[Clinical characteristics of patients with odontogenic sinusitis underwent endoscopic sinus surgery].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of patients with odontogenic sinusitis (OS) treated by endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: A retrospective investigation was carried out in our 27 (16 males and 11 females) cases with OS aged (49.74±14.42) years old. Subjects were hospitalized between January 2018 and November 2020 from Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. The medical history, symptoms, result of nasal endoscopy and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) were analyzed statistically by SPSS 19.0. Results: OS mainly occured on unilateral sinuses, with a duration of (8.56±11.79) months. Seventy point four percent (19/27) of the patients had a course within six-month, only 11% was over 12 months (3/27). Symptoms mostly showed as nasal obstruction (88.9%; 24/27), runny nose (81.5%; 22/27), nasal stinks (16/19) and postnasal drip (10/10). Sixty-three percent (17/27) of the OS patients had a dental history. Nasal endoscopic examination revealed a swelling of the ostiomeatal complex (77.8%; 21/27), medial wall interhal displacement of maxillary sinus (55.6%; 15/27), white emulsion-like purulent secretion in the middle meatus (70.4%; 19/27) and nasal polyps (59.3%; 16/27). Etiology of OS included implant-related problems (14.8%; 4/27) and periodontal disease (85.2%; 23/27). Conclusions: OS is usually unilateral sinusitis with a short history. Its clinical features show nasal stinks, white emulsion-like purulent secretion in the middle meatus and imaging findings of unilateral maxillary sinusitis with tooth-related lesions.

[Evaluation of the modified test system for children sound localization].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of modified test system for sound localization (SL) in children. Methods: Modified system (6 male, 9 female) and traditional method ( 5 male, 5 female) were used for evaluation of minimum audible angle(MAA) and root-mean-square error(RMS) error of 4 to 6 years old children, and the results were compared to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the modified test system for children sound localization.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data(t test). Results: (1) Comparison of veracity of modified system and traditional test: when tested at the positive front position using modified system, MAA and RMS error were(3.23±1.00)° and (13.68±5.18)° respectively.When using traditional method, MAA and RMS error were(3.17±0.59)°and (13.96±4.56)° respectively. No statistical differences were found between two groups(t value was 0.16, -0.14, both P>0.05). (2) Comparison of time used were as followed: when using modified system, it was (14.67±1.95) min for MAA, and (6.67±1.35) min for RMS error. When using traditional method, it was (36.30±6.81) min for MAA, and (21.00±3.50) min for RMS error. Time used were significant shorter in modified system than in traditional method (t value was-9.78, -12.37, both P<0.05). Conclusion: Modified test system for children sound localization is useful and reliable in children's horizontal SL test.The time used of modified test system is shorter than that of traditional test system.

[Advances in effect of unilateral auditory deprivation on sound localization].

In patients with single-sided deafness (SSD), the interaural time difference and the interaural level difference signals are insufficient or missing, which result in the lack of sound localization ability and the decrease of speech comprehension in the noise environments. SSD can also cause the morphological and functional changes of the central auditory system, resulting in auditory deprivation. In early stage of the development, the auditory center is more susceptible to ambient environment and auditory inputs. It is a critical period of auditory function and morphological refinement. It is also sensitive period of central adaptability after auditory deprivation. SSD in the sensitive period of development can cause significant laterality activities of bilateral sound localization pathway. Unilateral auditory deprivation can distort tonotopic maps, disrupt the binaural integration, reorganize the neural network and change the synaptic transmission in the primary auditory cortex or sub cortex. In order to compensate for the deficiency of the interaural time difference and interaural level difference cues, the auditory pathway is used to improve the ability of sound source localization by using the spectral-shape cues remaining unchanged. In order to improve the effectiveness of the functional areas of the cortex, auditory center is also reorganized by cross-modal. However, central compensation after SSD is a double-edged sword. If SSD onset in the sensitive period, the laterality of auditory pathway will be continued and difficult to reverse by even long term bilateral hearing in the post-sensitive period. Therefore, in order to improve the understanding of the characteristics of unilateral auditory deprivation, this paper reviewed the evidence for adaptive changes in spatial hearing following a developmental hearing loss in one ear.

[Effect of cochlear implantation on sound localization for patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss].

