The VSB, implanted using RW vibroplasty, is a safe and effective treatment for adults with conductive and mixed hearing losses who may have few, if any, other options.

This study describes open-set speech recognition in cochlear implant

The aims of this study are to report on our experiences using a bone paté (a mixture of bone dust and fibrin glue) fixation technique of the Combi 40/Combi 40+ electrode array during cochlear implant surgery. A retrospective study involving 57 patients implanted with Combi 40/Combi 40+ cochlear implants over 31 months fixated with bone paté was performed, utilizing our electrical fitting data as well as re-operation and X-ray findings. We found no signs of electrode retraction in any of the 57 patients. Electrical fitting data showed no reduction in the number of active channels between the first and last times patients were evaluated (a period of 4-31 months). Furthermore, a comparison of X-rays performed within the first week following cochlear implant surgery and again 7-27 months later showed no signs of electrode retraction in 10 patients. Three patients who required re-operations after implantation allowed us the opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the bone paté fixation and revealed new bone growth with the electrode fixed in place. Histological examinations of the newly built bone showed laminar and compact bone structures. The use of bone paté was thus found to be a suitable method of electrode fixation in cochlear implant surgery. Compared with other fixation methods, it is inexpensive and uses no foreign materials.

Accurate depiction of anatomic structures of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle could be obtained by 3D T2-TSE only. The most accurate diagnosis in cases of pathology was provided by the combination of the 3D T2-TSE with unenhanced and enhanced 2D T1-weighted spin-echo sequences.

The goal of this report is to analyse the incidence of genital tumours in cattle referred to the Clinic between 2016 and 2019 and to describe the outcome after the surgical tumour resection. All cattle with a confirmed diagnosis of a genital tumour (n = 3) were included in the study. The breed, age, tumour localisation and type of treatment were considered. Telephone interviews were used to ask owners about the integration of the cows into the herd after discharge, the survival, the reason for leaving the herd, wound complications and tumour recurrence. Three genital tumours including a vaginal fibrosarcoma, vaginal leiomyosarcoma and luteoma were diagnosed. A tumour recurrence or metastasis did not occur. In conclusion, the tumour resection was successful in all three cases. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical description of a cow with a luteoma.

Although music plays an important role in the life of cochlear implant users, there are few studies covering this field. Publications usually report on a small number of patients and do not take into account the influence that speech-coding strategies might have on music perception. Therefore we initiated a multi-centre study which included only patients with a Combi 40/40+. From the large quantity of data gained, we present the correlation of speech and music perception.We developed a questionnaire to gather information on music listening habits, playing of instruments and singing. The questions covered musical experience before and after implantation. The results were correlated with speech perception for German monosyllables and numbers, HSM sentences with and without noise. All patients included were over 18 years of age, had used the implant for a minimum of six months, had reached stable fitting parameters and were unilaterally implanted.

Staging of malignant tumours of the oral cavity and the oropharynx not only requires far more than a basic knowledge of anatomy and the usual pathways of spread, but also a broad understanding of the diagnostic benefits of current imaging modalities. As radiology should never try to replace histology, the main aim should be precise prediction of tumour margins and differentiation of tumour from edema and posttherapeutic changes. Only then will imaging studies have a significant clinical impact.

Since the introduction of bone conduction hearing implants in 1977, quality of life of the implantees have improved substantially. The first available option were bone-anchored hearing devices, which improved sound quality, but had the major disadvantage of post-operative skin and wound infections. Therefore, new technologies seeking intact skin solution have emerged lately. The BONEBRIDGE system (MED-EL, Medical Electronics, Innsbruck, Austria) incorporates the first active bone conduction device, which especially aims to resolve abutment issues and still offers excellent audiological benefit. The successful implantation of this system in the first Romanian patient suffering from congenital lip and hard palate cleft with recurrent suppurative otitis media is presented. The authors report their experience with implantation, in terms of indications, selection assessment as well as functional results with a critical review of advantages and disadvantages in comparison with classical methods.