Showing papers in "Acta Oto-laryngologica in 2017"
TL;DR: A system for robotic cochlear implantation (rCI) has been developed and a corresponding surgical workflow has been described and the clinical feasibility was demonstrated through the conduction of a safe and effective rCI procedure.
Abstract: Conclusion: A system for robotic cochlear implantation (rCI) has been developed and a corresponding surgical workflow has been described. The clinical feasibility was demonstrated through the condu...
95 citations
TL;DR: It is revealed that various etiologies are involved in single-sided deafness (SSD), and that the cause of SSD and asymmetrical hearing loss (AHL) differed greatly between congenital/early-onset cases and adult cases.
Abstract: Conclusions: The present study revealed that various etiologies are involved in single-sided deafness (SSD), and that the cause of SSD and asymmetrical hearing loss (AHL) differed greatly between c...
69 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that combining HGS and MAMA seems to be a practical method to screen cachexia in patients with head and neck cancer and may also be used when assessing their prognosis.
Abstract: Conclusions: One third of the patients had cachexia with an association of significantly shorter survival. These results suggest that combining HGS and MAMA seems to be a practical method to screen...
63 citations
Shinshu University1, Keio University2, Ehime University3, Nagoya University4, Hokkaido University5, University of Tsukuba6, International University of Health and Welfare7, Yamagata University8, Hirosaki University9, Gunma University10, Kyushu University11, Okayama University12, Kitasato University13, Iwate Medical University14, University of the Ryukyus15, University of Toyama16, Nagasaki University17, University of Miyazaki18, Yamaguchi University19, University of Tokyo20
TL;DR: The present large-scale clinical survey revealed current epidemiological trends for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and various factors associated with the severity of hearing impairment and prognosis.
Abstract: Objectives: Using a large-scale nationwide survey database, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics for idiopathic SSNHL in Japan.Methods: The subjects for this analysis were patients r...
50 citations
TL;DR: Residual hearing 6 months post-operatively was preserved to within 10 dB HL of the pre-operative audiogram at 500 Hz for six children, indicating minimal initial insertion trauma to the cochlea.
Abstract: Conclusions: Atraumatic insertion of the HiFocusTM Mid-Scala (HFMS) electrode via the round window was successfully achieved in seven children. Residual hearing 6 months post-operatively was preserved to within 10 dB HL of the pre-operative audiogram at 500 Hz for six children, indicating minimal initial insertion trauma to the cochlea.Objectives: The objectives were to document the clinical experience and evaluate differences between HFMS and HiFocusTM 1j (HF1j) by means of insertion depth and hearing preservation results.Method: Nineteen children were prospectively recruited and consecutively implanted with the HF1j electrode (n = 12) or the HFMS electrode (n = 7) via the round window. Average median angular insertion depths and the amount of residual hearing preserved at 6 months post-operatively were compared between the two electrode groups.Results: The median angular insertion depth for the HF1j was 439° and for the HFMS 435°. Preservation of residual hearing at 500 Hz was assessed in seven ...
47 citations
TL;DR: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation might offer a targeted, patient-friendly, and low-cost therapeutic tool for tinnitus patients with sympathovagal imbalance and results indicate that tVNS can induce a shift in ANS function from sympathetic preponderance towards parasympathetic predominance.
Abstract: Conclusion: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) might offer a targeted, patient-friendly, and low-cost therapeutic tool for tinnitus patients with sympathovagal imbalance.Objectives: Conventionally, VNS has been performed to treat severe epilepsy and depression with an electrode implanted to the cervical trunk of vagus nerve. This study investigated the acute effects of tVNS on autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance, which often occurs in patients with tinnitus-triggered stress.Methods: This study retrospectively analysed records of 97 patients who had undergone ANS function testing by heart rate variability (HRV) measurement immediately before and after a 15–60 min tVNS stimulation.Results: The pre-treatment HRV recording showed sympathetic preponderance/reduced parasympathetic activity in about three quarters (73%) of patients. Active tVNS significantly increased variability of R-R intervals in 75% of patients and HRV age was decreased in 70% of patients. Either the variability of R-...
