ObjectivesThe objective of this work is to examine the outcomes of a set of objective measures for evaluating individuals with minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI) over the sub‐acute time period. These methods involve tests of oculomotor, vestibular, and reaction time functions. This work expands upon published work examining these test results at the time of presentation.Study DesignThis study is a prospective age‐ and sex‐matched controlled study.Materials and MethodsThe subject group was composed of 106 individuals with mTBI and 300 age‐ and sex‐matched controls without a history of mTBI. All individuals agreeing to participate in the study underwent a battery of oculomotor, vestibular, and reaction time tests (OVRT). Those subjects with mTBI underwent these tests at presentation (within 6 days of injury) and 1 and 2weeks post injury. These outcomes were compared to each other over time as well as to results from the controls that underwent 1 test session.ResultsSix measures from 5 tests can classify the control and mTBI during Session 1 with a true positive rate (sensitivity) of 84.9% and true negative rate (specificity) of 97.0%. Patterns of abnormalities changed over time in the mTBI group and overall normalized in a subset of individuals at the third (final) testing session.ConclusionsWe describe an objective and effective second generation testing algorithm for diagnosing and following the prognosis of mTBI/concussion. This testing paradigm will allow investigators to institute better treatments and provide more accurate return to activity advice.Level of Evidence3

ObjectiveMild traumatic brain injury is a major public health issue and is a particular concern in sports. One of the most difficult issues with respect to mild traumatic brain injury involves the diagnosis of the disorder. Typically, diagnosis is made by a constellation of physical exam findings. However, in order to best manage mild traumatic brain injury, it is critically important to develop objective tests that substantiate the diagnosis. With objective tests the disorder can be better characterized, more accurately diagnosed, and studied more effectively. In addition, prevention and treatments can be applied where necessary.MethodsTwo cohorts each of fifty subjects with mild traumatic brain injury and one hundred controls were evaluated with a battery of oculomotor, vestibular and reaction time related tests applied to a population of individuals with mild traumatic brain injury as compared to controls.ResultsWe demonstrated pattern differences between the two groups and showed how three of these tests yield an 89% sensitivity and 95% specificity for confirming a current diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury.InterpretationThese results help better characterize the oculomotor, vestibular, and reaction time differences between those the mild traumatic brain injury and non-affected individuals. This characterization will allow for the development of more effective point of care neurologic diagnostic techniques and allow for more targeted treatment which may allow for quicker return to normal activity.

There are a variety of methods to access the inner ear and many of these methods depend on utilizing the middle ear as a portal. In this approach the middle ear can be used as a passive receptacle, as part of an active drug delivery system, or simply as the most convenient way to access the inner ear directly in human subjects. The purpose of this volume is to examine some of the more cutting-edge approaches to treating the middle ear. Before considering these therapies, this manuscript provides an overview of some therapies that have been delivered through the middle ear both in the past and at the current time. This manuscript also serves as a review of many of the methods for accessing the inner ear that directly utilize or pass though the middle ear. This manuscript provides the reader a basis for understanding middle ear delivery, the basis of delivery of medicines via cochlear implants, and examines the novel approach of using hypothermia as a method of altering the responses of the inner ear to damage.

2C. Laryngoscope, 126:665-671, 2016.

Objective Eye tracking technology has been employed in assessing ocular motor and vestibular function following vestibular and neurologic conditions, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Assessments include tests that provide visual and motion (rotation) stimuli while recording horizontal, vertical, and torsional eye movements. While some of these tests have shown diagnostic promise in previous studies, their use in clinical practice is limited by the lack of normative data. The goal of this study was to construct normative reference ranges to be used when comparing patients' results. Methods Optokinetic response, subjective visual horizontal and vertical, and rotation tests were administered to male and female volunteers, ages 18‐45, who were free from neurological, vestibular disorders, or other head injuries. Tests were administered using either a rotatory chair or a portable virtual reality‐like goggle equipped with video‐oculography. Results Reference values for eye movements in response to different patterns of stimuli were analyzed from 290 to 449 participants. Analysis of gender (self‐reported) or age when grouped as pediatric (late adolescent; 18‐21 years of age) and adult (21‐45 years of age) revealed no effects on the test metrics. Data were pooled and presented for each test metric as the 95% reference interval ( RI ) with 90% confidence intervals ( CI ) on upper and lower limits of the RI. Conclusions This normative database can serve as a tool to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation protocols for vestibular and neurological conditions, including mild TBI (mTBI). This database has been cleared by the FDA for use in clinical practice (K192186). Level of evidence 2b