The Journal of International Advanced Otology (J Int Adv Otol) is an international, peer reviewed, open access publication that is fully sponsored and owned by the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Politzer Society. The journal is published triannually in April, August, and December and its publication language is English.The scope of the Journal is limited with otology, neurotology, audiology (excluding linguistics) and skull base medicine.The Journal of International Advanced Otology aims to publish manuscripts at the highest clinical and scientific level. J Int Adv Otol publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research, review articles, short reports and a limited number of case reports. Controversial patient discussions, communications on emerging technology, and historical issues will also be considered for publication.Target audience of J Int Adv Otol includes physicians and academics who work in the fields of otology, neurotology, audiology and skull base medicine.

BackgroundIn a prospective cohort study, we wanted to detect thresholds distinguishing between patients with a satisfactory and an unsatisfactory outcome after total knee replacement (TKR) based on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), namely the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), using patient satisfaction and patient-perceived function as global transition items.MethodsSeventy-three TKR patients completed the OKS questionnaire before surgery and were invited to complete the same questionnaire again 6 (4 to 9) months after surgery. Correlations between outcome measures and anchors were calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Thresholds were established by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, using multiple anchor-based approaches.ResultsPatients showed a mean increase of 16.5 (SD 9.5) in OKS following TKR. Significant positive correlations were found between outcome measures and anchors. Six different thresholds were determined for outcome measures coupled with satisfaction, patient-perceived function and a combination thereof using a cut-off of 50 and 70.ConclusionsThis study has established a set of clinically meaningful thresholds for Oxford Knee scores that may help to detect TKR patients who might be in need of post-operative evaluation.

Background This is a prospective cohort study to define the thresholds to distinguish patients with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome after total hip replacement (THR) based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and using patient satisfaction and patient-perceived function as global transition items. The thresholds are intended to be used as a tool in the process of determining which patients are in need of postoperative outpatient evaluation. Methods One hundred and three THR patients who had completed a preoperative questionnaire containing the OHS questionnaire were invited to complete the same questionnaire and supplementary questions at a mean of 6 (4-9) months after surgery. Correlations between outcome measures and anchors were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Thresholds were established by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, using multiple anchors. Results Significant correlations were found between outcome measures and anchors. Thresholds were determined for outcome measures coupled with satisfaction, patientperceived function and a combination thereof using a cutoff of 50 and 70.Conclusions We have established a set of thresholds for Oxford scores that may help determine which THR patients are in need of postoperative evaluation. These thresholds can be implemented in clinical practice. Level of evidence Level 3.

Objective: To test the degree of vestibular end-organ dysfunction by means of contemporary vestibular testing and examine to which extend these findings correlate to the hearing loss, tumor size, and dizziness handicap registered in vestibular schwannoma patients. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Eighty-nine patients diagnosed with unilateral vestibular schwannoma. Intervention(s): Patients were evaluated by means of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), magnetic resonance imaging scan as well as an extensive audiovestibular test-battery including pure-tone audiometry, ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and video head impulse test of all six semicircular canals. Main Outcome Measure(s): Patients were divided into four groups according to their number of dysfunctional vestibular end-organs. These groups were subsequently analyzed for differences in DHI score, pure-tone average, and tumor size. The group of patients with zero abnormal vestibular test results was used as index group. Results: For the group with three or more abnormal vestibular test results it was possible to find a statistical significant increase in both DHI score, pure-tone average, and tumor size. This was only found for the latter two parameters in the group with dysfunction of two vestibular end-organs. It was not possible to detect any statistical significant differences in the group with only one dysfunctional end-organ. Conclusions: Substantial loss of vestibular function is correlated to a higher degree of dizziness-induced handicap, hearing loss, and tumor size in vestibular schwannoma patients. Tumor size and audiometry may potentially be used as rough markers of residual vestibular function.