Objectives: . This study aimed to investigate whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides useful information about the microstructures of the middle and inner ear via extratympanic approach and thereby could be utilized as an alternative diagnostic technology in ear imaging. Methods: . Five rats and mice were included, and the swept-source OCT system was applied to confirm the extent of visibility of the middle and inner ear and measure the length or thickness of the microstructures in the ear. The cochlea was subsequently dissected following OCT and histologically evaluated to compare with the OCT images. Results: . The middle ear microstructures such as ossicles, stapedial artery and oval window through the tympanic membrane with the OCT could be confirmed in both rats and mice. It was also possible to obtain the inner ear images such as each compartment of the cochlea in the mice, but the bone covering bulla needed to be removed to visualize the inner ear structures in the rats which had thicker bulla. The bony thickness covering the cochlea could be measured, which showed no significant differences between OCT and histologic image at all turns of cochlea. Conclusion . OCT has been shown a promising technology to assess real-time middle and inner ear microstructures noninvasively with a high-resolution in the animal model. Therefore, OCT could be utilized to provide additional diagnostic information about the diseases of the middle and inner ear.

Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor which arises from vascular smooth muscle. It originates primarily in the upper and lower extremities, but several isolated cases have been described. Although angioleiomyoma has a benign nature, there is a potential risk of malignant change and recurrence in case of incomplete resection. We acknowledge that venous type angioleiomyoma on the posterior surface of auricle has not been reported in the Korean literature. We report a rare case of 49-year-old male who had angioleiomyoma originating from the auricle along with a literature review.
Angiomyoma ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Recurrence

Complete removal is most important in treating the malignant tumor from the auricle, but the cosmetic and reconstructive plan after removal should also be considered because auricular appearance contributes enormously to the facial aesthetics. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), which is commonly used in dermatology, is considered as minimal marginal surgery that offers superior cure rates in the treatment of facial skin cancer. Therefore, MMS could provide a minimally invasive way to manage the malignant tumor of the auricle. This article reports that basosquamous cell carcinoma arising in the auricle was treated with wide resection combined with MMS. Conclusively, we could accomplish the surgical purpose of both completely removing the tumor and maintaining the auricular aesthetic shape by additionally introducing MMS in the treatment.
Dermatology ; Esthetics ; Mohs Surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Qualitative and quantitative data of tinnitus are both important to obtain necessary information for assessing tinnitus evaluation. But contrary to quantitative questionnaire, qualitative data is not standardized in Korea. This study aimed to standardize the qualitative data of tinnitus by developing a Korean-type integrated qualitative tinnitus questionnaires. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of Korean otolaryngologists was performed. The questionnaires were administered to otologists who were registered as participants in the tinnitus study group of otology research interest group (ORIG). RESULTS: Most of the otologists (100% of responders) have used the quantitative tinnitus questionnaire measurement (90.5%), but only 76% have used qualitative tinnitus questionnaire. From the responses of otologists who regularly use qualitative questionnaire, 25 items were adopted from the 35 item list. Questionnaire items were selected according to the frequency of listed items in the individual lists. CONCLUSION: We made a qualitative questionnaire consisting of 25 items that were essential and widely accepted. We expect this work will integrate and standardize qualitative tinnitus questionnaires in Korea.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Korea ; Methods ; Otolaryngology ; Public Opinion ; Qualitative Research ; Tinnitus*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is still unclear, but recently, chronic inflammation and thrombosis have received attention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are some of the markers that show the state of inflammation and ischemia, which are measured routinely in the complete blood cell count (CBC) test. The aim of this study were to investigate the relevance of NLR and PLR with ISSNHL. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Enrolled in our retrospective analysis were 103 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL. Blood samples were taken from the patients and hearing assessments were performed. NLR and PLR were calculated using the CBC results. Then the patients were divided into 4 groups using Sigel's criteria according to their response to the treatment, which were again classified two groups, the “recovered” and “unrecovered” group. RESULTS: NLR, PLR, and neutrophil values of the unrecovered group were significantly higher than the recovered group (p=0.002, p=0.009, and p=0.038, respectively). On the other hand, lymphocyte values were significantly higher in the recovered group (p=0.007). After adjustment in a multivariate logistic regression analysis, NLR was associated with the recovery of ISSNHL (Odds ratio=1.290, p=0.042). In addition, NLR and PLR values were also significantly different between the groups classified by the Sigel's criteria (p=0.009 and p=0.029, respectively). CONCLUSION: PLR values may be useful in predicting hearing recovery after treatment in patients with ISSNH. It is also expected to be a potential marker for predicting the prognosis and determining further treatment options.
Biomarkers ; Blood Cell Count ; Hand ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Ischemia ; Logistic Models ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Neutrophils ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis

