有关听力减退、残障、残疾的几个问题

用心理声学或生理学技术检测受试者的听敏度是耳科学、听力学及卫生学的基本检测技术.在耳科学,听力检查是测试听敏度是否正常、有无听力损失(hearing loss)、听力损失的程度和性质,可为耳疾的诊断处理提供依据.     

儿童耳科学研究

<正>儿童耳科学涵盖临床耳科和儿童听力学的研究,而研究儿童的听力相关问题,不仅仅限于听力学本身,更重要的是儿童疾病会反映听力学的方方面面,其研究领域也就更加广阔。就儿童来说,耳科学研究也越来越受到关注。1儿童耳科学之听力的概念儿童听力学是研究儿童听力性质,听力保护,听力障碍的基础与临床及听力障碍者的教育训练和康复的一门学科。包括听力的预防、评估、诊断、干预治疗以及后期的康复。世界卫生组织年公布的统计     

慢性化脓性中耳炎听力低下者的听力学特点

慢性化脓性中耳炎听力降低的水平,首先取决于声传导结构破坏程度,以及听感受器的状态。对上述因素临床关系的研究,可在治疗中耳化脓性炎症的同时,为进一步改善听机能施行手术提供预测。为此,作者观察180例慢性化脓性中耳炎患者,年龄12～40岁。男性92例,女性88例。慢性化脓性上鼓室炎17例,上、中鼓室炎63例、中鼓室炎100例。听力检查于隔声室内进行,有耳语、话语、音叉检查(用C_(128)和C_(2048)音叉做任内、韦们尔、斯瓦巴赫、宾、费杰里奇试验)和纯音测听(以     

第三届听力与耳聋的基础和临床新进展研讨班通知

为了加快耳科学、神经耳科学及听力学的发展，经国家卫生部批准，中南大学耳科研究所和湘雅二医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科与解放军总医院耳鼻咽喉科研究所合作，已于20014和2005年分别在湖南长沙和广西北海举办了第一、二届国家级继续教育项目《听力与耳聋的基础和临床新进展》学习研讨班，并取得良好效果，     

婴幼儿中耳炎的诊断和治疗

2004年12月15日卫生部发布了新生儿疾病筛查技术规范,其中包括《新生儿听力筛查技术规范》(以下简称“规范”),“规范”指出“新生儿听力筛查的总体目标是早期发现有听力障碍的儿童,并能给予及时干预,减少对语言发育和其他神经、精神发育的影响”。其中包括婴幼儿中耳炎的及时发现、诊断和干预。新生儿听力普遍筛查是耳科学的重要工作,它对耳科学和听力学的影响正逐步显现出来,并推动了儿童听力学的发展,带动了康复听力学的发展和听力学设备的研制,促进了听力学和耳科学的发展。这里我们要讨论的婴幼儿中耳炎就是其中一个重要的问题。其实婴…     

甲状腺机能减退时听觉障碍的特点

作者们观察了100例未接受内分泌治疗的甲状腺机能减退患者的听力障碍情况。据病史及检查未发现听觉器官有任何炎症性和创伤性损害,其中7例为6～13岁患儿,93例为16～62岁成人,男性15,女性85。57例为中度甲状腺机能减退,43例为中度。听力检查法包括耳语和普通谈话声、音叉试验和电测听。结果听力基本正常者63例,余38例有听觉损害,其中:4例(内有2例为单侧)听力下降,气导阈提高,骨导曲线呈水平型,骨-气导差20～40dB,音叉检查亦呈传音障碍;14例听力曲线骨、气导均呈陡峭型或慢     

听神经瘤的现代诊断方法

本文复习了法国波尔多大学医院120例听神经瘤的临床资料。着重分析了听神经瘤的耳科学及神经耳科学征候群的演变及临床特征。对各种检查方法的应用价值作了评价。提出了听神经瘤的临床诊断序列和步骤。     

