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Objectives To compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing additional procedures in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (End-DCR) surgery and discuss the factors affecting the success of End-DCR surgery in light of relevant literature. Methods The study included 155 patients who underwent End-DCR surgery in our clinic due to epiphora. This was a prospective randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. Group I (control) included 54 patients who did not undergo silicone stent insertion or silver nitrate application, group II included 51 patients who underwent silicone stent insertion only, and group III included 50 patients who underwent silver nitrate application only. Statistical analysis was performed on follow-up data regarding anatomic and functional success rates. Results Revision surgery was performed in 16 patients who developed persistent epiphora in the postoperative period, including 6 in group I, 7 in group II, and 3 in group III ( P = .4). The most common reason for revision surgery was stenosis of the neo-ostium ( n = 8), followed by granulation tissue formation ( n = 5) and synechia formation ( n = 3). Granuloma formation was the most common postoperative complication, and a significant difference was found among the groups with regard to granuloma formation ( P = .04). At postoperative month 12, the functional success rate was estimated to be 88%, 86%, and 94%, and the anatomic success rate was estimated to be 94%, 92%, and 96% in groups I, II, and III, respectively, with no significant difference, found among the 3 groups with regard to both rates ( P = .79 and P = .76, respectively). Conclusion The results indicated that stenting and silver nitrate application did not affect surgical success. Our preliminary results on silver nitrate cauterization showed that it is an effective, inexpensive, and practical method to reduce granulation formation in the postoperative period.

The main aims of tympanoplasty are eradication of chronic middle ear disease, repair of the tympanic membrane, and restoration of hearing. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is not a commonly preferred anesthetic agent for tympanoplasty because this agent may increase middle ear pressure and displace the graft. In this study, we researched the surgical outcomes of the underlay tympanoplasty performed with N2O anesthesia. Patients who underwent tympanoplasty were included in this prospective study. A type 1 tympanoplasty was performed in all patients using the underlay technique. Patients were randomized to groups that did and did not receive N2O. Preoperative and postoperative hearing thresholds were evaluated, postoperative pain scores were recorded, and the differences between the groups were statistically evaluated. There were 44 patients who received N2O and 44 who did not. The graft success rate was 93.2% in the N2O-receiving group and 84.1% in the nonreceiving group ( P > .05). Hearing levels improved significantly after surgery in each group ( P < .05), but the difference between the groups was not significant ( P > .05). The postoperative pain score was 3.72 ± 1.3 in the N2O-receiving group and 4.45 ± 2.3 in the nonreceiving group ( P > .05). Nitrous oxide is a cheap, safe, and readily available anesthetic agent that provides acceptable success rates in patients undergoing tympanoplasty.

BACKGROUND The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hearing thresholds. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty women diagnosed with PCOS (mean age, 24.33±6.38 years) and 40 healthy women controls (mean age, 26.38±6.75 years) were included in prospective study. Each case was tested with low (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz), high (4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz) and extended high (EH) (9000-20000 Hz) frequency audiometry. The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, FSH, LH, total testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured in all patients. RESULTS The mean hearing thresholds at EH frequencies were statistically significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p=0.001 right ear and p=0.015 left ear). There were significant positive correlations among free testosterone index (FTI) values and hirsutism scores with EH frequency hearing thresholds. CONCLUSIONS At pure-tone audiometry (PTA) EH frequencies, we detected significantly higher hearing thresholds in PCOS patients than in controls. We also determined that elevated FTI and hirsutism score were positively correlated with elevated hearing thresholds in EH frequencies. These findings support that hyperandrogenism can play a role in the elevation of hearing thresholds in PCOS.

BACKGROUND Nasal polyposis (NP) is the most frequent cause of nasal masses. Despite considerable research on the subject, its etiology has not been fully elucidated, and effective treatment methods have not been developed. Some etiological factors causing low or high expression of genes in genetically predisposed individuals may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression and serum vitamin D with NP. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 46 subjects with NP (NP group) and 40 volunteers (control group). Nasal polyp tissue samples were taken from the NP group and nasal mucosa samples were taken from the control group. Levels of VDR gene expression in the tissue samples were assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 13.38±14.08 ng/ml in the NP group and 10.57±6.44 ng/ml in the control group (p=0.249). VDR gene expression was present in 17.5% of the NP group and 3.3% of the control group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (likelihood ratio χ²=3.887; p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to assess levels of VDR gene expression in subjects with NP. Our results suggest that VDR gene expression may be associated with the pathogenesis or progression of NP.

