Gstm1/Gstt1 is essential for reducing cisplatin ototoxicity in CBA/CaJ mice.

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. However, its clinical utility is limited because of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was found to play a vital role in reducing cisplatin ototoxicity in mice. Deletion polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1, members of the GST family, are common in humans and are presumed to be associated with cisplatin-induced hearing impairment. However, the specific roles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in cisplatin ototoxicity are not completely clear. Here, under cisplatin treatment, simultaneous deletion of Gstm1 and Gstt1 lead to a more profound hearing loss in CBA/CaJ mice (Gstm1/Gstt1-DKO) than in wild-type mice. The Gstm1/Gstt1-DKO mice, in which phase II detoxification genes were upregulated, exhibited more severe oxidative stress and higher outer hair cell apoptosis in the cochleae than the control mice. Thus, our study revealed that Gstm1 and Gstt1 protect auditory hair cells from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in the CBA/CaJ mice, and genetic screening for GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms could help determine a standard cisplatin dose for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The nonlinear association between albumin levels and risk of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis.

PURPOSE: The preoperative diagnosis of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis (NIFRS) is inaccurate, and biomarkers to assist the diagnosis are urgently needed. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS to assist in early diagnosis. METHODS: Patients with NIFRS and chronic sinusitis were enrolled in this study. Appropriate statistical methods were used to determine whether there was a statistical difference between the groups. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS, and a generalised additive model (GAM) was used to perform nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: A total of 620 patients were included, including 240 patients with NIFRS. A close relationship was found between albumin levels and NIFRS (P < 0.0001), and the low albumin group was associated with a higher incidence of NIFRS, which was reduced by 60 and 70% in the middle and high albumin groups, respectively. The subgroup analysis also demonstrated an association between albumin levels and NIFRS, except in patients with an alcohol history (P = 0.0665). Interestingly, a nonlinear relationship is observed according to the adjusted GAM. The inflection point was set at 37.0 g/L. A negative correlation was observed among patients with albumin > 37.0 g/L. When the albumin count was <37.0 g/L, the Y value obviously increased and was saturated at 70%, with no further significant increase. CONCLUSION: Albumin levels were significantly negatively correlated with the incidence of NIFRS, and the incidence increased markedly among patients with albumin < 37.0 g/L.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Model to Predict Hearing Recovery for Patients With Chronic Otitis Media.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors affecting postoperative hearing recovery in chronic otitis media (COM) patients, establish a clinical prediction model for hearing recovery, and verify the accuracy of the model. METHODS: Data of patients with COM who were admitted to our hospital between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We collected data on relevant clinicopathological characteristics of patients. The patients were randomly divided into the development cohort and validation cohorts. A postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) ≤20 dB was defined as successful hearing recovery. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association of several prognostic factors with hearing recovery. These factors were then used to establish a nomogram. The model was subjected to bootstrap internal validation and performance evaluation in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical validity. RESULTS: This study included 2146 patients with COM: the development cohort comprised 1610 patients (mean [standard deviation; SD] age, 44.1 [14.7] years; 733 men [45.5%]) and the validation cohort included 536 patients (mean [SD] age, 42.9 [14.4] years; 234 men [43.7%]). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, duration of onset, styles of surgery (tympanoplasty, canal wall up-CWU, or canal wall down-CWD), ossicular prosthesis, granulation or calcified blocks around the ossicular chain, ossicular chain integrity, duration of drilling, eustachian tube dysfunction, mixed hearing loss, semicircular canal fistula, and second surgery were associated with hearing recovery. A nomogram based on these variables was constructed. The area under the curve was 0.797 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.778-0.812) in the development cohort and 0.798 (95% CI, 0.7605-0.8355) in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the various clinical factors correlated with hearing recovery in patients with COM. The nomogram developed with these data could provide personalized risk estimates of hearing recovery to enhance preoperative counseling and help to set realistic expectations in patients.

H1N1 Influenza Virus-Infected Nasal Mucosal Epithelial Progenitor Cells Promote Dendritic Cell Recruitment and Maturation.

The barrier function of nasal mucosal epithelial cells plays an irreplaceable role in the spread and expansion of viruses in the body. This study found that influenza A virus H1N1 could induce apoptosis of nasal mucosal epithelial progenitor cells, cause an inflammatory response, and trigger the maturation and recruitment of nasal submucosal dendritic cells (DCs), but the mechanism remained unclear. Therefore, we used RNA sequencing and high-resolution untargeted metabolomics to sequence and perform combined bioinformatic analysis of H1N1 virus-infected nasal mucosal epithelial cells from 6 different patients. The abnormal arginine metabolism signaling pathway caused by H1N1 virus infection was screened out, and arginase inhibitors were used to interfere with the abnormal arginine metabolism and the maturation and recruitment of submucosal DCs caused by the H1N1 virus in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that H1N1 influenza virus promotes the recruitment and maturation of submucosal DCs by causing abnormal arginine metabolism in nasal mucosal epithelial cells, thereby triggering respiratory mucosal immunity.

