Short Term Follow-Up Result of Unilateral Hearing Loss Referred Patient by Newborn Hearing Screening / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hearing screening is mandatory for newborns. The management of patients who fail hearing screening is important. This study examined the prognosis of patients who had hearing loss detected on the newborn hearing screening. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The results of newborn hearing tests, follow-up hearing tests, and risk factors for hearing loss were analyzed retrospectively in prospectively collected data. Newborn hearing screening testing using an auto auditory brain stem (ABR) response was performed for 1296 newborns from January 2010 to December 2012 at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. Follow-up hearing tests using ABR and otoacoustic emissions were performed 6 and 12 months after the newborn hearing screening. RESULTS: Of the 1296 newborns who underwent hearing screening tests, 63 were referred and 58 had confirmed hearing loss. The hearing loss was unilateral in 74.2% (43/58). During the 1-year follow-up, about half of the patients showed improved hearing function. Premature birth was related to hearing recovery. CONCLUSION: During the follow-up, some patients with unilateral hearing loss showed recovery. Some premature patients can expect hearing recovery during follow-up testing. Regular follow-up after newborn hearing screening is important to detect hearing changes in this period.

The Utility of Sono-Guided Sclerotherapy for Benign Thyroid Cyst: Prospective Study / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasonography (USG)-guided sclerotherapy using a sclerotherapic agent such as ethanol, OK-432, recently has gained popularity as a treatment for nonfunctioning benign thyroid nodules. The study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the USG-guided sclerotherapy for that purpose. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Included in the study were 23 patients who had complaints of applied pressure or cosmetic problems due to cystic thyroid nodules, which had been diagnosed as benign and nonfunctioning by fine-needle aspiration biopsy and thyroid function test. Sclerotherapy was performed with OK-432 or 99.9% ethanol following nearly complete evacuation of the fluid from the cystic portion of thyroid nodule. At each USG follow-up, we measured the volume of cysts, symptom scores, cosmetic scores using a visual analog scale, and related complications were examined at postoperative dates of one and six months. RESULTS: The volume of thyroid cysts were significantly reduced (p<0.01) with mean volume reduction rates of 77.3+/-21.2% at postoperative 6 months. The cosmetic score and symptom score were significantly improved following sclerotherapy (p<0.01). Major complications related to sclerotherapy, such as vocal cord paralysis, thyrotoxicosis and tissue necrosis, did not happen during the follow-up observation. CONCLUSION: USG-guided sclerotherapy could be a simple and effective treatment modality for benign cystic thyroid nodules.

Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential and Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential in Patients With Vestibular Neuritis and Acute Viral Labyrinthitis / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vestibular neuritis predominantly affects the superior branch of the vestibular nerve, resulting in vertigo. Acute viral labyrinthitis occurs when an infection affects both vestibulo-cochlear nerve and labyrinth, resulting in hearing changes as well as vertigo. The purpose of study is to identify there is a difference of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) in patients with vestibular neuritis and acute viral labyrinthitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: cVEMP and oVEMP tests using 500-Hz tone-burst stimuli were performed on patients with vestibular neuritis and acute viral labyrinthitis. Pure tone audiometry, caloric test and subjective visual vertical (SVV) were performed in all patients. We compared the VEMP results, SVV, caloric test in patients with vestibular neuritis and acute viral labyrinthitis. RESULTS: Abnormal cVEMP responses were detected in 2 (20%) patients with vestibular neuritis and 5 (100%) patients with labyrinthitis. Abnormal oVEMP responses were detected in 9 patients (90%) with vestibular neuritis and 5 (100%) patients with labyrinthitis. oVEMP abnormalities is correlated with caloric test and subjective visual vertical in patients with vestibular neuritis and labyrinthits. CONCLUSION: Our results shows that the response of cVEMP and oVEMP between patients with vestibular neuritis and acute viral labyrinthitis is different. We can infer that oVEMP response to air-conducted sound is different vestibular origin compared to cVEMP and may originate from utricle.

Preauricular Angioleiomyoma

Preauricular masses are commonly seen in the otology clinic. Excisional biopsy is essential for diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of malignancy and for cosmetic purposes. We recently treated a rare case of angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area. Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor arising from smooth muscle within blood vessel walls. These tumors can arise anywhere in the body; however, they are usually found in the lower extremities and present as a painful mass. Angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area in an elderly person is rare, and only a few cases have been reported. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old male patient with angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area and provide a literature review.

Preauricular Angioleiomyoma

Preauricular masses are commonly seen in the otology clinic. Excisional biopsy is essential for diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of malignancy and for cosmetic purposes. We recently treated a rare case of angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area. Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor arising from smooth muscle within blood vessel walls. These tumors can arise anywhere in the body; however, they are usually found in the lower extremities and present as a painful mass. Angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area in an elderly person is rare, and only a few cases have been reported. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old male patient with angioleiomyoma of the preauricular area and provide a literature review.

Clinical Characteristics of Tinnitus in Elderly / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is commonly known to occur in the elderly, while presbytinnitus is not known as well. This study compared the clinical characteristics of tinnitus between the elderly and adults. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This prospective case-control study enrolled 148 patients who had subjective tinnitus. Demographic data, otologic history, tinnitus questionnaires, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), a visual analogue scale, and audiological examinations were evaluated. RESULTS: The effect of tinnitus on the quality of life and the severity of tinnitus in the elderly were not different from those in adults. The elderly were more annoyed with the tinnitus than adults. The elderly had louder and longer tinnitus. Nevertheless, the elderly had a lower THI score. The effect of tinnitus on the quality of life was not correlated with tinnitus loudness, duration, or hearing threshold. In the elderly, the effect of tinnitus on the quality of life was correlated more with the emotional score of the THI than the other subscales of the THI. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus has a great effect on the quality of life of the elderly. This is related more to psychological factors than to otological factors.