8例内耳病变导致患耳气骨导差的临床分析

目的探讨内耳病变导致患耳气骨导差的临床特点。方法回顾性分析8例内耳病变导致患耳气骨导差的临床资料。所有患者行音叉、纯音测听和声反射检查,同时行颞骨CT扫描。结果5例患者颞骨CT扫描及上半规管重建提示上半规管裂孔存在,诊断为上半规管裂综合征,主诉听力下降,时间2个月到10年不等,音叉检查患耳Rinne试验阴性,Weber试验偏向患侧,纯音测听提示低频听力下降,气导平均听阈(0.5、1、2kHz)为50.25dBHL,骨导平均听阈为28.48dBHL;声反射均能引出。其中,3例患者强声能诱导出眩晕和眼震,2例患者变压试验能诱导出眩晕和眼震。其余3例患者为大前庭水管综合征,颞骨CT均证实前庭导水管扩大,中耳乳突无积液,听骨链无畸形,外耳和鼓膜正常,音叉检查患耳Rinne试验阴性,纯音测听患耳有明显的气骨导差,声反射均能引出;均采用激素和高压氧治疗,2例听力明显好转,1例听力无改善。结论上半规管裂和前庭导水管扩大等内耳疾病可导致患耳气骨导差,临床上应予以关注。     

第三届上海耳科学及听力学国际会议暨第十一届听力国际年会征稿通知

由上海交通大学耳科学研究所、听力国际中国分部（中国聋儿康复中心）、中华医学会耳鼻咽喉头颈外科分会及中国残疾人康复协会听力语言康复专业委员会联合举办的”第三届上海耳科学及听力学国际会议暨第十一届听力国际年会”将于2010年10月21日～10月24日在上海举办。会议将邀请诸多来自世界各地的著名教授、世界卫生组织高级官员以及国内著名学者,主要探讨近年来耳科学手术领域的最新成果,     

临床听力学

临床听力学是第二次世界大战后发展起来的一门年轻学科，它起源于听力检测技术，属于耳科临床工作范畴。随着科技的不断进步以及人们对基础医学认识的提高，临床听力学已经发展成为一门独立的、内涵广泛的应用性学科。涉及到耳科学、生理学、病理学、心理学、电声学、教育学等学科，其研究内容涵盖听力损伤预防、听觉障碍评估、听力残疾康复以及听觉科学研究和人才培养。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Otolaryngologists may not be doing enough to diagnose pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis

Objective

To systematically evaluate the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE).

Methods

A retrospective review of 657 patients seen at the EE center of a tertiary care children's hospital between 1994 and 2007 was performed. Charts were reviewed for the 144 patients who were also seen by the otolaryngology service.

Results

One hundred forty-four patients received 193 otolaryngology-related diagnoses. Eustachian tube dysfunction (27.5%) and sleep disordered breathing (24.9%) were the most common, followed by dysphagia (13.0%), rhinosinusitis/nasal congestion (9.3%) and airway stenosis (5.2%). Seventy-nine patients (54.9%) had a pre-existing diagnosis of EE at the time of their otolaryngology consultation. Twenty-one patients (14.6%) were referred to the gastroenterology service for evaluation for EE. Forty-four patients (30.5%) remained undiagnosed. Twenty-five of these patients presented with dysphagia, 16 of whom were not previously diagnosed with EE; only 4 of these 16 patients were referred for evaluation for EE. In one case, a child with moderate sized tonsils underwent adenotonsillectomy for dysphagia and failure to thrive; this patient was diagnosed with EE 1 month post-operatively.

Conclusions

Twenty percent of patients with EE may require care by an otolaryngologist for a myriad of complaints. Even experienced pediatric otolaryngologists may not recognize this condition. Otolaryngologists should consider EE in patients presenting with dysphagia. A careful gastroenterology review of symptoms may also allow otolaryngologists to identify EE in patients with allergy mediated nasal complaints, or laryngeal/airway disorders.     

