Role of Cochlear Nerve Diameter as a Prognostic Indicator for Hearing Recovery in Older Adults with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a disabling condition that lowers the quality of life specifically in older adults living alone. It is crucial to determine the outcome of the disease and to offer early treatment to prevent isolation caused by hearing impairment in this population. The objective of our study was to investigate whether the initial cochlear nerve thickness may predict the outcome of hearing recovery in older adults with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODS

The study population was composed of older adults that were referred with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in 1 ear. Long-term audiological data of the cohort were analyzed according to Siegel's criteria on hearing recovery and were grouped according to complete recovery or treatment failure. Cochlear nerve diameters of the diseased and safe ears of each group, measured on reformatted images on magnetic resonance imaging, at the fundus, in the mid-internal acoustic canal, and at the entry point into the Pons were compared in each group and between groups.

RESULTS

Mean cochlear nerve diameter was significantly larger in the recovered older adults (1.11 ± 0.27 mm) than in the non-recovered adults (0.94 ± 0.21 mm) at the mid-internal acoustic canal (Student's t-test, P < .05). Cochlear nerve thickness at mid-internal acoustic canal (≤0.8 mm) sensitivity for recovery failure was 89% and displayed an odds ratio 5.333, 95% CI (1.000-28.435).

CONCLUSION

Cochlear nerve thickness in mid-internal acoustic canal in non-recovered older adults with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is significantly thinner than the completely recovered group. Older adults with mid-internal acoustic canal cochlear nerve greatest diameter cutoff level of ≤0.8 mm are 5.33 times more exposed to recovery failure.

Effects of Androgens on the Thickness of Retinal Layers in Transgender Men and in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between androgens and the retinal thickness by comparing the macular thickness (MT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness of female-to-male transgender men (TGM), women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and cisgender women (CW).

Methods

Thirty-four eyes of 34 TGM, 34 eyes of 34 women with PCOS, and 45 eyes of 45 CW were evaluated by optical coherence tomography. One-way analysis of variance and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted one-way analysis of covariance were conducted to test the differences between groups for statistical evaluation.

Results

The parafoveal MT in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). After adjusting for BMI, the perifoveal MT in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p=0.041 and p=0.021, respectively). The nasal RNFL thickness in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p=0.021 and p=0.009, respectively). The means of average and inferior RNFL, fovea, and the mean of all GCC values were higher in the TGM group than women with PCOS and CW, but these results were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

In this study, there was a significant difference between the TGM group and the CW group for the thickness of the nasal RNFL and parafoveal and perifoveal macular area. Androgens may have the potential to increase retinal thickness in TGM; however, there is a need for validation in larger study groups. Clinical Trial Registration Number: HNEAH-KAEK 2021/4.

The effects of testosterone on transgender males on carotid intima-media thickness and serum inflammatory markers compared within patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the effects of testosterone on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum inflammatory markers compared within transgender males (TGM-Former called female-to-male) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: The prospective observational study included 30 TGM, 30 patients with PCOS, and 30 healthy women. Groups were compared for CIMT and hematologic inflammatory markers white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV).Results: The CIMT of the TGM group was 0.48 ± 0.09 mm was significantly higher than PCOS (0.41 ± 0.09 mm, p = .005) and the control group (0.38 ± 0.7 mm, p = .001). The mean NLR, LMR, and MPV values were similar (p > .05). TGM had higher WBC levels compared to control women (p = .029). TGM had significantly lower PLR compared to PCOS and the control group (p = .001). CIMT were related to age (r = .390, p = .04) and body mass index (BMI) (r = .392, p = .03) in TGM.Conclusion: Increased CIMT in TGM individuals is not associated with inflammation; it seems to be a deleterious effect of exogenous testosterone exposure. Since increased CIMT may be a sign of serious cardiovascular problems developing in the future, it is suggested that it will be beneficial for these individuals should undergo clinical and radiological evaluation at regular intervals.

The Role of Fusion Technique of Computed Tomography and Non-echo-planar Diffusion-weighted Imaging in the Evaluation of Surgical Localization of Cholesteatoma

Objective:

In recent years, the fusion of computed tomography (CT) and non-echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (non- EPI DWI) has been preferred in cholesteatoma localizations. This study aimed to investigate the role of CT and non-EPI DWI fusion imaging in cholesteatoma localizations.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 39 patients who underwent chronic otitis media operation [mean age of 35.10±15.33 years (18-67 years), 64.1% female, and 35.9% male] and had preoperative high-resolution temporal bone CT and non-EPI DWI examinations. Images were sent to the Advantage Workstation VolumeShare 7 for fusion. These selected images were fused on the workstation and were manually corrected by the radiologist. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracies of fused images of CT and non-EPI DWI were evaluated according to anatomic cholesteatoma localizations based on surgical data.

Results:

The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracies of non-EPI DWI for detecting cholesteatomas were 97.14%, 75.00%, 97.14%, 75.00%, and 94.87%, respectively. Three true-negative, one false-positive, and one false-negative case were observed according to surgical results in detecting the presence of a cholesteatoma with non-EPI DWI. Moderate agreement was determined between the surgical and radiological results in detecting the presence of a cholesteatoma (k=0.721). Detecting the lesion of localization on the fused images compared to surgical found an almost perfect agreement in the mastoid antrum (k=0.948), strong agreement in the hypotympanum and mastoid cells (k=0.894), moderate agreement in the epitympanum (k=0.653), and weak agreement in those in the mesotympanum (k=0.540).