46 citations
TL;DR: Differences were found between patients with stable hearing and those with progressive hearing loss in the lower frequencies with respect to the rate of progression in the contralateral ear and EAS showed better results than electric stimulation alone, in spite of an absence of speech perception with acoustic stimulation.
Abstract: Conclusion: Differences were found between patients with stable hearing and those with progressive hearing loss in the lower frequencies with respect to the rate of progression in the contralateral ear. It is suggested that the electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) can provide improvement in hearing ability over the long-term if residual hearing might be lost to some extent.Objective: To evaluate the long-term threshold changes in the low frequency hearing of the implanted ear as compared with the non-implanted ear, and the hearing abilities with EAS along with the extent of residual hearing.Methods: Seventeen individuals were enrolled and received the EAS implant with a 24-mm FLEXeas electrode array. Hearing thresholds and speech perception were measured pre- and post-operatively for 1–5 years. Post-operative hearing preservation (HP) rates were calculated using the preservation numerical scale.Results: The average linear regression coefficient for the decline in hearing preservation score was −6.9...
40 citations
TL;DR: This study recommends using soft surgical principal and round window insertion to protect residual hearing with favorable anatomical exposure to protect against loss of residual hearing post-implantation.
Abstract: Conclusions: This study recommends using soft surgical principal and round window insertion to protect residual hearing with favorable anatomical exposure. Further studies are needed to evaluate th...
39 citations
TL;DR: Evaluating whether intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment would provide benefits over systemic steroid therapy (SST) as initial therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss indicated that ITS treatment yielded better PTA improvement than SST.
Abstract: Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment groups exhibited better outcomes in PTA improvement and recovery rate than systemic steroid therapy (SST) groups. Whether initial hearing loss severity would influence the PTA improvement and recovery rate still requires further research.Objective: This article was aimed at evaluating whether intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment would provide benefits over systemic steroid therapy (SST) as initial therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). A meta-analysis was carried out based on published RCTs that included the hearing outcomes of ITS treatment and SST in ISSHL as initial therapy. Both PTA differences and recovery rate were analyzed.Methods: The literature search was based on the online database including Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane trails, which completed in July 2016. This study extracted the relevant data following the selection criteria. Mean difference (MD) of PTA differences and Odds ratio (OR) of recov...
39 citations
TL;DR: There was less agreement in certain aspects of management including the role of surgery and the nature and duration of follow up, but while there is consensus in some aspects of NOE management, other aspects attract widely differing answers.
Abstract: Introduction: Necrotising otitis externa (NOE) is a rare infection causing skull base osteomyelitis. The evidence regarding NOE consists mostly of case series. Hence, there is a limited evidence base to guide decision-making. This survey aims to report the experience of 221 otolaryngologists in this condition.Materials and methods: Internet survey administered to the membership of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ENT UK).Results: Respondents’ detailed replies on diagnosis, treatment and follow up are presented. One third of respondents reported increasing incidence of NOE. Over 80% diagnosed NOE based on pre-existing risk factors, severe pain, non-resolution of infection and CT scan. Most respondents managed NOE with intravenous antibiotics (90%) and blood sugar control (82%). There was less agreement in certain aspects of management including the role of surgery and the nature and duration of follow up.Conclusions: Our survey provides a picture of NOE manage...
35 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that patients with MD can have functional deficit involving the vertical semicircular canals, which cannot be detected by the CVT alone, and both tests should be used in a complementary fashion.
Abstract: Objective: Compare the caloric vestibular test (CVT) and the video head impulse test (vHIT) in the evaluation of Meniere’s disease (MD) and to analyze their diagnostic accuracy.Materials and methods: Retrospective review of CVT and vHIT performed in MD patients at a tertiary care referral center in Spain.Results: A total of 88 patients were reviewed. The CVT was abnormal in 67% (n = 59) of patients, while the vHIT was abnormal in 66% (n = 58) of them. Agreement between both tests was poor, regardless of whether the horizontal semicircular canal (SCC) or all SCC were analyzed (kappa = .21). Anterior SCC pathology was found in 30% (n = 27) of the subjects while 51% (n = 45) had altered gains in the posterior SCC.Conclusions: Our study shows that patients with MD can have functional deficit involving the vertical semicircular canals, which cannot be detected by the CVT alone. Therefore, both tests should be used in a complementary fashion.
