Otolaryngological manifestations in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and continuous positive airway pressure users: A systematic review.

Sleep disorders have emerged as a significant public health issue, adversely affecting quality of life and precipitating severe complications. The association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and otolaryngological manifestations appears to be underrecognized. This study posits that manifestations in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) among patients with OSAS and users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are relatively common.

The multilingual digits-in-noise (DIN) test: development and evaluation.

Objective: To develop a methodologically uniform digits-in-noise (DIN) test in 17 different languages.

Design: The DIN test was developed for Android devices as an extension to the open-access Hearing Test app, available on the Google Play store. It utilised professionally recorded female speech, speech-shaped noise, a digit scoring method and a variable step size.

Intraoperative Hearing Monitoring Using ABR and TT-ECochG and Hearing Preservation during Vestibular Schwannoma Resection.

Quick and appropriate diagnostics and the use of intraoperative monitoring (IM) of hearing during vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection increase the likelihood of hearing preservation. During surgery, various methods of IM can be used, i.e.

Handheld laser-fiber vibrometry probe for assessing auditory ossicles displacement (Erratum).

The erratum corrects an author affiliation.

Handheld laser-fiber vibrometry probe for assessing auditory ossicles displacement.

Significance: Measurements of auditory ossicles displacement are commonly carried out by means of laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDV), which is considered to be a gold standard. The limitation of the LDV method, especially for in vivo measurements, is the necessity to expose an object in a straight line to a laser beam operating from a distance. An alternative to this approach is the use of a handheld laser-fiber vibrometry probe (HLFVP) with a curved tip.

Optimization of the Speech Test Material in a Group of Hearing Impaired Subjects: A Feasibility Study for Multilingual Digit Triplet Test Development.

Background: The development of the global digit-in-noise test requires optimization of each language version on a group of normal-hearing native-speakers. An alternative solution may be an adaptive optimization during ongoing tests in a group of subjects with unknown hearing impairments. The objective of the research was to compare the optimization results between these groups.

Worldwide Prevalence of Hearing Loss Among Smartphone Users: Cross-Sectional Study Using a Mobile-Based App.

Background: In addition to the aging process, risk factors for hearing loss in adults include, among others, exposure to noise, use of ototoxic drugs, genetics, and limited access to medical care. Differences in exposure to these factors are bound to be reflected in the prevalence of hearing loss. Assessment of hearing loss can easily be carried out on a large scale and at low cost using mobile apps.

Serum levels of interleukin-32 and interleukin-6 in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis: association with clinical and biochemical findings.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology with dysregulated cytokines levels.

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to assess the clinical correlation between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) serum levels of the microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-32 and interleukin-6.

Methods: Study included 71 patients, 47 with GPA and 24 with MPA.

[A case of rare laryngeal neurogenic tumor].

Laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign tumour of the larynx. Schwannomas derive from the Schwann cells. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging tool for suggesting the diagnosis.

Hearing Restoration with Cochlear Implantation in Patients Deafened after Blunt Head Trauma.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients deafened following blunt head trauma.

Material And Methods: Retrospective case series review of seven patients post-lingually deafened following blunt head trauma and aided with cochlear implants. The following data were analyzed: Cause of injury, computed tomography results, surgical information, intra- and post-implantation complications, audiometric and speech perception assessment, processor mapping, and data from follow-up appointments.

SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY TO DETERMINE THE RECOVERY OF RETINAL LAYERS AFTER INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR MACULAR HOLE: Correlation With Visual Acuity Improvement.

Purpose: To analyze the recovery of retinal lines using swept-source optical coherence tomography after inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique to treat full-thickness macular hole, and the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity and retinal line repair.

Methods: Thirty-eight eyes were evaluated for recovery of the external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction line, and cone outer segment tips (COST) line. Correlation between the recovery of retinal lines and best-corrected visual acuity improvement was analyzed 6 months after surgery.

Evaluation of the Sensory Organization Test to differentiate non-fallers from single- and multi-fallers.

Background: Among the elderly, instability leading to falls (and consequences of them) is one of the most important problems. The etiology of falls is usually complex, but balance, posture and gait problems are considered to be the most important risk factors.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) in differentiating multi-fallers from single-fallers.

Extremophilic proteases as novel and efficient tools in short peptide synthesis.

The objective of this review is to outline the crucial role that peptides play in various sectors, including medicine. Different ways of producing these compounds are discussed with an emphasis on the benefits offered by industrial enzyme biotechnology. This paper describes mechanisms of peptide bond formation using a range of proteases with different active site structures.

Intraoperative endoscopy of the anterior epitympanum recess through the posterior tympanotomy.

Introduction: The anterior epitympanum recess (AER) is a common place of the development of the cholesteatoma, which is why removal of the matrix from this area plays a key role in the surgical treatment of chronic otitis media.

