Evaluation of hearing function in patients with lichen planus.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease. We believe that tympanic membrane and outer ear canal can be affected by the disease and since it is an autoimmune disease inner ear involvement may be seen. The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing functions in patients with LP. Thirty patients with LP and 28 healthy controls were involved in the study. Pure tone audiometry, tympanogram and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions tests were applied to the patients. When the airway hearing thresholds of the patient and control groups in the 125-8000 Hz frequency range were compared, statistically significant differences were found at 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz frequencies in the right ear and at 125, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz frequencies in the left ear. In the LP patient group, 6 patients had sensorineural hearing loss, 3 patients had conductive hearing loss, and 2 patients had mixed hearing loss. Of the 3 patients with conductive hearing loss, 2 had cutaneous and 1 had both mucosal and cutaneous involvement. Of the patients with mixed hearing loss, 1 had cutaneous and 1 had both mucosal and cutaneous involvement. In patients with sensorineural hearing loss, 1 had mucosal, 3 had cutaneous, and 2 had both mucosal and cutaneous involvement. Sensorineural, conductive or mixed hearing loss can be observed in LP patients.

Harmful effects of formaldehyde and possible protective effect of Nigella sativa on the trachea of rats.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed in this study to investigate the harmful effects of formaldehyde (FA) inhalation and possible protective effects of Nigella sativa (NS) on rats' trachea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 63 adult male rats were used. Animals were divided into nine groups. Group I was used as control group. All other groups were exposed to FA inhalation. Group III, V, VII, and IX were administered NS by gavage. Tissues were examined histologically, and immunohistochemical examination for Bax and caspase-3 immunoreactivity was carried out. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that FA caused apoptosis in the tracheal epithelial cells. The most apoptotic activity occurred at a 10 ppm dose in a 13-week exposure. Distortion of tracheal epithelium and cilia loss on epithelial surface was present in all groups. However, NS treated Groups VII and IX had decreased apoptotic activity and lymphoid infiltration and protected the epithelial structure, despite some shedded areas. Difference of tracheal epithelial thickness and histological score was statistically significant between Group VI-VII and VIII-IX. CONCLUSION: FA induces apoptosis and tracheal epithelial damage in rats, and chronic administration of NS can be used to prevent FA-induced apoptosis and epithelial damage.

Does Nasal Septal Deviation Affect the Success of Tympanoplasty Surgery?

OBJECTIVE: This paper deals with the investigation of the effects of nasal septal deviation evaluated by acoustic rhinometry (ARM) in the success of tympanoplasty surgery. SUBJECT AND METHODS: All patients who underwent tympanoplasty surgery by the same surgeon were reviewed. The patients with nasopharyngeal or nasal masses, polyps, symptoms of allergic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis, or concha bullosa were excluded from the study. Forty patients who underwent tympanoplasty at least one year ago were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the graft success results. Acoustic rhinometry evaluations of the patients were performed. RESULTS: There were 25 and 15 cases in the intact graft (group A) and re-perforated group (group B), respectively. For the same side of the operated ear, ARM values of group A were 0.47 cm², at the first narrowest cross-sectional area (MCA 1), 0.43 cm² at the second narrowest cross-sectional area (MCA 2), 1.51 cm³ volume at the first 2 cm of the nasal cavity (Vol 1) and 3.33 cm³ volume between the second and fifth cm of the nasal cavity (Vol 2). Acoustic rhinometry values of group B were 0.50 cm², 0.47 cm², 1.60 cm³ and 3.19 cm³ for MCA 1, MCA 2, Vol 1 and Vol 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that nasal septal deviation may not affect the success of tympanoplasty surgery, and septoplasty may not be necessary before ear surgery.

Chronic otitis media surgery in the only hearing ear.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate how quality of life was impacted in patients who underwent surgery for chronic otitis media in their only remaining hearing ear (OHE). Such surgical treatment is controversial, and avoided by many surgeons due to the high risk of hearing loss due to surgery. However, if the patient is left untreated, hearing may further deteriorate over time, decreasing the patient's quality of life to an undesirable level. METHOD: We performed a retrospective single-institution study of a prospectively collected database in a tertiary university hospital. Twenty-three patients with OHE who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' age, sex, treated ear, indications, and preoperative and postoperative hearing levels were recorded. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients with OHE, 15 regularly attended follow-up for at least two years. In all cases, the tympanic membrane perforations were closed and the ear drum became dry. An air-bone gap gain of ≥ 20 dB was measured in five patients, ≥ 10 dB in seven, and two patients showed no significant change (4-10 dB). One patient showed minimal hearing deterioration of -2 dB. CONCLUSION: Patients with OHE can be treated surgically to improve hearing levels and quality of life. Modern surgical techniques and instruments--especially in experienced hands--may reduce the possible surgical risks. If hearing deteriorates due to surgery, it may be improved, for example, with cochlear implantation surgery.

Evaluation of auditory functions in patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the auditory functions in chronic asthma patients with the use of pure tone high frequency audiometry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two healthy controls and 42 adult patients were included as a prospective, randomized, and controlled study. Pulmonary function tests and blood gas studies were completed on all subjects. Asthma patients have divided into two groups [Group A: Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) > 75 mmHg, Group B: PaO2 ≤ 75 mmHg, Group C: Control group). Acoustic assessments of patients were performed in 250-20,000 Hz by using pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and tympanometry. RESULTS: The mean value of air and bone conduction hearing threshold levels were in normal range for all groups. All patients had normal peripheral hearing all threshold levels across 250 Hz to 3000 Hz in the both ears. Significant differences were observed between the chronic asthma patients and control group for the extended high frequencies (10,000-20,000 Hz). Group B had statistically more significant increased hearing threshold levels than Group A in frequencies higher than 10,000 Hz. There were no statistical differences between the hearing threshold levels and FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and tympanogram results in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of evaluating the auditory functions in asthma patients. Sensorineural hearing loss in high frequencies (10,000 Hz-20,000 Hz) is common in chronic asthma and is probably present more often than were formerly thought.