Objectives In this study, we aimed to assess whether outer hair cell function in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) was affected or not. Patients and methods Thirty-two patients (21 males, 11 females; mean age 69.8+/-9.3 years; range 49 to 86 years) with the diagnosis of PES and 23 healthy subjects (12 males, 11 females; mean age 65.3+/-9.1 year; range 51 to 79 years) as control group were included in the study. All of the subjects were evaluated with pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and transient otoacoustic emission tests. Results Sensorineural hearing loss was present in 28 patients with PES and in 13 healthy subjects (p 0.05). Signal to noise ratios for PES and control groups were 5.1+/-4.4 dB and 5.2+/-4.2 dB, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion Our results confirmed the presence of sensorineural hearing loss in PES patients. However, we failed to show a difference in outer hair cell functions of this group. Further postmortem histopathologic studies are needed to delineate the causes of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with PES.
We used pipe models to investigate the effects of paranasal sinus ostium size and paranasal sinus volume on the area-distance curves derived by acoustic rhinometry (AR). Each model had a Helmholtz resonator or a short neck as a side branch that simulated the paranasal sinus and sinus ostium. The AR-derived cross-sectional areas posterior to the ostium were significantly overestimated. Sinus volume affected the AR measurements only when the sinus was connected via a relatively large ostium. The experimental area-distance curve posterior to the side branch showed pronounced oscillations in association with low-frequency acoustic resonances in this distal part of the pipe. The experimental results are discussed in terms of theoretically calculated “sound-power reflection coefficients” for the pipe models used. The results indicate that the effects of paranasal sinuses and low-frequency acoustic resonances in the posterior part of the nasal cavity are not accounted for in the current AR algorithms. AR does not provide reliable information about sinus ostium size, sinus volume, or cross-sectional area in the distal parts of nasal cavity.
Abstract Objective To assess the validity of acoustic rhinometry for measuring nasal valve area in human subjects. Study Design A comprehensive study that compared acoustic rhinometry data with computed tomography findings from scans obtained perpendicular to the acoustic axis and perpendicular to the floor of the nose. Methods Fifty nasal passages of 25 healthy adults with no nasal disease were examined by acoustic rhinometry and computed tomography. In each case, the area of the nasal valve as measured by acoustic rhinometry was compared with the area calculations from computed tomography sections taken in two different coronal planes, one perpendicular to the acoustic axis and one perpendicular to the floor of the nose. Computed tomography slices perpendicular to the floor of the nose were obtained at two different locations, a specific distance from the tip of the nose and a specific distance from the anterior nasal spine. Results There was a significant correlation between the nasal valve areas determined by acoustic rhinometry and computed tomography when imaging was obtained perpendicular to the acoustic axis. In contrast, when scanning was obtained perpendicular to the straight axis of the floor of the nose, the correlations between the acoustic rhinometry and computed tomography data were weak. Conclusions When any type of imaging is used for comparison with nasal valve areas determined by acoustic rhinometry, the cross‐sections should be perpendicular to the acoustic pathway. The results of the study show that acoustic rhinometry is a valuable method for measuring nasal valve area.
Epidermoid cysts are benign epithelial cysts that occur rarely in the neck. In contrast to dermoid cysts, epidermoid cysts do not include dermal attachments such as hair, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. They may be congenital or acquired. Acquired epidermoid cysts are either post-traumatic or iatrogenic. They rarely enlarge markedly. This study discusses epidermoid cysts in a 34-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both of which were giant epidermoid cysts in the sublingual space. Both patients were admitted for difficulty swallowing and cosmetic problems. The cysts of both patients had an aetiology of trauma and were documented by pathology sections and pre-operative magnetic resonance images. Both cysts were excised completely, one intraorally and one externally. Such cysts are benign and ought to be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity and neck cystic masses.
Sound-induced vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) on the surface of the sternocleidomastoid muscle constitute the basis of the saccular function test. In order to assess the saccular function, VEMP test was performed in a patient having unilateral Meniere's disease with profound sensorineural hearing loss in the contralateral ear. The saccular response was absent on the affected side with a normal caloric response. However, VEMP response was normal in the contralateral ear with profound sensorineural hearing loss and canal paresis. There may be saccular dysfunction in Meniere's disease.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can be manifested by audiological and vestibular complaints. The aim of the present study is to determine the audio-vestibular pathologies and their pathophysiologies in this syndrome by performing current audio-vestibular tests.The study was performed prospectively on 40 individuals (20 IIH patients, 20 healthy volunteers). Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and electronystagmography tests were performed in both groups and the results were compared.The mean age of both groups was found to be 30.2±18.7. There were 11 females and 9 males in each group. The study group patients had significantly worse hearing levels. Pure tone averages were significantly higher in both ears of the study group (p<0.05). Ten patients (50%) in the study group and one healthy volunteer (5%) had pathologic ENG, possibly related to central pathologies (p=0.008). Eight patients (40%) and one (5%) control had variable abnormal VEMP records (p=0008).Many IIH patients initially visit otolaryngology clinics since cochlear and vestibular systems are frequently affected in this condition. Our test results suggest inner ear pathologies in these patients. Higher incidence of inferior vestibular nerve and/or saccule dysfunction is detected as a novelty. Increased intracranial pressure may affect the inner ear with similar mechanisms as in hydrops.
