Cranial polyneuropathies in multiple sclerosis: case report and literature review.

Although cranial neuropathies are common disorders in multiple sclerosis patients, multiple cranial nerve involvement is an unusual occurrence. Correlation of clinical symptoms with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of demyelinating central nervous system lesions can confirm the diagnosis. The authors report on the case of a 43-year-old woman who initially was thought to have suffered a brainstem infarct but, in fact, had developed multiple cranial nerve functional deficits.

The effects of linear acceleration on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in human ears.

Background: The effect of high levels of linear acceleration (G) on the cochlea has never been studied prospectively.

Hypothesis: Linear acceleration at high levels has no effect on the human cochlea as demonstrated by a comparison of pre- and post-exposure measurements.

Methods: There were 22 healthy volunteers who underwent exposure to up to 9 G in a military aviation training centrifuge.

A comparison of the biocompatibility of three absorbable hemostatic agents in the rat middle ear.

Absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) has been used for many years in middle ear surgery. Although the sponge is generally well tolerated, fibrosis occasionally forms in the mesotympanum; some studies indicated that the absorbable gelatin sponge may be responsible. Many of these studies lack statistical analysis.

Otitis media and mastoiditis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum: case report, review of four cases, and a cautionary note.

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a rarely reported cause of otitis media and mastoiditis. We report such a case recently seen at our institution and review the four previously published cases of this disease entity. Amikacin is recommended in the current medical literature as empirical treatment of disease due to M.

Comparison of polydioxanone and silicone plastic in the prevention of adhesive otitis media in the Mongolian gerbil.

Adhesion of the tympanic membrane to the promontory may occur in chronic otitis media or in the postoperative ear. Silicone plastic sheets are commonly used to form a physical barrier to adhesion. These sheets are generally well tolerated, but they are subject to occasional extrusion, encapsulation, or foreign body reaction.

Cochlear implantation and variation of facial nerve anatomy: a case report.

Cochlear implantation becomes more common with every passing year. Since adequate exposure of the round window requires a facial recess approach, facial nerve variation and anomalies could potentially alter the surgical approach significantly. We report the case of a patient with a variation of facial nerve anatomy.

Acute respiratory compromise resulting from tracheal mucous impaction secondary to a transtracheal oxygen catheter.

Transtracheal oxygen catheters are being increasingly used because of savings in oxygen usage and patient preference. The complications of the catheter are believed to be minor and easily managed. Inspissated mucous collections that form at the tip of the SCOOP 1 (Transtracheal Systems, Denver, Colorado) catheter have been reported but are usually easily expectorated by the patient.

Hypothyroidism following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Hypothyroidism is not commonly considered a complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. A series of 96 patients treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery for head and neck cancer was retrospectively studied. All patients had radiation ports that included the thyroid gland.