Porous polyethylene and proplast: their behavior in a bony implant bed.

A comparative animal study showed that, after implantation in skull defects in guinea pigs, porous high-density polyethylene (PHDPE) was substantially better anchored in the bone than Proplast, and had greater stability of form and structure. In Proplast, ingrowth of fibrous tissue caused partial structural dilatation and fragmentation, which could limit its suitability for use in reconstructive surgery.

[Long-term therapy of Ménière's disease. Comparison of the effects of betahistine dihydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide].

During the last few years betahistine-dihydrochloride has been used extensively in the conservative treatment of M. Ménière. The question has arisen as to whether betahistine-dihydrochloride is more effective than diuretics.

Endoscopic section of the sensory trigeminal root, the glossopharyngeal nerve, and the cranial part of the vagus for intractable facial pain caused by upper jaw carcinoma.

In a patient with intractable facial pain caused by a deep-seated carcinoma of the upper jaw, relief was obtained following endoscopic section of the sensory trigeminal root, the glossopharyngeal nerve, and the cranial part of the vagus. Previous stereotactic thalamotomy had failed. The endoscopic method is briefly described and discussed.

["Sudden binaural deafness" after acute heroin intoxication (author's transl)].

After intoxication by an overdose of intravenously applied heroin, a 20 year old man developed a nearly symmetrical, tub-shaped sensorineural deafness of max. 50-60 dB at the frequencies 1000-4000 Hz, which receded completely within 3 days. In addition, a short survey is given of hitherto known neurological complications after heroin intoxication.

Influence of age on results of vestibular function tests. Review of literature and presentation of caloric test results.

Following a bibliographic review of currently known, age-dependent morphological and functional changes of the vestibular and auditory system, results are presented of our investigations concerning the influence of age on the outcome of the caloric test on 102 healthy subjects from six age groups ranging between the ages of 11 and 70 years. They prove, without any doubt, that the absolute values of nystagmic parameters in the caloric test are dependent upon age; but not in such a way that the intensity of reaction decreases with advancing age. On the contrary, they indicate that in awake, healthy subjects of middle and late middle-age, the most intensive reactions occur (maximum slow phase velocity, maximum amplitude, maximum frequency, total number of beats).