The impact of speech impairment in early childhood: Investigating parents’ and speech-language pathologists’ perspectives using the ICF-CY

PurposeTo explore the application of the Activities and Participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Children and Youth (ICF-CY, World Health Organization, 2007) as a framework for investigating the perceived impact of speech impairment in childhood.MethodA 32-item questionnaire based on six ICF-CY domains was distributed to (a) a national sample of speech-language pathologists (SLPs; n = 205), and (b) parents (n = 86) of preschool children identified with speech impairment.ResultsFactor analysis of the SLP data revealed six coherent factors with moderate-high internal reliability: Verbal communication (e.g., Conversation, Speaking), Advanced learning (e.g., Learning to read/write), Interpersonal interactions (e.g., Relating with strangers, Informal social relationships), Basic learning (e.g., Copying, Rehearsing), Applied learning and general tasks (e.g., Focussing attention, Handling stress), and Non-verbal communication. The first five factors were also confirmed by the parent data. Both SLPs and parents rated the first two factors, Verbal communication and Interpersonal interactions, as the most difficult activities for children with speech impairment.ConclusionThe ICF-CY Activities and Participation component is a useful framework for considering the breadth of activities that may be impacted by speech impairment in childhood.Learning outcomes: (1) Discuss the potential use of the ICF-CY in speech-language pathology; (2) Describe the breadth of activities that may be difficult for children as a result of speech impairment; and (3) Recognize that SLPs and parents may have different perspectives regarding the impact of speech impairment on children's activities and participation.     

Correction to: Two-handed tying technique in vocal fold mucosa microsuture for the treatment of Reinke’s edema

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - In the original publication, the patient number was incorrectly published under the “Methods” heading in the abstract section. The incorrect...     

Polymorphic analysis of the heat-shock protein 70 gene (HSPA1A) in Ménière's disease

Conclusions. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 190 G/C in HSP70-1 (HSPA1A) was found to be a factor associated with Ménière's disease (MD). It is suggested that SNP 190 G/C could be scientific evidence to prove the relation between MD and stress as a trigger factor. Objective. Although it is widely known that MD might be caused by psychological stress, definitive scientific evidence has not been established. To understand an association between stress and MD, we analyzed the SNP of HSP70-1 (HSPA1A) in patients with MD. Subjects and methods. We enrolled 49 patients given a diagnosis MD, consisting of 20 men and 29 women. Controls were 100 normal subjects. We isolated genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes with the PAX gene Blood DNA kit (Qiagen®), and determined the SNP of HSPA1A. All subjects were investigated as regards hearing level and vertigo attacks, and were evaluated as to the profile of mood states (POMS) concerning psychological stress. Results. A SNP located on position 190 was found within a regulatory region in HSPA1A, and the frequency of having at least one 190C allele was significantly higher in the MD patients than the controls (p<0.001).     

Stapes surgery preserving the superstructure of stapes (Takagi’s stapedotomy) in otosclerosis: A retrospective study of 24 consecutive cases

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing outcomes and complications of stapedotomy in which the stapes superstructure was preserved (Takagi’s stapedotomy). In this surgical approach, the lenticular process of the incus rather is removed, than the superstructure of the stapes.

Multisystem Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis (Hand-Schüller-Christian disease) in an adult: a case report and review of the literature

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare and enigmatic clonal disorder that affects mainly children. It is characterized by single or multiple granulomatous mass lesions composed of cells with the Langerhans cell phenotype. Clinical presentation and behavior are heterogeneous and can range from a solitary lytic bone lesion (i.e., eosinophilic granuloma) with a favorable course to a fatal disseminated leukaemia-like form, with a wide spectrum of intermediate clinical presentations between these two extremes. Although LCH typically involves the bone, lesions can be found in almost all organs. We are reporting the case of a multisystem LCH in a 47-year-old patient who presented with a panhypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus, and who, 5 years later, developed mandibular, mastoid and femoral lesions. The final diagnosis of LCH was made on mandibular biopsy.     

Local sclerotherapy with polydocanol (Aethoxysklerol®) for the treatment of Epistaxis in Rendu-Osler-Weber or Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT): 15 years of experience

Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia or Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant vascular disease characterized by mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal telangiectases and localized arteriovenous malformations in lung, brain and liver. Epistaxis, due to rupture of telangiectases of the nasal mucosa, is the most frequent clinical manifestation, leading in many cases to severe impairment of the quality of life in the patients. Though several treatments have been used to reduce epistaxis, none have been completely effective, with the exception of polydocanol (Aethoxysklerol?) in submucosal or subpericondrial injections, which was first presented in 2000 with very good results. After fifteen years using polydocanol in submucosal injections on 45 patients and with nearly 300 injections, we have observed that in 95% of all cases, their nose bleeds improved with respect to frequency and quantity without any important side effects. There was just one case of septal perforation, another with increased septal perforation, and one patient who suffered from dizziness and blurred vision for a few minutes. In this paper the results obtained using this technique over a fifteen-year period will be presented and evaluated.     

