The objective of the study was to evaluate postoperative pain following a transcutaneous active conductive hearing implant. 27 patients undergoing Bonebridge (BB) bone conduction implantation were evaluated with two pain-related... more
The objective of the study was to evaluate postoperative pain following a transcutaneous active conductive hearing implant. 27 patients undergoing Bonebridge (BB) bone conduction implantation were evaluated with two pain-related questionnaires. The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) was used to measure the degree of disability including none or little impact (≤49), mild (50-55), moderate (56-59), and severe (≥60). The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was used to assess pain severity score and function interference (0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain); meaningful pain was considered to be ≥3. The impact of surgical factors on postoperative pain was analyzed. Postoperative BB pain results were compared with 11 Vibrant Soundbridge™ (VSB) and 103 cochlear implant (CI) users. The mean pre- and postoperative HIT-6 scores for BB implantation were 42.6 and 41.8, respectively and the mean preoperative BPI pain severity score changed from 0.6 to 0.9 postoperatively, whereas the preoperative interference score changed from 0.1 to 0.3. None of the mean postoperative values revealed significant pain. The retrosigmoid approach, the need for dural or sinus compression, and the use of bone conduction implant lifts had no significant impact on pain scores. The mean postoperative HIT-6 pain scores for patients with BB, VSB, and CI were 41.8, 46.4, and 42.8, respectively, with the differences not being significant. BB implantation causes no significant postoperative pain irrespective of sinus or dura compression. Pain scores were similar to those experienced by patients with other transcutaneous auditory implants such as middle ear or CIs.
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Conclusion Bonebridge (BB) and Sophono (SP) devices improved hearing; with the BB implant showing a better performance at medium and high frequencies. Furthermore, the BB, as an active implant, showed higher functional gain and increased... more
Conclusion Bonebridge (BB) and Sophono (SP) devices improved hearing; with the BB implant showing a better performance at medium and high frequencies. Furthermore, the BB, as an active implant, showed higher functional gain and increased time of use, when compared to the SP, a passive system. Objectives This study aims to compare surgical and audiological outcomes of SP and BB devices in order to assess and further differentiate the indication criteria. Methods Fourteen patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss were evaluated pre- and post-operatively (BB or SP) (period 2013-2014). Age, gender, surgical history, cause and type of hearing loss, implant use per day, levels of bone and air conduction, and functional gain were recorded. Data was analysed by Wilcoxon singed-rank and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results Fourteen patients (BB; n = 10 and SP; n = 4) with an average age = 25.42 years (CI95 = 12.41-38.43) were evaluated. The gender relation was equal (1:1), with pre-implantation osseous thresholds of 20.42 dB (CI95 = 11.15-29.69), and pre-implantation aerial thresholds of 70.83 dB (CI95 = 62.52-79.14). The SP wearing time was significantly lower than that of the BB (SP = 7-10 h/day, BB = 8-12 h/day; p = 0.0323). The functional gain did not differ significantly between the two devices (BB = 40.00 ± 13.19 dB, SP = 34.06 ± 15.63 dB; p = 0.3434), but a significant improvement from pre- to post-implantation was observed (p < 0.05). BB and SP decreased auditory thresholds at 1 and 2 kHz (< 0.01), respectively. The BB even significantly decreased thresholds at 0.5 kHz (p = 0.0140) and 4 kHz (p < 0.0001). No relevant surgical complications were found.
