Autoinflation as a treatment of secretory otitis media. A randomized controlled study.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a new method of autoinflation as an alternative treatment of secretory otitis media. Up to 80% of all children experience one or more episodes of eustachian tube dysfunction and secretory otitis media before school age. Common treatment of this condition is insertion of a ventilation tube in the tympanic membrane. Because of the very high incidence of secretory otitis media in childhood, insertion of ventilation tubes is the most frequently performed operation under general anesthesia in children. In addition to possible anesthetic complications, insertion of ventilation tubes may be associated with purulent suppuration, pathologic findings in the eardrum, and hearing impairment. One hundred children were consecutively randomized to undergo either autoinflation, using a new device, or placed in a control group. The children were between 3 and 10 years of age and were entered into the study after having had secretory otitis media for at least 3 months, as verified by tympanometric findings. Tympanometry was repeated at 2 weeks and at 1, 2, and 3 months after the children were entered into the study. After 2 weeks of autoinflation, the tympanometric conditions were improved in 64% of ears, unchanged in 34%, and deteriorated in the remaining 2%. In the control group, tympanometric findings were improved in 15% of ears, unchanged in 71%, and deteriorated in the remaining 14%.     

Hyperbaric oxygen and stellate ganglion blocks for idiopathic sudden hearing loss

Ninety-one patients suffering from idiopathic sudden hearing loss are presented. Twenty-two patients were given medical treatment (vasodilators, steroid hormones and vitamins) alone (group 1). Forty-nine patients were treated with stellate ganglion block (SGB) plus oxygen hyperbaric therapy (OHP) (group 2) and 20 patients were treated with SGB plus OHP along with medical treatment (group 3). The SGB plus OHP treated patients were given bupivacaine, which induced Moor's anterior approach of SGB and then exposed to oxygen at a pressure of 2.4 ATA for 90 min. In group 1, 69% of the patients treated within one week after onset exhibited over 10 dB pure tone average improvement, with only 33% patients treated one to two weeks after onset experiencing over 10 dB. However, 74% of the patients in group 2 and 100% of the patients in group 3 who were treated within two weeks after onset exhibited over 10 dB improvement. More significantly, of the patients which experienced complete loss of hearing, 83% in group 2 and 100% in group 3, exhibited over 10 dB improvement, compared to only 33% in group 1. Moreover, 8 (40%) patients in group 3 recovered to within 20 dB of their normal hearing levels. In group 2, 17 patients were treated two to six weeks after onset and 12 (71%) patients had over 10 dB improvement. SGB plus OHP therapy was shown effective in the treatment of sudden idiopathic hearing loss even when patients were treated more than two weeks after onset.     

Sequelae and transient sequelae-like symptoms in Bell's palsy

Four symptoms of sequelae of Bell's palsy, such as abnormal synkinesis, facial spasm, contracture, and crocodile's tear were examined with 351 patients with Bell's palsy. As a result, it was seen transient sequelae-like symptoms which disappeared in recovery process. These 4 symptoms were divided into the persistent symptoms which persisted or appeared (sequelae) after 6 months from onset and the transient sequelae-like symptoms which disappeared before 6 months from onset (transient symptoms). The relation between the sequelae and the transient symptoms were examined. Transient facial spasm were shown only in mild cases with early cure, and it was deemed that these had no relation to sequelae. Other transient symptoms were shown in the cases with moderate and severe palsy, and it was deemed that these had a close relation to sequelae. The incidence of sequelae was 19%, and that of transient symptoms was 23%. Therefore, in order to discuss the actual behavior of the sequelae, it is important to investigate the sequelae with rejection of transient symptoms.     

Prediction of sequelae following facial nerve palsy

The severity of facial muscle synkinesis, contracture, spasm, crocodile tears and hearing impairment and/or tinnitus were observed carefully following facial nerve palsy and evaluated quantitatively by a scoring system. Using this system, a mathematical formula was obtained to predict sequelae from the severity of facial nerve palsy. The severity of palsy at 2 weeks and 2 months after its onset was an important sign for prediction of sequelae.     

