Diagnostic Value of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Conductive or Mixed Hearing Loss with Intact Tympanic Membrane.

Background: Conductive or mixed hearing loss with an intact tympanic membrane is a group of diseases characterized by similar clinical symptoms. Definitive diagnosis depends on the findings of exploratory tympanic surgery. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has great potential for middle ear imaging.

Utility of deep learning for the diagnosis of cochlear malformation on temporal bone CT.

Objective: Diagnosis of cochlear malformation on temporal bone CT images is often difficult. Our aim was to assess the utility of deep learning analysis in diagnosing cochlear malformation on temporal bone CT images.

Methods: A total of 654 images from 165 temporal bone CTs were divided into the training set (n = 534) and the testing set (n = 120).

Variation of the stapes and its surrounding anatomical structures based on micro-computed tomography.

Background: Stapedotomy is the most efficient treatment for otosclerosis. The anatomical structure of the operation area is complex, but it has a great impact on the postoperative effect. We measure the anatomical parameters of the stapes and its surrounding structures to provide an anatomical reference for stapes surgery in otosclerosis.

Safety and Effectiveness of Diode Laser Used in Stapes Surgery.

We comprehensively assessed the safety and effectiveness of a 980-nm diode laser with fiberoptic delivery in stapes surgery by laser energy use, complications, and audiometric outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed 116 primary stapes surgery cases. A high-power (30-40 W), short-pulse (60 msec), 980-nm diode laser was used for superstructure removal and footplate fenestration in the diode laser group (DLG) and, the hook and drill method in the conventional technique group (CTG).

Application of UNETR for automatic cochlear segmentation in temporal bone CTs.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a deep learning method based on a UNETR model for fully automatic segmentation of the cochlea in temporal bone CT images.

Methods: The normal temporal bone CTs of 77 patients were used in 3D U-Net and UNETR model automatic cochlear segmentation. Tests were performed on two types of CT datasets and cochlear deformity datasets.

Auditory brainstem response after electrolytic lesions in the unilateral medial geniculate body of tree shrews.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the processing of clicks and tone pips in the auditory brainstem of tree shrews and analyze the long-term evolution of postlesion plasticity in the auditory system and its ability to self-repair.

Methods: The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured in the normal control group (n=10) and the electrolytic damage group (n=10) before and 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 25 d after electrolytic damage. Recordings were performed under closed-field conditions using clicks and tone pips, followed by statistical analysis of the ABR threshold, amplitude and latency.

Analysis of the clinical and genetic characteristics of a Chinese family with osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta type I (OI-I) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by skeletal deformity, bone fragility, blue sclerae, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and hearing loss. The current study aimed to confirm the clinical diagnosis and genetic cause of OI-I in a four-generation Chinese family.

Methods: Clinical investigation and pedigree analysis were conducted to characterize the phenotypic manifestations of a Chinese family with OI-I.

Clinical application of MIIRMR as a salvage method in gadolinium-enhanced MRI after intra-tympanic injection.

Background: Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (3 D-FLAIR) and real inversion-recovery (3 D-real IR) sequences are used to detect endolymphatic hydrops (EH), but medium inversion-time inversion-recovery imaging with magnitude reconstruction (MIIRMR) may be more sensitive.

Aims: We investigated the inner-ear visualisation success rate and EH detection rates of 3 D-FLAIR and 3 D-real IR, and whether salvage MIIRMR could improve EH detection.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-one patients (102 ears) with episodic or chronic vestibular syndrome were injected intra-tympanically with 8-fold diluted gadolinium, and 3 D-FLAIR and 3 D-real IR images obtained 24-h post-injection.

A Novel Eustachian Tube Test: Preliminary Research of Sonotubometry With Nasopharynx Under Pressure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a novel Eustachian tube (ET) test consisting of sonotubometry with nasopharynx under pressure to measure opening of the ET. We assessed the advantages of this novel approach compared with those of sonotubometry only or tubomanometry only and explored the possibility of quantifying ET patency.

Study Design: This was a prospective clinical study at a tertiary referral center.

Observation in inner ear of tree shrew using scanning electron microscope and the Atoh1 distribution in cochlea.

This study aimed to observe the ultrastructure on the surface of the inner ear of a normal tree shrew using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The specimens of cochlea, macula utriculi, macula sacculi, and crista ampullaris of the normal adult tree shrew were collected and observed by SEM. We used immunofluorescence for cochlear protein Atoh1 staining.

[Value of cone-beam computer tomography in the middle and inner ear observation].

To identified the feasibility and normal range of cone beam computer tomography（CBCT） in the measurement of temporal bone. 15 formalin fixed human cadaver head specimens were scanned by CBCT, high resolution CT, and Micro CT, respectively. Morphological parameter measurements of the middle and inner ear structures including ossicular chain, cochlea, semicircular canal and facial nerve were performed, and the results measured by the three scanning methods were compared.

[Progress of research on cone beam CT in cochlear implantation].

Cochlear implant, as the most successful artificial auditory implant, brings tens of thousands of patients with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss back to the world of sound every year. With the expansion of surgical indications, a large number of difficult cases bring new challenges for cochlear implantation. As a new technology, cone beam CT has the double advantages of high spatial resolution and low radiation.

A de novo mutation of the SOX10 gene associated with inner ear malformation in a Guangxi family with Waardenburg syndrome type II.

Objective: Waardenburg syndrome type 2 (WS2) is a rare neural-crest disorder, characterized by heterochromic irides or blue eyes and sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and investigate the genetic cause of WS2 in a small family from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing and mutational analysis were used to identify disease-causing genes in this family.

Comparison of sonotubometry, impedance, tubo-tympano-aerography, and tubomanometry to test eustachian tube function.

Purpose: There is currently no gold standard for the diagnosis of eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction. To provide an objective basis for the clinical diagnosis of ET dysfunction, we explored the characteristics of sonotubometry, impedance, tubo-tympano-aerography (TTAG), and tubomanometry (TMM) in volunteers with healthy ETs.

Materials And Methods: Sonotubometry, impedance, TTAG, and TMM tests were performed in 110 healthy ears of 55 volunteers, and the characteristics of each ET test were compared and discussed.

Adverse effects of semicircular circle angles variation on Epley repositioning procedure: a study on reconstruction of Micro-CT images 3D.

For patients with posterior semicircular canal (PSC) BPPV, Epley re-position maneuver and some improvement methods are the most efficient treatment methods. But there were still 9.43% patients who were not benefit from Epley re-position maneuver.

The characterization of auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveforms: A study in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri).

To characterize the patterns of ABR waves in tree shrews, we must understand the hearing sensitivity and auditory function of healthy adult tree shrews. Fifteen tree shrews (30 ears) were stimulated with clicks and tone-pips at 11 different frequencies from 1 to 60 kHz. The ABR waves were recorded and analyzed.

Micro-CT study of the human cochlear aqueduct.

Objective: The anatomic structure of the cochlear aqueduct (CA) in human temporal bone specimens was observed using micro-computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: Micro-CT scanning of 18-µm-thick slices was performed on 30 slides of human temporal bone specimens to observe the CA structure and its relationship with its surroundings. The length, internal and external apertures, and the narrowest width of the CA were measured.

Anatomical Variations of the Human Cochlea Determined from Micro-CT and High-Resolution CT Imaging and Reconstruction.

Understanding the anatomical variations in the human cochlea is important for cochlear implants. This study examined these variations using a reconstructed fusion model of the skull and temporal bone. The three-dimensional (3D) digital model of the temporal bone was reconstructed from multiple axial micro-computed tomography (CT) scans of temporal bone and high resolution CT of the skull from 15 cadavers.

The diagnostic value of measurement of cochlear length and height in temporal bone CT multiplanar reconstruction of inner ear malformation.

Conclusion: The cochlear length (CL) and cochlear height (CH) measured through MPR will provide for more accurate quantitative diagnosis of inner ear malformation, and are subsequently convenient for calculating cochlear duct length (CDL) before cochear implant.

Objectives: Qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of inner ear malformation in deaf patients through multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) was performed to provide a reference for cochlear implants.

Methods: One hundred and two cases without sensorineural deafness and 560 patients with sensorineural deafness had MPR of temporal bone computed tomography performed to obtain the standardized cochlear-view and oblique coronal-view images.

The effects of the auditory brainstem response before and after fluoro-gold injection in medial geniculate body.

Objective: This study aimed to use the tree shrew as an otological model, not only to verify the location of the auditory pathway in tree shrews by fluoro-gold (FG) but also to elucidate the effects of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) before and after FG injection.

Methods: FG was injected into the medial geniculate body (MGB) of experimental group (n=10).The normal group (n=10) was inserted the microsyringe, which was not perfused FG.

Electrophysiological change in the tensor veli palatini muscle after radiotherapy.

Conclusion: Electromyography of the tensor veli palatine (TVP) was abnormal and showed mainly myogenic impairment in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with secretory otitis media (SOM) after radiotherapy. The diseased ears showed impairment in opening functions of the eustachian tubes (ETs).

Objectives: To characterize electrophysiology of the TVP muscle using electromyography (EMG) in patients with SOM after radiotherapy of NPC.

[Investigate of the learning curve of cochlear implantation].

Objective: To investigate the learning curve of cochlear implantation and its guiding significance for clinical surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of two otologists in early cochlear implant surgeries, including 98 cases of Dr. A and 54 cases of Dr.

14-Thienyl methylene matrine (YYJ18), the derivative from matrine, induces apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by targeting MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways in vitro.

Background/aims: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinctive type of head and neck cancer with the highest incidence in South China. Previous studies have proved that matrine, a main alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens Ait, has antitumor activity against NPC. However, the effect is not so pronounced and the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear.

[Plain X-ray for locations of intracochlear electrode arrays during cochlear implantation].

Objective: To evaluate the position and shape of inserted electrode arrays by plain X-ray during cochlear implantation.

Method: Cochlear view of implanted electrode arrays by plain X-ray were observed during operation in 54 patients received cochlear implant.

Result: The image in cochlear view could provide the information about position and shape of inserted electrode arrays.

[Analysis of sniffing test in otitis media with effusion].

Objective: To explore the roles of the closure disorder of Eustachian tube in occurrence and development of otitis media with effusion (OME).

Methods: Fifty-six adults with OME, 16 children with OME, 66 health adults and 20 health children were selected according to diagnosis criteria. Sniffing test was measured by Tubo-tymanoaerodynamic graphy and the self-designed questionnaires were surveyed in all cases.