Peritubal adenoidectomy in chronic and/or persistent otitis with effusion

Patients having recurrent and/or persisent OME should have their nasopharynx examined for any adenoid hypertrophy or remnant even in those cases which had had previous conventional adenoid surgery. The superolateral aspect of the nasopharynx should be especially and specifically examined under direct endoscopic visualization. Endoscopic visualization and removal of that adenoid is recommended to break the visious cycle of recurrent or persistent OME. The procedure proved to be safe, reliable and accurate. Plain X-ray was shown to be of limited value where the lateral lymphoid tissue predominates while the endoscope proved to be value in diagnosis and management. Tube extrusion and reversal of the cycle was noted with normal tympanic membrane in 84% of our cases

Quantitative study of lipofuscin accumulation in cochleae of patients with presbycusis

Presbycusis is a major disability for the elderly. Its mechanisms are little known. Presbycusis is accompanied by accumulation of lipofuscin which is considered a reliable, well visualized marker. In this study, the areas occupied by lipofuscin in the three segments of spiral ganglion of the cochlea from subjects with presbycusis, were quantified. The greater accumulation in the anterior basal segment was found, compared to the posterior basal [junction of basal and middle turns] and upper segments. This may be due to greater functional and metabolic activity in the anterior basal segment. Indeed, the basal segment of the cochlea is exposed to all vibrations, whereas the apical segment is exposed to low frequencies only. The increase of lipofuscin in the basal segment indicates that the process of aging might be accelerated in this segment in comparison to other segments