Objective This study aimed to analyse the computed tomography parameters for effective ventilation in patients with adhesive otitis media. Methods Twenty-six patients with unilateral adhesive otitis media were included in the study. The patients’ temporal bone computed tomography images were retrospectively reviewed. Eustachian tube length and diameter were measured. Mastoid pneumatisation and middle-ear size were evaluated by measuring petroclival and Eustachian tube–tympanic cavity ventilation angles. Results The average Eustachian tube length was 38.4 mm and 38.9 mm in adhesive otitis media and healthy ears, respectively. The Eustachian tube diameter of the adhesive otitis media ears (1.47 mm) was significantly narrower than that of the healthy ears (1.83 mm). There were no significant differences in the angles between adhesive otitis media and healthy ears. Conclusion A narrow Eustachian tube diameter was associated with developing adhesive otitis media. Measuring Eustachian tube diameter is simple and can be routinely performed when examining temporal bone computed tomography images for Eustachian tube function evaluation.

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) originates from Schwann cells in the superior or inferior vestibular nerve. Identifying the precise origin will help in determining the optimal surgical approach. We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative vestibular function test according to VS origin to determine whether the test is a valuable indicator of tumor origin. Forty-seven patients with VS (male:female = 18:29, mean age: 54.06 ± 13.50 years) underwent the cochleovestibular function test (pure-tone audiometry, caloric test, video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential, and posturography). All patients then underwent surgical removal of VS, and the schwannoma origin was confirmed. The tumor originated from the superior vestibular nerve (SVN group) in 21 patients, the inferior vestibular nerve (IVN group) in 26 patients, and an undetermined site in eight patients. The only value that differed significantly among the groups was the gain of the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) in the ipsilesional posterior canal (iPC) during the vHIT. Our results indicate that VOR gain in the iPC may be used to predict the nerve origin in patients with VS. Other cochleovestibular function tests have limited value to discriminate nerve origins, especially in cases of medium to large VS.

Schwannomas in the middle ear and external auditory canal are exceedingly rare. The facial nerve, chorda tympani nerve, and Jacobson’s nerve have rarely been reported as the origins of primary schwannomas in the middle ear cavity. We experienced a case of carotid sympathetic plexus (CSP) schwannoma that arose from the carotid canal and extended into the middle ear and external auditory canal. The tumor presented bone erosion of the carotid canal, and it adhered tightly to the internal carotid artery. This report represents the first documented case of a CSP schwannoma, which involved the middle ear and external auditory canal.

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Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, characterized by repeatedly invading the brain, optic nerve, or spinal cord. In 2004, when a disease-specific antibody (aquaporin-4-immunoglobulin G) was discovered in the serum of an optic neuromyelitis patient, it was thought to be a separated disease from multiple sclerosis. Since 2004, however, the concept of the disease has been expanded to include NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We experienced a rare case of NMOSD in a patient who presented with left visual disturbance and underwent endoscopic sinus surgery because of acute fungal sinusitis. We report this case with a review of the literature.