Cochlear duct length-one size fits all?

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies demonstrated the utility of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans in measuring basal cochlear length and cochlear insertion depths. These studies showed significant variations in the anatomy of the cochlea amongst humans. The aim of our study was to investigate for gender and racial variations in the basal turn length of the human cochlea in an Asian population. METHOD: HRCT temporal bone data from year 1997 till 2012 of patients with normally developed cochleae who reported with otologic disease was obtained. Reconstruction of the full basal turn was performed for both ears. The largest distance from the midpoint of the round window, through the midmodiolar axis, to the lateral wall was measured (distance A). Length of the lateral wall of the cochlea to the first turn (360°) was calculated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: HRCT temporal bone data from 161 patients was initially obtained. Four patients were subsequently excluded from the study as they were of various other racial groups. Study group therefore comprised of 157 patients (314 cochleae). Mean distance A was statistically different between the two sides of the ear (right 9.09mm; left 9.06mm; p=0.0069). Significant gender and racial differences were also found. Mean distance A was 9.17mm in males and 8.97mm in females (p=0.0016). The racial groups were Chinese (39%), Malay (38%) and Indian (22%). Between racial groups, mean distance A was 9.11mm (Chinese), 9.11mm (Malays) and 8.99mm (Indians). The mean basal turn lengths ranged from 19.71mm to 25.09mm. With gender factored in, significant variation in mean basal turn lengths was found across all three racial groups (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The view of the basal turn of the cochlea from HRCT is simple to obtain and reproducible. This study found significant differences in basal cochlear length amongst male and female Asian patients, as well as amongst various racial groups. This has implications for cochlear electrode insertion as well as electrode array design.

Haemangioma of the uvula causing loud habitual snoring--a rare entity.

Mucosal haemangiomas are unusual and typically involve frequently traumatised areas such as the lip, buccal mucosa and lateral borders of the tongue. Uvular haemangioma is rare and to our knowledge, has never been reported to cause obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We report an unusual case of uvular haemangioma causing loud habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA. This case report illustrates a rare cause of OSA and demonstrates the efficacy of surgery for obvious obstructive lesions of the pharynx.

Use of narrow-band imaging in detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM: To compare narrow-band images of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with those of normal adenoidal tissue. METHOD: Patients with a nasopharyngeal mass were evaluated using both conventional white light and narrow-band light. Biopsies were performed and Epstein-Barr viral serology was tested for all patients. RESULTS: Thirty consecutive patients were recruited. Twenty-one patients had normal adenoidal tissue and seven had nasopharyngeal carcinoma. One patient with papillary adenocarcinoma was excluded. The features of narrow-band imaging in normal adenoidal tissue were: (1) a regularly arranged follicular pattern, and (2) each 'follicle' comprising a pale centre with surrounding dark periphery. The features of narrow-band imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were: (1) absence of surface patterns (n = 7), and/or (2) 'reverse', haphazard follicular pattern comprising a dark brown centre and pale periphery (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Narrow-band imaging of the surface of adenoidal tissue and nasopharyngeal carcinoma appears to identify distinct, characteristic features as described. Narrow-band imaging may be a useful adjunct in differentiating normal adenoidal tissue from malignancy. Further studies are needed to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy.

Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma masquerading as acoustic neuroma.

This is the first report of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) presenting as a cerebellopontine angle mass. The clinical presentation, investigation and management of this case, as well as the confusion and dilemma caused, are discussed. We hope to increase awareness on the multifaceted ways in which recurrent NPC could present and to share the lessons learnt from our management of this unusual and unfortunate case.

A quality assurance survey to improve communication between ENT specialists and general practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: Communication between medical specialists and primary care providers in the community plays a pertinent role in patient care and doctor education. Referral and reply letters are the most common means by which doctors exchange information. Much of clinician time is spent writing letters, but the information or the format in which the letter is written may not meet the needs of the recipient. This study aimed to determine the type of reply letter preferred by general practitioners (GPs) and as such, attempts to improve communication between doctors as part of a quality assurance survey. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed out to 1,700 GPs in Singapore. Each questionnaire was accompanied by two sample reply letters from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The sample letters were written in different formats. Letter 1 was written in a non-structured, free text format and Letter 2 included a structured summary at the beginning. Both letters contained the same amount of information and the same number of words. RESULTS: A total of 535 replies (response rate 32 percent) were received. Letter 2 was preferred in 97 percent of the responses. 96 percent of the doctors found Letter 2 to be easier to read, while 86 percent felt it contained more information and 64 percent felt that Letter 1 took a longer time to read. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that there is a preference for diagnosis and treatment plan to be presented in a summary style report rather than as free text. A structured format for reply letters, including the use of headings, allows readers to easily identify the information desired and thus improves the quality of correspondence between specialists and GPs.

EBV-associated smooth muscle tumour presenting as a parapharyngeal mass--a rare presentation.

The Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour (EBV-SMT) is a rare entity that has only recently been recognised. Since its first description in 1993, it has been reported only in immunocompromised patients, and generally presents as one or more non-specific mass lesions which may arise almost anywhere within the body. Because of its sporadic occurrence, non-specific presenting features and frequently unusual sites of occurrence, it often presents a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. We describe an interesting patient with an EBV-SMT which masqueraded as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, presenting with serous otitis media, nasopharyngeal mass and raised Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology.

A prospective comparative study to examine the effects of oral diazepam on blood pressure and anxiety levels in patients with acute epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of oral diazepam on blood pressure and anxiety in patients with acute epistaxis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective comparative study in an otorhinolaryngology tertiary referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with acute epistaxis requiring hospital admission. INTERVENTION: Oral diazepam. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anxiety and blood pressure levels. RESULTS: 32 patients received diazepam and 45 did not (control). On average, patients were hypertensive on admission (mean [standard deviation (SD)] systolic blood pressure diazepam group=157 mmHg [26], control=152 mmHg [23]; diastolic blood pressure diazepam group=87 mmHg [16], control=87 mmHg [18]). Both groups showed significant blood pressure reduction on discharge (p<0.0001) but the difference in mean blood pressure reduction between the two groups was insignificant (systolic blood pressure p=0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]=-5 to +19 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure p=0.43, 95% CI=-8 to +10 mmHg). Anxiety was significantly lower on discharge (p<0.0001) but the difference in mean fall in anxiety scores between the two groups was insignificant (p=0.08, 95% CI=0 to +2). There was no significant correlation between total diazepam and changes in blood pressure (systolic blood pressure p=0.32; diastolic blood pressure p=0.65) or anxiety (p=0.73), nor between blood pressure and anxiety on admission (systolic blood pressure p=0.45; diastolic blood pressure p=0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated blood pressure and anxiety in acute epistaxis patients reduced on epistaxis resolution irrespective of oral diazepam use. The elevated blood pressure does not appear to be directly related to anxiety.