40 normal persons were subjected to the air caloric test, 10 of whom also to the Hallpike water caloric test. The results showed no substantial differences between the air and water caloric stimulation. The normal values were obtained. There were no differences between right and left labyrinthes. The warm stimulation was more intense than the cold. Speed of slow component is the most important parameter of electronystagmograph.

Objective To study the vestibular aqueduct(VA) with CT in Meniere,s disease(MD). Method The experiment consisted of three groups: normal ear group, non-MD vertigo group and MD group. VA in each group was examined with CT, and the width of the external aperture of VA was measured.Result VA in normal ear group and non-MD vertigo group was well visualized,and non-visualization rate was 9.1%. VA non-visualization rate in MD group was 75%, external aperture was narrowed in VA patients. Conclusion non-visualization or narrowing of the enterhal aperture can be considered as one of the diagnostic sings of MD.

The aim of the study was to establish the clinical method for the detection of the human serum antibodies reacting to the membranous labyrinth protein using the Western immunoblotting labeled with boition streptavidin. Different control experiments were conducted, which included the human serum empty control, the biotin labeled antibody empty control, the avidin blocking control, the serum control of patient with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss and that of patient with autoimmune disease. By comparing the different expressions in these experiments, it was suggested that the reacting band at 65kD, and the dark reacting bands at 82kD or within 56~48kD or 33~30kD should be identified as positive reaction of the human serum antibodies to the membranous labyrinth protein. The positive rates of 65kD were 30.4%~82.6% with the confidence intervals of 95%, and 23.8%~87.0% with the confidence intervals of 99%. The confidence intervals were 18%~72% and 13.4%~77.6% respectively, for 95% and 99% positive rates of the latter 3 bands combined. The reacting bands at 134kD and 70kD indicated affinity to avidin and streptavidin, which did not relate to positive reaction.

Objective To study the vestibular aqueduct(VA) with CT in Meniere , s disease(MD). Method The experiment consisted of three groups: normal ear group, non-MD vertigo group and MD group. VA in each group was examined with CT, and the width of the external aperture of VA was measured.Result VA in normal ear group and non MD vertigo group was well visualized,and non visualization rate was 9.1%. VA non visualization rate in MD group was 75%, external aperture was narrowed in VA patients. Conclusion non visualization or narrowing of the enterhal aperture can be considered as one of the diagnostic sings of MD.

This paper presented the hereditary pattern of otosclerosis in families. Among 1500 cases there were 13 patients, belonging to 6 families, and 20 ears were surgically treated. There was often a marked similarity in clinical features of affected siblings within the same family.The clinical characteristics are as following: (1) The age at inset of hearing loss seems similar. There is a difference of 1 or 2 years in two families znc 3 to 10 years in the other four. (2) The side of first hearing loss is the same in affected individuals of 6 families. (3) The propositi are females in 5 families (83.3%). (4) Auditory curve of hearing loss is similar in 4 familiers, and different in the other two. (5) The footplate lesions are similar in macroscopic features, thin footplate in two fimalies and thick footplate in the other four.

Objective:To probe the method of isolating outer hair cells (OHC) from each of four turns of the guinea-pig cochlea. Method:From eight guinea pigs the organ of Corti from each of four turns of the cochlea were dissected, and then treated using enzyme. Result:A fair amount of living OHCs from each of four turns were obtained. The length of OHCs from each of four turns were 23.81,34.50,60.48 and 71.37 μm. Conclusion:The key to success in isolating OHCs from each of four turns of the cochlea is to know very well the anatomical characteristics of each of four turns of the cochlea and be operated in accordance with normal rules.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between herpesviridae and malignant or benign laryngeal diseases.Method:128 paraffin-embedded laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and laryngeal epithelium hyperplastic lesions were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-ISH for herpesviridae. Result:HSV-1 was detected in 10 cases by PCR,among them 3 were laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC),1 was carcinoma in situ(CIS),4 were laryngeal polyps and 2 were laryngeal keratosis. Except 1 LSCC and 1 CIS, 8 of 10 cases were positive while detected by PCR-ISH. In benign diseases, signals were shown from basal layer to superficial cell; in malignant lesions, the signals were scattered in the diseases.Conclusion:Most of laryngeal diseases were not related to herpesviridae, but HSV-1 may acts as initiator in the development of a few cases.