Validation of the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19) to assess Spanish-speaking cochlear implant users’ auditory abilities in everyday communication situations

Conclusion: The Spanish-language HISQUI₁₉ is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for quantifying the self-perceived level of auditory benefit that cochlear implant (CI) users experience in everyday listening situations. Objectives: To validate the Spanish-language version of The Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI₁₉), a questionnaire for quantifying the self-perceived level of auditory benefit that CI users experience in everyday listening situations. Methods: Adult Spanish-speaking subjects with a CI were asked to complete a Spanish-language version of the HISQUI₁₉. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach’s α coefficient; exploratory factor analyses with a rotated (varimax) factor solution was applied to check construct validity; external validity was confirmed using Pearson’s correlation. Test–re-test analysis was also performed. The MED-EL Assessment Database was used to assist in the administration, reporting, and data collection. Results: Sixty-six of 77 subjects completed and returned the HISQUI₁₉. The mean score auditory ability score (mean?±?standard deviation) of the HISQUI₁₉ was 79.9?±?24.0, a ‘moderate’ auditory benefit. An inverse relationship was found between the HISQUI₁₉ score and age at implantation. Gender and side of implantation did not influence self-perceived functioning. The objective measures (disyllables tested without lip-reading and in quiet) were correlated with the Total Score.     

Older adults’ performance on the speech,spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ): Test-retest reliability and a comparison of interview and self-administration methods

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to examine the test-retest properties of the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ) and to determine if the method of test administration affected these properties. Four groups of 40 older adult participants completed the SSQ twice at an interval of about a half year, using either the same or different administration methods at the two test times. The SSQ was administered using an interview method and/or it was self-administered and then returned by mail. Although the method of test administration did not systematically affect scores on the SSQ, the highest test-retest correlation (r = 0.83) was observed using the interview method at both test times, making it the best choice for the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions. The other three combinations of dual-administration in this study also provided reliable results and may be preferable because the self-administration method is less time-consuming and labour-intensive. In conclusion, both the interview and self-administration methods are recommended, but with the best choice depending on the goals of the tester.

Sumario

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar las propiedades test-retest de la escala de audición del habla, espacial y de cualidades (SSQ) y determinar si el método de administración de la prueba afecta esas propiedades. Cuatro grupos de 40 participantes adultos mayores completaron el SSQ dos veces con un intervalo de cerca de medio año, usando (tanto) el mismo o un diferente método de administración en los dos tiempos de la prueba. El SSQ se administró usando un método de entrevista y/o por la auto aplicación y luego, enviado por correo. No obstante que el método de administración de la prueba no afectó sistemáticamente las puntuaciones del SSQ, la mayor correlación test-retest (r = 0.83) se observó usando el método de entrevista en los dos tiempos de la prueba, haciendo de él la mejor selección para demostrar la efectividad de las intervenciones. Las otras tres combinaciones de la administración doble en este estudio, dieron resultados confiables y pueden ser preferibles, porque el método de auto aplicación consume menos tiempo y requiere menor trabajo intensivo. En conclusión, se recomiendan tanto los métodos de entrevista como el de auto aplicación, pero la mejor selección dependerá de las metas del examinador.     

Nuclear localization of mammary serine protease inhibitor (MASPIN): is its impact on the prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma due to a proapoptotic effect?

PURPOSE: Cell death by apoptosis is considered a regulator of cell number; cancer cells are defective in their response to apoptosis. Many potential markers of apoptosis are under study: M30 immunoreactivity is confined to the cytoplasm of apoptotic epithelial cells and is expressed during early apoptosis. Mammary serine protease inhibitor (MASPIN), a suppressor of tumor growth, seems to be involved in the induction of tumour cell apoptosis. The aim of our preliminary study was to investigate, for the first time, the relations between MASPIN subcellular pattern of expression, nuclear MASPIN expression, M30 expression, and prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcellular pattern of distribution of MASPIN and nuclear MASPIN expression were immunohistochemically determined in 66 consecutive cases of laryngeal carcinoma. M30 expression in correspondent carcinoma fields was also calculated. RESULTS: M30 expression was significantly higher in the group of laryngeal carcinomas with MASPIN nuclear localization (P = .024). Our investigation found a reduced carcinoma recurrence rate in the group of patients with MASPIN nuclear localization (P value = .0086). The log-rank test showed a significantly longer disease-free interval in patients with nuclear MASPIN localization (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results support the hypothesis of an apoptosis-sensitizing effect of nuclear MASPIN in laryngeal carcinoma with the potential perspective of a clinical use of the tumour suppressive proapoptotic function of MASPIN.     

Positron emission tomography using [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the clinically negative neck: is it likely to be superior?

The capability of modern imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, US and US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (USgFNAC) to detect small tumour deposits is limited. Therefore, the detection of occult metastases in the clinically negative neck remains a diagnostic problem. One of the novel options to refine staging of head and neck cancer is [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). To evaluate the diagnostic value of FDG-PET in the detection of occult malignant lymph nodes, we compared the results of FDG-PET with other diagnostic techniques and the histopathological outcome of 15 neck dissection specimens from 15 head and neck cancer patients with a clinically negative neck. Three sides contained metastases of squamous cell carcinoma. FDG-PET enabled detection of metastases in two sides, which were also detected by MRI or USgFNAC. FDG-PET and CT missed metastases in one patient, which were detected by both MRI and USgFNAC. In studies with a detailed examination of lymph nodes of a neck dissection, a low sensitivity of FDG-PET for the detection of occult lymph node metastases is found. It is unlikely that FDG-PET is superior in the detection of occult lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer patients with a palpably negative neck. The histopathological method used seems to be the most important factor for the differences in sensitivity in reported FDG-PET studies. New approaches such as the use of monoclonal antibodies labelled with a positron emitter may improve the results of PET in these patients.