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder with an estimated prevalence in the general population of 2-5%. Its main clinical features are loud snoring and breathing stoppage during sleep. Ischemia could be a consequence of noise-induced hearing loss because cochlear oxygen tension is reduced during and after noise exposure. In this study, we evaluated auditory function in patients affected by OSA and simple snoring. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 66 participants (male to female ratio: 40:26) were included in the study, of which 21 were in the control group, 18 were in the simple snoring group, and 27 were in the OSA patient group. Polysomnography and audiometric examination were performed in all participants. RESULTS The mean ages of the participants in the control, simple snoring, and OSA groups were 39.14±9.9, 37.28±8.2, and 41.56±8.99 years, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among groups regarding age or sex; however, there were statistically significant differences among groups in body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index scores, mean saturation, and duration under 90% saturation. In addition, statistically significant differences were found between the patient group and the control and simple snoring groups concerning the mean saturation, duration under 90% saturation, and the extended high frequency of hearing. CONCLUSIONS These data show that snoring may cause hearing loss at extended high frequencies.

Objectives. The purpose of the present study is to emphasize the efficacy of the myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in the determination of impaired cardiac functions and recovery period following the treatment in children with adenoid and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Jun;9(2):163-7. doi: 10.21053/ceo.2015.00087. Epub 2016 Apr 19.The Effect of Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy on Right Ventricle Function and Pulmonary Artery Pressure by Using Doppler Echocardiography in Children.Acar OÇ(1), Üner A(1), Garça MF(2), Ece İ(1), Epçaçan S(1), Turan M(2), Kalkan F(3). Author information: (1)Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey. (2)Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey. (3)Department of Otolaryngology, Training and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to emphasize the efficacy of the myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in the determination of impaired cardiac functions and recovery period following the treatment in children with adenoid and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. METHODS: Fifty-three healthy children after routine laboratory, imaging and clinical examinations, with adenoid and/or tonsillar hypertrophy were evaluated before and 3 months after adenotonsillectomy for cardiac functions using M mode and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean age of cases was 6.4±3.0 years, 34 (65%) were male, and 19 (35%) were female. Pulmonary hypertension was observed to be mild in 3 patients and moderate in 1 patient preoperatively. When the preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic measurements of the patients were compared, the tricuspid valve E wave velocity, the E/A ratio (E, early diastolic flow rate; A, late diastolic flow rate), and the TAPSE values were determined to be significantly higher postoperatively (P

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) is a rare group of disorders with a very high percentage of otolaryngologic symptoms and signs. Otolaryngologists play an integral role in the multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of many children with MPSs disorders. Children with MPSs are born without typical symptoms and develop a variety of symptoms over time. Otolaryngological manifestations of MPSs disorders may be especially considered adenotonsillar hypertrophy, otological problems, and airways problems. Otolaryngologic problems and their treatments evaluated on MPSs patients in this article.

