OBJECTIVE TESTS FOR THE EVALUATION OF COCHLEAR IMPLANT CANDIDATES

Introduction: Cochlear implant indications have changed during the last decade. The objective tests are important in the cochlear implantation procedure. Purpose of the study: We proposed an evaluation for the objective tests in establishing a corect indication for cochlear implant in patients with bilateral sensorineural deafness. Materials and methods: We studied a group of 34 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss tested by subjective and objective methods for an eventual cochlear implantation. Results: 74% of the patients presented a profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, 15% a severe type, 4% medium, 3% fluctuant and 4% cofosis. The examined patients fulfill the auditory criteria that justify the cochlear implant procedure. Discussions: The evaluation by subjective tests is followed by objective tests, offering provative evidence in clear cases and also in unclear ones. As a supplimentary measure, all the patients evaluated by subjective tests in establishing the possibility for cochlear implantations received at least one objective form of testing. Conclusions: Currently, the objective tests represent an important step in the reccomandation for cochlear implant. In all cases (excepting young children) the objective tests are compared/correlated with the subjective tests before the implantation procedure, specially with the subjective evaluation by a conventional prosthesis

THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF ACOUSTIC MICRO SENSORS BASED ON MAGNETOSTRICTIVE NANOFIBERS

Introduction: The introduction of implantable devices in the human body determines a series of issues regarding their long-term tolerance. The biological tests represent the most critical stage in the biocompatibility assessment. Purpose of the Study: We proposed the testing of various materials that might be used in the development of implantable devices that function as auditory sensors. Materials and Methods: We conducted in vivo tests (on experience animals – white rats) for the biocompatibility of magnetostrictive materials based on FeGa20 and Co75Fe10B15. We implanted a sample from each material in the interface of the subcutaneous cellular tissue and paravertebral muscles. The biochemical and cellular modifications and also the immune response are evaluated at 14, 60 and 120 days from the implantation. Results: The results at 14, 60 and 120 days were similar for the both types of implanted materials: normal teguments (epidermal tissue of normal thickness, numerous hair follicles, dermal and hypodermal tissues without any modifications) and a normal layer of skeletal muscle fibers. Discussions: The material biocompatibility was assessed by histological examination of the organsim reaction to the implantated foreign body. The lack of biocompatibility is characterised by acute or chronic inflammatory reaction at the site of implantation, with the presence of inflammatory cells as the determinant criteria. Conclusions: Based on the prelevated histological materials examined macroscopically and microscopically we can conclude that, after 3 succesive tests, the evaluated materials (FeGa20, Co75Fe10B15) are biocompatible

STUDY REGARDING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS AND THE PREVALENCE OF HEAD-NECK CARCINOMA

Background and aim Substantial evidence supports an association between chronic infections/inflammation, and cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of chronic periodontitis on head and neck squamouscell carcinoma (HNSCC). Material and methods The study population consisted of 46 patients, divided into two groups. Cases were patients diagnosed with primary HNSCC (n=26). Controls were all patients seen during the same period of time but negative for malignancy (n=20). The severity of periodontitis was assessed through clinical determination of the bleeding index, periodontal index, tooth mobility degree and alveolar bone loss (ABL) on standardized panoramic radiographs. Results and discussions: Each millimeter of ABL was associated with >4-fold increased risk of HNSCC. The strength of the association was greatest in the oral cavity, followed by the oropharynx and larynx. The association persisted in subjects who never used tobacco and alcohol. Patients with periodontitis, whose bleeding and periodontal indices and tooth mobility values were higher, were more likely to have poorly differentiated oral cavity SCC than those without periodontitis (32.8% versus 11.5%; P = 0.038). Conclusions This study suggests that chronic periodontitis is a risk factor for HNSCC. These results have implications for practical and improved strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HNSCC