The aim of this review was to examine the current literature regarding application of cochlear implantation on patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL) for improvement on sound localization. The literature were searched in the PubMed database with 'cochlear implantation AND single-sided deafness' or 'cochlear implantation AND unilateral deafness' as keywords. The publication date of the articles was up to 2015-2-12. A total of 12 articles were included. The results show that the ability of sound localization for most of the USNHL subjects (90%) with cochlear implantation was significantly improved than that without CI, which suggests that CI is a superior auditory rehabilitation treatment than BAHA and CROS hearing aids for patients with USNHL, because of the re-establishment of the benefits of binaural hearing. In addition, the benefit of CI for USNHL requires a period of auditory experience or training. About 30% subjects showed significantly improvement on sound localization ability after CI worked for three months. For most of the patients (90%), the sound localization ability improved after CI worked for six months. When CI worked for nine months, all the subjects would show improvement on sound localization ability. Sound localization of the USNHL subjects with a CI is based primarily on interaural level differences (ILD) while interaural time differences (ITD) provide little advantage or probably not perceptible at all. The younger subject suffers from USNHL, the stronger the plasticity of the auditory center shows, which results in more obvious degeneration of the affected side and adaptive enhancement of the contralateral side of the auditory pathway. Similarly, the longer duration of USNHL lead to more obvious degeneration of the affected side and adaptive enhancement of the contralateral side. An adaptive enhancement of auditory pathway corresponding to the healthy ear will rely more on the monaural spatial cues that available to the intact ear to improve the sound localization in the horizontal plane. Contrarily, the degeneration of auditory pathway corresponding to the USNHL may be limited to re-reorganize from auditory deprivation even after CI, which may increase the risk that a few subjects cannot re-establish the binaural benefits after CI. Therefore, patients with USNHL should accept CI as soon as possible to obtain good binaural benefits, especially for sound localization.

[Barium sulphate aspiration during upper gastrointestinal examinations: two cases report and review of the literature].

Objective:To investigate the causes of barium aspiration,death rate and the cause of death in the upper gastrointestinal examinations,and to help the doctor selecting a reasonable method in upper gastrointestinal tract examination.Method:Two cases in our hospital was reported,and totally 25 patients in 22 articles were obtained in pubmed or google shchoolar form 1989 to 2014.Purpose of radiologic studies of the upper digestive tract,distribution of the aspirate,clinical presentation and prognosis after aspiration of the sulfate barium in literature were collected.Result:①Aspiration of barium sulfate mainly happened in elderly patients and infant.The age of died group were older than survive group,however,there were no significant difference statistically(F=0.909, P=0.355).②The directly mortality rate associated with barium aspiration was up to 38.1% in adult,and ten patients of them(47.6%) recovered.All the infants were recovered completely form the respiratory distress cause by the aspiration of barium sulfate.③Aspiration may more likelyoccur in certain conditions involving dysphagia and esophageall obstruction by tumor or foreign body.Further,the gastro-esophageal reflux,recent esophageal surgery,eructation and vomiting may also increase the risk of aspiration of the aspiration of barium sulfate.④About 84.0% patients were with initial dyspnea,hypotension,respiratory distress or respiratory failure.A minority of patients without significant reactions,only suffered fever and cough(16.0%).⑤The deposition of barium sulphate were commonly affected both lungs(80.0%).Barium sulfates distributed in unilateral lung only were found in five patients 20.0%.Conclusion:Aspiration may easier occur in certain conditions involving dysphagia and esophageall obstruction by tumor or foreign body.Further,the gastro-esophageal reflux,recent esophageal surgery,eructation and vomiting may also increase the risk of aspiration of the aspiration of barium sulfate.Most of the patients after aspiration of barium were presented with initial dyspnea,hypotension,respiratory distress or respiratory failure.When considerable amounts of barium sulfate are aspirated into the lung leading to arterial hypoxemia and dyspnea,it is mandatory that aggressive treatment with steroids,antibiotics,respiratory physiotherapy,oxygen,and bronchoalveolar lavage is initiated without delay.

[The CT observation and clinical significance of pneumatization of the anterior maxillary sinus].

