Limitations of non-echo planar diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (non-EPI MRI) in cholesteatoma surveillance after ossicular chain reconstruction. A prospective study

Titanium Implant Obscuring Residual Cholesteatoma on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report

Cholesteatomas are benign growths of squamous epithelial tissue in the middle ear resulting in conductive hearing loss and/or erosion of the structures of the middle ear space. These lesions are surgically removed but require postoperative surveillance due to risk of recurrence or residual disease. Second-look surgery remains the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of residual or recurrent cholesteatoma; however, advanced imaging modalities such as non-echoplanar diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (non-EPI DWI-MRI) offer a less invasive alternative for surveillance. As surgeons become more reliant on advanced imaging, it is important to understand the limitations of the technology. We present a case of a delay in diagnosis of residual cholesteatoma due to a false-negative finding on non-EPI DWI-MRI screening in the presence of a titanium implant.

Titanium Biohybrid Middle Ear Prostheses: A Preliminary In Vitro Study

Ossiculoplasty is a surgical operation performed to restore auditory transmission through the reconstruction of the ossicular chain using prosthetics. Tissue bioengineering has assumed a pivotal role in implementing alternatives to conventional ossicular middle ear replacement prostheses, to overcome extrusion while preserving acoustic properties. This in vitro study aims to explore, for the first time in current literature, the feasibility of a biohybrid middle ear prosthesis, composed of titanium surrounded by a bone extracellular matrix as bio-coating. We have hereby studied the adhesion and proliferation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASC) on titanium scaffolds in vitro. Moreover, we identified the osteogenic differentiation of hASC using an immunofluorescence assay to analyze osteoblasts' gene expression profiles (Alp, Runx2, Col1a1, Osx, and Bglap), and we counted the presence of collagen as a marker of hASC's ability to secrete an extracellular matrix. We utilized scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the presence of an extracellular matrix on the scaffolds. Our preliminary data demonstrated the titanium's ability to support human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell colonization, proliferation, and osteoblastic differentiation, in order to obtain a biohybrid device. Our experience seems encouraging; thus, we advocate for further in vivo research to corroborate our results regarding bone transplantation.

PROPELLER diffusion weighted imaging for diagnosis of cholesteatoma in comparison with surgical and histopathological results: emphasis on false positivity and false negativity

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of non-echo planar diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) using "periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction" (PROPELLER) sequence for the diagnosis of cholesteatoma compared to surgical and histopathological results in an attempt to determine the factors causing false negative and false positive diagnoses.

METHODS

Patients who had PROPELLER DWI before ear surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The presence of a lesion with diffusion restriction on PROPELLER DWI was accepted as positive for cholesteatoma, and the results were compared to the intraoperative and histopathological findings.

RESULTS

A total of 112 ears in 109 patients were reviewed. On PROPELLER DWI, a lesion with diffusion restriction was found in 101 (90.2%) ears, while in 11 (9.8%) of the patients, no diffusion restriction was found. Surgery and histopathological analysis revealed a cholesteatoma in 100 (89.3%) ears, while in 12 (10.7%) ears, no cholesteatoma was found surgically. There were 96 (85.7%) true positives, 7 (6.2%) true negatives, 5 (4.5%) false positives and 4 (3.6%) false negatives. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of non-echo planar DWI were calculated to be 91.96%, 96%, 58.33%, 95.05%, and 63.64%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Non-echo planar DWI using PROPELLER sequence has high accuracy, sensitivity and positive predictive value and can be used for the detection of cholesteatoma. The external auditory canal, postoperative ears and small lesions should be evaluated with caution to avoid false results.

Primary ossiculoplasties provide better hearing results than revisions: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) in primary and revision surgeries, and to investigate the impact of the number of previous surgeries on hearing outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of cases with OCR due to chronic otitis in a tertiary center between January 2018 and September 2021.

RESULTS

Altogether, 147 cases of ossicle involvement were assessed. In 91.83% (n = 135) OCR was performed, 96.26% of them with titanium TORP/PORP (n = 130), two cases with autologous prosthesis and three with piston. Mean follow-up was 8.8 months. The ABG significantly improved in the total group (TORP/PORP) from a mean (SD) of 30.94 (15.55) to 19.76 (13.36) dB (p < 0.0001) with 60.86% success. The best results were achieved in primary OCR with PORP implantation without cholesteatoma (89.47%). Primary cases have a significantly higher success rate in contrary to revision surgeries (72.27%, vs. 52.00%, p = 0.032). The only relevant predictive factor proved to be the fact of revision (p = 0.029). A statistically significant correlation between the number of previous surgeries and hearing results could not be proved. There was no difference in hearing outcomes between patients with only one or more than one previous surgeries in the revision groups. Neither the presence of cholesteatoma, nor the type of OCR (TOPR/PORP) and the indication of revision had an impact on postoperative ABG.

CONCLUSIONS

Titanium prostheses are effective in OCR both in primary and revision cases. It is not the number of previous surgeries, but the fact of revision that influences postoperative hearing results.

Non-echo Planar Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in the Detection of Recurrent or Residual Cholesteatoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Studies

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with suspected recurrent cholesteatoma who underwent non-echo planar imaging (non-EPI) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with surgery as the reference standard. We searched Medline, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane database for diagnostic test accuracy studies. The following prespecified subgroup analyses were performed: patient age, number of radiologists interpreting MRI, study design, and risk of bias. We used a bivariate model using a generalized linear mixed model to pool accuracies. Of the 460 records identified, 32 studies were included, of which 50% (16/32) were low risk of bias. The overall pooled sensitivity was 92.2% (95% CI 87.3-95.3%), and specificity was 91.7% (85.2-95.5%). The positive likelihood ratio was 11.1 (4.5-17.8), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.09 (0.04-0.13). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 130.3 (20.5-240). Heterogeneity was moderate on visual inspection of the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve. Subgroup analyses showed prospective studies reporting higher accuracies (p=0.027), which were driven by higher specificity (prospective 93.1% (88.4-96.0%) versus retrospective 81.2% (81.0-81.4%)). There was no difference in subgroups comparing patient age (p=0.693), number of radiologists interpreting MRI (p=0.503), or risk of bias (p=0.074). No publication bias was detected (p=0.98). In conclusion, non-EPI is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test able to identify recurrent cholesteatomas of moderate to large sizes. This test can be considered a non-invasive alternative to second-look surgery.

Epidemiologic, Imaging, and Clinical Issues in Bezold’s Abscess: A Systematic Review

Bezold’s abscess is a deep neck abscess related to otomastoiditis. Due to the insidious clinical presentation, diagnosis can be extremely challenging, leading to delays in treatment and possible life-threatening complications. The literature currently provides a fragmented picture, presenting only single or small number of cases. The present study aims at examining our experience and the literature findings (based on PRISMA criteria) of 97 patients with Bezold’s abscess, summarizing their epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatments. Bezold’s abscess is found at any age, with overt male prevalence among adults. The clinical presentation, as well as the causative pathogens, are strikingly heterogeneous. Otomastoiditis and cholesteatoma are major risk factors. A clinical history of otitis is commonly reported (43%). CT and MRI are the main diagnostic tools, proving the erosion of the mastoid tip in 53% of patients and the presence of a concomitant cholesteatoma in 40%. Intracranial vascular (24%) or infectious (9%) complications have also been reported. Diagnosis might be easily achieved when imaging (CT) is properly applied. MRI has a limited diagnostic role, but it might be crucial whenever intracranial complications or the coexistence of cholesteatoma are suspected, helping to develop proper treatment (prompt antibiotic therapy and surgery).