Aim: To evaluate the intraoperative visibility of AER in endoscopic optics in comparison to microscopic optics and to determine the prevalence of cholesteatoma in various types of construction of the AER. Study design: retrospective analysis of intraoperative search.

THE ANALYSIS OF SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE MECHANISMS AND REGENERATION OF RETINAL LAYERS OF A FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE: Relationship with Visual Acuity Improvement.

Purpose: To analyze the spontaneous closure mechanisms, retinal layer regeneration, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the full-thickness macular hole (FMTH).

Methods: Ten eyes of 10 patients were studied. The measured outcomes included the time of persisting clinical symptoms and spontaneous closure of FTMH, BCVA, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of vitreomacular interface.

Retinoblastoma in Patients with 13q deletion syndrome - case series.

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13 (13q deletion syndrome) is very rare chromosomal aberration which causes mental retardation and multiple congenital malformations. Furthermore, it is associated with the increased risk of retinoblastoma. The aim of the paper was to present two cases of retinoblastomna in children with 13q deletion syndrome, discussing the diagnostic and therapeutic management, clinical manifestation and the importance of genetic testing which helps to determine the type of retinoblastoma and may also contribute to the diagnosis of other congenital abnormalities associated with intraocular tumors.

[Autologous internal limiting membrane flap graft as a modification of the inverted flap technique in the treatment of full thickness macular holes – case report].

The aim of this paper is to present the autologous internal limiting membrane flap graft as a modification of the inverted flap technique in the surgical management of the full thickness macular hole. The 50-year old male admitted as an inpatient due to the full thickness macular hole was treated with 23G vitrectomy (Constellation). During the follow-up period his best corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 0.

Strategy for the surgical treatment of vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Objective: Guidelines for appropriate management of vestibular schwannomas in NF2 patients are controversial. In this paper we reviewed our experience with patients with NF2 for the results of surgical treatment with particular reference to hearing and facial nerve preservation.

Methods: We included in the study 30 patients (16 women and 14 men) with the diagnosis of NF2 treated in our department between 1998 and 2014 who underwent surgery for vestibular schwannoma removal with a follow-up for at least 1 year.

[Available approaches to retinoblastoma therapy--literature review].

Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor and treatment should be started as soon as possible. Currently, the most common approach combines local therapy with chemotherapy. Chemoreduction represents a significant advance in the treatment of retinoblastoma.

[Endophthalmitis as a complication of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and degenerative myopia].

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, injected intravitreally, became a standard therapy for choroidal neovascularization in a course of wet age-related macular degeneration and degenerative myopia. Endophthalmitis is a very rare but the most serious complication associated with this procedure. The purpose of this paper is to present three patients with endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents.

Selecting appropriate dose regimens for AM-101 in the intratympanic treatment of acute inner ear tinnitus.

Inhibition of cochlear N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors with AM-101, a small molecule antagonist delivered by intratympanic injection, represents a novel approach to treat acute tinnitus triggered by glutamate excitotoxicity. An earlier double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial (TACTT0) had demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent improvement in tinnitus triggered by acute acoustic trauma or otitis media from baseline to day 90. A second phase II trial (TACTT1) now sought to evaluate the most appropriate dose regimen for this treatment.

[Utility of optical coherence tomography in assessing macular anatomy after conventional surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment].

Aim: To determine the utility of optical coherence tomography in assessing macular anatomy of patients treated with conventional surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula.

Material And Methods: 42 patients (42 eyes) treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with macular involvement were enrolled in the study. 14 of them were treated with segmental scleral buckling, 8 patients--with encircling scleral buckling, and 20 others--with scleral explant placed along the horizontal or vertical meridian and encircling scleral band.

Efficacy and safety of AM-111 in the treatment of acute sensorineural hearing loss: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of AM-111, a c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) ligand, in patients with acute sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL).

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with follow-up visits on Days 3, 7, 30, and 90.

Setting: Twenty-five European sites (academic tertiary referral centers, private ENT practices).

Clinical use of skull tap vestibular evoked myogenic potentials for the diagnoses of the cerebellopontine angle tumor patients.

Objective: To document our experiences using a new skull tapping induced Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (tap VEMPs) technique combined with standard Auditory Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (AC VEMPs) for advanced clinical assessment of cerebellopontine angle tumor (CPAT) patients.

Design And Study Sample: Three patients were selected in order to highlight observations shown in a larger patient population and to show the variability of the findings. Both tap VEMPs and AC VEMPs were acquired from the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) with EMG-based biofeedback and monitoring.

Second stage of Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening - a way for diagnosis and beginning of proper treatment for infants with hearing loss.

Purpose: To analyze retrospectively the results of hearing testing in infants at the second stage of the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical University of Warsaw.

Material/methods: A total of 351 infants referred to our Department for the second stage of UNHS were included in the study. There were 39.