The University of Pittsburgh staging system for patients with EAC cancer is a valuable tool for use in clinical decision-making and predicting survival outcome.

Our results suggest that T1W imaging may aid in the exclusion of false-positive cases on diagnostic non-EP DW MR imaging for cholesteatomas. A combination of non-EP DW and T1W imaging may improve the specificity and accuracy compared with non-EP DW imaging alone.

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.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate vertical semicircular canal function in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) by video head impulse test (vHIT). Methods: Fifteen patients with VS who had not received any treatment, including surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy, before vHIT examination were enrolled. Vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and catch-up saccade in vHIT were evaluated. Results: Dysfunction of anterior and posterior semicircular canals was detected by vHIT in 26.7% and 60.0%, respectively. Six patients (40.0%) demonstrated abnormalities referable to both vestibular nerve divisions. Abnormalities referable to the superior vestibular nerve were identified in 3 patients (20.0%), while 3 patients (20.0%) demonstrated a pattern indicative of inferior vestibular nerve involvement. Anterior semicircular canal vHIT produced fewer abnormalities than did either horizontal or posterior semicircular canal vHIT. Conclusions: Dysfunction of the semicircular canals, including the vertical canals, in patients with VS was detected by vHIT. The anterior semicircular canal was less frequently involved than the horizontal or posterior semicircular canal. The examination of the vertical canals by vHIT is useful in the evaluation of vestibular function in patients with VS.

Objective: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical utility of the myeloperoxidase (MPO)–DNA complex as a NETosis-derived product in the middle ear fluid of patients with otitis media with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (OMAAV). Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Twenty-two patients diagnosed with OMAAV. Intervention: Collection of the fluid samples from middle ear. Main Outcome Measure: The levels of the MPO–DNA complex in the fluid samples were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Patients with both systemic and localized forms of OMAAV showed significantly higher levels of the MPO–DNA complex compared to the controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In particular, they showed significantly higher levels of MPO–DNA complex compared to the controls, regardless of serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) or immunosuppressive therapy (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) at the time of sampling. An optical density cutoff value of 0.16 at 405 nm according to the receiver operating characteristic curve showed a sensitivity of 86.4%, specificity of 95.5%, positive predictive value of 95.0% and negative predictive value of 87.5% for the diagnosis of OMAAV. Significant positive correlations were observed between the levels of MPO–DNA complex and the values for air conduction – (r = 0.49, p = 0.022) and bone conduction – pure tone average thresholds (r = 0.45, p = 0.035). Conclusions: The detection and quantification of the MPO–DNA complex in the otitis media fluid may aid in providing a definite diagnosis as well as predicting the activity and severity of OMAAV.

No abstract

No abstract