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Background: The ADHEAR™ system (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a nonsurgical bone conduction device (BCD) to treat conductive hearing loss (CHL) and single-sided deafness. In contrast to the nonsurgical alternatives on headbands or... more
Background: The ADHEAR™ system (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a nonsurgical bone conduction device (BCD) to treat conductive hearing loss (CHL) and single-sided deafness. In contrast to the nonsurgical alternatives on headbands or spectacle frames, the audio processor of ADHEAR is placed retroauricularly on an adhesive adapter. The published evidence on the performance of this system is limited to studies with a trial period of 2–8 weeks. Objective: This study assesses audiological and subjective outcomes over a period of 12 months, on patients with congenital aural atresia (CAA) using the ADHEAR hearing system. Method: Fifteen children (mean age: 9.4 ± 4 years; range: 5–16 years) diagnosed with CAA (7 uni/8 bilateral) were included in this prospective, observational, repeated-measures study. Each subject used ADHEAR for 1 year, and the performance was evaluated after 1, 6, and 12 months. Free-field audiometry and speech discrimination tests were performed, and hearing-, general health- and device-specific questionnaires were used. Results: The unaided sound field threshold improved from an average PTA4 of 63.6 ± 3.4 dB HL to an aided average PTA4 of 29.3 ± 3.0 dB HL after 1 month of device use. The word recognition score (WRS) improved from an average of 27.9 ± 15.9% unaided to an aided average WRS of 91.3 ± 4.4% (p = 0.0003) after 1 month, 92.0 ± 4.1% (p = 0.0002) after 6 months, and 92.7 ± 5.3% (p < 0.0001) after 12 months using the ADHEAR system compared to the unaided condition for all 3 time points. The improvements in the speech in noise at 1, 6, and 12 months were as well consistent over time. The average improvement at the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of +5 dB was 58% and 53% at the SNR of +0 dB. No complications were reported, and all patients continued to use the ADHEAR after the study end. The questionnaire results revealed high user satisfaction and an average wearing time of 12 h per day. Conclusion: This 12-month trial of the nonsurgical adhesive BCD in CAA patients showed sufficient and reliable audiological and subjective outcomes, long wearing time, and high acceptance. The ADHEAR can be considered a suitable option to treat children with CAA for the given indication, without the drawbacks of nonsurgical devices that use pressure for retention of the audio processor or the costs and possible complications involved with a surgical alternative.
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Allergic rhinitis and asthma represent global problems of public health affecting all age groups; asthma and allergic rhinitis frequently coexist in the same patients. In Latin American prevalence of allergic rhinitis, although variable,... more
Allergic rhinitis and asthma represent global problems of public health affecting all age groups; asthma and allergic rhinitis frequently coexist in the same patients. In Latin American prevalence of allergic rhinitis, although variable, is very high. Allergic rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) started during a workshop of the World Health Organization performed in 1999 and was published in 2001. ARIA proposed a new classification of allergic rhinitis in intermittent or persistent and mild or moderate-severe. This approach of classification reflects more nearly the impact of allergic rhinitis in patients. In its review of 2010 ARIA developed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis and of clinical practices for management of comorbidities of allergic rhinitis and asthma based on GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Development and Evaluation). ARIA has been spread and implemented in more than 50 countries. In Latin American an intense activity has been developed to spread these recommendations in almost all the countries of the region and it is important to record the obtained goals in the diffusion and implementation of ARIA, as well as to identify the unsatisfied needs from the clinical, research and implementation points of view. Final objective is to reinforce the priority that allergy and asthma should have, especially in children, in the programs of public health, as they have been prioritized in European Union in 2011.
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Research Interests: Medical Informatics, Immunology, Climate Change, Biomarkers, Health Planning, and 15 moreAsthma, Decision Support Systems, Health Policy, Comorbidity, Clinical Decision Making, Allergy, Humans, Allergic rhinitis, Information and Communications Technology, Journal Article, Allergens, Integrated Care Pathways, Disease Management, Aria, and Clinical Trials as Topic
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Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of “one‐airway‐one‐disease,” coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links... more
Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of “one‐airway‐one‐disease,” coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper‐ and lower‐airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitization and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definitions, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches, and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper‐ and lower‐airway allergic diseases with skin, gut, and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the “Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis.” This review determined that the “one‐airway‐one‐disease” concept does not always...
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The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of... more
The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support...