The translabyrinthine approach for the removal of large acoustic neuromas

The results and the sequelae are reported from a series of consecutive 400 translabyrinthine removals of acoustic neuromas comprising almost all such tumors in Denmark during a 12-year period from 1976 to 1988. There were two intrameatal, 137 median-sized, 112 large and 149 advanced tumors, the latter having a diameter exceeding 40 mm. The mortality rate in the overall series was 2%. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 11%, and persisted for more than 2 weeks in 4%. Facial nerve function was completely normal in 67% of the patients, while only 5% required a nerve anastomosis.     

The translabyrinthine approach for the removal of large acoustic neuromas

Summary The results and the sequelae are reported from a series of consecutive 400 translabyrinthine removals of acoustic neuromas comprising almost all such tumors in Denmark during a 12-year period from 1976 to 1988. There were two intrameatal, 137 mediansized, 112 large and 149 advanced tumors, the latter having a diameter exceeding 40 mm. The mortality rate in the overall series was 2%. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 11%, and persisted for more than 2 weeks in 4%. Facial nerve function was completely normal in 67% of the patients, while only 5% required a nerve anastomosis.Presented at the First European Congress of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Paris, 26–29 September 1988     

七叶皂苷钠联合小剂量泼尼松治疗亚急性甲状腺炎女性患者的疗效及安全性

目的 评价七叶皂苷钠联合小剂量泼尼松治疗亚急性甲状腺炎女性患者的临床疗效及安全性。 方法 选取亚急性甲状腺炎女性患者80例,随机分为观察组和对照组,各40例。对照组口服泼尼松30 mg/d,分3次服用;治疗第三个周,口服泼尼松20 mg/d,分3次服用;随后每两周剂量减少5 mg,直至停药。观察组口服泼尼松5 mg/d,同时静脉滴注七叶皂苷钠10 mg/d,每10 d为一个疗程,每个疗程之间间隔一周,共治疗4周。于治疗前、治疗7 d、治疗1个月,以及治疗2个月时,检测两组患者促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)以及纤维蛋白原(FIB)水平,症状消失时间及不良反应。 结果 组内比较,两组治疗前后不同时间点FT3、FT4、ESR、CRP、TSH水平差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。组间比较,治疗7 d时,观察组ESR、CRP、TSH低于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);治疗1个月时,观察组FT4、ESR低于对照组(P<0.01);治疗2个月,观察组CRP、FIB低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组的症状缓解时间低于对照组(P<0.01),不良反应发生率低于对照组(P<0.01)。 结论 七叶皂苷钠联合小剂量的泼尼松治疗亚急性甲状腺炎患者,起效快、疗效好,不良反应少,值得临床推广应用。     

Prognosis is predicted by early hearing improvement in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The time-course of the recovery of the hearing level after treatment in 90 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was examined. The improvement rate calculated relative to the hearing level of the opposite ear was investigated to estimate the hearing recovery. Follow-up audiograms were performed once per week for 1 month after treatment and once per month thereafter. There were two groups that differed with respect to the characteristics of hearing recovery. One group showed an improvement rate of over 50% at 1-2 weeks and a good improvement rate at 3 months after treatment. In the other group, the improvement rate did not reach 50% at 1-2 weeks, and the improvement rate was poor at 3 months after treatment. The patients with improvement rates of over 50% at 1-2 weeks had earlier initial visits and had mild hearing loss, whereas the patients with profound hearing loss had improvement rates under 50% and poor long-term prognosis. We conclude that the improvement rate at 1-2 weeks after treatment predicts the long-term prognosis for recovery of hearing level in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.     

