BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the summating potential (SP)/action potential (AP) ratio of electrocochleography (ECoG) recorded from the position of SP peak. We compared the SP/AP ratios of negative polarity and positive polarity graphs from the same ECoG of each patient by assuming different the position of SP peak. In addition, we attempted to evaluate the utility of two different manners of recording the ECoG graph in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospectively, we analyzed the results of ECoG in 67 patients with unilateral definite Meniere's disease. ECoG was analyzed in two different manners. From the AP peak, the SP peak was determined close when positioned in the negative polarity; on the other hand, SP peak was considered distant when positioned in the positive polarity. The SP/AP ratio was interpreted with reference to the base line value. The ratio of two different ECoG values from each patient of Meniere's disease was calculated. RESULTS: In the abnormal side, the negative polarity ECoG showed significantly greater value of SP/AP ratio (mean: 0.334±0.10) than the positive polarity ECoG (mean: 0.283±0.09) (p<0.001). In the normal side, the negative polarity ECoG, showed significantly greater value of SP/AP ratio (mean: 0.250±0.09) than the positive polarity ECoG (mean: 0.204±0.06), as well as in the abnormal cases (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The standard SP/AP ratio for the diagnosis of Meniere's disease can be variable according to the manner of determining the SP peak.
Action Potentials ; Audiometry, Evoked Response* ; Diagnosis ; Evoked Potentials ; Hand ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Isoflurane, a common anesthetic for cardiac surgery, reduced myocardial contractility in many experimental studies, few studies have determined isoflurane's direct impact on the left ventricular (LV) contractile function during cardiac surgery. We determined whether isoflurane dose-dependently reduces the peak systolic velocity of the lateral mitral annulus in tissue Doppler imaging (S′) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: During isoflurane-supplemented remifentanil-based anesthesia for patients undergoing cardiac surgery with preoperative LV ejection fraction greater than 50% (n = 20), we analyzed the changes of S′ at each isoflurane dose increment (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC]: T1, T2, and T3, respectively) with a fixed remifentanil dosage (1.0 μg/min/kg) by using transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Mean S′ values (95% confidence interval [CI]) at T1, T2, and T3 were 10.5 (8.8–12.2), 9.5 (8.3–10.8), and 8.4 (7.3–9.5) cm/s, respectively (P < 0.001 in multivariate analysis of variance test). Their mean differences at T1 vs. T2, T2 vs. T3, and T1 vs. T3 were −1.0 (−1.6, −0.3), −1.1 (−1.7, −0.6), and −2.1 (−3.1, −1.1) cm/s, respectively. Phenylephrine infusion rates were significantly increased (0.26, 0.22, and 0.47 μg/kg/min at T1, T2, and T3, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Isoflurane increments (1.0–2.0 MAC) dose-dependently reduced LV systolic long-axis performance during cardiac surgeries with a preserved preoperative systolic function.
Anesthesia ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Function Tests ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phenylephrine ; Thoracic Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Pharyngoesophageal stricture formation and dysphagia following total laryngectomy negatively affect quality of life and result in nutritional compromise that can be successfully managed with various techniques. This study was conducted to describe our experiences of office-based balloon dilatation by transnasal endoscopy, which can be performed by an otolaryngologist. METHOD: The present study investigated three patients who underwent transnasal endoscopy guided balloon dilatation of pharyngoesophageal stricture. The assessment was performed based on the number of procedures and recurrences, final subjective outcomes, and complications. RESULT: There were no post-procedural complications. In one patient, a scarric band was found after the procedure; therefore, steroids were injected into the stricture site. There were 2–3 balloon dilatations and the interval between dilatations was 3–6 months. All patients were able to tolerate solid diet after 2 or 3 sessions. CONCLUSION: Transnasal endoscopic balloon dilatation, which can be easily performed by an otolaryngologist in an office setting without sedation or general anesthesia, can be a useful modality for treating pharyngoesophageal stricture after total laryngectomy.
Anesthesia, General ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diet ; Dilatation ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Laryngectomy ; Methods ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Steroids