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BOUSQUET J.; KHALTAEV N.; CRUZ AA; DENBURG J.; FOKKENS W.; TOGIAS A.; ZUBERBIER T.; BAENA-CAGNANI C.; CANONICA GW; VAN WEEL C.; AGACHE I.; AÏT-KHALED N.; BACHERT C.; BLAISS M.; BONINI S.; BOULET L.-P.; BOUSQUET P.-J.; ...
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Introducción: La otoesclerosis (OS) es una enfermedad de etiología desconocida, que presenta una transmisión autosómica dominante. Afecta más frecuentemente a mujeres entre 20 y 30 años, que consultan clínicamente por una hipoacusia de... more
Introducción: La otoesclerosis (OS) es una enfermedad de etiología desconocida, que presenta una transmisión autosómica dominante. Afecta más frecuentemente a mujeres entre 20 y 30 años, que consultan clínicamente por una hipoacusia de conducción. La OS se clasifica en fenestral (85%) y coclear (15%). La Tomografía Computada Multicorte (TCMC) es un método radiológico de elección en la valoración de la cápsula ótica. Ésta puede demostrar con precisión lesiones en la etapa inicial como focos hipodensos milimétricos, principalmente a nivel de la Fisula Ante Fenestram (FAF) y pueden corresponderse como un signo “precoz o inicial” de OS, aun cuando en la audiometría aparece un gap menor a 20 db. Revisión del tema: La OS es una enfermedad de etiología desconocida pero se sugiere una relación con las Abstract
This study aimed to discover expert opinion on the surgical techniques and materials most likely to achieve maximum postoperative residual hearing preservation in cochlear implant (CI) surgery and to determine how these opinions have... more
This study aimed to discover expert opinion on the surgical techniques and materials most likely to achieve maximum postoperative residual hearing preservation in cochlear implant (CI) surgery and to determine how these opinions have changed since 2010. A previously published questionnaire used in a study published in 2010 was adapted and expanded. The questionnaire was distributed to an international group of experienced CI surgeons. Present results were compared, via descriptive statistics, to those from the 2010 survey. Eighteen surgeons completed the questionnaire. Respondents clearly favored the following: round window insertion, slow array insertion, and the peri- and postoperative use of systematic antibiotics. Insertion depth was regarded as important, and electrode arrays less likely to induce trauma were preferred. The usefulness of dedicated soft-surgery training was also recognized. A lack of agreement was found on whether the middle ear cavity should be flushed with a n...
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Tesis para optar al título de Ingeniería de Sonido
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Einleitung: Aktive Mittelohrimplantate werden zunehmend für die Hörrehabilitation angeborener Mittelohrfehlbildungen verwendet. Die existierenden Bewertungsschemata für Computertomographien erfüllen die Anforderungen für diese... more
Einleitung: Aktive Mittelohrimplantate werden zunehmend für die Hörrehabilitation angeborener Mittelohrfehlbildungen verwendet. Die existierenden Bewertungsschemata für Computertomographien erfüllen die Anforderungen für diese Implantationen nicht. Der neu entwickelte Active[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
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Einleitung: Aktive Mittelohrimplantate werden zunehmend für die Hörrehabilitation angeborener Mittelohrfehlbildungen verwendet. Die existierenden Bewertungsschemata für Computertomographien erfüllen die Anforderungen für diese... more
Einleitung: Aktive Mittelohrimplantate werden zunehmend für die Hörrehabilitation angeborener Mittelohrfehlbildungen verwendet. Die existierenden Bewertungsschemata für Computertomographien erfüllen die Anforderungen für diese Implantationen nicht. Der neu entwickelte Active[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
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The selection of pharmacotherapy for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) depends on several factors, including age, prominent symptoms, symptom severity, control of AR, patient preferences, and cost. Allergen exposure and the resulting... more
The selection of pharmacotherapy for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) depends on several factors, including age, prominent symptoms, symptom severity, control of AR, patient preferences, and cost. Allergen exposure and the resulting symptoms vary, and treatment adjustment is required. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) might be beneficial for the assessment of disease control. CDSSs should be based on the best evidence and algorithms to aid patients and health care professionals to jointly determine treatment and its step-up or step-down strategy depending on AR control. Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un VIeillissement Actif en Languedoc-Roussillon (MACVIA-LR [fighting chronic diseases for active and healthy ageing]), one of the reference sites of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, has initiated an allergy sentinel network (the MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel Network). A CDSS is currently being developed to optimize AR control. An algorithm develo...