12月龄以下婴儿人工耳蜗植入的可行性分析与手术技巧

目的 分析12月龄以下婴儿人工耳蜗植入的可行性和相关手术技巧.方法 14例12月龄以下婴儿及63例13～24月龄幼儿在上海交通大学附属新华医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科植入单侧人工耳蜗.记录分析内容分为两部分,手术相关部分包括手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、手术并发症,听力学部分包括声场啭音听阈、听力表现指数、言语发育商、咿呀学语发生及爆发月龄.结果 婴儿组与幼儿组的住院时间((-x)±s,下同)分别为(5.1±0.5)d和(5.8±1.1)d,差异有统计学意义(t=-3.17,P<0.05);术后并发症发生率分别为7.1%(1/14)和11.1%(7/63),差异无统计学意义(x2=0.19,P<0.05);手术时间、术中出血量差异无统计学意义(t值分别为1.55和-0.86,P值均<0.05).随访时间12～24个月,随访期间,两组患儿声场啭音听阈、言语发育商均有提高,但差异无统计学意义(t值分别为4.6和3.8,P值均<0.05).80%(8/10)婴儿在术后24个月听力表现指数达到6～7分,且咿呀学语发生在(14.1 ±0.9)月龄,明显优于幼儿组的(22.6±3.0)月龄.结论 12月龄以下婴儿人工耳蜗植入具有可行性,可缩短患儿听力剥夺时间,但其手术技巧和经验要求较高,建议有经验的耳科医师有选择地谨慎开展这一领域的研究.     

The influence of the surgical and medicamental treatment on the olfactory function in the patients presenting with polypous rhinosinusitis

The objective of the present investigation was to study dynamics of the olfactory function in the patients presenting with polypous rhinosinusitis receiving medicamental therapy and in different periods after the surgical intervention. A total of 40 patients were available for the examination in the "Sniffin Sticks" test. The patients of group 1 (n=20) were treated with intramuscular injections of dexamethasone (8 mg twice daily) with gradual tapering the dose during 10 days. The patients comprising group 2 underwent bilateral endoscopic polysinusotomy. Both treatment modalities were followed by momethasone fuorate therapy 6 months in duration. Examination of the patients on the first control visit (i.e. within 1 month after the onset of the treatment) revealed the significant improvement of all measured olfactory parameters that were not significantly different between the two groups. On the second control visit (within 4 months after the onset of the treatment), the patients of group 1 showed a significantly impaired ability to identify smells although other olfactory parameters remained virtually unaltered as compared with those on the first visit. At the same time, no significant impairment of the olfactory function was apparent in the patients of group 2. It is concluded that the patients having non-obstructive polyps in the nasal cavity should be advised in the first place to undergo a course of glucocorticosteroid therapy rather than surgical treatment because the results of conservative therapy and endoscopic polysinusotomy do not differ significantly, at least within the first 4 months after the beginning of the treatment.     

Postirradiation sinus mucosa disease in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We sought to determine the incidence, progression, and risk factors for postirradiation sinus mucosa diseases (SMD) incidentally found on follow-up magnetic resonance images MRIs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.STUDY DESIGN: RETROSPECTIVE. METHODS: The medical records, pre- and postradiotherapy (RT) MRIs were reviewed in NPC patients. Lund-Mackay system for staging of rhinosinusitis (Lund score) was used as a tool for investigation. RESULTS: One hundred twelve NPC patients (77 males and 35 females) were recruited in this study. The distribution of tumor staging in these patients were 39 (34.8%) patients in T1,23(20.5%) in T2, 31(27.7%) in T3, and 19 (17.0%) in T4 by MRI staging before RT. In these 62 patients with normal sinus ventilation before RT, 42 (67.7%) patients returned to having SMDs 3 months after RT. The maxillary,anterior ethmoid, and posterior ethmoid sinuses were most readily affected. In patients with SMDs at 3 months postRT, advanced tumor stage (P = .013) and smoking habit (P =.047) were the two factors that significantly influence Lund score. When comparing Lund score with different times after radiation therapy, a trend of decrease in Lund score could be noted from 3 months to 3 years after irradiation.CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and severity of SMD was found to be highest at 3 months postRT and decreased gradually with time. Conservative management with clinical symptom correlation should be attempted first in these patients. In these NPC patients,advanced tumor stage and smoking habit would predispose them to SMD development.     

