Reproducibility (test–retest) of vestibular evoked myogenic potential

IntroductionThere is still no consensus in the literature as to the best acoustic stimulus for capturing vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Low-frequency tone bursts are generally more effective than high-frequency, but recent studies still use clicks. Reproducibility is an important analytical parameter to observe the reliability of responses.ObjectiveTo determine the reproducibility of p13 and n23 latency and amplitude of the VEMP for stimuli with different tone-burst frequencies, and to define the best test frequency.MethodsCross-sectional cohort study. VEMP was captured in 156 ears, on the sternocleidomastoid muscle, using 100 tone-burst stimuli at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, and sound intensity of 95 dB nHL. Responses were replicated, that is, recorded three times on each side.ResultsNo significant difference was observed for p13 and n23 latencies of the VEMP, captured at three moments with tone-burst stimuli at 250, 500, and 1000 Hz. Only the frequency of 2000 Hz showed a difference between captures of this potential (p < 0.001). p13 and n23 amplitude analysis was also similar in the test–retest for all frequencies analyzed.Conclusionp13 and n23 latencies and amplitudes of VEMP for tone-burst stimuli at frequencies of 250, 500, and 1000 Hz are reproducible.     

Vestibular Function Measurement Devices

Vestibular function laboratories utilize a multitude of diagnostic instruments to evaluate a dizzy patient. Caloric irrigators, oculomotor stimuli, and rotational chairs produce a stimulus whose accuracy is required for the patient response to be accurate. Careful attention to everything from cleanliness of equipment to threshold adjustments determine on a daily basis if patient data are going to be correct and useful. Instrumentation specifications that change with time such as speed and temperature must periodically be checked using calibrated instruments.     

鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎的临床观察

目的：观察鼻腔内窥镜下行鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2015年6月在我院收治的慢性泪囊炎患者39例（40只眼），采用鼻腔内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术进行手术治疗，术后随访3～6个月，观察术眼流脓、溢泪等情况。结果鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗39例（40只眼）患者，治愈35例（36只眼），好转3例（3只眼），无效1例（1只眼）。治愈率90％，好转率7．5％，无效率2．5％。结论经鼻内窥镜下行鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎，疗效确切。具有手术简单、创伤小、出血少、无需面部切口、面部不留疤痕等优点。     

A rare case of a periorbital respiratory (choristomatous) cyst

Respiratory cysts are benign lesions lined by normal respiratory epithelium. There are few reported cases localized to the orbit, while those of the eyelid are exceedingly rare. Respiratory cysts usually arise either from a non‐hereditary congenital malformation, where they are distinguished as choristomatous, or from trauma. Here, we report a case of a 53‐year‐old man who presented with a large right lower eyelid cyst that was histopathologically diagnosed as a respiratory cyst.     

Symptomatic perineural cyst after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

Rationale:Tarlov or perineurial cysts are nerve root lesions often found in the sacral region. Most perineural cysts (PCs) remain asymptomatic throughout a patient''s life. While their pathogenesis is still unclear, trauma resulting in hemorrhaging into subarachnoid space has been put forward as a possible cause of these cysts. Recently, we worked with a patient experiencing symptomatic PCs after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.Patient concerns:A 45-year-old man had a coil embolization procedure performed after being diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured anterior communicating artery. His symptoms were relieved after the procedure, but 7 days later he reported worsening pain in the left perineal area. The pain was intermittent at its onset and exacerbated by sitting, walking, and coughing.Diagnoses:Two weeks after the embolization procedure, a lumbar spine MRI revealed 2 PCs at the S1 and S2 level affecting the left S2 root with high signal intensity in T2 and T1 images, suggestive of bleeding within the cyst.Interventions:We operated using a posterior approach. Cyst fenestration was done after S1 laminectomy. We aspirated approximately 1 cc of old blood.Outcomes:His pain was relieved immediately after cyst removal and no neurologic deterioration occurred during the postoperative period.Lessons:Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be the source of the development of pain from asymptomatic PCs, making them symptomatic. Surgical extirpation is 1 treatment option for these symptomatic PCs.     

The relationship between nasal and conjunctival cultures of antimicrobial-resistant isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PurposeNasal screening is performed to avoid the complications of postoperative surgical site infections (SSI), especially those due to antimicrobial-resistant species such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study examined the relationship between bacterial isolates from the conjunctiva and the nasal cavity.MethodsAll patients were diagnosed with ocular surface infections, and the organisms in the conjunctiva and the nasal cavity were isolated. We investigated the relationship of the following antimicrobial-resistant bacteria between the conjunctiva and the nose: MRSA, methicillin-resistant CNS (MRCNS), levofloxacin-resistant (LVFX-R) Corynebacterium spp. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, and the odds ratio was examined.ResultsThis study included 188 eyes of 188 subjects (87 males and 101 females; mean age 58.5 years, range 11–97 years). MRSA (4 eyes), MRCNS (29 eyes), and LVFX-R Corynebacterium spp. (41 eyes) were identified from the conjunctiva, and MRSA (6 eyes), MRCNS (38 eyes), and LVFX-R Corynebacterium spp. (41 eyes) were identified from the nasal cavity. There was a significant relationship detected between the conjunctiva and the nose for MRSA, MRCNS, and LVFX-R Corynebacterium spp. MRSA displayed high sensitivity (0.750, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.301 to 0.987) and specificity (0.984, 95% CI; 0.953 to 0.996) in nasal cavity cultures, and the odds ratio was 181.00 times (95% CI; 18.41 to 2320).ConclusionThis study showed a significant relationship between conjunctival and nasal cultures of MRSA, MRCNS, and LVFX-R Corynebacterium spp., suggesting that nasal cavity culture is a potentially useful screening method for detecting resistant bacteria, especially MRSA, in the conjunctiva.     

Transitional care for patients with surgical pediatric hepatobiliary disease: Choledochal cysts and biliary atresia

Choledochal cysts (CDCs) and biliary atresia (BA) are rare pediatric hepatobiliary anomalies that require surgical intervention due to increased risk of malignancy and liver failure, respectively. The underlying disease and operative procedures place patients at risk for long‐term complications, which may continue to affect them into adulthood. Lack of a transitional care model in the health‐care system potentiates the challenges they will face following aging out of their pediatric providers' care. We sought to elucidate the long‐term complications and challenges patients with CDCs and BA face, review the current literature regarding transitioning care, and propose guidelines aiding adult providers in continued care and surveillance of these patients. A literature review was performed to assess short‐term and long‐term complications after surgery and the current standards for transitioning care in patients with a history of CDCs and BA. While transitional programs exist for patients with other gastrointestinal diseases, there are few that focus on CDCs or BA. Generally, authors encourage medical record transmission from pediatric to adult providers, ensuring accuracy of information and compliance with treatment plans. Patients with CDCs are at risk for developing biliary malignancies, cholangitis, and anastomotic strictures after resection. Patients with BA develop progressive liver failure, necessitating transplantation. There are no consensus guidelines regarding timing of follow up for these patients. Based on the best available evidence, we propose a schema for long‐term surveillance.