Combined use of different procedures for monitoring central and peripheral portions of the auditory pathway in diabetic patients showed alterations in cochlear micromechanics and the retrocochlear auditory pathway. Hearing impairment in diabetic patients is usually mild and subclinical, and can be detected early by accurate and objective audiometric methods.

The study established proof of concept for AM-111 in the treatment of severe-to-profound ASNHL. Control for spontaneous hearing recovery is essential for ASNHL studies.

In order to test the frequency specificity of the efferent suppressive effect on otoacoustic emissions, changes in the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels induced by contralateral stimuli of different spectra were measured in 10 normally hearing adults. Three types of contralateral stimuli were used: (i) a set of 6 pairs of pure tones with the same frequencies as used for DPOAE stimulation; (ii) 6 narrow-band noise signals with cut-off frequencies equal to the frequencies of the primary tones used for DPOAE stimulation; and (iii) broad-band noise with a bandwidth of 840-6,000 Hz. A small suppressive effect was observed mainly in the mid-frequency region. Broad-band noise was more effective at suppressing DPOAEs than narrow-band noises and two-tone complexes. Occasionally, small enhancements in DPOAE amplitudes were observed. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that DPOAE changes induced by contralateral stimuli are not frequency-specific, and are too small to have routine clinical value.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of intratympanic AM-101 in patients with persistent acute inner ear tinnitus after acute acoustic trauma, idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), or acute otitis media.Study DesignProspective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with follow-up visits on Days 7, 30, and 90.SettingTwenty-eight European sites (academic tertiary referral centers and private ENT practices).Patients248 patients aged 16 to 65 years.InterventionsThree intratympanic injections of AM-101 (0.27 or 0.81 mg/ml) or placebo over 3 consecutive days.Main Outcome MeasuresEfficacy was assessed by changes in minimum masking level (MML; primary end point), loudness match, tinnitus loudness, tinnitus annoyance, and sleep difficulties on a 0 to 100 numerical rating scale, THI-12 questionnaire, and patient global impression of change. Safety was evaluated using the frequency of clinically relevant hearing deterioration and adverse events.ResultsThe study overall failed to demonstrate a treatment benefit based on the change in MML. However, AM-101 0.81 mg/ml showed statistically significantly better improvement for tinnitus loudness, annoyance, sleep difficulties, and tinnitus impact in patients with tinnitus after noise trauma or otitis media. The subgroup of ISSNHL-related tinnitus patients did not show conclusive results. The study drug and I.T. injections were well tolerated.ConclusionThe study established proof of concept for AM-101 in the treatment of tinnitus arising from cochlear glutamate excitotoxicity. Patient-reported outcomes seem to be more relevant and reliable efficacy measures for assessing treatment-related changes in tinnitus than psychoacoustic tests.

No abstract

Sinonasal inverted papilloma is a relatively rare disease; however, it is prevalent enough for every ENT practitioner to encounter it several times throughout medical routines. Despite the developments in experimental and clinical medicine as well as surgical techniques, our knowledge of this disease is still inadequate. With improved imaging and better diagnostic techniques, proper diagnosis and qualification for surgical approaches leave no doubt. Although the endoscopic approach seems to be the gold standard for such condition, some cases may additionally require an external approach. Regardless of the type of surgery, postoperative management is crucial for both healing and long-term follow-up. Unfortunately, the procedures are still lacking in explicit and standardized postoperative management guidelines. Moreover, an important issue is still the need for a biomarker indicative of inverted papilloma and its malignant transformation. Several particles, within the spotlight of the researchers, have been SCCA, Ki-67, Bcl-2, Wnt proteins, and many more. Nevertheless, the topic requires further investigations.

Background-Internal auditory artery (IAA) spasm is thought to be one of the causes of postoperative sensory hearing loss after attempted hearing preservation removal of an acoustic neuroma. The use of topical papaverine, a nonspecific vasodilator, to prevent vascular insufficiency to the inner ear and to improve hearing outcomes has been suggested but not proven.

Patient: Female, 36-year-old Final Diagnosis: NK/T-cell lymphoma Symptoms: Nasal congestion • rhinorrea • sinus congestion Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Otolaryngology Objective: Rare disease Background: Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas are rare neoplasms that result in the destruction of mid-facial tissues. Infrequently seen in ear, nose, and throat clinical practice, they are often misdiagnosed and treated as chronic sinusitis, which delays proper diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the insidious course of NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type. Case Report: A 36-year-old woman with a 2-year history of recurrent exacerbation of chronic sinusitis and allergies was admitted to our clinic. Multiple endoscopic sinus surgical procedures were performed. Repeated histopathological tissue examinations revealed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) was performed to assess the extent of the disease. The patient was treated with antibiotics, steroids, and antifungal drugs for many months before the definitive diagnosis was made. The patient was eligible for modified SMILE chemotherapy; however, the patient died suddenly from septic shock several days before the beginning of treatment. Conclusions: Chronic rhinosinusitis with progressive necrosis of sinonasal tissue that persists despite adequate antibacterial and antifungal treatment should prompt further investigation. In such cases, it is important to consider the diagnosis of NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type. Early diagnosis increases the opportunity for successful treatment.