstruction can be removed, fluid accumulation resolves. Fluid characteristics are comparable to middle ear effusions in pugs and French bulldogs. It is important to always examine the nasopharynx in cases of middle ear effusion to rule out SSOM.
UNASSIGNED: Eine sekretorische Otitis media mit Paukenhöhlenerguss kann durch Obstruktionen der pharyngealen Öffnung der Eustachischen Röhre ausgelöst werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit war die makroskopische Beschreibung des Ergusses bei Katzen und Hunden sowie die mikroskopische und bakteriologische Analyse.
METHODS: Drei Katzen und 2 Hunde mit Paukenhöhlenergüssen und einer in der Computertomografie detektierten Obstruktion der nasopharyngealen Öffnung der Eustachischen Röhre wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Das per Myringotomie gewonnene Sekret wurde makroskopisch, zytologisch und bakteriologisch untersucht.
UNASSIGNED: In allen Fällen war das Sekret serös bis mukös. In 2 Fällen wurde eine hohe Anzahl an Entzündungszellen mit einer sekundären Infektion nachgewiesen. Ursachen für die Obstruktion der Eustachischen Röhre reichten von iatrogen durch einen nasopharyngealen Stent (2) bis zu Neoplasie (3). In allen nicht-neopastischen Fällen waren die Paukenhöhlenergüsse nach Entfernung der auslösenden Obstruktion reversibel.
UNASSIGNED: Eine Obstruktion der nasopharyngealen Öffnung der Eustachischen Röhre führt zu einem Flüssigkeitserguss im Mittelohr bei Hunden und Katzen. Wenn die Obstruktion behoben werden kann, sind diese Ergüsse reversibel. Analysen der Ergüsse gleichen denen bei brachyzephalen Hunden. Im Falle eines Paukenhöhlenergusses sollte immer auch der Nasopharynx untersucht werden, um eine sekundäre sekretorische Otitis media auszuschließen.

BACKGROUND: Current guidance suggests oral antibiotics can be considered for children with acute otitis media (AOM) and ear discharge, but there is an absence of evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops.
OBJECTIVE: To establish whether antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops are non-inferior to oral antibiotics in children with AOM and ear discharge.
METHODS: Open randomized controlled non-inferiority trial set in Dutch primary care.
METHODS: Children were randomized to hydrocortisone-bacitracin-colistin eardrops (five drops, three times per day in the discharging ear(s)) or amoxicillin suspension (50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided over three doses administered orally) for 7 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with resolution of ear pain and fever at day 3.
RESULTS: Between December 2017 and March 2023, 58 of the planned 350 children were recruited due to slow accrual for various reasons. Children assigned to eardrops (n = 26) had lower resolution rates of ear pain and fever at 3 days compared to those receiving oral antibiotics (n = 31): 42% vs 65%; adjusted risk difference 20.3%, 95% confidence interval -5.3% to 41.9%), longer parent-reported ear discharge (6 vs 3 days; P = .04), and slightly higher mean ear pain scores (Likert scale 0-6) over days 1-3 (2.1 vs 1.4, P = .02), but received fewer oral antibiotic courses in 3months (11 for 25 children vs 33 for 30 children), and had less GI upset and rash (12% vs 32% and 8% vs 16%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Early termination stopped us from determining non-inferiority of antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops. Our limited data, requiring confirmation, suggest that oral antibiotics may be more effective than antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops in resolving symptoms and shortening the duration of ear discharge.

OBJECTIVE: Increased neonatal referral rate of conductive hearing loss (CHL) related to otitis media with effusion (OME) following universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) may cause an unnecessary clinical, emotional, and financial burden. This study analyzes the long-term, audiological, and medical characteristics of CHL associated with OME in neonates in order to establish a standardized protocol following technology-driven improvements in detection and referral rates in UNHS.
METHODS: A retrospective study of all neonates with OME-related CHL referred to the University Hospital of Leuven (Belgium) after failing UNHS with the MAICO devices between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2021 was performed. Follow-up consultations, auditory tests, referral side, birth month, hearing loss degree, underlying pathologies and risk factors, time to normalization, and need for ventilation tubes were assessed.
RESULTS: The incidence of CHL related to OME was stable between 2013 and 2021. Of all referred infants with OME, 52.3 % demonstrated spontaneous recovery. The average time to hearing normalization was significantly longer in children with underlying congenital pathologies compared to those without. Moreover, 74.4 % of these children received ventilation tubes compared to 32.0 % of children without underlying pathologies. No correlation was found between the incidence of OME-related CHL with either a hearing loss degree, admission to neonatal intensive care, or history of a nasogastric feeding tube.
CONCLUSIONS: In children who failed UNHS due to OME, hearing recovers spontaneously without surgical intervention in 2/3 of the infants without underlying conditions within one year. In children with underlying congenital disorders, the time to hearing recovery is longer and the risk for surgical intervention is higher, underlining the need for implementing a UNHS standardized protocol.

