Objective:Aural fullness（AF） is one of the common symptoms in ENT outpatient department, the incidence is about 1.4%. Some patients have an unknown etiology and are diagnosed as idiopathic ear congestion. In this paper, the therapeutic effect of gabapentin on some patients with idiopathic ear congestion was studied. Methods:Forty-eight cases of patients with ear distress as the main complaint between January 2024 and September 2024 were examined by questionnaire, specialist physical examination, pure tone audiometry and acoustic impedance. Among them, 19 cases were diagnosed with definite etiology, 29 cases were diagnosed with idiopathic ear congestion, and 7 cases were lost to follow-up in the idiopathic ear congestion group. Twenty-two patients were divided into the administration group（12 cases receiving regular gabapentin treatment for 3-6 weeks） and the control group（10 cases receiving no medication） based on whether they received gabapentin to explore the effect of ear congestion and possible related factors. Results:Among the 12 patients in the medication group, 2 cases of aural fullness disappeared completely, 9 cases had different degrees of relief, and 1 case had no relief Among the 10 patients in the control group, 2 patients' aural fullness disappeared, 1 patient consciously relieved, and the remaining 7 patients had no significant change in ear boredom. According to the Wong-baker Facial expression Scale, the score of ear tightness decreased from 2.83 before medication to 1.51 after medication in the medication group. The remission rate of ear congestion in the medication group was significantly higher than that in the control group（P=0.004）. Conclusion:Gabapentin can be used to treat idiopathic aural fullness, which can reduce the symptoms effectively. This suggests that the occurrence of idiopathic aural fullness may be related to neuralgia and central sensitization.
Humans ; Gabapentin/therapeutic use* ; Amines/therapeutic use* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Male ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids/therapeutic use* ; Ear Diseases/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy difference in the treatment of breast hyperplasia between the combined therapy of auricular point sticking and Xiaopijian and the simple application of Xiaopijian.

METHODSNinety-one patients were randomized into an observation group (46 cases) and a control group (45 cases). In the observation group, the sticking therapy on the auricular points was applied in combination with the oral medication of Chinese herbal medicine, Xiaopijian. Auricular points included Ruxian, Neifenmi (CO18), Luanchan, Shenmen (TF4), Gan (CO2), Pi (CO13). The auricular point sticking therapy was applied once a week on the auricular points of one side alternatively. Xiaopijian was the self-prepared decoction. The main ingredients are radix bupleuri Bupleurum chinense, spica prunellae prunella vulgaris and radix peoniae alba Paeonia lactiflora, 30 mL each time, three times a day. In the control group, Xiaopijian was simply prescribed for oral administration, 30 mL each time, 3 times a day. The treatment was discontinued during menstruation in the two groups. The menstrual cycle of one month made one session of treatment. The treatments for 3 sessions were observed. The scores of symptoms and physical signs, including the degree of breast pain, hardness and size of breast masses as well as the scores of general and supplementary symptoms were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (both P<0. 05). The score reduction in the observation group was much more than that in the control group (11.02±1. 78 vs 9.82±1. 53, P<0. 05). The total effective rate was 95.7% (44/46) in the observation group, higher apparently than 80. 0% (36/45, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of auricular point sticking and Xiaopijian achieves the superior efficacy on breast hyperplasia as compared with the simple application of Xiaopijian.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

In April 2010, pruritic symptoms were recognized in 3 privately-owned Siamese cats raised in Gwangju, Korea. Examination of ear canals revealed dark brown, ceruminous otic exudates that contain numerous live mites at various developmental stages. Based on morphological characteristics of adult mites in which caruncles were present on legs 1 and 2 in adult females and on legs 1, 2, 3, and 4 in adult males while the tarsus of leg 3 in both sexes was equipped with 2 long setae, the mite was identified as Otodectes cynotis. Ten ear mite-free domestic shorthaired cats were experimentally infected with O. cynotis to evaluate the efficacy of 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin spot-on. Live mites were recovered from 1 of 10 treated cats on day 9 post-treatment (PT) while no live mites were observed from the ear canals of treated cats on days 16 and 30 PT. The efficacy of 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin spot-on on O. cynotis in cats was, therefore, 90% on day 9 and 100% on days 16 and 30 PT. This is the first report of otodectosis in 3 cats naturally infested with O. cynotis in Gwang-ju, Korea. Both natural and experimental infestations were successfully treated with 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin spot-on.
Acaricides/*administration & dosage ; Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Cat Diseases/*diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Cats ; Ear Diseases/diagnosis/drug therapy/veterinary ; Female ; Imidazoles/*administration & dosage ; Macrolides/*administration & dosage ; Male ; Mite Infestations/diagnosis/drug therapy/*veterinary ; Nitro Compounds/*administration & dosage ; Psoroptidae/*growth & development ; Republic of Korea ; Solutions/administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONOtorrhoea is a common complaint in Ear, Nose and Throat clinics. This study aimed to establish the pathogens involved in cases of otorrhoea in Singapore, their sensitivity patterns and the effectiveness of empirical management.

