Potential nerve damage following contact with a piezoelectric device.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the extent of the potential nerve damage following prolonged contact with a piezoelectric device.

Methods: The study was conducted with 30 patients; all of the patients had cervical metastatic lymph nodes at levels II, III, and IV (N2b) and a negative evaluation for metastatic disease (MO). The patients underwent radical neck dissection.

A prognostic multigene classifier for squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx.

Survival after diagnosis of laryngeal cancer has not improved over the last 20 years. Selection of patients for radio- and chemotherapy or surgery or follow-up strategies based on a prognostic classifier could improve survival without unduly extending radical surgery. We performed microarray gene expression analysis and developed a four-gene classifier for laryngeal cancer using Prediction Analysis of Microarray and leave-one-out cross validation.

Comparison of postoperative pain: piezoelectric device versus microdrill.

Piezosurgery® is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations. The objective of this study was to compare the severity of pain over the first 10 postoperative days in a group of 70 patients who underwent intact canal wall mastoidectomy, with the piezoelectric device, and to compare the results with traditional method by means of microdrill (70 patients). The subjective perception of pain was evaluated on a scale from 0 to 10, such that 0 represented no pain and 10 represented maximum pain; the severity was recorded as null when the score was 0; slight, when it was 1-4; moderate, when it was 5-7; or severe, when it was 8-10.

Water-soluble coenzyme Q10 formulation in presbycusis: long-term effects.

Conclusion: These findings provide the basis for understanding the duration of the effect after the last use of the drug and encourage a larger clinical trial to collect additional evidence on the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in preventing the development of hearing loss in subjects with presbycusis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 (Q-TER) in subjects with presbycusis.

Methods: Sixty patients with presbycusis were included and divided at random into three numerically equal groups.

Nasal tactile sensitivity in elderly.

Conclusion: Although older people varied widely in tactile sensitivity, our results show that tactile thresholds increased with age.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on nasal tactile sensitivity.

Methods: A total of 160 healthy patients aged between 50 and 90 years were included.

Computerized voice therapy in hypofunctional dysphonia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency and applicability of the Kay CSL 4500 system with the Sona-Speech II software model 3650 (Kay Pentax, Lincoln Park, NJ) in the voice therapy of patients affected by hypofunctional dysphonia.

Design: The study evaluated the effect of visual biofeedback, obtained with the Sona-Speech II software, on dysphonia associated with hypofunction dysphonia.

Setting: The study was conducted with 40 male adults affected by hypofunctional dysphonia in the Otolaryngology Department of the University of Genoa (Italy) between April 2008 and April 2009.

Piezoelectric stapedotomy: the importance of a micropulse program.

Conclusions: We can consider the micropulse program as the best level of safety that should be used in all cases of piezoelectric stapedotomy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the importance of a micropulse program in determining the success of piezoelectric stapedotomy.

Methods: A total of 112 patients (group A) affected by primary otosclerosis underwent piezoelectric stapedotomy for otosclerotic stapes fixation.

Piezosurgery versus microdrill in intact canal wall mastoidectomy.

Piezosurgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations. The objectives of the present study were to report our experience with the piezoelectric device in the intact canal mastoidectomy, and to compare the results with traditional method by means of microdrill. A non-randomized controlled trial was undertaken on 60 intact canal wall mastoidectomy performed using the piezoelectric device (30 patients) or the microdrill (30 patients).

Piezosurgery for removal of symptomatic ear osteoma.

Piezosurgery is an ultrasound instrument (24.7-29.5 kHz) that is able to cut the bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissue damage.

Sulphurous thermal water inhalations in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of sulphurous thermal water in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods: Eighty patients with CRS were included and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients underwent a 12-day course of warm vapour inhalations and nasal irrigations with sulphurous thermal water in group A, and a physiological solution in group B.

Water-soluble coenzyme Q10 formulation (Q-TER(®)) in the treatment of presbycusis.

Conclusion: These preliminary data are encouraging for a larger clinical trial to collect additional evidence on the effect of Q-TER(®) in preventing the development of hearing loss in subjects with presbycusis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and applicability of a water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 (Q-TER(®)) in subjects with presbycusis.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with presbycusis were included and divided into three numerically equal groups.

Results of revision mastoidectomy with Piezosurgery(®).

Conclusion: For otologic revision surgery, the advantage of the piezoelectric device appears real because it is possible to perform a 'blind' cutting of bone with fewer precautions necessary for soft tissues such as the facial nerve, lateral sinus, and dura mater.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of the piezoelectric device in revision surgery for chronic otitis media.

Methods: A total of 30 patients had revision mastoidectomy with previous canal wall up mastoidectomy.

Binocular flash-induced nystagmus in humans.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that binocular flash-induced nystagmus (B-FIN) can be evoked in humans.

