Serum lipid metabolism characteristics and potential biomarkers in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Glycerophospholipids (GPLs) are essential for cell membrane structure and function. Sphingomyelin and its metabolites regulate cell growth, apoptosis, and stress responses. This study aimed to investigate lipid metabolism in patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies (AF-SSNHL). METHODS: The study included 60 patients diagnosed with unilateral AF-SSNHL, among whom 30 patients had a level of hearing improvement ≥ 15 dB after 6 months of follow-up. A propensity score-matched (2:1) control group was used. Liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry based untargeted lipidomics analysis combined with multivariate statistics was performed to investigate the lipids change. The "lipidome" R package and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were utilised to assess the lipids' structural features and the association between lipids and hearing. RESULTS: Lipidomics successfully differentiated the AF-SSNHL group from the control group, identifying 17 risk factors, mainly including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and related metabolites. The ratios of lysophosphatidylcholine/PC, lysophosphatidylethanolamine/PE, and lysodimethylphosphatidylethanolamine/PE were upregulated, while some glycerophospholipid (GPL)-plasmalogens were downregulated in the AF-SSNHL group, indicating abnormal metabolism of GPLs. Trihexosylceramide (d34:1), PE (18:1e_22:5), and sphingomyelin (d40:3) were significantly different between responders and nonresponders, and positively correlated with hearing improvement. Additionally, the results of the WGCNA also suggested that partial GPL-plasmalogens were positively associated with hearing improvement. CONCLUSION: AF-SSNHL patients exhibited abnormally high blood lipids and pronounced GPLs metabolic abnormalities. Sphingolipids and GPL-plasmalogens had an association with the level of hearing improvement. By understanding the lipid changes, clinicians may be able to predict the prognosis of hearing recovery and personalize treatment approaches.

[Prognosis of 109 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children].

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing the prognosis of sudden sensorineural deafness in children, and to provide theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment. Methods:The clinical data of 109 children with sudden deafness admitted to our hospital from 2016 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The children were grouped according to eight related factors, including gender, age, climate, duration of hearing loss, concomitant symptoms, degree of hearing loss, sicken ear, and auditory curve. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis, and logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing prognosis. Results:After conventional treatment, 56 cases were ineffective（51.40%）, 30 cases were effective（27.5%）, 13 cases were effective（11.9%）, 10 cases were cured（9.2%）, and the total effective rate was 48.6%. Among concomitant symptoms, children with tinnitus had better treatment results（P<0.05）; In the degree of hearing loss, the effective rate of mild hearing loss was the highest（83.3%）, and the effective rate of very severe hearing loss was the lowest（40.0%）. The prognosis of low frequency decline and high frequency decline were better（P<0.05）; There was no significant correlation between gender, age, climate, duration of hearing loss, sicken ear and prognosis（P>0.05）. Conclusion:The auditory curve and the degree of hearing loss are the factors affecting the prognosis of children with sudden deafness. Additionally, children with tinnitus tend to have a better prognosis.

Bidirectional causality between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and depression: a Mendelian randomization study.

Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL) is a sudden onset, unexplained sensorineural hearing loss. Depression is a common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability. Here, We used a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach using pooled statistics from genome-wide association studies of ISSHL (1491 cases, 196,592 controls) and depression (23,424 cases, 192,220 controls) in European populations. This study investigated the bidirectional relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with depression and ISSHL using inverse variance weighting.Additional sensitivity analyses, such as Mendelian randomization-Egger (MR-Egger), weighted median estimates, and leave-one-out analysis, were performed to assess the reliability of the findings. Significant causal association between genetic susceptibility to ISSHL and depression in a random-effects IVW approach (OR = 1.037, 95% CI = 1.004-1.072, P = 0.030). In contrast, genetic depression was not risk factors for ISSHL (OR = 1.134, 95% CI = 0.871-1.475, P = 0.350). After validation by different MR methods and the sensitivity analysis, all of the above results are consistent. The evidence we have gathered suggests a causal relationship between ISSHL and depression. The presence of the former induces or further exacerbates the latter, whereas a similar situation does not exist when the latter is an influencing factor.