Correction of the Glosso-Larynx and Resultant Positional Changes of the Hyoid Bone and Cranium

In ankyloglossia with deviation of the epiglottis and larynx (ADEL) the tongue is located forward and as a result the epiglottis is elevated and leans towards the mouth. The larynx is also raised and curves ventrally. Various symptoms have been observed as a result of this condition. Correction of the glosso-larynx (CGL) is the operation performed to treat ADEL. The CGL procedure and the results obtained with it are reported in this paper. In addition, we studied the following six parameters using head and neck X-rays before and after CGL (the changes in these parameters as a result of CGL are shown in parentheses): ( i ) the shortest vertical length between the hyoid bone and mandible (+10.3 mm); ( ii ) the vertical length between the hyoid bone and the tangent line of C2-4 (+4.6 mm); ( iii ) the shortest length between the hyoid bone and the chin (+2.9 mm); ( iv ) the angle between the hyoid bone and the tangent line of C2-4 (+3.3°); ( v ) the length of H-M, where H is the intersection of a tangent line of C2-4 and a vertical line from the hyoid bone and M is the intersection of a tangent line of C2-4 and the mandible (+7.4 mm); and ( vi ) the width of the narrowest part of the hypopharynx (+3.0 mm). The changes in all the measured parameters after CGL were significantly different ( p <0.05).     

Autoimmunity in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Possible Role of Anti-endothelial Cell Autoantibodies

In order to verify whether anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECAs) can be used as serological markers of inner ear vasculitis in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), 32 patients affected by idiopathic SSHL were investigated. All patients underwent a routine general physical examination and extensive audiovestibular, microbiological and immunological investigations. Fourteen normal subjects without a history of HL, autoimmune or metabolic disease served as controls. Detection of AECAs was performed using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. AECA-positive patients were treated with methylprednisone, while AECA-negative patients were treated with a combined regimen of steroids, plasma expander and aspirin. The average hearing recovery for 5 frequencies (0.25-4 kHz) was analyzed in each subject 1 month after treatment and every 3 months thereafter; median follow-up was 12 months (range 9-18 months). A total of 15/32 patients (46.8%; 11/19 females, 4/13 males) were AECA-positive and thus differed significantly from the normal population in whom only 2/14 tested cases were positive ( p =0.03). Severe hearing loss was associated with being AECA-positive in 8/11 cases. During follow-up, 25/32 patients improved their hearing and 17 of these patients were AECA-negative. The seven cases without hearing improvement were all AECA-positive. In patients with SSHL, immune-mediated vascular damage may have a pathogenetic role and AECAs may represent a serological marker of vasculitis even if they are not inner ear-specific and even if they represent an epi-phenomenon rather than the only cause of SSHL.     

Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx: Analysis of Treatment Results in 91 Patients

The outcome of 91 patients (69 males, 22 females; age range 16-82 years) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated in our hospital between 1971 and 1999 was evaluated. Factors that appeared to influence prognosis were assessed using the Kaplan -Meier method. The cause-specific cumulative 5-year survival rate for the entire study population was 61.2%. The 1997 International Union Against Cancer classification was used for disease staging. The 5-year survival rates were as follows: 66.7% ( n ¾ 3) for Stage I; 100% ( n ¾ 2) for Stage IIA; 90.9% ( n ¾ 11) for Stage IIB; 78.8% ( n ¾ 25) for Stage III; 53.0% ( n ¾ 29) for Stage IVA; 37.5% ( n ¾ 16) for Stage IVB; and 20.0% ( n ¾ 5) for Stage IVC. The disease-free cumulative 3-year survival rates of the patients classified based on initial therapy were as follows: radiation alone, 50.0% ( n ¾ 28); combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy that included an undefined anti-cancer drug, 67.2% ( n ¾ 39); combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy that included carboplatin (CBDCA), 92.3% ( n ¾ 19). These results showed a statistically significant difference ( p ¾ 0.043; log-rank test). Stage IVC patients were excluded from the analysis. We conclude that combined therapy, including chemotherapy with CBDCA, is necessary for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In terms of radiation therapy, a field covering the bilateral cervical regions seemed to produce favorable results, even if cervical node metastasis was not confirmed by palpation at the first hospital visit.