Objective To establish a method for resuming the three dimensional shape of micro-structures in the inner ear and for designing the surgical approach of the posterior ampullary nerve (PAN) assisted by computer. Methods Four normal temporal bones were harvested within 24 hours after death and processed according to the traditional celloidin sectioning protocol. With the reference points to determine accurate orientation, the structural contours of each serial section were entered into an imaging computer via a digitizer. The data files were generated by a reconstruction software to display 3-D images of the structures on the computer monitor. The measuring software written by authors was adapted to obtain 3-D parameters and carry out surgical approach calculation and simulation of the PAN transection on the imaging computer.Results The lifelike 3-D images of the PAN and its neighboring structures and many important 3-D anatomic parameters were obtained. The PAN can be dissected completely and perfectly without damaging itself and its neighboring structures. For the exposure of the round window membrane (RWM), the postero-superior bony edge of the round window niche (RWN) was partially removed with a diamond bur. The limit in removing bony tissue of the RWN which suggested by the measuring results should be 1 mm superiorly and 2 mm posteriorly, otherwise the RWM might be damaged. A mathematical method which has the mid-point of inferior margin of the round window membrane as the reference point to find the PAN was built up. The 3-D surgical simulation of the PAN transection can be played step by step on the monitor.Conclusions The technique of computer-aided 3-D reconstruction which was introduced into the process of the micro-surgery's study and design, provides abundant anatomic knowledge and useful information for the PAN transection. In the near future, the technique of the computer-assisted surgery will be developed consummately and most operations will be performed more effectively and safely.

Abstract:Objective To better understand the cholinergic receptors in vestibular hair cells (VHC) and their subtypes, and to investigate the effects of cholinergic agonists on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i ) in guinea pig VHCs.Methods VHCs were isolated from guinea pig crista ampullaris by enzymatic and mechanical methods. The effect of cholinergic agonists on [Ca2+]i was examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy and the Ca2+ sensitive dye Fluo-3.Results The results showed that the addition of acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol (CCh), muscarnic and nicotinic agonists, induced [Ca2+]i increases in all the VHCs, whereas acetylcholine bromide (ACh-Br), a nicotinic agonist, induced the [Ca2+]i increase in only a small percentage of VHCs. The ACh or CCh-induced Ca2+ response could be partially suppressed by atropine. In the presence of 0.1?mmol/L atropine, the amplitudes of ACh or CCh-induced [Ca2+]i responses became significantly smaller than those in atropine free medium (P<0.01). Conclusions The results suggest the existence of cholinergic receptors in guinea pig VHCs. It is the muscarnic agonists rather than nicontic receptors that dominate [Ca2+]i variation. Atropine can suppress muscarnic agonist-induced Ca2+ responses.

Objective　To investigate the relationship between tinnitus and glucose metabolism in auditory cortex and whether positron emission tomography (PET) can be an objective tool in measuring tinnitus. Methods　Eleven right-handed patients with severe tinnitus and ten right-handed control subjects participated in the 18　 F-FDG/PET study. Analysis with regions of interests was used to calculate asymmetry indices according to the formula: ［(L-R)×100/［(L+R)÷2］］. Results　Glucose metabolism in the auditory cortex of tinnitus patients was asymmetric between the left and right auditory cortices, with that of the left being much higher than that of the right. The asymmetry indices of tinnitus patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (unpaired t test, P<0.001). This revealed that the increased metabolic activity was present in the predominant left hemisphere with a significant focus on the superior and transverse temporal gyri (Brodmann areas 41 and 42, respectively corresponding to primary and secondary auditory cortex), and the results were independent of the subjective localization of the tinnitus sensation. Conclusion　It is suggested that the increased metabolism in the left auditory cortex is related to the tinnitus sensation. PET is capable of providing objective evidence for tinnitus and may be used as a potential tool in measuring tinnitus.