title: Efficacy of pre-operative computed tomography evaluation of the tympanic cavity for hearing improvement after stapes surgery for tympanosclerosis with stapes fixation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to determine if stapes surgery is useful for treating inflammatory ear diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients underwent single-stage or staged surgery for stapes fixation due to tympanosclerosis alone or with cholesteatoma. Operative criteria were: no tympanic membrane retraction, perforation or adhesion; middle-ear cavity with aeration >1 year; a fixed stapes. Computed tomography was used to analyse the relation between operative success and pre-operative pneumatisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Success rate at six months was 75 per cent. Hearing results were stable with little deterioration and no complications. Patients with poor pneumatisation had good results (with improved air-bone gap) only after staged surgery. Well-aerated ears heard better even with single-stage surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-operative computed tomography and intra-operative findings are necessary to determine the pneumatisation status of tympanic mastoid cavities. If criteria approved, poorly pneumatised patients underwent staged surgery. Stapedectomy achieved good hearing results for inflammatory middle-ear disease with stapes fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Kawano Ear Nose and Throat Surgical Clinic,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Komune
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063371:Myringosclerosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013199:Stapes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Computed Tomography