METHODSA retrospective chart review was conducted on 91 patients with otorrhoea who had undergone swab cultures between July 2010 and February 2011.

RESULTSOf the 91 cases, 53% were diagnosed empirically as bacterial otitis externa and 25% as otomycosis. Aerobic bacteria accounted for 35.8% of the microorganisms cultured, while 34.7% were fungi and 29.5% were anaerobic bacteria. Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa and Staphylococcus (S.) aureus made up 31.6% and 21.0% of the microorganisms, respectively. 20% of S. aureus grown was methicillin-resistant. Aspergillus was the most common fungus and 19% of cultures were polymicrobial. 38% of patients had their treatment changed on the basis of culture results, as no improvement was observed on follow-up. P. aeruginosa was sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin in 81.8% and 76.0% of patients, respectively, while S. aureus was sensitive to cloxacillin in 93.8% and clindamycin in 87.5% of patients.

CONCLUSIONThe common microorganisms involved in otorrhoea in Singapore are P. aeruginosa, Aspergillus and S. aureus. Resistant strains of Pseudomonas spp. are now present. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is increasingly prevalent and highly sensitive to vancomycin. Aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone-containing eardrops are suitable first-line topical antimicrobials. Cloxacillin may be started should a concomitant oral antimicrobial be warranted empirically or for S. aureus infections. Otomycosis should be considered in patients who show no improvement with antibiotics.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Infective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effectiveness of the granules of eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis (GEPRB) on glucose metabolism for diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin and that on early diabetic rats cochlear histopathology.

METHODIntraperitoneally inject streptozotocin disposable of dose of 55 mg x kg(-1), so that a model of diabetic rats is created, and treated by, and simultaneously treated by Duxil as matched groups for positive, then observe the blood glucose of each group, the histopathology of cochlear, and any circumstantial change of their microstructures.

RESULTGEPRB can reduce the cumulating thickness of the basilar membrane and that of the vascular pattern, so as to tighten up the sparsity of the spiral ganglion cells.

CONCLUSIONGEPRB is rather effective on hypoglycemic for the diabetic rat model, and therapeutic goal can be achieved by improving the pathological changes of the cochlea damaged. The improvement by GEPRB for microangiopathic change of the cochlea capillary is probably the pathological basis of relieving hearing loss.

Animals ; Cochlea ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Diabetes Complications ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of different concentration of Tamoxifen ointment on the fibroblasts and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta2) of hypertrophic scar at rabbit ears, so as to explore the possibility of treatment of hypertrophic scar with Tamoxifen.

METHODSThe hypertrophic scar model was established in 96 New Zealand rabbits' ears. The wounds were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), with 144 wounds in each group. Different concentration of tamoxifen ointment (0.5%, 1%, 2%) was topically administered in groups A, B and C respectively, and blank ointment in group D. On postoperative day 30, 60 and 90, the scar samples were harvested. The scar thickness, scar histological change and the content of TGF-beta2 were detected.

RESULTS(1) On the 30th day after operation, the difference of scar tissue thickness among groups A, D and B, C reached statistical significance (group A, D < group B < group C). However, there was a contrary tendency in fibroblasts density and TGF-beta2 content of the scar tissue simultaneously. (2) On 60th, 90th day after injury, there was statistical difference in scar thickness, fibroblasts density and the content of TGF-beta2 in scar of four groups (P < 0.05). The content of TGF-beta2 in group A, B, C, D was (43.97 +/- 3.63) microg/L, (41.92 +/- 3.91) microg/L, (36.69 +/- 4.15) microg/L, (54.90 +/- 4.71) microg/L, respectively, on 60th day; and (45.69 +/- 2.63) microg/L, (40.43 +/- 3.87) microg/L, (38.76 +/- 3.24) microg/L, (52.59 +/- 4.92) microg/L, respectively, on 90th day. The fibroblasts density of scar in groups A, B, C, D was (4392.07 +/- 327.84) point/mm2, (4208.57 +/- 329.76) point/mm2 (4 033.44 +/- 427.91) point/mm2, (4863.03 +/- 387.98) point/mm2, respectively, on 60th day; and (4418.41 +/- 432.52) point/mm2, (4077.65 +/- 386.70) point/mm2, (3844.53 +/- 354.29) point/mm2, (4838.64 +/- 390.52) point/mm2, respectively, on 90th day. The content of TGF-beta2 and fibroblasts density of scar were lined up as group D > group A > group B > group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTopical Tamoxifen can reduce the content of TGF-beta2 and fibroblast, decrease fibroblasts density and the formation of hypertrophic scar at rabbit ears. It offers a new way for the treatment of the hypertrophic scar.

