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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Monday, January 31, 2022

High-Resolution CT Imaging of the Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Specimen Study

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J Neurol Surg B Skull Base
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741006

Objective Super-high and ultra-high spatial resolution computed tomography (CT) imaging can be advantageous for detecting temporal bone pathology and guiding treatment strategies. Methods Six temporal bone cadaveric specimens were used to evaluate the temporal bone microanatomic structures utilizing the following CT reconstruction modes: normal resolution (NR, 0.5-mm slice thickness, 5122 matrix), high resolution (HR, 0.5-mm slice thickness, 1,0242 matrix), super-high resolution (SHR, 0.25-mm slice thickness, 1,0242 matrix), and ultra-high resolution (UHR, 0.25-mm slice thickness, 2,0482 matrix). Noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for bone and air were measured at each reconstruction mode. Two observers assessed visualization of seven small anatomic structures using a 4-point scale at each reconstruction mode. Results Noise was significantly higher and SNR significantly lower with increases in spatial resolution (NR, HR, and SHR). There was no statistical difference between SHR and UHR imaging with regard to noise and SNR. There was significantly improved visibility of all temporal bone osseous structures of interest with SHR and UHR imaging relative to NR imaging (p < 0.001) and most of the temporal bone osseous structures relative to HR imaging. There was no statistical difference in the subjective image quality between SHR and UHR imaging of the temporal bone (p ≥ 0.085). Conclusion Super-high-resolution and ultra-high-resolution CT imaging results in significant improvement in image quality compared with normal-resolution and high-resolution CT imaging of the temporal bone. This preliminary study also demonstrates equivalency between super-high and ultra-high spatial resolution temporal bone CT imaging protocols for clinical use.
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Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract   |  Full text

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Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy: A Touch of Clarity

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Thyroid, Ahead of Print.
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Sunday, January 30, 2022

Auditory Behavior in Adult-Blinded Mice

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Abstract

Cross-modal plasticity occurs when the function of remaining senses is enhanced following deprivation or loss of a sensory modality. Auditory neural responses are enhanced in the auditory cortex, including increased sensitivity and frequency selectivity, following short-term visual deprivation in adult mice (Petrus et al. Neuron 81:664–673, 2014). Whether or not these visual deprivation–induced neural changes translate into improved auditory perception and performance remains unclear. As an initial investigation of the effects of adult visual deprivation on auditory behaviors, CBA/CaJ mice underwent binocular enucleation at 3–4 weeks old and were tested on a battery of learned behavioral tasks, acoustic startle response (ASR), and prepulse inhibition (PPI) tests beginning at least 2 weeks after the enucleation procedure. Auditory brain stem responses (ABRs) were also measured to screen for potential effects of visual deprivation on non-behavioral hearing function. Control and enucleated mice showed similar tone detection sensitivity and frequency discrimination in a conditioned lick suppression test. Both groups showed normal reactivity to sound as measured by ASR in a quiet background. However, when startle-eliciting stimuli were presented in noise, enucleated mice showed decreased ASR amplitude relative to controls. Control and enucleated mice displayed no significant differences in ASR habituation, PPI tests, or ABR thresholds, or wave morphology. Our findings suggest that while adult-onset visual deprivation induces cross-modal plasticity at the synaptic and circuit levels, it does not substantially influence simple auditory behavioral performance.

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The music-related quality of life: Italian validation of MuRQoL into MUSQUAV questionnaire and preliminary data from a cohort of postlingually deafened cochlear implant users

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jan 28. doi: 10.1007/s00405-022-07258-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cochlear implant (CI) users do not receive much of the auditory information necessary for an accurate perception of music. This usually entails a dissatisfaction with the music they hear, so that their quality of life may potentially be affected. The main aim of this paper was to translate and validate into Italian an instrument to evaluate these aspects-The Music-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (MuRQoL)-to help the work of clinicians and therapists.

METHODS: The translation of the MuRQoL into "Questionario Musica e Qualità della Vita" (MUSQUAV) was done according to the international guidelines. The translated questionnaire was administered to normal hearing (NH) and CI users adults. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and known group method were used to confirm construct validity and app licability of MUSQUAV.

RESULTS: We retrieved 225 results. The MUSQUAV questionnaire was acceptable according to the goodness-of-fit indices. The correlation between the items, evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient, indicates a good internal consistency (> 0.80). The non-parametric Mann-Whitney test showed significant differences in the distinct populations tested.

CONCLUSIONS: The MUSQUAV questionnaire is a valid, low-cost and rapid instrument for professional workers in the audiological field, especially useful in the assessment of the patients' perception and musical engagement.

PMID:35089391 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-022-07258-1

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Intraoral Approach for Parapharyngeal Branchial Cleft Cysts

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Jan 28:1455613211067846. doi: 10.1177/01455613211067846. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Branchial cleft cyst (BCC) most frequently arises from the second branchial cleft and is located anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the mandibular angle. However, very rarely, this may occur in the parapharyngeal space. Interestingly, the parapharyngeal BCC is frequently misdiagnosed as a peritonsillar abscess. In this study, we reported 2 cases of para pharyngeal BCC misdiagnosed as peritonsillar abscess.

PMID:35088618 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211067846

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Therapeutic diminution of Interleukin-10 with intranasal theophylline administration in hyposmic patients

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Publication date: Available online 28 January 2022

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): Whitney Hosein, Robert I. Henkin

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A case of bilateral internal carotid artery ectopic position in oropharynx

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Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2022 Jan 7;57(1):54-56. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115330-20210518-00282.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35090211 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115330-20210518-00282

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