Tracheoesophageal Diversion and Puncture for Preserving Phonation in Intractable Aspiration: A Case Series.

Objective/hypothesis: Tracheoesophageal diversion (TED) can prevent damage to the respiratory system in patients with swallowing disorders and/or repetitive aspiration pneumonia; however, TED may cause the loss of phonation. Our previous study demonstrated that TED with tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) prevents aspiration while retaining phonation. In this study, we aimed to further evaluate the feeding status and phonation of patients who underwent TED with TEP to verify the reproducibility of this procedure.

Tracheoesophageal diversion improves oral uptake of food: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Tracheoesophageal diversion (TED) is an effective therapeutic procedure for intractable aspiration. In this study, we performed TED in cases of intractable aspiration and/or repetitive pneumonia, investigated the main route of nutritional uptake after the procedure, and evaluated the swallowing method using videofluoroscopy. We also evaluated the validity of TED for treating intractable aspiration.

Additive value of "otosclerosis-weighted" images for the CT diagnosis of fenestral otosclerosis.

Background Otosclerotic foci are usually seen as minute low-density lesions and this may be attributed to relatively low sensitivity on visual assessment using computed tomography (CT). Otosclerotic foci can be detected by using the accurate region of interest (ROI) setting, while small ROI settings by less-experienced radiologists may result in false negative findings. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic ability of our proposed method ("otosclerosis-weighted" imaging [OWI]), which is based on reversing the density, compared with conventional CT (CCT) imaging alone.

The radiological diagnosis of fenestral otosclerosis: the utility of histogram analysis using multidetector row CT.

Bone density measurements using high-resolution CT have been reported to be useful to diagnose fenestral otosclerosis. However, small region of interest (ROI) chosen by less-experienced radiologists may result in false-negative findings. Semi-automatic analysis such as CT histogram analysis may offer improved assessment.

Videofluoroscopic assessment of pharyngeal stage delay reflects pathophysiology after brain infarction.

Objectives/hypothesis: The pathophysiology of dysphagia caused by brain infarction varies with the site of the lesion in the brain. Patients with suprabulbar lesions have demonstrated delayed triggering of pharyngeal stage including delayed laryngeal elevation. Patients with severe pharyngeal stage delay have a high risk of intractable aspiration to the lower respiratory tract.

Sensorineural hearing loss: there is no correlation with isolated dysplasia of the lateral semi-circular canal on temporal bone CT.

Background: Inner ear malformations may cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, the correlation between the small lateral semi-circular canal (LSCC) and SNHL is controversial.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a correlation between the two using CT-based measurement.

The relationship between trust in mass media and the healthcare system and individual health: evidence from the AsiaBarometer Survey.

Background: Vertical and horizontal trust, as dimensions of social capital, may be important determinants of health. As mass media campaigns have been used extensively to promote healthy lifestyles and convey health-related information, high levels of individual trust in the media may facilitate the success of such campaigns and, hence, have a positive influence on health. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between trust levels in mass media, an aspect of vertical trust, and health.

Interpersonal trust and quality-of-life: a cross-sectional study in Japan.

Background: There is growing interest in psychosocial factors with positive attitudes, such as interpersonal trust, as determinants for Quality-of-life (QOL) or subjective well-being. Despite their longevity, Japanese people report a relatively poor subjective well-being, as well as lower interpersonal trust. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the possible association between interpersonal trust and QOL among Japanese people.