[Diagnostics of endolymphatic hydrops].

The objective of the present work was to analyse the methods for diagnostics of endolymphatic hydrops associated with Miniere's disease most frequently employed in clinical practice using both the data from the world scientific literature and our own 25-30 year experience based on the observation of more than 500 patients. Camertonal studies of hearing acuity estimated from the results of air conduction measurements and relevant acoumetric curves were considered. The main methods of research are discussed including such as tonal threshold audiometry, ultrasound testing, loud sound lateralization, dehydration test, extratympanic electrocochleography, otoacoustic emission, and functional computed stabilometry. It is concluded that none of the above methods is as reliable as to yield the comprehensive information being sought. All the data obtained by the application of these techniques need to be supplemented by the medical history data, the patients' complaints, clinical signs and symptoms of the disease if the definitive diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops is to be made.

[The results of laser-assisted piston stapedoplasty in the patients with otosclerosis].

The objective of the present study was to compare the immediate result of laser-assisted piston stapedoplasty with the use of prosthetic stapes of different diameter in the patients with otosclerosis. The patients of both (study and control) groups underwent the measurement of the bone conduction (BC) auditory threshold before, 10-12 days, and 1 month after surgery. The bone-air interval (BAI) was measured in the same time periods. A CO2 laser was used to form a hole 0.5 mm in diameter at the base of the stirrup bone in the patients of group 1; titanium prostheses (Heinz Kurz GmbH) were 0.4 mm in diameter and 4.25 mm in length. The patients of group 2 were treated similarly, but the hole at the base of the stirrup bone had a greater diameter of 0.7 mm while the prostheses were 0.6 mm in diameter and 4.25 mm in length. The BC auditory thresholds were not significantly different after surgery in the patients of A and B subgroups (mixed forms I and II of otosclerosis, respectively). The postoperative BAI values in the patients with a larger hole at the base of the stirrup bone and prostheses of greater diameter were significantly lower than in the patients of the other group (p≤0,05). These data suggest that the use of prostheses of greater diameter has certain advantages for stapedoplasty by the methos employed in the present study.

[The results of stapedoplasty with the use of an auricular autocartilage as a stapes bone prosthesis in the patients presenting with a mixed form of otosclerosis].

The authors present immediate and long-term results of stapedoplasty with the use of an auricular autocartilage as a stapes bone prosthesis in 52 patients presenting with mixed (types I and II) otosclerosis. The surgical procedure is described in considerable detail. The average bone-conduction auditory threshold was shown to slightly increase depending on the duration of the disease (less than and over 15 years): by 5 dB and 9 dB in mixed otosclerosis of types I and II respectively. Mean values of the bone-conduction auditory threshold before and after surgery were not significantly different depending on the localization of otosclerotic foci in patients with the mixed (types I and II) disease (affecting the annular ligament and the base of the stapes bone in 20 patients; annular ligament, base of the stapes, and promontory in 32 ones). The average bone-air gap (BAG) in the early and late observation periods did not exceed 10 dB in either form of otosclerosis which suggests high efficacy of the surgical treatment given to the patients in the present study.

[Diagnosis of labyrinthine fistula in patients suffering from otitis media purulenta chronica with cholesteatoma: informative value of different methods].

Informative content of different methods of labyrinthine fistulas (LF) diagnosis was assessed in 118 patients suffering from otitis media purulenta chronica (OMPC) with cholesteatoma which ran for 20 years and longer in 82.2% patients, 83.9% had fistula symptom. Unilateral hypoacusis was diagnosed in 68 (57.6%), bilateral--in 50 (42.4%) patients. Severity of vestibular disorders correlated positively with LF size and duration of the disease. Advanced LF was detected in 65 (55.1%) patients, multiple--in 7 (5.9%). Computed tomography of the temporal bone detected LF in all 29 OMPC examinees including "silent" fistulas. Thus, the disease history, clinically manifest fistula symptom and CT of the temporal bone are most informative for diagnosis of LF in OMPC with cholesteatoma.

[Treatment of subjective noise in the ear by impulse low-frequency electromagnetic field (preliminary results)]. / Lechenie sub''ektivnogo ushnogo shuma s pomoshch'iu impul'snogo nizkochastotnogo élektromagnitnogo polia (predvaritel'nye rezul'taty).

25 patients with subjective noise in the ears, primarily in neurosensory hypoacusis, were exposed to pulse low-frequency electromagnetic field (PLFEMF) generated by INFITA unit with attached device ELEMAGS. The noise complaints began 1 to 10 years before. The previous conservative therapy failed. PLFEMF eliminated the noise in 2 patients, reduced it noticeably (by 60%) or changed its tone in 19 patients. At 6-12-month follow-up positive effect persisted. The results of the study allow the authors to recommend PLFEMF for wide clinical practice.