Effects of Laser Myringotomy on the Treatment of Otitis Media with Effusion / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Otitis media, with effusion has been known to require long term medical treatment. When medical treatment fails, myringotomy with or without ventilation tube insertion needs to be performed, but the duration of middle ear ventilation with myringotomy is very limited. The insertion of ventilation tubes may also cause some complications, and may require general anesthesia when performing at a young age. The purpose of this report is to see if myringotomy using CO laser can be used as an effective tool in the treatment of otitis media with effusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 66 ears of patients who went through myringotomy using CO laser between March, 1998 and May, 1999. We analyzed myringotomy size, patency time, recurrence and cost effectiveness. RESULTS: The average size of myringotorny was 2.1 mm in diameter. It remained patent for as long as 1.9 weeks in average. All myringotomy sites were healed without persistent perforations. Average recurrence rate and time were 27% and 3.2months, respectively. The medical treatment is expensive and needs more frequent follow-ups, but laser treatment is cheaper and requires less frequent follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: CO laser myringotomy is a safe and cost effective procedure which can be done easily at the office in most of the cases.

Clinical Analysis of the Treatment and Prognosis of Herpes Zoster Oticus / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster oticus is a reactivation of latent varicella-zoster infection associated with otalgia, vesicle, facial nerve palsy, sensorineural hearing loss & vertigo. Facial paralysis is rapid in onset, usually severe in degree, and poor in prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment and prognosis of Herpes zoster oticus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 12 cases of Herpes zoster oticus from May 1992 to February 1996, which had been treated with acyclovir and steroid was done. RESULTS: All patients had otalgia, vesicle and facial palsy. All patients had been treated with adequate dosage of prednisolone & acyclovir. The complete recovery rate from facial palsy was 58%. CONCLUSION: Factors predicting good prognosis are as follows. 1) low degree of facial palsy on admission 2) delayed onset of facial palsy from initial symptom 3) early treatment for facial palsy 4) electrical test: Nerve excitability test(10%).