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Objective:Immunity is associated with acute low tone hearing loss. However, the exact pathophysiology of immunity-mediated acute low tone hearing loss remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the presence, therapeutic effectiveness, and immunopathological mechanisms of anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECEs) in patients with acute low-frequency hearing loss.Material and Methods:Forty-nine patients who were treated as inpatients having acute low-frequency hearing loss and additional symptoms, such as ear fullness, tinnitus, dizziness, or hyperacusis, were enrolled in this study. Serum samples from these patients were collected for laboratory serum autoimmunity detection, including AECAs, antinuclear antibodies, immunoglobulin, and circular immune complex. Therapeutic responses to combination therapy in short-term outcome and serum cytokine levels were compared between AECA-positive and AECA-negative patients.Results:Anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies–positive patients tended to show significantly less response to standard therapy compared with AECAs controls ( P < .05). Moreover, some serum cytokine levels elevated in both AECAs− and AECAs+ groups. Positive ratio of interleukin-8 and concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α were found higher in AECAs+ groups ( P < .05).Conclusion:The results supported that AECAs might wield influence on the short-term outcome of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) treatment. Furthermore, AECA-mediated acute low-frequency hearing loss possibly involved dysregulation of inflammation process and release of cytokines.

Objective: To study the clinical anatomy of the epitympanum, the attic, and its medial wall, to try to discover a new clinical operation-related anatomical landmark, and to investigate the adjacent anatomical relationship with this landmark. Materials and Methods: Eight donor temporal bone specimens were dissected endoscopically. For 29 healthy persons (17 males and 12 females), CT images of the temporal bone (57 ears) were taken, 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction and multidimensional plane reconstruction were performed, and identification and assessment of 3-D spatial relationships between any 2 of these complex structures were done. Results: 3-D images of the temporal bone structures including the facial nerve, the cochlea, the semicircular canal, and the brain plate were reconstructed and shown in detail. We discovered a new clinical surgery-related anatomical landmark (the “cog” tangent and the trailing edge of the cog). Based on the tangent and the trailing edge of the cog, we quantified the anatomical relationship between it and its neighboring important structures. Conclusion: Based on endoscopic anatomy and the temporal bone spiral CT 3-D structure reconstruction of the epitympanum, the attic, and the adjacent structures, we found an extension of the clinical significance the cog. Quantification of the adjacent anatomical relationship of this landmark is very important for otology microsurgical operation.

Background/Purpose: To retrospectively analyze the epidemiological features, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of 610 patients with maxillofacial fractures, while providing a reference for the prevention and optimized treatment of maxillofacial fractures. Methods: Data of patients with maxillofacial fractures who were treated and followed up at the Second People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture from June 2012 to April 2018 were summarized. The epidemiological features, clinical manifestations, fracture sites, treatment methods, and results were analyzed. Results: The highest incidence was in the age range of 20 to 49 years. The main cause of fracture was traffic injury. Mandibular fractures accounted for 37.77%, zygoma and zygomatic arch fractures for 37.00%, and maxillary fractures for 21.19%. Atypical zygomatic arch fractures were more common in the maxilla, followed by Le Fort I and II fractures. Closed fractures accounted for 85.97%. Many (73.39%) patients were treated with computed tomography 3-dimensional (3D)-mediated precision modified incision internal fixation with satisfactory results. Conclusions: There is a high incidence of maxillofacial fractures among young men, especially in summer, with the most common injuries being traffic-related injuries. The most common site is the mandible, followed by the zygomatic arch, zygomatic complex, and maxilla. Computed tomography 3D-mediated precision modified incision internal fixation can achieve satisfactory results.

Objective: To explore and quantify the surgically relevant anatomic relationships and three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the supralabyrinthine space, and enable a deeper, clearer understanding of its regional anatomy. Materials and Methods: 3D-DOCTOR software was used to create a 3D reconstruction of the axial CT images and multiplanar reformatting of 55 slices of temporal bone in 29 patients (17 males and 12 females), whose average age was 38.69 ± 17.81 years. The 3D relationships between the mutual complex structures were displayed graphically and measured. Results: The important structures within the temporal bone were displayed in detail. 3D relationships between the structures in the temporal bone, such as the ossicles, facial nerves, labyrinth, and skull base, were quantified. Conclusion: Quantification of surgically relevant anatomic relationships and the morphology of the supralabyrinthine space in three dimensions are very helpful in surgical dissection.

