Columnar and surface aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula establishing annual cycles, trends, and relationships in five geographical sectors.

The study of atmospheric aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) under a climatological perspective is accomplished by means of PM10 and AOD440 nm measurements from EMEP and AERONET networks, respectively, in the period 2000-2013. The PM10 annual cycles in five Iberian sectors show a main maximum in summer and a secondary maximum in spring, which is only observed in the southern area for the AOD climatology. The characteristics of PM10-AOD annual cycles of each geographical sector are explained by the different climatology of the air mass origins and their apportioning. The two magnitudes are correlated with a factor ranging between 20 and 90 depending on the sector. The temporal evolution of the aerosol load has shown a notable decrease in the IP since the 1980s. Statistically significant trends are obtained in the Northeastern sector with a reduction of 26% (period 1985-2000) for the total suspended particles, which continues for the PM10 data with a value of 35% per decade (2001-2013), and also in the whole column, 61% per decade in the AOD440 nm (2004-2013).

[New advances in inner ear diagnostic imaging]. / Nuevos avances en el diagnóstico por imagen del oído interno.

Recent applications of magnetic resonance in the ear pathology are described. Attention is drawn to the new magnetic resonance sequences in two and three dimensions and their contribution to the understanding of anatomy and pathology of the inner ear, especially the membranous labyrinth.

Three-dimensional MR of the inner ear with steady-state free precession.

PURPOSE: To describe the steady-state free-precession MR sequence and its application to the study of the inner ear. METHOD: The inner ear was imaged with CT and a 0.5-T MR unit in three dimension, to evaluate the various signals from the lumen of the labyrinth. RESULTS: Normally, the signal from the perilymphatic and endolymphatic spaces is homogeneous. However, among our cases of neurosensory deafness, differences of signal and morphology were seen in patients with otosclerosis, ossifying labyrinthitis, and inner ear malformations. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional MR, used together with routine two-dimensional fast spin-echo, is another diagnostic too]l that can provide new data in the evaluation of the normal and unhealthy inner ear.

[Contribution of MRI to the study of the inner ear]. / Aportaciones de la RM en el estudio del oído interno.

We analyse the contribution of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to the study of the inner ear for the evaluation of normal anatomy and pathology of the membranous labyrinth. Our protocol is discussed with emphasis on 3D SSFP images (tridimensional Steady State Free Precession) and high resolution 2D SEF images (bidimensional Fast Spin Echo). We comment briefly on the indications of the method in neurosensory hearing loss and the way in which it complements CT.

[Carotid paraganglioma: a case report]. / Paraganglioma carotídeo. Caso clínico.

Carotid paraganglioma are tumors arising from chemoreceptor paraganglioma cells. These cells have proved to have an embryologic origin from the neural crests. Due to their low incidence these tumors are not an habitually found in daily practices. We present a case of carotid body paraganglioma diagnosed by clinical exploration, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography which was successfully treated by surgery. The diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties present in these tumors are discussed.

Association of spontaneous anterior fossa CSF rhinorrhea and congenital perilymphatic fistula in a patient with recurrent meningitis.

A case of recurrent meningitis associated with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and left sensorineural hearing loss in a 4-year-old boy was found to be due to simultaneous congenital defects. High resolution CT examination clearly showed an anterior fossa defect and an inner ear malformation, including demineralization in the region of the footplate of the stapes, and thus provided clear guidance for the surgeon.

[Computer tomography assessment of recurrence following total laryngectomy]. / Valoración mediante tomografía computarizada de una recidiva tras la laringectomía total.

45 patients who had received total laryngectomy for laryngeal neoplasia were reviewed with CT, using a study protocol for systematic evaluation as well as the identification of the principal sites of probable recurrence. The advantages of this technique, and some of the considerations which have to be taken into account to avoid error in diagnosis, are commented upon.

Malformations of the inner auditory canal.

Malformations of the internal auditory meatus (I.A.M.) are often accompanied by other radiological abnormalities affecting the entire inner ear. In our series of cases we demonstrate solitary deformities of the IAM ranging from the stenosis of the canal (4 cases) to extreme narrowing (2 cases) or complete atresia. Another anomaly is the presence of a thick bony wall dividing the canal in two separate compartments, superior and inferior (3 cases). Most of the cases of solitary malformations were unilateral; they can be diagnosed at any age, considering that the patient has normal hearing in the opposite ear. When the malformation of the IAM occurs, associated with major deformities of the labyrinth (5 cases), we found an abnormal communication of CSF to the tympanic cavity, due to a severe anomaly of the fundus of the IAM. Meningitis is a frequent complication in patients with this abnormality.

[Radioanatomy of the ethmoid]. / Radioanatomie de l'ethmoïde.

The radiological anatomy of the ethmoid was poorly understood until the arrival of tomographic methods, especially computed tomography. Mouret, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier, devoted himself to the study of this anatomical region and proposed a systematic description of the ethmoid. The usual plain X-ray view of the sinuses present certain defects because of bony superimposition. The OM + 20 degrees view of the base of the skull proposed by G. Guillen appears to be the most precise view for the study of the anatomy and physiology of the region, as it coincides with the axis of drainage of the ethmoidal air cells.

[Apropos of a case of recurrent meningitis]. / A propósito de un caso de meningitis recurrente.

The recurrent meningitis associated with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea in a 4-year-old boy was found to be due to simultaneous congenital defects. There was a dehiscence of the anterior fossa associated with congenital changes in the temporal bone, the petrous bone and the stapes. All these defects were visible including demineralization of the footplate stapes region. The high-resolution X-ray CT served as a clear guide to the surgeon.

The ethmoid labyrinth: an anatomical and comparative radiological study.

After an osteologic description of the ethmoid labyrinth, the radiologic techniques which best display the ethmoidal cell topography, relationships and configuration are examined. On the basis of these observations it is concluded that standard radiographic tests cannot give a clear anatomic-radiologic representation of the ethmoid cells and that they must be supplemented with tomography.

The ethmoid labyrinth. An anatomical and radiological study.

After an osteological description of the ethmoid labyrinth, the authors examine the radiological techniques which best display the topography, interrelation and configuration of the ethmoid cells. On the basis of their observations they conclude that standard radiographic examinations cannot provide an adequately clear anatomical-radiological representation of these cells and must therefore be supplemented with polytomography and computerized tomography.