Solitary schwannoma is a benign, encapsulated tumour of Schwann cell origin, therefore the olfactory and optic nerves are never affected. About 25%-45% of all schwannomas occur in the head and neck but schwannoma of the external auditory canal is a rare finding, and we have found only 6 previous cases reported in the literature world-wide. Our patient was discovered by chance during a stapedect...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in bone conduction thresholds before, during and after total stapedectomy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. METHODS In 27 ears of 26 patients undergoing stapedectomy under local anesthesia, bone conduction was measured before surgery, during surgery under open oval window conditions, and after the insertion of a steel wire conn...

INTRODUCTION In the present case we report on the mismanagement of a patient misdiagnosed with otosclerosis, who was subsequently found to have enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome bilaterally. This highlights the need to not only be vigilant in pre-operative assessment of otosclerosis but also in post-operative investigations of stapedectomy failures. CASE PRESENTATION Our patient, a 56-yea...

OBJECTIVE To survey graduating residents or recent graduates of otolaryngology residency programs to evaluate their Otology/Neurotology (ON) experience in residency and discern if they had received adequate training in time to decide whether to pursue a fellowship in Otology or Neurotology. STUDY DESIGN Internet-based survey. METHODS A survey was distributed to all US otolaryngology residen...

A female 38 year old patient complained of mostly left hypoacusis for the past 4 years; mild bilateral tympanic membrane retraction was present. Audiometry disclosed moderate left conduction loss and slight right conduction loss; immitance testing revealed an A curve and absence of stapedian reflexes bilaterally. The diagnosis was otosclerosis and left stapedectomy was recommended. Perilymph gu...

Perilymph fistula (PLF) is defined as a leak of perilymph at the oval or round window. It excludes other conditions with "fistula" tests due to a dehiscent semi circular canal from cholesteatoma and the superior canal dehiscence syndrome. It was first recognized in the early days of stapedectomy as causing disequilibrium and balance problems before sealing of the stapedectomy with natural tissu...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome and per- and postoperative complications of the surgical management of patients with a persistent stapedial artery (PSA). METHODS A systemic literature search for reports on patients treated for pulsatile tinnitus and/or conductive hearing loss caused by a PSA was conducted of the PubMed and Embase databases using the terms "stapedial" and "artery." Inclusion...

background & objectives: the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two stapes prostheses in hearing improvement of patients undergoing stapes surgery for otosclerosis.   materials & methods: in this retrospective and descriptive study, the charts of 291 stapedectomies performed by one surgeon (first author) from 1997 to 2011 in imam khomeini and apadana hospitals of ahva...