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Hearing loss assessment in primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma 3 ☆Please cite this article as: Olsen JM, Ribeiro FAQ, Yasui MMM, dos Santos ITR. Hearing loss assessment in primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2015;81:653-7. ,☆☆ ☆☆ Institution: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Acquired middle ear cholesteatoma can be classified as primary or secondary. Although both can result in hearing loss, it is still controversial whether there is an association between the type of cholesteatoma and the degree of hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the association between hearing loss and the type of acquired cholesteatoma, and the status of the ossicular chain.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional historical cohort study involving patients diagnosed with acquired cholesteatoma who were surgically treated. Air and bone conduction thresholds, air-bone gaps and the status of the ossicular chain were analyzed for both types of cholesteatoma.

RESULTS:

Eighty patients aged 5-57 were included in the study. Fifty-one patients had primary cholesteatoma and 29 had secondary cholesteatoma. Both types of cholesteatoma determined greater air-bone gaps at 0.5 kHz. Secondary cholesteatoma determined greater hearing loss in all analyzed frequencies and higher air conduction and air-bone gap means.

CONCLUSION:

There was association between hearing loss and the type of cholesteatoma. Secondary cholesteatoma resulted in greater hearing impairment.

Keywords:
Hearing loss; Cholesteatoma; Suppurative otitis media; Audiometry

RESUMO

INTRODUÇÃO:

O colesteatoma adquirido de orelha média pode ser classificado como primário e secundário. Ambos podem ocasionar perda de audição, mas ainda há controvérsia quanto à relação dos tipos de colesteatoma com a perda auditiva.

OBJETIVO:

Analisar a relação dos tipos de colesteatoma e da erosão da cadeia ossicular com a perda auditiva.

MÉTODO:

Estudo de coorte histórica com corte transversal, envolvendo pacientes que receberam o diagnóstico de colesteatoma adquirido e foram submetidos à cirurgia otológica. Foram analisados os limiares ósseos, aéreos e a diferença aéreo-óssea, e suas associações com os tipos de colesteatoma e com a presença de erosão na cadeia ossicular.

RESULTADOS:

No estudo foram incluídos oitenta pacientes, com idade entre 5 e 57 anos, sendo 51 com colesteatoma primário e 29 com colesteatoma secundário. Ambos os tipos de colesteatoma determinaram maior diferença aéreo-óssea na frequência de 0,5 kHz. O colesteatoma secundário determinou uma perda auditiva maior em todas as frequências analisadas, e maiores médias do limiar aéreo e da diferença aéreo-óssea.

CONCLUSÃO:

Houve associação entre o tipo de colesteatoma e a perda de audição. O colesteatoma secundário determinou maior comprometimento da audição.

Palavras-chave:
Perda auditiva; Colesteatoma; Otite média supurativa; Audiometria

Introduction

Cholesteatoma is defined as the presence of skin in any air-filled area of the temporal bone, and can be congenital or acquired.11. Schuknecht HF. Pathology of the ear. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1993. Acquired middle-ear cholesteatoma can be classified according to its origin as primary or secondary.22. Ribeiro FAQ, Pereira CSB. Otite média crônica colesteatomatosa. In: Caldas Neto S, Mello Júnior JF, Martins RHG, Costa SS, editors. Tratado de otorrinolaringologia. Sociedade Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia. 2nd ed. São Paulo: Rocca; 2011. p. 122-36.,33. Lim DJ, Saunders WH. Acquired cholesteatoma: light and electron microscopic observation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1972;81:2-12.,44. Alves AL, Ribeiro FQ. O papel das citocinas no colesteatoma adquirido da orelha média: revisão da literatura. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2004;70:813-8.,55. Soldati D, Mudry A. Knowledge about cholesteatoma, from the first description to the modern histopathology. Otol Neurotol. 2001;22:723-30.and66. Fisch U, May J. Tympanoplasty mastoidectomy and stapes surgery. 1st ed. New York: Thieme; 1994. The primary type originates from pars flaccida retraction and the secondary type from the involvement of the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane.55. Soldati D, Mudry A. Knowledge about cholesteatoma, from the first description to the modern histopathology. Otol Neurotol. 2001;22:723-30.,77. Costa SS, Hueb MM, Ruschel C. Otite média crônica colesteatomatosa. In: Cruz OL, Costa SS, editors. Otologia clínica e cirúrgica. 1st ed. Rio de Janeiro: Revinter; 2000. p. 197-216.and88. Olszewska E, Wagner M, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Ebmeyer J, Dazert S, Hildmann H, et al. Etiopathogenesis of cholesteatoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:6-24.

