蝶鞍区颅咽管瘤侵犯鼻窦鼻咽部2例报告(附文献复习)

目的 探讨侵犯鼻窦、鼻咽部的蝶鞍区颅咽管瘤的发病原因、临床表现和治疗方法。方法 对北京协和医院1983～2001年间诊治的2例侵犯鼻窦、鼻咽都的蝶鞍区颅咽管瘤进行回顾性研究，并复习关于累及鼻窦、鼻咽部的颅咽管瘤的文献报道。结果 2例累及鼻窦、鼻咽部的颅咽管瘤，1例为鞍内肿瘤向下侵犯，1例源于蝶鞍底。手术治疗加放疗或根治性切除取得满意的效果。结论 累及鼻窦、鼻咽部的颅咽管瘤可源于蝶鞍或蝶鞍上区的肿瘤向下侵犯，也可源于蝶鞍区以下的颅咽管残迹或咽垂体，主要症状包括：鼻塞、头痛、视力下降。治疗可采用根治性切除或次全切除加放疗。     

内窥镜下蝶窦和蝶鞍手术

目的　探讨内窥镜下蝶窦和蝶鞍区手术的体会。方法　内窥镜下治疗脑脊液蝶窦漏 1例 ,蝶窦金属 (子弹 )异物 3例 ,蝶窦囊肿 5例 ,蝶窦霉菌病 5例 ,蝶窦息肉 1例 ,蝶筛窦腺癌 1例 ;垂体腺瘤 2 3例 (微腺瘤 17例 ,侵袭性腺瘤 6例 ) ,颅咽管瘤 2例。结果　蝶窦囊肿、息肉和霉菌病治愈 ;垂体微腺瘤和 1例颅咽管瘤全切术 ;侵袭性腺瘤、1例颅咽管瘤和蝶筛窦腺癌部分切除 ,死亡 1例 (垂体腺瘤术中出血 ) ;脑脊液鼻漏治愈 ;蝶窦异物 2例取出 ,失败 1例。结论　经鼻内窥镜蝶窦和蝶鞍手术定位准确 ,操作简单 ,安全有效 ,但有一定的适应证和并发症 ,须严格掌握和选择。     

内窥镜下蝶窦和蝶鞍手术

目的 探讨内窥镜下蝶窦和蝶鞍区手术的体会。方法 内窥镜下治疗脑脊液蝶窦漏１例，蝶窦金属（子弹）异物３例，蝶窦囊肿５例，蝶窦霉菌病５例，蝶窦息肉１例，蝶筛窦腺癌１例；垂体腺瘤２３例（微腺瘤１７例，侵袭性腺瘤６例），颅咽管瘤２例。结果 蝶窦囊肿、息肉和霉菌病治愈；垂体微腺瘤和１例颅咽管瘤全切术；侵袭性腺瘤、１例颅咽管瘤和蝶筛窦腺癌部分切除，死亡１例（垂体腺瘤术中出血）；脑脊液鼻漏治愈；蝶窦异物２例取出     

经蝶窦进路显微手术适应证的探讨

对２５８例蝶鞍区及其周围的肿瘤患者采用经蝶窦进路显微手术治疗，均获成功，无一例术中死亡；随访１０４例，１９例复发。对此术式的适应证进行讨论，认为，除垂体瘤外，还应包括视神经管外伤性骨折，颅咽管瘤，空蝶鞍综合征，蝶鞍脊索瘤，蝶窦、筛窦低分化鳞癌和转移癌，蝶窦囊肿及海绵窦脓肿等；提出，甲介型蝶窦不应列为本术式的绝对禁忌证。     

内镜下经鼻蝶入路切除后颅窝斜坡区颅咽管瘤

颅咽管瘤是一种少见的颅内良性肿瘤，占颅内原发件肿瘤的1％～3％，手术是治疗此肿瘤的首选方法。以往采取经颅或经蝶入路显做镜下切除肿瘤，近年来随着颅底内镜外科技术的发展，有学者应用内镜经鼻蝶鞍膈上入路进行鞍上池、鞍区和第三脑室颅咽管瘤切除，取得了较好的手术效果，但后颅窝斜坡区颅咽管瘤是否适合经鼻内镜手术切除？目前少见文献报道。近期我们应用内镜采取鼻中隔经蝶入路的手术方法切除1例后颅窝斜坡区颅咽管瘤并获得成功。现就此病例的手术方法，手术中注意事项进行探讨。     

蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位病变的诊断

目的 提高蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位性病变的诊断水平。方法 总结分析２４例蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位性病变，其中良好１８例，包括蝶窦囊肿７例、颅咽管瘤６例、脊索瘤２例，鼻息肉伴鼻结杆菌感染侵犯蝶窦鞍区、蝶鞍神经鞘瘤、鞍内异位松果体瘤各１例。恶性肿瘤６例，分别为蝶窦神经内分泌肿瘤２例，腺样囊腺癌１例，蝶窦低分化癌１例，鼻咽癌侵犯区肺癌蝶窦转移各１例。从临床表现、体征、曩像学检查及诊断治疗上进行了分析、讨论。     

蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位性病变的诊断

目的提高蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位性病变的诊断水平。方法总结分析２４例蝶窦鞍区非垂体源性占位性病变，其中良性１８例，包括蝶窦囊肿７例、颅咽管瘤６例、脊索瘤２例，鼻息肉伴鼻硬结杆菌感染侵犯蝶窦鞍区、蝶鞍神经鞘瘤、鞍内异位松果体瘤各１例。恶性肿瘤６例，分别为蝶窦神经内分泌肿瘤２例，腺样囊腺癌１例，蝶窦低分化癌１例，鼻咽癌侵犯鞍区及肺癌蝶窦转移各１例。从临床表现、体征、影像学检查及诊断治疗上进行了分析、讨论。结果２４例临床表现中１８例有头痛，１７例出现眼部症状。２４例均经ＣＴ扫描发现蝶鞍区占位性病变并提示了病变范围。结论①良恶性病变均以头痛为第一常见症状，眼部症状为第二常见症状，掌握眼部症状与蝶鞍占位的关系对及早诊断意义重大；②影像学检查对此区域病变的发现和诊断起着重要作用；③内窥镜的应用及镜下穿刺活检亦对诊断十分有帮助。良性肿瘤以手术切除为主，恶性肿瘤手术＋放射治疗。     

经鼻内窥镜颅底手术的探讨

报道1992年到1997年经鼻内窥镜鼻内筛蝶窦进路完成颅底区域手术28例,包括:①脑脊液鼻漏修补术17例,均一次手术治愈;②垂体瘤部分切除术4例,均一次手术治愈;③侵入颅内的巨大筛蝶窦囊肿切除术2例,1例治愈,1例因颈内动脉破裂出血于术中死亡;④前颅底脑膜瘤切除术1例,术后4年未复发;⑤鼻咽顶颅咽管瘤切除术1例,术后3年未复发;⑥侵犯鞍区的蝶窦癌切除术2例,1例术后2年未复发,1例术后介入治疗误栓颈内动脉死亡;⑦前颅窝枪弹异物取除术1例。根据临床实践,提出经鼻内窥镜颅底区域手术的可行性、范围和适应证,各种手术的操作原则和规范技术以及重大并发症的预防和处理方式。     

鼻咽部颅咽管瘤

本文报告两例鼻咽部颅咽管瘤。例1:女姓,55岁,主诉为六个月来双侧鼻堵塞逐渐加重,无其它自觉症状。鼻咽腔发现一个4厘米直径肿块,表面粘膜完整光滑,呈粉红色,触之坚硬且有囊性感,无颈淋巴结病变,神经系统及血、尿、脑脊液检查正常。X线摄影显示鼻咽腔有一软组织肿块并伴有颅底蝶骨区破坏。体层摄影显示肿块侵入蝶窦,其底部及部分蝶鞍破坏。左侧颈动脉及椎动脉造影证实无颅内扩展。局麻下取病理,活检时流出5毫升棕黑色液体。全麻下经腭径路行囊肿摘除术。术中抽出13毫升棕黄色液体,化学检查含有胆固醇540毫克/100毫升、蛋白7.7克/100毫升。肿物沿鼻咽顶部摘除。病理证实为颅咽管瘤。患者顺利康复。     

经鼻内窦镜颅底手术的探讨

报道１９９２年到１９９７年经鼻内窦镜鼻内筛窦进睡完成颅底区域手术２８例，包括：（１）脑脊液鼻漏修补术１７例，均一次手术治愈；（２）垂体瘤部分切除术４例，均一手术治愈；（３）侵入颅内的巨大筛蝶窦囊肿切除术２例，１例治愈，１例因颈内动脉破裂出血于术中死亡：（４）前颅底脑膜瘤切除术１例，术后４年未复发；（５）鼻咽顶颅咽管瘤切除术１例，术后３年未复发，（６）侵犯鞍区的蝶窦癌切除术２例，１例术后２年未复发，     

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing?