Could the thick of retinal nerve fiber layer be a potential measure of axonal loss in hearing loss?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare the optic coherence tomography (OCT) parameters of the healthy and affected sides of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and to investigate the relationships between these and the improvement in hearing levels. METHODS: A bilateral eye evaluation of patients diagnosed with ISSNHL was performed with OCT. The ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness values were recorded and the differences between the two eyes were examined. RESULTS: An evaluation was made of 39 patients with a mean age of 44.82 ± 14.90 years. The RNFL thickness of the eyes was determined to be mean 89.87 ± 3.65 µm on the affected side and 103.87 ± 3.98 µm on the healthy control side (p = 0.0001). The mean GCC was determined to be mean 90.46 ± 3.49 µm on the affected side and 103.77 ± 3.96 µm on the healthy control side (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the healthy and affected eyes of patients with ISSNHL with respect to mean GCC and mean RNFL thickness. OCT could be a useful technique for measuring this neural degeneration.

OBJETIVO: Comparar e investigar los parámetros de la tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) de los lados sanos y afectados de pacientes con pérdida auditiva neurosensorial súbita idiopática (PANSI). MÉTODO: La evaluación ocular bilateral de los pacientes diagnosticados con PANSI se realizó con OCT. Se registraron los valores de espesor del complejo de células ganglionares (CCG) y de la capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina (CFNR), y se examinaron las diferencias entre los dos ojos. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 39 pacientes, con una edad media de 44.82 ± 14.90 años. Se determinó que el grosor de la CFNR de los ojos era una media de 89.87 ± 3.65 µm en el lado afectado y 103.87 ± 3.98 µm en el lado de control sano (p = 0.0001). Se determinó que el CCG medio era 90.46 ± 3.49 µm en el lado afectado y 103.77 ± 3.96 µm en el lado de control sano (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los ojos sanos y afectados de pacientes con PANSI con respecto al CCG medio y al espesor medio de la CFNR. La OCT podría ser una técnica útil para medir esta degeneración neuronal.

The Role of Asymmetry Values, Gain, and Pathological Saccades of the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of asymmetry values, gain, and pathological saccades of the video head impulse test (vHIT) in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 226 individuals diagnosed with unilateral definite SSNHL were hospitalized. The assessment included a comprehensive evaluation of medical history, pure-tone test, acoustic impedance, positional test, video nystagmography (VNG), vHIT, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and magnetic resonance. INTERVENTIONS: vHIT, VNG, cVEMP, oVEMP. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.0 for Windows. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The asymmetry values, gain, and pathological saccades of the vHIT. RESULTS: The abnormal gain of vHIT in anterior, horizontal, and posterior canal in SSNHL patients with vertigo were revealed in 20 of 112 (17.9%), 24 of 112 (21.4%), and 60 of 112 (53.6%), respectively. The vHIT pathological saccades (overt + covert) of anterior, horizontal, and posterior canal in SSNHL patients with vertigo were observed in 5 of 112 (4.6%), 52 of 112 (46.4%), and 58 of 112 (51.8%), respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the prognosis of patients with vertigo was correlated with vHIT gain of posterior canal, pathological saccade in horizontal canal, asymmetric ratio of horizontal canal gain, asymmetric ratio of posterior canal gain, Canal paresis (%) on caloric test and spontaneous nystagmus. CONCLUSION: In the vHIT of patients with SSNHL with vertigo, the posterior canal is most easily affected. Reduced gain of posterior canal, pathological saccade of horizontal canal, and larger asymmetric gain of posterior canal and horizontal canal may be negative prognostic factors.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Before COVID-19, During COVID-19, and After Inactivated Vaccination: Experience From a Tertiary Referral Center in China.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and audiological characteristics of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after inactivated vaccination, and to analyze whether the novel coronavirus or inactivated vaccination have an impact on hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of all patients who visited the hospital in July 2019 (before pandemic), July 2020 (during pandemic) and July 2021 (after the inactivated vaccination at least the first basic dose of COVID-19 vaccination) were retrospective analyzed. All patients diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in these three periods were screened, and their incidence rate, hearing characteristics, and prognosis were compared. RESULTS: Overall, the incidence rates of sudden hearing loss in July 2019, July 2020, and July 2021 were 0.59, 0.60, and 0.52% (25 of 4225, 20 of 3322, 28 of 5432), respectively, without significant difference ( χ2 = 0.372, p = 0.830). A significant difference was noted in the incidence of hypertension ( p = 0.02), whereas no significant difference was noted in age ( p = 0.591, p = 0.66), sex ( p = 0.19, p = 0.08), main symptoms ( p = 0.18, p = 0.15), side ( p = 0.483, p = 0.89), audiogram shape ( p = 0.56, p = 0.989), average hearing threshold of affected frequency ( p = 0.81, p = 0.89), average hearing threshold of normal ear affected frequency ( p = 0.65, p = 0.68), average hearing threshold of affected frequency after treatment ( p = 0.49, p = 0.38), days between symptoms onset and hospital visit ( p = 0.62, p = 0.85), treatment plan ( p = 0.551, p = 0.474), and effectiveness ( p = 0.104, p = 0.050). CONCLUSION: Our study failed to find a correlation between the novel coronavirus pandemic and inactivated vaccination and SSHL, and there was no direct evidence supporting that COVID-19 or inactivated vaccination had an impact on the incidence rate and prognosis of SSHL patients.