Objective Data on the effects of radioiodine (RAI) therapy on systemic inflammation are very limited. The aim of this study is to explore alterations of subclinical systemic inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV), after RAI therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Materials and methods We evaluated 57 DTC patients treated with RAI (RAI group), 37 DTC patients not treated with RAI (non-RAI control group), and 37 age-matched healthy individuals (healthy control group). NLR, PLR, and MPV levels were compared among the study groups; these were also examined after RAI in the RAI group. Results Initially, NLR was significantly higher in the RAI group than in the healthy controls. NLR and PLR increased significantly and MPV decreased significantly 2 months after RAI therapy (P=0.021, 0.001, and 0.008, respectively). Although NLR and PLR levels decreased, they were still high compared with the preoperative values. MPV returned to normal levels at 6 months. These parameters did not change significantly in the non-RAI control group. Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate changes in NLR, PLR, and MPV after RAI therapy. Our findings suggest that NLR, PLR, and MPV changes indicate systemic inflammation that occurs after RAI therapy because of thyroid remnant tissue ablation. Nucl Med Commun 37:393-398 © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by intermittent hypoxia. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between OSA and fatty liver. Material/Methods We enrolled 176 subjects to this study who underwent polysomnography (PSG) for suspected OSA. The control group included 42 simple snoring subjects. PSG, biochemical tests, and ultrasonographic examination were performed all subjects. Results The simple snoring and mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups included 18/42 (42.86%), 33/52 (63.5%), 27/34 (79.4%), and 28/48 (79.2%) subjects with hepatosteatosis, respectively. There were significant differences in hepatosteatosis and hepatosteatosis grade between the simple snoring and the moderate and severe OSA groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI and average desaturation were independently and significantly related to hepatic steatosis. Conclusions Our study shows that BMI and the average desaturation contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver in subjects with OSA. In this regard, sleep apnea may trigger metabolic mitochondrial energy associated processes thereby altering lipid metabolism and obesity as well.

Background: Data describing how laryngeal cancer affects oxidative stress markers and antioxidants are limited. This study investigated serum antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers before and after laryngectomies in patients with laryngeal cancer. Methods: A total of 29 patients with laryngeal cancer and 25 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), catalase (CAT), paraoxonase (PON), and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Blood samples were obtained from each patient just before surgery and 1 month after a laryngectomy. Results: The serum PON, arylesterase, CAT, SOD, and GSHPx activities were significantly decreased (all p

Gradenigo syndrome was defined as a clinical triad of otitis media, severe orbito-facial pain, and ipsilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy. It may occur as a complication of either acute or chronic otitis media. Herein, we will report a case of Gradenigo syndrome induced by suppurative chronic otitis media that was promptly diagnosed and aggressively treated.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent breathing disorder in sleep. It is characterized by intermittent hypoxia leading to hypoxemia, hypercapnia, sleep fragmentation, and increased respiratory efforts. We evaluated the relationship between OSA and myeloperoxidase activity, the oxidative stress index (OSI), total anti-oxidative capacity (TAC), and total oxidative capacity (TOC). METHODS: A total of 70 consecutive subjects (mean age +/- SD: 51.7 +/- 11.7 y) were diagnosed with OSA after a night polysomnography recording between January 2014 and June 2014 consecutively. The subjects in the OSA group were divided according to the severity of the disease into three subgroups, consisting of 11 mild, 17 moderate OSA, and 22 severe OSA subjects. Twenty subjects with simple snoring were considered as the control group. RESULTS: We included a total of 70 subjects: 50 with OSA (11 subjects 6.9% mild, 17 subjects 24.7% moderate, and 22 subjects 68.5% severe) and 20 subjects with simple snoring as control cases. The mean age of the mild OSA subjects was 44.5 +/- 11.7 y, moderate OSA subjects' mean age was 52.5 +/- 11.9 y, and severe OSA subjects' mean age was 52.1 +/- 10.1 y; 54.2% were male. There were statistically significant differences among the 4 groups' OSI, TAC, and TOC levels, but there was no statistically significant difference between the other values. The mean myeloperoxidase, TOC, OSI, and TAC levels were 55 +/- 12, 61.2 +/- 21.1, 3.04 +/- 1.04, and 2.03 +/- 0.4 in the mild OSA group; 58.7 +/- 17.2, 60 +/- 18.9, 3.05 +/- 1, and 2 +/- 0.33 in the moderate OSA group; 56.6 +/- 17.9, 52.1 +/- 17.9, 2.7 +/- 0.76, and 1.94 +/- 0.24 in the severe OSA group; and 49.8 +/- 12.5, 54.3 +/- 16.4, 3.08 +/- 0.88, and 1.78 +/- 0.26 in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there were no differences in studied parameters between control and OSA groups. Furthermore, our low number of cases was a restrictive factor. Further studies should be undertaken to clarify this relation.

