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Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi =... Jun 2024Over 5% of the global population (430 million people) require rehabilitation for hearing loss. Individuals with hearing impairments face significant challenges in...
BACKGROUND
Over 5% of the global population (430 million people) require rehabilitation for hearing loss. Individuals with hearing impairments face significant challenges in business, daily life, and social participation. Hearing loss (HL) and other permanent physical and sensory disabilities escalate dramatically in cases with brain damage and temporal bone trauma associated with head injuries. This study aims to identify the significant risk factors for hearing loss following head trauma, utilizing current data, and discuss the findings in the context of the literature. This could contribute to the development of standard approaches for assessing such cases.
METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed files and reports from individuals assessed for hearing loss at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine. The study included cases that applied at least 12 months post-trauma, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022, after their recovery process was completed. Sociodemographic data, types of temporal bone fractures, initial otoscopic examination findings, presence or absence of intracranial injury, type of hearing loss, and audiometry test results for air and bone conduction pure tone threshold averages were evaluated. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).
RESULTS
Out of 244 cases, 177 (72.5%) were male and 67 (27.5%) were female. It was observed that the majority of trauma cases occurred in the 19-40 age group (49.2%; n=120). In the initial otoscopic examinations post-trauma, otorrhagia/otorrhea was the most common finding, both as an isolated symptom (n=59, 24.2%) and when accompanied by other symptoms. No temporal bone fractures were detected in 43 cases (17.6%). Longitudinal fractures were found in 141 cases (57.8%), transverse fractures in 48 (19.7%), and mixed-type fractures in 12 (4.9%). The statistical difference in air conduction and bone conduction pure tone threshold averages between groups with and without intracranial injury was significant (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Post-traumatic examinations should employ a multidisciplinary approach, adhering to standard medical improvement and assessment timelines. It is essential to verify whether each patient's medical improvement process has reached its maximum potential. We believe that adhering to these recommendations and utilizing standardized classifications for hearing loss will prevent the loss of rights.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Hearing Loss; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Aged; Temporal Bone; Craniocerebral Trauma; Risk Factors; Child
PubMed: 38863291
DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.63099 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Epistaxis is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergencies that present to the emergency or primary care centers.
BACKGROUND
Epistaxis is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergencies that present to the emergency or primary care centers.
STUDY AIM
This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the Saudi general public toward epistaxis.
METHODS
This study adopted a cross-sectional analytical study design. The questionnaire link was distributed using social media channels. The participants were adult Saudi nationals that live in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed knowledge related to epistaxis. The knowledge score was calculated using the 10 knowledge evaluation questions. Each correct response was assigned a value of "one." The scores ranged from "zero" to "ten," with higher scores signifying greater knowledge. A percentage score was computed, and the participants' knowledge was classified as poor (% score: ≤50%), moderate (% score: 51 to 70%), and good (% score: 71 to 100%). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
The study included 452 participants of whom 70.1% were females. Married individuals comprised 60.8% of the sample. The prevalence of self-reported epistaxis was 43.6% in the last 6 months. Among the participants, 42.9%, had "Poor" knowledge score, followed by 39.6% who had "moderate" score, and 17.5% had "Good" score. These results show that most participants had poor to moderate knowledge, with a minority demonstrating a good level of knowledge. All demographic variables have significantly influenced the adequacy of knowledge about epistaxis. Furthermore, participants who believed that the general public has insufficient knowledge on epistaxis had a significantly lower knowledge score ( = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The present study found a non-satisfactory, low-to-moderate knowledge level of the Saudi general public toward epistaxis. We propose emphasizing public knowledge and education about first aid for epistaxis because proper first aid can minimize significant complications when done properly.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Saudi Arabia; Female; Male; Epistaxis; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent
PubMed: 38859901
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1269559 -
PloS One 2024Audio processors (AP) are the external components of hearing implants. User satisfaction with the performance and comfort of their AP is a critical factor in ensuring...
OBJECTIVE
Audio processors (AP) are the external components of hearing implants. User satisfaction with the performance and comfort of their AP is a critical factor in ensuring daily use, which leads to improved hearing outcomes. The aim of this study was to construct and validate an Arabic language translation of the APSQ for use among Arabic-speaking clinicians and patients.