Studies have shown that the incidence and prevalence of cholesteatoma are much higher in developing countries, highlighting its association with low socioeconomic status, poor hygiene, and delay in seeking health care or poor health services.99. World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic suppurative otitis media, burden of illness and management options. Geneva: WHO; 2004.and1010. Orji FT. A survey of the burden of management of chronic suppurative otitis media in a developing country. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2013;3:598-601.

Cholesteatomas determine mechanical compression of adjacent structures and have cells with hyperproliferative characteristics (cytokeratin 16, KI67, and inflammatory cytokines), which may cause temporal bone and ossicular chain erosion, resulting in hearing loss.44. Alves AL, Ribeiro FQ. O papel das citocinas no colesteatoma adquirido da orelha média: revisão da literatura. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2004;70:813-8.,1111. Strunk CL. Cholesteatoma. In: Bailey BJ, Johnson JT, Newlands SD, editors. Head and neck surgery - otolaryngology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott; 1993. p. 1635-45.and1212. Martins O, Victor J, Selesnick S. The relationship between individual ossicular status and conductive hearing loss in cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33:387-92. For this reason and due to the presence of fetid otorrhea, they result in psychosocial damage. As they have a major impact on activities of daily living, they can limit future job opportunities and cause social inclusion difficulties.99. World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic suppurative otitis media, burden of illness and management options. Geneva: WHO; 2004.

There is no consensus in the literature regarding the influence of the type of cholesteatoma on hearing loss, or concerning the frequencies most affected.1111. Strunk CL. Cholesteatoma. In: Bailey BJ, Johnson JT, Newlands SD, editors. Head and neck surgery - otolaryngology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott; 1993. p. 1635-45.,1313. Dornelles C, Costa SS, Meurer L, Schweiger C. Algumas considerações sobre colesteatomas adquiridos pediátricos e adultos. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2005;71:536-45.,1414. Stankovic M. Audiologic results of surgery for cholesteatoma: short- and long-term follow-up of influential factors. Otol Neurotol. 2008;29:933-40.,1515. Jeng FC, Tsai MH, Brown CJ. Relationship of preoperative findings and ossicular discontinuity in chronic otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2003;24:29-32.,1616. Carillo R, Yang N, Abes G. Probabilities of ossicular discontinuity in chronic suppurative otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2007;28:1034-7.and1717. Albera R, Canale A, Puimetto E, Lacilla M, Dagna F. Ossicular chain lesions in cholesteatoma. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32:309-13.

Most studies have shown that there is an association between ossicular chain erosion and magnitude of hearing loss, and that the most affected ossicle is the incus.1212. Martins O, Victor J, Selesnick S. The relationship between individual ossicular status and conductive hearing loss in cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33:387-92.,1515. Jeng FC, Tsai MH, Brown CJ. Relationship of preoperative findings and ossicular discontinuity in chronic otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2003;24:29-32.and1717. Albera R, Canale A, Puimetto E, Lacilla M, Dagna F. Ossicular chain lesions in cholesteatoma. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32:309-13.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association of primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma, as well as ossicular chain erosion with hearing loss.

Methods

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution under No. 03856512.4.0000.5479.

This was a historical cohort study with cross-sectional design, based on data obtained from medical records of patients treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Outpatient Clinic of a medical teaching institution, between January of 2010 and October of 2013.

