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Biomedical subjects

H Iro

Publications and source records attributed to H Iro.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The influence of noise on blood flow in the basilar artery (BA) - measurements with transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCD).

Acoustic stimuli are being reported as a cause of changes in resistance in the basilar artery (BA). It was the aim of this study to investigate this effect under standardized conditions dependent upon the intensity of the evoking stimulus. Twenty healthy subjects with normal hearing (male/female 14/6; mean age 26.4 years) were exposed to 'pink noise' for periods of 2 min at 75, 85 and 95 dB(A). Parallel to this, the Doppler spectrum of the BA and both the Pourcelot resistance index and the Gosling pulsatility index were measured by means of transcranial color-coded Doppler sonography. In comparison with the base value (at rest) a significant increase in resistance was noted during noise exposure. The noise-induced resistance changes could be interpreted as a consequence of changes in activity of the various centers of the auditory pathway and cerebral function. Further animal experiments may prove the connection between BA blood flow and resistance and their changes depending on different acoustic stimuli or different hearing pathophysiology.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

[Isolated congenital lower lip fistulas].

BACKGROUND: Congenital lip fistulas are very rare and may occur alone or in combination with oral clefts and other dysontogenetic malformations. The etiology of congenital lip fistulas is not yet known. PATIENT AND METHOD: We present a 7-year-old boy with recurrent infections of bilateral congenital fistulas of the lower lip. There were no associated congenital anomalies and a negative family history. An elliptical excision of the fistulas under microscopic control gave satisfactory functional and esthetic results. There was no recurrence two years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Since the possibility of additional severe malformations exists for the patient and the patient's children patients should undergo careful ENT and pediatric assessment, and genetic counselling should be considered. In order to achieve good functional and esthetic results, the corrective operation must be planned carefully taking into consideration important surgical principles.

Child↗

Upper airway collapsibility in habitual snorers and sleep apneics: evaluation with drug-induced sleep endoscopy.

Increased upper airway collapsibility has been suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of sleep-related diseases. It is assumed that patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) show a stronger collapse of the upper airway compared with habitual snorers. It was the objective of this study to analyze the patterns of upper airway collapse in habitual snorers and patients with OSAS and to correlate these results with data from polysomnography. Endoscopy was carried out during drug-induced sleep (with propofol) and collapsibility was analyzed at two major levels (palatal and tongue base). A total of 207 habitual snorers and 117 patients with OSAS underwent endoscopy after overnight polysomnography in our sleep laboratory. In 95% of cases we were able to induce snoring during drug-induced sleep. The collapsibility in the area of the base of the tongue correlated with higher values of the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) as recorded by standard polysomnography. Patients with OSAS showed significantly stronger collapsibility compared with snorers. The difference was more evident at the tongue-base level. We found no significant correlation between the applied CPAP pressure and collapsibility in patients with OSAS. These results show that collapsibility at the tongue-base level is a factor relevant in sleep-related breathing disorders.

Adolescent↗

Fine-structural investigations of the effect of nCPAP-mask application on the nasal mucosa.

The treatment success of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP)-therapy is dependent, on the one hand, on the achieved relief of complaints and, on the other hand, on long-term patient compliance and avoidance of compliance-related complaints. Next to the problem of mask application, nasal complaints comprise the most frequently reported side-effects and are among the primary factors causing nCPAP-therapy to be discontinued prematurely. To assess the morphological changes in the nasal mucosa during nCPAP-therapy, we excised specimens of nasal mucosa tissue from 10 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) before and 3-10 months after establishing nCPAP-mask compliance. The specimens were examined by electron microscopy. In all these patients compliance with the CPAP-mask marked the initial part of therapy. In addition, mucociliary clearance was assessed by the saccharin test before and after therapy. In all patients the nasal epithelium underwent fundamental changes upon CPAP-therapy, which became manifest as modifications in the shape of epithelial cells, conglutination and clumping of the microvilli, and the appearance of immunocompetent cells. Once patients were nCPAP-mask compliant, mucociliary clearance was distinctly prolonged in all cases. A successful therapeutic concept should provide normalization of room temperature and air humidity once nCPAP-mask compliance has been achieved and include regular assessment of the condition of the mucosa in the upper respiratory tract. Only by these measures can nasal complications be countered or given therapy at an early stage.

Adult↗

[Cranialization of the frontal sinus. Indications, technique and results].

The osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with obliteration of the sinus has been established in the therapy of frontal sinus diseases that can not be drainaged permanently or healed through an endonasal access. The obliteration of the frontal sinus is endangered in cases of multiple fracturing of the posterior frontal sinus wall or if it has been destroyed by an inflammatory process. In these problematic cases obliteration bears the danger of complications and cranialization of the frontal sinus is therefore the method of choice. We review 8 patients who were operated on using the cranialization technique. Indications for surgery were a combined fracture of the anterior and posterior frontal sinus wall (3), a pyocele of the frontal sinus with extensive destruction of the posterior wall (4) and a large osteoma of the posterior frontal sinus wall (1). The frontal sinus was exposed through a coronal incision, the mucosa and the posterior wall were completely removed and the frontal sinus obliterated with fat tissue. The anterior sinus wall was replaced after obliteration of the sinus or reconstructed with calvarian bone transplants. The follow up period was 1.8 years (11 months to 8 years). All patients underwent postoperatively a clinical ENT-examination and radiological assessment by CT-Scan or MRI. The overall functional and esthetic outcome was excellent. There were no serious complications nor any recurrence. The cranialization of the frontal sinus is a reliable and safe variation of the classical osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with fat obliteration.

Abscess↗

Glomangioma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

The glomangioma, a benign vascular tumour, derived from the cutaneous glomus bodies, should not be confused with paragangliomas, which are occasionally also referred to as glomus tumours. Up to now, only eleven cases of a glomangioma of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses have been published. We report the case of a patient with a glomangioma of the ethmoidal aircell system. The tumour was completely removed under endoscopic-microscopic vision via endonasal access. A tumour recurrence was not observed over a period of eighteen months. The clinical signs, diagnosis, therapy and histological features will be discussed with reference to the literature.

Aged↗

A second primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal tract induced by wood dust.

Intestinal type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal tract is associated with exposure to wood dust. We report the case of an adenocarcinoma tumor of the left sinonasal area diagnosed in 1998. Nineteen years earlier (1979), an intestinal type adenocarcinoma of the right nasal cavity was diagnosed. The first tumor was treated in 1979 surgically followed by postoperative radiotherapy. The second tumor showed the same histological features as an intestinal type adenocarcinoma (papillary type). The patient had a history of a 10 year exposure to wood dust (furniture worker), and the latency time of this patient was 48 years in 1998. We suppose that the tumor of the left side is a second primary intestinal type adenocarcinoma. This case indicates the usefulness of a lifelong follow up of patients with adenocarcinoma of the nose because of the wide range of latency times of these tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

In vitro tissue effects of a combined Ho:YAG/Nd:YAG laser: sprinkling of tissue fragments by Ho:YAG laser light may be problematic for oncological interventions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Surgery of soft tissue, for example, of the tongue or the liver, requires a cutting and coagulating device. Therefore, a combined Ho:YAG/Nd:YAG laser providing the laser beam of both systems together in one bare fiber seems to be useful. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the effect of such a laser system in vitro on tongues of pigs. RESULTS: Combined application of both lasers results in vitro in a thicker coagulation zone in soft tissue (tongue). Tissue fragments possibly containing vital cells are sprinkled by the pulsed energy of the Ho:YAG laser up to a distance of 20 cm. CONCLUSION: Using the pulsed Ho:YAG laser for oncologic interventions seems to be problematic. Combined laser effect in vivo may result in better hemostasis.

Animals↗

[Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: only irradiation or simultaneous radiochemotherapy?].

BACKGROUND: Between 1979 and 1997, a total of 92 patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated at the Hospitals of the University of Erlangen. Until 1988, radiotherapy alone was the treatment of choice and simultaneous radiochemotherapy was consistently applied thereafter. This retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of concurrent radiochemotherapy on survival and to identify possible prognostic factors on cause-specific survival-, locoregional tumor control- and distant-metastases-free survival rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients (58%) received treatment by radiotherapy alone and 39 (42%) underwent primary radiochemotherapy with 2 courses of 5-FU and cisplatin. Median total dose to the bilateral neck region was 60 Gy (range, 50 to 62 Gy), and 74 Gy (range, 56 to 88 Gy) to the primary tumor. Median follow-up of the surviving patients was 8 years. RESULTS: Following radiochemotherapy and radiotherapy alone, the 5-year-survival rates were 67% and 48%, respectively (p = 0.06). Female patients had a survival advantage as compared to male patients (5-year-survival rate 77% vs 44%, p = 0.01). Patients with and without cranial nerve palsy at presentation had survival rates of 0% and 61%, respectively, at 5 years (p = 0.01). Distant-metastases-free survival was influenced by the following factors: lymph-node involvement (NO: 82% vs N1 to N3: 68%, p = 0.04), gender (female: 88% vs male: 64%, p = 0.01), type of treatment (radiochemotherapy: 86% vs radiotherapy: 63%, p = 0.02) and cranial nerve involvement (76% without and 42% with involvement, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma simultaneous radiochemotherapy can significantly reduce distant metastases and improve survival as compared to radiotherapy alone. Since late toxicity rates were similar in both treatment groups and the slightly increased acute side effects following radiochemotherapy were effectively compensated by standard supportive care, patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma may benefit from simultaneous radiochemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

