Surgical Labyrinthectomy and Cochlear Implantation in Menière's Disease

Cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness: a single-center experience of 138 cases

OBJECTIVES

Assess the outcomes in patients who underwent cochlear implant (CI) for single-sided deafness (SSD).

METHODS

All patients affected by SSD who underwent CI at Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza, from October 2012 to May 2022 with at least 6 months of follow-up were selected in the study group. The analysis included subjective and objective measures performed pre-operative and up to 24 months after surgery. Hearing threshold on both sides was evaluated with a weighted four-frequency average (PTA [0.5 kHz + 1 kHz + 2 kHz + 4 kHz]/4) on pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry (Speech Discrimination Score, SDS). The Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ Questionnaire) for binaural hearing benefits and sound localization, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Questionnaire (THI) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory Questionnaire (DHI) were used for subjective assessment.

RESULTS

Data from 138 patients, 69 males and 69 females, (mean age 49 years, range 17-77 years) underwent CI for SSD were examined. Single-sided hearing deprivation average before undergoing CI surgery was 2.5 years (range 3 months-35 years). There was a significant reduction of THI and DHI scores compared to pre-operative scores alongside a referred improvement in social, physical, and emotional well-being through the SSQ questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this paper descried the largest cohort of SSD who underwent CI in a single institution. According to our findings CI in patients affected by SSD represents a valuable tool for an overall improvement of tinnitus and dizziness but also quality of life, after at least 6 months of follow-up. Further studies are desirable to improve rehabilitation pathways and possibly set new standards of care of this condition.

Triple Semi-Circular Canal Occlusion and Cochlear Implantation: A Treatment Option for Single-Sided Menière's Disease with Functional Deafness-A Case Series

The surgical options for patients with single-sided Menière's disease and functional deafness are challenging. Our case series reports the outcomes of surgical treatments of patients with single-sided Menière's disease and functional deafness. These patients have undergone a one-staged occlusion of all semi-circular canals and cochlear implantation. Five patients (four female and one male; 62 ± 8.2 years with a range from 50 to 72 years) with single-sided Menière's disease and functional deafness were included in this study. In all cases, the patients suffered from frequent rotational vertigo episodes for many years. Other treatment options (e.g., medication) had not yet been successful. Preoperatively, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) of all patients indicated severe emotional, physical, and functional deficits. Patients showed a functional (near-total) deafness of the affected ear in all cases. All patients were supplied with cochlear implants in combination with a triple occlusion of all semi-circular canals in a one-stage procedure. After a short period of increased dizziness following surgery and after the activation of the cochlear implant and CI rehabilitation (auditory-verbal therapy), vertigo control and an adequate audiological outcome were achieved. The DHI showed a constant decrease after surgery. The combination of a triple semi-circular canal occlusion and cochlear implantation can be an efficient treatment for patients with single-sided Menière's disease.

Management of cochlear fistula and the role of hearing: a five-case report

Objective

Cochlear fistula (CF) is a rare finding, usually associated with extensive middle ear cholesteatoma. There is agreement on the fact that removing the cholesteatoma matrix on a CF exposes the ear to a high risk of sensorineural hearing loss or dead ear. The aim of the study is to describe the presentation, possible treatment strategies and related outcomes for patients with CF in chronic otitis media (COM).

Methods

The study considers a retrospective case series of patients with CF diagnosis supported by CT-scan and intraoperative/otoscopic evidence.

Results

Five cases of CF were identified, 4 associated with cholesteatoma and 1 associated with non-cholesteatomatous COM. Two patients presenting with anacusis underwent a subtotal petrosectomy. Two patients with useful hearing underwent a radical mastoidectomy in order to preserve the cholesteatoma matrix on the promontorium. One patient with good hearing and COM was treated conservatively.

Conclusions

Conservative management should be considered for rare cases of CF in COM with residual hearing. Matrix preservation through radical/modified radical mastoidectomy is strongly advised in the presence of useful preoperative bone conduction. Subtotal petrosectomy should be considered the preferred option in presence of cholesteatoma with preoperative profound hearing loss.

The Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the effect of cochlear implantation (CI) on tinnitus and quality of life.

DATABASES SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched through August 21, 2020. Search strategies used a combination of subject headings (e.g., MeSH in PubMed) and keywords for the following two concepts: cochlear implantation and tinnitus.

STUDY SELECTION

English articles reporting on pre-intervention tinnitus-related patient-reported outcome measures (e.g., Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI], Tinnitus Questionnaire [TQ], Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] for loudness) and quality of life measures (e.g., Nijmegen Cochlear Implantation Questionnaire [NCIQ] and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) for CI recipients were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Demographics, baseline, and follow-up data.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Total of 27 articles reporting on 1,285 patients (mean age 54.5 years, range 14-81) were included. Meta-analysis of all tinnitus-related measures demonstrated improvement following implantation, with a mean difference of -23.2 [95% CI: -28.8 to -17.7], -12.6 [95% CI: -17.5 to -7.8], and -4.5 [95% CI: -5.5 to -3.4] (p < 0.05 for all) for THI, TQ, and VAS, respectively. NCIQ increased by 12.2 points [95% CI: 8.2-16.2] (p < 0.05), indicating improved quality of life among CI recipients. Psychological comorbidities were also ameliorated, as evidenced by reductions in HADS depression (-1.7 [95% CI: -2.4 to -0.9]) and anxiety (-1.3 [95% CI: -2.1 to -0.5]) (p < 0.05 for both) scores.

