语后聋人工耳蜗植入患者音乐音调感知能力的评价

目的探讨语后聋成人人工耳蜗使用者感知音乐音调的能力。方法使用慕尼黑音乐经验问卷(Munich music questionnaire,MUMU)评估12例听力正常受试者(听力正常组,男5例,女7例)与12例人工耳蜗使用者(人工耳蜗组,男5例,女7例)的年龄与音乐经验的匹配程度。使用Fitzgerald等开发的人工耳蜗音乐评估软件(MuSIC)中的音调辨差阈值测试、旋律辨别与和弦辨别测试评估人工耳蜗使用者的音乐音调感知能力。结果听力正常组与人工耳蜗组的年龄与音乐经验相匹配。人工耳蜗组F3调的音调辨差阈值平均为16.2个1/4音,C4调的音调辨差阈值平均为6.2个1/4音,均显著高于听力正常组(P<0.05)。人工耳蜗组的旋律辨别测试平均正确率为69.8%,和弦辨别测试的平均正确率为72.4%,与听力正常组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。人工耳蜗组耳蜗植入前助听器使用时间与其植入后聆听音乐的经验均与其音调辨差阈值显著相关(P<0.05)。结论语后聋成人人工耳蜗使用者的音调辨差阈值显著高于听力正常人,但个体差异较大,其音乐音调感知能力与人工耳蜗植入前助听器佩戴时间以及植入后聆听音乐的经验相关。     

语后聋成人人工耳蜗植入对于音乐感知的影响的研究

语后聋成人耳聋患者在接受人工耳蜗植入后在音乐感知方面远不如其听力及言语方面的提高令人满意。人工耳蜗植入是目前治疗重度-极重度感音神经性聋的重要手段,其在音乐感知方面的不理想在近年来人工耳蜗的研究中比较深入。本文通过综述近年来国内外相关文献,探讨语后聋成人接受人工耳蜗植入后对音乐感知的现况及分析其可能影响因素,以及可能的方法以助于音乐感知的提高。     

语后聋成人人工耳蜗植入后言语感知能力的测评

目的通过对植入人工耳蜗的语后聋成人听力言语感知能力的测评,探讨人工耳蜗对语后聋成人言语康复的作用.方法受试者为14名语后聋成人患者,男性9例,女性5例;耳蜗植入年龄22岁～67岁,平均46岁;耳聋时间6年-42年,平均16年.在人工耳蜗植入6个月、12个月及24个月时,进行开放性单词和短句言语感知测试.分别在三种模式下进行:只听模式(开放人工耳蜗)、听觉加视觉模式(开放人工耳蜗加唇读)及视觉模式(关闭人工耳蜗只用唇读).结果在听觉模式及听觉加视觉模式下,患者对单词和句子的正确感知随人工耳蜗使用时间而不断改善.术后6个月,听觉模式下的开放性单词和短句的正确感知率分别是38%和54%;听觉加视觉模式下的开放性单词和短句的正确感知率分别是70%和76%.术后24个月,听觉模式下的开放性单词和短句的正确感知率分别是65%和72%;听觉加视觉模式下的开放性单词和短句的正确感知率分别是84%和88%.结论人工耳蜗植入能显著改善语后聋成人的言语感知能力,并随着人工耳蜗使用时间的增加,言语感知能力逐渐得到提高.     

语后聋人工耳蜗患者音乐节奏与音色感知能力的评价

目的 评价成人语后聋人工耳蜗使用者感知音乐中节奏和音色的能力.方法 选取年龄与音乐经验相匹配的听力正常受试者与人工耳蜗使用者各12名,均为男5名,女7名.应用人工耳蜗音乐评估软件( Musical Sounds in Cochlear Implants,MuSIC)中的节奏辨别、乐器识别与乐器数辨别测试评价两组受试者的音乐节奏和音色感知能力.结果 12名人工耳蜗受试者平均节奏辨别率为84.4％,与听力正常受试者(85.1％)比较,差异无统计学意义(t=0.116,P＞0.05);人工耳蜗受试者平均乐器识别率为72.3％、乐器数辨别正确率为39.2％,均低于听力正常受试者平均88.3％和73.5％的正确率,差异具有统计学意义(t值分别为2.498和4.673,P值均＜0.05).结论 成人语后聋人工耳蜗使用者的节奏辨别能力与听力正常人相似,但音色感知能力明显差于听力正常人群.     

成年人工耳蜗植入者对音乐音色感知的特点与分析

目的：评价语后聋成年人工耳蜗植入者对音乐音色的识别能力,探讨人工耳蜗植入者与听力正常者在音乐音色感知中的差异及可能的机制。方法实验组为人工耳蜗植入时间≥0．5年的成年语后聋患者30例,对照组为30例听力正常成人。使用人工耳蜗音乐评估软件（M u ．S ．I ．C ）对两组受试者进行不同音色（包括来自不同乐器家族且具有代表性的六种乐器以及男高音、女高音）识别能力的测试,记录并比较两组的识别正确率。结果①实验组音色识别正确率49．23％±18．93％,对照组90．23％±12．28％,后者高于前者（ P＜0．001）;实验组识别正确率：男高音（76．7％）最高、钢琴（73．3％）次之,吉他（23．3％）最低。②实验组对每种音色的错选率均高于对照组,且选择更为分散,其中将吉他误选为钢琴的错选率最高（66．7％）;其次为长笛错选为小号（33．3％）。结论人工耳蜗植入者对音乐音色的识别能力低于听力正常者,并且容易造成弦乐器之间、管乐器之间的混淆。     

