Effect of cochlear implant side on early speech processing in adults with single-sided deafness.

OBJECTIVE: In binaurally deaf subjects, speech processing particularly benefits from a cochlear implant (CI) in the right ear, which is contralateral to the commonly left speech-dominant hemisphere. However, it is unclear whether such effects of implantation side also occur in speech processing in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). METHODS: Lateralization of N1 responses was analyzed with a high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) in fourteen adults with postlingually acquired left or right SSD who received a CI in adulthood. During recording, patients performed a speech and a pure-tone discrimination task. Lateralization of N1 responses was assessed by side-specific global field power (GFP) and compared (a) between normal hearing and CI-implanted ears within subjects and (b) between implantation sides across subjects. RESULTS: N1 responses were stronger in the contralateral than in the ipsilateral hemisphere during stimulation of the normal hearing ear (except for left speech stimulation), and was bilateral symmetric with CI stimulation on either side. A significant correlation between speech discrimination performance and left lateralization was found across subjects for the left CI ear. CONCLUSIONS: CI stimulation altered auditory processing across hemispheres. Speech discrimination in left CI-implanted SSD patients improved with left lateralization of the N1 response. SIGNIFICANCE: Side-specific rehabilitation in SSD patients might improve speech processing across hemispheres.

Endoscopic Imaging Technology Today.

One of the most applied imaging methods in medicine is endoscopy. A highly specialized image modality has been developed since the first modern endoscope, the "Lichtleiter" of Bozzini was introduced in the early 19th century. Multiple medical disciplines use endoscopy for diagnostics or to visualize and support therapeutic procedures. Therefore, the shapes, functionalities, handling concepts, and the integrated and surrounding technology of endoscopic systems were adapted to meet these dedicated medical application requirements. This survey gives an overview of modern endoscopic technology's state of the art. Therefore, the portfolio of several manufacturers with commercially available products on the market was screened and summarized. Additionally, some trends for upcoming developments were collected.

[Cervical lymphadenitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in children with different residence]. / Zervikale Lymphadenitis durch atypische Mykobakterien bei Kindern mit unterschiedlichem Wohnsitz.

OBJECTIVE: Atypical mycobacteria form a heterogeneous group. Although more than 140 species have been identified, only 25 of them are considered responsible for infection in humans. The most frequent manifestation of the disease in immunocompetent children is the cervical lymphadenitis. Aims of this study were to identify a correlation of the location of residence with patients' demographics and disease characteristics, to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings and the different operative treatments modalities and to develop an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases were identified by using the hospital's correspondence, microbiology and pathology databases. Demographic and clinical data were collected. A statistical analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS: 32 patients were included. Our data revealed no significant correlation between area of residence and disease characteristics. Hypoechoic lymph nodes with intraglandular necrosis and low vascularity were observed in the majority of patients. Surgical treatment included abscess incision with biopsy, lymphadenectomy, selective neck dissection and partial parotidectomy. A recurrent disease was significantly more frequent after abscess incision. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies with prospective design are required, in order to confidently identify the correlation between area of residence and disease characteristics. Similar ultrasonographic findings suggest a constant constellation of changes that facilitate diagnostic evaluation. Complete surgical excision offers an effective management option as it combines definitive treatment and histological confirmation with low risk of complications.

Population-based cross-sectional study to assess newborn hearing screening program in central Germany.

OBJECTIVES: Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss is fundamental to minimize the negative consequences on the speech development. To lower the age at diagnosis and at intervention in hearing impaired children, not only universal newborn hearing screening (NHS) but also tracking is considered essential. The aim of the study was to evaluate the first six years after implementation of the population based newborn hearing screening program in Saxony-Anhalt, one German Federal State. METHODS: The cross-sectional cohort study consisted of three cohort samples. Overall 102,301 infants born between January 2010 and December 2015 were included. NHS protocol was developed as dual target group protocol with two sub-protocols. The screening technique included Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test. Newborns were assigned to the sub-protocols according to their audiological risk factors. Additionally, to evaluate the quality of NHS and tracking (false-negative screening) we were analysing data from a cohort of hearing impaired children diagnosed up to the age of three years. We calculated quality indicators and compared them with international guidelines. RESULTS: 101,102 (98.8%) infants were screened. The prevalence of bilateral neonatal hearing loss was 2.32 per 1000 newborns. The median age was two days at first screening, three month at diagnostic testing, and four month at intervention onset. 2.6% infants were lost to follow-up. 56.3% had a final diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The sensitivity of 0.85 (KI 95%: 0.76­0.91) and a specificity of 0.84 (KI 95%: 0.84­0.85) was calculated for the NHS program. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of benchmarks and outcomes of NHS demonstrated that the program reaches its main goal to identify the hearing impaired newborns in a timely manner.

[Musical abilities in children with an auditory processing disorder]. / Musikalische Fähigkeiten bei Kindern mit auditiver Verarbeitungs- und Wahrnehmungsstörung.

Objective Difficulties in solving musical tasks are observed in clinical practice in children with an auditory processing disorder (APD). There is a paucity of research on musical ability in children with an APD. Material and Methods To assess musical skills we had 15 children aged 6-11 years with the diagnosis of APD perform a test, and compared them to a control group of 15 children. Results APD children did significantly worse in pitch discrimination, reproduction of rhythm and singing. Correlations between language-based and musical skills in the APD-group were observed. Conclusions Greater attention should be paid to musical skills in APD diagnostics. The positive impact of musical training on language development and cognitive abilities in general has been demonstrated in numerous studies. Musical training should be the focus of further discussion for therapeutic methods of APD in the presence of musical deficits.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the tonsil.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare neoplasm that occurs extranodally and nodally. The following case report describes a 24-year-old male patient who suffered from FDCS of the tonsil. He presented at the ENT Department of the University Hospital Magdeburg with throat pain that had lasted for 3 months. There were neither B symptoms nor abnormal fatigue. An extended tonsillectomy was performed. The morphological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of FDCS. FDCS should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in spindle cell tumors of the tonsil.