Risk of Depressive Disorders Following Myasthenia Gravis: A Nationwide Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

The chronic autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness, which can lead to a large amount of stress in the patient. The current investigation plans to assess the risk of depressive disorders in MG patients. A retrospective cohort study of patients ageing 20 years and older and also newly diagnosed with MG between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2008, was conducted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan.

Short-term Subjective and Objective Outcomes of Patients Receiving Endoscopic Transcanal Myringoplasty for Repairing Tympanic Perforations.

Objective Endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty (ETM) has been an emerging technique for repairing tympanic perforations since the late 1990s. Objective outcomes (ie, graft success rates and hearing results) of patients who received ETM are well documented; however, subjective outcomes of these patients have rarely been reported. Hence, this study evaluated subjective and objective outcomes of patients who received ETM for repairing tympanic perforations.

Endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for tympanic perforations: An outpatient minimally invasive procedure.

Objective: Since the 1950s, microscopic myringoplasty has been the standard surgery for repairing a perforated tympanic membrane. In addition to conventional microscopic myringoplasty, endoscopic myringoplasty has been an emerging technique since the late 1990s. This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for repairing tympanic perforations and examined the minimally invasive feature of this technique (no postauricular incision, no canalplasty).

Learning curve for endoscopic tympanoplasty: Initial experience of 221 procedures.

Background: The learning curve for endoscopic tympanoplasty has never been quantitatively reported. The present study depicted the learning curve for endoscopic tympanoplasty and evaluated how many procedures an otologist requires to attain proficiency in this technique.

Methods: We reviewed the medical charts of consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic tympanoplasty between January 1, 2013 and June 1, 2015.

Bidirectional association between Bell's palsy and anxiety disorders: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Bell's palsy and anxiety disorders share numerous risk factors (e.g., immune response, ischemia, and psychological stress).

Comparison of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty and endoscopic type I tympanoplasty in repairing medium-sized tympanic perforations.

Objective: The tympanomeatal flap elevation technique has been used in tympanoplasty for decades; however, this procedure has disadvantages. In recent years, endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty (ETM) has been increasingly practiced and has yielded positive results.This study compares the efficacy of ETM and endoscopic type I tympanoplasty (ETT) in repairing medium-sized perforations of the tympanic membrane.

Comparison of the efficacy of endoscopic tympanoplasty and microscopic tympanoplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Microscopic tympanoplasty has been the standard surgery for repairing perforated tympanic membranes since the 1950s, but endoscopic tympanoplasty has been increasingly practiced since the late 1990s. In this study, we compared the efficacies of endoscopic and microscopic tympanoplasty.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Clinical Trial Register.

Endoscopic Transcanal Myringoplasty for Anterior Perforations of the Tympanic Membrane.

Importance: Repairing anterior perforations of the tympanic membrane has been challenging for otolaryngologists. Therefore, devising a simple and effective technique for performing the repair is crucial.

Objective: To assess the results of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for repairing anterior perforations of the tympanic membrane.

Risk of depressive disorders following sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) occurs as an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing that can cause significant stress in the affected individual. This study aims to assess the risk of depressive disorders in SSNHL patients.

Methods: From the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, we identified new SSNHL patients diagnosed by an otolaryngologist between January 01, 2000, and December 31, 2008.

CXCL12 induces connective tissue growth factor expression in human lung fibroblasts through the Rac1/ERK, JNK, and AP-1 pathways.

CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor-1, SDF-1) is a potent chemokine for homing of CXCR4+ fibrocytes to injury sites of lung tissue, which contributes to pulmonary fibrosis. Overexpression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a critical role in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the roles of Rac1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in CXCL12-induced CTGF expression in human lung fibroblasts.

The Clonic Phase of Seizures in Patients Treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy is Related to Age and Stimulus Intensity.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia in patients who are drug-naïve or less-receptive to antipsychotic drugs. Several studies have discussed the correlation between patient characteristics, input-current volume, and seizure duration. According to the present principle of ECT guidelines, the therapeutic effect of ECT mostly correlates with seizure duration.

Postoperative auricular perichondritis after an endaural approach tympanoplasty.

Background: Postoperative auricular perichondritis is a problematic and embarrassing surgical complication after an endaural approach tympanoplasty. However, a search through the literature showed only a few papers regarding postoperative auricular perichondritis, and the reported treatment experience is scarce. This study reviews the clinical aspects of postoperative auricular perichondritis and the different treatment methods.

Ophthalmic manifestations of paranasal sinus mucoceles.

Background: Paranasal sinus mucoceles are mucus-containing cysts caused by obstruction of the sinus orifice. Although such mucoceles originate in the paranasal sinuses, they are usually only associated with ophthalmic and not rhinologic symptoms. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of ophthalmic manifestations in patients with paranasal sinus mucoceles, and to discuss the possible mechanisms and prognosis for such manifestations.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the nasal cavity.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is an unusual vascular neoplasm characterized by proliferation of endothelial cells with epithelioid morphology. It has an indolent course, with the potential for recurrence, but rarely metastasizes. The common locations include soft tissue, skin, viscera and bone.

Choanal atresia: an unusual serious complication of complementary and alternative medical treatment.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among patients with chronic, long-standing nasal disease. Complications resulting from inappropriate CAM practices are sometimes reported, but serious complications such as choanal atresia and stenosis are rare. We report a case of choanal atresia and stenosis due to herbal drug (ie, chemical) cauterization of the nasal cavity in a 39-year-old man.