Extended Applications for Cochlear Implantation.

The indications for cochlear implantation (CI) have expanded over the last few years. There is evidence that some adult patients with pre- or perilingual onset of deafness may gain from implantation. Similarly, CI in patients with single-sided deafness may offer significant benefits in terms of quality of life and social as well as academic development. In this setting, directional hearing may be restored and speech comprehension, especially in noise, may be optimized. In patients with intractable tinnitus and profound hearing loss, CI not only improves speech perception, but also helps to reduce the tinnitus in the deaf ear.

Prevalence of Headache in Cochlear Implant Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: In Internet forums and other social media many reports regarding chronic headaches after cochlear implantation can be found. Although quite rare, there are also some reports in the literature. However, little is known regarding the true prevalence of headaches in persons who have undergone cochlear implant surgery. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the 1-year prevalence of headache in patients having received a cochlear implantation ("cochlear implant group") in comparison with patients having undergone middle ear surgery ("surgery group") and persons with no history of head and neck surgery ("non-ear-nose-throat [ENT] group"). METHODS: Cross-sectional, monocentric study using a validated headache questionnaire. RESULTS: Three hundred persons were asked to participate. Two hundred thirty four valid questionnaires were returned. The participants' median age was 62 years, of whom 45% were women. The prevalence of headache was 31% (95%-confidence interval [CI]: [21; 42]) in the cochlear implant group and 46% (95%-CI: [35; 57]) in the surgery group with no significant difference between these two subgroups (p = 0.071). In the non-ENT group the prevalence of headache was significantly higher than in the other two subgroups (64%, 95%-CI: [52; 74]). DISCUSSION: The prevalence of headache is not higher in cochlear implant patients in comparison to middle ear surgery patients, other, non-ENT patients and the general German or European population. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation does not seem to be associated with an increased risk for developing headache.

Effects of octreotide in acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Octreotide is considered to reduce exocrine pancreatic secretion in acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis decreasing pancreatic autodigestion. The aim of this study was to determine whether octreotide also has antioxidative effects in acute pancreatitis. Additionally time and dose of application were of interest. METHOD: Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into six groups (n = 15). Group 1 underwent a laparotomy, and animals in groups 2-6 received intraductal glycodeoxycholic acid followed by intravenous cerulein. Groups 3 and 4 were injected with 0.5 mg octreotide, while groups 5 and 6 received continuous intravenous infusion of 0.05 mg octreotide/h for 10 h. Treatment was initiated 6 hours after induction of pancreatitis (IP) in groups 3 and 5, and 14 h after IP in groups 4 and 6. At 24 h after IP all animals were killed and each pancreas was analyzed histopathologically. In addition, levels of pancreatic lipid peroxidation protective enzymes glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as lipid peroxidation via thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined. RESULTS: Early bolus application of octreotide reduced severity of histopathological changes in acute pancreatitis and decreased lipid peroxidation in pancreatic tissue samples; however, late bolus application and continuous intravenous infusion did not influence pancreatitis or lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSION: Octreotide seems to have a dose- and time-dependent effect on histopathology and lipid peroxidation in a model of pancreatitis in rats.

Effects of octreotide on lipid peroxidation in pancreas and plasma in acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic effects of octreotide in acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) have always been considered to be due to the inhibition of the exocrine pancreatic secretion in order to reduce pancreatic autodigestion. In this experimental study we analyzed whether octreotide has also antioxidative effects on acute pancreatitis. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n = 10). Group 1 underwent a laparotomy. Groups 2-4 received an injection of natrium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct to induce acute pancreatitis. One hour later group 2 was injected 1 ml NaCl solution intraperitoneally, while groups 3 and 4 received 0.1 or 0.2 mg octreotide, respectively. The severity of ANP was examined histologically. The lipid peroxide level as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured in plasma and pancreatic tissue samples. RESULTS: High-dose octreotide decreased the lipid peroxide level in plasma (2.1 +/- 0.53 vs. 4.69 +/- 1.35 nmol/l; p < 0.05) and pancreatic tissue samples 4.67 +/- 1.37 vs. 13.20 +/- 2.93 nmol/ml; p < 0.05) compared to the pancreatitis control group. Low-dose octreotide, however, did not reduce lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSION: Octreotide seems to have a dose-dependent antioxidative effect in natrium taurocholate-induced pancreatitis in rats.