Design: The study evaluated the presence of B-FIN by stimulation with a stroboscopic flash.

Setting: The study was conducted with 12 healthy patients in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the University of Genoa (Italy), between April 2008 and January 2009.

Stapedotomy with and without piezosurgery: 4 years' experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present our experiences and results of stapedotomy performed with and without the piezoelectric device.

Design: The article evaluates and compares the use of the piezoelectric device in performing primary stapedotomy in patients affected by otosclerosis with the traditional method of microdrilling.

Setting: The study was conducted with 100 patients in the Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Genoa (Italy), between January 2007 and January 2008.

Evaluation of an automated auditory brainstem response in a multi-stage infant hearing screening.

An automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) method, the Maico MB-11 with BERAphone, has been developed for hearing screening in newborns. The aim of this study was to test the validity of this automated ABR screening method in a multistage newborn hearing screening (NHS). We applied a "five level" protocol using transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), AABR-MB-11 with BERAphone and conventional auditory brainstem response (ABR).

Learning curve for Piezosurgery in well-trained otological surgeons.

Objective: Piezosurgery is an ultrasound instrument (24.7-29.5 kHz) capable of cutting bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissue damage.

Ribosomal therapy in the treatment of recurrent acute adenoiditis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an oral ribosomal immunotherapy in the management of children with recurrent acute adenoiditis (RAA). 60 children with RAA were included and randomly assigned into two groups (group A and B). Group A children underwent ribosomal prophylaxis, while group B received a placebo.

Harmonic Scalpel vs "cold knife" dissection in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Purpose: The aim of this study has been to compare the Harmonic Scalpel (HS) and the "cold knife" dissection in the treatment of snoring by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

Materials And Methods: The investigation included 40 adult males with snoring. Patients were assigned to two homogeneous groups (A and B) and UPPP was performed using HS or "cold knife" dissection in groups A and B, respectively.

A new method for osteotomies in oncologic nasal surgery: Piezosurgery.

Objective: Piezosurgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissues damage. The aim of this work has been to test Piezosurgery as a new bony scalpel in nasal surgery.

Methods: In this nonrandomized study, we have performed Piezosurgery in the excision of malignant nasal tumors through a paralateronasal approach.

Radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments vs partial inferior turbinotomy: microscopic and macroscopic effects on nasal mucosa.

Objective: To compare the microscopic and macroscopic effects of radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery therapies with partial inferior turbinotomy in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Design: Nonrandomized controlled trial.

Setting: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Genoa.

The effect of active sonar for the protection of moored and anchored warships on the human hearing.

This study wants to show the effects of active middle frequency sonar on a selected group of Italian Navy divers. Ten male divers with normal hearing were exposed to active sonar of the Italian Navy for more than 100 exposures, each of at least 1-h duration, in the course of 6 months. Before, at the end, and six months after the end of noise exposure, we performed pure-tone audiometry, Carhart test, Peyser test, thresholds of discomfort test (TDT), tympanometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), and auditory brainstem response (ABR).

Acoustic features of voice after septoplasty.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acoustic features of voice after septoplasty and to establish concepts of patient management and a rational therapeutic approach.

Material/methods: Before and one month after surgery, phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, and i were recorded and digitalized with MDVP (Multi Dimensional Voice Program, Kay Elemetrics) in all patients for an evaluation of nasal resonance, voice handicap index (VHI), and active anterior rhinomanometry. These parameters were estimated: average fundamental frequency (Fo), jitter percent, shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), voice turbulence index (VTI), soft phonation index (SPI), degree of voicelessness (DUV), degree of voice breaks (DVB), and peak amplitude variation (vAm).

Effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with Harmonic Scalpel on speech and voice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acoustic features of speech and voice after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with the Harmonic Scalpel (HS), using the multidimensional voice program (MDVP) in conjunction with other tests. Before and 6 months after surgery, phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, i were carried out and digitalized with MDVP in all the patients, as an evaluation of nasal resonance (trough the Glatzel and the Gutzmann tests), speech articulation and voice handicap index (VHI). These parameters were estimated: average of fundamental frequency, Jitter, Shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio, voice turbulence index, soft phonation index, degree of voiceless, degree of voice breaks and peak amplitude variation.

Electronystagmography in migraine equivalent syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of electronystagmography testing in the diagnosis of vertigo in children with migraine equivalent syndrome.

Study Design: The investigation included 20 children with "migraine equivalent syndrome" (group A), characterized by benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood. As a control group, 50 healthy children were identified.

Piezosurgery in otologic surgery: four years of experience.

Objectives: Piezosurgery (Mectron Medical Technology, Genoa, Italy) is a new ultrasound instrument (24.7-29.5 kHz) that is able to cut the bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissues damage.