Neuroscience Institute

Serological diagnosis of autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED)

Description

The diagnosis of auto-immune inner ear disease (AIED) is currently clinical. The etiology is poorly understood as well. Current serologic markers are poorly sensitive and specific. We hypothesize that there are specific proteins that serve as the primary antigens in this disorder. We plan to evaluate auto-immunity to these proteins in AIED and Meniere’s disease (felt to be an immune regulated) with respect to controls.

Design

Prospective blood sample analysis of control patients, patients with Meniere’s disease, and patients with AIED.

Eligibility

Patients with autoimmune inner ear disorder will be recruited. This defined as bilateral severe, steroid responsive hearing loss. In addition patients with Meniere’s disease as established by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery will be recruited. Control subjects with normal hearing and presbyacusis will be recruited as well.

Sponsor

ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT

Contact

Todd A. Hillman, MD

Hydroxyapaptite or Resorbable Plate Cranioplasty Following Acoustic Tumor and Vestibular Nerve Surgery: Is There a Reduction in the Rate of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks?

Description

The investigators of this study are examining the possible benefit of using either a mesh plate that is absorbed over time or a type of bone cement to strengthen the closure of the bone following your surgery. The traditional technique uses only fat taken from your abdomen to fill in the holes made in the covering of your brain on the way to your tumor or while cutting your nerve of balance. This technique is proven; however there is up to a one in five chance of having a spinal fluid leak following the surgery with this technique. Most of these leaks can be stopped by placing a lumbar drain (a catheter that temporarily drains the fluid from the area around your spinal cord); however it often requires an additional hospital stay with bed-rest of three to four days. A smaller percent of patients with this complication will need a revision surgery to fix the leak. The aim of this study is to investigate two methods which may help prevent this problem.

Design

Prospective evaluation of patients undergoing plate or hydroxyapatite cranioplasty following acoustic tumor surgery.

Eligibility

Any patient undergoing translabyrinthine approach to acoustic tumor removal qualifies.

Sponsor

Synthes

Contact

Todd A. Hillman, MD