Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cisplatin ototoxicity.

PURPOSE: To report histological and electrophysiological data in rats treated with cisplatin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. METHODS: We randomly divided 28 Wistar rats into four groups of seven, to be treated as follows: control (saline), cisplatin, CAPE and cisplatin-CAPE. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed on day one (before drug administration) and day five under anaesthesia. All animals were killed under general anaesthesia on day five after the DPOAE measurement. The cochleae of each rat were histopathologically and immunohistochemically evaluated. RESULTS: The outer hair cells were mostly preserved in the control and CAPE groups. Moderate-to-severe and mild-to-moderate hair cell losses were detected in the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups, respectively. DPOAE assessments revealed significant deterioration in the cisplatin group (P < 0.05). The difference between the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CAPE prevents cisplatin ototoxicity.

Temporal bone erosion in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse temporal bone erosion sites (including scutum, labyrinth, facial canal, mastoid tegmen, posterior fossa dural plate and sigmoid sinus plate) in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). METHODOLOGY: Retrospective case review in a tertiary referral centre. Medical records were reviewed from 905 patients (121 complicated; 784 non-complicated) who received a mastoidectomy as a minimum intervention for the treatment of CSOM. RESULTS: All types of temporal bone erosion were found to be more frequent in patients with complicated CSOM. Erosion in the scutum, mastoid tegmen, posterior fossa dural plate and labyrinth was observed significantly more frequently in complicated-CSOM patients with a cholesteatoma. Granulation/polyp tissue invaded the sigmoid sinus and facial canal at a rate similar to cholesteatoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that bone erosion is more frequent in complicated-CSOM patients. Temporal bone erosion can be seen in both cholesteatomatous and non-cholesteatomatous CSOM patients. Granulation/polyp tissue was as important as cholesteatoma in the erosion of the facial canal and sigmoid sinus plate.

A new and reliable landmark in parotid surgery: tragomastoid groove (Akil Groove).

OBJECTIVE: Parotid surgery is a frequently performed surgery in otorhinolaryngology practice with many possible complications. Due to the high ratio of facial paralysis during parotid surgery, we defined a new landmark for identifying and protecting the facial nerve as early as possible during surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective anatomical method. The important details and relationship of the tragomastoid groove to the facial nerve truncus were examined during surgery on 30 patients. In addition, the demographics of the patients, the type of surgery and the pathological results of surgeries were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean distance of the tragomastoid groove to the facial nerve truncus was 20.53±1.71 mm, the mean deepness of the tragomastoid groove was 1.91±0.26 mm, and the mean superficial part of the tragomastoid groove was 0.83±0.23 mm. The tragomastoid groove was situated either across from the facial nerve at the place where the facial nerve truncus exits the stylomastoid foramen or just inferior to the truncus in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The tragomastoid groove was defined for the first time in the literature as a reliable landmark for identifying the facial nerve truncus easily during parotid surgery.

The investigation of the prognostic value of mean platelet volume in patients with sudden hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to observe the changes in mean platelet volume in patients with sudden hearing loss, taking the close relationship of vascular reasons and sudden hearing loss into account. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were admitted and treated with sudden hearing loss in the study. The control group was made up of healthy people. The hemoglobin values, mean platelet volumes, platelet counts of the groups were recorded. RESULTS: Forty sixth patients in the sudden hearing loss group and 45 patients in the control group were evaluated. No statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding mean platelet volume values and platelet counts were found. There was also no significant difference between the high mean platelet volumes and hearing loss levels. CONCLUSIONS: We think it would be beneficial to examine the mean platelet volume values in further studies with more patient series on patients with sudden hearing loss.

Relationship between hearing loss and sexual dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Deafness may be one of the factors that leads to a change in sexual function. This study aimed to assess sexual function, in particular erectile dysfunction, in male patients with hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied two groups: (1) adult men with acquired, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss, and (2) healthy, adult, married men demonstrated to have normal hearing levels, as the control group. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Functions questionnaire, and quality of life using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the International Index of Erectile Functions questionnaire results (p <0.001), both for each of the five questionnaire domain scores and for the total score. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that men with mild or moderate sensorineural hearing loss have poorer sexual health.