Frequency of Inner Ear Anomalies Among Cochlear Implant Candidates: A Case Study in the Northwest of Iran

@#Introduction: Globally hearing impairment occurs in about 1 to 2 per 1000 live births. The etiology of severe sensorineural hearing loos (SNHL) is complex and multifactorial. Congenital inner ear abnormality is a major cause of hearing loss in children and cochlear implantation (CI) is a proper treatment in these children. Preoperative CT scan of the temporal bones are used to evaluate inner ear malformations in CI candidates. The frequency of internal ear malformations reported on temporal scan could varied from 20% to 30%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of inner ear malformations in CT scan of cochlear implant candidates . Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, 201 infants (105 boys and 96 girls ) with the mean age of 20.5 ± 14.01 month with severe SNHL who are CI candidates were examined by temporal bone imaging with multi-slice CT from March 2014 to March 2015 in CI center of Tabriz University. Results : CT revealed abnormalities of the inner ear in 26 (13%) of infants that most of them with 10 (38.5%) was enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). Also, 31 infants (15.4%) had abnormalities in outer, middle ear or in mastoid aeration. Conclusion: Temporal bone imaging with CT is an essential method and could be suggested as a proper first step for evaluating inner ear malformations in CI candidates.

[Middle ear surgical results in hearing improvement with tympanosclerosis]

Background: Tympanosclerosis is one of complications of chronic otitis media with accumulation of hyaline and calcified deposits intra tympanic membrane and middle ear's membrane. In most cases these plaques are of minimal clinical significance and result in trivial hearing dysfunction

Methods: 60 patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media and tympanosclerosis who were candidates for operation and met inclusion criteria were evaluated. Audiometric evaluations were assessed before and after surgery. Intra operative findings and Post operative clinical results were also evaluated after surgery

Results: 25[43.1%] patients were male and 33[56.9%] were female. Hearing dysfunction was monolateral in 62.1% and bilateral in 37.9%. The most common location of ossicular chain fixation is between incus and malleus reported in 24[41.3%] patients

Conclusion: Middle ear surgery result is astonishing although other factors such as severity of sclerosis and fixation localization may also be influential in surgical results

Patterns of cholesteatoma extension in chronic otitis media

To analyze the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma during surgery for chronic otitis media. A retrospective review was made of all cholesteatoma surgery in otology center within 6 years. Data included demographic data and the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma. One hundred sixty six patients, 86 [51.8%] males and 80 [48.2%] females, who were admitted with clinical diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media, with cholesteatoma. Analysis of the patterns of extension of cholesteatoma, showed that the tympanic cavity was involved in [91.6%], mastoid cavity in [74%] and Eustachian orifice in [42%] of our patients. In the Tympanic cavity, oval window [46%] and sinus tympani [40%] were involved. The most common patterns of extension included tympanic cavity. Attic and antrum involvement were greater than attic only. This study showed that despite decrease in chronic otitis media cases; still there is extensive extension of cholesteatoma in various part of temporal bone in different patients

survey of otomycosis in eastern azarbaidjan [Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences]

Otomycosis [Otitis externa] is a fungal infection of the external ear canal with only a few studies about its real frequency in Iran. To evaluate Otomycosis frequency and characteristics in patients with clinical suspicion of external otitis the present study was carried out in eastern Azarbaidjan [North - West of Iran] during 2006-2008. A total of 53 patients were assigned to mycological diagnosis [direct microscopic examination and culture]. Clinical samples of suspected patients were studied for laboratory identification in direct microscopy and cultured in specific mediums for the determination of their causative fungi. Over all 43 fungal isolates [14 male [33%] and 29 female [67%]] were taken from 53 patients suspected of Otomycosis. The mycose was more prevalent in 20-40 years age group in both sexes. The most common pathogen was Aspergillus niger [40 cases], followed by Afumigatus [3 cases] and Candida albicans [2 cases]. In clinical samples of some cases two different fungi were isolated at the same time. Saprophytic molds were the main etiologic agents of Otomycosis, and A. niger was the prime causal agent. Infection in 20-40 age groups had the most prevalence and Otomycosis among females was determined more than males. This study provided useful information on the prevalence, causative agents and health implications of Otomycosis, as an infection grossly eglected in studied environment

Lack of association between Helicobacter pylori and laryngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the role of Helicobacter pylori at the tissue level as a cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: In an Otolaryngology Ward at an academic university. SUBJECTS: Patients with laryngeal cancer as cases and patients with benign laryngeal lesion as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: In all subjects, specimens of laryngeal tissue were examined by rapid urease test while histopathologic examination was achieved to detect H. Pylori. RESULTS: Totally, 44 patients (42 men and 2 women) with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and 30 patients (24 men and 6 women) with benign laryngeal lesions (polyp, nodule, granuloma) were studied, none of which were infected with the bacterium. CONCLUSION: Our results did not show H. Pylori infection among patients with laryngeal cancer (SCC) or benign laryngeal lesions. .

Closure of septal perforation by split-thickness skin graft and cartilage

To evaluate a technique for Closure of large Septal Perforation [SP] by Split- Thickness Skin Graft and Cartilage. In this prospective study carried out from March 2000 to March 2005, 15 patients with large SP [>/= 2[cm2]] underwent closure of SP with split thickness skin graft and cartilage. The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction [66.7%] and crusts [46.7%]. In our technique, the success rate of closure was 86.7%. In two patients, closure was incomplete which was thought to be due their old age and long duration of SP. Our technique is easy, with good exposure, high success rate and is low in cost. We recommend this technique for perforation >/= 2[cm2]