Test-retest reliability and discriminatory power of multidimensional voice analysis program.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the test-retest reliability of acoustic parameters (jitter [%], shimmer [%], noise-to-harmonic ratio [NHR], and voice turbulence index [VTI]) by using multidimensional voice program, and to detect the discriminatory power of the acoustic measures with respect to dysphonic voices and normal voices. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND METHODS: Fifty-four (25 male and 29 female) participants with voice disorders and fifty-one (27 male and 24 female) participants with normal voices were enrolled in this study. They were assessed by anamnesis, visual examination, auditory perceptual assessment (GRBAS), and acoustic measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the test-retest reliability. The effect size (d value) and p value obtained from the t-test were used to determine the discriminatory power. RESULTS: In the normal group, good reliability was observed for jitter, shimmer, and NHR, and moderate reliability was observed for VTI. With regard to the dysphonic group, jitter, shimmer, and VTI were moderately reliable, and the NHR had good reliability. Meanwhile, the discriminatory powers of jitter and shimmer were evaluated as 'medium', and those of NHR and VTI as 'small'. CONCLUSION: The reliability and discriminatory powers of our acoustic measures were high compared with most other studies. Their level of reliability and discriminatory power can be maximised by using stringent rules. However, attaining an excellent level of reliability and discriminatory seems infeasible power owing to the variable characteristic of voice. Therefore, acoustic measures should be adopted as a complementary tool.

Comparison of effects of dexmedetomidine and amifostine against X-ray radiation-induced parotid damage.

Radiotherapy can be employed as a therapeutic modality alone in the early stages of cancer and is used together with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy in more advanced stages. However, exposure to ionizing radiation in association with radiotherapy affects several organs in the head and neck and can give rise to early and late side effects. Exposure to ionizing radiation used in radiotherapy is known to cause cell damage by leading to oxygen stress through the production of free oxygen radicals (such as superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen), depending on the total radiation dosage, the fractionation rate, radiosensitivity, and linear energy transfer. The purpose of the present study was to determine the potential protective role of a powerful and highly selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist with a broad pharmacological spectrum against salivary gland damage induced by ionizing radiation exposure. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups-control, ionizing radiation, ionizing radiation + dexmedetomidine (100 µg/kg), ionizing radiation + dexmedetomidine (200 µg/kg), and ionizing radiation + amifostine (200 mg/kg). Following exposure to ionizing radiation, we observed necrosis, fibrosis, and vascular congestions in parotid gland epithelial cells. We also observed increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and cleaved Caspase-3 levels and a decrease in glutathione (GSH). In groups receiving dexmedetomidine, we observed necrotic epithelial cells, fibrosis and vascular congestion in parotid gland tissue, a decrease in MDA levels, and an increase in GSH. Dexmedetomidine may be a promising antioxidant agent for the prevention of oxidative damage following radiation exposure.

Effects of long-term Doppler ultrasound exposure on cochlea and cochlear nucleus in prenatal period in an experimental model.

BACKGROUND: New generation Doppler ultrasonography (DUSG) application effects on cochlea and cochlear nucleus (CN) are unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of new generation DUSG application at different frequencies in prenatal period on cochlea and CN in rats. OBJECTIVE: Twenty-four pregnant female rats were divided into three groups (n = 8). Group 1 was the control group and was not subjected to any treatment. Group 2 was determined as the USG every day (USGED) treatment group. Group 2 has received DUSG application every day from the 4th to 18th day (20 min/15 per day). Group 3 has received DUSG application as "2 days/one dose as every other day application" (USG2D1) from the 4th to 18th day (20 min/8 every other day). Twenty-four female rats were sacrificed in 21 days. Also, 24 pups were sacrificed after two days. First day after born, the cochlear activities of the right ears of all pups were examined using DPOAEs. Second day, neural tissues from CN were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: There was no any statistical difference between the groups in respect of histopathologically. USGED group showed mild caspase-3 positive neurons and glial cells. However, there was no significant difference between the USGED and other groups (p>.05). Similarly, the rats applied with USG2D1 had mild caspase-3 expression, but no significant difference between the USG2D1 and other groups (p>.05). Differences in DPOAE amplitudes, and therefore in cochlear activity, between the groups were revealed. The decrease in cochlear activity between the groups involved frequencies at 2, 8, 16, and 32 kHz (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple administration of new generation DUSG to pregnant rats has not shown harmful effects on the cochlear neural tissue. High frequencies are more sensitive in cochlea to apply DUSG.