TL;DR: All definite Meniere’s disease patients had endolymphatic hydrops at least in the cochlea or the vestibule on the affected side and there was no relationship between the EH on the non-affected side and the duration of MD.
Abstract: Conclusion: All definite Meniere’s disease (MD) had endolymphatic hydrops (EH) at least in the cochlea or the vestibule. Symptoms of MD may appear after formation of EH. It is assumed that the probability of immediate progression to bilateral MD from unilateral MD is very low in patients without EH on the non-affected side.Objective: To evaluate the EH on both sides in patients with unilateral and bilateral MD, and to investigate factors with progression to bilateral MD including the degree of EH, hearing level, and the duration of MD.Patients and methods: The study included 29 patients with unilateral definite MD and 12 patients with bilateral definite MD. The endolymphatic space size was visualized by using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.Results: All patients with unilateral and bilateral MD had significant or mild EH at least in the cochlea or the vestibule on the affected side. On the non-affected side, EH was not observed at all in eight patients, but asymptomatic EH was observed in the c...
TL;DR: Trans-tympanic plugging of the Eustachian tube with the silicone plug (Kobayashi Plug) induced long-term effectiveness for over 80% of chronic and severe patulous ET (PET) patients and the New Kobayashiplug was more effective with fewer complication of plug descent to the pharyngeal orifice.
Abstract: Conclusions: Trans-tympanic plugging of the Eustachian tube (ET) with the silicone plug (Kobayashi Plug) induced long-term effectiveness for over 80% of chronic and severe patulous ET (PET) patients. The New Kobayashi Plug was more effective with fewer complication of plug descent to the pharyngeal orifice.Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and complications of trans-tympanic plugging of the ET using a Kobayashi Plug for chronic PET.Method: Trans-tympanic plugging of the ET using the Kobayashi Plug was performed for 252 ears of 191 patients. The Prototype Plug (115 ears of 82 patients in 2001–2007) and the New Plug (137 ears of 109 patients in 2008–2013) were inserted for chronic PET patients.Results: The success rate of the Kobayashi Plug for PET was 83.0% of a total (Prototype Plug 80.0%, New Plug 85.4%). In 26 ears, the Prototype Plugs were found to have descended toward the nasopharynx. Conversely, this did not happen with the New Plug. The rate of TM perforation (Prototype 22.6%, New...
TL;DR: Tonsillectomy was most commonly performed to treat frequent tonsillitis, while the main indication for tonsil surgery with combined adenoidectomy and for tonsillotomy alone was upper airway obstruction, and cold steel and radiofrequency were the most commonly used techniques.
Abstract: Aim: To describes how tonsil surgery was performed in Sweden from 2013 to 2015 with data from the National Tonsil Surgery Registry in Sweden (NTSRS).Method: The registry collects data from both pro ...
TL;DR: The satisfaction rate of the subjects with an auditory implant appears strictly related to the resulting auditory improvement, and the surgical variables would play a prevailing role in respect to the esthetic factors.
Abstract: Conclusions: The satisfaction rate of the subjects with an auditory implant appears strictly related to the resulting auditory improvement, and the surgical variables would play a prevailing role i...
TL;DR: To progress toward more solid evidence-based CI intervention, a greater number of reports including CI outcomes for specific gene mutations are desired, as well as to assist in future clinical decision-making.
Abstract: Conclusion: Most of the cases with gene mutations of intra-cochlear etiology showed relatively good CI outcomes. To progress toward more solid evidence-based CI intervention, a greater number of re...
