Our Upcoming Temporal Bone Course & The Next MEI Annual Otology Conference

May June July Volume 1 Issue 3

Quarterly NewsletterAnnual Conference Update

Summaries from Presentations at the Grand Traverse City Resort in Traverse City, MI

Check Out Online:

Seliesh Babu, M.D.MEI Physician

Experience with surgical approaches at MEI has shown success in the treatment for diseases such as Middle Fossa

Dehiscence Syndrome and Superior Canal Dehiscence. Surgery via a transmastoid or middle cranial fossa with resurfacing plugging is currently practiced. Patients with superior canal dehiscence present with pressure or sound-induced dizziness, classic-type of rotary nystagmus, abnormal VEMP, and typical findings on CT with appropri-ate cuts through the temporal bone. Encephalo-celes is discussed with patients usually present-ing with ear fullness, hearing loss, or CSF leakage. Pathologic causes may be related to similar to superior canal dehiscence.

Eric Sargent, M.D., F.A.C.S.MEI Physician

A Way to Bring Back Hearing?A question increasing in regular-ity from patients is, “When will there be a way to bring back hearing?” And as of now, there isn’t a crystal clear answer. Bu there is current, circulating

knowledge about restoring damaged hearing using stem cells and neurotrophic factors. Another approached method is the treatment of supplements such as glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, D-methionine, Ebselen, Vitiman A and Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Magnesium, before and after extreme noise exposure.Protection is the first way to help delay or stop hearing loss. New technologies are available to reduce noise and serve as assistive listening devices for military and other applications. The most sophisticated and protective devices, developed by TCAPS, uses sound transmission circuitry to create ambient sounds via microphone and elements of rapid response.

Treatment for Superior Canal Dehiscence and Encephaloceles

John Zappia, M.D.MEI Physician

Repairing the Tympanic MembraneThe tympanic membrane is a delicate structure with a strong, but not absolute, propensity to heal when injured. Infections, P.E. tubes, and trauma are the most common reasons for perforations. Different techniques of repair are used depending on other associated problems, such as Eustachian dysfunction, proper Eustachian function, and/or residual infectious disease of the middle ear. For example, if a patient had Eustachian tube dysfunction, paper patching and tympanic patcher usage are considerations; whereas, someone with proper Eustachian function may be considered for Fat graft myringoplasty or formal tympanoplasty. Also, possible nonsurgical technique for repair has shown initial promise using epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor.

Robert Hong, M.D., Ph.D.MEI Physician

Within the past year, MEI has begun to offer two advanced hearing devices to treat those with significant hearing loss. These two devices are called

Current Technologies for Hearing Loss

the SoundBite and the Maxum. The SoundBite is a device that is worn in the mouth, similar to a dental retainer, that provides hearing to patients with significant single-sided hearing loss via otherwise imperceptible vibrations of the teeth. The Maxum is a middle ear implant that provides improved sound quality and speech recognition for those who struggle with conventional hearing aids.

Matthew Kircher, M.D.,Former MEI Fellow

These relatively rare tumors usually present in the initial steps of characteristic clinical and radiographic findings. Treatment options are individualized for each patient, and their needs, and may include one or all of the following: observation, radiation and/or surgery. These locally destructive lesions may cause conductive hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus, and lower cranial neuropathies. Certain lesions may secrete vasoactive substances and present with flushing,arrhythmia and labile hypertension.

Richard Chole, M.D., Ph.D.Guest Speaker

Predictors for Future Success of Residency Applicants?

Treatment Options for Temporal Bone Paraganglioma

The clinical faculty ranked the otolaryngology graduates by a 5-point scale and then compared them to basic

application factors. The application factors studied are U.S. Medical Licensing Examination part 1 score, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society election, medical school grades, letter of recommendation, rank of the medical school, extracurricular activities, residency interview, experience with acting intern, and extracurricular activities.The study shows surprising results because a great compilation on application factors, typically, are not the best source for predictive future capabilities of a clinician. And, an interesting aspect of the study shows that prior excellence in a team sport may suggest contin-ued success in a health care team.

This annual meeting provided a diverse range of professional perspectives on topics such as new treatment options, current technologies, and possible future technological advances. These techniques and treatments involve aspects of otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery.