Variation and protection of the chorda tympani nerve in endoscopic ear surgery.

Objective: To observe and summarize variations of the chorda tympani nerve to effectively protect it during surgery.

Methods: Surgical videos of patients undergoing endoscopic ear surgery in the past 3 years were retrospectively observed to identify chorda tympani nerve variations.

Results: In total, 237 cases were reviewed.

Role of Autophagy in Acquired Cholesteatoma.

Hypothesis: Autophagy and its enhancement may have a role in the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma remains unclear. Some clinical features of cholesteatoma are similar to those of cancer.

Granular cell tumor of the trunk of the facial nerve: A case report.

Rationale: Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively uncommon, usually benign lesion that often presents as a solitary, painless cutaneous or submucosal nodule. GCTs of the head and neck are not uncommon; however, involvement of the trunk of the facial nerve is rare.

Patient Concerns: A 55-year-old woman presented a lesion at the posterior border of the left parotid gland.

Comparison of coblation annuloplasty and radiofrequency thermocoagulation for treatment of lumbar discogenic pain.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of coblation annuloplasty and radiofrequency thermocoagulation for lumbar discogenic pain.Patients who suffered from lumbar discogenic pain and underwent coblation annuloplasty and radiofrequency thermocoagulation surgery were included. A questionnaire, including the visual analo scale (VAS), MacNab criteria, pain relief rate, and any complications due to surgery, was completed by the patients with the help of a trained volunteer who was blinded to the study.

Antinociceptive activity of a polysaccharide from the roots of Sophora flavescens.

A polysaccharide (SFWP), with a molecular weight of 51kDa, was successfully purified from the roots of Sophora flavescens and the antinociceptive actions of SFWP were evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing, tail flick, and formalin tests in mice. GC-MS results showed that SFWP had a backbone composed of (1→2)-linked Glc, (1→2,6)-inkedGal and (1→3,6)-inked Man residues, which were terminated with (1→)-inked Xyl and (1→)-inked Ara at O-6 of (1→2,6)-inkedGal and (1→3,6)-inked Man along the main chain, in the ratio of 2.0: 1.

Serial Attacks: Contralateral Hematoma Secondary to Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury Led to Posttraumatic Cerebral Infarction.

A 40-year-old man suffered severe brain injury and received left side subdural hematoma evacuation with decompressive craniectomy. Intraoperative brain swelling had occurred during the surgery. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan was done immediately and showed a contralateral epidural hematoma resulting in herniation.

Contralateral haematoma secondary to decompressive craniectomy performed for severe head trauma: a descriptive study of 15 cases.

Background: Contralateral haematoma is an infrequent but severe complication of decompressive craniectomy for head trauma.

Method: A retrospective study was performed of patients developing this complication after decompressive craniectomy for head trauma in the institute. Demographics, mechanism of trauma, time interval between trauma and first operation, time interval between first operation and onset of contralateral haematoma and patients' outcomes were recorded for further analysis.