Does the Kyphotic Change Decrease the Risk of Fall?

OBJECTIVES: Falls are a major problem in the elderly. Age-related degeneration of the human balance system increases the risk of falls. Kyphosis is a common condition of curvature of the upper spine in the elderly and its development occurs through degenerative change. However, relatively little is known about the effect of kyphotic changes on balance in the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of kyphosis on the balance strategy through use of the motor control test (MCT) in computerized dynamic posturography. METHODS: Fifty healthy subjects who were not affected by other medical disorders that could affect gait or balance were enrolled in the study. By simulation of kyphotic condition through change of the angles of the line connecting the shoulder to the hip and the ankle axis by approximately 30degrees, the latency and amplitude of the MCT were measured in upright and kyphotic condition. RESULTS: In the kyphotic condition, latency was shortened in backward movement. In forward movement, latency was shortened only in large stimulation. The amplitude in forward movement was decreased in kyphotic condition. However, the change of amplitude was not significant in large intensity backward movement in the same condition. CONCLUSION: Kyphotic condition decreases the latency of MCT, especially in backward movement. These findings imply that kyphotic condition may serve as a protective factor against falls.

A Case of Endonasal, Endoscopic Repair of Posttraumatic Delayed Pneumocephalus

Pneumocephalus is the presence of intracranial air, the most common cause of which is head trauma that allows contact between the intracranial cavity and the atmosphere. Pneumocephalus, commonly associated with increased intracranial pressure, causes rapid neurologic deterioration requiring emergent intervention. Recently, endoscopic sinus surgery techniques have been used in the diagnosis and repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks. We present a case in which endoscopic techniques were used to treat pneumocephalus that occurred three years after head trauma. The procedure for and advantages of the endoscopic endonasal approach over the external approach are presented in this paper.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Nasal Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is an uncommon tumor composed of myofibroblasts and various types of inflammatory infiltrates that rarely undergoes malignant transformation. It commonly involves the lung, liver, mesentery but rarely affects the head and neck region. Although inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is generally considered a benign reactive inflammatory process, it may present clinically and radiologically as an invasive mass destructing the surrounding structures. Therefore, it should be considered as one of several differential diagnoses from malignant tumors. We present a case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor involving the nasal cavity, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinus with a fatal outcome.

A Study for the Characteristic Frequency of Korean Disyllabic Word List / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Speech audiometry is a useful test for obtaining practical information which could not be gotten from the pure-tone audiometer test. Nowadays, Hahm's Korean disyllabic word lists are the most commonly used word lists for the speech reception threshold test in Korea. The disyllabic word lists should be composed of spondaic words (equally stressed words). The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristic frequency of Hahm's disyllabic word lists. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two of the Hahm's disyllabic word lists were evaluated. The word lists were analyzed using an acoustic analysis program that has the MATLAB function. RESULTS: The percentage of disyllabic words in the Hahm's disyllabic word lists that had the spondaic words pattern were 33%. The characteristic frequencies of these words were equally stressed above 1,000 Hz. Other disyllabic words showed an unequally stressed pattern. The percentage of words that had the first syllable stressed pattern was 31% and the percentage of second syllable stressed pattern was 36%. CONCLUSION: Some words, which are commonly used in the Hahm's disyllabic words lists, had an unequally stressed pattern. A new Korean dissyllabic word list needs to use more balanced words that have the characteristic frequency of each word.

A Case of inferior vestibular schwannoma which was lately diagnosed due to normal hearing level

Vestibular schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from the Schwann cells in the vestibular nerve. It causes unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and unsteadiness. The most common symptom is reduced hearing on the affected side. In most cases patients present complaining of hearing impairment or vertigo from which the otologist can get a clue to diagnose vestibular schwannoma. We experienced an unusual case of 45-year-old woman presented with recurrent mild dizziness without any hearing loss so the patient initially diagnosed with recurrent vestibulopathy. However, subsequent neurotologic evaluation and posterior fossa MRI scanning confirmed diagnosis of huge vestibular schwannoma originated from inferior vestibular nerve.