Facial nerve stimulation (FNS) after cochlear implant activation is a well-known side effect, with an incidence rate raging between 1% and 14.9%. Some causes of deafness have been associated with a higher incidence of this entity, however, there is still no consensus regarding its pathophysiological mechanisms. Although FNS can be solved with changes in speech processor programming, in some cases this can lead to a decrease in performance. The aim of this work was to review the epidemiologic, clinical aspects, and performance results in a group of FNS after cochlear implantation. It was conducted a retrospective chart review of 448 adult patients, all implanted between 1985 and 2016. Speech perception tests results were statistically analysed, using non-parametric tests. We registered a group of 13 patients with FNS, contributing to a prevalence of 2.9%. The causes of hearing loss in this group varied between otosclerosis, Menière's disease, head trauma, and idiopathic cause. Six cases were managed by changing the programming strategy and the other seven required the deactivation of the affected electrodes. Statistical evaluation showed no statistically significant difference between the performance results of the groups with and without FNS. In this series, the overall incidence of FNS was consistent with the literature. Our study supports the current idea that FNS can frequently be eliminated by changing programming strategies or deactivating the involved electrodes, without affecting the implant's performance.

The effects of hospital clowning on physical and emotional states of pediatric patients during chemotherapy treatment. Child and Youth Care Forum. N/A

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ResumoEm pediatria oncológica, a taxa de sobrevivência tem sofrido um aumento acentuado, sendo considerável a probabilidade de cura. Não obstante, o processo de confronto com a doença pode sofrer alguns contratempos, nomeadamente uma recidiva. Esta última é responsável por elevado sofrimento, o qual poderá ser ainda maior que o confronto com o diagnóstico. Procurando conhecer as perceções dos profissionais de oncologia, relativamente às principais dificuldades experienciadas pelas crianças e adolescentes cuja doença recidivou, as autoras desenvolveram um estudo investigando o olhar desses profissionais. Entrevistaram-se 17 profissionais, de dois hospitais portugueses, exercendo funções hospitalares na área da saúde, serviço social, psicologia e educação. Suas reflexões apontaram como principais dificuldades a aceitação de ter que passar novamente por um processo fisica e psicologicamente penoso sendo que, entre os adolescentes -mais conscientes da gravidade da doença e suas implicações -acrescem as dificuldades em ter esperança na cura. Para os mais pequenos, os profissionais apontaram como mais comum a dificuldade em compreender os motivos de nova submissão a tratamentos dolorosos e do afastamento dos seus contextos de vida. Dando a conhecer uma etapa particularmente desafiante da doença oncológica, o presente estudo traz um olhar multifocal de um grupo de profissionais que acompanham de perto essas crianças/adolescentes (e respectivas famílas). A sua longa e diversa experiência -em termos de tipologias de câncer, evolução do quadro clínico, idade ou temperamento dos pacientes (e dos próprios pais) -fazem desses profissionais informantes-chave no mapeamento das dificuldades associadas ao processo de recidiva oncológica em pediatria, bem como no desenho e implementação de respostas mais ajustadas à fenomenologia destes processos. Palavras-chave: psico-oncologia pediátrica, recidiva, fenomenologia, profissionais de cuidados Cancer recurrence: perspectives of hospital staff on the difficulties of pediatric patients Abstract In pediatric oncology, the survival rate has risen considerably, and nowadays the probability of cure is very high. However, the process of fighting the disease can suffer some setbacks, namely a relapse. This event is responsible for high suffering, which may be even greater than dealing with the diagnosis of cancer. Aiming to understand the perceptions of oncology professionals regarding the main difficulties experienced by children/adolescents whose cancer relapsed, the authors developed a study in which the professionals' perspective was explored. A group of 17 professionals (from the areas of health, social work, psychology and education), working in two Portuguese hospitals, was interviewed. Their reflections indicated that the main difficulties during relapse were the acceptance of having to undergo such a -physically and psychologically -painful process all over again, and among adolescents, who are more aware of the severity of the disease and its implications, also difficulties in kee...