An elevation in hearing thresholds and decrease in hearing sensitivity in adults, particularly due to aging, are quite common. Recent studies have shown that, apart from aging, various other factors also play a role in auditory changes. Studies on the association of hearing loss (HL) with obesity are limited in advanced age cases and present contradictions. In this study, the association between obesity and hearing thresholds in women aged 18-40 years has been assessed. Forty women diagnosed with obesity (mean age, 31.8 years) and 40 healthy non-obese female controls (mean age, 30.5 years) were included in this prospective study. Each subject was tested with low (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) and high (4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz) frequency audiometry. In the case and control groups, the average hearing thresholds at low frequencies were 16.03 ± 4.72 and 16.15 ± 2.72 (p = 0.885) for the right ear, respectively, and 16.15 ± 5.92 and 14.71 ± 3.18 (p = 0.180) for the left ear, respectively. The average hearing threshold levels at high frequencies were 20.70 ± 10.23 and 15.33 ± 3.87 (p = 0.003), respectively, for the right ear, and 22.91 ± 15.54 and 15.87 ± 4.35 (p = 0.007), respectively, for the left ear with statistical significance. This is the first report on the association of obesity with hearing threshold in women aged 18-40 years. We have demonstrated that obesity may affect hearing function, particularly that related to high frequencies. Hearing loss can be prevented by avoidance or control of obesity and its risk factors. Moreover, an auditory screening of obese cases at an early stage may provide early diagnosis of HL and may also contribute to their awareness in the fight against obesity.

Objective: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare hypervascular benign tumors that originate from the paraganglia at the carotid bifurcation. The red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) may serve as markers in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases. However, their prognostic value in CBTs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the leukocyte count, MPV, RDW, and NLR before and after surgery in patients with CBTs. Methods: This retrospective trial included data from 80 patients with CBTs and 65 age-matched healthy controls. The leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, RDW, and MPV were extracted and NLR was calculated from the complete blood count results of participants. Results: The leukocyte and neutrophil counts as well as RDW levels were significantly increased in patients with CBTs compared with healthy controls (P = 0.005, P = 0.003, and P = 0.026; respectively). Patients with CBTs had lower lymphocytes counts (P = 0.241) and higher NLRs (P = 0.054); however, the difference was statistically insignificant. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in terms of platelet counts and MPV levels. Furthermore, the leukocyte count, platelet numbers, MPV, RDW, and NLR levels in patients with CBTs were not statistically significant after surgery (all; P > 0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study that documents the increased RDW levels and leukocyte count in patients with CBTs. The combined use of RDW and the leukocyte count along with other clinical assessments can be used as a biomarker for CBTs. Further clinical trials with larger cases series are required to determine the actual predictive roles of these systemic biomarkers.

Chronic otitis media (COM) is completely treated with a single procedure in most patients but may require multiple surgeries in some cases. The main goals of open cavity mastoidectomy are to completely eradicate the disease, create a large enough meatus for examination and mastoid air cells, and provide a self-cleaning epithelized dry cavity, and achieve maximum hearing. In this report, we present a very rare case of COM who underwent revision mastoidectomy in our clinic due to meatal obstruction in the right ear, total sensorineural hearing loss, and pain and tenderness in the postauricular region.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a borderline neoplasm with uncertain malignant potential. The most frequent site of localization is the lungs. The localization in larynx in the head-neck area is rather rare. The 11-year-old female patient had the symptom of hoarse voice, which had been continuing for three years. The laryngoscopy performed showed a polypoid tissue with a wide base, which involved the left vocal cord at full length. The polypoid tissue was completely excised. The histopathological examination performed demonstrated several myofibroblasts with intranuclear pseudo-inclusions, which were surrounded by mixed inflammatory infiltrates in a myxoid stroma. No significant atypia, mitosis and necrosis were observed. The immunochemistry stains were positive for Vimentin, ALK and EMA in neoplastic cells. Alcian blue stain was positive in the myxoid stroma. The case was diagnosed with laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in the light of histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, a rare entity, should definitely be distinguished from malignant laryngeal tumors. Accurate diagnosis ensures that unnecessary and aggressive treatment methods are avoided and complete, organ-salvaging resection adequate for the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor be conducted. J Clin Exp Invest 2015; 6 (3): 315-317