Inclusion criteria: patients who were diagnosed with acquired cholesteatoma and submitted to otological surgery.

Exclusion criteria: patients with other concomitant ear diseases or those who had been previously submitted to otological surgery.

Prior to surgery, all patients underwent pure tone audiometry with determination of air thresholds at 0.25, 0.5, 1-4, 6, and 8 kHz, and bone thresholds at 0.5 and 1-4 kHz. Air and bone thresholds and air-bone gaps were evaluated separately at the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The means were also evaluated for each patient at those frequencies.

The variables studied were: (a) age and gender; (b) type of cholesteatoma: defined according to clinical history, physical examination data, and intraoperative findings described in the standardized surgical description form, classified as primary cholesteatoma when originating from pars flaccida retraction and secondary when originating from the involvement of pars tensa of the tympanic membrane88. Olszewska E, Wagner M, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Ebmeyer J, Dazert S, Hildmann H, et al. Etiopathogenesis of cholesteatoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:6-24.; (c) presence of ossicular chain erosion, defined by the intraoperative findings, noted as present or absent.

Statistical analysis was performed using Stata(tm) software, version 11. The association between hearing loss and the assessed variables was performed using Pearson's chi-squared test for categorical variables, and the nonparametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables, considering a 95% confidence interval and 5% level of significance.

Results

The present study included 80 patients, 31 females and 49 males, aged between 5 and 57 years (mean age of 26.5 ± 14.75). The left ear was affected in 52.5% of the patients and the right ear, 47.5%. Primary cholesteatoma was found in 51 (63.8%) patients and secondary cholesteatoma in 29 (36.2%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to gender and age (Table 1).

Table 1
Distribution of demographic characteristics according to the type of cholesteatoma.

As for the hearing impairment at the different frequencies, it was observed that the bone threshold was higher at frequencies 2 and 4 kHz, both in primary and secondary cholesteatoma (Table 2); the air threshold was higher at frequencies 0.5 kHz and 1 kHz in primary cholesteatoma and similar at all frequencies in secondary cholesteatoma (Table 3), whereas the gap was higher at a frequency of 0.5 kHz in both types of cholesteatoma (Table 4).

Table 2
Mean bone threshold (in dB) at different frequencies (in kHz) according to the type of cholesteatoma.
Table 3
Mean air threshold (in dB) at different frequencies (in kHz) according to type of cholesteatoma.
Table 4
Mean gap (in dB) at different frequencies (in kHz) according to type of cholesteatoma.

As for the degree of hearing loss, it was observed that secondary cholesteatoma caused greater loss than primary cholesteatoma at all analyzed frequencies, as well as a larger gap at the frequencies of 1 and 2 kHz (Table 3 and Table 4). There was no statistically significant difference in mean bone threshold between primary and secondary cholesteatomas; however, the mean air threshold and the mean gap were higher in patients with secondary cholesteatoma (Table 5).

Table 5
Mean hearing thresholds (in dB) according to type of cholesteatoma.

Only five (6.25%) patients had an intact ossicular chain during surgery, two of them with primary cholesteatoma and three with secondary cholesteatoma. Patients with intact ossicular chain had a mean gap of 26.25 dB (SD ± 7.55 dB) and patients with ossicular chain erosion, 31.77 dB (SD ± 13.54 dB).

Discussion

The aim of this study was to primarily investigate the association of the types of cholesteatoma with hearing loss and, secondarily, the association between the ossicular chain status and hearing impairment.

The two types of cholesteatoma caused a greater gap at the low frequencies, and 0.5 kHz was affected to a greater degree. Thus, in common with that reported in the literature,1818. Silveira Netto LF, Costa SS, Sleifer P, Braga MEL. The impact of chronic suppurative otitis media on children's and teenagers' hearing. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73:1751-6.and1919. Karini- Yazdi A, Saedi B, Fayezizadeh M, Seifmanesh H. Association between audiometric profile and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Iran J Otorhino- laryngol. 2011;2:37-42. this study showed the preservation of the bone threshold and greater involvement of the air threshold at these frequencies.

