Electromyographic signals and the starting threshold voltage of orbicularis oris muscle in healthy rhesus monkeys / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of electromyography (EMG) signals and the starting threshold voltages of the orbicularis oris muscles (OOM) in healthy rhesus monkeys under different muscle movement conditions. Methods: The EMG signals and the starting threshold voltages at different time points in 4 healthy rhesus monkeys were acquired and recorded with EMG device and evoked potentiometer. The voltage amplitude variation of EMG signals was analyzed, and the voltage amplitude range of EMG signals at the beginning of OOM contraction was established. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results: The EMG of OOM in healthy monkeys in the quiet, natural and continuous mouth-closed state was linear and relatively stable, and the absolute value fluctuated between 15 and 50 μV. The EMG waveform increased rapidly during the natural lip contraction movement, and its amplitude fluctuated greatly, with the highest absolute value of the peak value reaching hundreds of microvolts. The amplitude of EMG induced by continuous mouth closure was more than thousands of microvolts. There was no significant difference in EMG amplitudes of OOM in the healthy rhesus monkey under quiet and continuous lip closure at different time points (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in threshold voltages in the state of natural lip contraction of bilateral OOM at different time points (average range: 57.17-57.47 μV) in the healthy rhesus monkeys (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in threshold voltages of OOM induced by bilateral OOM at different time points(average range: 55.38-55.99 μV) in the healthy rhesus monkeys(P>0.05). There were significant differences in the absolute values of EMG amplitudes of OOM between the three lip movement modes: (30.67±8.72) μV in quiet and natural continuous lip closure (475.12±54.72) μV in natural lip contraction, and (921.22±312.79) μV in the induced persistent lip closure, with t values of -8.48, -9.35 and -5.01 respectively, all P<0.001. Conclusions: The EMG signals of OOM show different characteristics under different muscle movement conditions, which can be used as a basis for computer to judge and recognize the movement conditions of OOM. The upper limits of the EMG threshold voltage values of OOM under different motion states are 55-60 μV.

Facial nerve function and hearing preservation experience in middle fossa approach removal of small acoustic tumor surgery / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to investigate the hearing and facial nerve preservation in the middle fossa approach surgery for the removal of small acoustic tumor (vestibular schwannomas, VS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective database was established, and data were retrospectively reviewed. Between January 2004 and February 2013, 13 patients with acoustic tumor underwent surgery via middle fossa approach for hearing preservation. The patients consisted of six men and seven women with a mean age of 48 years. Tumor size ranged from 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm. Hearing loss was categorized as American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) class A, class B, class C and class D. Facial nerve function was evaluated according to House-Brackmann (HB) Grade I-VI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gross-total resection was accomplished in 12 of 13 patients. Preoperative hearing as class A in ten, class B in two, and class C in one patient respectively. Postoperatively, hearing was graded as class A in eight patients, class B in 3, and class C in 2 patients. Facial nerve function was House-Brackmann (HB) grade I in twelve patients, grade II in one patient preoperatively. Postoperatively, facial nerve function was HB Grade I in twelve patients and Grade III in one patient. The overall hearing preservation rate was at least 80% (8/10) and HB Grade I facial nerve outcome of 100% (12/12) . All cases were followed up for 0.5 to 5 years, no complications were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The middle fossa approach for the resection of small VS with hearing preservation is a viable and relatively option. It should be considered among the various options available for the management of small and growing VS.</p>