The etiology of Ménière's disease (MD) is still unknown, but it is likely to be multifactorial, one of the factors being an immunological causation. Antifood allergens as well as anti-baker's yeast antibodies are humoral factors that may be linked with allergenic disorders and other autoimmune conditions. To determine their possible role in MD activity, we investigated 29 MD sera for the presence of antibodies against gliadin, beta-lactoglobulin, albumin, ovalbumin, soya, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains using an ELISA technique. The patients were compared with 29 healthy individuals matched for sex and age. A serum was regarded as positive if the absorbance was two standard deviations higher than values obtained with sera from healthy subjects. Historical data, including factors which the patients believed to provoke their Ménière's symptoms, were obtained from patients' questionnaires. MD patients showed no significant symptoms of allergenic disorders suggesting allergies when compared to controls (p > 0.05). IgG and IgA antibody levels were not significantly raised in MD patients as compared with healthy controls (p > 0.05) for gliadin, beta-lactoglobulin, soya, albumin, ovalbumin, and D. pteronyssinus and S. cerevisiae strains. These data do not convincingly support a hypothesis of increased serum levels of antifood antibodies in patients with MD, as very few patients were antibody positive.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lyophilized bone homografts in reconstructive surgery of the middle ear].

The authors present their experience with stored lyophilized bone allografts utilized in middle ear reconstructive surgery. The implants were cut from the cortical substance of the long bone in subjects deceased. A demineralization in 0.6 N HCl solution was performed in order to induce osteoinductive capacity to the bone matrix. From November 1986 to December 1988 this material was utilized in 45 operations: 31 canal up techniques; 7 canal down techniques; 4 anatomical and functional rehabilitation of old radical cavities. Good anatomical results without perforation of the tympanic membrane and without signs of inflammation or retraction were obtained in 33 cases (79%). Furthermore, no extrusion was observed in cases with retraction of the graft and protrusion of the prosthesis. In cases in which the homografts were utilized for ossiculoplasty, the post-operative air-bone gap was 21 dB and the mean hearing gain was 15 dB. The histological examination of two homografts, removed 13-18 months after implantation, appeared to be coated with normal mucosa and to contain areas of active bone formation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Personal results trial of classification and standardization in clinical impedancemetry (author's transl)].

The author analyses the results obtained in clinical impedancemetry for 2,799 ears: tympanometry and study of the acoustico-facial reflex. He proposes a trial of classification of the results. The author states the terminology to be used in impedancemetry according to the different probe tone frequencies of the clinical impedancemeters and the different acoustic stimulations systems in order to obtain the acoustico-facial reflex.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