小儿耳蜗植入后电诱发复合动作电位的阈值及其临床应用

目的：研究应用神经反应遥测（neural response telemetry,NRT)技术，测试电诱发复合动作电位（electrically-evoked compound action potential,ECAP)阈值以指导小儿人工耳蜗映射调图的策略与时机。方法：应用NRT3．0软件对辐值增长函数进行线性拟合，确定ECAP阈值。比较6例儿童植入者在术后1、2、3个月ECAP阈值的变化，同时比较了7例儿童术中、术后ECAP阈值的差异。结果：ECAP幅值增长函数在接近阈值或进入饱和时不再呈线性。术后ECAP阈值保持稳定。各导电极的术中ECAP阈值比术后阈值平均高约15CL，二者有显著性相关（R2＝0．9154）。结论：应选取幅值增长函数的直线段部分进行拟合以确定ECAP阈值。术后应用ECAP阈值指导小儿映射调图时，测试一次ECAP阈值即可。术中ECAP阈值可用作开机时映射图的C值。     

神经反应遥测技术在人工耳蜗术后调试中的应用

目的通过对小儿人工耳蜗植入者术后言语处理器调试中运用NRT（神经反应遥侧）技术效果的分析．探讨NRT在人工耳蜗术后调试中的应用价值。方法选取10例术后主观调试配合欠佳的儿童．用Cochlear公司NRT3．0编程软件进行ECAP波形检测并测定ECAP阈值，利用测试结果判断主观阈值（T-值）和最大舒适阈（C-值），并得出言语处理器映射图（Map）。术后6个月行声场听阈测听。结果86．2％的电极引出ECAP波形，开机调试时反应阈值较小，以后逐渐升高，3～4个月左右闽值逐渐趋于稳定，而且靠近蜗底的阈值比蜗尖高。声场平均听阈为30～40dBSPL。经过言语康复训练，获得良好的效果。结论NRT技术可为术后快速准确地调试言语处理器提供客观依据．     

神经反应遥测技术在人工耳蜗植入术中的应用

目的 探讨人工耳蜗植入术中神经反应遥测(neural response telemetry，NRT)技术的应用情况。方法 对10例Nucleus CI24M及4例Nucleus CI24R(CS)人工耳蜗植入术的患儿在术中及术后一个月进行NRT检测，比较两者术中和术后的电诱发复合动作电位(electrically-evoked compound action potential，ECAP)阈值差异，并利用术中ECAP阈值指导首个言语处理器映射图。结果 14例患儿术中各电极的ECAP平均阈值均高于术后一个月开机时相应电极的ECAP平均阈值，CI24M植入体各电极的术中ECAP阈值比术后相应电极的ECAP阈值平均高11CL；术中10个电极相应的ECAP波形采集只需5分钟；术后开机整个过程约1小时。结论 术中应用NRT技术可快捷地了解植入体安置的情况，指导术后首个映射图的调试，明显节省了术后开机调试的时间，操作简单、方便，值得推广。     

儿童人工耳蜗植入术后电诱发复合动作电位分析

目的 应用神经反应遥测(NRT)技术,观察人工耳蜗植入后不同时间段的电诱发复合动作电位(ECAP)阈值变化,探讨其对人工耳蜗术后调机的指导意义。方法 对33例使用Nucleus CI24R(CA)型人工耳蜗植入的患儿,于术中及术后1、1.5、2、4、6个月进行ECAP 阈值测试,统计分析其变化规律。结果 33例165个电极的波形检出率为93.3%。电极1、7、11、17、22的术中ECAP阈值与术后30d开机时的ECAP阈值的差异有统计学意义。同一测试电极,随术后开机时间的增长,ECAP阈值呈逐渐增加的趋势。经单因素方差分析,术后不同测试时间ECAP阈值差异有统计学意义。结论 ECAP检出率高,术中可用于检测神经反应;术后可协助估算患者的行为反应T、C级,指导调机,尤其对儿童患者更为重要。     

神经反应遥测技术应用于婴幼儿人工耳蜗植入的作用和体会

目的探讨应用神经反应遥测技术（NRT）在人工耳蜗植入术中监测,术后调机中的作用和经验体会。方法回顾性分析38例经历人工耳蜗植入的婴幼儿的临床资料,收集每例患者在术中、术后开机、调机应用NRT测试电诱发听神经复合动作电位（ECAP）的阈值数据,应用听觉整合量表（IT MAIS）评估行为听觉言语功能。结果38例婴幼儿在术中植电极进入耳蜗后均实施NRT测试,每例测试5个电极,分别为1、6、11、16、22号电极,共测试了190个电极,其中163个电极（85.8%）引出了ECAP,其平均阈值为（163.8±21.2）CL。近端1号电极ECAP阈值显著高于远端22号电极（P<0.05）。从开机到开机后12个月,各电极ECAP阈值无显著变化。3岁以下患儿中,25例患儿在各次NRT测试时所有电极都能引出ECAP,而8例患儿存在1~5个电极不能引出ECAP,在开机12个月后,后者的IT MAIS积分与前者比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论人工耳蜗植入后NRT测试的ECAP阈值在近端电极显著高于远端电极,耳蜗内数个电极引不出ECAP不影响术后的听觉言语康复。     