Surgical management of Bell's palsy.

OBJECTIVES: Incomplete return of facial motor function and synkinesis continue to be long-term sequelae in some patients with Bell's palsy. The aim of this report is to describe a prospective study in which a well-defined surgical decompression of the facial nerve was performed in a population of patients with Bell's palsy who exhibit the electrophysiologic features associated with poor outcomes. In addition, management issues related to Bell's palsy including herpes simplex virus typel etiology, the natural history, electrodiagnostic testing, and efficacy of surgical strategies are reviewed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective clinical trial was designed utilizing electroneurography (ENOG) and voluntary electromyography (EMG) to identify patients with Bell's palsy who would most likely develop poor return of facial function, as suggested by Fisch and Esslen. Patients who displayed electrodiagnostic features of poor outcome, >90% degeneration on ENOG testing and no voluntary motor unit EMG potentials within 14 days of onset of total paralysis, were offered a surgical decompression of the facial nerve through a middle cranial fossa surgical exposure, including the tympanic segment, geniculate ganglion, labyrinthine segment, and meatal foramen. Control subjects were those who displayed similar electrodiagnostic features and time course. RESULTS: Subjects who did not reach 90% degeneration on ENOG within 14 days of paralysis all returned to House-Brackmann grade I (n = 48) or II (n = 6) at 7 months after onset of the paralysis. Control subjects self-selecting not to undergo surgical decompression when >90% degeneration on ENOG and no motor unit potentials on EMG were identified had a 58% chance of developing a poor outcome at 7 months after onset of paralysis (House-Brackmann grade III or IV [n = 19]). A group with similar ENOG and EMG findings undergoing middle fossa facial nerve decompression exhibited House-Brackmann grade I (n = 14) or II (n = 17) in 91% of the cases. An exact permutation test confirmed that the surgical group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with a good outcome (House-Brackmann grade I or II) (P = .0002). CONCLUSION: Electroneurography in combination with voluntary EMG successfully identified patients who will most likely return to normal from those who had a greater chance of long-term sequelae from Bell's palsy. Surgical decompression medial to the geniculate ganglion significantly improves the chances of normal or near-normal return of facial function in the group that has a high probability of a poor result. Surgical decompression must be performed within 2 weeks of onset of total paralysis for it to be effective.     

Chronology of labyrinthitis ossificans induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: Labyrinthitis ossificans consists of novel osteogenesis that fills the normally patent cochlear and vestibular lumen as an end-stage sequelae to various pathologies. This study was designed to establish the sequence of events and chronology of the osteoneogenesis and calcification. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized double-blind study. METHODS: By using serial application of different colored fluorochromes, which deposit in newly forming bone, the timing of bone deposition and bone remodeling can be established. Labyrinthitis ossificans was induced in six groups (n = 5) of gerbils by an intrathecal injection of live Streptococcus pneumoniae. Group 1 received no fluorochrome labels, group 2 received one label, group 3 received three labels, and groups 4, 5, and 6 received four labels. The temporal bones were harvested after 2 weeks (group 1), 1 month (group 2), 3 months (group 3), 4 months (group 4), 6 months (group 5), and 12 months (group 6). RESULTS: Sixteen of the 25 animals that received labels developed ossification, demonstrated with fluorescent microscopy. In the animals that developed labyrinthitis ossificans, newly formed disorganized bone began calcifying as early as 3 weeks (label 1) after S. pneumoniae injection. Osteoneogenesis continued as evidenced by the presence of the other labels when first applied at 6 weeks (label 2), and 10 weeks (label 3). Ossification, calcification, and remodeling proceeded through a 12-month course, wherein a reduction of labels was present at 6 months and total disappearance by 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The use of fluorescent stains in this animal model provides a means to establish a timeline of the ossification seen in labyrinthitis ossificans.     