[Expert-assessment of suitability for a driving license in otorhinolaryngology].

An absolute requirement for acquiring a driving license according to German law consists in the suitability for driving a motor vehicle. The "driving license decree" defines these requirements; in case of doubt the administrative authority may demand a medical certificate. According to law (enactment: 1.1.99) these medical certificates must be refunded by either appropriate medical specialists, company doctors or public health officers. The criterions for appraisal are set down in the guidelines for driving ability which are edited by the advisory board for traffic medicine; a new edition will be published soon. Concerning otorhinolaryngology hearing impairment and dizziness are the most relevant diseases. Bilateral deafness is no general exception for conferring a driving license for the classes A and B; for classes C and DE hearing loss, established from the pure tone audiogram must not exceed 60%; an exceptional case is a three year demonstration of reliability in class B. Permanent dizziness or vertigo attacks are in most cases incompatible with conferring driving licenses. The most important issue for medical appraisal is to determine the amount of compensation of the impaired sense organ. Therefore in cases of multiple disabilities more stringent criterions must be established.

Automobile Driving↗

[Evaluation of the "new" TNM classification of head and neck tumors in 3247 patients].

UNLABELLED: The 5th edition of the TNM classification entails a number of changes concerning head and neck tumors. The division of stage IV tumors into three subcategories marks a significant expansion of the stage grouping procedure. METHODS: In a retrospective study the clinical course of 3247 patients with head and neck carcinomas were comparatively evaluated according to the 4th and 5th editions of the new TNM classification. In particular it was the aim of the study to test the prognostic relevance of the subdivision of stage IV especially in mucosal cancer. RESULTS: In classifying the primary tumor the most extensive changes were noted for supraglottic and salivary gland tumors. On the basis of the 4th edition of the TNM classification the following recurrence-free 5-year survival rates for 3033 cases of mucosal cancer were calculated: stage I 91,0%, stage II 78.6%, stage III 61.4%, stage IV 31.0%. The calculations based on the 5th edition yielded: stage I 91.0%, stage II 77.2%, stage III 61.2%, stage IVA 32.4%, stage IVB 25.3%, stage IVC 3.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The adequacy of the revised stage classification in establishing a prognostic hierarchy was confirmed. However, a significant prognostic distinction between N2- (stage IVA) and N3-metastasis (stage IVB) could not be found.

Adult↗

[Clinical and diagnostic findings of sialolithiasis].

INTRODUCTION: Sialolithiasis is one of the most common diseases of the salivary glands. Within the scope of a retrospective analysis we report on our clinical and diagnostic findings in the largest patient group suffering from sialolithiasis reported in literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1997, data from 635 patient histories and follow-up examinations were systematically collected and analysed to look for typical symptoms of sialolithiasis, locations of stones and possible risk factors. RESULTS: Sialoliths predominated among patients aged 30 and 70 years, with no male/female predilection. A total of 78.9% of all calculi were detected in the submandibular ducts and 21.1% in the ducts of the parotid glands. The sublingual gland and the smaller salivary glands were not affected. A simultaneous stone disease of the urinary tract or the bile duct system occurred by chance (4.3%). Even regular medication in cases of other systemic diseases cannot be considered cofactors in pathogenesis. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of sialolithiasis is the result of careful consideration of patient histories demonstrating typical symptoms and clinical examination. Sonography is the first choice of imaging. Pathogenesis of sialolithiasis seems to be based on local factors within the salivary ducts and glands.

Adolescent↗

[Outcome of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in therapy refractory tinnitus].