人工耳蜗植入术后神经反应遥测阈值与行为阈值及舒适阈的比较

目的　通过对人工耳蜗植入术后不同患者神经反应遥测 (neuralresponsetelemetry,NRT)阈值与行为反应阈值 (T level,T级 )及舒适阈 (C level,C级 )的比较 ,试图为小年龄或不能给予准确反应的患者客观估算人工耳蜗植入术后行为反应T、C级提供依据。方法　受试对象为使用NucleusCI2 4M型多导人工耳蜗系统的 70例患者。共测试 3 2 9个电极。测试软件为NRT2 0 4版本。NRT阈值的测试采用单极刺激方式 (monopolarstimulationmode) ,分别测试每一位患者的第 3、5、10、15、2 0号电极。T级和C级的测试均于NRT测试同日进行。结果　 70例患者的 3 2 9个电极的NRT波形检出率为 92 7%。同一患者不同编号电极的NRT反应幅值和阈值及不同患者同一编号电极的NRT反应幅值和阈值均存在差异。NRT阈值的均值介于行为反应T级和C级的均值之间。NRT阈值及T、C级的数值自蜗底至蜗顶呈下降趋势。结论　NRT阈值、T级和C级的个体差异较大 ,尚不能根据NRT阈值对T级和C级进行准确的判断。但NRT技术可为不能配合术后调试的儿童患者的行为反应T、C级的估算提供客观的方法。NRT这一新技术仍有待于改进     

儿童人工耳蜗植入术后神经反应遥测阈值的变化

目的:通过对儿童患者术后神经反应遥测 (NRT) 阈值的分析,总结其变化规律,为儿童人工耳蜗植入术后调试提供帮助.方法:测试40例接受Nucleus CI24R 型多导人工耳蜗单侧植入术的患儿.测试使用澳大利亚Cochlear公司提供的便携式调试系统及NRT3.1版本软件.采用削减算法提取NRT反应波形,分别测试每位患者的第1、5、10、15、20号电极,NRT阈值使用NRT软件计算.分别在开机时、开机3、6和12个月时进行测试.结果:在术后同一测试时间,位于耳蜗不同部位电极的NRT阈值存在差异.耳蜗底部和顶部电极的NRT阈值较低,而位于耳蜗中部的电极NRT阈值较高.经单因素方差分析,不同部位NRT阈值均差异有统计学意义.同一测试电极,随术后开机时间的增长,NRT阈值呈逐渐增加的趋势.经单因素方差分析,术后不同测试时间NRT阈值均差异有统计学意义.结论:术后开机1年内,NRT阈值呈逐渐增加的趋势.若人工耳蜗植入术后调试需要NRT进行辅助,每次均应测试NRT阈值,以便更准确估算患者的行为反应T、C级,尤其对植入术后1年内的儿童患者更为重要.     

客观听觉监测技术在人工耳蜗植入中的临床应用

目的：比较电诱发镫骨肌反射技术（ESR）及神经反应遥测技术（NRT）的临床特点及应用价值。方法：对21例行Cochlear Nucleus 24R（CA）型人工耳蜗植入者分别选取1、7、11、17、22号电极,应用Cochlear公司提供的NRT3.0软件分别进行术中ESR和NRT检测、术后主观心理物理测试,测定电诱发镫骨肌反射阈值（ESRT）、电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值（ECAP）和听阈阈值（T-levels）,并对其ESRT、ECAP和T-levels进行相关性研究。结果：ESRT、NRT、T-levels检出率分别为96.19%、93.33%、100%。ESRT平均阈值为206.61±10.74、208.48±13.64、205.52±14.63、203.76±12.97、199.5±11.19;NRT平均阈值分别为184.11±6.35、188.55±11.70、187.00±12.29、181.85±13.22、179.00±10.50;T-levels平均阈值分别为145.48±18.66、148.62±8.22、146.62±18.08、142.52±13.11、140.33±13.68。各电极ESRT阈值均远远大于心理物理测试得到的T-levels阈值。ESRT、NRT、T-levels三者的均值趋势有较强的一致性。术中测试时间、测试方式、单方检出率、ESR均优于NRT。以所有电极作为观察对象,ESRT与NRT的相关性为0.69,NRT与T值的相关性为0.62,ESRT与T值之间的相关性为0.39。结论：术中应用ESR和NRT技术,可以第一时间反映植入体及听觉传导通路的情况,相对于NRT而言,ESR更为灵活、方便、精确和直观,在低龄患儿术后调试方面前者显示出更加客观的优越性。     