Prognosis Prediction of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Ensemble Artificial Intelligence Learning Models.

OBJECTIVE: We used simple variables to construct prognostic prediction ensemble learning models for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospectively study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. PATIENTS: 1,572 patients with SSNHL. INTERVENTION: Prognostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We selected four variables, namely, age, days after onset of hearing loss, vertigo, and type of hearing loss. We also compared the accuracy between different ensemble learning models based on the boosting, bagging, AdaBoost, and stacking algorithms. RESULTS: We enrolled 1,572 patients with SSNHL; 73.5% of them showed improving and 26.5% did not. Significant between-group differences were noted in terms of age ( p = 0.011), days after onset of hearing loss ( p < 0.001), and concurrent vertigo ( p < 0.001), indicating that the patients who showed improving to treatment were younger and had fewer days after onset and fewer vertigo symptoms. Among ensemble learning models, the AdaBoost algorithm, compared with the other algorithms, achieved higher accuracy (82.89%), higher precision (86.66%), a higher F1 score (89.20), and a larger area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.79), as indicated by test results of a dataset with 10 independent runs. Furthermore, Gini scores indicated that age and days after onset are two key parameters of the predictive model. CONCLUSIONS: The AdaBoost model is an effective model for predicting SSNHL. The use of simple parameters can increase its practicality and applicability in remote medical care. Moreover, age may be a key factor influencing prognosis.

Risk Factors, Complications, and Treatment Modalities for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) during pregnancy is a rare condition and has not been much studied. The study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk factors, complications, and treatment modalities for SSNHL in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were used for the literature search. The Cochrane technique for assessing risk of bias was used for the article quality appraisal, and RevMan 5.4 was used for conducting the meta-analysis. Standard mean difference (SMD) and odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were utilized. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I-square (I2) test statistic and the Egger's test, respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The seven primary studies employed prospective and retrospective study designs. The meta-analysis showed that there were fewer risk variables for SSNHL in the experimental group compared with those in the control group (SMD = -0.45 to 3.24, 95% CI = -3.063.63 to 2.16-2.85), indicating that the analysis revealed an insignificant difference. However, the treated patients presented hearing improvement, suggesting a significant analysis (SMD = -0.6710.20, 95% CI = -1.2713.51 to -0.066.88). Furthermore, after therapy, substantial differences were observed in SMD between the two groups (SMD = -0.7415.18, 95% CI = -1.2423.85 to -0.256.40) in favor of the experimental group patients, based on the analysis results of four included studies. However, the I2-value of 0% showed that the heterogeneity was low. CONCLUSION: SSNHL during pregnancy is a notably rare condition with an unknown cause. However, hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, have been frequently implicated as potential triggers for SSNHL.

Association of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with meteorological factors: a time series study in Hefei, China, and a literature review.