Although many studies are available concerning the treatment of sudden deafness using hyperbaric oxygenation, only a few of these deal with tinnitus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic use of hyperbaric oxygenation in cases of tinnitus. A total of 193 patients, having undergone primary intravenous hemorheologic therapy, were treated with hyperbaric oxygenation. Tinnitus was evaluated before, after ten sessions and after 15 sessions using a tinnitus questionnaire. Additionally, an audiometric examination was performed. Measurable improvements of the tinnitus occurred in 22% of the patients, whereas a moderate improvement was seen in 17% of cases. 10.4% showed an excellent improvement and tinnitus disappeared completely in two patients. The improvement rate decreased in those cases where the time from onset of tinnitus exceeded 40 days. In conclusion, hyperbaric oxygenation seems to be a moderately effective additional treatment in the therapy of tinnitus after primary hemorheologic therapy, provided the time from onset of tinnitus is less than 1 month.

Adolescent↗

[Hyper-IgE syndrome with ENT manifestations. Overview and case report of successful therapy with high dosage i.v. immunoglobulin].

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (Hiob syndrome or Buckley syndrome) is a rare disorder of the immune system that can show characteristic manifestations in the head and neck. Typical symptoms are fever, recurrent urticarial rashes, lymphadenitis, and bacterial infections of the skin and various parenchymatous organs. Diagnosis is established by elevated serum IgE concentrations with the absence of any signs of allergy or parasitic disease. We present our clinical experiences in managing of a 29-year old woman whose hyper IgE syndrome was diagnosed initially during of the treatment of lymphatic hyperplasia of the base of the tongue although she had typical symptoms of hyper IgE syndrome for some years. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) was found to be well-tolerated and effective. More than one year after a single course of immunoglobin therapy symptoms markedly improved. Current knowledge and therapeutic options in hyper IgE syndrome are discussed. We recommend that IVIG be considered as one of the first choices in the treatment of hyper IgE syndrome.

Adult↗

[Retrocochlear deafness in absent cochlear nerve: case report. Role of CISS-3D (Constructive Interference of Steady State) sequence and differential diagnosis].

MRI gains greater importance in the differential diagnosis of retrocochlear hearing loss. Retrocochlear anakusis is rarely caused by aplasia or atrophia of the cochlear nerve. In the following we report about a five year old boy suffering from unilateral deafness, where a strongly T2-weighted CISS-3D MRI sequence demonstrates a missing of the cochlear nerve on the deaf side.

Child, Preschool↗

Functional and aesthetic objectives in the reconstruction of lip defects.

The reconstruction of lip defects presents a challenge to the surgeon. Apart from attaining a good aesthetic result, preserving the function of the oral sphincter is an essential objective. A variety of techniques and modifications of procedures for reconstructing lip defects have been reported in the literature. It is up to the surgeon to select the reconstruction procedure ensuring optimum functional and cosmetic results, depending on the location, size, and depth of the defect. The division of the lips into aesthetic subunits can prove very beneficial in designing lip reconstruction procedures. The upper lip is divided into three aesthetic subunits: two lateral subunits and a median subunit, the philtrum. The lower lip constitutes a single subunit. In this study established reconstruction techniques are discussed, and a concept serving to facilitate the appropriate choice of technique is introduced. This concept differentiates between vermilion defects on the one hand and partial-thickness and full-thickness lip defects on the other hand. For the lower lip the full-thickness defects are classified as defects involving one third and one third to two thirds of the lower lip width and between two thirds and complete loss of lip tissue. For the upper lip a distinction is made between isolated defects of the central and lateral subunits and combined defects of the central and lateral subunits. Important principles of surgery and the advantages and disadvantages of different reconstruction techniques are discussed.

Esthetics↗

Determination of acute noise effects using distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Because distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) are the product of the effect of two sinus tones on the cochlea, a multitude of combinations regarding the amplitude and the frequency ratio of the primary tones exists. The goal of the present study was to directly compare different stimulus combinations described in the literature in the detection of acute noise trauma using DPOAE. In the present study, 13 volunteers were exposed for 1 h to noise that was equivalent to sound levels in a discotheque. Audiograms and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured before and after noise exposure using four different stimulus combinations. For three of these settings, L1 was 65 dB, L1-L2 was 25 dB and f2/f1 was varied and set to 1.22, 1.20 and 1.18. For the fourth setting, L1 was at 65 dB, whereas L1-L2 was at 10 dB (f2/f1 = 1.20). A second group of volunteers (n = 14) was measured using identical time periods and setting, but was not exposed to noise. The comparison of different stimulus combinations showed that the stimulus combination L1 = 65 dB and L1-L2 = 25 dB at f2/f1 = 1.18 was best suited for detecting a difference between noise-exposed and unexposed individuals.

Adult↗