Clinical Factors Influencing the Trial and Purchase of Bilateral Microphones with Contralateral Routing of Signal in Patients with Asymmetric Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives@#Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. @*Subjects and Methods@#We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. @*Results@#Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

Clinical Implication of Facial Nerve Decompression in Complete Bell's Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We compared the therapeutic efficacy of facial nerve decompression (FND) and conservative treatment in patients with Bell's palsy through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Primary database search was performed in PubMed, Medline, and Embase. After screening, 13 studies were assessed for their eligibility. Among them, seven studies employing either the House-Brackmann grading system (HBGS) or May's classification (modified HBGS) were selected for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Based on May's classification, the degree of recovery was classified into complete (HBGS I), fair (HBGS II–III), or failed (HBGS IV–VI) recovery. The outcomes were assessed between 6 and 12 months after surgery. The estimated pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effects model. Cohorts were comprised of patients who underwent FND (n=202, 53.0%) and conservative treatments (n=179, 47.0%). In pooled analysis, the rate of complete recovery was significantly higher in the FND group than in the control group (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.48; P=0.007) showing neither heterogeneity nor publication bias. Meanwhile, the rates of fair recovery (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.21; P=0.208) and failed recovery (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.22 to 1.67; P=0.327) in the FND group were similar to that in the control group. In subgroup analyses, there was no significant difference in the OR according to the operation timing and surgical approach. FND can be a possible treatment option for patients with complete Bell's palsy, especially for complete recovery, which provide insights on decision-making and outcome prediction. However, FND should be determined carefully given the risk of small study effects and possible complications.

A Case of 18-Year-Old Female with Nasopharyngeal Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

Malignant lymphoma is tumor of the immune system. It is mainly found in the lymph node but it can also originate from extranodal organs such as gastrointestinal tract, sinonasal tract, and etc. We experienced a case of 18-year-old female patient with a huge nasopharyngeal mass. The patient visited our clinic with complaints of nasal obstruction and mouth breathing without general symptoms. After extirpation and biopsy of the nasopharyngeal mass, lesion was diagnosed as malignant lymphoma. In immunohistochemistry, CD 20, Bcl-2, Bcl-6 were positive. Final diagnosis was diffused large B cell lymphoma, for which she received chemotherapy (Rituximab, Cyclophosp, Ahamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine, Prednisone). We report a case of huge malignant lymphoma that occurred in the nasopharynx with a brief review of literature.

Non-radiologic Methods for Predicting Vesicoureteral Reflux in Childhood Urinary

To evaluate the diagnostic findings of salivary gland tumors, we reexamined aspiration cytology smears of 7 cases of pleomorphic adenoma, 3 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 3 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, performed during April 1986 to March 1990, which were com?med by surgical excision and histologic diagnosis. The results obtained are summarized as follows ; 1. All cases of pleomorphic adenoma showed branching cellular clusters of epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Acellular elements including myxomatous and chondroid components were observed. There were no cellular pleomorphism and nucleoli. Keratinizing squamous epithelial cells and keratin pearls were noted. 2. The smears of adenoid cystic carcinoma showed cell balls or cell cords containing a central hyaline core. Nuclear atypism and the nucleoli were frequently observed. There were no keratinizing squamous epithelial cells. 3. The smears of mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed mainly sheets or clusters of intermediate cells and some mucin-producing cells. Some nuclear pleomorphism was observed. Mucinous material and many inflammatory cells were present in the background.