ReviewThe aims of the European Academy of Otology and Neurootology/Japan Otological Society (EAONO/JOS) Joint Consensus Statements on Definition, Classification and Staging are as follows:1. The definitions provide terminologies in the description of cholesteatoma. 2. The classification categorized cholesteatoma into distinct categories to facilitate the comparison of surgical outcomes across reports. 3. The staging system reflects the severity of the cholesteatoma, the difficulty to achieve complete removal, and the subsequent restoration of normal function.The authors wish to present the final consensus first, followed by an explanation of the methodology on how the EAONO/JOS consensus was reached by the steering group.The clinical classification of middle ear mucosa is summarized in Figure 1. 1 EAONO/JOS Joint Consensus Statements on the Definitions, Classification and Staging of Middle Ear CholesteatomaThe European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (EAONO) has previously published a consensus document on the definitions and classification of cholesteatoma. It was based on the Delphi consensus methodology involving the broad EAONO membership. At the same time, the Japanese Otological Society (JOS) had been working independently on the "Classification and Staging of Cholesteatoma." EAONO and JOS then decided to collaborate and produce a joint consensus document. The EAONO/JOS joint consensus on "Definitions, Classification and Staging of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma" was formally presented at the 10th International Conference on Cholesteatoma and Ear Surgery in Edinburgh, June 5-8, 2016. The international otology community who attended the consensus session was given the chance to debate and give their support or disapproval. The statements on the "Definitions of Cholesteatoma" received 89% approval. The "Classification of Cholesteatoma" received almost universal approval (98%). The "EAONO/JOS Staging System on Middle Ear Cholesteatoma" had a majority of approval (75%). Some international otologists wanted to see more prognostic factors being incorporated in the staging system. In response to this, the EAONO/JOS steering group plans to set up an "International Otology Outcome Working Group" to work on a minimum common otology data set that the international otology community can use to evaluate their surgical outcome. This will generate a large database and help identify relevant prognostic factors that can be incorporated into the staging system in future revisions. KEYWORDS:2 J Int Adv Otol 2017; 13(1): 1-8 Definitions and Statements on Cholesteatoma1. Cholesteatoma is a mass formed by the keratinizing squamous epithelium in the tympanic cavity and/or mastoid and subepithelial connective tissue and by the progressive accumulation of keratin debris with/without a surrounding inflammatory reaction.2. Cholesteatoma consists of matrix (keratinizing squamous epithelium), perimatrix (varying thickness of the subepithelial connective tissue), and keratin debris.3. The pathophysiology of cholesteatoma is not completel...

The International Otology Outcome Group (IOOG) was founded in 2017 to encourage and facilitate international collaboration with regard to the surgical outcome of ear surgery. This report outlines the methodology and recommendations of the consensus-based categorization of tympanomastoid surgery produced by the IOOG. The IOOG Steering Committee used the acronym SAMEO-ATO to categorize tympanomastoid operations, representing the stage of surgery, approach, mastoid bone extirpation, external bony wall repair, obliteration of the mastoid cavity, access to the middle ear, tympanic membrane reconstruction, and ossicular reconstruction. A modified Delphi technique was used to obtain international consensus. The expert panels included the chairpersons from 21 otology societies. The approval rate of the SAMEO-ATO system from the otology societies was 95%. The SAMEO-ATO scheme was presented at the 31st Politizer Meeting for field testing. There were no objections or serious concerns raised. Some international otologists wished to see more surgical categories included to reflect the varieties of surgical techniques, but they accepted that it would make the whole system cumbersome. In addition to providing an international categorization of tympanomastoid surgery, the IOOG Steering Committee plans to introduce a common otology dataset that the international otology community could use to record their surgical outcome. The high level of international consensus on the IOOG categorization of tympanomastoid surgery supports this tool for surgeons to pool their surgical data into a large database for research and comparative audit.

