Comparison of digital volume tomography and high-resolution computed tomography in detecting superior semicircular canal dehiscence--a temporal bone study.

Conclusion: In detecting a thin bony coverage of a superior semicircular canal (SSC), digital volume tomography (DVT) scans in Poeschl projection seem to be superior to high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans. Still, a definite diagnosis of SSC dehiscence (SSCD) is not possible with any radiologic imaging technique.

Objective: To compare CT and DVT to find out whether DVT is equal, better or worse in showing a thin bony layer on top of an SCC.

Radiologic examinations in human temporal bone specimens using digital volume tomography and high-resolution computed tomography after implantation of middle ear prosthesis and cochlear implant electrode array.

Introduction: Adequate imaging of the middle ear and its surrounding structures is an essential preoperative part in ear surgery. In the past, the main disadvantage of computed tomography (CT) scanners was the decreased diagnostic quality due to metallic artifacts. Furthermore, these scanners showed mostly an inferior image quality compared to digital volume tomography (DVT) in the temporal bone.

Immunohistochemical evidence of BMP-2, -4 and -7 activity in otospongiosis.

Conclusion: This study is the first to show that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2, -4 and -7 play a role in active phase otosclerotic bone remodelling (otospongiosis).

Objectives: The role of BMPs in various tissue growth and repair mechanisms is an ongoing topic in the literature. BMP-2, -4 and -7 are known to be of major importance in bone formation and repair.

Prototype of a silicon nitride ceramic-based miniplate osteofixation system for the midface.

Objective: The favorable properties of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics, such as high mean strength level and fracture toughness, suggest biomedical use as an implant material. Minor reservations about the biocompatibility of Si3N4 ceramics were cleared up by previous in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Study Design And Setting: A Si3N4 prototype minifixation system was manufactured and implanted for osteosynthesis of artificial frontal bone defects in 3 minipigs.

Whole-body MRI for staging patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusions: Whole-body MRI is feasible for the tumor staging of patients with malignant head and neck tumors and appears to be a quick, reliable and proven alternative in general and for patients with contraindications to CT. This examination minimizes the logistical effort required compared to multimodality strategies. Its economic impact remains to be determined.

Laser-tonsillotomy for treatment of obstructive tonsillar hyperplasia in early childhood: a retrospective review.

Introduction: Tonsillar hyperplasia leading to dyspnea, dysphagia and other symptoms of obstruction represents a common problem especially in young children where tonsillectomy should be avoided in order to preserve the immunological function of the tonsils. Aim of the study was to assess carbon-dioxide-laser-tonsillotomy as a considered alternative procedure to reduce the tonsillar volume in these children.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2004, 109 children with tonsillar hyperplasia without former episodes of tonsillitis received laser-tonsillotomy mostly (n=98) combined with adenoidectomy.

Transformation of BCR-deficient germinal-center B cells by EBV supports a major role of the virus in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin and posttransplantation lymphomas.

In classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), 2 malignancies frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the tumor cells often appear to derive from B-cell receptor (BCR)-deficient and therefore preapoptotic germinal center (GC) B cells. To test whether EBV can rescue BCR-less GC B cells, we infected human tonsillar CD77+ GC B cells in vitro with EBV. More than 60 monoclonal lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) were established.

Melanotic schwannoma of the neck mimicking a malignant melanoma.

We report a case of a 42-year-old female patient who presented with a 5-month history of a right cervical swelling. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy performed elsewhere led to the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Clinical examination revealed pigmented skin and mucous-membrane lesions of the pharynx.