[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.

Results achieved in the treatment of patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Personal experience gathered with the treatment of 264 vestibular schwannoma (VS) at the Magdeburg University ENT Hospital is analysed. ABR Audiometry is useful as a screening, even though it yielded false-negative values in 12.7% (n = 33) for intrameatal VS and 16.

Retention of the arginine allele in codon 72 of the p53 gene correlates with poor apoptosis in head and neck cancer.

The allele constitution at codon 72 of the p53 gene (CGC-arginine or CCC-proline) plays a major role in inducing apoptosis in p53 mutant cells. To verify this, we determined GC-status, p53-mutations, and p53-loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in a group of 54 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). A novel approach, using a one-step real-time PCR analysis with fluorescent hybridization probes, was applied to detect the GC status in tumors and corresponding blood samples.

[Biallelic inactivation of the p16-Gen in a metachronous triple carcinoma in the oropharyngeal region].

Aims: Recent studies have shown that most Dutch families with atypical multiple-mole melanoma (FAMMM) have a 19-bp deletion (p16-Leiden) in exon 2 of the p16 gene. Apart from reports on metachronous pancreatic tumors, other cancer types have never been described in such families. Due to heterozygous p16-Leiden constitution, our proband with multiple head and neck carcinomas was a suitable model for studying the type of p16 inactivation according to the Knudson-two-hit model.

Prognostic value of MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1,-2 immunoreactive protein at the invasive front in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

In head and neck cancer as well as in other carcinomas, tumor expansion and spread to distant sites require the secretion of destructive enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix. A variety of proteases contribute to matrix destruction. Characteristics of the invasive tumor front may reflect tumor prognosis better than do other parts of the tumor.

Multislice computed tomographic imaging in temporal bone dysplasia.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) imaging, a recently developed computed tomographic technique, on imaging of temporal bone malformations.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: The study was performed at a tertiary referral center.

[Postoperative haemorrhagia in a girl with congenital factor XI deficiency - successful treatment with desmopressin (DDAVP, Minirin(R))].

Unlabelled: The rare factor XI deficiency is associated with different profuse bleeding without correlation to the severity of reduction of factor XI. Accordingly, traumata or surgical procedures may cause unexpected excessive bleeding in asymptomatic patients. After surgery of a nine-year-old girl with factor XI deficiency (8 per cent) profuse bleeding occurred which could only be stopped after infusion of desmopressin.

Visualization of inner ear dysplasias in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.

Purpose: We evaluated a data acquisition and post-processing protocol for inner ear (IE) assessment by MR imaging in patients, suffering from various labyrinth malformations.

Material And Methods: MR IE studies of 158 consecutive patients (316 IEs) suffering from sensorineural hearing loss without evidence of an acoustic neurinoma were reviewed for pathologies of the IE and internal acoustic meatus. High-resolution MR data of all abnormal IE studies (n=45) were post-processed to previously standardized 3D volume rendered (VR) reconstructions.

Virtual endoscopy of the tympanic cavity based on high-resolution multislice computed tomographic data.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the value of high-resolution multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data of the petrous bone for the virtual endoscopic visualization of the tympanic cavity.

Background: The recently introduced MSCT technology has improved spatial resolution in the z axis as well as scan speed in computed tomography. Three-dimensional rendering of high-resolution MSCT data of the petrous bone may be expected to provide endoluminal views of superior image quality, thus competing with transtympanic endoscopy (otoendoscopy).

[Virtual rendering techniques in otologic imaging].

Unlabelled: Virtual postprocessing techniques combine the advantages of condensing the large amounts of data provided by high-resolution (HR) cross-sectional imaging modalities with those of three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The techniques and indications for virtual representations in imaging of the middle ear (ME), internal ear (IE), and cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are presented together with practical examples.

Material And Methods: HR data sets acquired by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ME, IE, and CPA pathologies were transferred to a workstation via an internal network to generate endo- or extraluminal 3D views by means of the volume rendering technique (VRT).

Comparison of the TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor and the cis pro+ body-worn processor in adult MED-EL cochlear implant users.

A study was conducted to compare the new MED-EL TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor with the CIS PRO+ body-worn processor in the COMBI 40/COMBI 40+ implant system. Speech tests were performed in 46 experienced subjects in two test sessions approximately 4 weeks apart. Subjects were switched over from the CIS PRO+ to the TEMPO+ in the first session and used only the TEMPO+ in the time between the two sessions.

Speech understanding with the CIS and the n-of-m strategy in the MED-EL COMBI 40+ system.

Speech tests have been performed on 6 subjects for comparing the standard 12-channel continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategy (CIS12), the 7-channel CIS strategy (CIS7) and the 7-of-12 strategy in the MED-EL COMBI 40+ system. An ABAB experimental design was used whereby each strategy was reversed and replicated. Speech tests were performed in quiet (vowels, consonants, monosyllables, sentences) and noise (sentences).

[Second carcinomas in cancers of the mouth cavity, pharynx and larynx. Clinical, histopathologic and cell kinetic findings].

Background: The mortality because of malicious tumours of the oral cavity, of the pharynx and of the larynx has considerably increased in the Federal Republic of Germany during the last two decades. The prognosis not only shows a high ratio of recidivations and formation of metastases, but also a typical field canceration. There is a high rate of incidence of multiple primary, resp.

[Lipoma-like liposarcoma of the tongue].

Background: Liposarcomas of the tongue are rare. To date only 7 cases have been reported.

Patient: We report a new case of a well differentiated lipoma-like liposarcoma of the body of the tongue in a 71-year old woman.

[Anterior hyperostosis of the cervical spine: diagnostic studies and surgical therapy].

Background: Dysphagia due external compression by anterior hyperostosis of the cervical spine is rare. The diagnosis may be established by conventional X-ray of the spine, esophagogram, and CT.

Patients: We operated on three patients with large anterior osteophytes from C3 to C7.

Absence of an association between IgE-mediated atopic responsiveness and ADHD symptomatology.

There are mixed research results in the literature regarding a possible association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and atopic disorders. If such an association were supported, the implications for underlying pathophysiology would be significant. We evaluated level of atopic responsiveness (based on IgE-mediated response to skin prick tests) in 312 referrals to a pediatric allergist.