Research Interests: Algorithms, Immunology, Asthma, Information and Communication technology, Adolescent, and 12 moreMedicine, Clinical Decision Making, Humans, Allergic rhinitis, Patient Satisfaction, Adult, Clinical Decision Support System, Age Factors, Disease Management, Allergy and Immunology, Clinical Allergy and Immunology, and Conjunctivitis
The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of hearing implant (HI) use on quality of life (QoL) and to determine which QoL measure(s) quantify QoL with greater sensitivity in users of different types of HIs.... more
The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of hearing implant (HI) use on quality of life (QoL) and to determine which QoL measure(s) quantify QoL with greater sensitivity in users of different types of HIs. Participants were adult cochlear implant (CI), active middle ear implant (VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE (VSB)), or active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (the BONEBRIDGE (BB)) recipients. Generic QoL and disease-specific QoL were assessed at three intervals: pre-activation, 6 months of device use, and 12 months of device use. 169 participants completed the study (110 CI, 18VSB, and 41BB). CI users’ QoL significantly increased from 0–6 m device use on both the generic- and the disease-specific measures. On some device-specific measures, their QoL also significantly increased between 6 and 12 m device use. VSB users’ QoL significantly increased between all tested intervals with the disease-specific measure but not the generic measure. BB users’ QoL significantly...
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Congenital Aural Atresia (CAA) or microtia is a malformation that results in esthetic and functional problems. There is little information on prevalence, considering that Latin American is the most affected region in the world. To... more
Congenital Aural Atresia (CAA) or microtia is a malformation that results in esthetic and functional problems. There is little information on prevalence, considering that Latin American is the most affected region in the world. To determine the prevalence of microtia, considering the different ethnical structure of the population. A retrospective analysis was performed of the clinical reports of newborn infants (public hospitals) in three different regions. The incidence of CAA in Argentina was 1 case per 7500 new births (i.e. 1.3/10,000). Marked differences were found per geographical area. The means were calculated per year by bilateral parametric estimation, according to the ethnical origins of the population. In the Caucasoid area: 02.47/10,000 (±1.2), in the Mestizo area: 03.99/10,000 (±0.0) and finally in the Amerindian area: 20.93/10,000 (±0.1). This study shows different incidences according to the demographic features of the population from 1.90/10,000 to 20.9/10,000. This ...
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Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) focuses on the integrated care of chronic diseases. Area 5 (Care Pathways) was initiated using chronic respiratory diseases as a model. The... more
Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) focuses on the integrated care of chronic diseases. Area 5 (Care Pathways) was initiated using chronic respiratory diseases as a model. The chronic respiratory disease action plan includes (1) AIRWAYS integrated care pathways (ICPs), (2) the joint initiative between the Reference site MACVIA-LR (Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un VIeillissement Actif) and ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), (3) Commitments for Action to the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing and the AIRWAYS ICPs network. It is deployed in collaboration with the World Health Organization Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing has proposed a 5-step framework for developing an individual scaling up strategy: (1) what to scale up: (1-a) databases of good practices, (1-b) assessment of viability o...
