Quantitative assessment of human cochlear function by evoked otoacoustic emissions.

The amplitudes of evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOE) and their detection threshold were measured in 44 normal young adults and 118 patients with two categories of cochlear dysfunction, acoustic trauma and presbycusis. A different method was used for each category: detection of click EOE or of stimulus frequency emissions. A partial correlation and multivariate analysis was performed for both groups of results to investigate the relations between EOE threshold one pure tone audiometric thresholds (250 to 8000 Hz). Only one significant correlation was found, linearly relating EOE threshold and hearing threshold at 2 kHz (P less than 0.001), independently of the origin of cochlear dysfunction. It suggests that EOE threshold is not frequency-specific since the frequency of EOE at threshold was nearly always close to 1 kHz. A simple model is proposed, based on the assumption that EOE amplitudes and threshold are proportional to the total number of residual active sites in the organ of Corti, i.e. to the total length of active basilar membrane. It is shown that this model accounts for the results disclosed by the statistical analysis and fits the experimental data. It can be used for quantitatively predicting the residual cochlear activity of a patient. However, the EOE threshold is only sensitive to already important cochlear alterations and this parameter does not seem to allow a follow-up of early stages of cochlear dysfunction.

Spontaneous and evoked otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates.

Spontaneous (SOEs) and evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOEs) were recorded in a group of preterm neonates (N = 134 ears) in order to study the basic properties of SOEs and EOEs as a function of gestational age. In the study, it was found that: 1. EOEs were recorded in 93% of the tested ears; 2. SOEs were recorded in 61% of the tested ears; 3. there were no statistically significant variations of EOE amplitude with gestational age; 4. EOE spectrum did not vary with age; and 5. the two main factors influencing EOE amplitude were the SOE presence and the fast Fourier transform spectrum, especially the lower limit of the spectrum. Thus, the maturation of outer hair cell properties appears to be complete at 32 weeks of gestational age. Because a number of infants at risk for hearing loss are preterm babies, screening for EOEs, an objective, rapid, and nontraumatic technique, may prove useful in evaluating peripheral auditory dysfunction in preterm neonates.

Objective low-frequency audiometry by distortion-product acoustic emissions.

The aim of this study was to measure distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOEs) in a clinical setting. First, DPOE input-output functions were automatically realized to determine the ratio of the pure tones (primaries) f2 and f1 that would elicit the most significant DPOE input-output function. The DPOE input-output functions presented two separate portions for the f2/f1 ratio, ranging from 1.18 to 1.26: (1) below 60-dB sound pressure level (SPL), a saturating portion with a DPOE detection threshold at 36-dB SPL; and (2) above 66-dB SPL, a linear portion. For other f2/f1 ratios, DPOE input-output functions had a more linear behavior. The DPOEs generated by primary intensities below 60-dB SPL, which show saturating behavior, probably have their origin in the properties of outer hair cells. This indicates that DPOE measurements in a clinical setting must be realized with precise stimulus values: (1) f2/f1 ratio near 1.22, and (2) primary intensities below 60-dB SPL. Second, DPOE input-output functions were realized for DPOEs varying from 707.5 to 342 Hz. No more saturating plateau could be observed with DPOEs below 512.5 Hz, suggesting that active mechanisms are absent below 725 Hz within the human cochlea. These data permit us to establish the bases of an objective low-frequency audiometric test.

Vertical partial laryngectomy: a critical analysis of local recurrence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate local recurrence following vertical partial laryngectomies in 416 patients with either T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 glottic carcinoma. Local failure was reported according to the T stage, the precise tumor location within each stage, the true vocal cord mobility, and the surgical procedure performed. No local recurrences were observed among 42 patients who underwent thyrotomy and cordectomy when the tumor was confined to the middle third of the mobile true vocal cord. Local failure occurred in 8 of 111 (7.2%) patients in whom hemilaryngectomy was performed for tumors confined to one mobile true vocal cord. There was a diverse group of lesions within each T stage that responded differently to the surgical approaches. The differences in the initial recurrence rates are discussed in terms of careful preoperative assessment and choice of surgical technique for early glottic carcinoma.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in neonates: normative data.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOEs) are otoacoustic emissions evoked by two pure tones and used in order to provide a frequency specific assessment of the mechanical properties of the cochlea. This paper first reports complete input-output DPOE functions for audiometric frequencies between 867 Hertz and 8 kHz in a normal neonate population (normative data). DPOE results were analyzed as a function of evoked otoacoustic emission (EOE) properties. Neonates having normal EOEs have large DPOEs. DPOE amplitudes in neonates are larger than in adults. Neonates with atypical EOE frequency spectrum without low frequency components had normal DPOE input-output functions only for high frequencies (above 2 kHz). DPOEs could be useful, in association with EOEs, to precisely evaluate the auditory peripheral function in neonates.

