[Improvement of the ear-surgery technique applying artificial temporal bones].

Study exercises on the temporal bones are a prerequisite for the knowledge of the anatomical features of the respective region and for the precise learning ot fundamentals of the tympanic cavity surgery. Natural human temporal bones however are not available in most countries. The search for artificial back-up temporal models are in a wide use therefore in last years.

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 and type 2 in human sporadic vestibular Schwannoma.

Expression of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein family in the peripheral nervous system is well established, but the role of their cognate receptors TGF-beta receptor type 1 (R1) and type 2 (R2) has been less well studied. TGF-beta plays an essential role in Schwann cell proliferation and differentiation, and is involved in neurotrophic effects of several neurotrophic substances. TGF-beta is also expressed in benign peripheral nervous system tumors such as vestibular schwannomas.

[Desmoid tumors of the head and neck].

Desmoid tumors of the head and neck, also known as aggressive fibromatoses, are rare. They are soft tissue neoplasms arising from musculoaponeurotic structures and characterized of locally aggressive infiltration and recurrences. Complete surgical excision of desmoid tumors is considered to be the only effective method of cure.

[Vestibular evoked muscle potentials dependency on neural origin and the location of an acoustic neuroma].

Introduction: Most acoustic neuromas (AN) originate from the inferior vestibular nerve (IVN). Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) are accepted as the only unilateral test for the function of the sacculus and the IVN.

Methods: The influence of the origin from the IVN and superior vestibular nerve (SVN), and the position of the AN in relation to the internal auditory canal on VEMPs was investigated.

Fasciitis ossificans of the paranasal sinus.

We report a case of fasciitis ossificans of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus in an infant who was surgically treated in our department. Fasciitis ossificans is a rare benign reactive lesion and a variant of the more commonly known entity nodular fasciitis. We present the radiographic appearance and discuss the surgical resection, which was performed by a paranasal section, as well as the histologic and immunohistochemical results.