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Purpose The disease activity of skull base osteomyelitis can be challenging to assess by means of conventional imaging methods and renders monitoring of the disease difficult, especially in areas with restricted access to nuclear medicine imaging. Here, we provide clinically relevant data on the management of skull base osteomyelitis including assessment, treatment, and follow-up strategies with regards to the role of imaging. Method A chart review was performed including 30 patients treated for SBO from 1993 to 2015. Clinical findings, treatment procedures, and complication rates were assessed. Special attention was paid to imaging procedures. Results The overall mortality rate was 36.7% and increased to 45% when cranial nerve palsies were present. An initial computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all patients, MRI in 60% and nuclear imaging in 33%. CT scans failed to detect progression or regression in up to 80% after four to nine months. MRI examinations could reveal changes at a higher rate compared to CT. Nuclear medicine functional imaging was most likely to assess disease activity. Conclusion A combination of different imaging modalities is recommended for diagnosing SBO. For the follow-up, MRI is preferable to CT as changes can be detected more readily with MRI. If available, nuclear medicine imaging should guide the decision of treatment discontinuation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether stapes prostheses can be visualized with less metal artifacts and therefore more accurately on cone beam computed tomography in comparison to computed tomography imaging. Recent studies have shown that cone beam computed tomography has advantages when imaging metal artifacts. Patients with hearing loss or vertigo, who have undergone stapedotomy, often present a challenge for otologic surgeons. Imaging studies can deliver crucial additional information. Methods: A retrospective analysis of imaging studies and clinical data in a tertiary care center were carried out. Forty-one patients with forty-five implanted ears were evaluated in the study. All included patients had been implanted with a platinum–fluoroplastic (n = 19) or titanium (n = 26) piston and subsequently had undergone imaging months or years after surgery for various reasons. Patients underwent computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography of the temporal bone depending on availability. Piston visualization, prosthesis length, vestibular intrusion and audiologic results were compared between the groups. Piston position on imaging studies were compared to intraoperative findings. Results: Functional length measurements of all prostheses were carried out with a mean error of −0.17 mm (±0.20). Platinum–fluoroplastic protheses were significantly underestimated in length compared to titanium prostheses. To analyze the material-dependent difference in the measurement errors of the imaging techniques the interaction was tested in an ANOVA model and showed no statistically significant result (p = 0.24). The blinded neuroradiologist viewed two implants, both platinum–fluoroplastic pistons, as located outside of the vestibule due to an underestimation of the prothesis length and the missing radiodensity of the lower end of the prosthesis. Conclusion: Surgeons and radiologists should be aware of the different types and radiologic features of stapes prostheses and the missing radiodensity of some protheses parts. Cone beam computed tomography is an imaging alternative with a potential advantage of reduced radiation in patients after stapes surgery suffering from vertigo or hearing loss to evaluate piston position.

Purpose Cochlear implantation in patients with vestibular schwannomas is of increasing importance and interest. Two remaining challenges are the assessment of conduction of the cochlear nerve and the possibility of postoperative surveillance with magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of the current study was to assess follow-up imaging and determine the visibility of the internal auditory canal after vestibular schwannoma resection and cochlear implantation as well as in patients with persistent vestibular schwannomas and cochlear implants in place. Visibility of the internal auditory canal, cerebellopontine angle, and labyrinth were evaluated and graded. Methods For this retrospective study, 15 MR examinations of 13 patients after translabyrinthine vestibular schwannoma resection and ipsilateral cochlear implantation were included. All patients had been implanted with an MED-EL cochlear implant. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out on a 1.5T device. All patients were prepped according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Results All 15 examinations were carried out without any adverse event during imaging, such as pain, magnet dislocation, or malfunction. The internal auditory canal and the cerebellopontine angle were sufficiently visible in all cases to allow for vestibular schwannoma follow-up. Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging surveillance of the internal auditory canal following vestibular schwannoma resection and cochlear implantation is feasible and safe with modern implants with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging device using metal artifact reduction sequences. Necessary follow-up imaging should not be a contraindication for cochlear implantation in patients with vestibular schwannomas.

The functional hearing outcome with hearing implants does not always properly reflect the subjective benefit in everyday listening situations. In this study, the functional hearing gain and the impact on the subjective hearing ability and quality of life were assessed in patients with a Bonebridge. A chart review was performed on 45 patients with a Bonebridge who were provided with questionnaires regarding the hearing quality and health-related quality of life during their last clinical visit. The questionnaires consisted of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities (SSQ) and the Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI3). Eleven patients had to be excluded due to missing data. A total of 34 patients (37 ears) were included in the study. Aided hearing thresholds were significantly lower compared with the unaided condition, with a mean functional gain of 26.87 dB for patients with mixed/conductive hearing loss (MHL/CHL). Although patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) scored slightly lower on the SSQ compared with patients with MHL/CHL, all included patients reported improved subjective hearing quality with the BB compared with the hearing situation before implantation. No correlation was found between the functional hearing gain and the subdomains of the SSQ. SSD patients scored the HUI3 subdomain “hearing” slightly lower compared with MHL/CHL patients. Although not significant, a relationship was found between the functional gain and the “hearing” subdomain. No correlation was found for the other subdomains of the HUI3. Audiological measurements showed significantly improved hearing thresholds with the Bonebridge. Most importantly, the subjective benefit achieved in everyday listening situations was superior compared with the previous hearing condition. The lack of correlation between subjective questionnaire results and the functional hearing gain shows the importance of assessing both audiological and subjective hearing quality parameters in clinical routine.

In Österreich kommen 1–2 Kinder von 1000 mit einer hochgradigen Hörstörung zur Welt. Durch die Einführung des Neugeborenenhörscreenings wurde das Diagnosealter signifikant gesenkt. Eine frühzeitige Hörgeräteversorgung mit Frühförderung ist nicht nur unabdingbar für die weitere Sprachentwicklung, sondern auch für die Entwicklung der kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit. Bei ausbleibendem Erfolg einer optimalen Hörgeräteversorgung stellt sich die Indikation zur Implantation eines Cochleaimplantats (CI), die bevorzugt im ersten Lebensjahr erfolgt, um eine normale Sprachentwicklung zu ermöglichen. Die präoperative Diagnostik umfasst schnittbildgebende Verfahren, um Fehlbildungen des Innenohrs sowie der zentralen Strukturen zu erfassen, die in vielen Fällen keine Kontraindikation für ein CI darstellen. Die Operation ist sehr sicher und seltene Komplikationen wie Wundinfektionen oder Wundheilungsstörungen sind gut therapierbar. Einen großen Stellenwert nimmt die postoperative Rehabilitation ein. Regelmäßige Einstellungen des Sprachprozessors und HNO-ärztliche Kontrollen sowie die Einbindung des sozialen Umfelds gewährleisten den Hörerfolg mit dem Implantat.