长期低剂量克拉霉素治疗慢性鼻窦炎

目的 观察长期低剂量克拉霉素治疗慢性鼻窦炎的疗效.方法 自2002年4月～2003年1月对63例慢性鼻窦炎患者应用低剂量克拉霉素治疗,3、6个月后分别观察其症状,鼻内镜及鼻窦CT检查鼻窦黏膜病理的改善情况,同时检测治疗前后的糖精传输时间(saccharine time,ST).结果 3、6个月后66.7%、73.0%鼻腔通气改善,65.1%、74.6%鼻涕量减少;73.5%、85.3%头痛减轻;30.0%、35.0%嗅觉改善;55.8%、69.2%鼻内镜检查好转;61.4%、68.4%CT扫描较用药前改善;38.5%、61.5%病理检查示鼻窦黏膜炎症减轻.平均ST治疗前为35.5±6.3分钟,用药3个月后为27.8±6.6分钟,6个月后为24.7±7.1分钟.结论 长期低剂量应用克拉霉素对治疗慢性鼻窦炎有较好的疗效.     

长期低剂量克拉霉素治疗慢性鼻窦炎

目的：观察长期低剂量克拉霉素治疗慢性鼻窦炎的疗效。方法：2002年4月至2003年1月我们用低剂量克拉霉素治疗63例慢性鼻窦炎，检测治疗前后糖精传输时间，观察治疗3、6个月后患者症状、鼻内镜检查、鼻窦CT检查及鼻窦黏膜病理的改善情况。结果：治疗3、6个月后鼻腔通气改善分别为66.7%、73.0%、；鼻涕量减少65.1%、74.6%；头痛减轻73.5%、85.3%；嗅觉改善30.0%、35.0%；鼻内镜检查好转55.8%、69.2%；CT扫描结果较用药前改善61.4%、68.4%；病理检查示鼻窦黏膜炎症减轻38.5%、61.5%。治疗前平均ST为(35.5±6.3)min，用药3个月后为(27.8±6.6)min，6个月后为(19.7±7.1)min。结论：长期低剂量克拉霉素治疗慢性鼻窦炎效果较好。     

长期低剂量罗红霉素治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的疗效分析

目的观察长期低剂量罗红霉素治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的疗效。方法低剂量罗红霉素治疗60例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者,1个月和3个月后观察其症状及鼻内镜和鼻窦CT扫描情况。结果治疗1个月和3个月后,鼻塞改善者分别为46.7%,68.3%,流黄涕、涕倒流改善者为37.9%、65.5%,头痛头胀减轻者分别为45.5%、68.2%,嗅觉改善者分别为30.8%,46.2%、35.4%和56.3%的患者分别在治疗1个月和3个月后鼻内窥镜检查情况好转,36.7%和58.3%的患者鼻窦CT扫描较用药前好转。结论长期低剂量罗红霉素治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎有较好的疗效。     

综合治疗在慢性鼻及鼻窦炎黏膜炎症恢复中的作用

目的观察综合治疗在控制慢性鼻及鼻窦炎黏膜炎症过程中的作用。方法对30例慢性鼻及鼻窦炎进行功能性鼻内镜手术及围手术期治疗。分别于术后1、3和6个月随访并行鼻内镜检查取黏膜活检,比较患者临床症状、黏膜炎症的恢复情况。结果术后6个月,30例术腔黏膜上皮化,但10例(33%)术腔黏膜仍轻度肿胀,持续有黏液样分泌物。黏液纤毛输送速率(mucociliarytransportrate,MTR)术前(3.63±1.74)毫米/分钟,术后6个月(6.27±1.31)毫米/分钟,明显加快(P<0.01)。上颌窦黏膜炎性细胞浸润减少,水肿减轻。但杯状细胞数和黏膜下腺体无明显改善(P>0.05),表面超微结构未完全恢复正常。结论慢性鼻及鼻窦炎经综合治疗6个月,虽可达临床治愈,但黏膜炎症仍存在。     

青少年慢性鼻窦炎的鼻内镜手术疗效探讨

目的探讨鼻内镜手术对青少年慢性鼻窦炎的治疗效果。方法对收住入院的105例青少年慢性鼻窦炎病人实施鼻内镜鼻窦手术,同时纠正影响鼻窦炎的某些相关因素,如鼻中隔偏曲、泡状中鼻甲、钩突肥大、中鼻甲反向偏曲,腺样体肥大和(或)扁桃体炎等。结果本组105例中,随访6个月至2年,术后鼻塞、脓涕、头疼等症状消失者71例(67.6%),鼻部症状明显减轻或改善者25例(23.8%),无效者6例(5.7%),加重3例(2.9%),总有效率为91.4%。结论鼻内镜鼻窦手术治疗青少年慢性鼻窦炎是一种行之有效的方法。在治疗青少年慢性鼻窦炎的同时,也要同时处理影响手术疗效的其他相关因素。     

鼻内镜手术治疗慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎45例

目的探讨鼻内镜下治疗慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的疗效。方法在鼻内镜下对45例慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎患者行鼻窦清创术,部分病例加行下鼻道开窗术,彻底清除鼻窦病变组织及鼻病变黏膜和骨质,充分开放鼻窦,术后应用大扶康冲洗术腔,并定期行鼻内镜检查。结果随访6个月至6年,治愈41例,复发4例。复发病例经再次鼻内镜手术后治愈,无手术并发症。结论鼻内镜下鼻窦清创术是治疗侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的重要手段,术后定期复查并辅以大扶康术腔冲洗,疗效良好。     