[U-shaped free jejunum transplant]. / Le transplant libre de jéjunum en U.

Reconstruction of the oro and hypopharynx has specific difficulties due to their wide diameters. Seven patients underwent reconstruction with a free U-shaped jejunal transplant, after circular pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer invading the oropharynx. This transplant included a side-to-side anastomosis between the two limbs of the jejunal loop. This transplant allowed reconstruction of the upper digestive tract after wide carcinologic resection of the pharynx. The U-shaped jejunal transplant facilitated the upper anastomosis, especially at the upper part where the resection involved the oropharynx. It formed a reservoir behind the tongue, and avoided nasal reflux. The best indications are large resections involving the oropharynx.

[Cervicofacial cancerology: complications of implantable systems of venous access. Prospective study]. / Cancérologie cervico-faciale: complications des systèmes d'accès veineux implantables. Etude prospective.

OBJECTIVE: Implantable systems for venous access are widely used in cervicofacial cancer. We prospectively evaluated complications related to this type of venous access in our cancer patients. METHODS: From September 1991 to September 1993, an implantable system for venous access was installed in 164 patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts. The systems were implanted in the subclavian vein by 20 different operators (mean number of implants per operator = 8.2). All catheters were tunnelized. Chemotherapy was a combination of 5 fluorouracil and cisplatinum. RESULTS: Immediate complications included impossible implantation (n = 12, 7.3%), pneumothorax (n = 5), false passage (n = 4), haematoma (n = 3), arterial puncture (n = 2) and abscess of the thoracic wall (n = 1). During use, complications included extravasation (n = 4), catheter thrombosis (n = 2), venous thrombosis (n = 2) and infection at the site of implantation, desinsertion of the catheter from the chamber, haematoma at the site of implantation and septicaemia (n = 1 each). The rate of complications was related to implantation (17% of the implantations) or to use (8%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications due to implantable venous access systems is relatively low, suggesting that these systems are acceptable for ambulatory chemotherapy.

[Study of the hyo-thyro-epiglottic space by ultrasonography]. / Exploration de la loge hyo-thyro-épiglottique par échographie ultrasonore.

The pre-epiglottic space is located superficially at the junction of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. When it is invaded by a neighbouring cancer, the latter rises to stages 3 or 4 of the TNM classification. The space is explorable by percutaneous ultrasonic scanning of the neck. The present paper gives the first description of the normal sonographic anatomy of the pre-epiglottic space, based on 16 healthy volunteers. It also gives the first description of invasion of that space, based on 18 patients operated upon for ENT (ear, nose and throat) cancers. In 5 of these 18 patients, invasion of the pre-epiglottic space was proven at histology. There were 3 positive and no false negative results, but 3 false positive results were obtained at the beginning of the series. The accuracy of ultrasounds in this study was 83 per cent.

[Technique of intraoperative treatment of a retro-mandibular defect after parotidectomy. Use of a blot clot]. / Technique de comblement per-opératoire de la dépression rétromandibulaire après parotidectomie. Utilisation d'un caillot sanguin.

As noticed in our experience, cosmetic results, after total parotidectomy, were better if the patient presented an hematoma. The author got the idea to fill the retro-mandibular defect with a clot. The technique is presented in detail. Fifty four patients had a total parotidectomy between January 1992 and May 1993. A clot was used in 39 of these 54 cases. Were excluded malignant tumors, superficial parotidectomies or the presence of a general pathology (diabetes, cirrhosis). The result was excellent in 31 cases even if a local treatment was necessary due to a secondary hematoma. There was no infectious complication. The follow-up of this series is insufficient, but by analogy with spontaneous hematoma, the results should be persistent. This technique is simple, does not increased the time of the surgical procedure and does not induced injury on any donor site.

[Mucormycosis of the face associated with aspergillosis in the diabetic patient. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations]. / Mucormycose du massif facial associée à une aspergillose chez le diabétique. Considérations diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.

