[Implantable middle ear hearing aids]. / Implantierbare Mittelohrhörgeräte.

Conventional acoustic hearing aids are limited in their performance. Due to physical laws their amplification of sound is limited to within 5 kHz. However, the frequencies between 5 and 10 kHz are essential for understanding consonants. Words can only be understood correctly if their consonants can be understood. Furthermore noise amplification remains a problem with hearing aids. Other problems consist of recurrent infections of the external auditory canal, intolerance for occlusion of the ear canal, feedback noise, and resonances in speech or singing. Implantable middle ear hearing aids like the Soundbridge of Symphonix-Siemens and the MET of Otologics offer improved amplification and a more natural sound. Since the first implantation of a Soundbridge in Switzerland in 1996 almost one thousand patients have been implanted worldwide. The currents systems are semi-implantable. The external audio processor containing the microphone, computer chip, battery and radio system is worn in the hair bearing area behind the ear. Implantation is only considered after unsuccessful fitting of conventional hearing aids. In Switzerland the cost for these implantable hearing aids is covered by social insurances. Initially the cost for an implant is higher than for hearing aids. However, hearing aids need replacement every 5 or 6 years whereas implants will last 20 to 30 years. Due to the superior sound quality and the improved understanding of speech in noise, the number of patients with implantable hearing aids will certainly increase in the next years. Other middle ear implants are in clinical testing.

[Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leakage at the base of the skull]. / Diagnostik der Liquorrhoe bei Schädelbasisläsionen.

There are still several problems surrounding the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leak. Currently the method of choice for cerebrospinal fluid detection is qualitative determination of beta-2-transferrin. Faster and more efficient methods (beta-trace) are under clinical investigation. The major problem is localisation of the site of leakage. Combination of several radiological methods increases the rate of correct diagnosis. In surgery the use of intrathecal sodium-fluorescein improves visualisation of the site of leakage and thus increases the chances of secure and stable closure of the cerebrospinal fluid fistula.

[A new multidirectional sigmoid sinus retractor]. / Nouveau rétracteur du sinus sigmoïde à grande variabilité de positionnement.

Retraction of the sigmoid sinus requires a strong instrument. The instruments currently available allow only a limited degree of freedom due to their lack of mobility and versatility. A new sigmoid sinus retractor (MICRO-FRANCE/INSTRUMENTARIUM) was constructed to facilitate the surgeon's task by offering the following advantages: Three-dimensional mobility of the blade: lateral, rotatory and longitudinal, Safe positioning of the retractor by three sets of sharp teeth, Fixation of blade by a single screw, Strong retraction without giving-way.

[False aneurysm in Behçet's syndrome]. / Aneurysmata spuria bei Morbus Behçet.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 32-year-old man developed acute right-sided sore throat, a thick voice and epistaxis. 13 years previously he had erythema nodosum, 12 and 10 year ago deep vein thrombosis. On admission he had Horner's syndrome, bulging of the gums and swelling of the paratracheal space. He had been on anticoagulation therapy with phenprocoumon since the leg vein thrombosis. INVESTIGATIONS: Computed tomography demonstrated a false aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery. 9 months later a right radial artery aneurysm occurred, which was treated surgically. An arterial cannula had previously been placed at this site for pressure monitoring. 2 months later a false aneurysm of the right femoral artery was diagnosed: it had previously been used for an intravascular intervention. As embolization to the popliteal artery occurred after sonographically controlled compression had failed and reduction of anticoagulation treatment, this aneurysm, too, was treated surgically. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: Because of the tendency to aneurysm formation after arterial puncture and the history of venous thromboses the diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome was considered, confirmed by subsequently elucidated history of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers and folliculitis. There were no other manifestations of the syndrome. Immunosuppressive treatment was instituted after another two aneurysm recurrences were noted in the right common femoral artery. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that the diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome may be made more difficult if its manifestation is primarily vascular with minimal mucocutaneous involvement. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent arterial aneurysms in a young person.

Cerebral symptoms after whiplash injury of the neck: a prospective clinical and neuropsychological study of whiplash injury.

Twenty one unselected patients with an acute whiplash injury of the neck had neurological and neuropsychological assessment, cervical x rays, EEG, BAEP, MRI, and an otoneurological examination within two weeks of the injury. Subjectively, 13 patients reported concentration deficits, 18 reported sleep disturbances, 9 had symptoms of depression, and 7 female patients told of menstrual irregularities. Neuropsychological examination revealed significantly lower performance in tests related to attention and concentration compared to sex, age and educational matched control subjects. Otoneurological examination showed abnormalities in 9 of 17 whiplash subjects. EEG showed questionable changes in 8 of 18 recordings. MRI and BAEP were normal in all patients. Repeat neuropsychological testing in 15 patients at three months showed that attention deficits had improved but were still shown in 12 of 14 and the concentration deficits in 8 of 13 patients. At one year all patients had returned to work, 16 to full and 5 to part time employment. In 4, cognitive dysfunction remained the only significant problem. These findings are discussed as being compatible with possible damage to basal frontal and upper brain stem structures after whiplash injury of the neck.

Piriform fossa perforation during attempted tracheal intubation.

Perforation of the piriform fossa is a rare complication of attempted tracheal intubation. The consequences vary from cervical emphysema to respiratory distress, mediastinitis, septic shock, empyema pyopneumothorax and death. The mortality rate due to mediastinitis is over 50%, so early diagnosis and management can improve survival. This case report describes one case and discusses the diagnosis and management of this complication.