[Involvement of the audiovestibular system in multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a chronic demylinated disease of central nervous system which strikingly has racial and geographic differences in prevalence and symptoms. Audiovestibular involvement is relatively common in MS. In a descriptive prospective cross-sectional study on 36 patients who fulfill McDonald criteria of MS history of Audiovestibular symptoms was recorded and audiologic assessment including tunning fork, speech and pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and auditory brainstem response [ABR] performed. The mean age was 29 year [range: 18-48] and female to male ratio was 17. The most common symptoms in otoneurologic domain were balance disorders [63.5%] and in 16.7% cases there was true vertigo. In audiometry 22.2% sensoryneural hearing loss mainly unilateral was repotted. ABR in 44.4% had abnormality in morphology or latency. Vertigo in 5.6% and hearing loss in 2.8% were the first symptoms. Audiovestibular involvement is fairly common and occasionally it can be the first symptom in MS, so an otorhinolaryngologist has better consider this diagnosis when a patient refers with this symptom especially in young women

[Categorize auditory performance in 53 cases using cochlear implants]

The aim of this study is determine the auditory performance of congenitally deaf children following cochlear implantation and comparisons of auditory performance before and after cochlear implantation. This is a prospective study of 53 children having been implanted in khorasan center, and followed for 5 years. All children are aged less than 8 years at the time of implantation the mean of age at implantation is 42 months. Auditory performance is assessed by using the Categories of Auditory Performance scale [CAP]. Prelingually deaf children showed significant improvement in the auditory performance with implant experience. Six-month after implantation 91% of children could rassed to speech sound 96% could discriminate speech sounds at the 12 month interval. 80% of children who reaches the three year interval could understand common phrases without lip reading. These results indicate the ability of cochlear implants to provide significant auditory skills for young congenital deaf children

[Etiologic evaluation and treatment progress in necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck]

Necrotizing fasciitis is an overwhelming infection common to perineum, abdominal wall, and extremities. It is a surgical emergency related to a high mortality rate that is more often seen in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Necrotizing fasciitis occurs uncommonly in the head and neck region. A retrospective study conducted on fasciitis necrotizing patients that were treated at Ghaem hospital since 2002-2005. Over a 4-year period, 4 cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck region collected at Ghaem hospital. The demographic, predisposing factors, clinical presentation and management were analyzed. The most common associated systemic disease was diabetes. Local swelling and erythematous changes was the most common sign. The cornerstones of proper management include early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics and intensive supportive care. Necrotizing fasciitis mostly occurs in old patients with systemic disease specially diabetes mellitus which the common cause was dental infection