DESIGN
The original APSQ was translated into the Arabic language using cross-cultural adaptation measures. The final questionnaire was administered to CI users in electronic form.
STUDY SAMPLE
117 CI users (64 female) participated. A total of 179 ears were assessed.
RESULTS
High levels of satisfaction with audio processors were observed among CI users. Item and scale analyses indicate that this version of the APSQ measure a homogeneous and valid construct.
CONCLUSION
The Arabic version of the APSQ captures user satisfaction with hearing implant audio processors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires; Male; Patient Satisfaction; Middle Aged; Adult; Language; Cochlear Implants; Aged; Translations; Young Adult
PubMed: 38857266
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303301 -
Cureus May 2024Glomus tympanicum is a type of glomus tumor that affects the middle ear, located at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Glomus tumors, in general, are rare,...
Glomus tympanicum is a type of glomus tumor that affects the middle ear, located at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Glomus tumors, in general, are rare, slow-growing tumors and may not require surgery in some patients. It can be challenging to manage due to its hypervascularity, location, and advanced stage of diagnosis. Although glomus tympanicum commonly presents with pulsatile tinnitus and conductive hearing loss, it presented in our patient with large-volume hemoptysis and epistaxis, requiring urgent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. We highlight the unique presentation of a 48-year-old female with sudden onset large-volume hemoptysis and epistaxis, leading to the discovery of a hypervascular glomus tympanicum in the right middle ear, identified via MRI. On arrival, her vitals were within normal limits, and a physical examination was pertinent for the obvious ongoing bleeding from her mouth. The examination revealed increased respiratory effort and bilateral crackles. Laboratory values were pertinent for hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dl. Earexamination revealed a large, vascular-appearing mass filling the right ear. An MRI of the face and neck showed an avidly enhancing 3.7 cm x 1.8 cm x 1.2 cm mass within the right middle ear and mastoid cavity, extending into the external auditory canal and through the eustachian tube into the nasopharynx. The mass was inseparable from the lateral border of the internal auditory canal in the petrous canal. Due to concern for glomus tympanicum, the patient underwent urgent embolization and subsequent tumor resection. Considering our patient initially presented large-volume hemoptysis, there was concern for alveolar hemorrhage. However, as she had no increased oxygen requirement, there was suspicion of massive epistaxis mistaken for hemoptysis. Due to large volume epistaxis, she underwent urgent embolization as resection could have been challenging due to increased vascularity. It is important to remember that massive epistaxis may not present with blood in the anterior nares, thereby delaying diagnosis and management. Furthermore, probing such tumors should be avoided as it may lead to life-threatening bleeding.
PubMed: 38854207
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59981 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Surgical removal is widely employed in children with congenital middle ear cholesteatoma (CMEC). Here, we report the surgical outcomes of CMEC removal via endoscopic ear...
INTRODUCTION
Surgical removal is widely employed in children with congenital middle ear cholesteatoma (CMEC). Here, we report the surgical outcomes of CMEC removal via endoscopic ear surgery (EES) and microscopic ear surgery (MES) in children.
METHODS
Children with CMEC who underwent preoperative medical history inquiry, hearing test, endoscopic evaluation, and radiology imaging before receiving EES or MES were included. Postoperative audiological outcomes and recurrence rates were collected.
RESULTS
Seventeen children (20 ears) with stage II-IV CMEC were included. Of those, 11 ears (55.0%) underwent EES, and 9 ears (45.0%) underwent MES. The follow-up time was 35 ± 13.5 months. One child in the EES group with stage III CMEC had a recurrence during the follow-up period. In the EES group, the average minimum diameter of the external auditory canal on the affected side was 5.8 mm (4.3-8.0 mm). No linear association was found between age and the minimum diameter of the external auditory canal.
DISCUSSION
EES is a promising treatment option for children with early-stage CMEC because of its low recurrence rate and minimally invasive nature. The minimum diameter of the external auditory canal on the affected side should be meticulously examined when performing EES in children.
PubMed: 38853779
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1336183 -
Annals of Saudi Medicine 2024Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular condition characterized by short-term vertigo attacks that significantly affect...
BACKGROUND
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular condition characterized by short-term vertigo attacks that significantly affect quality of life.