TL;DR: In microsurgical head and neck reconstruction, a higher rate of post-operative wound complication could be predicted by a lower pre-operative neutrophil ratio, NLR, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio, which differed significantly between the patients with and without post-operation wound healing failure.
Abstract: Conclusions: In microsurgical head and neck reconstruction, a higher rate of post-operative wound complication could be predicted by a lower pre-operative neutrophil ratio (< 64.9%), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (< 3.5), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (< 160).Objectives: To evaluate the predictor of post-operative wound complications in microsurgical head and neck reconstruction.Methods: Patients who were undergoing tumor ablation and microsurgical reconstruction from April 2011 to March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The pre-operative hematological data, age, sex, co-morbidities, body mass index (BMI), adjuvant therapies, smoking, operation time, blood loss, total protein, T-stage, and Anesthesiologists Performance Status (ASA-PS) score were collected. Cases of post-operative wound healing failure were reviewed.Results: One hundred and three consecutive patients were enrolled. Among these, the results of 77 patients who were younger than 70 years of age were analyzed. The distribut...
TL;DR: HOTAIR and EZH2 were over-expressed in LSCC tissue and the higher expression was significantly related to T phase, pathological grades, and risk of lymphatic metastasis of LSCC.
Abstract: Conclusions: The aberrant expression of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR and transmethylase EZH2 played important roles in the progression and development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).Objectives: This research was aimed to explore the expression and correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of HOTAIR and EZH2 in LSCC, and to evaluate the function of the two in regulating the proliferation and cis-platinum resistance processes of LSCC.Methods: Quantitative real time-PCR (qPCR) was conducted to measure the expression of HOTAIR and EZH2 in tissue samples. Clinicopathological features were collected and statistically analyzed combining with the expression of HOTAIR and EZH2. The variance of EZH2 with down-regulating HOTAIR was measured by qPCR. CCK-8 proliferation test was conducted to detect the proliferation feature in LSCC cells. After cultured with a series of cis-platinum concentrations for 24 h, cell viability was detected using CCK-8 assay, and the inhibition rates were calc...
TL;DR: Evaluation of the follow-up of 67 patients shows that S53P4 bioactive glass (BAG) granules are safe and effective as obliteration material in cholesteatoma surgery.
Abstract: Conclusion: Evaluation of the follow-up of 67 patients shows that S53P4 bioactive glass (BAG) granules are safe and effective as obliteration material in cholesteatoma surgery.Objectives: To investigate the safety and efficacy of mastoid obliteration using S53P4 BAG in cholesteatoma surgery. Clinical outcomes were infection control (Merchant’s grading), cholesteatoma recidivism, and audiometric performance.Methods: Retrospective follow-up study at the Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Eighteen young (age <17 years) and 49 adult (age ≥17 years) patients treated for cholesteatoma underwent tympanomastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration using S53P4 BAG in the period 2012–2015. Outcome was monitored with clinical otoscopy, otorrhea incidence measurement (Merchant’s grading), DW-MRI, and audiographic performance analyses (pure tone average and air bone gap).Results: During the follow-up period (mean = 22 months; range = 12–54 months) cholesteatoma recidivism was observed in 6% of the patients ...
TL;DR: It is indicated that LS may be a better option for the treatment of T1a glottic carcinoma because patients underwent LS may benefit from increased larynx preservation compared with RT, although more multi-center randomized controlled trials would be urgently needed to prove these differences.
Abstract: Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted to compare oncologic outcomes for patients of T1a glottic carcinoma who were treated with laser surgery (LS) or radiotherapy (RT).Methods: All related stud...
TL;DR: The cochlear length (CL) and coChlear height (CH) measured through MPR will provide for more accurate quantitative diagnosis of inner ear malformation, and are subsequently convenient for calculating cochLear duct length (CDL) before cochear implant.
