Efficacy of balloon dilatation of the eustachian tube in patients with refractory otitis media with effusion after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of balloon dilatation of the eustachian tube (BDET) in patients with refractory otitis media with effusion (OME) after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients (74 ears) who had received BDET for treatment of refractory OME after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled. The efficacy was evaluated by seven-item eustachian tube scores (ETS-7), tympanogram type and air-bone gap, and the total effective rate was also calculated. All patients were followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: ETS-7 scores at every postoperative visit were significantly higher than preoperative scores (all P < 0.05). ETS-7 score 6 months after surgery was the highest, which declined sharply from the 6th to the 24th month after surgery. Air-bone gap from the 1st to the 18th month after surgery was significantly smaller than preoperative one (all P < 0.05). Air-bone gap 6 months after surgery was the smallest, followed by that 12 months after surgery. The improvement in tympanogram type 6 months after surgery was the highest. The improvement of tympanogram type declined sharply from 12 to 24 months after surgery. According to evaluation of efficacy, only one patient completely recovered, and five patients partially recovered during the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: BDET can only significantly improve efficacy of refractory OME after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma for a certain period of time during the 2-year follow-up.

[OSAHS patient gas up-take cross-sectional area nasopharynx sound reflection examination and significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a simple and accurate method for localization of upper airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and provide instructions for surgical treatment. METHOD: Fifty OSAHS patients confirmed by PSG underwent acoustic rhinometric and pharyngometric assessment by Eccovision. The parameters were recorded, including nasal minimal cross-sectional area (NMCA), distance of MCA from the nostril (DCAN), minimum cross-sectional area at the nasal valve(MCA), nasal resistance (NR) and nasal volume from 0 to 6 cm from the nostril (NCV), as well as pharyngeal cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume from 4.8 to 15.0 cm. The sensitivity and specificity of acoustic rhinometry and pharyngometry on localization of airway obstruction was determined by a comprehensive imaging and endoscopic study. RESULT: In 50 cases with severe OSAHS, NMCA, DCAN, MCA, NCV, NR were (0.61 +/- 0.35) cm2, (2.06 +/- 0.12) cm, (0.87 +/- 0.12) cm2, (9.24 +/- 2.31)cm3 and (0.51 +/- 0.32)kPa/(L x min), respectively. Pharyngeal CSA and volume were statistically significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.01). The value of DCAN was (2.06 +/- 0.12) cm, (9.50 +/- 4.08) cm, (13.10 +/- 2.52) cm in type I II, III patient, respectively. Compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Acoustic rhinometry and pharyngometry is a simple and safe method in localization of airway obstruction in patients with OSAHS.

[Applied anatomy study of optic canal by transnasal endoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To provide transnasal endoscopic optic canal decompression with the anatomic reference. METHOD: 15 samples of the adult corpse wet specimen (30 sides for the optic canal) were examined under the endoscope to scrutinize the regional anatomy of the optic canal. RESULT: distance between the spina nasalis anterior and the midpoint of optic canal medial wall is (61.02 +/- 5.83) mm, and the angle between spina nasalis anterior and the midpoint of optic canal medial wall is (45.1 +/- 4.81) degrees. The medial wall of optic canal is longest, with an average length of (11.61 +/- 1.58) mm; the lateral wall of optic canal is thickest, and the medial wall thinnest. 10 traumatic blind patient underwent endoscopic optic canal decompression with satisfactory outcome. CONCLUSION: The regional anatomy of the optic canal under endoscope is of importance to endoscopic optic canal decompression. Which is microinvasive with direct approach and clear view thus is widely used in clinical practice.

[The management of fungal maxillary sinusitis under endoscopic surgery by dual approaches].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of management for fungal maxillary sinusitis under endoscopic surgery by dual approaches (canine fossa and natural ostium of maxillary sinus). METHOD: Forty cases of fungal maxillary sinusitis were operated under endoscope by dual approaches. The patients were hospitalized in the department of Otolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine Zhejiang University during the period of 1998 to 2004. RESULT: The cases were cured without recurrence. Among them no fungi and and inflammation were noticed by examination of CT scan follow-up six months later. CONCLUSION: Fungal maxillary sinusitis can be manage under endoscopic surgery by dual approaches and satisfied effects can be achieved.