Facial mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection which spreads rapidly and has a severe prognosis. It mainly affects insulin-dependent diabetics and immunodeficient subjects. We report about a case of mucormycosis of the facial structures in a diabetic patient, and lay particular stress on the diagnosis difficulties, on treatment and on evolution, which led to healing, leaving an extensive bony sequestrum which preserved the contents of the orbits.

[Focal infection on O.R.L. and its distant aseptic manifestations]. / L'infection focale en O.R.L. et ses manifestations aseptiques à distance.

In connection with the cases of a group of patients hospitalised in Departments of Infectious Pathology, the authors consider the various general and visceral symptoms caused by the focal infection. In these statistics, fever occupies the first place and in its isolated form poses difficult diagnostic problems which can only be solved by a process of elimination. Repeated biological tests and careful attention to the clinical symptoms are necessary to link what has been observed to an infection which, it should be stressed, is descrete. Articular lesion, very different from acute articular rheumatism, cutaneous, ocular and renal symptoms are each in turn discussed and analyzed. From their personal observations, the authors recall the possibility of serous lesions and, in particular, of recurrent pericarditis. A summing-up of the theories concerning prescription completes this clinical survey which ends by recalling the function of the oto-rhino-laryngologist in the search for the causal infection and the difficulties involved in ascribing responsibility to an almost invariably latent focal infection.

[The surgical treatment of pharyno-oesophageal diverticula]. / Traitement chirurgical des diverticules pharyngo-oesophagiens.

An up to date report on the surgical technique used in the treatment of pharyngo-oesophageal diverticulum by one-stage diverticulectomy. The authors emphasise the possible difficulties associated with diverticula surrounded by peridiverticulitis, the approach to diverticula with mediastinal extension and practical points which make it possible to simplify the posterative course. The place of myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle without ablation of the sac in the treatment of small asymptomatic diverticula is discussed.

[Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (author's transl)]. / Le cancer médullaire de la thyroïde.

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid develops in the parafollicular C cells, the origin of which is in the neural crest. It is characterized clinically by the presence of motor diarrhea, vasomotor attacks, and immunologically by the presence of an amyloid stroma and the appearance of an anaplastic carcinoma. It is frequently associated with a pheochromocytoma (Sipple's syndrome), parathyroid adenomas and cytaneo mucosal manifestations (phacomatosis, multiple mucosal neuromas). The C cells may secrete thyrocalcitonin and the estimation of the substance may be sometimes used in pre-operative diagnosis and, above all, subsequent observation and examination for the presence of metastases. Treatment is based upon surgery (total thyroidectomy) with lymphnode dissection. Complementary treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, opotherapy) is given only when surgery is inedequate or recurrences occur.

[Evaluation of cochlear function in otospongiosis. Preliminary study]. / Evaluation de la fonction cochléaire dans l'otospongiose. Etude préliminaire.

One of the major therapeutical problems encountered in the natural history of otospongiosis are lesions affecting Corti's organ. We obtained audiometric measurements, including pure-tone and speech audiograms, tympanograms, and spontaneous and provoked otoemission determinations in 26 patients (40 ears), who benefited from total platinectomy and collumellar effect recuperation by means of temporal aponeurosis interposition and piston-cupping. Results show that the piston-cup procedure does not appear to modify the transfer function of the middle ear. On the other hand, even at a stage when pure-tone and speech audiograms show little alteration, there seems to be some lesion of the external ciliated cells of Corti'organ.

[Monitoring of thyroid function in patients treated for cancer of the upper respiratory and digestive tract]. / Surveillance de la fonction thyroïdienne des patients traités pour cancer des voies aéro-digestives supérieures (VADS).

A study was carried out at Hôpital Boucicaut to determine the incidence of iatrogenic biological thyroid dysfunction in patients treated for cancer of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts, and to define the risk profile (tumor localisations, practical therapeutical procedures). Two studies were conducted: a prospective on including 18 patients and a retrospective one including 58 patients. Only partial results are currently available. They permit emphasizing the frequency of biological thyroid dysfunction associated both with combination surgical and radiotherapeutical regimens and radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone for the treatment of lesions of the piriform sinus, although they fail to provide conclusive evidence regarding the real frequency of this type pathology or the time of its occurrence.

[Prefabricated free transplants. Experimentation]. / Les transplants libres préfabriqués. Expérimentation.