Abstract: Conclusion: The cochlear length (CL) and cochlear height (CH) measured through MPR will provide for more accurate quantitative diagnosis of inner ear malformation, and are subsequently convenient for calculating cochlear duct length (CDL) before cochear implant.Objectives: Qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of inner ear malformation in deaf patients through multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) was performed to provide a reference for cochlear implants.Methods: One hundred and two cases without sensorineural deafness and 560 patients with sensorineural deafness had MPR of temporal bone computed tomography performed to obtain the standardized cochlear-view and oblique coronal-view images. The inner ear radial lines were measured to formulate normal values for inner ear malformation diagnosing, and the CDL was estimated based on CL.Results: The normal range values of inner ear radial lines were measured and formulated, of which CL was 8.1–9.59 mm and CH was 3.28–3.90 mm. According to inner ear morpho...
Nagoya University1, Shinshu University2, Keio University3, Ehime University4, Hokkaido University5, University of Tsukuba6, International University of Health and Welfare7, Yamagata University8, Hirosaki University9, Gunma University10, Kyushu University11, Okayama University12, Kitasato University13, Iwate Medical University14, University of the Ryukyus15, University of Toyama16, Nagasaki University17, University of Miyazaki18, Yamaguchi University19, University of Tokyo20
TL;DR: The results suggested that idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL belonged to different categories of inner ear disease.
Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) using the res...
TL;DR: Investigation of the relationship between residual dizziness and utricular function following the canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo found that it may be caused by persistent utricular dysfunction.
Abstract: Objective: We used ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials to investigate the relationship between residual dizziness and utricular function following the canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Methods: Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were measured in 44 patients (40 included in analyses, four excluded) with successful results from the canalith repositioning procedure. The patients were examined before treatment and again one week after treatment. We analyzed how various general factors and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials related to residual dizziness.Results: Residual dizziness was not related to gender, affected side, age, duration of symptoms, recurrence, or the results of the initial ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential test (p > .05). However, residual dizziness was significantly associated with the results of the second ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential test (p = .007).Conclusions: Residual dizziness after a s...
TL;DR: Elevated Motion Sickness Susceptibility (MSS) in Meniere's disease (MD) is likely to be a consequence of the onset of MD and not migraine per se, andMultivariate analysis revealed VDD, SWID4, and MSS in adulthood as the strongest predictors of MD, but not headache nor migraine.
Abstract: Conclusion: Elevated Motion Sickness Susceptibility (MSS) in Meniere?s disease (MD) is likely to be a consequence of the onset of MD and not migraine per se.Objectives: Pathologies of the vestibular system influence MSS. Bilateral vestibular deficits lower MSS, vestibular neuritis or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo have little overall effect, whereas vestibular migraine elevates MSS. However, less is known about MSS in MD, a condition in which many patients experience vestibular loss and migraine symptoms.Methods: The authors conducted an online survey that posed diagnostic and disease questions before addressing frequency of headaches, migraines, visual display dizziness (VDD), syncope, social life, and work impact of dizziness (SWID4) and motion sickness susceptibility (MSSQ). The two groups were: diagnosed MD individuals with hearing loss (n = 751) and non-MD individuals in the control group (n = 400).Results: The MD group showed significantly elevated MSS, more headache and migraine, incr...
TL;DR: The effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) treatment should be considered on an individual basis, according to the initial state of facial function, because of the number of facial synkinetic movements observed.
Abstract: Objectives: The researchers analyzed facial patterns in subjects with facial synkinesis after facial paralysis and evaluated the involved muscles to aid in the development of effective treatments for facial synkinesis.Methods: A total of 142 subjects were included in the study, the primary measure for synkinesis was determined by video analysis involving the strongest combination of two muscle groups that contributed to facial expression. The secondary measure of synkinesis was the analysis of its severity using the SB grading system, while observing the number of facial synkinetic movements.Results: The most common type of facial synkinesis was oral–ocular synkinesis (n = 137). Other synkinesis such as ocular–oral, ocular–nasal, ocular–chin, ocular–stapedial, chin–ocular and chin–oral synkinesis continued to coexist together with oral–ocular synkinesis. The results of BTX-A treatment are assessed based on the number of facial synkinetic movements observed and the evaluation of initial facial func...
