European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · May 2009
Tracheostomy in young patients: indications and long-term outcome.
Diagnostic and treatment modalities have changed substantially over the past years in the field of pediatrics and neonatal medicine. As a result, the indications and outcome after tracheostomy in young patients have evolved. The aim of this study is to present our experience with pediatric tracheostomies and provide an up-to-date review of the literature with special focus on current trends. ⋯ Nowadays, the majority of patients are very young children with severe and chronic diseases. This fact accounts for the relatively low decannulation rates, long cannulation times and high mortality. The tracheostomy related mortality on the other hand, is comparatively low.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · May 2009
Effects of cetirizine on isolated rat's tracheal smooth muscle.
Cetirizine (Zytec) is often used as a histamine receptor-1 (H(1)) antagonist in rhinitis patients who are suffering from sneezing and rhinorrhea. This H(1) antagonist is used as an oral tablet or nasal spray solution. The effect of H(1) antagonist on nasal mucosa in vivo is well known; however, the effect of the drug on tracheal smooth muscle has been rarely explored. ⋯ Zytec could inhibit electrical field stimulation induced spike contraction, and basal tension was increased at the same time. However, it alone had a minimal effect on the basal tension of trachea as the concentration increased. This study indicated that high concentrations of Zytec might actually inhibit parasympathetic function of the trachea.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Apr 2009
Case ReportsSialectasis of Stensen's duct: an unusual case of recurrent cheek swelling.
Sialectasis of Stensen's duct is an uncommon condition of the salivary gland featuring dilation of the parotid duct. Various surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities have been reported as treatment for Stensen's duct stenosis. In this report, a rare case of sialectasis with fusiform dilatation of the parotid duct is presented, which was corrected by a simple and easy surgical technique creating a new opening in the buccal mucosa.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyAuditory steady-state response and auditory brainstem response thresholds in children.
The inclusion of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) into test-batteries for objective audiometry has allowed for clinical comparisons with the most widely used procedure, the auditory brainstem response (ABR). The current study describes ASSR and ABR thresholds for a group of infants and young children with various types and degrees of hearing loss. A sample of 48 subjects (23 female) with a mean age of 2.8+/-1.9 years SD were assessed with a comprehensive test-battery and classified according to type and degree of hearing loss. ⋯ Correlations between the ABR and individual ASSR frequencies were slightly less (0.82-0.86). The average of the 2-4 kHz ASSR thresholds correlated best with the click-evoked ABR for all categories of hearing loss except for the sensorineural hearing loss category for which the 1-4 kHz ASSR average was better correlated to ABR thresholds. Findings demonstrate the reliability of verifying high frequency ASSR thresholds with a click-evoked ABR as an important cross-check in infants for whom behavioural audiometry may not be possible.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jan 2009
ReviewCortical reorganisation and tinnitus: principles of auditory discrimination training for tinnitus management.
Scientific evidence has proved reorganisation processes in the auditory cortex after sensorineural hearing loss and overstimulation of certain tonotopic cortical areas, as we see in auditory conditioning techniques. Acoustic rehabilitation reduces the impact of these reorganisation changes. ⋯ We discuss different studies and their efficacy on tinnitus perception and annoyance. Indications, method, dose and sound strategy need to be implemented.