To emphasize the effectiveness of adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme, which has important roles in the differentiation of lymphoid cells, and oxidative stress in patients with chronic tonsillitis. Serum and tissue samples were obtained from 25 patients who underwent tonsillectomy due to recurrent episodes of acute tonsillitis. In the control group, which also had 25 subjects, only serum samples were taken as obtaining tissue samples would not have been ethically appropriate. ADA enzyme activity, catalase (CAT), carbonic anhydrase (CA), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the serum and tissue samples of patients and control group subjects. The serum values of both groups were compared. In addition, the tissue and serum values of patients were compared. Serum ADA activity and the oxidant enzymes MDA and NO values of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001), the antioxidant enzymes CA and CAT values of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, while CA, CAT and NO enzyme levels were found to be significantly higher in the tonsil tissue of the patient group when compared to serum levels (p < 0.05), there was no difference between tissue and serum MDA and ADA activity (p > 0.05). Elevated ADA activity may be effective in the pathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis both by impairing tissue structure and contributing to SOR formation.

Thunderbolt strike is a life-threatening entity. In the patients presenting with thunderbolt strike, the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system should be primarily evaluated, followed by tympanic membrane lesions. The most important symptom connected with ear is the loss of hearing. In this report, a 43-year-old male patient with unilateral tympanic membrane perforation, tinnitus, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss caused by thunderbolt strike is presented through a review of the literature.

The mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) comprise laboratory markers in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). There is a controversy in the literature regarding which type of ear involvement is characteristic of AS. The aim of this study was to simultaneously investigate the MPV, RDW, platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) and NLR in patients with AS and their relationships with high-frequency hearing thresholds. Thirty patients with AS and 35 age-matched healthy subjects were included. Each subject was tested with low- (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) and high- (4000, 8000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000 and 16,000 Hz) frequency audiometry. Additionally, the case and control groups were evaluated regarding the average hearing thresholds in bone conduction. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. The RDW, MPV, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet counts were evaluated with the complete blood count. Furthermore, the NLR and PLR were calculated. The complete blood count, platelet numbers, ESR, CRP and NLR levels were significantly increased in the AS patients compared with the healthy controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.007, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the RDW, PLR or MPV levels (p > 0.05) in the AS patients compared with the healthy controls. The BASDAI score and disease duration were not correlated with the ESR, CRP levels, MPV, PLR, RDW or NLR in patients with AS (all; p > 0.05). The AS patients had increased average measurement values for the hearing threshold in both ears at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz; however, there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The average values of the hearing threshold in both ears at the high frequencies of 4000, 6000, 8000, 10,000, 12,000 and 14,000 Hz were significantly increased in the case group; however, it was not significantly increased at 16,000 Hz. The current study is the first to investigate the PLR, NLR, MPV and RDW levels in acute AS. We identified a significantly increased NLR, leukocyte count, ESR and CRP in AS patients. Sensorineural hearing loss, especially at extended high frequencies, is common in patients with AS and may represent an extra-articular feature of the disease. The combined use of NLR with the leukocyte count and other clinical assessments may facilitate the diagnostic process of ankylosing spondylitis.

Conclusions As is known, this study is the first study to evaluate the effect of inhaled steroids on laryngeal microflora. The data support that ICS usage causes changes in the larynx microflora. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the alteration in larynx microbial flora of the patients treated with ICS comparing the culture results of a control group. In addition, laryngeal microflora was compared to the smears obtained from the vallecula and pharynx. Materials and methods The study included 39 patients (mean age = 45.56 ± 12.76 years) who had been using a corticosteroid inhaler and control group consisting of 27 persons (mean age = 43.07 ± 13.23 years). Culture samples were obtained from the pharynx, larynx, and vallecula in the patient and control groups, and they were evaluated in the microbiology laboratory. Obtained culture results were named by the same microbiologist according to the basic microorganism classification method. Results Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus viridians (VGS) and candida albicans were detected to grow significantly more in the patient group in all three anatomic localizations compared to the control group. Neisseria spp, basillus spp, and Non-viridans alpha-hemolytic streptococcus were detected to grow significantly more in the control group in all three anatomic localizations compared to the patient group.