Animals ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Ointments ; Rabbits ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo research the effects of Alligator Zhikegao on relieving cough, dispelling phlegm and anti-inflammation.

METHODThe coughing tests in mice, the phenol red secreting tests in mice, ear edema tests in mice,and paw edema tests and subcutaneous cotton ball granuloma in rats were adopted for observing the related pharmacological effects of Alligator Zhikegao.

RESULTAlligator Zhikegao could obviously prolong the latent period and decrease the times of mouse coughing, and remarkably inhibit the mouse ear edema (P < 0.001), the rat paw edema and the hyperplasia of subcutaneous cotton ball granuloma in rats. Alligator Zhikegao 11.70 g x kg(-1) could significant improve the carbonic clearances of macrophages (P <0.05) and the hemolysin level in serum (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONAlligator Zhikegao has significant effects on relieving cough, dispelling phlegm, anti-inflammation and immunological regulation.

Alligators and Crocodiles ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Antitussive Agents ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Expectorants ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Granuloma ; drug therapy ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo find corresponding relationship between the fingerprint of Houttuynia cordata injections from different factories and their effects.

METHODSHouttuynia cordata injections from six different factories were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectra (GC-MS), and GC fingerprints were classified by hierarchical clustering. The anti-inflammatory activity of Houttuynia cordata injections was characterized through the rat pleurisy model induced by carrageenin and the mice ear edema model by dimethylbenzene.

RESULTSThe anti-inflammatory effect of the injections from the first class factories on the two model was significant, while those from the second class not. GC-MS analysis result indicated that main effect compounds in Houttuynia cordata injections are methyl n-nonyl ketone, decanoylacetaldehyde, lauryl aldehyde, capryl aldehyde, beta-pinene, beta-linalool, 1-nonanol, 4-terpineol, alpha-terpineol, bornyl acetate, n-decanoic acid and acetic acid, geraniol ester etc.

CONCLUSIONThere is corresponding relationship between the fingerprint of Houttuynia cordata injections and effect to a certain extent.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Carrageenan ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Ear Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Houttuynia ; chemistry ; Injections ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pleurisy ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Quality Control ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Xylenes

Invasive aspergillosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. And there has been substantial increase in the number of cases documented at autopsy in all developed nations. There are probably many factors responsible for this substantial increase, but they include the following: greater numbers of transplantation patients; more aggressive chemotherapy for such conditions as myeloma, breast cancer, and certain lymphomas; more aggressive immunosuppressive regimens for patients with autoimmune disease; and the emergence of AIDS. The use of hepafiltration and, in particular, laminar air flow reduces the risk of invasive aspergillosis. The portal of entry for Aspergillus include the respiratory tract, damaged skin or other operative wounds, the cornea, and the ear. The majority of patients (80~90%) have pulmonary disease, but some have other manifestations of disease, including aspergillus rhinosinusitis. Prognosis of invasive aspergillosis has in general relied on making a prompt diagnosis of infection, and early treatment. Unfortunately, the rapid diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is difficult, as no rapid methods to establish definitely the diagnosis of infection are available in most clinical settings. An ELISA for detecting Aspergillus galactomannan is used to establish an early diagnosis in Western Europe. Invasive aspergillosis carries a nearly 100% mortality if untreated. There are currently two antifungal agents with activity against Aspergillus-amphotericin B and itraconazole. Several novel agents are under investigation, including Liposomal nystatin (Nyotran), Voriconazole, Posaconazole, Caspofungin. The most advanced azole is the voriconazole, which has shown good clinical efficacy and tolerability among immunocompromised patients with invasive aspergillosis.
Antifungal Agents ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Autopsy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cornea ; Danazol ; Developed Countries ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Ear ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Europe ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Itraconazole ; Lung Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Mortality ; Nystatin ; Prognosis ; Respiratory System ; Skin ; Wounds and Injuries

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare condition characterized by paroxysms of lancinating pain in the regions of the tonsil, ear, larynx and tongue. The pain is typically triggered by activities such as swallowing, speaking or coughing. Fifty-seven years old female patient had suffered paroxysms of severe pain in the unilateral region of the glossopharyngeal innervation for several years, and long term drug therapy result in serious pancytopenia probably due to carbamazepine. The patient with idiopathic glossopharyngeal neuralgia received glossopharyngeal nerve block and her symptoms were relieved completely. Glossopharyngeal nerve block with alcohol was done by extraoral approach and satisfactory results were obtained.
Carbamazepine ; Cough ; Deglutition ; Drug Therapy ; Ear ; Female ; Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases* ; Glossopharyngeal Nerve* ; Humans ; Larynx ; Palatine Tonsil ; Pancytopenia ; Tongue