Serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 deficiency induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autoinflammation of macrophages in a murine endolymphatic hydrops model.

Ménière's disease, a multifactorial disorder of the inner ear, is characterized by severe vertigo episodes and hearing loss. Although the role of immune responses in Ménière's disease has been proposed, the precise mechanisms remain undefined. Here, we show that downregulation of serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 is associated with activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in vestibular-resident macrophage-like cells from Ménière's disease patients.

Expression of artemin and GFRα3 in an animal model of migraine: possible role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Background: Neurotrophic factors have been implicated in hyperalgesia and peripheral levels of these molecules are altered in migraine pathophysiology. Artemin, a vasculature-derived neurotrophic factor, contributes to pain modulation and trigeminal primary afferent sensitization through binding its selective receptor GFRα3. The distribution of artemin and GFRα3 in the dura mater raises an anatomy supports that they may be involved in migraine.

[Visualization of endolymphatic hydrops in 3D-FLAIR MRI after intratympanic Gd-DTPA administration in Meniere's disease patients].

Objective: To study the feasibility of endolymphatic visualization and the diagnosis of Meniere's disease by applying intratympanic gadolinium administration through the tympanic membrance and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI). To study the relationship between the endolymphatic hydrops visualized by MRI and audio-vestibular functional tests, such as pure tone audiometry (PTA), electrocochleography (EcoG), caloric test and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP).

Methods: With a three Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit, 3D-FLAIR imaging was performed 24 hours after intratympanic gadolinium through the tympanic membrance in 32 patients with clinically diagnosed unilateral Meniere's Disease.

[Short-term efficacy of semicircular canal occlusion in the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease].

Objective: To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of triple semicircular canal occlusion (TSCO) in the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease (MD), so as to provide an alternative surgical procedure for treating MD.

Methods: Seventeen patients, who had received standardized conservative treatment for at least one year with poor effect, underwent TSCO were retrospectively analyzed. Vertigo control and auditory function were evaluated.

[Clinical value of dynamic posturography in the evaluation and rehabilitation of vestibular function of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective: To explore the clinical value of dynamic posturography in the evaluation and rehabilitation of vestibular function of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods: A total of 48 patients with BPPV of posterior semicircular canal in vertigo clinic of our hospital from May 2007 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. All patients underwent the inspection of caloric test, static posturography, and dynamic posturography.

[Surgical management and preservation of laryngeal function for senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To explore the methods of surgical treatment and preservation of laryngeal function in senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective data review of 87 advanced laryngeal carcinoma patients aged over 65 years was carried out. Of these 87 patients treated by different modes of surgery, 48 had supraglottic cancer, 35 glottic cancer and 4 subglottic cancer.

[Surgical management of aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma and preservation of laryngeal function].

Background & Objective: The prolongation of life expectancy results in an increasing number of aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who have poor surgical tolerance because of degenerative organ functions. This study was to explore the surgical methods and preservation of laryngeal function for aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Clinical data of 84 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who aged above 60 years, treated from 1996 to 2001, were retrospectively reviewed.