• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.227-230
• /
• 2005

Hearing loss in the contralateral functioning ear is a rare and distressing complication after vetibular schwannoma removal. Various possible mechanisms have been proposed, however, the etiology of hearing loss is not clear. Fortunately, this is an extremely rare occurrence, sporadic case reports have appeared in the literatures. We report two cases of acute contralateral hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma removal and discuss the possible mechanisms of the phenomenon. Although permanent deafness may result, in our cases, the hearing loss was temporary, returning to near preoperative level within one month. The etiology of hearing loss in one case is thought to be cerebrospinal fluid leakage. However, in the other case, the cause of hearing loss is not clear. A better understanding of these events may lead to preventive measures to avoid contralateral hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma removal.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.131-140
• /
• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between eye movement and auditory function through the effects of eye lateralization on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions of auditory function. Methods : 25 subjects with complete set of ears were used in this study, which composed of 12 males and 13 females with pure tone threshold of below 25 dB without otolaryngology were evaluated. Each of the patient has a visual acuity of greater than 1.0 after correction, and has no problems with eye disease, eye movement, and human parallel system. In a dark silent room, the subjects sat on a chair with their heads fixed on a headrest. The tests were performed by asking the patients to look at a fixed red light dot on a light bar in front of them. This light was directed to the front, right and left sides of the subject at an angle of 40 ° In the presence of the stimulus sound in the ipsilateral ear, the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions of the ipsilateral ear was measured at the straight, right and left fixation. In order to evaluate the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions through the efferent auditory pathway, the transient evoked otoacoustic emission values of the contralateral ear were measured at the straight, right and left fixation. These measurements were taken at frequencies of 1 kHz, 1.4 kHz, 2.0 kHz, 2.8 kHz and 4 kHz, respectively. Results : Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions caused by lateral movement of the eye showed significant changes at 1.4 KHz and 2 KHz of the afferent pathway of the ipsilateral ear. Also, significant changes were observed at 1.4 KHz and 4 KHz of the efferent pathway of the contralateral ear. Conclusion : These results indicated that there is a close relationship between eye movement and auditory cochlea. In the future, further studies considering more diverse subjects and age groups will be needed.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. Results: Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.80-82
• /
• 2014

Purpose Microtia is congenital anomaly of external ear and the reconstruction method for the external ear of microtia patient was based on autogenous costal cartilage framework. The application of 3D printing technique in medical science has made more possibility of human tissue restoration, and we tried to apply this technique in auricular reconstruction field. Materials and Methods As for unilateral microtia patient, the contralateral side ear is normal and reconstructive surgeon tried to mimic it for reconstruction of affected ear. So, we obtained facial CT scan of microtia patient and made mirror image of normal side ear. Moreover, to make the 3D scaffold based on the mirror image of normal ear and to apply this scaffold for the auricular reconstruction surgery, we included auriculocephalic sulcus and anterior fixation part. Results We could successfully obtain mirror image of normal ear, auriculocephalic sulcus and anterior fixation part for 3D scaffold printing. Conclusions Using this CT image processing and 3D printing technique, we will be able to make the scaffold for auricular reconstruction of unilateral microtia patient, and perform auricular reconstruction in near future.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.164-167
• /
• 1995

Stellate ganglion block(SGB) is a widely used sympathetic block to diagnose or treat various painful conditions. We experienced a rare case who exhihited a contralateral Horner's syndrome following SGB. A 64-year-old female patient suffering from postherpetic neuralgia on mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve visited our pain clinic. She complained of severe burning and shooting pain on right side lower lip, ear and temporal area. We modified her previous medications and performed repeated right SGB daily, in combination with mandibular or mental and auriculotemporal nerve blocks twice a week. Her symptoms were progressively improved. A contralateral Horner's syndrome occured after the thirteenth SGB, which was performed under several attempts in the same manner and the same physician. She had no evidence of subarachnoid or brachial plexus blocks. She did not need any special treatment and returned home 2 hours later. Subsquent blocks were followed on ipsilateral Horner's syndromes.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. Results: Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to examine the specificity and the sensitivity of tenderness testing on the ear about the postpartum breast pain, and to improve the efficacy of the tenderness test. Methods : Thirty women who visited in the hospital for recuperating 2-14 days after childbirth participated in this study. They answered the questionnaire of the severity of breast pain and their auricular acupuncture points were tested by a long metal probe with round tip 1.1mm in diameter. We analyzed the relationship between auricular tenderness testing on mammary gland zone[CW6] and postpartum breast pain with validity and significance as grouping 8 diagnosis methods. Results : When we consider above 'moderate pain' or 'severe pain' in the auricular tenderness testing as a positive sign, and above 'evere pain' or 'very severe pain' in the self-reported breast pain score as a positive symptom, the diagnostic efficacy was highest. The sensitivity for tenderness testing was 0.62-0.75, and the specificity was 0.64-0.72, and the sensitivity and the specificity in the contralateral ear were a little higher than in the ipsilateral ear. Conclusions : These results suggest that auricular tenderness testing can be objectified clinically and be used in diagnosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 1999

ALP (alkaline phosphatase) is a membrane-bound metalloenzyme that is expressed in osteoblasts, hepatocytes, lung, kidney, endothelial cells, leukocytes and other cells. Normal soft tissue and skin show little tissue nonspecific ALP (TN-AP), However, scar tissue contains high levels of TN-AP activity, and in fact, TN-AP is expressed intensely in regenerating connective tissue after the wounding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of ALP expression in hypertrophic scar model in rabbits and the effect of triamcinonolone on ALP expression. Adult male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing about 2.5 kg, were used. After full-thickeness wounding over the ventral surface of each ear, either saline (control ear) or triamcinolone (contralateral ear) was injected on day 16. Rabbits were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 15, 17, 19, 23, and the specimens were retrieved en bloc. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations of tissue samples were done. The results obtained were as follows: On day 3, ALP reaction was observed on fibroblasts and inflammatory cells in wound margin. On day 7, ALP reaction was more intense than day p in capillaries, inflammtory cells, and fibroblasts behind newly formed epithelium. On day 15, ALP reaction was lessened in both groups and appeared mainly in subepidermal capillary network, Since day 17, ALP reaction was lessened in both groups and weaker in triamcinolone-injected group than in saline-injected group. These results suggest that ALP reaction isn't increased in triamcinolone-injected scar and triamcinolone reduces scar not by increasing TN-AP expression but other mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.