Conclusions:

The surgeons’ determinations are supported by the guidance of temporal CT and non-EPI DWI fused images. Therefore, preferring the fusion imaging technique could increase the quality of life by reducing unnecessary operations.

Effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure, thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, macula and on ocular blood flow in female-to-male transgender persons

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure (IOP), thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), macula and on ocular blood flow between female-to-male transgender (FMT) persons who use testosterone and healthy women and healthy men.

METHOD

The study included 39 eyes of 20 FMT(Group 1), 40 eyes of 20 healthy women (Group 2), and 42 eyes of 21 healthy men (Group 3). In all subjects, RNFL, GCC and, macular thicknesses (MT) were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Ocular blood flow was measured by Color Doppler Ultrasonography in all subjects.

RESULTS

IOP levels in FMT were significantly higher than men (p = 0.025). Superior (Sup), inferior (Inf) thicknesses of parafovea, and nasal thickness of perifovea in FMT were significantly higher than the Group 2 (p = 0.024, p = 0.037, p = 0.018). Sup thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 3 (p = 0.011). Inf thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.038, p = 0.002). Mean thickness of RNFL Inf in FMT was significantly higher than the Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.039, p = 0.032). Avg and Inf thicknesses of GCC in FMT were significantly higher than group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.005). In correlation test, systole/diastole ratio(S/D) in ophthalmic artery (OA) (r = 0.504, p = 0.028) and Inf thickness of perifovea (r = 0.485, p = 0.035) were positively correlated with the serum levels of testosterone in FMT.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the use of supraphysiologic testosterone dose increased IOP and the thicknesses of macula, RNFL, and GCC in FMT. Serum testosterone level was positively correlated with S/D ratio in the OA.

Is ossicular chain fixation predictable for tympanosclerosis on preoperative temporal bone computed tomography?

PURPOSE

To report the predictability of ossicular chain (OC) fixation on preoperative temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) in chronic otitis media (COM) with tympanosclerosis (TS).

METHODS

Fifty-six patients who had surgery for COM in our ear, nose and throat clinic between 2015 and 2017 were included in this retrospective case-control study. The patients were equally divided into two groups as those with TS and without TS. The complaint of preoperative otorrhea, values of incudostapedial joint (ISJ) angulation on preoperative TBCT scans, postoperative long-term hearing results, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference between the ISJ angulations of the operated and healthy sides in the COM group with TS (102.27 ± 7.92 and 91.90 ± 5.59 degrees, respectively, p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the ISJ angulation of the operated and healthy sides in the COM group without TS (95.04 ± 4.86 and 94.35 ± 4.57 degrees, respectively, p > 0.05). In addition, when the ISJ angulations of the operated sides of the two groups were compared, it was statistically significantly higher for the TS group compared to the non-TS group (102.27 ± 7.92 and 95.04 ± 4.86 degrees, respectively, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Increased ISJ angulation may indicate OC fixation. COM cases with TS can be predicted by the measurement of ISJ angulation on preoperative TBCT.

Radiology-pathology correlation in staging of liver fibrosis using superb microvascular imaging

PURPOSE

Progression of liver fibrosis to end-stage disease can potentially be prevented with antiviral treatment. Thus, diagnosis of fibrosis is important in determining treatment protocols. This study aims first, to determine the sensitivity of a novel Doppler method, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), in detecting small vascular structures of the liver compared with other Doppler methods; and second, to choose the best method among these Doppler applications to determine the morphologic changes that occur due to chronic fibrosis. By doing so, the study would be able to provide an ultrasound grading that might differentiate and predict mild and severe liver fibrosis, thus giving rise to a possible alternative to biopsy.

METHODS

A total of 43 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis and scheduled for liver biopsy were included. Color Doppler, power Doppler, advanced dynamic flow (ADF) Doppler, color SMI (cSMI) and monochrome SMI (mSMI) Doppler were performed in subcapsular areas of right anterior lobe. Depth from the capsule of the most peripherally located detectable vessel was measured for each Doppler subgroup. Appearance of the vascular tree was categorized into four groups and correlated with pathology results. ROC curve analysis was used to determine if this Doppler classification was statistically significant in differentiating mild and severe forms of fibrosis. Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to determine which Doppler parameter can significantly predict severity.

RESULTS

mSMI and cSMI were found to be superior to other Doppler techniques in detecting the most superficially located vessels of the liver, 4.4 mm and 3.3 mm deep from the capsule, respectively (P < 0.001). Among the changes identified in the vascular tree, small vessel blunting was the most prevalent finding in predicting the presence of severe fibrosis (multiple regression test, t=5.969, P < 0.0001). ROC analysis identified that the presence of at least two pathologic findings in the vascular tree was highly predictive of severe fibrosis (AUC=0.881, sensitivity 86.67%, specificity 89.29%, positive and negative predictive values 8.09 and 0.15, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study proves that SMI is superior to other Doppler techniques in detecting the smallest vessels visible to ultrasound. Using this method, it is possible to determine the vascular changes in terms of blunting and tortuosity and thus predict the severity of fibrosis. This method might be a practical alternative to biopsy.