Electromyographic and electroneurographic changes in internal nasal muscles after endonasal and external rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical structures of the nose (including muscles) are elevated, sutured, or reshaped during rhinoplasty. Electromyography and electroneurography are the objective electrophysiologic tests performed for the direct measurement of nasal muscle function. OBJECTIVES: The authors investigate the predictive values and functional status of nasal muscles during voluntary facial and nasal movements following open and closed rhinoplasty. METHODS: In 48 patients who underwent rhinoplasty, surface electrodes were placed to preoperatively and postoperatively measure nasal muscle function with electromyography and electroneurography. Results were analyzed according to whether the patient had undergone open or closed rhinoplasty. RESULTS: Electroneurography amplitudes were decreased postoperatively on both sides, in both groups. This increase was statistically significant (p < .001). Electromyography-recorded amplitude of nasal muscle contraction tension significantly decreased postoperatively in response to all voluntary movements in two cases in the closed rhinoplasty group (6.6%) and in two cases in the open rhinoplasty group (11.1%). In essence, the activity strength of the nasal muscles decreased postoperatively for some patients. The mean differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (p = .280). CONCLUSIONS: The data showed no meaningful difference in injury to the nasal muscular layer between open and closed rhinoplasty.

Concha bullosa and septal deviation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of concha bullosa (CB) in cases with septal deviation (SD), correlation between the angle of deviation and degree of pneumatization and compare these correlations with qualitative and quantitative methods. We retrospectively searched our radiology database for all paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) findings for 672 patients. All scans were grouped according to the presence and side of SD and/or CB. SD angles and pneumatization degree of the CB were measured with appropriate method. These findings were also classified according to the initial defined qualitative method. Generally, CB and SD incidences were 31.52 and 47.77%, respectively. CB ratio in SD patients was 45.34% whereas ratio in non-SD patients was 18.95%. Mean deviation angle of the isolated SD group (15.24 +/- 5.03) was found higher than both deviation angle of the unilateral CB + SD group (13.16 +/- 4.19) and bilateral CB + SD group (11.15 +/- 3.73) (P = 0.002, P = 0.0001 respectively). In conclusion, CB may tend to develop bilaterally in normal, non-deviated nose. However, the increasing incidence of unilateral CB, especially contralateral ones, in septal deviated patients suggested that SD may prevent the development of ipsilateral CB.

Laser reduction glottoplasty for managing androphonia after failed cricothyroid approximation surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To treat androphonic voice quality after failed cricothyroid approximation (CTA) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: The voices of three male-to-female transsexuals, two constitutional androphonic females, and one patient with ambiguous genitalia assigned to the female phenotype were deemed to be unimproved after CTA. The patients underwent laser reduction glottoplasty (LRG) surgery tailored to each case between 2001 and 2005. Vocal outcomes were evaluated according to fundamental frequency (FF), satisfaction status, voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) measures, and ratings of recorded voices by 10 blinded listeners after 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The LRG provided an additional mean gain of 45.17±8.47Hz (mean±standard deviation) in the FF, equal to 4.36±0.84 semitones. The mean FF increased significantly (P<0.05) from 158.33±12.14Hz preoperatively to 203.50±13.34Hz postoperatively. All patients reported satisfactory female quality in their voices and greetings with female salutations in nonvisual communications. Their voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) measures were high and significantly elevated (P<0.05) after LRG. The masculine voice-quality ratings significantly shifted to feminine in the listeners' assessment. No major complications were observed during follow-up, with the exception of mild vocal fold edema that disappeared by 8 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LRG can be used in androphonic cases that fail to obtain a high-pitched feminine voice after CTA.

Sulcus vocalis in monozygotic twins.

Sulcus vocalis is the presence of a groove extending along the vibratory surface of a vocal fold and may result in dysphonia. Depending on the level of severity, this condition may require treatment involving complicated surgical techniques. Cases of sulcus vocalis are classified as physiological, vergeture, or pouch type. A clear explanation of the etiology has not been established, and the currently proposed congenital origin, as described in the literature, remains controversial. This paper presents findings from monozygotic twin sisters with bilateral sulcus vocalis; these patients had similar morphologies, vibratory characteristics, and vocal quality measurements, which support the theory of a congenital etiology.

What is the true incidence of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correct incidence of horizontal semicircular canal (H-SCC) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective assessment of patients with BPPV. METHODS: All patients with BPPV were included and the rates of involvement of posterior, horizontal, and anterior SCCs were determined. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-nine patients with the diagnosis of BPPV were evaluated. One hundred forty-four patients (85.2%) were found to have posterior SCC (P-SCC) involvement, and there were 20 patients (11.8%) with horizontal SCC (H-SCC) and 2 patients (1.2%) with anterior SCC (A-SCC) involvement. Three patients (1.8%) had simultaneous H-SCC and P-SCC BPPV ipsilaterally. Geotropic nystagmus was seen in 17 out of 23 patients (73.9%) in roll test, and ageotropic nystagmus was seen in the remaining 6 patients (26.1%). CONCLUSION: H-SCC constitutes 13.6% of all BPPV cases. H-SCC BPPV with geotropic nystagmus is more common. H-SCC BPPV can coexist with ipsilateral P-SCC BPPV. However, in some cases of H-SCC BPPV, Dix-Hallpike maneuver can cause vertigo and horizontal nystagmus. This may be confused with P-SCC BPPV. Therefore, the roll test must be performed in all cases in addition to Dix-Hallpike maneuver and both ears must be evaluated with respect to all SCCs for BPPV. EBM RATING: C-4.