Air pollution can cause disease and has become a major global environmental problem. It is currently believed that air pollution may be related to the progression of SSNHL. As a rapidly developing city in recent years, Hefei has serious air pollution. In order to explore the correlation between meteorological variables and SSNHL admissions, we conducted this study. This study investigated the short-term associations between SSNHL patients admitted to the hospital and Hefei climatic variables. The daily data on SSNHL-related hospital admissions and meteorological variables containing mean temperature (T-mean; °C), diurnal temperature range (DTR; °C), atmospheric pressure (AP; Hp), and relative humidity (RH; %), from 2014 to 2021 (2558 days), were collected. A time-series analysis integrating distributed lag non-linear models and generalized linear models was used. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched. Literature published up to August 2023 was reviewed to explore the potential impact mechanisms of meteorological factors on SSNHL. The mechanisms were determined in detail, focusing on wind speed, air pressure, temperature, humidity, and air pollutants. Using a median of 50.00% as a baseline, the effect of exceedingly low T-mean in the single-day hysteresis effect model began at a lag of 8 days (RR = 1.032, 95% CI: 1.001 ~ 1.064). High DTR affected the admission rate for SSNHL on lag 0 day. The significance of the effect was the greatest on that day (RR = 1.054, 95% CI: 1.007 ~ 1.104) and then gradually decreased. High and exceedingly high RH affected the admission rate SSNHL on lag 0 day, and these effects lasted for 8 and 7 days, respectively. There were significant associations between all grades of AP and SSNHL. This is the first study to assess the effect of meteorological variables on SSNHL-related admissions in China using a time-series approach. Long-term exposures to high DTR, RH values, low T-mean values, and all AP grades enhance the incidence of SSNHL in residents. Limiting exposure to extremes of ambient temperature and humidity may reduce the number of SSNHL-related hospital visits in the region. It is advisable to maintain a suitable living environment temperature and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations and high humidity. During periods of high air pollution, it is recommended to stay indoors and refrain from outdoor exercise.

Focus on the effect of nursing care combined with cognitive intervention and functional training on negative emotion, compliance and quality of life in elderly patients with sudden deafness: A retrospective study.

To explore the effects of focused solution nursing combined with cognitive intervention combined with functional training on negative emotions, compliance and quality of life in elderly patients with sudden deafness. A total of 160 patients with sudden deafness in the elderly who were treated in our hospital from January 2019 to May 2021 were selected as the objects of this retrospective study. Based on different treatment approaches, subjects were divided into a control group and an observation group. Due to reasons such as the COVID-19 pandemic and transfers, 10 cases were lost to follow-up. In total, 75 cases were ultimately lost from both the control and observation groups. The control group implements cognitive intervention and functional training, and the observation group adopts focused solution nursing care on the basis of the control group. Observe and compare the effects of negative emotions, psychological distress, air conduction threshold level, compliance and quality of life of the 2 groups of patients. The air conduction hearing threshold level of the 2 groups of patients after nursing was lower than that before nursing and the observation group was lower than the control group. The positive coping scores of the 2 groups were significantly increased, and the negative coping scores were both significantly reduced and the observation group was in the 2 indicators. The degree of change was greater than that of the control group (P < .05). After nursing, the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P < .05). The mental vitality score, social interaction score, emotional restriction score, and mental status of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The observation group's psychological compliance, activity compliance, dietary compliance, and treatment protocol compliance were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < .05). Adopting the focused solution model of nursing care can provide a better nursing recovery for elderly patients with sudden deafness, significantly improve the patient quality of life and anxiety and depression, improve patient compliance with treatment, and provide a certain reference for the nursing of elderly patients with sudden deafness.

Effect of acupuncture intervention time on the therapeutic effect in patients with sudden hearing loss. / é’ˆåˆºä»‹å ¥æ—¶æœºå¯¹çªå‘æ€§è‹æ‚£è€ ç–—æ•ˆçš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture intervention at different time for patients with sudden hearing loss. METHODS: According to the timing of acupuncture intervention, 86 patients were divided into early exposure group (n=43) and late exposure group (n=43) . The early exposure group was given acupuncture treatment within 14 days of onset, and the late exposure group was given acupuncture treatment after 14 days of onset. After propensity score matching (PSM, a statistical matching technique for observational data) processing by using SPSS26.0 software, outcomes of 30 cases in the early exposure group and 30 cases in the late exposure group were analyzed. In addition to receiving basic treatment with drugs for vascular dilatation, thrombolysis, nourishing nerve, etc., all patients of the two groups were treated with neck acupuncture ("Neck Seven Meridian Lines" acupuncture), once every other day except Sundays, for a total of 12 time. Before, after the treatment and 3 months after the treatment, the total score of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI, 0, 2 and 4 points for each of the 25 items, total scores = 100 points) scale was used to evaluate the improvement of tinnitus symptoms caused by hearing loss. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the efficacy grading criteria in the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sudden Deafness (2015) and the changes of pure tone audiometry curve. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of factors that might influence efficacy before propensity score matching. RESULTS: The THI scores of patients in both groups decreased strikingly after the treatment and 3 months' follow-up (P<0.05). Compared with the same time-points of the late exposure group, the total THI scores of post-treatment and 3 months' follow-up were evidently lower in the early exposure group (P<0.05). The effective rate of the early exposure group (22/30, 80.00%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the late exposure group (16/30, 53.33%). The classification of sudden deafness and the application of traditional Chinese medicine in this study were not independent factors affecting the total effective rate. CONCLUSIONS: The time point of acupuncture intervention is an important factor affecting the effect on hearing and tinnitus disability of patients with sudden deafness. The earlier acupuncture treatment is accepted, the better the therapeutic effect is.