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing? Regular monitoring and audit of a service are integral to ensuring maintenance of efficiency and standards. This is particularly important where the quality of the service is operator dependent, as is the case in the clinical diagnosis of neck lumps and fine needle aspiration cytology. The one‐stop neck lump clinic has now been running in the department for more than 20 months. A previous article described the results of the first phase audit carried out at 6 months and had identified a waiting time to be seen that was longer than that recommended by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Measures were implemented to reduce this waiting time and a second audit was carried out after another 10 months with the aims of assessing if modification of the means of referral reduces waiting time and if the outcomes of clinical performance in phase 1 could be maintained or improved. We discuss the results of phase 2 in the audit spiral.     

A Decrease in Maxillary Sinus Pressure,as Seen in Upper Airway Allergy or Infection,Results in an Increase in Upper Airway Nitric Oxide Levels

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity via small osties. Ostial occlusion, caused by mucosal swelling, will result in a slowly increasing negative pressure inside the sinus cavity. In parallel, the oxygen content in the sinus will decrease, resulting in the development of relative hypoxia. Hypoxia is a powerful inducer of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and inducible NO synthase has been shown to be present in considerable amounts in the upper airways, including the sinuses. The present study was designed to investigate whether a reduction in sinus pressure would affect upper airway NO production. Thirteen healthy volunteers were investigated. A pressure chamber was used to lower the ambient pressure to-4.9 kPa. NO was sampled from one nostril or via a drainage tube inserted into the maxillary sinus before, during and after the hypobaric exposure. When the pressure was decreased, NO levels increased from 256 &#45 15 to 316 &#45 19 ppb ( n =13, p <0.001). The NO levels remained elevated (282 &#45 21 ppb; p <0.05) when measurements were repeated 20 min after leaving the chamber. The nasal airway resistance (V2 tot ) also increased as a result of the chamber session (from 16 &#45 2° before to 21 &#45 3° after; p <0.05). An increase in NO levels was also found when the experiments were repeated with NO sampled directly from the maxillary sinus (225 &#45 6 before and 265 &#45 9 ppb after; n =6, p <0.001). For control purposes the nasal analyses were repeated again, this time under hyperbaric conditions (+4.9 kPa). This resulted in a slight decrease in the NO levels (from 273 &#45 22 to 241 &#45 17 ppb; n =10, p <0.001), but there was no change in the nasal airway resistance. We conclude that a reduction in sinus pressure, as seen in upper airway allergy or infection, may result in an increase in upper airway NO production.     