Objective:To discuss the clinical significance of the pneumatization of the maxillary sinus by sinus CT.Method:One hundred patients encountered in our hospital during March 2012 and December 2012 were included in this study.The pneumatization of the anterior part of the maxillary sinus were observed.Result:①The pneumatization of prelacrimal recess was divided into 3 types. TypeⅠ: The pneumatization of maxillary sinus frontal process did not reach into the front of the nasolacrimal duct(42% of the left, 42% of the right); Type Ⅱ: The pneumatization of maxillary sinus frontal process extended into the front of the nasolacrimal duct,but not exceeding ½of the nasolacrimal duct circumference(39% of the left,37% of the right); Type Ⅲ: The pneumatization of maxillary sinus frontal process extended into the front of the nasolacrimal duct more than ½ of the circumference(19% of the left, 21% of the right).②The pneumatization of maxillary sinus palatal process was divided into 3 types. TypeⅠ: maxillary sinus palatal process non gasified (49% of the left, 53% of the right); Type Ⅱ: palatal process gasification into the nasal floor, but not more than ½of the width of nasal floor(45% of the left and 43% of the right);Type Ⅲ: palatal process gasification into the nasal floor more than ½ of the width of nasal floor(6% of the left, 4% of the right).③The pneumatization of maxillary sinus extended into alveolar process was divided into 3 types.Type Ⅰ: the bottom of the maxillary sinus is higher than the oral surface of hard palate(49% of the left and 51% of the right); Type Ⅱ: the bottom of the maxillary sinus is lower than the oral surface of hard palate and non tooth root protruding into the maxillary sinus(44% of the left and 39% of the right); Type Ⅲ: the tooth root process was protruded into maxillary sinus(7% of the left and 11% of the right).④The pneumatization of maxillary sinus extended into the zygomatic process was divided into 3 types. Type Ⅰ: the gasification of the zygomatic process is not more than the orbital lateral wall(80% of the left, 82% of the right); Type Ⅱ: the gasification of the zygomatic process is more than the orbital lateral wall, (20% of the left, right 18% of the right);Type Ⅲ: the gasification of the zygomatic process is also more than the inferior orbital wall, this paper is not observed Ⅲ type pneumatization.⑤The pneumatization of of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus was divided into 3 types. Type Ⅰ: infraorbital nerve tube completely in the bone wall of the maxillary sinus(51% of the left, 57% of the right); Type Ⅱ: the half of the infraorbital neural tube was inburst into the maxillary sinus(39% of the left and 31% of the right); Type Ⅲ: infraorbital neural tube was totally protruding into to the cavity of the maxillary sinus(10% of the left and 12% of the right). Conclusion:The pneumatization of the anterior part of the maxillary sinus varies considerably and requires attention during ESS. The pneumatization degree of maxillary sinus should be confirmed accurately in preparation. It is foundamental for selecting the suitable surgical approach for Nasal endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery. It is also important for completely removed the maxillary lesions in operation.

Assessment of the assistive performance of an ankle exerciser using electromyographic signals.

This paper presents the design of an admittance-based assistive controller and preliminary experimental results for a high performance parallel robot used for ankle rehabilitation. The goal of this work was to design a suitable control algorithm for diagnosis, training and rehabilitation of the ankle in presence of musculoskeletal injuries. An admittance control technique is used to perform patient-active exercises with and without motion assistance. Electromyographic (EMG) signals are used to evaluate patient's effort during training/exercising. The results indicate the great potential of the rehabilitation device as a tool to fasten and improve the ankle therapies outcome.

An indentation depth-force sensing wheeled probe for abnormality identification during minimally invasive surgery.

This paper presents a novel wheeled probe for the purpose of aiding a surgeon in soft tissue abnormality identification during minimally invasive surgery (MIS), compensating the loss of haptic feedback commonly associated with MIS. Initially, a prototype for validating the concept was developed. The wheeled probe consists of an indentation depth sensor employing an optic fibre sensing scheme and a force/torque sensor. The two sensors work in unison, allowing the wheeled probe to measure the tool-tissue interaction force and the rolling indentation depth concurrently. The indentation depth sensor was developed and initially tested on a homogenous silicone phantom representing a good model for a soft tissue organ; the results show that the sensor can accurately measure the indentation depths occurring while performing rolling indentation, and has good repeatability. To validate the ability of the wheeled probe to identify abnormalities located in the tissue, the device was tested on a silicone phantom containing embedded hard nodules. The experimental data demonstrate that recording the tissue reaction force as well as rolling indentation depth signals during rolling indentation, the wheeled probe can rapidly identify the distribution of tissue stiffness and cause the embedded hard nodules to be accurately located.