中耳功能异常婴儿听性脑干反应特点及应用

目的探讨中耳功能异常婴儿的听性脑干反应(ABR)特点及临床应用价值。方法分析比较85例(170耳)中耳功能异常、ABR反应阈≤60dB nHL的婴儿(A组)和83例(166耳)中耳功能正常、ABR反应阈40～60dB HL的婴儿(B组)以及41例(82耳)正常婴儿(C组)的ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期、波间期和波Ⅴ反应阈值。结果 A组中24耳(14.11%)为ABR反应阈≤30dB nHL、73耳(42.94%)为40dB nHL、54耳(31.76%)为50dBnHL、19耳(11.18%)为60dB nHL;B组中83耳(50%)ABR反应阈为40dB nHL、52耳(31.33%)为50dB nHL、31耳(18.67%)为60dB nHL;C组婴儿ABR反应阈均≤30dB nHL。刺激声为80dB nHL时三组间波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的关系分别为:A组波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期明显长于B组和C组(P<0.01),而Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期则较B组和C组短(P<0.01),Ⅲ-Ⅴ波间期则与B组和C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);B组各波潜伏期、波间期与C组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。三组中反应阈相同者波潜伏期比较:A组波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期仍明显长于B组和C组(P<0.05)。结论婴儿中耳功能异常时大部分ABR反应阈升高,以轻中度异常为主,均有波Ⅰ潜伏期延长;波Ⅰ潜伏期明显延长对判断婴儿中耳功能异常有意义。     

3～4月龄及5～6月龄婴儿听性脑干反应的正常值分析

目的观察正常婴儿听性脑干反应(ABR)潜伏期及阈值正常值范围,为早期干预治疗提供依据。方法应用美国ICS CHARTR诱发电位仪对40例(80耳)听力正常的婴儿和20例听力正常成人进行ABR检测,根据年龄分为A组(3~4月龄)、B组(5~6月龄)、对照组。建立不同月龄婴儿ABR正常值范围,讨论性别、耳别、月龄对测试结果的影响及阈值测定的临床应用。结果80dB nHL短声刺激下,A组A easeBR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的正常值范围分别是:(1.52±0.19)m s、(4.20±0.20)m s、(6.34±0.26)m s;B组ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的正常值范围分别是:(1.50±0.09)m s、(4.05±0.16)m s、(6.16±0.25)m s;对照组ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的正常值范围分别是:(1.43±0.10)m s、(3.63±0.15)m s、(5.50±0.16)m s。随着月龄的增长,婴儿各波的潜伏期(PL)和波间期(IPL)均缩短;但6月龄时仍未达成人水平。A、B两组各波的潜伏期及波间期与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);A组与B组比较Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。女婴潜伏期和波间期短于男婴(A组内Ⅰ-Ⅲ波间期除外),A组内男女间Ⅴ波潜伏期差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);B组内男女Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期差异有统计学意义(P0.05);各组内左右耳差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。各月龄组及正常成人ABR反应阈差异无统计学意义。结论建立不同月龄婴儿ABR潜伏期及阈值正常值标准,为听损伤的早期诊断和随访监测提供可靠依据。     

不同月龄婴儿的ABR正常值分析

目的 获取6月龄内婴儿的听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response,ABR)正常值范围并分析其特点.方法 2006年5月至2008年5月对听力正常、出生40天～7月龄的60例婴儿进行ABR检测,根据平均年龄分为A(6周龄)、B(3月龄)、C(6月龄)组,每组20例(40耳);对照组为听力正常的成人20例(40耳),平均年龄25.2岁.对各组的ABR结果进行统计分析.结果 各组100 dB nHL ABR的波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的正常值范围分别为:A组:1.49±0.08、4.42±0.16、6.61±0.25 ms;B组:1.47±0.07、4.35±0.20、6.50±0.25 ms;C组:1.45±0.07、4.17±0.15、6.32±0.22 ms;对照组:1.45±0.07、3.79±0.11、5.49±0.20 ms;三组婴儿80 dB nHL ABR的波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的正常值范围分别为:A组:1.63±0.08、4.52±0.17、6.74±0.26 ms;B组:1.64±0.11、4.44±0.20、6.67±0.26 ms;C组:1.60±0.11、4.27±0.16、6.43±0.24 ms.随刺激声强度降低,ABR各波潜伏期延长.各月龄组婴儿的波Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期、Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期均比成人延长,且随婴儿月龄增加逐渐缩短,但6月龄时仍未达到成人水平.各月龄组ABR反应阈差异无统计学意义.结论 不同月龄婴儿的波Ⅰ潜伏期与成人相近;各月龄婴儿的ABR反应阈无明显差异,且与成人相近.     

