The place of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ozone therapy in sudden hearing loss / O papel da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica e da ozonioterapia na surdez súbita

Abstract Introduction: It is difficult to evaluate the effect of drugs clinically used for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, mainly because its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy or ozone therapy in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, when either therapy was included with steroid treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis examined 106 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss seen between January 2010 and June 2012. Those with an identified etiology were excluded. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: oral steroid only (n = 65), oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen (n = 26), and oral steroid + ozone (n = 17). Treatment success was assessed using Siegel criteria and mean gains using pre- and post-treatment audiograms. Results: The highest response rate to treatment was observed in the oral steroid + ozone therapy group (82.4%), followed by the oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen (61.5%), and oral steroid groups (50.8%). There were no significant differences in the response to treatment between the oral steroid and oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen groups (p < 0.355). The oral steroid + ozone group showed a significantly higher response rate to treatment than the oral steroid group (p = 0.019). There were no significant differences between the oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen and oral steroid + ozone groups (p = 0.146). Conclusion: The efficiency of steroid treatment in patients with severe hearing loss was low. It was statistically ascertained that adding hyperbaric oxygen or ozone therapy to the treatment contributed significantly to treatment success.

Resumo Introdução: É difícil avaliar o efeito dos fármacos clinicamente usados na surdez súbita idiopática, principalmente porque o seu mecanismo subjacente se mantém desconhecido. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica ou ozonioterapia no tratamento de surdez súbita, quando uma ou outra terapia é incluída no tratamento com esteroides. Método: Uma análise retrospectiva examinou 106 pacientes com surdez súbita atendidos entre janeiro de 2010 e junho de 2012. Aqueles com uma etiologia identificada foram excluídos. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de tratamento: apenas esteroide oral (n = 65), esteroide por via oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (n = 26) e esteroides por via oral + ozônio (n = 17). O sucesso do tratamento foi avaliado com critérios de Siegel e os ganhos médios com audiogramas pré e pós-tratamento. Resultados: A taxa de resposta mais elevada para o tratamento foi observada no grupo de esteroide + ozonioterapia (82,4%), seguida por grupos de esteroide oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (61,5%) e esteroide oral (50,8%). Não houve diferenças significantes na resposta ao tratamento entre os grupos de esteroide oral e esteroides + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (p < 0,355). O grupo de esteroide oral + ozônio apresentou uma taxa de resposta significantemente mais elevada ao tratamento do que o grupo de esteroide oral (p = 0,019). Não houve diferenças significantes entre os grupos de esteroide oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica e esteroide oral + ozônio (p = 0,146). Conclusão: A eficiência do tratamento com esteroides em pacientes com perda auditiva grave foi baixa. Verificou-se estatisticamente que a adição de oxigenoterapia hiperbárica ou ozonioterapia ao tratamento contribuiu significantemente para o sucesso do tratamento.

Additive Effect of Oral Steroid with Topical Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug for Preventing Cystoid Macular Edema after Cataract Surgery in Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To investigate the additive effect of oral steroid with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) after cataract surgery. METHODS: Medical records of subjects who underwent uneventful cataract surgery (n = 1,349) were retrospectively reviewed; among these patients, those with pre-existing ERM (n = 81) were included. Patients were divided into two groups: one group had postoperative administration of oral steroid for 1 week (n = 45) and the other group did not have oral steroid administration (n = 36). Changes in macular thickness and incidence of CME were compared in both groups. Topical NSAIDs were administered in both groups for 1 month postoperatively. Definite CME and probable CME were defined by changes in retinal contour with or without cystoid changes. Change in central macular thickness of more than three standard deviations (≥90.17 µm) was defined as possible CME. Macular thickness was measured at 1 month after the operation by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The incidence of definite, probable, and possible CME were 2.22%, 4.44%, and 8.89% with the use of steroid and 2.78%, 5.56%, and 8.33% without steroid, respectively (p = 0.694, p = 0.603, and p = 0.625), and regardless of treatment group, the incidences in these patients were higher compared to incidences in whole subjects (1.26%, 2.30%, and 4.32%; p = 0.048, p = 0.032, and p = 0.038, respectively). The differences in macular thickness were not statistically different between the two groups. Average changes of central foveal thickness in 3 mm and 6 mm zone were 29.29 µm, 35.93 µm, and 38.02 µm with the use of steroid and 32.25 µm, 44.08 µm, and 45.39 µm without steroid (p = 0.747, p = 0.148, and p = 0.077, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that administration of oral steroid may not have a synergistic effect in reduction of CME and retinal thickness in patients with pre-existing ERM after cataract surgery, when topical NSAIDs are applied.

A Case of Ocular Toxocariasis Successfully Treated with Albendazole and Triamcinolon

We present a case of ocular toxocariasis treated successfully with oral albendazole in combination with steroids. A 26-year-old male visited the authors' clinic with the chief complaint of flying flies in his right eye. The fundus photograph showed a whitish epiretinal scar, and the fluorescein angiography revealed a hypofluorescein lesion of the scar and late leakage at the margin. An elevated retinal surface and posterior acoustic shadowing of the scar were observed in the optical coherence tomography, and Toxocara IgG was positive. The patient was diagnosed with toxocariasis, and the condition was treated with albendazole (400 mg twice a day) for a month and oral triamcinolone (16 mg for 2 weeks, once a day, and then 8 mg for 1 week, once a day) from day 13 of the albendazole treatment. The lesions decreased after the treatment. Based on this study, oral albendazole combined with steroids can be a simple and effective regimen for treating ocular toxocariasis.