Physiologische Grundlagen einer Hörprothese

Zusammenfassung Im Bemühen, eine Hörprothese zu entwickeln, die ein Sprachverständnis erlaubt, erscheint es zumindest fürs erste am zweckmäßigsten, durch künstliche elektrische Reizung des Hörnerven die natürlichen Verhältnissen so gut als möglich zu imitieren. Der normale Hörnerv enthält etwa 30000 Nervenfasern, die sich qualitativ gleich, quantitativ jedoch unterschiedlich verhalten, wobei über die Eigenschaften der von den ÄHZ kommenden Spiralfasern im Augenblick sichere Aussagen nicht möglich sind (siehe 2.3). Die quantitativen Unterschiede zwischen den einzelnen Hörnervenfasern beziehen sich auf deren Frequenzabstimmung, Frequenzselektivität, Schwellen, Intensitätsfunktionen und — wichtig insbesondere für das Vorhaben einer künstlichen elektrischen Reizung — in Zeitunterschieden in den Aktivitätsmustern, die durch Laufzeitunterschiede auf der Basilarmembran bedingt sind (2.3). Diese Zeitunterschiede in der Aktivität einzelner Fasern liegen im Bereich mehrerer ms (2.3.6; 2.3.7). Die durch Schallreize im normalen Hörnerven ausgelösten Aktionspotentiale haben überdies einen probabilistischen Charakter, d. h. ihr Auftreten ist keineswegs streng determiniert. Es versteht sich von selbst, daß man bei künstlicher, elektrischer Reizung nicht alle verbliebenen Nervenfasern selektiv reizen kann. Somit wird eine Reizelektrode immer eine Gruppe von Nervenfasern erregen müssen. Bei jeder denkbaren elektrischen Reizung wären alle Fasern im Reizbereich einer Elektrode synchron und streng deterministisch aktiviert, was einen außerordentlich ernstzunehmenden Unterschied zu natürlichen Verhältnissen darstellt (3.2).Um die Zahl der zum Sprachverständnis mindestens notwendigen Reizkanäle abzuschätzen, wird man, in Ermangelung anderer experimenteller Daten, von psychoakustischen Untersuchungen an Normalhörenden auszugehen haben. Diese haben gezeigt, daß das Gehör neben einer außerordentlichen Fähigkeit verschiedene Tonhöhen zu unterscheiden, andererseits die Fähigkeit besitzt, bestimmte Frequenzgebiete zu sogenannten Frequenzgruppen zu integrieren. Die in eine solche Frequenzgruppe fallende Schallenergie wird zu einem einheitlichen Höreindruck verarbeitet. Es scheint also sinnvoll, die für einen Prothesenbau notwendige Zusammenfassung von Gruppen von Fasern des Hörnerven in verschiedene Reizkanäle entsprechend diesen Frequenzgruppen vorzunehmen (3.1). Demnach müßte der Sprachbereich in 15 Reizkanäle aufgeteilt werden, was wiederum, wenn man in der Cochlea reizen will, 1,2 mm Abstand von Kanal zu Kanal erlauben würde. Dabei müßte der Reizerfolg sauber auf die einzelnen Kanäle beschränkt bleiben, d.h. eine optimale Kanaltrennung erreicht werden. In Anbetracht der groben Abweichungen der neuronalen Aktivität vom normalen Verhalten, die bei künstlicher, elektrischer Reizung unvermeidlich sind, ist freilich unsicher, ob die angegebene Zahl ausreichen würde. Andererseits ist es in Anbetracht der zu erwartenden Stromverteilung im Sprachbereich kaum vorstellbar, mehr als die angegebene Zahl von Kanälen realisieren zu können.Was die Kodierung der Schallparameter innerhalb eines Elektrodenkanals betrifft, wird vorgeschlagen, die Frequenzkodierung nach dem Ortsprinzip optimal auszunutzen, und im Hinblick auf die Periodizitätsanalyse und die Lautheitskodierung sich soweit als möglich den natürlichen Verhältnissen anzunähern (3.3). Dabei wären Laufzeitunterschiede zwischen den Kanälen und der probabilistische Charakter der neuronalen Entladungen soweit als möglich einzuführen, um die Dominanz eines periodicity pitch zu vermeiden.Eine für Sprachverständnis ausreichende Prothese ist auch nur denkbar, wenn eine Prothese die zur Sprachübertragung notwendige Übertragungskapazität besitzt. Ergebnisse der Kanal-Vocoder-Technik zeigen, daß Sprache noch mit 1500 bit/s befriedigend übertragen werden kann. Eine Abschätzung der möglichen Leistungsfähigkeit einer 15-kanaligen Prothese (3.4), basierend auf der Zahl der möglichen unterscheidbaren Unterschiedsstufen der Hörempfindung, ergibt, daß diese Übertragungskapazität knapp erreicht werden könnte. Allerdings ist damit noch nicht gesagt, daß das Zentralnervensystem die angebotene Information auch im Sinne einer Phonemanalyse auswertet und damit für ein Sprachverständnis maximal ausschöpft. Nur für diesen Fall wäre ein Sprachverständnis zu erwarten.Als Reizort erscheint in erster Linie die Cochlea (5.1) geeignet. Für den Fall einer Degeneration der primären afferenten Fasern des Hörnerven ist aufgrund physiologischer Überlegungen auch der Nucleus cochlearis ventralis (5.5) interessant, allerdings würde so nur der ventrale Anteil der Hörbahn stimuliert. Doch besitzen auch andere Reizorte spezifische Vorteile (5.2–5.4).Theoretische Überlegungen (6.1) und experimentelle Messungen an implantierten Elektrodensätzen (6.3) zeigen, daß die Forderung der Kanaltrennung nur schwer zu erreichen sein wird. Deswegen wird der dynamische Bereich (im Hinblick auf Veränderung des Reizstromes) eines nach den obigen Kriterien konstruierten Reizkanals auf maximal 3 dB zu beschränken sein, so daß Erregungsausbreitung auf weitere Bereiche der Cochlea durch Ansteuerung von mehreren Reizkanälen zu imitieren wäre.Die Chancen, eine Prothese zu verwirklichen, die befriedigendes Sprachverständnis auf der Basis einer quasinatürlichen Reizung des Hörnerven erlaubt, wird von uns in Anbetracht der geschilderten mannigfaltigen Schwierigkeiten als sehr niedrig angesehen. In Anbetracht des großen Nutzens, der andererseits eventuell resultieren könnte, halten wir die Erforschung des Problems jedoch für angebracht.Es wird von uns vorgeschlagen, auch zu untersuchen, ob sich für eine prothetische Versorgung vorverarbeitete Sprache besser eignet (7.). Für Prothesen, die ein Sprachverständnis nicht anstreben, halten wir eine Implantation in die Cochlea für überflüssig. Hier erscheint uns die Implantation von Reizelektroden am runden Fenster (Douek et al., 1977; Fourcin et al., 1978; s. a. 1. und 7.) wegen des geringeren Risikos der überlegenere Weg.Die zitierten eigenen Arbeiten der Autoren wurden mit Unterstützung der DFG durchgeführt (DFG-K1 219).     