Nasal saline for chronic sinonasal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine if isotonic sodium chloride (hereinafter "saline") nasal irrigations performed with large volume and delivered with low positive pressure are more effective than saline sprays at improving quality of life and decreasing medication use. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 127 adults with chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to irrigation performed with large volume and delivered with low positive pressure (n = 64) or spray (n = 63) for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in symptom severity measured by mean 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) score; change in symptom frequency measured with a global question; and change in medication use. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients were evaluable. The irrigation group achieved lower SNOT-20 scores than the spray group at all 3 time points: 4.4 points lower at 2 weeks (P = .02); 8.2 points lower at 4 weeks (P < .001); and 6.4 points lower at 8 weeks (P = .002). When symptom frequency was analyzed, 40% of subjects in the irrigation group reported symptoms "often or always" at 8 weeks compared with 61% in the spray group (absolute risk reduction, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.38 (P = .01). No significant differences in sinus medication use were seen between groups. CONCLUSION: Nasal irrigations performed with large volume and delivered with low positive pressure are more effective than saline sprays for treatment of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms in a community-based population.     

Impact of nasal polyps on quality of life of chronic sinusitis patients

Objective To study the significance of nasal polyps on the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and their influence on surgical outcomes. Methods Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data comparing two groups of patients diagnosed with CRS with and without polyps who underwent surgery with a minimum of 3 month follow up period. Subjective scoring was performed using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) questionnaire. Computed tomography (CT) scans were compared using the Lund-Mackay scoring system. Endoscopic findings were graded according to Lanza and Kennedy staging system. The two groups were analyzed for the need of revision surgery. Results 30 patients underwent surgical management of CRS over a period of one year. 20 were male, 10 were female and the average age was 26 years (range 15–55years). Polyps were present in 15 patients with CRS while, the other 15 did not have polyps. The average CT score was 10.13 for the polyp group and 9.79 for patients without polyp.The Polyp group SNOT-20 preoperative scores averaged 20.27 with improvement to 3.80 at 2 weeks, 2.67 at 1 month and 2.93 at 3 months (86.21% improvement p=0.001). Non-polyp group SNOT-20 scores were 18.80 preoperatively with improvement to 4.67 at 2 weeks, 3.40 at 1 month and 3.27 at 3 months (81.83% improvement). Preop diagnostic endoscopy on polyp group was 5.27 which improved to 2.13 in 2 weeks, 1.33 in 1 month and 1.53 in 3 months (73% improvement). In the non polyp group it was 4.53 pre-operatively which improved to 1.20 in 2 weeks, 0.93 in 1 month and to 1.13 in 3months (69% improvement). 6 patients required revision surgery (20%), 3 (10%) belonging to polyp group and 3 (10%) who did not have polyps. Conclusion Nasal Polyp has a significant negative impact on the patients with CRS. Patients with polyps have higher symptom scores, worse objective findings compared with patients without polyp, but patients with polyp show more improvement after surgical intervention and need for revision surgery is equal in both groups.     

He-Ne激光、高流量吸氧及牛血去蛋白治疗外伤性鼓膜穿孔

目的评价He-Ne激光、高流量吸氧配合药物治疗外伤性鼓膜穿孔的疗效。方法 将外伤性鼓膜穿孔患者112例随机分为治疗组（42例43耳）、对照Ａ组（40例40耳）、对照Ｂ组（30例30耳）。治疗组应用He-Ne激光局部照射、配合药物治疗同时高流量吸氧；对照Ａ组自然恢复、对照Ｂ组采用鼓膜贴补治疗。于治疗2、4周后分别观察鼓膜穿孔的愈合情况。随访3个月。结果治疗组治疗2、4周后治愈率分别为71.43%、95.24%，明显高于对照Ａ组（P＜0.01），与对照Ｂ组比较，差异无统计学意义。结论He-Ne激光、高流量吸氧配合药物治疗外伤性鼓膜穿孔疗效良好，鼓膜愈合时间缩短，治愈率高。     