The difference in hearing loss between both types of cholesteatoma is still controversial in the literature, as the different methodologies make it difficult to compare results.1212. Martins O, Victor J, Selesnick S. The relationship between individual ossicular status and conductive hearing loss in cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33:387-92.,1818. Silveira Netto LF, Costa SS, Sleifer P, Braga MEL. The impact of chronic suppurative otitis media on children's and teenagers' hearing. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73:1751-6.and1919. Karini- Yazdi A, Saedi B, Fayezizadeh M, Seifmanesh H. Association between audiometric profile and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Iran J Otorhino- laryngol. 2011;2:37-42. In theory, due to its location, secondary cholesteatoma would affect the tense part of the tympanic membrane to a greater extent, the incus and the stapes, causing greater hearing loss. This assumption was confirmed by this study, in which secondary cholesteatoma was associated with more severe hearing loss. Mild hearing loss was found associated with primary cholesteatoma and moderate loss with secondary cholesteatoma, greater findings than those reported in other studies.1717. Albera R, Canale A, Puimetto E, Lacilla M, Dagna F. Ossicular chain lesions in cholesteatoma. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32:309-13.,1818. Silveira Netto LF, Costa SS, Sleifer P, Braga MEL. The impact of chronic suppurative otitis media on children's and teenagers' hearing. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73:1751-6.and1919. Karini- Yazdi A, Saedi B, Fayezizadeh M, Seifmanesh H. Association between audiometric profile and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Iran J Otorhino- laryngol. 2011;2:37-42.

The literature indicates that the degree of hearing loss is not a good predictor of ossicular chain status.1515. Jeng FC, Tsai MH, Brown CJ. Relationship of preoperative findings and ossicular discontinuity in chronic otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2003;24:29-32.and1616. Carillo R, Yang N, Abes G. Probabilities of ossicular discontinuity in chronic suppurative otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2007;28:1034-7. However, recent studies have shown that hearing loss is associated with ossicular chain erosion, with the incus being most important ossicle in hearing thresholds.1212. Martins O, Victor J, Selesnick S. The relationship between individual ossicular status and conductive hearing loss in cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33:387-92.and1919. Karini- Yazdi A, Saedi B, Fayezizadeh M, Seifmanesh H. Association between audiometric profile and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Iran J Otorhino- laryngol. 2011;2:37-42. In the present study, the lack of information on the affected ossicle and the small number of cases with an intact ossicular chain at surgery prevented the analysis of the association between hearing loss and the ossicular chain status.

The present study was performed in a public health service, where consultations with specialists, complementary examinations, and surgical treatment still require considerable time.2020. Gragnolati M, Lindelow M, Couttolenc C. Twenty years of health system reform in Brazil: an assessment of the Sistema Único de Saúde. Washington: World Bank; 2013. p. 16-8. Thus, the interval between patient symptom onset and their diagnosis and treatment is lengthy. This could explain the high prevalence of ossicular chain erosion and the greater degree of hearing loss we observed.

This study has some limitations. The study includes patients treated at an outpatient clinic rather than a random patient sample, which reduces its ability to be generalized. Additionally, the lack of information on the socioeconomic characteristics of patients and disease duration makes it impossible to investigate possible associations of these variables with hearing loss and the development of explanations for the high prevalence of ossicular chain erosion.

Conclusions

The type of acquired cholesteatoma resulted in statistically significant differences regarding hearing loss. Secondary cholesteatoma results in greater air threshold impairment and air-bone gap than the primary cholesteatoma. Additionally, both types of cholesteatoma resulted in a greater air-bone gap at the lower frequencies.