Posterior semicircular canal dehiscence represents a third-window lesion manifesting as hearing loss with vestibular dysfunction. Computed tomography findings of a dehiscent posterior canal can be verified with increased vestibular evoked myogenic potential responses as in other third-window lesions. The jugular bulb is the bulbiform connection between the sigmoid sinus and the internal jugular vein at the skull base. High jugular bulb can erode into inner ear structures. According to the literature review, there has been no case report about posterior semicircular canal dehiscence caused by high jugular bulb in Asia. Therefore, the authors report a case with a review of literature.
Asia ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Ear, Inner ; Hearing Loss ; Jugular Veins ; Semicircular Canals* ; Skull Base

Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor which arises from vascular smooth muscle. It originates primarily in the upper and lower extremities, but several isolated cases have been described. Although angioleiomyoma has a benign nature, there is a potential risk of malignant change and recurrence in case of incomplete resection. We acknowledge that venous type angioleiomyoma on the posterior surface of auricle has not been reported in the Korean literature. We report a rare case of 49-year-old male who had angioleiomyoma originating from the auricle along with a literature review.

Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) have been treated by transarterial or transvenous embolization, surgery, and radiosurgery. Besides these treatment options, the external compression technique is a non-invasive, low-cost form of treatment. This article reports that a 60-year-old man with DAVF between multiple arterial branches and transverse/sigmoid sinus was treated by repeated external manual compression method.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Humans ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Radiosurgery ; Tinnitus*

Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) have been treated by transarterial or transvenous embolization, surgery, and radiosurgery. Besides these treatment options, the external compression technique is a non-invasive, low-cost form of treatment. This article reports that a 60-year-old man with DAVF between multiple arterial branches and transverse/sigmoid sinus was treated by repeated external manual compression method.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Humans ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Radiosurgery ; Tinnitus*

OBJECTIVES: Mèniére's disease is one of the most common causes of episodic vestibular syndrome that shows symptom complexes of recurrent vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness. Isosorbide (Isobide) is a osmotic diuretics which has been used for Meniere's disease to reduce the endolymphatic pressure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of isosorbide in the treatment of Mèniére's disease by comparing the combined therapy of isosorbide and betahistine (Meniace) to betahistine only. METHODS: Among 220 patients enrolled with Mèniére's disease from 9 centers, 187 patients completed this clinical study. Patients were randomly subjected either to betahistine alone therapy at dose of 6 mg three times a day (n=97) or to combined therapy with isosorbide (dose of 30 mL three times a day) and betahistine (n=90) for 12 weeks. Two groups were compared at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment on frequency of vertigo, hearing level (pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry), electocochleography (ECoG), tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, THI) and quality of life (Korean functional level scale, Korean dizziness handicap inventory). RESULTS: During first 4 weeks after treatment, the frequency of vertigo was not reduced in either betahistine alone therapy group or combined therapy group. However, between 8 and 12 weeks, the frequency of vertigo was significantly reduced in either group, and in the combined group frequency of vertigo was more significantly reduced than in the betahistine alone therapy group (p=0.041). The hearing level, ECoG, tinnitus and quality of life was not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: Isosorbide and betahistine combined therapy were more effective for vertigo control than betahistine alone therapy. Isosorbide is an effective diuretic in vertigo control in definite Mèniére's disease.
Audiometry, Speech ; Betahistine ; Clinical Study ; Diuretics, Osmotic ; Dizziness ; Ear ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Isosorbide ; Meniere Disease ; Quality of Life ; Tinnitus ; Vertigo