Temporal bone posterior wall defect, a new clinic entity?

OBJECTIVE: To define clinical and audiological findings in patients with temporal bone posterior wall defects (TBPWD) and to investigate possible relationships between these findings and the characteristics of the defect. MATERIALS and METHODS: The computed tomography (CT) views of 1198 patients with vestibulocochlear symptoms between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively evaluated, and TBPWD and associated anomalies were investigated. Patients who had TBPWD were called back, and clinical and audiological examinations (tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, acoustic reflexes, and otoacoustic emission) were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (2.34%) patients had TBPWD. Twenty-three of them were eligible for the study. Size of the defect was significantly correlated with the presence of tinnitus and/or vertigo (p< 0.005). The cut-off values for the largest size of TBPWD were 1.65 mm [sensitivity: 0.67 and specificity: 0.77 (95% CI: 0.58-0.97); p= 0.04] in case of the presence of tinnitus and 1.85 for vertigo (sensitivity: 0.78 and specificity: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.67-0.99); p= 0.006). In pure tone audiometry tests, mixed-type hearing loss was present in four (17%) patients, sensorineural hearing loss was present in three (13%) patients, and conductive-type hearing loss was present only in one (4%) patient. Otoacoustic emission tests revealed significant differences in signal/noise ratios at frequencies of 500, 750, 1000, and 6000 Hz. CONCLUSION: For the first time in the literature, we defined clinical and audiological findings in patients with TBPWDs. These defects seem to cause more prevalent symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus and disturb the audiological characteristics of patients

Sponge in the belly: postoperative imaging findings of oxidised cellulose (Surgicel®)

Aim: Surgicel (R) is an absorbable material for local haemostasis. Its existence at surgical sites is troublesome since it interferes with the radiological images of postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the postoperative appearances of intraabdominal Surgicel. Materials and methods: Twelve guinea pigs were allocated to 2 groups. Animals with intraperitoneal (n = 6) and retroperitoneal (n = 6) Surgicel pieces were scanned postoperatively. Results: The density and intensity of Surgicel were compared with adjacent tissues. All retroperitoneal haemostats were hypointense compared to tissues next to them in T1W images but hyperintense compared to muscles, and 5 were hyperintense compared to the liver and hypointense compared to fat and the renal cortex in T2W images. All intraperitoneal haemostats were hypointense compared to the liver, fat, and renal cortex in T1W but hyperintense compared to muscles, the liver, and the renal cortex in T2W images. On CT scans, all retroperitoneal haemostats were hyperdense compared to fat tissue and 4 were hypodense compared to liver and muscles. All intraperitoneal haemostats were hypodense compared to muscles and the liver while 5 were isodense compared to fat and hypodense to the renal cortex. Conclusion: Surgicel located intraabdominally could appear radiologically distinct. Considering the surgical site and anatomical spaces of Surgicel could help clinicians to evaluate the situation

Sponge in the belly: Postoperative imaging findings of oxidised cellulose (Surgicel®)

Aim: Surgicel® is an absorbable material for local haemostasis. Its existence at surgical sites is troublesome since it interferes with the radiological images of postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the postoperative appearances of intraabdominal Surgicel. Materials and methods: Twelve guinea pigs were allocated to 2 groups. Animals with intraperitoneal (n = 6) and retroperitoneal (n = 6) Surgicel pieces were scanned postoperatively. Results: The density and intensity of Surgicel were compared with adjacent tissues. All retroperitoneal haemostats were hypointense compared to tissues next to them in T1W images but hyperintense compared to muscles, and 5 were hyperintense compared to the liver and hypointense compared to fat and the renal cortex in T2W images. All intraperitoneal haemostats were hypointense compared to the liver, fat, and renal cortex in T1W but hyperintense compared to muscles, the liver, and the renal cortex in T2W images. On CT scans, all retroperitoneal haemostats were hyperdense compared to fat tissue and 4 were hypodense compared to liver and muscles. All intraperitoneal haemostats were hypodense compared to muscles and the liver while 5 were isodense compared to fat and hypodense to the renal cortex. Conclusion: Surgicel located intraabdominally could appear radiologically distinct. Considering the surgical site and anatomical spaces of Surgicel could help clinicians to evaluate the situation