Revision of cartilage tympanoplasty with endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty.

PURPOSE: While the use of cartilage graft for revision tympanoplasty is quite common, the data on the revision of cartilage tympanoplasty are limited. Our study aims to present the results of our patients who underwent endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty for the revision of cartilage tympanoplasty. METHODS: Demographic data, ear sides, perforation locations, graft success rates and hearing results of the patients who underwent endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty for revision of cartilage tympanoplasty between Sep 2017 and Jan 2020 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients with 7 (41%) females and 10 (59%) males were included in our study. Eight of the ears (47%) were right and nine (53%) were left. Perforation locations included ten (59%) anterior, six (35%) inferior, and one (6%) posterior. The graft success rate of our study was 100%. No changes were observed in post-operative air conduction, bone conduction and air-bone gap values compared to the pre-operative period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty for the revision of cartilage tympanoplasty is considered to be a safe surgical technique with satisfactory anatomical and hearing results.

The protective effect of astaxanthin on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Promising studies have been conducted with many substances to reduce the ototoxic effects of cisplatin, but there is no treatment that completely eliminates the ototoxic effect. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of astaxanthin (ASX) as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received no drug injections except for anesthetics; group 2 received intraperitoneal (IP) olive oil only for 8 days; group 3 received only IP ASX 75 mg/kg dissolved in olive oil for 8 days; group 4 received a single dose of only IP 16 mg/kg cisplatin on the 5th day; group 5 received 25 mg/kg ASX IP daily for 8 days and a single 16 mg/kg dose of cisplatin on the 5th day; group 6 received 75 mg/kg ASX IP daily for 8 days and a single 16 mg/kg dose of cisplatin on the 5th day. The animals were tested for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) before and 3 days after cisplatin treatment. The animals in all groups were sacrificed under anesthesia on the 10th day. Before sacrifice, inferior vena cava blood samples were drawn into commercial tubes for biochemical analysis and their cochlea were prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: The ASX+cisplatin groups demonstrated significantly higher DPOAE thresholds when compared to the cisplatin-only group (p < 0.05). The ASX 25 mg/kg/day+cisplatin group showed a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to the cisplatin-only group, whereas the ASX 75 mg/kg/day+cisplatin group had significantly lower total oxidative stress and oxidative stress index. Histologic results showed that the cortical organ was better preserved in the ASX+cisplatin groups compared to the cisplatin-only group, and the degeneration in the spiral ganglion and inner and outer hair cells was less visible in the ASX groups. CONCLUSIONS: Astaxanthin can protect hearing from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, prevent cellular degeneration and significantly reduce oxidative stress.

The evaluation of prognostic factors in endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic factors that may affect the success in endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty and determine the outcomes of endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty. METHODS: This study included 312 patients who underwent transcanal endoscopic type I cartilage tympanoplasty. The effects of sex, the affected side, the size of the perforation, the location of the perforation, the absence of myringosclerosis, external ear canal protrusion, the condition of the contralateral ear, and surgical experience on the rate of graft success and hearing improvement were investigated. RESULTS: The affected side, sex, location of the perforation, myringosclerosis, the condition of contralateral ear, and surgical experience did not significantly affect the surgical success (p > 0.05). However, the size of perforation and ear canal wall protrusion were significantly related to both functional and anatomical success (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transcanal type I cartilage tympanoplasty can be performed with a high anatomical and functional success rate. However, surgeons should be more careful and design a case-specific operation strategy in patients with external ear canal anterior wall protrusion and large perforations.

Bilateral same-day endoscopic tympanoplasty.

PURPOSE: Although bilateral same-day tympanoplasty is a faster and more comfortable procedure for patients, it is rarely performed due to its theoretical risks. The present study aims to evaluate the results of patients who underwent bilateral same-day endoscopic tympanoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 26 patients and 52 ears were evaluated. Postoperative anatomic success rate, pre- and postoperative hearing test results, hearing gains and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Postoperative anatomic success rate was 92.3% (48/52). Audiological tests revealed the preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) as 19.1 ± 8.8 (7-35) dB and postoperative ABG as 9.8 ± 5.7 (5-25) dB. Postoperative ABG decreased significantly (p: <0.001) and 9.2 ± 4.6 (2-23) dB hearing gain was obtained. We did not observe any significant complications. CONCLUSION: Bilateral same-day endoscopic tympanoplasty is a feasible surgical procedure with good anatomic and functional outcomes, low complication rate and good postoperative patient comfort.

Endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty in children.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty using cartilage grafts for repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforation is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients under 18 years of age who underwent type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty between January 2013 and February 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Anatomic success rate was calculated according to the intact status of the graft. Air conduction (AC), bone conduction (BC), air-bone gap (ABG) and hearing gain were calculated using pure tone audiometry tests at pre-operative, and 6th month postoperative period. Patients with postoperative ABG ≤20 dB were considered as functionally successful. RESULTS: The study included 56 patients (6 bilateral) and 62 ears. The anatomic success rate of our study was 91.9% (57/62). Preoperative AC was 36.4 ± 6.5 (21-50) dB, BC was 7.8 ± 3.7 (5-25) dB, and ABG was 28.6 ± 6.9 (10-41) dB. Postoperative AC was 24.5 ± 8.8 (7-45) dB, BC was 7.6 ± 3.4 (5-19) dB, and ABG was 16.9 ± 7.4 (2-32) dB. There was no change in postoperative BC (p: 0.683), whereas AC, and ABG significantly decreased (p < 0.001). Mean hearing gain was 12.1 ± 6.2 (3-26) dB and the functional success rate was 72.5% (45/62). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, provided successful functional and anatomical results at the pediatric population.

Endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty for large perforations.

PURPOSE: Nowadays, the use of otoendoscopy is becoming increasingly popular in ear surgery. Data on endoscopic tympanoplasty are quite current but not yet sufficient. This study aims to present the anatomical and functional results of endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty in large perforations. METHODS: The graft success rates and audiological outcomes of 26 ears of 23 patients who underwent endoscopic cartilage inlay myringoplasty due to large perforation (more than two-thirds of the area of tympanic membrane) from March 2016 to August 2018 were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 13.3 ± 7.1 (6-32) months. Graft success rate was 96% (25/26 ears). The preoperative mean air-bone gap (ABG) was 21.4 dB and postoperative mean was 14.4 dB. Significant improvement was observed in postoperative air-bone gap values compared to preoperative period (p 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic inlay butterfly myringoplasty is a safe surgical technique and has satisfactory anatomic and audiological outcomes in large tympanic perforations.

Protective Effect of Whortleberry Extract on Salivary Gland Damage Induced by Neck Irradiation in Rats.

Radiotherapy is a method of treatment used on malignant head and neck tumors; however, it may lead to adverse effects by influencing other tissues because its effects are not specific to tumor tissues. These adverse effects limit the effectiveness of the treatment and sometimes lead to termination of the treatment. This study aims to histopathologically and biochemically investigate the protective effect of whortleberry against the cellular degeneration and oxidative stress that take place in salivary glands due to radiotherapy. The rats were divided into 6 groups. One group was given radiotherapy only, one group was given radiotherapy and 100 mg/kg of whortleberry, and one group was given radiotherapy and 200 mg/kg of whortleberry. The remaining 3 groups were designated as whortleberry, sham, and control groups. At the end of the study, samples collected were histopathologically and biochemically analyzed. In the group given radiotherapy only, acinar areas were reduced histopathologically, whereas ductal areas increased (P < .01). Oxidative stress increased only in the group given radiotherapy, whereas the oxidative stress levels in the other groups were close to those in the control groups. In conclusion, whortleberry reduces cellular degeneration and oxidative stress that take place in salivary glands due to radiotherapy.

