Better Understanding of Direct Bone-Conduction Measurement:Comparison with Frequency-Specific Bone-Conduction Tonesand Brainstem Responses

The present study aimed to compare thresholds of directbone-conduction (BC direct) with those of behaviorally measured BC pure-tone audiometry(PTA) and objectively measured BC auditory brainstem response (ABR) to confirm the clinicalfeasibility of their relationships. Subjects and Methods: Young adults with normal hearingparticipated in the study to determine the thresholds from three measurements at four testingfrequencies. In the BC direct, the vibrator of a bone-anchored hearing aid softband wasplaced on the right mastoid of each subject. In both PTA and ABR, a B71 bone oscillatorwas placed on the subject’s right mastoid. While the subject’s thresholds of BC direct andBC PTA were determined with a clinically routine 5-dB step procedure, BC ABR was conductedto determine the individual’s hearing sensitivity by a peak V of the waveform usingtone-burst and click stimuli. Results: The BC direct showed a different pattern between lowand high frequencies. Precisely, its thresholds were 13.25 and 12.25 dB HL at 0.5 and 1kHz, respectively, but 19 and 19.75 dB HL at 2 and 4 kHz, respectively. A significant positivecorrelation existed between BC direct and PTA at 1 kHz, which was also correlated withABR. Conclusions: Based on the current data, the thresholds of BC direct were similar toBC PTA at low frequencies and BC ABR at high frequencies. The thresholds of BC directmight be predictable at approximately 5 dB higher (or lower) than that in PTA, although alarge data set is required for standardization. J Audiol Otol 2020;24(2):85-90

Speech Perception and Gap Detection Performance of Single-Sided Deafness under Noisy Conditions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many studies have reported no benefit of sound localization, but improved speech understanding in noise after treating patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). Furthermore, their performances provided a large individual difference. The present study aimed to measure the ability of speech perception and gap detection in noise for the SSD patients to better understand their hearing nature.

IgG4-related Skin Disease: Experience with Two Cases / 대한피부과학회지

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a new disease entity characterized by elevated serum IgG4 and infiltration of IgG4+ plasma cells in tissue. IgG4-RD can involve various organs, and skin could also be affected. The manifestations of IgG4-related skin disease (IgG4-RSD) are not characteristic, however it usually presents with multiple erythematous nodules or plaques with itching sensation. We report two cases of IgG4-RSD. Histological studies of these cases revealed infiltration of numerous plasma cells and mononuclear cells in the entire dermis. Some plasma cells were strongly positive for IgG4 stain. IgG4-RSD is a treatable disease with systemic corticosteroids. Thus, clinicians should obtain a biopsy and identify IgG4-positive cells for an accurate diagnosis.

A Case of Trichothiodystrophy with a Low Sulfur Level in the Hair Shafts / 대한피부과학회지

Trichothiodystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and it is caused by reduced levels of high-sulfur amino acids and most particularly cystine in hair shafts. The patients with trichothiodystrophy show a broad range of clinical phenotypes from only hair involvement to multisystem abnormalities. A 7-year-old girl visited the clinic with a complaint of short, sparse and slow-growing hair, which had been presented since birth. The patient's hair showed characteristic dark and light banding, which gave a "tiger tail" appearance under light microscopy, and polarization and cuticular degeneration were seen under the scanning microscopy. Evaluation of the mineral density in the patient's hair shaft showed a low level of sulfur. We herein report on a case of trichothiodystrophy with sulfur-deficiency in the hair shafts.

Primary Cutaneous Infection with Scedosporium apiospermum Successfully Treated with Intravenouse Itraconazole / 대한의진균학회지

Scedosporium apiospermum is a rising opportunistic fungus that may infect immunocompetent individuals and may cause often fatal disease among the increasing immunosuppressed patient population. This pathogen is typically difficult to treat because of its particular resistance to commonly used antimycotic drugs. We describe an 83-year-old male patient with a history of long-term corticosteroid treatment for chronic prurigo simplex, who developed multiple suppurative nodules on a erythematous plaque at the right forearm. Histological examinations revealed granulomatous infiltration with hyphae and spores in dermis and fungal cultured isolation for definitive diagnosis showed S. apiospermum. Treatment was started with oral fluconazole, but skin lesions were getting worse. Then patient was treated with 200 mg of intravenouse itraconazole daily. Skin lesions showed a marked improvement after 1 week, and completely healing after 3 weeks.