非镇静听性脑干反应检测的有效性研究

目的探讨非镇静听性脑干反应(ABR)检测的有效性,为其临床应用提供参考。方法以30例(60耳)听力正常人(0.5~2 kHz气导平均听阈15.7±4.1 dB HL)为正常组,10例(20耳)感音神经性聋患者(0.5~2 kHz气导平均听阈35.7±8.4 dB HL)为病例组,均进行非镇静ABR测试和镇静ABR测试,比较两种ABR的潜伏期、波间期及反应阈。结果①正常组非镇静ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期分别为1.78±0.25、3.96±0.18、6.10±0.33 ms,镇静ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期分别为1.62±0.18、3.76±0.20、5.78±0.45 ms,二者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);非镇静ABR各波波间期(Ⅰ-Ⅲ1.98±0.32 ms,Ⅲ-Ⅴ2.13±0.37 ms,Ⅰ-Ⅴ4.05±0.08 ms)与镇静ABR各波波间期(Ⅰ-Ⅲ2.10±0.02 ms,Ⅲ-Ⅴ1.98±0.25 ms,Ⅰ-Ⅴ4.02±0.18 ms)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②病例组非镇静ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期分别为1.71±0.29、4.06±0.08、5.90±0.18 ms,镇静ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期分别为1.72±0.14 ms、3.76±0.25 ms、5.77±0.59 ms,二者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);非镇静ABR各波波间期(Ⅰ-Ⅲ2.18±0.47 ms,Ⅲ-Ⅴ2.03±0.27 ms,Ⅰ-Ⅴ4.15±0.58 ms)与镇静ABR各波波间期(Ⅰ-Ⅲ2.00±0.10 ms,Ⅲ-Ⅴ1.98±0.39 ms,Ⅰ-Ⅴ4.12±0.38 ms)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③两组非镇静ABR与镇静ABR反应阈差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论非镇静ABR测试结果与镇静ABR无差异,且波形分化好,易辨别,可方便、有效的应用于临床。     

0～6岁正常儿童骨导听性脑干反应的特征分析

目的研究0~6岁听力正常儿童骨导听性脑干反应(bone conduction auditory brainstem responses,BC-ABR)的特征,探讨BC-ABR在儿童听力损失评估中的作用。方法对30例0~6岁听力正常儿童(0~岁、1~岁、3~6岁各10例20耳)进行短声气、骨导ABR检测,对检测结果进行统计分析。结果①在阈值及阈上强度下,BC-ABR波形与气导波形相似,刺激声强度为30 dB nHL时波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ引出率分别为28.3%、48.3%和100%。BC-ABR波Ⅴ反应阈为5.95±4.80 dB nHL,潜伏期为6.94±0.45 ms。不同性别间BC-ABR波Ⅴ阈值和潜伏期差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②0~岁、1~岁和3~6岁儿童BC-ABR波Ⅴ阈值分别为10.36±4.34、6.03±2.99和5.83±3.03 dB nHL;波Ⅴ潜伏期分别为7.14±0.41、6.79±0.44和6.86±0.40 ms,0~岁组波Ⅴ阈值较1~岁和3~6岁组高,潜伏期较1~岁和3~6岁组延长,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);1~岁和3~6岁组间波Ⅴ阈值和潜伏期差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论短声刺激时可记录到清晰稳定的BC-ABR波形,在阈值及阈上强度下,其波形与气导ABR波形相似;对婴幼儿听力筛查、儿童听力损失性质的判断有重要参考价值。     

听性脑干反应（ABR）测试在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊治中的作用

目的探讨听性脑干反应（auditory brainstem response,ABR）测试在1岁6个月～6岁的儿童分泌性中耳炎诊治中的应用价值。方法①在首诊时采用ABR测试97例179耳1岁6个月～6岁的分泌性中耳炎患儿,根据反应阈提高的程度分为3组：轻度组为20～30dB nHL,中度组为40～60dB nHL;重度组为70～90dB nHL。以同一年龄段的正常小儿为对照组,分析4组ABR波潜伏期和波间期的特点。②选择轻,中度组病例各10例（20耳）、重度组5例（10耳）,行鼓膜穿刺或鼓膜切开术,分析中耳积液量和性状与ABR波潜伏期的关系。③随诊治疗中,每周检测ABR一次,以监测疗效,并以对照组ABR潜伏期和反应阈为指标判断预后。结果①轻、中、重度3组随着ABR反应阈的提高,Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长增多,而波间期无明显变化。②轻、中度组随着中耳积液的增多变稠,ABR的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长增多。重度组中耳积液与中度组无明显差异,而Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长却明显增加。③轻、中、重度3组预后不同。结论在分泌性中耳炎的诊治中,声导抗测试虽能为中耳病变提供重要依据,但辅以ABR测试,不仅能提供更多的中耳信息,还能反映内耳功能和高频听觉状态,作为该病诊断以及判断疗效和预后的依据。     