The protective effects of whortleberry extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats / Efeitos protetores do extrato de uva-do-monte contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina em ratos

Abstract Introduction: Cisplatin is one of the main chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of many types of cancer. However, ototoxicity, one of the most serious side effects of cisplatin, restricts its usage. Objective: We aimed to investigate the protective effects of whortleberry extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by evaluating hearing and histopathological cochlear damage and by measuring the biochemical parameters affected byoxidative stress. Methods: Forty-eight male rats were included in the study after performing Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission test to confirm that their hearing levels were normal. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the sham group, and, which received only whortleberry extract, only cisplatin, cisplatin + 100 mg whortleberry extract, cisplatin + 200 mg whortleberry extract, respectively. Audiologic investigation was performed by performing the Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission test at the beginning and at the eighth day of the study. Cardiac blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and the rats were sacrificed to obtain cochlear histopathological specimens on the eighth day. Results: The results revealed that whortleberry protects hearing against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity independent of the dose. However, high doses of whortleberry extract are needed to prevent histopathological degeneration and oxidative stress. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study show that whortleberry extract has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Resumo Introdução: A cisplatina é um dos principais agentes quimioterápicos utilizados para o tratamento de muitos tipos de câncer. No entanto, a ototoxicidade, um dos efeitos colaterais mais graves da cisplatina, restringe seu uso. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi investigar os efeitos protetores do extrato de uva-do-monte contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina, avaliar o dano auditivo e histopatológico coclear e medir os parâmetros bioquímicos afetados pelo estresse oxidativo. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo 48 ratos machos após teste de emissão otoacústica evocada por produto de distorção para confirmar que seus níveis de audição eram normais. Os ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em seis grupos: o grupo controle, o grupo simulado, o que recebeu apenas extrato de uva-do-monte, o que recebeu apenas cisplatina, o que recebeu cisplatina + 100 mg de extrato de uva-do-monte e o que recebeu cisplatina + 200 mg de extrato de uva-do-monte, respectivamente. A investigação audiológica foi feita através do teste de emissão otoacústica de produto de distorção no início e no oitavo dia do estudo. As amostras de sangue cardíaco foram coletadas para análise bioquímica e os ratos foram sacrificados para obtenção de espécimes histopatológicos cocleares no oitavo dia. Resultados: Os resultados revelaram que o extrato de uva-do-monte protege a audição contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina, independentemente da dose. No entanto, são necessárias doses elevadas do extrato para evitar a degeneração histopatológica e o estresse oxidativo. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostram que o extrato de uva-do-monte tem um efeito protetor contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina.

The protective effects of whortleberry extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Cisplatin is one of the main chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of many types of cancer. However, ototoxicity, one of the most serious side effects of cisplatin, restricts its usage. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the protective effects of whortleberry extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by evaluating hearing and histopathological cochlear damage and by measuring the biochemical parameters affected byoxidative stress. METHODS: Forty-eight male rats were included in the study after performing Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission test to confirm that their hearing levels were normal. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the sham group, and, which received only whortleberry extract, only cisplatin, cisplatin+100mg whortleberry extract, cisplatin+200mg whortleberry extract, respectively. Audiologic investigation was performed by performing the Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission test at the beginning and at the eighth day of the study. Cardiac blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and the rats were sacrificed to obtain cochlear histopathological specimens on the eighth day. RESULTS: The results revealed that whortleberry protects hearing against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity independent of the dose. However, high doses of whortleberry extract are needed to prevent histopathological degeneration and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study show that whortleberry extract has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Can Wideband Tympanometry Be Used as a Screening Test for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence?

OBJECTIVES: We explored whether wideband tympanometry (WBT) could be used as a screening test for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), and obtained new WBT data (given that the test is not yet in common clinical use) on patients with SSCD. METHODS: We compared the WBT data of patients clinically and radiologically diagnosed with SSCD in our hospital between 2013 and 2018 to those of healthy volunteers. We compared the resonance frequency (RF), maximum absorbance frequency (MAF), and maximum absorbance ratio (MAR). The t-test was used for statistical analysis with the significance level set to P<0.05. In addition, we used receiver operating characteristic analysis to derive cutoff values for SSCD diagnosis in terms of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (four with bilateral and 13 with unilateral disease; 17 ears) diagnosed with SSCD and 27 healthy volunteers (47 ears) were included. The mean RFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 548.7 Hz (range, 243 to 853 Hz) and 935.1 Hz (range, 239 to 1,875 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). The mean MARs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 89.4% (range, 62% to 100%) and 82.4% (range, 63% to 99%), respectively (P=0.005). The mean MAFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 1,706.3 Hz (range, 613 to 3,816 Hz) and 2,668 Hz (range, 876 to 4,387 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). In terms of SSCD diagnosis, a MAR above 86% afforded 81% sensitivity and 77% specificity; an RF below 728 Hz, 86% sensitivity and 81% specificity; and an MAF below 1,835 Hz, 79% sensitivity and 67% specificity. CONCLUSION: WBT may be a useful clinical screening test for SSCD. The RF and MAF were lower, and the MAR higher, in SSCD patients than in normal controls.