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance Angiogenesis is essential for tumour growth and invasion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prime mediator of tumour angiogenesis. VEGF‐C is a closely related protein that effects lymphatic endothelial cells and may be important in the process of lymphatic metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of these cytokines in patients with T1 and T2a glottic, squamous cell carcinoma, in comparison with normal epithelial control tissue, to ascertain any association with radioresistance. Twenty‐two tumours treated by radiotherapy (13 radiosensitive, nine radioresistant) and seven normal control tissues were studied. The minimum follow‐up was 2 years after radiotherapy. Expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens. Analysis was carried out using a quantitative computer image analyser. Both VEGF and VEGF‐C were detectable in tumour and normal control specimens. There was increased expression in tumour specimens of both VEGF (P = 0.03) and VEGF‐C (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of VEGF‐C was associated with tumours of higher histological grade (P = 0.021). There was, however, no difference in VEGF and VEGF‐C expression between radioresistant and radiosensitive tumours. The expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C is increased in early laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, measuring the expression of these proteins cannot predict radioresistance in this tumour group.     

Limited Surgery for Cancer of the Larynx and Hypopharynx: Options and Consequences

We reviewed surgical options for laryngeal preservation (limited surgery) in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers and the consequences of the options. Of 44 patients with laryngeal cancer, 11 (25%) received limited surgery and 33 (75%) received total laryngectomy. The survival rates were 91% for the limited surgery group and 73% for the total (radical) surgery group. Of 31 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, 7 (23%) received limited surgery and 24 (77%) received total laryngopharyngectomy. The survival rates were 53% for the limited surgery group and 40% for the total (radical) surgery group. The survival rates associated with limited surgery were thus better than those for total (radical) surgery for cancers of both the larynx and hypopharynx. This was attributed to the limited surgery group comprising well-selected patients with confined lesions. Organ preservation surgery should be technically simple, reliable in terms of its functional impact and, above all, should not jeopardize the patient's survival. Supracricoid subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy or cricohyoido-pexy has great potential for laryngeal preservation and will become the major limited surgery modality for treating cancer of the larynx. Limited surgery, however, needs to be performed with great care and is indicated only for very well-selected patients with cancer of the hypopharynx.     

Treatment of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma: Clinical Results Using the Kitasato Modality

The conventional therapeutic regimen for maxillary sinus carcinoma consists of dissection of the maxilla, full-dose irradiation and extensive chemotherapy. However, the results obtained with this treatment are often poor. Even when patients recover, their quality of life is significantly reduced as a result of deformity of facial structures and swallowing and articulation dysfunctions. A retrospective analysis of 68 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma treated with the Kitasato modality between 1975 and 1999 was conducted. All patients underwent pergingival maxillary sinus surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation therapy with standardized total doses of 16 Gy; the postoperative irradiation was given in combination with regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy administered via the superficial temporal artery. All visible tumor lesions were removed where possible in order to preserve or facilitate cellular immunity after surgery. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 85.7% for Stage II patients, 88.1% for Stage III, 76.6% for Stage IVA and 75.0% for Stage IVB.     