CONCLUSION

Following CI, patients reported significant improvement in tinnitus via several validated questionnaires. Additional benefits include improved quality of life and reduction in psychological comorbidities.

Cochlear Implantation in the Setting of Menière's Disease After Labyrinthectomy: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Characterize the speech recognition and sound source localization of patients with unilateral Menière's disease who undergo labyrinthectomy for vertigo control with simultaneous or sequential cochlear implantation.

DATABASES REVIEWED

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

METHODS

The search was performed on May 6, 2020. The keywords utilized included: "Menière's disease AND cochlear implant;" "cochlear implant AND single sided deafness;" "cochlear implant AND vestibular;" and "labyrinthectomy AND cochlear implant." Manuscripts published in English with a publication date after 1995 that assessed adult subjects (≥18 years of age) were included for review. Subjects must have been diagnosed with Menière's disease unilaterally and underwent labyrinthectomy with simultaneous or sequential cochlear implantation. Reported outcomes with cochlear implant (CI) use included speech recognition as measured with the consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word test and/or sound source localization reported in root-mean squared (RMS) error. The method of data collection and study type were recorded to assess level of evidence. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon signed ranks test.

RESULTS

Data from 14 CI recipients met the criteria for inclusion. Word recognition comparisons between the preoperative interval and a postactivation interval demonstrated a significant improvement with the CI (p = 0.014), with an average improvement of 23% (range -16 to 50%). Sound source localization postoperatively with the CI demonstrated an average RMS error of 26° (SD 6.8, range 18.7-43.1°) compared to the 42° (SD 19.1, range 18-85°) in the preoperative or CI off condition, these two conditions were not statistically different (p = 0.148).

CONCLUSION

Cochlear implantation and labyrinthectomy in adult patients with Menière's disease can support improvements in speech recognition and sound source localization for some CI users, though observed performance may be poorer than traditional CI candidates.

Pharmacological, surgical and diagnostic innovations in Meniere's disease: a review

Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder characterized by the presence of endolymphatic hydrops in the inner ear and symptomatology of recurrent and debilitating vertigo attacks, tinnitus, aural fullness, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. Although many therapeutic options for MD have been proposed during years, no consensus has been reached by the scientific community. In the last decade, many therapeutic options have been proposed, as intratympanic steroid, intratympanic gentamicin, and intravenous glycerol. Recently, the role of the antisecretory factor in the diet of MD patients have been investigated. Surgery is recommended for intractable MD; some authors proposed new approaches including transcanal endoscopic infracochlear vestibular neurectomy, new marsupiliazation technique in sac surgery, and tenotomy of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles.

The Correlation of a 2D Volume-Referencing Endolymphatic-Hydrops Grading System With Extra-Tympanic Electrocochleography in Patients With Definite Ménière's Disease

Background: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the membranous labyrinth and electrocochleography (ECochG) have been used to diagnose endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) in patients with Ménière's disease (MD), the relationship between imaging and ECochG is not well-documented. Objectives: This study evaluates the ELH using 3D-FLAIR MRI and extra-tympanic ECochG (ET-ECochG) and correlates the results from 3D-FLAIR MRI to those from ET-ECochG. Materials and Methods: 3D-FLAIR MRI images of 50 patients were assessed using a 2D volume-referencing grading system (VR scores, relative scores according to the known volumes of the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals). Forty healthy subjects were included and compared to 51 definite MD ears of 50 patients while analyzing the ET-ECochG, which used a self-made bronze foil electrode. The amplitude ratio of the summating potential (SP) to the action potential (AP) (SP/AP) and the area ratio of SP to AP (Asp/Aap) were collected. Relative ELH grade scores were then correlated to ET-ECochG (SP/AP, Asp/Aap). Results: The VR scores showed a better correlation (r = 0.88) with the pure tone average (PTA), disease duration, and vertigo frequency of MD than the Bernaerts scores (grading the cochlea and vestibule separately) (r = 0.22). The SP/AP and Asp/Aap of the unilateral MD patients were statistically comparable to those measured in contralateral ears and the results between the definite MD ears with healthy ears were statistically comparable (p < 0.05). In a ROC analysis Asp/Aap (area under curve, AUC 0.98) significantly (p = 0.01) outperformed SP/AP (AUC 0.91). The total score of ELH, vestibular ELH, and cochlear ELH were also correlated with SP/AP and Asp/Aap. The strongest correlation was found between the Asp/Aap and cochlear ELH (r = 0.60). Conclusion: The 2D volume-referencing grading system was more meaningful than the Bernaerts scores. A correlation was found between ELH revealed by 3D-FLAIR MRI and the SP/AP of ET-ECochG in evaluating definite MD patients. The Asp/Aap appeared a more sensitive and reliable parameter than SP/AP for diagnosing the ELH of the membranous labyrinth.