OBJECTIVES
Examine how well a single Epley maneuver worked in an outpatient setting for people with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) and whether they needed a second Dix-Hallpike maneuver.
DESIGN
Prospective.
SETTINGS
Otorhinolaryngology department of a tertiary care center.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sociodemographic data, body mass index (BMI), and systemic disease history of 75 patients diagnosed with PC-BPPV were recorded, and their relationship with success rates after the modified Epley maneuver was analyzed.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Detect cases that could not be repositioned with the diagnostic control Dix-Hallpike test performed 20 minutes after the modified Epley reposition maneuver in the same session in PC-BPPV patients.
SAMPLE SIZE
75.
RESULTS
Of the 75 patients, 31 were male (41.3%), 44 female (58.6%) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 58.6 (15.9) years age, 54.6% had one or more chronic diseases. BMI was 30 mg/kg and above in 31 patients (41.3%). The modified Epley maneuver was successful in 77.3%. No significant relationship was found between additional diseases or BMI in the patient group in whom the maneuver was unsuccessful.
CONCLUSION
The success rates of repositioning maneuvers in treating patients diagnosed with PC-BPPV are high. However, more than a single maneuver is required in some resistant patients. Second diagnostic and repositioning maneuvers performed in the same session will reduce multiple hospital admissions. While it is helpful to repeat the maneuver in the patient group where it was unsuccessful, other factors causing the failure should be investigated.
LIMITATIONS
Lack of follow-up results of patients after 7-10 days.
Topics: Humans; Male; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; Female; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Aged; Adult; Treatment Outcome; Patient Positioning; Physical Therapy Modalities; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 38853479
DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2024.161 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) is a neurogenetic combined movement disorder involving both parkinsonism and dystonia. Complex, overlapping phenotypes result in...
X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) is a neurogenetic combined movement disorder involving both parkinsonism and dystonia. Complex, overlapping phenotypes result in difficulties in clinical rating scale assessment. We performed wearable sensor-based analyses in XDP participants to quantitatively characterize disease phenomenology as a potential clinical trial endpoint. Wearable sensor data was collected from 10 symptomatic XDP patients and 3 healthy controls during a standardized examination. Disease severity was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part 3 (MDS-UPDRS) and Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia scale (BFM). We collected sensor data during the performance of specific MDS-UPDRS/BFM upper- and lower-limb motor tasks, and derived data features suitable to estimate clinical scores using machine learning (ML). XDP patients were at varying stages of disease and clinical severity. ML-based algorithms estimated MDS-UPDRS scores (parkinsonism) and dystonia-specific data features with a high degree of accuracy. Gait spatio-temporal parameters had high discriminatory power in differentiating XDP patients with different MDS-UPDRS scores from controls, XDP freezing of gait, and dystonic/non-dystonic gait. These analyses suggest the feasibility of using wearable sensor data for deriving reliable clinical score estimates associated with both parkinsonian and dystonic features in a complex, combined movement disorder and the utility of motion sensors in quantifying clinical examination.
Topics: Humans; Machine Learning; Wearable Electronic Devices; Dystonic Disorders; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Parkinsonian Disorders; Severity of Illness Index; Female; Gait
PubMed: 38853162
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63946-4 -
Hearing Research May 2024The round window (RW) membrane plays an important role in normal inner ear mechanics. Occlusion or reinforcement of the RW has been described in the context of...
The round window (RW) membrane plays an important role in normal inner ear mechanics. Occlusion or reinforcement of the RW has been described in the context of congenital anomalies or after cochlear implantation and is applied as a surgical treatment for hyperacusis. Multiple lumped and finite element models predict a low-frequency hearing loss with air conduction of up to 20 dB after RW reinforcement and limited to no effect on hearing with bone conduction stimulation. Experimental verification of these results, however, remains limited. Here, we present an experimental study measuring the impact of RW reinforcement on the middle and inner ear mechanics with air and bone conduction stimulation. In a within-specimen repeated measures design with human cadaveric specimens (n = 6), we compared the intracochlear pressures in scala vestibuli (P) and scala tympani (P) before and after RW reinforcement with soft tissue, cartilage, and bone cement. The differential pressure (P) across the basilar membrane - known to be closely related to the hearing sensation - was calculated as the complex difference between P and P. With air conduction stimulation, both P and Pincreased on average up to 22 dB at frequencies below 1500 Hz with larger effect sizes for P compared to P. The P, in contrast, decreased up to 11 dB at frequencies between 700 and 800 Hz after reinforcement with bone cement. With bone conduction, the average within-specimen effects were less than 5 dB for either P, P or P. The inter-specimen variability with bone conduction, however, was considerably larger than with air conduction. This experimental study shows that RW reinforcement impacts air conduction stimulation at low frequencies. Bone conduction stimulation seems to be largely unaffected. From a clinical point of view, these results support the hypothesis that delayed loss of air conduction hearing after cochlear implantation could be partially explained by the impact of RW reinforcement.