使用人工耳蜗和助听器的语前聋儿童言语识别能力的研究

目的 通过对使用人工耳蜗和助听器的语前聋儿童的言语识别能力的比较研究,为人工耳蜗植入适应证提供参考.方法实验对象包括18例人工耳蜗植入和40例配戴助听器的先天性语前聋儿童,先在自由声场测试双耳裸耳听阈,根据装置使用时间和平均裸耳听阈值分组,测试并比较使用人工耳蜗和助听器的语前聋儿童封闭项的声母、韵母、单音节词识别率.结果人工耳蜗植入时间≥2年组儿童的韵母、声母和单音节词识别率明显高于＜2年组患者.助听器使用时间≥2年组的各测试项识别率与＜2年组差异无统计学意义.装置使用时间＜2年的语前聋儿童,人工耳蜗植入者的各测试项识别率均明显高于平均裸耳听阈＞100 dB HL的助听器使用者,与平均裸耳听阈≤100 dB HL的助听器使用者的各测试项识别率差异均无统计学意义.装置使用时间≥2年的语前聋儿童,人工耳蜗植入者的各测试项识别率均明显高于平均裸耳听阈＞90 dB HL的助听器使用者,但与平均裸耳听阈＞70 dB HL但≤90 dB HL的助听器使用者差异无统计学意义.结论极重度语前聋儿童人工耳蜗植入后能获得比助听器使用者更好的言语识别能力.     

语后聋成年人工耳蜗植入者术后生活质量的跟踪性评价

目的 研究语后聋成年人工耳蜗植入者术后生活质量随时间变化的发展趋势和影响因素.方法 对28例语后聋成年人工耳蜗植入者(男16例,女12例,年龄39.82±16.38岁)分别在人工耳蜗植入术前、开机后1、3、6、12个月时,采用Nij megen人工耳蜗植入量表(NCIQ中文版,包括基本声音感知、高级声音感知、言语能力、...     

语前聋儿童植入多导人工耳蜗后电话使用

重度感音聋成人或儿童在过去常常依赖唇读 ,几乎不能也谈不上使用电话 ,这些患者在植入人工耳蜗后提高了语言感知能力 ,因此 ,使用电话也就成为可能 ,而且 (至少成人 )是否能够使用电话也就成为评定人工耳蜗功效的标准。本文研究了一组语前聋儿童 ,将电话测试结果与语言感受测试结果相比较 ,评定植入人工耳蜗后电话使用能力的预后情况。电话测试菜单 :测试菜单分层次进行 ,1～ 4项首先测试对电话铃声和拨号盘声音的感觉和识别能力 ;菜单主要部分 5～ 15项测试对声音和讲话的感知及辨别能力 ;菜单最后 16～ 17项测试与熟悉和不熟悉的人不中断…     

语前聋成人人工耳蜗植入者嗓音的声学分析

目的观察成人语前聋人工耳蜗植入者嗓音的特点,为这类患者的植入及嗓音矫治提供依据。方法分别对28例语前聋成人人工耳蜗植入者、18例语前聋者和10例正常听力者的元音[a ]3s稳定段进行声学分析,分析内容包括基频、第一、第二共振峰、嗓音声学参数频率微扰商、振幅微扰商、谐噪比。对3组结果进行比较。结果人工耳蜗组的基频为(175 42±25 31)Hz,较耳聋组的(210 84±54 30)Hz有下降(P=0 02)。人工耳蜗组共振峰位置[F2 =(1264 64±152 19)Hz]比耳聋组[F2=(1422 44±232 37)Hz]更接近于正常听力组(P=0 02)。频率微扰商在人工耳蜗组(2 09±1 15)较耳聋组(5 32±4 29)更接近于正常听力组(P=0 006)。人工耳蜗组和耳聋组的嗓音表现出较大的个体差异。结论从嗓音声学特点的角度而言,成人语前聋人工耳蜗植入者可以有限地获益于人工耳蜗植入。由于他们的语言识别能力远远差于儿童和成人语后聋人工耳蜗植入者,其总体效果有限,对这类患者的植入应该慎重开展。     

语前聋儿童人工耳蜗植入术后听觉言语识别能力发展水平评估

目的 通过对语前聋儿童人工耳蜗植入术后不同康复时段的听觉言语识别能力评估,探索人工耳蜗植入儿童术后听觉言语识别能力的获得规律,为评价及预测聋儿康复效果提供参考.方法 采用标准化的儿童言语听觉测试环境及测试词库,对863例不同年龄、不同康复时段的语前聋人工耳蜗植入儿童进行听觉言语识别能力评估,包括自然环境声响、声母、韵母...     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Bilateral versus unilateral cochlear implantation in young children

Objectives

To compare the preverbal communication skills of two groups of young implanted children: those with unilateral implantation and those with bilateral implantation.

Material and methods

The study assessed 69 children: 42 unilaterally and 27 bilaterally implanted with age at implantation less than 3 years. The preverbal skills of these children were measured before and 1 year after implantation, using Tait Video Analysis that has been found able to predict later speech outcomes in young implanted children.

Results

Before implantation there was no significant difference between the unilateral group and the bilateral group. There was still no difference at 12 months following implantation where vocal autonomy is concerned, but a strongly significant difference between the groups for vocal turn-taking and non-looking vocal turns, the bilateral group outperforming the unilateral group. Regarding gestural turn-taking and gestural autonomy, there was a strongly significant difference between the two groups at the 12 month interval, and also a difference before implantation for gestural autonomy, the unilateral group having the higher scores. Multiple regression of non-looking vocal turns revealed that 1 year following implantation, bilateral implantation contributed to 51% of the variance (p < 0.0001), after controlling for the influence of age at implantation and length of deafness which did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Profoundly deaf bilaterally implanted children are significantly more likely to use vocalisation to communicate, and to use audition when interacting vocally with an adult, compared with unilaterally implanted children. These results are independent of age at implantation and length of deafness.