健听青年短音ABR和倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR的V波特性分析

目的：观察健听青年人短音ABR和倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR的V波潜伏期和振幅差异,探讨倍频程CE-Chirp?? ABR的临床应用价值。方法选择听力正常青年人20例,分别行双耳短音ABR和倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR测试,记录Ⅴ波潜伏期和振幅,并用析因设计方法进行统计。结果在20、40、60、80 dB nHL刺激强度下,倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR的Ⅴ波潜伏期明显缩短,与短音ABR相比具有统计学差异（P＜0.05）;在20、40、60 dB nHL刺激强度下,倍频程CE-Chirp?ABR的Ⅴ波振幅明显高于短音ABR,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,而在80 dB nHL刺激强度下两者Ⅴ波振幅无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论听力正常青年人倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR V波潜伏期短于短音ABR,且倍频程CE-Chirp? ABR中低刺激强度下Ⅴ波振幅明显高于短音ABR,更有利于V波判断,但其V波潜伏期的规律性较短音ABR差,在不同个体间差异较大。     

伴黄疸早产儿的听力损失相关因素分析

目的：探讨伴黄疸早产儿的听力损失及损失程度与胎龄、出生体重等因素的关系。方法：应用听性脑干诱发电位对不同出生体重、不同胎龄，并排除颅内出血、缺血缺氧性脑病及神经系统疾病等28例伴黄疸早产儿进行测试。设置同年龄段早产儿组及足月儿组，以单侧耳Ⅴ波反应阈〉40dBnHL作为听力损失指标．分析听力损失情况及损失程度，并分析Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期及各波波间期情况。结果：伴黄疸早产儿组、早产儿组、足月儿组单耳听力损失发生率分别为55．4％、43．5％和19．6％（P〈0．01）；伴黄疸早产儿组中，出生体重越低，听力损失发生率越高、程度越重；出生胎龄越小，听力损失程度越重，但胎龄≤30周者与≤34周者，听力损失发生率无明显差异（P〉O．05）；伴黄疸早产儿组的Ⅴ波阈值高于足月儿组（P〈0．01），与早产儿组Ⅴ波阈值及Ⅰ波潜伏期比较无明显差异，但伴黄疸早产儿组Ⅴ波潜伏期及各波波间期均高于早产儿组及足月儿组（P〈0．01）。伴黄疸早产儿组与早产儿组波Ⅰ潜伏期均较足月儿组延长（P〈0．01）。结论：伴黄疸早产儿是听力损失的高危人群，其听力损失程度与出生体重、胎龄呈负相关。     

听力正常孤独症谱系障碍儿童的听性脑干反应波形特征分析

目的 探究听力正常孤独症谱系障碍(autism spectrum disorder, ASD)儿童的听性脑干反应(ABR)特征及各波潜伏期和波间期与ASD严重程度分级的关系。方法 (1)将55例(110耳)听力正常ASD儿童和月龄、性别相匹配的55例(110耳)典型发育(typical development, TD)儿童,按月龄分为≤24月龄(22耳)、25～36月龄(40耳)、37～48月龄(28耳)及>48月龄(20耳)四个亚组。比较听力正常ASD儿童与TD儿童的ABR潜伏期和波间期是否存在差异。(2)根据第五版精神障碍诊断与统计手册(DSM-V)将ASD儿童按照严重程度分级,探究听力正常ASD儿童ABR各波潜伏期和波间期与其严重程度分级是否相关。结果 (1)≤24月龄时,ASD与TD儿童ABR各波潜伏期及波间期差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);(2)25～36月龄时,与TD儿童相比,听力正常ASD儿童波Ⅲ潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著延长;37～48月龄时波Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著延长;>48月龄时波Ⅴ潜伏期及Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著...     

