Ossicular chain erosion in chronic otitis media patients with cholesteatoma or granulation tissue or without those: analysis of 915 cases

WOS: 000464861500006PubMed ID: 30759279Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the ossicular chain erosions (OCE) in chronic otitis media patients with cholesteatoma (COM-C) or without cholesteatoma (COM). Materials and methods The OCE and preoperative hearing levels of a total of 915 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups. Of the 915 patients, 615 (67.2%) had COM, 234 (25.6%) had COM-C, and 66 (7.2%) had chronic otitis media with granulation tissue (COM-G). Results OCE was found in 291 (31.8%) of 915 patients. OCE was found in 192 (82%) of 234 patients with COM-C, 21 (31.8%) of 66 patients with COM-G, and 78 (12.7%) of 615 patients with COM. Conclusion The most commonly seen OCE was incus erosion, followed by stapes and malleus erosions. The results of this study show that there are more OCE in the COM-C group than in the COM-G and COM groups. To our knowledge, this study has the widest patient population in the literature focused on the OCE relation with COM, COM-C, and COM-G and its effect on the preoperative hearing level

Could sudden sensorineural hearing loss be the sole manifestation of COVID-19? An investigation into SARS-COV-2 in the etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients presenting with only sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHNL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS The study included five male patients who presented with the sole complaint of unilateral SSNHL to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic between 03–12 April 2020. The patients were referred to the infectious diseases clinic to be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. RESULTS RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in one of the patients and negative in the other four patients. A positive response to COVID-19-specific treatment in the SARS-CoV-2 positive SSNHL patient was noted. CONCLUSION It should be remembered that non-specific symptoms such as SSNHL could be the only sign with which to recognize a COVID-19 case. Awareness of such a non-specific presentation of COVID-19 patients is crucial during this pandemic period for preventing infectious spread through isolation and early initiation of COVID-19 targeted treatment

Tailoring a Behavioral Symmetry on KERMA, Mass Stopping Power and Projected Range Parameters against Heavy-Charged Particles in Zinc-Tellurite Glasses for Nuclear Applications

We present the behavioral changes and symmetrical enhancement on KERMA, mass stopping power and projected range parameters against heavy-charged particles through Indium (In) and Tantalum (Ta) incorporations for various zinc-tellurite glass groups such as TZI and ZTT for nuclear applications. SRIM and PAGEX codes are utilized for the determination of investigated attenuation parameters for alpha and proton particles. In KERMA calculations, the ZTT7 sample is reported to have the greatest release of charged particles because of an increase in kinetic energy. The mass stopping power values of all absorbent glass materials are steadily increased from 0 MeV to 0.1 MeV. TZI and ZTT attained their maximum mass stopping power at a kinetic energy value of 0.1 MeV. While comparable behavior patterns are seen for various energy values on the examined energy scale, the ZTT7 sample is observed with lower mass stopping power and projected range values against proton particles than the other samples. It can be concluded that zinc-telluride glasses through maximum Ta-reinforcement may be considered as promising materials for stopping the proton and alpha particles. Moreover, Ta-reinforcement may be considered as a monotonic tool in terms of providing a symmetry for attenuation enhancement against heavy-charged particles