Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) radiobacter identified as a cause of chronic endophthalmitis subsequent to cataract extraction

Herein, we report a case of chronic endophthalmitis caused by a ceftazidime-resistant Rhizobium radiobacter strain in a 62-year-old male. The patient underwent an uneventful cataract extraction of the right eye a week prior to the appearance of symptoms (pain, redness, and blurring vision) which developed following a golf outing. Upon admission the patient received an emergency vitrectomy. The patient remained symptomatic, and R. radiobacter was isolated repeatedly from vitreous fluid cultures over a 5-month period. Ultimately, the infection responded to intravitreal gentamicin, oral ciprofloxacin, and removal of the lens implant.     

Short-term effect of auditory feedback on fundamental frequency after cochlear implantation

The present study evaluates the short-term effect of cochlear implantation on the fundamental frequency (FO) of 13 deaf patients. All patients were provided with the Combi 40+ cochlear implant. Voice recording was made pre- and 3 months post-implantation. The FO was analysed using X-Tools software. The results showed that 38 per cent of our subjects had a statistically significant decrease of their mean F0 (p=0.001) at 3 months following implantation. It was also observed that the patients tended to have a lower F0 postoperatively approaching the normal range of F0. A large variability in F0 was noticed among the deaf subjects but no correlation with the duration of deafness was seen. There was also no correlation between speech recognition and speech production.     

Cochlear implantation and auditory feedback

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short term effect of cochlear implantation on the fundamental frequency and the articulation of 13 patients. This investigation objectives for the first time the changes of fundamental frequency and articulation in cochlear implant patients. All postlingual deaf patients were provided with a Combi 40+ cochlear implant. Voice recording was performed pre- and three months post-implantation. The voice data was analyzed using the "X-Tool" software. The results show that 38% of the patients had a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of F0 mean three months after implantation. A postoperative decrease of F0 towards the normal range was observed generally in all patients. Spectographs pre- and post-implantation showed that the articulation improved already 3 months after partial restoration of auditory feedback. A large variability of F0 was noticed among the deaf subjects, but no correlation to the duration of deafness could be established.     

Rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients with cochlear implants: a review

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the cochlear implant. The history of this entity is traced from the early development of implants, involving the stimulation of the hearing nerve, up to the currently available standard multichannel implants. The physiological background is also elucidated. A cochlear implant consists of an implantable portion which lies within the ear, and of parts that are worn externally on the body. Differences between the first implants and those now in use are as follows: transcutaneous information and energy transmission, the position of the electrode in the ear, and the configuration of the electrode. Differences between the currently available implants mainly concern the number of electrodes, speech coding strategies and the mode of electrode stimulation. Almost all of the most recent implants are equipped with electrodes that are implanted in the tympanic scale of the cochlea.     

Postoperative imaging and evaluation of the electrode position and depth of insertion of multichannel cochlear implants by means of high-resolution computed tomography and conventional X-rays

Following cochlear implantation, postoperative imaging of the electrode is very important in order to measure the depth of insertion and the position of the electrode, so that kinking and incorrect electrode placement can be clearly identified. The aim of this study was to outline the diagnostic value of CT and conventional X-ray for these parameters. For this purpose we obtained radiographs of patients who had received a cochlear implant. Computed tomography was performed by obtaining axial sections. For conventional X-ray we used digital imaging, utilising a modified Chausse III projection. The images were then rated according to electrode position, insertion depth and possible complications. We also measured the radiation dose using a dummy and evaluated the cost of each examination. Both examinations permit excellent identification of electrode position and insertion depth. However, the depth of insertion can be measured much more accurately by means of digital X-ray. The radiation dose of CT was 230 times higher than that of conventional X-ray and the cost of CT 5 times that of digital X-ray.     

Hearing and speech discrimination scores of prelingually deaf children with cochlear implants

The goal of this study is to report mean values of speech perception performance in prelingually deaf children who received a Combi 40/40+ cochlear implant. Thirty-one patients were included in the study. The time span ranged over 3 years, during which time the Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech (EARS) test battery was used in the children. The EARS battery contains 4 measures of closed-set speech perception and 3 open-set tests. The mean test results exhibited steady improvement in all parts of the EARS test battery, even up to 3 years post-implantation. The mean preoperative scores were 0.3%, increasing to 92.3% at 36 months post-implantation for the best children. Results for the closed-set testing measures were most encouraging, with some children reaching fairly high levels of speech perception and achieving scores as high as 98.7% at the 36-month evaluation. The congenitally and prelingually deaf children in our study showed continuous improvement in both closed and open set speech perception following cochlear implantation, although individual variations in performance were noted.     

Preoperative imaging of the inner ear prior to the implantation of a multichannel cochlear implant using computed and MR technology

CT and MRT are now standard examinations prior to insertion of a cochlear implant. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages in terms of discovering potentially pathological structures in the inner ear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pros and cons of using CT and MRT before cochlear implantation. CT is usually performed using axial planigraphic planes. Like MRT, bone-specific CT is helpful in the diagnosis of congenital and acquired changes within the inner ear. Congenital defects in the meatus acusticus internus, the endolymphatic duct and sac, the cochlea and the vestibulum can be diagnosed and also quantified. Infectious morphologic changes can be seen on CT images in their terminal residual state (sclerotic tissue). However, acute inflammation and fibrotic tissue is not visible on CT. T2-specific MRT images are very fluid sensitive and play a major role in preoperative cochlear implant diagnosis. This examination demonstrates fluid within the peri- and enolymphatic cave and permits the diagnostician to determine whether congenital or acquired diseases have destroyed such fluid-filled cavities. In order to demonstrate pathological changes in the temporal bone and neural structures in the inner ear, MRT is the preferred method. Displaying the modiolus and the cochlear nerve is extremely important because, in their absence, a cochlear implantation may be contra-indicated. MRT also demonstrates other neural structures such as the facial nerve. This information may be important for the surgeon, e.g. the state of the pneumatic system in the mastoid cavity (which is best visualised by bone-specific CT).     

What causes hidradenitis suppurativa ?—15 years after

The 14 authors of the first review article on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) pathogenesis published 2008 in EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY cumulating from the 1st International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research Symposium held March 30–April 2, 2006 in Dessau, Germany with 33 participants were prophetic when they wrote “Hopefully, this heralds a welcome new tradition: to get to the molecular heart of HS pathogenesis, which can only be achieved by a renaissance of solid basic HS research, as the key to developing more effective HS therapy.” (Kurzen et al. What causes hidradenitis suppurativa? Exp Dermatol 2008;17:455). Fifteen years later, there is no doubt that the desired renaissance of solid basic HS research is progressing with rapid steps and that HS has developed deep roots among inflammatory diseases in Dermatology and beyond, recognized as “the only inflammatory skin disease than can be healed”. This anniversary article of 43 research-performing authors from all around the globe in the official journal of the European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V. (EHSF e.V.) and the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation, Inc (HSF USA) summarizes the evidence of the intense HS clinical and experimental research during the last 15 years in all aspects of the disease and provides information of the developments to come in the near future.     

Proceeding report of the Second Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) 2017

The 2nd Annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) took place on 03‐05 November 2017 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. This symposium was a joint meeting of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (HSF Inc.) founded in the USA, and the Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (CHSF). This was the second annual meeting of the SHSA with experts from different disciplines arriving from North America, Europe and Australia, in a joint aim to discuss most recent innovations, practical challenges and potential solutions to issues related in the management and care of Hidradenitis Suppurativa patients. The last session involved clinicians, patients and their families in an effort to educate them more about the disease.