Myhre syndrome (MS) is a rare genetic condition that presents with multiple genetic anomalies including cleft lip and palate and Eustachian tube dysfunction. These patients are at a high risk for airway scarring from intubation and mucosal inflammation. Hearing loss (conductive or mixed, of varying severity) is a common comorbidity in these patients, the exact etiology of which is still unclear. We present the cases of 2 unrelated children with MS who suffered progressive mixed hearing loss from fibrosis and obliteration of the middle ear spaces. Both patients had multiple sets of ear tubes that demonstrated early extrusion. The older patient underwent bone conduction implantation at age 11 which resulted in dramatic improvement of speech recognition and interactive skills. The other younger patient demonstrates a similar trajectory but has not yet undergone implantation. Otolaryngologists should take a cautious approach to surgery of the eardrum and middle ear to avoid unnecessary induction of fibrosis in this susceptible patient population. These cases highlight a newly described etiology for hearing loss and suggest a benefit to bone conduction implantation.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially life-threatening syndrome for which early recognition and treatment are essential for improving outcomes. HLH is characterized by uncontrolled immune activation leading to fever, cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, coagulation abnormalities, and elevated typical markers. This condition can be genetic or secondary, with the latter often triggered by infections. Here, we present a unique case of HLH secondary to acute otitis media (AOM), a common ear infection.
METHODS: We describe a 4-year-old boy who initially presented with a high fever and otalgia, later diagnosed with bilateral AOM. Despite antibiotic treatment, his condition deteriorated.
METHODS: The patient fulfilled diagnostic criteria for HLH.
METHODS: Aggressive treatment by using combination therapy with immunoglobulins, intravenous steroids (dexamethasone), cyclosporine, and etoposide was performed.
RESULTS: After 1 month of treatment, improvement in the otologic symptoms was observed, and hematological findings gradually improved and normalized.
CONCLUSIONS: The link between AOM and HLH may be associated with inflammatory responses and immunological mechanisms, highlighting the importance of considering HLH in severe infection cases. This case emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and management, especially in secondary HLH scenarios, to improve patient outcomes. It is imperative to be aware of the potential correlation between these 2 conditions, and healthcare professionals should consider the likelihood of HLH.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media (OM) refers to a common clinical ear disease. Noise seriously damages human hearing function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various noise types on the hearing function of patients who have recovered from mild OM.
METHODS: A total of 160 patients with mild OM treated at our hospital from May 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively selected for this study. Based on clinical data, the patients were divided into the non-noise group (n = 80) and the noise (n = 80) group. The hearing thresholds of the two groups were compared across various noise types at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. In addition, the hearing thresholds of the noise group were compared under the same conditions.
RESULTS: The noise group exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz than the non-noise group (P < 0.05). Under traffic, urban construction, and industrial noises, the auditory thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the noise group were significantly higher than those observed under domestic and speech noises (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Noise shows a close relationship with the hearing function of patients with OM. Traffic, urban construction, and industrial noises greatly influence the hearing function of patients who have recovered from mild OM.

Acute suppurative otitis media can occasionally result in facial paralysis, which calls for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Facial paralysis, a synonym for Bell\'s palsy, is a condition that causes rapid weakening of one side of the face muscles, leading to drooping of the face on that side. A major factor in determining the course of the condition is rehabilitation through physiotherapy. Here, we present a case of a 26-year-old female who felt discomfort in her left ear on February 21, 2024, but chose to ignore it then. She observed an abrupt deviation in her mouth and visited a rural hospital, where she was admitted. Facial asymmetry was observed during the examination, and she was found to have a grade V on the House-Brackmann scale. A near-normal muscle action was initiated by mime therapy, and proprioceptive stimulation was given by facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation along with electrical stimulation. All these approaches benefited the patient in a significant manner.