1～6岁分泌性中耳炎患儿气、骨导ABR的特征分析

目的探讨气、骨导ABR测试在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊疗中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析151例(246耳)分泌性中耳炎(OME组)和60例(120耳)正常儿童(正常对照组)气、骨导ABR检测结果。结果①OME组气导ABR波V反应阈正常59耳(23.98%),轻度异常96耳(39.02%),中度异常91耳(36.99%);ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期正常22耳(8.94%),各波潜伏期延长224耳(91.06%),Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期无明显改变156耳(63.41%),Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短90耳(36.59%);波Ⅴ反应阈正常和轻度异常组Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期无明显改变,中度异常组Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②OME组骨导ABR波V反应阈及35dB nHL刺激强度下各波潜伏期与对照组比较,反应阈正常195耳(79.27%),异常51耳(20.73%),反应阈异常者波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期也较正常组及反应阈正常者明显延长(P<0.05)。结论大多数分泌性中耳炎儿童的气导ABR反应阈轻、中度异常但骨导ABR反应阈正常,少数患儿气导ABR反应阈中度异常且骨导ABR反应阈轻度异常。     

耳廓开放性外伤的治疗方法探析

目的 探讨耳廓开放性外伤的治疗方法。方法 23耳耳廓开放性外伤经彻底清创，肝素生理盐水冲洗伤口后，对位缝合。术后用抗生素抗感染、丹参扩张血管、罂粟碱改善微循环。结果 23耳中2耳失访，18耳完全成活，1耳部分成活，2耳完全坏死。结论 耳廓撕裂伤、断伤、带有皮蒂的耳廓离断伤，由于断端双侧血管丰富，经对位缝合后容易成活。但耳廓完全离断伤由于缺乏血供，经对位缝合后不易成活，可采用去皮血管植入包埋法，带肌蒂皮瓣移植法或尝试显微外科技术施行血管吻合，以提高耳廓完全离断伤的成活率。     

急性化脓性耳廓软骨膜炎手术疗效分析

目的 探讨能够缩短化脓性耳廓软骨膜炎疗程,降低耳廓畸形发生率且具个体化的局部治疗方法.方法 回顾分析1 989年4月～2010年2月我科诊治的25例化脓性耳廓软骨膜炎的临床资料.除进行抗生素治疗外,局部治疗方法包括清创术后重新行耳甲腔成行术;脓腔穿刺置静脉留置针进行持续负压引流;清创后创腔置管引流.结果 自定义疗效评定...     

诊治7例鼻腔嗅神经母细胞瘤的体会

目的：提高临床对鼻腔嗅神经母细胞瘤的认识及治疗效果。方法：７例患者按Ｋａｄｉｓｈ分期，Ｂ期２例，Ｃ期５例，单纯放疗３例，术前放疗４例，放射剂量为５０００￣７０００ｃＧｙ。均随访至１９９７年１２月，结果：存活５例，存活时间分别为２０，２２，２３，２９及７６个月；结论：放疗对该肿瘤有效；放疗与化疗结合的方法值得探讨，该瘤病理上可能存在不同的亚型。     

Effects of time of contact and concentration of caustic agent on generation of injuries

OBJECTIVES: Solid caustic soda (CS) ingestion levels continue high in Brazil. The aggressiveness of a caustic agent depends, among other factors, on its concentration and time of contact with mucosa. However, the interdependence of these factors in the production of caustic lesion in the esophageal mucosa is not known, especially regarding CS as the strongest corrosive agent. We analyze the effects of concentration and time of contact on the aggressiveness of CS to the esophagus of live animals. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: One milliliter of CS at concentrations between 1.83% and 73.33% was applied to rats. The solution was kept in contact with the mucosa for 10 to 120 minutes. Internal and external organ aspects were analyzed and the epithelium, submucosa, muscle layer, and adventitia were analyzed microscopically RESULTS: Epithelial necrosis was observed at all concentrations. Among the necrotic layers, the submucosa was observed starting at the 7.33% concentration, and the muscular layer and adventitia were observed at 14.66% concentration. Damage to the pulmonary parenchyma and trachea occurred at 33.66% after 10 minutes, and perforation of the esophagus was observed only after 120 minutes. After 10 minutes, important corrosive lesions installed in the esophageal layers, expanding in depth and superficial extension. The use of heparin had no effect on the production of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Ten minutes were sufficient to provoke necrosis, and longer contact increased the area of necrosis. Solution concentration levels were more important in damage production: 1.83% was sufficient for epithelial necrosis, 7.33% caused submucosal necrosis, and 14.66% muscle and adventitia necrosis; 33.66% solutions caused lung and trachea damage after 10 minutes and esophageal perforation after 120 minutes.     

