Tumor necrosis factor-alpha plays an important role in cochlear injury after bacterial meningitis. Blockade of tumor necrosis factor-alpha reduces postmeningitic hearing loss and cochlear injury. Induction of meningitis with intrathecal tumor necrosis factor-alpha also resulted in hearing loss and cochlear injury similar to bacterial meningitis.

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe common radiographic patterns that may be useful in predicting the diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the imaging and clinical data of four males and one female, 3 to 72 years old, with rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Results: All the patients presented with sinusitis and ophthalmological symptoms. Most of the patients (80%) had isointense lesions relative to brain in T1-weighted images. The signal intensity in T2-weighted images was more variable, with only one (20%) patient showing hyperintensity. A pattern of anatomic involvement affecting the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus, orbit, and ethmoid cells was consistently observed in all five patients (100%). Our series demonstrated a mortality rate of 60%. Conclusion: Progressive and rapid involvement of the cavernous sinus, vascular structures and intracranial contents is the usual evolution of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. In the context of immunosupression, a pattern of nasal cavity, maxillary sinus, ethmoid cells, and orbit inflammatory lesions should prompt the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Multiplanar magnetic resonance imaging shows anatomic involvement, helping in surgery planning. However, the prognosis is grave despite radical surgery and antifungals.

No abstract

The PCR is elevated in persons with a diminished pharyngeal squeeze. These data suggest the pharyngeal squeeze maneuver is a valid surrogate measure of pharyngeal motor integrity.

Although traditional repair of the cleft lip and nasal deformity is often adequate, severely wide clefts are amenable to a variety of presurgical measures. Presurgical nasal alveolar molding in children with cleft lip and palate allows repositioning of the maxillary alveolus and surrounding soft tissues in hopes of reducing wound tension and improving results. These techniques can be extremely challenging but an excellent addition to a cleft lip and palate team's armamentarium.