儿童人工耳蜗植入术后神经反应遥测阈值与行为反应值的关系

目的 :本文通过分析儿童人工耳蜗植入术后神经反应遥测 (neural response telemetry,NRT)阈值与行为反应阈值 (T- level,T级 )及最大舒适级 (C- level,C级 )的关系 ,试图为小年龄、合并其它残疾或不能配合调试的儿童客观估算术后行为反应 T、C级提供依据。方法 :受试对象为使用 Nucleus CI2 4 M型多导人工耳蜗系统的 5 4例儿童患者。测试软件为 NRT2 .0 4版本。硬件包括计算机、IF5 (Interface 5 )卡、调试控制界面 (processor control interface,PCI)及多导人工耳蜗系统。 NRT阈值的测试采用单极刺激方式 (monopolar stimulation mode) ,分别测试每一例患者的第 3、5、10、15、2 0号电极。 T、C级测试均于 NRT测试同日进行。结果 :5 4例患者的 2 5 4个电极的波形检出率为 92 .1%。所有电极的NRT阈值均大于 T级 ,NRT阈值超过 C级的电极占 31.5 %。NRT阈值的均值介于 T级和 C级的均值之间。NRT阈值与 T级的相关系数为 r=0 .4 3(P =0 .0 0 0 0 ) ,而 NRT阈值和 C级的相关系数为 r=0 .4 8(P =0 .0 0 0 0 ) ,这些相关关系为中等强度但却具有显著性。结论 :NRT阈值的测试为不能配合术后调试的儿童患者的行为反应 T级和 C级的估算提供了客观的方法。 NRT阈值、T级和 C级的个体差异较大 ,尚不能单独根据 NRT阈     

人工耳蜗植入术后神经反应遥测阈值与行为阈值及舒适阈的比较

目的 通过对人工耳蜗植入术后不同患者神经反应遥测（neural response telemetr,NRT)阈值与行为反应阈值（T-level,T级）及舒适阈（C-level,C级）的比较，试图为小年龄或不能给予准确反应的患者客观估算人工耳蜗植入术后行为反应T、C级提供依据。方法 受试对象为使用Nucleus CI24M型多导人工耳蜗系统的70例患者。共测试329个电极。测试软件为NRT2.04版本。NRT阈值的测试采用单极刺激方式（monopolar stimulation mode)，分别测试每一位患者的第3、5、10、15、20号电极。T级和C级的测试均于NRT测试同日进行。结果 70例患者的329个电极的NRT波形检出率为92.7%。同一患者不同编号电极的NRT反应幅值和阈值及不同患者同一编号电极的NRT反应幅值和阈值均存在差异。NRT阈值的均值介于行为反应T级和C级的均值之间。NRT阈值及T、C级的数值自蜗底至蜗顶呈下降趋势。结论 NRT阈值、T级和C级的个体差异较大，尚不能根据NRT阈值对T级和C级进行准确的判断。但NRT技术可为不能配合术后调试的儿童患者的行为反应T、C级的估算提供客观的方法。NRT这一新技术仍有待于改进。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Lack of significant estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in nasal telangiectasias in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: an immunohistochemical analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by snoring and apnea during sleep leading to decreased oxygen saturation and disturbed sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness and neuropsychological disturbances. This study investigates cognitive neuropsychological abilities in a group of 53 OSAS patients before and after treatment with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. General intellectual ability, verbal learning and memory as well as executive functioning were measured at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. After surgery there were significant improvements in verbal learning and memory (mean change - 39, SD 57.3, p <0.001), recall (mean change - 24.3, SD 39.3, p <0.001) and executive functioning (as assessed by percentage of errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; mean change-9.1, SD 15.7, p <0.001). These improvements were in accordance with improvements in the degree of sleep apnea, the oxygen desaturation index (mean change -9.7, SD 15.9, p <0.001) and arterial minimum oxygen saturation (mean change 4.5%, SD 10.2%, p <0.01). Surgical treatment seems to improve verbal learning, memory and recall and executive functions in parallel with better oxygenation in OSAS.     

Measurement of chemosensory function

Although hundreds of thousands of patients seek medical help annually for disorders of taste and smell, relatively few medical practitioners quantitatively test their patients' chemosensory function, taking their complaints at face value. This is clearly not the approach paid to patients complaining of visual, hearing, or balance problems. Accurate chemosensory testing is essential to establish the nature, degree, and veracity of a patient's complaint, as well as to aid in counseling and in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment strategies and decisions. In many cases, patients perseverate on chemosensory loss that objective assessment demonstrates has resolved. In other cases, patients are malingering. Olfactory testing is critical for not only establishing the validity and degree of the chemosensory dysfunction, but for helping patients place their dysfunction into perspective relative to the function of their peer group. It is well established, for example, that olfactory dysfunction is the rule, rather than the exception, in members of the older population. Moreover, it is now apparent that such dysfunction can be an early sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Importantly, older anosmics are three times more likely to die over the course of an ensuring five-year period than their normosmic peers, a situation that may be averted in some cases by appropriate nutritional and safety counseling. This review provides the clinician, as well as the academic and industrial researcher, with an overview of the available means for accurately assessing smell and taste function, including up-to-date information and normative data for advances in this field.