Objective: Assessment of validity of the Japanese Otological Society and the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (EAONO–JOS) cholesteatoma staging system (EJS) through international collaboration to investigate: (a) feasibility of retrospectively staging previously acquired data, (b) strengths and weaknesses of the staging system. Method: Nine centers with prospective cholesteatoma databases were recruited. Cases were allocated to EJS Stage at each center using details from time of initial surgery. An independent rater also staged the cases and noted any discrepancies. At one center results from database staging were compared with staging based on contemporaneous operative records. Inter and intrarater reliabilities were calculated, and recidivism rates calculated according to Stage. Results: Of 1482 cases of cholesteatoma, 320 (22%) were Stage 1, 977 (67%) Stage 2, 153 (11%) Stage 3 and 4 (0.3%) Stage 4. No database contained details of all parameters required for accurate staging. Staging discrepancies occurred in >10% cases but inter and intrarater reliability of staging were high (Kappa 0.8; 95% confidence interval between 0.7–0.9). At 5 years, 11% had residual and 8% had recurrent cholesteatoma: rates increased with Stage but generally not significantly (Kaplan–Meier Log Rank analysis). Conclusion: The EJS Staging system provides an internationally agreed standard for collecting data to classify cholesteatoma severity. Although data can be applied retrospectively with reasonable reliability, prospective data collection would prevent inaccuracies that arise from missing data fields. To enhance validity of the EJS system, we propose clearer definitions of some categories. Refinements to definitions of stage may improve prognostic utility of the EJS but should be made using evidence powered by large-scale collaboration.

Mastoid obliteration carries a risk of enclosing cholesteatoma within the mastoid cavity. Using temporal bones obliterated with either muscle or hydroxyapatite granules, the value of high resolution CT scanning in the early detection of 'epithelial pearls' was studied. The results showed that scanning was effective in detecting small epithelial pearls within the cavity obliterated with hydroxyapatite, but not so effective when muscle was used. This is explained by the difference in the CT density between epidermoid cysts and hydroxyapatite allowing the cysts (dark shadows) to be identified easily within a white background. The authors also studied scans performed on 31 ears following mastoid obliteration with hydroxyapatite. There was no residual cholesteatoma in the obliterated area but there was an area of abnormality identified within the obliterated area in one patient due to a cholesterol granuloma.

Many authors have encountered postoperative infection or wound breakdown in subtotal petrosectomy with fat obliteration in the treatment of chronic otitis media. Using a richly vascularized temporo-temporal fascial flap to protect the blind pit closure in such patients reduces postoperative infection and wound breakdown.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is indicated in cases of epiphora with a diagnosis of functional lacrimal obstruction. Currently available investigations cannot reliably distinguish partial anatomical obstruction from pump failure.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Otolaryngology instructional videos available online are often of poor quality. The objective of this article was to establish international consensus recommendations for the production of educational surgical videos in otolaryngology. Study Design: DELPHI survey. Methods: Twenty-seven international respondents participated in this study from 12 countries. Consensus was reached after three rounds of questionnaires following the Delphi methodology. The proposals having reached the 80% agreement threshold in the third round were retained. Results: The main recommendations are as follows: 1) Ethics: patients must be anonymized and unrecognizable (apart from plastic surgery if necessary). A signed authorization must be obtained if the person is recognizable. 2) Technical aspects: videos should be edited and in high-definition (HD) quality if possible. Narration or subtitles and didactic illustrations are recommended. 3) Case presentation: name of pathology and procedure must be specified; the case should be presented with relevant workup. 4) Surgery: surgical procedures should be divided into several distinct stages and include tips and pitfalls. Pathology should be shown if relevant. Key points should be detailed at the end of the procedure. 5) Organ-specific: type of approach and bilateral audiometry should be specified in otology. Coronal plane computed tomography scans should be shown in endonasal surgery. It is recommended to show pre-and postoperative videos in voice surgery and preoperative drawings and photos of scars in plastic surgery, as well as the ventilation method in airway surgery.

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