References

  • 1
    Schuknecht HF. Pathology of the ear. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1993.
  • 2
    Ribeiro FAQ, Pereira CSB. Otite média crônica colesteatomatosa. In: Caldas Neto S, Mello Júnior JF, Martins RHG, Costa SS, editors. Tratado de otorrinolaringologia. Sociedade Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia. 2nd ed. São Paulo: Rocca; 2011. p. 122-36.
  • 3
    Lim DJ, Saunders WH. Acquired cholesteatoma: light and electron microscopic observation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1972;81:2-12.
  • 4
    Alves AL, Ribeiro FQ. O papel das citocinas no colesteatoma adquirido da orelha média: revisão da literatura. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2004;70:813-8.
  • 5
    Soldati D, Mudry A. Knowledge about cholesteatoma, from the first description to the modern histopathology. Otol Neurotol. 2001;22:723-30.
  • 6
    Fisch U, May J. Tympanoplasty mastoidectomy and stapes surgery. 1st ed. New York: Thieme; 1994.
  • 7
    Costa SS, Hueb MM, Ruschel C. Otite média crônica colesteatomatosa. In: Cruz OL, Costa SS, editors. Otologia clínica e cirúrgica. 1st ed. Rio de Janeiro: Revinter; 2000. p. 197-216.
  • 8
    Olszewska E, Wagner M, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Ebmeyer J, Dazert S, Hildmann H, et al. Etiopathogenesis of cholesteatoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:6-24.
  • 9
    World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic suppurative otitis media, burden of illness and management options. Geneva: WHO; 2004.
  • 10
    Orji FT. A survey of the burden of management of chronic suppurative otitis media in a developing country. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2013;3:598-601.
  • 11
    Strunk CL. Cholesteatoma. In: Bailey BJ, Johnson JT, Newlands SD, editors. Head and neck surgery - otolaryngology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott; 1993. p. 1635-45.
  • 12
    Martins O, Victor J, Selesnick S. The relationship between individual ossicular status and conductive hearing loss in cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33:387-92.
  • 13
    Dornelles C, Costa SS, Meurer L, Schweiger C. Algumas considerações sobre colesteatomas adquiridos pediátricos e adultos. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2005;71:536-45.
  • 14
    Stankovic M. Audiologic results of surgery for cholesteatoma: short- and long-term follow-up of influential factors. Otol Neurotol. 2008;29:933-40.
  • 15
    Jeng FC, Tsai MH, Brown CJ. Relationship of preoperative findings and ossicular discontinuity in chronic otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2003;24:29-32.
  • 16
    Carillo R, Yang N, Abes G. Probabilities of ossicular discontinuity in chronic suppurative otitis media. Otol Neurotol. 2007;28:1034-7.
  • 17
    Albera R, Canale A, Puimetto E, Lacilla M, Dagna F. Ossicular chain lesions in cholesteatoma. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32:309-13.
  • 18
    Silveira Netto LF, Costa SS, Sleifer P, Braga MEL. The impact of chronic suppurative otitis media on children's and teenagers' hearing. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73:1751-6.
  • 19
    Karini- Yazdi A, Saedi B, Fayezizadeh M, Seifmanesh H. Association between audiometric profile and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Iran J Otorhino- laryngol. 2011;2:37-42.
  • 20
    Gragnolati M, Lindelow M, Couttolenc C. Twenty years of health system reform in Brazil: an assessment of the Sistema Único de Saúde. Washington: World Bank; 2013. p. 16-8.
  • Funding This study was funded by the PIBIC Scientific Initiation Grant - CNPq.
  • 3
    ☆Please cite this article as: Olsen JM, Ribeiro FAQ, Yasui MMM, dos Santos ITR. Hearing loss assessment in primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2015;81:653-7.
  • ☆☆
    Institution: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Nov-Dec 2015

History

  • Received
    03 July 2014
  • Accepted
    23 Nov 2014
Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Sede da Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico Facial, Av. Indianópolia, 1287, 04063-002 São Paulo/SP Brasil, Tel.: (0xx11) 5053-7500, Fax: (0xx11) 5053-7512 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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