Cervical Reflex Induced by Click Stimuli in Cats

We studied click-evoked potentials in the anterior horn of the spinal cord in 17 cats. A concentric needle electrode was inserted into the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C3-C6. Potentials evoked with 105 dB SPL clicks were recorded with a peak latency of 4.89-5.10 ms only at the C3 level. These responses were observed 45-60 dB SPL above the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and no potentials were evoked by stimulation of the contralateral ear. Average was performed 100 times with changes in stimulation frequency of 1-20 Hz. The amplitude of the potentials decreased with increasing stimulus frequency, but there were no changes in ABRs. The responses disappeared after destruction of the medial vestibulospinal tract at the obex level, but ABRs were still recorded. The spinal nucleus of the accessory nerves was located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C1-C6, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle motoneurons were found at levels C1-C3. The click-evoked potentials recorded in this study reflect responses of the spinal nucleus of accessory nerves through the vestibulospinal tract to click stimulation. The responses have the same characteristics as vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials that can be recorded using surface electrodes over the sternocleidomastoid muscles of humans.     

Tongue Base Reduction with Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

In recent years a considerable effort has been made to establish the use of different surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Nevertheless, treatment of hypopharyngeal obstruction due to tongue base hypertrophy remains in many ways an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tongue base reduction with temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction in the treatment of OSAS. Twenty patients with OSAS and tongue base hypertrophy were treated with radiofrequency tissue ablation. An intensified treatment protocol was used, delivering 2,800 J per treatment session under local anesthesia. Two nights of polysomnography testing were performed before and after treatment. Daytime sleepiness, snoring and postoperative morbidity were assessed using questionnaires. Mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was reduced from 32.1 to 24.9/h after a mean of 3.4 treatment sessions. Six patients (33%) were cured after the procedure (reduction in RDI of &#83 50% and a postoperative RDI of <15/h) and ten (55%) showed an improvement of >20% in their RDI. Daytime sleepiness and snoring improved significantly. Peri- and postoperative morbidity was low; one severe complication occurred (tongue base abscess). We were able to achieve similar cure and responder rates to those reported in a recently published pilot study but with a reduced number of treatment sessions. We believe that this technique may improve patient acceptance and have beneficial cost implications.     

Cochlear Function in Ears with Immunomediated Inner Ear Disorder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of ears with inner ear disorder, responsive to immunosuppressive drugs, in advanced tests designed to assess primary cochlear functions (temporal integration, frequency selectivity, cochlear mechanics). The results of this study suggest that immunomediated inner ear disease results, in the acute clinical stage, in the development of endolymphatic hydrops, which increases the stiffness of the vibrating structures within the inner ear and causes dysfunctions of the outer hair cells. Our patients presented with upsloping or flat sensorineural hearing loss, absence of evoked otoacoustic emissions and distortion-product otoacoustic evoked emissions and abnormal temporal integration, frequency selectivity and cochlear mechanics. Following immunosuppressive treatment, hydrops recovered, hearing subsequently returned to normal, the audiometric curve became flat at low-to-middle frequencies and primary cochlear function tended to normalize. This study seems to support the usefulness of testing primary cochlear functions in order to monitor the clinical course of immunomediated inner ear disorders.     

Bacterial Interference Between Pathogens in Otitis Media and Alpha-Haemolytic Streptococci Analysed in an In Vitro Model

Bacterial interference studied by means of agar methods has shown a decreased number of inhibitory alpha-haemolytic Streptococci among otitis-prone children. Additional information was gained regarding the interplay between alphahaemolytic Streptococci (AHS) and otitis media (OM) pathogens by comparing the bacterial interference in broth with the interference activity studied using agar overlay methods. We found that non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) and Moraxella catarrhalis are readily inhibited by AHS in broth. Streptococcus pneumoniae was more bacteriostatically inhibited. If two OM pathogens were inoculated simultaneously, an isolate of AHS with poor inhibitory activity was not able to inhibit the growth, in contrast to an isolate of AHS with good inhibitory activity. The initial amount of AHS inoculated with M. catarrhalis seemed to play a decisive role with respect to the inhibitory activity. M. catarrhalis developed reduced susceptibility against AHS both in vivo and in vitro . In vivo studies showed that children with secretory otitis media had fewer isolates of AHS in their nasopharynx with the ability to inhibit all the test pathogens than healthy children ( p < 0.001). Although the factor(s) responsible for the inhibitory activity have thus far not been defined, we could exclude low pH and nutrition depletion as the inhibitory mechanism of AHS with good inhibitory activity.