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Rhinitis is the most frequent respiratory disease in most countries of the world. It is estimated that 600 million people suffer this condition. Allergic rhinitis is a public health problem at global level. Patients who suffer allergic... more
Rhinitis is the most frequent respiratory disease in most countries of the world. It is estimated that 600 million people suffer this condition. Allergic rhinitis is a public health problem at global level. Patients who suffer allergic rhinitis have from mild to annoying nasal symptoms which affect quality of life, cause sleep disorders, scholar and workplace absenteeism, and health expenditure. Rhinitis is frequently associated to co-morbidities such as sinusitis, otitis media, and especially asthma. Rhinitis is under-diagnosed and under-treated worldwide and also in Latin American countries. ARIA is the very first evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of rhinitis with focus in its co-morbidities (2001), especially asthma published in 2001. In 2008 an update was published. ARIA recommends an integrative approach for management; including anti-histamines (second generation), intra-nasal corticosteroids, anti-leukotrienes and immunotherapy. It also provides a quest...
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An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
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Research Interests: Immunology and Allergy
Research Interests: Immunology and Allergy
Research Interests: Immunology and Allergy
Purpose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to visualize and diagnose soft tissues. Hearing implant (HI) recipients are likely to require at least one MRI scan during their lifetime. However, the MRI scanner can interact with... more
Purpose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to visualize and diagnose soft tissues. Hearing implant (HI) recipients are likely to require at least one MRI scan during their lifetime. However, the MRI scanner can interact with the implant magnet, resulting in complications for the HI recipient. This survey, which was conducted in two phases, aimed to evaluate the safety and performance of MRI scans for individuals with a HI manufactured by MED-EL (MED-EL GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria). Methods A survey was developed and distributed in two phases to HEARRING clinics to obtain information about the use of MRI for recipients of MED-EL devices. Phase 1 focused on how often MRI is used in diagnostic imaging of the head region of the cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Phase 2 collected safety information about MRI scans performed on HI recipients. Results 106 of the 126 MRI scans reported in this survey were performed at a field strength of 1.5 T, on HI recipients who wore the SYNCHRO...
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Introduction The transmastoid approach is the most recommended technique to Bonebridge surgery, while in patients with bad anatomy or in the canal wall down technique, retrosigmoid or Middle Fossa Approaches are the alternative surgical... more
Introduction The transmastoid approach is the most recommended technique to Bonebridge surgery, while in patients with bad anatomy or in the canal wall down technique, retrosigmoid or Middle Fossa Approaches are the alternative surgical options. Objective To describe a novel alternative approach called inverted middle fossa approach (IMFA) and its technique and audiological outcomes. Methods Seven patients submitted to the IMFA were included. All patients presented conductive and mixed hearing loss with bone thresholds of the audiogram > 40 dB. The audiological test was conducted pre- and postoperatively. Results A total of 5 males and 2 females, aged 13,8 years old (range 6–25 years old) were studied. The average follow-up was of 20 months (12 to 32 months). All patients presented aural atresia, except one with severe osseous-fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. Two patients showed bilateral compromise, three patients had associated Goldenhar and Treacher Collins syndrome. On...
Research Interests: Immunology and Allergy
INTRODUCCION: La otosclerosis es un trastorno de remodelación ósea caracterizada por disminución de la movilidad del estribo, lo que se traduce en una pérdida auditiva y tinnitus. El tratamiento mas comúnmente utilizado y mas eficaz es la... more
INTRODUCCION: La otosclerosis es un trastorno de remodelación ósea caracterizada por disminución de la movilidad del estribo, lo que se traduce en una pérdida auditiva y tinnitus. El tratamiento mas comúnmente utilizado y mas eficaz es la cirugía. El objetivo principal es una mejora significativa en la pérdida auditiva, pero la reducción del tinnitus es un beneficio adicional. OBJETIVOS: Determinar los cambios en la sensación del tinnitus después de la estapedectomía en pacientes con otosclerosis operados en nuestro medio; así también como los factores que podrían asociarse con dichos cambios. MATERIALES Y METODOS: Realizamos un estudio prospectivo, observacional, analítico y longitudinal, en el que se incluyeron 15 pacientes con otosclerosis operados en el Sanatorio que se sometieron a un examen completo con Audiometría, Acúfenometría y Tomografía computada; se recopilaron datos mediante la Escala de Impresión Clínica Global y el Indice Funcional del Tinnitus, al momento previo a l...