通鼻消涕颗粒治疗慢性鼻窦炎的临床观察

目的 本课题拟对中药通鼻消涕颗粒与抗生素克拉霉素片治疗慢性鼻窦炎的临床疗效作一对比研究.方法 收集慢性鼻窦炎不伴鼻息肉患者.采用单盲的方法随机分为实验组(通鼻消涕颗粒组)36例与对照组(克拉霉素片组)36例.分别给予通鼻消涕颗粒和克拉霉素片口服治疗1个月.观察治疗前、治疗后2周及1个月的症状VAS积分及鼻内镜检查Lun...     

重复经颅磁刺激对耳鸣患者听觉处理功能的影响

目的 探讨不同刺激频率的重复经颅磁刺激(repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,rTMS)对主观性耳鸣患者听觉处理功能的影响.方法 10例主观性耳鸣患者随机分为低频组和高频组进行rTMS治疗,每组5例,低频组采用1 Hz刺激频率,高频组采用10 Hz刺激频率,每天1次,...     

Electroneurography value as an indicator of high risk for the development of moderate-to-severe synkinesis after Bell’s palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Abstract

Background: The degree of distress caused by the sequelae of peripheral facial nerve palsy usually depends on the severity of synkinesis.

Objective: To clarify whether electroneurography (ENoG) can predict the severity of synkinesis after peripheral facial nerve palsy.

Materials and methods: One-hundred and fourteen patients treated for facial nerve palsy at our hospital from April 2014–September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. ENoG was performed 10–16 days after symptom onset. Patients were classified into Groups A (ENoG value 10%–20%, n?=?9) and B (ENoG value <10%, n?=?21). Eight months after symptom onset, electrophysiological and symptomatic outcomes were evaluated as the aberrant regeneration ratio of the blink reflex and the total synkinesis score of the Sunnybrook facial grading system, respectively. The outcomes of the groups were compared.

Results: Group B had a significantly higher median aberrant regeneration ratio (0% versus 87%, p=.015), median total synkinesis score (1 versus 3, p?<?.001), and incidence of moderate-to-severe synkinesis (0% versus 57.2%, p=.003) than did Group A.

Conclusions and significance: Patients with an ENoG value of <10% have higher risks of aberrant regeneration and moderate-to-severe synkinesis than those with an ENoG value of 10%–20%. Patients with ENoG values of <10% may require rehabilitation to prevent synkinesis.     

+ - Reconstruction of the intratemporal facial nerve using interposition nerve graft: time course of recovery in facial movement and electrophysiological findings

CONCLUSIONS: Data about the recovery course of facial function after intratemporal facial nerve reconstruction using interposition nerve graft would provide useful information for clinicians to understand the regenerative process of the facial nerve after this type of surgery. It would also enable them to obtain informed consent from the patients by preoperatively explaining the predicted outcome of the postoperative facial paralysis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the recovery course of facial movement and electrophysiological findings after intratemporal facial nerve reconstruction using interposition graft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients who underwent reconstruction of the facial nerve using interposition nerve graft immediately after facial nerve excision during surgery for temporal bone lesions were included in this study. Each patient was evaluated for facial movement (Yanagihara score), blink reflex (BR), and electroneurography (ENoG) preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Improvement in facial movement began 8-10 months postoperatively. The score then gradually increased, and reached a plateau level by 2 years following surgery. The final score in four of the five patients ranged from 20 to 24 points, while the facial score of one patient only reached 12 points even at 3 years after surgery. All patients demonstrated moderate to severe synkinesis. The reappearance of R1 in BR occurred 7-10 months postoperatively, almost simultaneously with the beginning of recovery of facial movement. The latency of R1 on the operated side became shortened with increasing postoperative time, although it remained considerably longer than that on the unoperated side, even after 2 postoperative years. The onset of recovery of ENoG value (10-12 months postoperatively) was always delayed compared with the actual facial movement recovery and never returned to the level in the unoperated side.