TL;DR: RTMS is a non-invasive method that applies a brief magnetic pulse to the cortex and is regarded as a possible therapeutic method for tinnitus control, but it remains unclear whether the rTMS treatment effect would be the same in tinnitis patients receiving the 10–20 EEG-based target localization as in those receiving imaging-based neuronavigation target localization.
Abstract: Objective: rTMS is a non-invasive method that applies a brief magnetic pulse to the cortex and is regarded as a possible therapeutic method for tinnitus control. However, it remains unclear whether the rTMS treatment effect would be the same in tinnitus patients receiving the 10–20 EEG-based target localization as in those receiving imaging-based neuronavigation target localization.Methods: We compared the treatment outcome of the 10–20 EEG-guided rTMS (Group 1) with that of the neuronavigation-guided rTMS (Group 2). Using the individual subject's MRI data and neuronavigation system, the coordinates of the AC relative to the 10–20 EEG system were identified in Asian and compared with those of Caucasian.Results: There was significant improvement in the THI and VAS scores in Group 1 and 2. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. The location of the AC in Asians was significantly different to that in Caucasians.Conclusion: The 10–20 EEG coordinates of the AC in Asians wer...
TL;DR: In this paper, video-oculography (VOG) goggles are used to measure ocular counter-roll (vOCR) in 12 healthy controls, 14 patients with unilateral vestibular loss (UVL), and six patients with bilateral vestibula loss (BVL) with a static lateral head tilt of 30°.
Abstract: Conclusion: vOCR can detect loss of otolith-ocular function without specifying the side of vestibular loss. Since vOCR is measured with a simple head tilt maneuver, it can be potentially used as a bedside clinical test in combination with video head impulse test.Objective: Video-oculography (VOG) goggles are being integrated into the bedside assessment of patients with vestibular disorders. Lacking, however, is a method to evaluate otolith function. This study validated a VOG test for loss of otolith function.Methods: VOG was used to measure ocular counter-roll (vOCR) in 12 healthy controls, 14 patients with unilateral vestibular loss (UVL), and six patients with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL) with a static lateral head tilt of 30°. The results were compared with vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), a widely-used laboratory test of otolith function.Results: The average vOCR for healthy controls (4.6°) was significantly different from UVL (2.7°) and BVL (1.6°) patients (p < 0.0001). The v...
TL;DR: Increased infiltration of CD163+ macrophages in the tumour stroma correlates with worse outcomes and with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection status of tumour cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Abstract: Objectives: To assess the relationships between CD163 expression, localization of CD163+ macrophages, clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC.Methods: A total of 110 cases of NPC specimen...
TL;DR: Taste disturbance at 1 year post-operatively correlate with a decrease of the physical function domain in the SF-36, indicating that more severe surgical nerve trauma caused more disturbance, implying that the nerve should be handled carefully during surgery.
Abstract: Conclusion: The incidence of taste disturbance after stapes surgery is high (61.9 %), whereas the majority (94.8 %) recovers within 1 year. More severe surgical nerve trauma caused more disturbanc ...
TL;DR: Like NAC ameliorates hearing loss from acoustic trauma in the inner ear, N-acetyl-L-cysteine may also rescue hearing lossFrom sudden deafness confined to the innerEar.
Abstract: Conclusion: Like NAC ameliorates hearing loss from acoustic trauma in the inner ear, NAC may also rescue hearing loss from sudden deafness confined to the inner ear.Objective: This study assesses the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as a single therapy for sudden deafness.Methods: Thirty-five sudden deafness patients with neither systemic disorders nor central signs in electronystagmography were treated with NAC alone and assigned to Group A. For comparison, another 35 sudden deafness patients treated by corticosteroids and plasma expander were assigned to Group B. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, laterality, and pre-treatment mean hearing level. All patients underwent an inner ear test battery comprising audiometry, and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), cervical VEMP (cVEMP), and caloric tests.Results: Groups A and B did not significantly differ in the pre-treatment mean hearing level, and percentages of abnormal oVEMP, cVEMP...