综合治疗在慢性鼻及鼻窦炎黏膜炎症恢复中的作用

目的:观察综合治疗在控制慢性鼻及鼻窦炎黏膜炎症过程中的作用。方法:对30例慢性鼻及鼻窦炎进行功能性鼻内镜手术及围手术期治疗。分别于术后1、3和6个月随访并行鼻内镜检查取黏膜活检,比较患者临床症状、黏膜炎症的恢复情况。结果:术后6个月,30例术腔黏膜上皮化,但10例(33%)术     

内镜鼻窦手术后随访及雷诺考特喷鼻的疗效观察

目的 :探讨慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉内镜鼻窦术后随访的时间和糖皮质激素鼻内用药的效果。方法 :对 30例鼻窦炎、鼻息肉患者行内镜鼻窦手术 ,术后定期随访 ,行内镜下术腔护理、鼻窦冲洗和糖皮质激素雷诺考特鼻内局部应用 ,观察临床疗效。结果 :术后 3个月 ,2 5例鼻腔、鼻窦已干燥、上皮化 ;术后 6个月 ,2 8例鼻腔、鼻窦已干燥、上皮化 ,鼻塞、头痛均消失。 4例伴变应性鼻炎者 ,鼻腔有少许分泌物 ;10例嗅觉障碍者中 3例无改善。结论 :内镜鼻窦手术后的鼻内镜随访、术腔护理及糖皮质激素鼻内应用 ,在慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的治疗过程中起着同样重要的作用。     

腺样体肥大融切术后对儿童鼻窦炎治疗转归的影响

目的：通过对伴有腺样体肥大的儿童慢性鼻窦炎患者,进行等离子低温消融技术治疗肥大的腺样体,观察术后对儿童鼻窦炎治疗转归的影响。方法选取我院自2008年6月～2011年8月96例住院儿童患者,年龄最大14岁,最小30个月,其中男63例,女33例,入院前96例患者均确诊为慢性鼻窦炎伴腺样体肥大,均采取保守治疗2个月以上疗效不佳。所有患者术前均进行鼻内镜检查、鼻腔鼻窦冠状位CT扫描,19例进行PSG检测,均符合儿童慢性鼻窦炎的诊断标准。全部患者均采取气管插管全身麻醉,经口用70度喉镜在显示器下进行肥大的腺样体融切术,17例同时行FESS术,手术顺利,无并发症发生。结果所有患儿术后均参照儿童慢性鼻窦炎诊疗指南,给予系统的药物治疗,术后随访6～12个月,术后3个月复查鼻内镜,见切口黏膜已经上皮化,鼻窦炎症状明显改善。术后6个月35例行鼻窦冠状位CT扫描,其中32例显示鼻窦正常,3例鼻窦黏膜增厚,有效率91.4%。继续随访1年未见复发。结论腺样体肥大或感染及变态反应引起鼻腔阻塞,影响鼻腔、鼻窦黏膜和纤毛的正常功能和活动,容易引起儿童鼻窦炎,腺样体融切术后对鼻窦炎的治疗转归有积极的意义。     

鼻窦清合剂对兔鼻窦炎上颌窦黏膜形态影响的电镜观察

目的 观察鼻窦清合剂对兔鼻窦炎上颌窦黏膜炎症的影响。方法 行窦口不完全堵塞加用金黄色葡萄球菌建立急慢性鼻窦炎动物模型后,予以鼻窦清合剂高、低剂量灌胃治疗,并设立空白组、模型组、鼻渊舒（鼻渊舒口服液灌胃） 组作为对照;急性期用药1周,慢性期用药2周后,分别通过透射电子显微镜观察 ,比较各组兔上颌窦黏膜形态结构的变化。结果 鼻窦清合剂低剂量组黏膜形态最接近正常组,且急性各组优于慢性各组。结论 鼻窦清合剂可改善兔上颌窦炎症。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

A simple objective evaluation and grading for facial paralysis outcomes

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 degrade type IV collagen, which is one of the major components of the basement membrane in normal tissue and expressed in the surroundings of the cancer nest in squamous cell carinoma. The degeneration of type IV collagen is an essential step in the metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. In this study, we examined MMP-2 and -9 levels of cancer tissue and serum obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to evaluate the relationship between the clinicopathologic features and MMPs. We examined the production of MMP-2 and -9 in cancer tissue homogenates of 73 patients who had HNSCC and the serum MMP levels of 16 patients with HNSCC and 8 healthy volunteers. We also studied the localization of MMP-2 in the carcinoma using an immunohistochemical approach. The concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 in the tissue homogenates and serum were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed with monoclonal antibody to MMP-2. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue homogenates was unrelated to tumor size, but that in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than in those without lymph node metastases. The concentration of MMP-9 was unrelated to lymph node metastasis and tumor size. The levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in serum were unrelated to lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemistry indicated that MMP-2 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. Because MMP-2 degrades type IV collagen, the level of MMP-2 in carcinomas may be a useful indicator of the degree of invasion and metastasis.     

A case of cortical deafness and anarthria

The nasal epithelium protects the underlying tissue from damage. Epithelial cell growth is controlled by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and is possibly affected by toxic proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The aims of this study were to examine nasal fluid epithelial cell counts and their relations to EGF, eosinophils and ECP in 23 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal fluid epithelial cell counts were lower in patients than in controls. EGF levels did not differ between patients and controls, and correlated with epithelial cell counts in controls but not in patients. Eosinophils and ECP were higher in patients than in controls, but did not correlate with epithelial cell counts. The role of growth factors, such as EGF, in regulating epithelial cells merits further study.     

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.     

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.