Multifocal langerhans' cell histiocytosis involving bilateral temporal bones, lungs, and hypothalamus in an adult.

Multifocal Langerhans' cell histocytosis is a rare condition in adults. We present the case of a 31-year-old female who initially presented with a clinical appearance of acute mastoiditis. The patient ultimately had involvement of bilateral temporal bones, lungs, and hypothalamus.

Sweet's syndrome in a patient with idiopathic progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, or Sweet's syndrome, was first described in 1964 and consists of a triad of erythematous cutaneous plaques infiltrated by neutrophils in association with fever and leukocytosis. Sweet's syndrome has been reported to be associated with conditions ranging from upper respiratory tract infections to inflammatory bowel disease to rheumatoid arthritis. We report a patient with a 2-year history of Sweet's syndrome in whom idiopathic progressive bilateral sensory neural hearing loss (IPBSNHL) developed.

Cochlear implantation after subtotal petrosectomies.

Among cochlear implant candidates there are patients who have abnormal middle and/or inner-ear conditions that make them unsuitable for implantation. Insertion of a foreign body may also be contraindicated in the setting of an existing or potential intracranial communication, or when the ear is prone to infection. Five patients presented with such unfavorable conditions.

Comparative value of facial nerve grading systems.

The Fisch Detailed Evaluation of Facial Symmetry (DEFS) and House-Brackmann grading system (HBGS) were compared by statistical examination for their reliability and interobserver variability. Furthermore, the correlation and agreement with a standard global evaluation were compared. Therefore 47 patients with facial palsy of different cause have been evaluated with the two systems, and the global overall evaluation was done by five otolaryngologists familiar with facial palsy.

The effects of bolus flow on vertical pharyngeal pressure measurement in the pharyngoesophageal segment: clinical significance.

Measurement of pressures in the pharyngeal esophageal segment (P-E segment) is complicated by the vertical motion and by the rapidly changing pressures in the segment. The sensors move superiorly and inferiorly with respect to the P-E segment during the swallow. This study examines the validity of manofluorographic measurements taken in the P-E segment by using a catheter with sensors spaced at 1 cm intervals.