The role for cochlear implants in microtia and congenital aural atresia: A case report and a review of literature

Sensorineural hearing loss resulting from microtia and aural atresia is rare due to different embryologic origins of the external and inner ear. Consequently, cochlear implants are seldom performed in patients with microtia and/or aural atresia. Herein we discuss an 8 year-old boy with congenital aural atresia and microtia who underwent cochlear implant surgery for profound hearing loss with good results. A literature review was performed and discussed. Pre-operative planning with high resolution computed tomography and facial nerve monitoring are crucial in identification and preservation of the facial nerve due to the high rate of aberrant anatomy. Careful incision placement is required particularly if pinna reconstruction is considered. Literature review highlighted various surgical approaches as well as different modalities used for intra-operative facial nerve monitoring. Only one patient had intra-operative complications. Cochlear implant is a viable solution in patients with external ear malformations and severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Adequate planning and counselling are essential due to the challenges that may occur in microtia and aural atresia.

The great pretender-Bell's palsy secondary to SARS-CoV-2?

This case series highlights a possible association between isolated facial nerve palsy and SARS-CoV-2. Caution should be exercised in the use of steroids in patients with COVID-19 as its impact is still not well established.

TORP ossiculoplasty in the presence of an intact stapes superstructure

INTRODUCTION

In this series, we describe ossicular reconstruction using routine TORP in the presence of the stapes superstructure using a tympanic-membrane-to-footplate configuration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a case series of 12 patients who underwent TORP ossiculoplasties from 1st January 2010 to 31st October 2017. Data collected included demographics, indication for surgery, status of the middle ear and pre-operative and post-operative audiometric data (including pure tone average (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG)).

RESULTS

The mean pre-operative PTA was 56.5 dB and ABG was 39.8 dB. Surgical success (ABG ≤ 20 dB) was achieved in 83.3%, with an average improvement in PTA of 24.3 dB and closure of ABG of 27.1 dB. The mean post-operative ABG was 12.7 dB.

CONCLUSION

TORP ossiculoplasty with tympanic-membrane-to-footplate configuration is a feasible means of ossicular reconstruction, independent of the status or spatial arrangement of the remnant ossicles. Using this technique, it is possible to achieve a consistently good outcome for improvement in hearing and closure of ABG.

Prevalence of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Asian Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Singapore Sleep Center Experience

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in patients with OSA. However, the prevalence and significance of cardiac arrhythmias in Asian patients with OSA are not well studied. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with OSA in Singapore and to evaluate possible factors that may predispose patients with OSA to arrhythmias.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 2,019 patients was carried out from January 2011 to December 2012 at a sleep center in a tertiary medical center. Of the population, 1,457 patients were found to have OSA and 144 patients were found to have cardiac arrhythmias. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, and polysomnogram parameters.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in our OSA population is 8.0%, compared to that of primary snorers at 4.8% (P = .015). The univariate analysis revealed that older age, higher body mass index, comorbidities, and severity of OSA, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) and hypoxic time were correlated with a higher prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias (P < .05). However, the multivariate analysis showed that only age and body mass index were significantly correlated with arrhythmias. AHI, LSAT, and hypoxic time were no longer statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that cardiac arrhythmias are common in patients with OSA in Singapore. It also suggests that given the different demographics of our population, ethnicity may play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular disease among patients with OSA.

COMMENTARY

A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1229.