Importance of small vessel disease as a possible cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular disease like small-vessel disease (SVD) is the most likely cause among the potential causes of Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Understanding the relationship between SVD and SSNHL is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. To confirm the relationship between SVD and SSNHL, the effect of SVD is confirmed by focusing on the duration and recurrence of SSNHL. METHODS: This article reports a retrospective observational study that investigated the relationship between SVD and SSNHL using the South Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database from 2010 to 2020. This retrospective observational study included 319,569 SSNHL patients between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: Participant demographics were controlled using Propensity Score Matching. The hazard ratios (HR) for the effect of SVD on the duration of SSNHL were 1.045 for the group with SVD before the onset of SSNHL and 1.234 for the group with SVD after the onset of SSNHL. SVD was statistically significant for the recurrence of SSNHL, with an odds ratio of 1.312 in the group with SVD compared to the group without SVD. The HR for the period until a recurrence in the group with SVD was 1.062. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified SVD as a possible cause of SSNHL and found that the duration of SSNHL increased only in the presence of SVD. SVD also affected the recurrence of SSNHL, with the recurrence rate being 1.312 times higher in the group with SVD.

Assessing risk of stroke after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss using data from general practice.

The cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains unknown in a significant number of cases, but vascular involvement in its pathophysiology has been proposed. Our study aimed to assess the incidence of stroke following idiopathic SSNHL (iSSNHL) and to evaluate associated cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. We extracted electronic medical record data from iSSNHL patients aged ≥ 50 years retrospectively from 84 general practices. Patients were matched for age, sex and general practice in a 1:4 ratio to controls. Primary outcome was the 5-years stroke risk following iSSNHL diagnosis. 480 iSSNHL cases could be matched to 1911 controls. The hazard ratio for iSSNHL compared with controls was 1.25 (95%CI 0.50-3.27; P = 0.646) for CVA (cerebrovascular accident) alone and 0.92 (95% CI 0.50-1.71; P = 0.804) for CVA and TIA (transient ischemic attack) combined. The hazard ratio for the interaction term between iSSNHL and age ≥ 60 years was 4.84 (95% CI 1.02-23.05; P = 0.048) for CVA and TIA combined. Patients with iSSNHL used antihypertensives and beta-blocking agents more frequently than controls (P = 0.006 and P = 0.022, respectively). In conclusion, no overall significant difference in the risk of stroke was observed, but the hazard ratio for stroke increased in iSSNHL patients aged 60 and older, suggesting potential vascular involvement in older subjects presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Streptococcus suis meningitis in China: a case report.

Introduction: Streptococcus suis is one of the porcine pathogens that have recently emerged as a pathogen capable of causing zoonoses in some humans. Patients infected with S. suis can present with sepsis, meningitis, or arthritis. Compared to common pathogens, such as Meningococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, S. suis infections in humans have been reported only rarely. Methods: This case report described a 57-year-old man who presented with impaired consciousness and fever following several days of backache. He was a butcher who worked in an abattoir and had wounded his hands 2 weeks prior. The patient was dependent on alcohol for almost 40 years. S. suis was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Although he received adequate meropenem and low-dose steroid therapy, the patient suffered from bilateral sudden deafness after 5 days of the infection. The final diagnosis was S. suis meningitis and sepsis. Results: The patient survived with hearing loss in both ears and dizziness at the 60-day follow-up. Discussion: We reported a case of S. suis infection manifested as purulent meningitis and sepsis. Based on literature published worldwide, human S. suis meningitis shows an acute onset and rapid progression in the nervous system. Similar to bacterial meningitis, effective antibiotics, and low-dose steroids play important roles in the treatment of human S. suis meningitis.