A network pharmacology approach to explore and validate the potential targets of ginsenoside on osteoporosis.

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is determined as a chronic systemic bone disorder to increase the susceptibility to fracture. Ginsenosides have been found the anti-osteoporotic activity of in vivo and in vitro. However, its mechanism remains unknown.Methods: The potential mechanism of ginsenosides in anti-osteoporotic activity was identified by using network phamacology analysis. The active compounds of ginsenosides and their targets associated to OP were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, Drug Bank, Pharmmapper, and Cytoscape. The Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis target genes were performed in String, Phenopedia, DisGeNET database, and Metascape software. The protein to protein interaction were created by String database and Cytoscape software. The molecular docking was used to investigate the interactions between active coumpounds and potential targets by utilizing SwissDock tool, UCSF Chimera, and Pymol software. Results: A total of eight important active ingredients and 17 potential targets related to OP treatment were subjected to analyze. GO analysis showed the anti-osteoporosis targets of ginsenoside mainly play a role in the response to steroid hormone. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that ginsenoside treats OP by osteoblast differentiation signal pathway. Lastly, the molecular docking outcomes indicated that ginsenoside rh2 had a good binding ability with four target proteins IL1B, TNF, IFNG, and NFKBIA. Conclusion: IL1B, TNF, IFNG, and NFKBIA are the most important targets and osteoblast differentiation is the most valuable signaling pathways in ginsenoside for the treatment of OP, which might be beneficial to elucidate the mechanism concerned to the action of ginsenoside and might supply a better understanding of its anti-OP effects.

Tfh Exosomes Derived from Allergic Rhinitis Promote DC Maturation Through miR-142-5p/CDK5/STAT3 Pathway.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in allergen signal presentation. Many studies showed that follicular helper T cells (Tfhs) are related to allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the relationship between Tfhs and DCs and the mechanism of their interaction with AR remain unclear. Purpose: To explore the mechanism of Tfhs on DC maturation in AR. Methods: Tfhs were isolated from OVA-sensitized mice and co-cultured with DCs derived from mouse bone marrow. DCs maturity was monitored using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Exosomes of Tfhs were extracted, and miRNAs inside exosomes were analyzed using RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes. Using the TargetScan algorithm, it was predicted that CDK5 is a direct target gene, which is validated in a dual luciferase assay. DCs were treated with miR-142-5p mimics or inhibitors or transfected with CDK5 small interfering RNAs to verify the regulatory effects of miR-142-5p and CDK5 on DC maturation. How CDK5 regulates STAT3 signaling pathway was investigated to elucidate the molecular mechanism of DC maturation. Finally, in an in vivo experiment, the exosomes of AR-derived Tfhs were injected intravenously to detect their promotion of AR. Results: Tfh exosomes derived from AR mice contributed to DC maturation. RNA-seq results showed that miR-142-5p was the differentially decreased gene. Using the TargetScan algorithm, it was predicted that CDK5 was the target gene for the direct action of miR-142-5p. By detecting the effects of changes in the expression levels of miR-142-5p and CDK5 on DC maturation, it was demonstrated that miR-142-5p inhibits DC maturation by inhibiting CDK5 expression. CDK5-regulated STAT3 signaling pathway during DC maturation, and inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway can reverse the regulation of miR-142-5p/CDK5 on DC maturation. Finally, in vivo experiment indicated that the injection of AR-derived Tfhs promoted AR in mice. Conclusion: Tfh-derived exosomes induce DC maturation by regulating miR-142-5p/CDK5/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the occurrence of AR.

Shikonin Attenuates Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Neuron Degeneration by Activating Nrf2-ARE Signaling Pathway.

