[Myoclonus of the middle ear]. / Mioklonus myshts srednego ukha.

The objective of the present study was to overview the foreign literature concerning middle ear myoclonus (MEM) known to be the most common cause of the manifestations of objective tinnitus. The authors reports two typical clinical cases of myoclonus of the middle ear. The present article is aimed at the enhancement of the awareness of the otorhinolaryngologists, audiologists, and neurologists of the condition of interest as a way to promote the further progress in its treatment.

[Acquired atresia and stenosis of the external acoustic meatus]. / Priobretennye atreziia i stenoz naruzhnogo slukhovogo prokhoda.

Acquired atresia of the external acoustic meatus is a rare pathological condition characterized by obliteration of the medial part of the external acoustic canal by a soft fibrous plug. The present article presents an overview of a series of cases of acquired atresia and stenosis of the external acoustic meatus with the description of etiology, pathogenesis, and methods for the treatment of this condition. In the majority of the cases, atresia develops at the final stage of granulation external otitis with or without an accompanying dermatological pathology. Another common cause of the acquired atresia of the external acoustic meatus is the fracture of the temporal bone as well as extensive ear surgery, radiation therapy and a neoplasm in the auditory passage. The surgical strategy for the management of the acquired atresia and stenosis of the external acoustic meatus consists, besides the excision of the fibrous plug, of the application of the cutaneous flaps and/or transplants to cover the bare parts of the bone portion of the affected external canal. In spite of such treatment, the state of the external acoustic canal remains unstable, and a relapse of its atresia and stenosis can not be wholly excluded.