The principle of prefabricated transplants consists in the manufacturing of compound transplants complete with a vascular pedicle containing an artery, a vein, a muscle and its nerve, some cell tissue, bone tissue, cartilage, periosteum and innerved skin. This transplant is constructed and modeled in accordance with its intended use, around the preselected vascular pedicle, whence the term prefabricated. Neovascularization revascularizes these different structures. The free transplants together with their vasculonervous pedicles are excised five weeks after manufacture and then transplanted to the recipient site. Experimentally, we grafted 15 free prefabricated transplants in Wistar rats. One failure was observed due to thrombosis of the anastomoses. Experimental data from macroscopic, arteriographic, microangiographic, and histological examinations, with injection of a staining material, show that neovascularization develops at the level of the transplant. The emphasis is on creating free transplants selectively using various tissues and selected vascular pedicles. These transplants constitute a useful prospective alternative for very elaborate reconstructive surgery.

[Recurrent nerve paralysis following thyroid surgery (author's transl)]. / Les paralysies récurrentielles au cours de la chirurgie du corps thyroïde.

Following a brief review of anatomical features, the risk of injury to the recurrent nerve is discussed as a function of the type of operation performed: subtotal thyroidectomy, ablation of a retrosternal goitre, lobectomy, and total thyroidectomy. Particular attention has to be paid to the risk of anomaly in the nerve pathway: early division or a nerve branching directly from the Xth nerve without a recurrent pathway. Paralysis may be due to simple stretching of the nerve, when regression occurs in approximately three months. Paralysis of the recurrent nerve occurred in 1.69% of cases (7 definite, including 2 of necessity), in a series of 1 184 recurrent nerve exposures.

[Mycotic lingual granuloma. The pseudotumoral form]. / Granulome lingual mycosique. Forme pseudo-tumorale.

Lingual candidiasis is a condition arising from a multiple of causes, some of which are well known (thrush, etc...). Two cases of chronic lingual mycotic granuloma are presented, one of which was due to a candida, the diagnosis being confirmed by pathological examination and electrosyneresis. The course of this granuloma leads to the appearance of a true epidermoid carcinoma, as illustrated by the description of other cases that have been reported. Current therapy for the granuloma itself mainly depends on the employ of ketoconazole, but the unfavorable course of the affection raises the question of the need for associated surgery.

[Sclerosis of esophageal varices. Results of 10 years experience]. / Sclérose des varices oesophagiennes. Bilan d'une expérience de 10 années

Before they give their results, the authors, whose experience of sclerosis of oesophageal varices under the oesophagoscope has so far involved 157 patients, deal specifically with the problems facing the anaesthetist and resuscitator when this technique is used, tolerance of the product injected and possible accidents. Firstly, they point out the unsuitability of the patients referred to them by their medical or surgical colleagues. By implication therefore, treatment should only be undertaken with the assistance of a team of experienced resuscitators and every precaution taken to mitigate the effects of possible accidents to these patients who are particularly at risk. These cases are mainly characterized by serious haemorrhages (seven cases described, one resulting in death). Oesophageal injury is, on the other hand, the exception where trained personnel are involved (2 minor mucosal tears out of more than 800 oesophagoscopies). Finally, secondary parietal oesophageal necrosis occurs. Quininaemia assessment after injection of quinine-urea confirms that the product is being efficiently eliminated. Overall results reveal a survival rate of 61 p. 100 after more than a year and 20 p. 100 after more than than three years. These figures underline the limitations of therapeutic possibilities and the serious prognosis for this result of portal hypertension. This leads the authors to express a wish that the procedure should be used as a measure to prevent haemorrhage as soon as the presence of varices is realized. On the other hand, they reject on practical grounds emergency sclerosis of oesophageal varices, as a direct heamostatic method, since, according to their statistics, this almost invariably results in failure.

[Malignant tumors of the parotid gland. Apropos of 60 cases]. / Les tumeurs malignes de la parotide. A propos de 60 cas.

Among a series of 520 parotidectomies performed between 1975 and 1995, we observed 88 cases of malignancy (17%). For this study, we excluded skin cancers which had invaded the parotid and glandular metastases of squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma or kidney cancers, retaining only tumors with a glandular origin and lymphomas. Thus defined, our series comprised 60 patients, i.e. 12% of the operated parodids (31 confirmed cancers, 18 tumors with intermediary malignancy, including several in which the pathology report confirmed malignancy, and 11 lymphomas). We examined therapeutic management by histology and compared the outcomes. Relation with the facial nerve are discussed. Prognosis depends on histology, tumor stage and treatment.