Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Research Articles

Clinical and radiologic evaluation of cytomegalovirus-induced thrombocytopenia in infants between 1 and 6 months of age

BackgroundUp to 90% of neonates with congenital or perinatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are asymptomatic, and little is known about CMV-associated thrombocytopenia after the neonatal period. We investigated the clinical findings of a series of infants diagnosed with CMV infection and thrombocytopenia.MethodsFrom July 2005 to July 2008, infants aged younger than 6 months with thrombocytopenia were screened for CMV infection, using CMV IgM. Those who were positive for CMV IgM were then tested for CMV IgG via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CMV and CMV pp65 Ag and urine culture. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and otologic and ophthalmologic evaluations were also performed.ResultsTwenty-one patients aged between 1 and 6 months (11 boys and 10 girls) were admitted and tested for CMV infection. Six patients (28.6%) were positive for CMV IgM; these were also positive for CMV IgG, CMV PCR, and urine culture, and 4 were also positive for CMV pp65 Ag. The median platelet count at admission was 6,500/µL (range, 2,000-105,000/µL). One patient (16.7%) was diagnosed with Evans syndrome and had calcifications on brain MRI. One patient had unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.ConclusionThrombocytopenia can be the main clinical manifestation of otherwise asymptomatic CMV infection after the neonatal period, and close follow-up of neurodevelopmental sequelae is needed.

Placement of the Baha osseointegrated implant in children

The Baha osseointegrated implant provides bone-conducted hearing for children with significant conductive, mixed, or unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. The Baha system utilizes bone conduction through the skull to augment hearing. The transcutaneous Baha implant is screwed into the skull behind the ear and the sound processor attaches to the implant via a snap coupling. The system has revolutionized the rehabilitation of hearing loss associated with atresia.

Unilateral Transitory Sensorineural Hearing Loss following a Dental Procedure

Unilateral Transitory Sensorineural Hearing Loss following a Dental Procedure

遅発性内リンパ水腫について―ことにメニエール病との比較において―

Delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) is a Meniere’s syndrome that typically occurs in patients suffering from longstanding unilateral profound inner-ear hearing loss. Approximately 55 to 65% of the hearing loss preceding DEH is due to juvenile unilateral profound deafness (early childhood unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss of unknown etiology). The incidence of ipsilateral DEH (approximately 60%), in which the ear with profound hearing loss suffers progressive endolymphatic hydrops, is higher than that of the contralateral type of DEH (about 40%), in which the formation of progressive endolymphatic hydrops takes place in the ear opposite to the previously deafened ear. The prevalence of DEH in the general population (23 or less per 100,000) is similar to that of definitive Meniere’s disease, and the distribution of age at onset of DEH closely resembles that of Meniere’s disease except for some patients with childhood onset of DEH. Further, the rate of patients with the contralateral type of DEH (about 40%, although the rate is about 15% if the contralateral type is restricted to patients showing typical Meniere’s symptoms) is similar to that of patients with bilateral Meniere’s disease (about 40%, with a rate of about 14% if Meniere’s disease in the second ear is restricted to definitive Meniere’s disease). Since DEH is closely similar to Meniere’s disease not only in symptoms, but also in many clinical-statistical characteristics, the diseases may be identical in pathogenesis and the pathophysiology of progressive endolymphatic hydrops, although the two conditions have different etiologies.

Molecular Screening for Children With Hearing Loss: Why Do It?

Molecular Screening for Children With Hearing Loss: Why Do It?

Assessment of Objective Pulsatile Tinnitus in a Patient with Syringohydromyelia

We examined a 38-year-old male with syringohydromyelia and concomitant symptoms suggestive of intracranial hypertension including unilateral low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss and objective pulsatile tinnitus. The tinnitus was heard by the authors (through a hearing aid stethoscope tube), measured objectively (with a probe microphone), measured subjectively (as minimum masking levels and with fixed frequency Bekesy), and altered by changes in ear canal pressure (subjectively reported and measured objectively with a probe microphone). The audiologic symptoms were likely associated with elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure that traveled to the cochlea through the cochlear aqueduct. The tinnitus may have originated from pulsations of central vascular structures that traveled through the cochlear aqueduct or the endolymphatic duct. Hearing loss likely resulted from tinnitus masking or a stiffening of the cochlear partition or stapes footplate.

Outcomes research analysis of continuous intratympanic glucocorticoid delivery in patients with acute severe to profound hearing loss: Basis for planning randomized controlled trials

Conclusions. The data presented herein form the basis for conducting randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of salvage treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden severe sensorineural hearing loss (but not anacusis) refractory to initial systemic therapy. Comparison of different application protocols and drug delivery systems will allow assessment of the value of continuous versus intermittent intratympanic glucocorticoid drug delivery. Objectives. To describe and critically evaluate the results of continuous intratympanic glucocorticoid delivery in patients with acute unilateral severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss refractory to initial systemic therapy and to compare the outcome with a historical control group. Material and methods. In a retrospective chart review, treatment results were analyzed in 23 patients with acute severe and profound hearing loss and failure of systemic standard therapy who received a continuous intratympanic delivery of glucocorticoids as a salvage treatment. Audiological results were compared within the local therapy group and with the results of an historical control group who did not receive salvage treatment. The study and control groups were matched with respect to hearing loss after initial systemic treatment failure. Results. The average pure-tone threshold after intratympanic salvage treatment showed a statistically significant improvement of 15 dB (95% CI 7–24 dB; p<0.001). After exclusion of patients with complete anacusis, i.e. a non-measurable hearing threshold, the local therapy group showed a significantly better improvement (mean 19 dB; 95% CI 6–32 dB) than the historical control group (mean 5 dB; 95% CI − 2–11 dB; p<0.05).

小児感音難聴の進行性 特に一側聾の反対側聴力について

小児感音難聴の進行性 特に一側聾の反対側聴力について

若年性一側性高度感音難聴の側頭骨画像所見

若年性一側性高度感音難聴の側頭骨画像所見

Aspirin and hearing loss

1. A case who developed vertigo and a unilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss is described. 2. Vertigo followed the ingestion of two tablets of aspirin. Hearing loss developed 15 days later. 3. Audiometric examination showed a severe right sided sensorineural hearing loss. Vestibular tests showed a hypofunctioning labyrinth on the right side. 4. This is the second case reported with hearing loss following ingestion of a very small quantity of aspirin.