PubMed: 38850830
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109049 -
Folia Morphologica Jun 2024Mastoid pneumatization is subject to numerous influencing factors including race, sex, and surrounding structures of the middle ear. This study aims to determine the...
BACKGROUND
Mastoid pneumatization is subject to numerous influencing factors including race, sex, and surrounding structures of the middle ear. This study aims to determine the mastoid air cell system (MACS) volume and its relationship with middle ear structures, and the influence of sex.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed analyzing computed tomography (CT) scans in which MACS volume and the Estachian tube length (ETL) were visible. MACS volume, ETL, and width and height of the aditus ad antrum were obtained.
RESULTS
A total of 100 CT were included with a mean age of 38.5 ± 15.3 years, of which 56 were women and 44 were men. The mean right and left MACS volume were 5.43 ± 3.15 cm³ and 5.54 ± 3.43 cm3 respectively , with a ETL of 24.55 ± 3.07 mm in right side and 24.24 ± 2.60 mm on left side. A aditus ad antrum width of 2.98 ± 0.65 in right and 2.98 ± 0.58 on the left and height of 4.51 ± 1.05 and 4.32 ± 0.85, on right and left side respectively. There were statistical differences between sexes in left ETL, and in MACS volume bilaterally. A low positive correlation between aditus ad antrum height and MACS volume was identified.
CONCLUSIONS
Mastoid pneumatization was bigger in men than women. There was a low positive correlation between mastoid volume and ETL on both sides, and a significant correlation between right mastoid volume and aditus ad antrum height. This could lead us to believe that the length of ETL does not affect the pneumatization of MACS.
PubMed: 38842073
DOI: 10.5603/fm.100190 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-reported functional vision (FV) and the impact of vision loss in patients with USH2A-associated retinal degeneration using... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-reported functional vision (FV) and the impact of vision loss in patients with USH2A-associated retinal degeneration using a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure, the Michigan Retinal Degeneration Questionnaire (MRDQ), to correlate MRDQ scores with well-established visual function measurements.
DESIGN
An observational cross-sectional study (n = 93) of participants who had Usher Syndrome Type 2 (USH2, n = 55) or autosomal recessive non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP; n = 38) associated with biallelic variants in the USH2A gene.
METHODS
The study protocol was approved by all ethics boards and informed consent was obtained from each participant. Participants completed the MRDQ at the 48-month study follow-up visit. Disease duration was self-reported by participants. One-way ANOVA was used to compare subgroups (clinical diagnosis, age, disease duration, and full-field stimulus threshold [FST] Blue-Red mediation) on mean scores per domain. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to assess associations between MRDQ domains and visual/retinal function assessments.
RESULTS
Of the study sample, 58% were female participants and the median disease duration was 13 years. MRDQ domains were sensitive to differences between subgroups of clinical diagnosis, age, disease duration, and FST Blue-Red mediation. MRDQ domains correlated with static perimetry, microperimetry, full-field stimulus testing, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported FV measured by the MRDQ, when applied to USH2 and ARRP participants, had good distributional characteristics and correlated well with visual function tests. MRDQ adds a new dimension of understanding on vision-related functioning and establishes this PRO tool as an informative measure in evaluating USH2A outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Visual Acuity; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Adult; Self Report; Usher Syndromes; Surveys and Questionnaires; Retinal Degeneration; Aged; Young Adult; Quality of Life; Adolescent; Retinitis Pigmentosa
PubMed: 38833260
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.6.5