Efficacy of nitrous oxide, halothane, ether and spinal anaesthesia on hearing acuity and middle ear pressure

A prospective study was executed on 80 patients with 160 healthy ears to detect the efficacy of different anaesthetic agents and techniques on middle ear pressure and hearing acuity. The patients were randomly divided into 4 equal groups according to the received anaesthetic; nitrous oxide, halothane or ether general anesthesia and spinal anaesthesia respectively. Tympanograms and audiograms were done prior to, during and after the operation for every case. Significant middle ear pressure changes were recorded during the operation and 30 minutes subsequent to cessation of nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Moreover, significant hearing impairment especially at low frequencies were detected in all patients of group I who received nitrous oxide anaesthesia, and in 50% of cases of group IV who were anaesthetized spinally. On the other hand, halothane and ether anaesthesia had no effect on neither the hearing acuity, nor the middle ear pressure

Relation between histocompatibility antigen [human leukocyte antigen HLA class 1] and sensorineural hearing loss of the aging process

An interesting question in otology is why some people develop Sensorineural Hearing Loss [SNHL] with aging process and others do not. However, among many causes of SNHL there is increasing interest in relation between it and the immunity system. As the human leukocyte angtigen [HLA system] is a genetic marker, we study the relation between HLA class I and sensorineural hearing disorders of aging process to clarify the presence of certain risk antigens and protective antigens or protective combinations. A significant increase of B17. B44 [12]. CW4 and CW6 antigens are associated with SNHL of aging process. On the other hand, no protective antigens are present but there are protective combinations like A25 [10] B18. A25 [10] BW63. A11 B12. A31 B51 [5] and A 23 [9] CW4 A1 B12. A2 B17. A3 B7. AW66 B16 and B18 CW6 antigens are combination associated with SNHL of aging process

Hormonal assay in cases of primary atrophic rhinitis

This study was conducted on 40 cases of primary atrophic rhinitis in comparison with 10 normal control and 10 contact persons. A nasal biopsy had taken aiming to verify the clinical diagnosis and to localize the prostaglandin in this condition using PAP technique in comparison with normal control persons. In this study we found high plasma level of prostaglandin, A.C.T.H and cortisone. But less localization of prostaglandin in the nasal tissue in cases of primary atrophic rhinitis in comparison with normal control persons. This low localization of prostaglandin is due to the unhealthy endothelial cells of the blood vessels that normally synthetize the prostaglandin. The high plasma level of prostaglandin can be explained by the production of prostaglandin from other healthy tissues that triggered by the necrosis. This hight plasma level of prostaglandin results in high level of plasma. A.C.T.H and consequently plasma cortisone. The high level of plasma cortisone may exert inhibitory effect on many immune functions that lowers the local nasal tissue immunity leading to the chronicity of this condition

Audiological assessment of patients with chronic liver disease

Pure tone audiometry tone decay [Carharts test] and typanometry using an automatic impedance audiometer were done for 40 patients with chronic liver disease and 20 control subjects. Patients with chronic liver disease showed a higher hearing loss of 15.25 +/- 7.32 dB and 15.46 +/- 7.22 dB for the right and left ears respectively compared to the control group [2.0 +/- 2.58 dB and 3.0 +/- 2.08 respectively]. This hearing loss was more marked with higher frequencies of 4000 and 8000 Hz. The hearing loss in chronic liver disease patients correlated positively with the duration of the disease [r = + 0.92] and the level of serum bilirubin [r = + 0.94]. It is concluded that adult patients with chronic liver disease are prone to develop hearing disability and audiometry for these patients is an integral part of the clinical assessment reflecting the severity of the disease

Carbon dioxide laser in management of benign laryngeal lesions

Twenty five patients with benign soft tissue lesions of the larynx were selected to be treated by carbon dioxide laser surgery. It is possible by means of Co2 loser to remove extensive papillomatosis without the risk of postoperative oedema and also without tracheostomy. Although it is not possible to cure the disease completely. Ployps and cysts of the cord are easily vaporized without damage to the healthy tissues and with rapid wound healing and voice improvement. Carbon dioxide laser provides a good method for treatment of subglottic stenosis without tracheostomy. Results of Co2 laser excision of subglottic stenosis is not so favourable and further studies are needed specially for those due to laryngoscleroma

Effect of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis

Fifty patients suffering from allergic rhinitis and treated with acupuncture were studied in an attempt to evaluate the efficiency of this line of treatment. Out of the cases included 20 were subjected to histopathological and histochemical studies. Results of clinical observations revealed marked improvement in 27 cases [54%], slight improvement in 9 cases [18%] and 8 cases [16%] were virtually symptom-free. No clinical improvement was recorded in 6 patients [12%]. In this work the clinical improvement was correlated with the remarkable changes in both histopathological and histochemical pictures