The molecular mechanisms that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of inner ear spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) remain largely unknown. Shikonin (a naphthoquinone pigment isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine comfrey root) has anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and promoting proliferation and differentiation effects on neural progenitor cells. To study the protective effect of shikonin on auditory nerve damage, we isolated spiral ganglion neuron cells (SGNs) and spiral ganglion Schwann cells (SGSs) that provide nutrients in vitro and pretreated them with shikonin. We found that shikonin can reduce ouabain, a drug that can selectively destroy SGNs and induce auditory nerve damage, caused SGNs proliferation decreased, neurite outgrowth inhibition, cells apoptosis and mitochondrial depolarization. In addition, we found that shikonin can increase the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream molecules HO-1 and NQO1, thereby enhancing the antioxidant capacity of SGNs and SGSs, promoting cells proliferation, and inhibiting cells apoptosis by activating the Nrf2/antioxidant response elements (ARE) signal pathway. However, knockdown of Nrf2 rescued the protective effect of shikonin on SGNs and SGSs damage. In addition, we injected shikonin pretreatment into mouse that ouabain-induced hearing loss and found that shikonin pretreatment has a defensive effect on auditory nerve damage. In summary, the results of this study indicate that shikonin could attenuate the level of oxidative stress in SGNs and SGSs through the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway activated, induce the proliferation and differentiation of SGNs, and thereby improve the neurological hearing damage in mice. Therefore, shikonin may be a candidate therapeutic drug for endogenous antioxidants that can be used to treat neurological deafness.

Bilateral Posterior Auricular Masses: A Case of Kimura's Disease.

Kimura's disease (KD) is currently considered a rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It is more common in the Asian population, especially in young and middle-aged men, and can involve the lymph nodes, salivary glands, and subcutaneous tissues. It has been reported in adults and children, and is often accompanied by elevated peripheral blood eosinophils and elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). Herein, we report a case of KD in a 46-year-old man with bilateral masses behind the ears since childhood that had gradually enlarged over 40 years. The patient's peripheral blood eosinophils were elevated, and interestingly, homocysteine levels were also elevated. After surgical resection of the bilateral posterior auricular masses, follow-up over 5 years indicated good recovery and no signs of recurrence.

Network pharmacology reveals the potential mechanism of Baiying Qinghou decoction in treating laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Baiying Qinghou as a traditional Chinese medicine decoction shows anticancer property on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. However, little is known about the precise mechanism of Baiying Qinghou detection against laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to explore potential mechanism of therapeutic actions of Baiying Qinghou decoction on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active chemical components of Baiying Qinghou decoction were predicted, followed by integrated analysis of network pharmacology and molecular docking approach. The network pharmacology approach included target protein prediction, protein-protein interaction network construction and functional enrichment analysis. RESULTS: Sitosterol and quercetin were predicted to be the overlapped active ingredients among three Chinese herbs of Baiying Qinghou decoction. The target proteins were closely associated with response to chemical, response to drug related biological process and cancer related pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling, HIF-1 signaling and Estrogen signaling pathway. The target proteins of TP53, EGFR, PTGS2, NOS3 and IL1B as the key nodes in PPI network were cross-validated, among which EGFR, IL1B, NOS3 and TP53 were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Finally, the binding modes of EGFR, IL1B, NOS3 and TP53 with quercetin were visualized. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Quercetin of Baiying Qinghou decoction showed therapeutic effect against laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating TP53, EGFR, NOS3 and IL1B involved with drug resistance and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. TP53, EGFR, NOS3 and IL1B may be the candidate targets for the treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Analysis of related factors of recurrence in horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a pilot study.

Background: Whether the abnormal caloric test (C-test) affects recurrence rate in horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV) with residual dizziness (RD) is not clear.Objectives: 1) Analyze the association of the cycles of canalith repositioning procedure (CRP), C-test and RD after CRP and 2) determine which affects the recurrence rate in idiopathic HSC-BPPV.Materials and methods: Eighty-four patients with HSC-BPPV (canal type) were included in this work. The cycles of CRP, C-test, the RD after CRP and HSC-BPPV recurrence rate were recorded. Depending on the times of CRP and patients who presented dizziness after treatment, patients were divided into four groups, the relationship between abnormal C-test and RD was analyzed. The outcomes of recurrence rate were compared between groups, respectively.Results: (1) The abnormal C-test prevalence among the HSC-BPPV patients with RD was 36% while in no RD group was 14.7%. The difference was statistically significant (p = .045). (2) The recurrence rate was 11.8% in no RD group but in RD group the rate was higher (32%, p = .039). When patients combined with abnormal C-test, the recurrence rate was significantly higher (77.8% vs. 20%) (p = .033).Conclusions: A weak correlation between RD and abnormal C-test is noted. Presence of RD and abnormal C-test in patients with HSC-BPPV predicts a higher recurrence rate.

Down-regulation of anti-inflammatory TIPE2 may aggravate adenoidal hypertrophy in children.

Adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) is a common disorder in the pediatric population, with common symptoms including mouth breathing, nasal congestion, hyponasal speech, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Although the pathogenesis of AH has not been fully elucidated, recent studies have indicated that immune responses may play an important role in AH. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a newly identified protein that negatively regulates the activation of inflammatory pathways. Here, we investigated the effect of TIPE2 in AH in children. We observed that the levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 were greater in the adenoid tissue of AH children than in healthy control subjects (P < 0.01), and this increase was positively correlated with the severity of AH. The level of TIPE2 expression was decreased compared with control and was negatively correlated with AH. TIPE2 overexpression in primary human monocytes (isolated from adenoid tissue of children with AH) inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB and the expression of TNF-α and interleukin-6. These results suggest that overexpression of TIPE2 may attenuate AH through inactivation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Identification of Key Modules, Hub Genes, and Noncoding RNAs in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps by Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with relatively easy recurrence. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of this disease are poorly known. Based on gene sequencing data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we constructed coexpression networks by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The core gene of pathogenesis, CRSwNP, was screened by protein-protein interaction data (PPI) from the HPRD database. Unsupervised clustering was applied to screen hub genes related to the phenotype of CRSwNP. Blue and turquoise modules were found to be most significantly related to the pathogenicity of CRSwNP. Functional enrichment analysis showed that cell proliferation in the blue modules, the apoptotic process in the turquoise module, and the cancer pathway in both modules were mostly significantly correlated with the development of CRSwNP. The noncoding RNAs (long noncoding RNA and microRNA) and the top 10 core genes in each module were found to be associated with the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. A total of nine hub genes were identified to be related to the CRSwNP phenotype. By qRT-PCR analysis, AKT1, CDH1, PIK3R1, CBL, LRP1, MALAT1, and XIST were proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. AGR2, FAM3D, PIP, DSE, and TMC were identified to be related to the CRSwNP phenotype. Further exploration of these genes will reveal more important information about the mechanisms of CRSwNP.

Efficacy and safety of terbinafine hydrochloride spray and 3% boric acid alcohol ear drops in otomycosis.

Background: Although otomycosis is a disease spread throughout the world, there are only a few of studies about it.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of terbinafine hydrochloride spray (THS) in combination with 3% boric acid alcohol (3% BAA) ear drops compared to 3% BAA ear drops in otomycosis.Methods: This was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind study involving 320 patients of both sexes aged 18 years or older.Results: The clinical cure rate was higher (p = .01) with THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops than with 3% BAA ear drops alone. The change of mean total symptom score was significant with THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops (p = .035). No differences were found in the percentage of patients reporting resolution of otalgia between patients receiving THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops and those receiving only 3% BAA ear drops. Resolution rates of pruritus, otorrhea, aural fullness, tinnitus and hypoacusis (p = .005, p = .004, p = .002, p = .001, p = .004, respectively) was higher with THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops, as was eradication (p = .001). There were seven mild adverse events, three with the THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops (not related to the treatment) and four when 3% BAA was administered alone (not related to the treatment).Conclusions: THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops is a more effective treatment for otomycosis than 3% BAA ear drops alone. The THS in combination with 3% BAA ear drops also has an excellent safety profile.Significance: To provides a safe and effective method for treating otomycosis.

Correlation of Bromodomain Protein BRD4 Expression With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Disease Severity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and disease severity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods: We performed immunofluorescent (IF) staining to evaluate the expression of BRD4 in the polyp tissues of CRSwNP and inferior turbinate mucosa of healthy controls. The relationship between BRD4 and EMT was evaluated by the BRD inhibitor JQ1 and BRD4 siRNA in primary human nasal polyp-derived epithelial cells. Disease severity was scored by using the Lund-Mackay scores of paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: The expression of BRD4 in patients with CRSwNP was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. The loss of BRD4 function by the BRD inhibitor JQ1 and BRD4 siRNA resulted in the reduction of E-cadherin, increasing vimentin, and Snai1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the expression of BRD4 was related to the total CT scan scores (r = 0.4682, P = 0.0210). Conclusions: BRD4 had higher expression in CRSwNP than in healthy controls and might be associated with EMT in CRSwNP. BRD4 mRNA expression was associated with disease severity in CRSwNP.

Corrigendum: Correlation of Bromodomain Protein BRD4 Expression With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Disease Severity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00413.].