Scales of degree of facial paralysis: analysis of agreement

IntroductionIt has become common to use scales to measure the degree of involvement of facial paralysis in phonoaudiological clinics.ObjectiveTo analyze the inter- and intra-rater agreement of the scales of degree of facial paralysis and to elicit point of view of the appraisers regarding their use.MethodsCross-sectional observational clinical study of the Chevalier and House & Brackmann scales performed by five speech therapists with clinical experience, who analyzed the facial expression of 30 adult subjects with impaired facial movements two times, with a one week interval between evaluations. The kappa analysis was employed.ResultsThere was excellent inter-rater agreement for both scales (kappa > 0.80), and on the Chevalier scale a substantial intra-rater agreement in the first assessment (kappa = 0.792) and an excellent agreement in the second assessment (kappa = 0.928). The House & Brackmann scale showed excellent agreement at both assessments (kappa = 0.850 and 0.857). As for the appraisers’ point of view, one appraiser thought prior training is necessary for the Chevalier scale and, four appraisers felt that training is important for the House & Brackmann scale.ConclusionBoth scales have good inter- and intra-rater agreement and most of the appraisers agree on the ease and relevance of the application of these scales.     

术前使用布地奈德对声带息肉手术疗效的影响

目的 研究术前使用布地奈德雾化吸入治疗对手术疗效的影响。方法 按病程将3个月以内和1年以上患者随机分为两组,一组术前给予布地奈德雾化治疗,一组没有,术后两周复诊。分别于初诊、手术前和复诊时使用嗓音测试仪对病人进行测试并记录参数。结果 病程3个月以内患者术前给予雾化治疗后,其术后声学参数明显改善。结论 病程3个月以内患者术前给予雾化治疗能缩短术后恢复时间。     

CT对鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤起源的探讨

目的 探讨鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤起源的CT影像学特点。 方法 回顾性分析47例经鼻内镜手术及术后病理组织学确诊的鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤患者的CT影像学资料。对肿瘤病变在CT上的骨质变化进行分析,并与术中发现的肿瘤起源根蒂部位进行对比,分析CT影像中骨质改变与肿瘤起源之间的关系。 结果 47例患者中,39例有骨质增生影像表现,其中37例骨质增生部位与肿瘤起源的根蒂部位一致,一致性达78.7%,提示可根据骨质增生部位推测肿瘤起源位置。 结论 CT影像中的骨质增生与鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤的根蒂起源部位有较高的一致性,有助于术前评估肿瘤起源和指导术前制定合理的手术方案。     

A national audit of sinus surgery. Results of the Royal College of Surgeons of England comparative audit of ENT surgery

The results of a national audit of sinus surgery are presented. Forty-six consultant ENT surgeons reported on over 2500 sinus procedures. There has been an exponential rise in the number of surgeons in England and Wales performing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in recent years. Sixty-five per cent of surgeons in our study used the FESS technique and 81% had formal or other training. Outpatient sinus endoscopy and CT scans have become more routine pre-operative investigations, whilst the use of plain films has waned. There was a wide variation in the numbers of FESS procedures performed by individual surgeons in the 6-month period (between 5 and 85). The overall complication rate was 0.75% for conventional surgery and 1.41% for functional surgery but no major complications were recorded. The primary symptom of blockage was most successfully treated by both conventional and functional surgery (70% and 84% asymptomatic or improved at 6 months). Pain was relieved in 75% of functional procedures and 47% of conventional procedures and discharge relieved in 76% of FESS procedures and 47% of conventional procedures.     

磷霉素在减轻卡那霉素耳中毒过程中的作用

本文采用磷霉素笔卡那霉素联合应用，经扫描电镜、透射电镜、耳蜗铺片和组织化学反应观察，了解磷霉素减轻卡那霉素耳毒性的机制以及卡那霉素所致耳毒性的发展过程。通过实验可以看到磷霉素有保护溶酶体膜的作用，所以能减轻卡那霉素的耳毒性，但由于它不能直接对抗AmAn耳毒性作用机制，因而不能完全预防其耳毒性。     

Experimental Analysis of Behavior of Homing Pigeons as a Result of Functional Disorders of their Lagena

Behavioral experiments concerning the homing abilities of pigeons were done by sectioning their lagenal nerves or interfering with the function of the lagena using a magnet. Twenty-one birds were treated in this way and 30 birds from the same loft of racing pigeons were used as controls. The results of homing tests clearly revealed a magnetic influence on the function of the lagena in terms of the navigation ability of pigeons: the treated birds were either lost or significantly delayed while the controls returned within 30 min of release. The lagena of birds is a unique organ and it is concluded that it is a key element in the magnetic sensory system of birds.