Objectives: Clinical application of gentamicin may cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Our study is the first study to investigate the protective effects of edaravone against the gentamicin-induced ototoxicity. We investigated the protective effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) edaravone application against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs. Methods: Fourteen guinea pigs were divided into two equal groups consisting of a control group and a study group. One-hundred sixty milligrams per kilogram subcutaneous gentamicin and 0.3 mL i.p. saline were applied simultaneously once daily to seven guinea pigs in the control group (group 1). One-hundred sixty milligrams per kilogram gentamicin was applied subcutaneously and 3 mg/kg edaravone was applied intraperitoneally once daily for 7 days simultaneously to seven guinea pigs in the study group (group 2). Following the drug application, auditory brainstem response measurements were performed for the left ear on the 3rd and 7th days. Results: Hearing threshold values of the group 1 and group 2 measured in the 3rd day of the study were detected as 57.14 ± 4.88 and 82.86 ± 7.56, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Hearing threshold values of the group 1 and group 2 measured in the 7th day of the study were detected as 87.14 ± 4.88 and 62.86 ± 4.88, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: A statistically significant difference between the average threshold values of edaravone-administered group 2 and that of group 1 without edaravone was found. These differences show that systemic edaravone administration could diminish ototoxic effects of gentamicin and the severity of the hearing loss.

Objectives: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) prevents oxidative stress by inhibiting the oxidation of cell membrane lipids by the reactive oxygen species that form during acute and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate serum PON1 activity and oxidative stress in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with COM and 55 controls were enrolled in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of cholesteatoma. The serum PON1 arylesterase activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels were determined. Results: Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in the COM patients than in the controls (P < 0.001 for all comparisons), whereas the LOOH levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001). Discussion: These results indicated that a lower level of PON1 activity was associated with an oxidant–antioxidant imbalance. In addition, decreased PON1 activity may play an important role in the pathophysiology of COM.

In most of the surviving patients after a lightning strike, audiovestibular abnormalities have been reported. The most frequently reported type of abnormalities is a tympanic membrane perforation with hearing loss and external ear canal burn. However a sensor neural hearing loss and mixed type hearing loss can also occur, but these occur rarely. A nineteen-year-old female patient had, after a lightning strike, serious burns on the left ear, behind the ear, and on the chest and neck. She also had in her left ear 108 dB hearing loss with irregular central perforation and in her right ear 52 dB sensorineural hearing loss. There was no hearing loss before the strike. A hearing aid was recommended for the right ear and good care and follow-up were recommended for the left ear. A lightning strike can cause serious audiological damage. Therefore, it is necessary to make a careful audiovestibular evaluation of the patients. Although there exist rarely healed cases from sensorineural hearing loss after lightning strike in literature, in our case hearing loss occurred bilaterally and then it healed unilaterally. This condition is quite rare in literature.

This study was designed to investigate whether extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) exposure to parotid gland produces an oxidative stress in parotid glands of rats. Twelve male Wistar-albino rats, 6 months of age with an average body weight of 250–300 g, were divided randomly into two groups, each consisting of six rats. The animals in the first group did not receive any treatment and served as control. The left parotid glands of animals in group 2 (ESWL treated) received a thousand 18 kV shock waves after anesthetizing the rats with 50 mg/kg of ketamine. The animals in both groups were killed 72 hours after the ESWL treatment, and the parotid glands were harvested for the determination of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH-Px and catalase (CAT). It was found that MDA level increased in parotid glands of rats after the ESWL treatment. The SOD, GSH-Px and CAT enzyme activities, and the level of antioxidant GSH decreased in parotid gland of rats after the ESWL treatment. It was concluded that short-term ESWL treatment caused an increase in the free radical production and a decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activity in parotid glands of ESWL-treated rats.