Analysis of Genetic Alteration Signatures and Prognostic Values of m6A Regulatory Genes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Genetic alteration involving N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulatory genes is a frequent characteristic of multiple tumors. Nevertheless, little is known regarding their genetic alteration signatures and prognostic values in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, RNA sequence profiles and copy number variation (CNV) data of 506 HNSCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Correlation analysis involving alteration of m6A regulatory genes, clinicopathological characteristics, and patient survival was performed using R language. The results suggest that alteration of m6A regulatory genes was correlated with clinical staging. Patients with high expression of ALKBH5, FTO, METTL14, WTAP, YTHDC1, YTHDF1, and YTHDF2 had poor overall survival (OS) than those with low expression. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that ALKBH5 and YTHDC2 were independent risk factors for OS. However, patients with high YTHDC2 expression had better OS. Moreover, according to machine learning results, YTHDC2 was found to be the most important gene among the 10 m6A regulators. Additionally, high expression of YTHDC2 was correlated with activation of apoptosis and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Here, we identified alterations to m6A regulatory genes in HNSCC for the first time and found that seven m6A regulators were associated with poor prognosis, especially ALKBH5, whereas YTHDC2 was associated with better prognosis. These m6A-related regulators could act as novel prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC. Our findings provide clues for understanding RNA epigenetic modifications in HNSCC.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Effectively Alleviates Arrhythmias in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Possible Relationship with Counteracting Oxidative Stress.

This work is aimed at exploring the clinical efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in treatment of patients with arrhythmias combined with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Through evaluating serum native thiol, malonaldehyde (MDA) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) in these patients and describing the effects on oxidative parameters of CPAP therapy for 3 months, we confirmed the impact of oxidative stress on arrhythmias. A total of 64 patients with OSA combined with arrhythmias were collected from April 2014 to April 2017 with full clinical information. Patients were divided into two groups (paired experiment design): 32 patients in group A (control group), who received unchanged anti-arrhythmia treatment and 32 patients in group B, who were subjected to unchanged pharmacological anti-arrhythmia therapy combined with CPAP. OSA related parameters were compared between the two groups after 3-month therapy. And the levels of parameters of oxidative stress in patients were measured before and after CPAP therapy. After 3 months of CPAP therapy, compared with the control group, the percentage of sage N3 (NREM 3) and stage R (REM) in total sleep time was significantly increased, while apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score were evidently decreased. Meanwhile, the lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO2) was also elevated after CPAP treatment for 3 months. The CPAP therapy significantly prevented the occurrence of arrhythmias (P<0.05). Both the MDA level and NADPH oxidase levels were significantly lower in the group B than in the group A (P<0.05). But serum native thiol was improved by CPAP treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, proper use of CPAP therapy provides significant benefits for the treatment of arrhythmia in patients with OSA.

Comparison of nerve combing and percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) is a common pain disease in elderly people. Many methods have been used to alleviate the pain of patients, but few studies in the literature have compared the effect of nerve combing and percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the clinical outcome of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia after nerve combing (NC) and compare them with those obtained using percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF). METHODS: The study included 105 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia patients with similar symptom, age and underlying disease, which were divided into two groups. One group was treated by nerve combing (50 patients), the other by RF (55 cases). All patients were considered medical failures prior to the surgeries. A questionnaire was used to assess the long-term outcomes: pain relief, recurrence, complication and need for additional treatment. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up in both groups was 90 months. Satisfactory relief was noted in 41 patients (82%), 5 patients (10%) initially experienced pain relief, then recurred, and four patients (8%) were designated poor among the group NC. In the group RF, satisfactory relief was noted in 42 patients (76.4%). There were eight "pain free with recurrence patients (14.5%) and 5 poor cases (9.1%). No statistically significant differences existed in the outcomes between both groups (p>0.05). Postoperative morbidity included dysesthesia, diplopia, partial facial nerve palsy, hearing loss, tinnitus, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis and mortality. CONCLUSION: Nerve combing and RF are both satisfactory treatment strategies for patients with ITN. Because of the higher risk of sensory morbidity and surgical risk as open surgery, RF is preferred as the recommended procedure for patients with ITN.

Comparative Study of Endolymphatic Sac Decompression and Vestibular Neurectomy in Intractable Meniere's Disease.

To comparative study the clinical effect of endolymphatic sac decompression (ELSD) and vestibular neurectomy (VN) in intractable Meniere's disease (MD). The study included 30 MD intractable patients, 21 of which underwent ELSD and nine of which were treated by VN via retrosigmoid approach. Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 6 years. In 21 patients by ELSD, excellent vertigo control and good control were noted in 11 patients (52.4 %) and 4 patients (19.0 %), partial control in 4 and no control in 2 patients. All the 9 patients by VN, vertigo was excellent control. ELSD can improve hearing and tinnitus, but VN not. VN can achieve much better effect in improving vertigo in intractable MD patients. But relative to ELSD, it has much more disadvantages.