To explore the structural characteristics of the cochlea in three-dimensional (3D) detail using 3D micro-computed tomography (mCT) image reconstruction of the osseous labyrinth, with the aim of improving the structural design of electrodes, the selection of stimulation sites, and the effectiveness of cochlear implantation. Three temporal bones were selected from among adult donors' temporal bone specimens. A micro-CT apparatus (GE eXplore) was used to scan three specimens with a voxel resolution of 45 μm. We obtained about 460 slices/specimen, which produced abundant data. The osseous labyrinth images of three specimens were reconstructed from mCT. The cochlea and its spiral characteristics were measured precisely using Able Software 3D-DOCTOR. The 3D images of the osseous labyrinth, including the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals, were reconstructed. The 3D models of the cochlea showed the spatial relationships and surface structural characteristics. Quantitative data concerning the cochlea and its spiral structural characteristics were analyzed with regard to cochlear implantation. The 3D reconstruction of mCT images clearly displayed the detailed spiral structural characteristics of the osseous labyrinth. Quantitative data regarding the cochlea and its spiral structural characteristics could help to improve electrode structural design, signal processing, and the effectiveness of cochlear implantation. Clin. Anat. 30:39-43, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are locally invasive, osteolytic, and hypervascular tumors. If the labyrinth has not been invaded, the hearing should be preserved in operation.To summarize three cases of ELST and discuss whether to keep hearing in the surgical treatment of ELST.Complete otorhinolaryngological examinations with audiologic, vestibular, and neurologic evaluations were performed. CT and MRI scans were carried out before operation and in the course of follow-up. The patients underwent radical removal of the tumor through a transmastoid approach and accepted postoperative radiotherapy. In two of them, the structure of the labyrinth and facial nerve were preserved in operation.Histopathologic examinations agreed with features of an ELST. Patients suffered transitory vertigo shortly after operation, and so far, they are alive and well without further cranial nerve involvement. Case 3 patient has good hearing and facial nerve function now. No residual or recurrent tumor was detected on the postoperative MRI images.

To study the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal based on three-dimensional reconstruction of temporal bone CT, and provide a quantitative data for the middle ear and mastoid surgery.Reconstruction of adult axial CT images shows the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal. Using the Able Software 3D-DOCTOR 3.5 to show and measure the angle of the vertical and pyramidal segment of the facial nerve canal and to analyze the features and regularity based on the measured data.According to the angle of the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal based on the three-dimensional reconstruction model. A certain regularity has been found in the direction and the angle of different segments of the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal.The temporal bone CT three-dimensional reconstruction can accurately show the characteristic and angle of the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal. The characteristics and quantitative angle of the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve canal from the anatomical viewpoint for clinical utility could keep the vertical and pyramidal segment of facial nerve from injury in temporal bone surgery.

To explore a set of quantitative methods to determine the position of the facial nerve based on three-dimensional CT reconstruction of temporal bone structures on personal computer, which can provide a series of important parameters for ear and the lateral skull base surgery.The internal structures of temporal bone were reconstructed based on a set of axial CT images of adult patients, the complicated relationship and their morphologic characteristics were clearly presented by using Able Software 3D-DOCTOR. The precise measurement of some parameters between facial nerve and its adjacent structures could easily be processed with the software. Based on all obtained data, the relationship of facial nerve and its adjacent structures were effectively summarized and analyzed.Three-dimensional images, including the facial nerve, tympanic anulus, auditory ossicles, chochleariform process, pyramidal eminence, internal auditory, the cochlea, semicircular canal, jugular fossa and carotid artery in the temporal bone, were reconstructed. Some parameters obtained from measuring the distance or angle between the facial nerve and its adjacent structures in the three-dimensional models had some extent regularity, which were benefit to design surgical approach and determine the position of facial nerve during relevant operation.CT 3D reconstruction can accurately display the detailed internal structures anatomy of the temporal bone and their quantitative spatial relationships.

Objective To investigate an effective method of quantitative analysis of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures on the basis of three-dimensional (3D) CT image reconstruction of the temporal bone. Methods The inner structures of the temporal bone from CT images of 34 healthy adults were reconstructed. Precise measurement of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures were accomplished by using Able Software 3D-DOCTOR. Results 3D images of temporal bone structures, including facial nerve, tympanic annulus, cochleariform process, cochlea, semicircular canals, jugular fossa, and carotid artery, were reconstructed. Quantitative data of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures were analyzed, especially the detailed spatial relationships between the facial nerve and the surface of the mastoid process or tympanomastoid fissure. Conclusion 3D reconstruction of CT images clearly displayed the detailed structures of the temporal bone. Quantitative data of the facial nerve and its adjacent structures are very useful for temporal bone surgery.