Management of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSNHL) Intratympanic Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Versus Intratympanic Steroid Injections: A Cross-Sectional Study.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss of 30 decibels (dB) or more over at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies with an onset of less than 3 days is referred to as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and is known as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) emergency. When a patient's hearing suddenly deteriorates, they become confused, anxious, and worried. One of the primary therapies for sudden sensorineural hearing loss is intratympanic steroids. Intratympanic injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improve inner ear hair cells, which enhances hearing.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> To show the safety and efficacy of intratympanic PRP injection in the management of ISSNHL in comparison with intratympanic steroid injection.</br> <b><br>Methods:</b> The study group was comprised of 100 patients who had experienced ISSNHL within 30 days with no retrocochlear pathology, as demonstrated by a negative MRI scan. 50 patients received 6 intratympanic steroid injections, while the remaining 50 patients received 2 intratympanic injections of PRP at a 1-week interval.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> A total of 39 patients with PRP injection noted an improvement in their hearing of 25 db after 2 weeks and of 30 db after 2 months, with improved speech discrimination of 26% after 2 weeks and of 28% after 2 months. 31 patients with intratympanic steroid injection noted an improvement in their hearing of 18 db after 2 weeks and of 22 db after 2 months, with improved speech discrimination of 21% after 2 weeks and of 24% after 2 months.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> PRP appears safe and efficient for the treatment of ISSNHL, with a low cost and no systemic side effects, as with oral steroids. Therefore, such research should be continued.</br>.

Cochlear implantation in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: two cases with a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) patients with novel mutations. Furthermore, we conducted a detailed literature review on the profile and outcomes of CI in this uncommon clinical circumstance. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 involved a 25-year-old woman who was referred for sudden hearing loss (HL) in her left ear and had a 7-year history of HL in her right ear. She was diagnosed with CMT type 1 with a thymidine phosphorylase gene mutation. CI was performed on her left side because her hearing gradually worsened to deafness in both ears. At 3 months post-operation, her speech discrimination score without lip-reading improved from 0 to 100%. She underwent a second CI on her right ear 6 months after her first CI. Two years from her first operation, the speech discrimination score was 100%. Case 2 received her first CI on her right ear at the age of nine for her bilateral HL. She was diagnosed with CMT type 2 with a Twinkle mitochondrial DNA helicase gene mutation. Preoperatively, the speech discrimination score in both ear-aided conditions was 70%. At the 7-year post-operation follow-up, the speech discrimination score was 76%. A second CI was performed due to decreasing hearing ability in her left ear. The speech discrimination score showed 100% at 7 months after the second CI. CONCLUSIONS: CI is an effective hearing rehabilitation option for CMT patients with severe-to-profound SNHL. Neuro-otologists should consider CI as a treatment option, even though hearing loss in CMT is associated with auditory neuropathy spectrum disease (ANSD).

Reactivation of hepatitis C virus caused by steroid monotherapy for sudden deafness.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation has been reported to be caused due to several anticancer drugs and immunosuppressive agents; however, HCV reactivation after steroid monotherapy has rarely been reported. Here, we report the case of a 65-year-old Japanese man with HCV infection who developed HCV reactivation after the administration of prednisolone (PSL) for 6 days for sudden deafness. In the patient history, the positivity for anti-HCV antibody was observed, but serum level of HCV RNA was not measured. Two months after PSL administration, the patient experienced an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare and the serum level of HCV RNA was observed to be 6.2 log IU/mL; then, the patient was admitted to our hospital for hepatitis treatment. Based on the clinical course and laboratory findings, the patient was diagnosed with HCV reactivation. Although the ALT levels decreased spontaneously during follow-up, they did not drop to normal range; subsequently, sofosbuvir and ledipasvir treatments were started. A sustained virological response 24 weeks after the end of treatment was achieved. This case study suggests that HCV reactivation with hepatitis flare can occur even after a steroid monotherapy, and doctors should pay attention to HCV reactivation when administering PSL for patients with HCV infection.

Pneumo-Membranous Labyrinth After Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Pneumo-membranous labyrinth is an almost unique condition, in which air extends into the membranous labyrinth, filling the endolymphatic sac through the vestibular aqueduct. In this manuscript, we describe and discuss a case of pneumo-membranous labyrinth, with air bubbles extending also to the endolymphatic sac, resulting in anacusis, following hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The patient was successfully rehabilitated with a cochlear implant, obtaining a pure-tone average of 30 dB, with a speech discrimination score of 100% at 70 dB. Laryngoscope, 134:3773-3777, 2024.