The course of lower cranial nerves within the neck: a cadaveric dissection study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the course of lower cranial nerves (CNs) within the neck in relation to surrounding structures and anatomic landmarks via a cadaveric dissection study. METHODS: A total of 70 neck dissections (31 bilateral, 8 unilateral) were performed on 39 adult fresh cadavers [mean (SD) age: 38.5 (11.2) years, 29 male, 10 female] to identify the course of lower CNs [spinal accessory nerve (SAN), vagus nerve and hypoglossal nerve] within the neck in relation to surrounding structures [internal jugular vein (IJV), common carotid artery (CCA)] and distance to anatomical landmarks (cricoid cartilage, hyoid bone, digastric muscle). RESULTS: SAN travelled most commonly anterior to IJV (51.4%) at the level of jugular foramen, while travelling lateral to IJV at the post belly of digastric (55.7%) and inferior to digastric muscle (90%) in most neck dissections. Vagus nerve travelled lateral to CCA in majority (94.3%) of dissections, while medial (2.9%), posterolateral (1.4%) and posterior (1.4%) positions were also noted. Average distance of hypoglossal nerve was 27.7 (9.7) mm to carotid bifurcation, 9.3 (3.9) mm to hyoid bone, and 54.7 (18.0) mm to the inferior border of cricoid cartilage. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings indicate that anatomic variations are not rare in the course of lower CNs within the neck in relation to adjacent structures, and awareness of these variations together with knowledge of distance to certain anatomic landmarks may help the surgeon to identify lower CNs during neck surgery and prevent potential nerve injuries.

Effects of gadolinium-based contrast agents on submandibular gland tissue in rats.

AIM: The aim of this prospective animal study is to investigate the influence of multiple administrations of macrocyclic ionic (gadoteric acid) and linear nonionic (gadodiamide) gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) on submandibular gland tissue (SGT) of the rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-four Sprague Dawley female rats were included the study. Group 1 was determined as a control group (n = 6). Group 2 was determined as saline group (n = 6). Group 3 was determined as Omniscan group (n = 6) and received only intraperitoneal (IP) 0.1 mmol (0.2 mL/kg)/kg gadodiamide for 8 days. Group 4 was determined as Dotarem group (n = 6) and received only IP 0.1 mmol (0.2 mL/kg)/mg/kg gadoteric acid daily for 8 days. On the 9th day of the administration, the rats were sedated with ketamine and xylazine through IP injection. The right SGT was removed after sedation. Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in SGT were evaluated. RESULTS: The SGT of the Omniscan and Dotarem groups decreased SGT acini surface area, and serous acinar cells number were observed. On the other hand, no pathology was observed. Mucous acinar cells' caspase-3 positivity for the same markers in Omniscan and Dotarem sections was similar to the control group. However, Omniscan and Dotarem groups serous acinar cells were caspase-3 (+) staining. The intensity of serous acinar cells' caspase-3 (+) for the same markers in Dotarem sections was similar to the Omniscan group. The results also revealed in the analysis of the mean area of the acinus area of the SGT; there were significantly decreased Dotarem group rats when compared to control rats (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We consider that numerical increased apoptosis results arise from repeated doses of GBCAs. Being aware of this effect of the contrast agent may have significance for the chronic sialo-adenitis patients group when used for recurrent contrasted MRI for diagnosis of diseases like MS which requires in follow-up. We should be aware about the frequently contrasted MRI in routine investigations.

The Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Diagnosis of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiological records of patients who were admitted to our clinic with complaints of otologic and neuro-otologic symptoms between October 2014 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, those who underwent both computed tomography and MRI and were reported to have SSCD in the temporal bone on at least one side were included in the study group. MRI records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis were then assessed for the presence of SSCD. RESULTS: The left and right semicircular canals of 52 patients were evaluated in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI in the diagnosis of SSCD was 89.06% and 90%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 93.44% and 83.72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of multiplanar reformats and angulation techniques during MRI assessment of patients with neuro-otologic symptoms can improve the diagnostic process for patients with SSCD. This may allow early diagnosis of the disease by using just one imaging method, which would also reduce the costs per patient during the diagnosis period.

