Complications after cochlear implantation in adult patients: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the complication rate in adult patients during and after cochlear implantation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who had undergone cochlear implantation at a tertiary referral centre between 2009 and 2018. All complications and their treatments were categorised as either minor or major, as well as intra- or post-operative. RESULTS: The records of 392 patients with 395 implants were reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 89 ± 65.5 months (range, 6-408 months). The mean age of patients was 46 ± 15.2 years (range, 19-84 years). Sixty-two patients (16 per cent) had minor complications and 31 (8 per cent) had major complications. CONCLUSION: Although cochlear implantation has the potential for significant intra- and post-operative complications, the actual complication rate is relatively low, and it can therefore be considered a safe procedure.

Histopathological and audiological effects of mechanical trauma associated with the placement of an intracochlear electrode, and the benefit of corticosteroid infusion: prospective animal study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the histopathological and audiological effects of mechanical trauma associated with the placement of a model electrode in the scala tympani in rats, and the effects of continuous topical corticosteroid application. METHOD: The study comprised three groups of rats. The round window membrane was perforated in all three groups and a model electrode was inserted in the round window. Group one received no further treatments. Groups two and three also had an intrathecal microcatheter compatible with a mini-osmotic pump inserted; in group two this was used to release normal saline and in group three the pump released 400 µg/ml dexamethasone. RESULTS: Dexamethasone infusion given after implantation of the intracochlear model electrode was more effective for preventing hearing loss than the administration of just one dose of dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that continuous dexamethasone infusion is beneficial for preventing the loss of hair cells and neurons associated with early and late periods of intracochlear electrode trauma.

Pulmonary hypertension during lithium therapy: clinical case study.

The authors presented a case of pulmonary hypertension during lithium therapy, while she has been on lithium for 6 years. The patient developed pulmonary hypertension without a prior diagnosed cardiac and/or pulmonary disease. This is the first report of pulmonary hypertension in an adult patient during lithium therapy.

Bleeding induced by SSRIs.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been accused of causing bleeding problems as a side effect. Theories about the mechanism are still being discussed. We report a case, presenting bleeding problems, during sertraline treatment. The SSRIs are widely used to treat depression and many other psychiatric disorders. Their lower severity of side effects and being markedly safer in overdose are some of the reasons of their preference as primary choice in most of the cases. Besides their common side effects like, agitation, headache, insomnia, weight gain or loss, and sexual dysfunction, SSRIs also have been suspected of increasing the risk of bleeding. A population-based cohort study supported the hypothesis of an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the use of SSRIs, and they also indicated that this effect is potentiated with concurrent use of NSAIDs or low-dose aspirin. We would like to report our recent experience with one patient who was on sertraline, 50 mg/day.

Comparison of the suppressive effects of L-aspartic acid and chlorpromazine + diazepam treatments on opiate abstinence syndrome signs in men.

According to the hypothesis implying that the main reason of physical dependence on opiate is the inhibition of brain L-asparaginase activity and L-aspartic acid gradually decreases compulsory opiate intake so that physical dependence disappears by itself, 31 opiate addicts were given 8 g L-aspartic acid for 7 days after withdrawal from opiate and appearance of abstinence syndrome signs. The attenuations by L-aspartic acid of the abstinence syndrome signs were statistically compared with those obtained from other 12 opiate addicts received daily 50 mg chlorpromazine + 60 mg diazepam which have long been used to suppress abstinence syndrome because of their multiple receptor blocking and sedative effects. The intensity and duration of 13 signs out of 16 ones were found to be significantly more alleviated and shortened in the addicts treated with L-aspartic acid.