Temporary Severe Neurogenic Blepharoptosis after Reconstruction of Orbital Medial Wall Fracture

PURPOSE: To report two cases of temporary severe neurogenic blepharoptosis after successful reconstruction of orbital medial wall fracture. CASE SUMMARY: A 36-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man received orbital medial wall reconstruction with Medpor(R) for large fractures. Before the operation, the patients had only moderate swelling of the lid and periorbital ecchymosis. There were no limitations of extraocular muscles or ptosis. The operations were successful, although the patients developed unilateral complete ptosis with totally impaired levetor muscle function immediately after recovering from anesthesia. There were no anisocoria or limitations of the extraocular muscles. After oral steroid therapy, the patients began to improve on postoperative day 4 and after one month, respectively, and recovered to normal lid height and levator function after two months. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharoptosis after orbital medial wall reconstruction may result from ischemic damage at the end of the superior branch of the oculomotor nerve in the orbit due to compressive and tractional manipulation. Although very rare and temporary, this complication should be considered important because the occurrence can be unpredictable and may cause dissatisfaction to the surgeon and the patient after a successful operation.

Oral steroid therapy for frozen shoulder / Terapia de esteroides orales para el hombro congelado

BACKGROUND: Since frozen shoulder is characterized by spontaneous recovery, no precise treatment strategy exists. Both conservative therapy and arthroscopic surgery is available, but the time required for recovery varies considerably. This study looks at the possible early symptom relief with oral steroid therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 76 patients aged 33 to 73 years at the beginning of the study. The duration of the frozen shoulder was one to 15 months (mean 5.7 months) and hypertension was noted in 13 patients as a complicated disorder. A single course of steroid therapy consisted of a total dose of 105 mg of prednisolone over approximately a three-week period by the dose-tapering method. The number of courses varied with the degree of symptom relief, but the rest period between courses was always approximately four weeks. The results were assessed on the basis of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, but the principal evaluations were pain and range of motion. RESULTS: The average ranges of motion before treatment were 102.8º of forward flexion 11.3º of external rotation and internal, rotation was at the buttocks. However, after one course of treatment, forward flexion was 136º, external rotation was 33.7º, and internal rotation was limited to the buttocks in only six cases. CONCLUSION: The results of oral steroid therapy for frozen shoulder were highly satisfactory. However, sufficient care is required in explaining the method of administration and the adverse effects such as the osteonecrosis of the femoral head or osteoporosis.

ANTECEDENTES: Como que el hombro congelado se caracteriza por la recuperación espontánea, no existe una estrategia de tratamiento precisa. Tanto la terapia conservadora como la cirugía artroscópica se hallan a disposición, pero el tiempo requerido para la recuperación varía considerablemente. Este estudio echa una ojeada al posible alivio de los síntomas tempranos por medio de la terapia de esteroides orales. SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: Los sujetos fueron 76pacientes en edades de 33 a 73 años al comienzo del estudio. La duración del hombro congelado fue de 1 a 15 meses (promedio 5.7 meses), y se observó hipertensión en 13 pacientes como una condición co-mórbida. Un solo tratamiento con esteroides consistía en una dosis total de 105 mg de prednisolona por un período de aproximadamente tres semanas mediante el método de reducción gradual de la dosis. El número de tratamientos varió de acuerdo con el grado de alivio del síntoma, pero el período de descanso entre tratamientos fue aproximadamente de cuatro semanas. Los resultados fueron evaluados sobre la base de la puntuación establecida por la Asociación Ortopédica del Japón (JOA), y las evaluaciones principales fueron el dolor y el alcance del movimiento. RESULTADOS: El rango promedio del movimiento antes del tratamiento fue 102.8º deflexión delantera, y 11.3º de rotación externa y la rotación interna fue en las nalgas. Sin embargo, luego de un tratamiento, la flexión delantera fue 136º, la rotación externa fue 33.7º, y la rotación interna estuvo limitada a las nalgas en sólo seis casos. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados de la terapia de esteroides orales para el hombro congelado, fueron altamente satisfactorias. Sin embargo, se requiere suficiente cuidado al explicar el método de administración y los efectos adversos, tales como la osteonecrosis de la cabeza del fémur o la osteoporosis.

Multiple hepatic adenomas in a patient with a history of oral steroid: A case report / 한국간담췌외과학회지

Multiple hepatic adenoma is a rare entity in which characterized by the presence of numerous adenomas within an otherwise normal liver. Although the disease is rare, its important lies in its tendency to produce symptoms such as abdominal pain and its potential for abdominal hemorrhages. However, the prognosis and the evolution of this entity is generally uncertain. We report a case multiple hepatic adenomas, which was proved by pathology, in 24 years old man who has been prescribed long-term oral steroid due to rheumatoid arthritis. He underwent incisional biopsy and mass enucleation of hepatic tumors with 95% alcohol injection. In the case, dissection of the liver showed many other diffuse and smaller nodules. Histologically, tumor was liver cell adenoma without pleomorphism, or mitosis. During the follow-up period of two years, new nodules were found by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance image without developed of serious complications.