Effects of exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats / Efeitos da exposição a um campo eletromagnético na radiofrequência de 2100 MHz, similar ao sistema GSM, no sistema auditivo de ratos

Abstract Introduction: The use of mobile phones has become widespread in recent years. Although beneficial from the communication viewpoint, the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones may cause unwanted biological changes in the human body. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2100 MHz Global System for Mobile communication (GSM-like) electromagnetic field, generated by an electromagnetic fields generator, on the auditory system of rats by using electrophysiological, histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. Methods: Fourteen adult Wistar albino rats were included in the study. The rats were divided randomly into two groups of seven rats each. The study group was exposed continuously for 30 days to a 2100 MHz electromagnetic fields with a signal level (power) of 5.4 dBm (3.47 mW) to simulate the talk mode on a mobile phone. The control group was not exposed to the aforementioned electromagnetic fields. After 30 days, the Auditory Brainstem Responses of both groups were recorded and the rats were sacrificed. The cochlear nuclei were evaluated by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. Results: The Auditory Brainstem Responses records of the two groups did not differ significantly. The histopathologic analysis showed increased degeneration signs in the study group (p = 0.007). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased apoptotic index in the study group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The results support that long-term exposure to a GSM-like 2100 MHz electromagnetic fields causes an increase in neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the auditory system.

Resumo Introdução: O uso de telefones celulares tornou-se generalizado nos últimos anos. Embora benéfico do ponto de vista da comunicação, os campos eletromagnéticos gerados por celulares pode causar alterações biológicas indesejáveis no corpo humano. Objetivo: Nesse estudo, o objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos do campo eletromagnético na frequência de 2.100 MHz, similar à modulação do Sistema Global para Comunicações Móveis, produzido por um gerador de campo eletromagnético, sobre o sistema auditivo de ratos usando os métodos eletrofisiológico, histopatológico e imunohistoquímico. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo catorze adultos ratos albinos Wistar. Os ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de sete animais cada. O grupo de estudo foi exposto continuamente por 30 dias a um campo eletromagnético em 2100 MHz com um nível de sinal (potência) de 5,4 dBm (3,47 miliwatts) para simular o modo de conversação em um celular. O grupo controle não foi exposto ao campo eletromagnético acima mencionado. Após 30 dias, o potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico de ambos os grupos foi gravado e os ratos foram sacrificados. Os núcleos cocleares foram avaliados pelos métodos histopatológico e imunohistoquímico. Resultados: Os registros do potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico dos dois grupos não diferiram significativamente. A análise histopatológica mostrou aumento dos sinais de degeneração no grupo de estudo (p = 0,007). Além disso, a análise imuno-histoquímica revelou aumento do índice de apoptose no grupo de estudo em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,002). Conclusão: Os resultados confirmam que a exposição a longo prazo a um campo eletromagnético em 2100 MHz similar à modulação do sistema global para comunicações móveis causa um aumento na degeneração neuronal e apoptose no sistema auditivo.

Evaluation of vascular variations at cerebellopontine angle by 3D T2WI magnetic-resonance imaging in patients with vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Vascular loops of the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are considered related to auditory-vestibular symptoms. Clinical association of these anatomical aberrations, which can be grouped together as vascular compression syndromes, is controversial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to visualize this anatomical region, given its high sensitivity and specificity. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the clinical relationship of vertigo symptoms with vascular loop compression syndrome by evaluating the neurovascular contacts of the vestibulocochlear nerve (VCN) and AICA at the CPA and internal auditory canal via high-resolution MRI. METHODS: The study included 417 patients (178 with vertigo and 239 without vertigo) undergoing MRI for various clinical causes. MRI scans were assessed to study the presence of vascular abnormalities at the CPA. RESULTS: According to our findings, type 1 vascular variation was observed most frequently in both sides. MRI findings were similar for the patients with and without vertigo. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the prevalence of the vascular loops of the AICA primarily depends on diagnostic technique, and our results identified a slightly higher prevalence than those of previous studies, which might be partly related to the high-sensitivity of 3-dimensional T2-weighted MRI.