Hyung Jin Jun

A new patch material for tympanic membrane perforation by trauma: the membrane of a hen egg shell

Abstract Conclusion: The egg shell membrane (ESM) patch may promote tympanic membrane (TM) healing in acute traumatic TM perforation. Objective: To evaluate the use of ESM for treating acute traumatic TM perforation. Methods: We reviewed charts of patients with traumatic TM injury from 2008 to 2011. Treatments were an ESM patch or a perforation edge approximation. We divided patients into two groups according to the treatment used. Each patient was matched by treatment onset and perforation size. We compared healing ratio, healing time, and frequency of otorrhea between the perforation edge approximation group and the ESM patch group. Matched t tests were used for analysis. Results: The healing ratio of the TM showed no significant difference between the two groups, but the time to heal was significantly shorter in the ESM patch group than in the perforation edge approximation group.

Analysis of frequency loss as a prognostic factor in idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract Conclusion: The combination of systemic steroids with intratympanic dexamethasone injection (ITDI) did not result in significantly different outcomes from steroid treatment only and did not have any additional beneficial effects. Objective: To evaluate hearing recovery in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) according to frequency and to compare treatment responses between patients treated with systemic steroids and systemic steroids with ITDI. Methods: Ninety-nine patients with ISSNHL were selected to participate in the study by a retrospective medical chart review. Patients were divided into two groups, systemic steroid treatment only and systemic steroid with adjunctive ITDI. Hearing recovery was evaluated by pure tone audiometry (PTA). All patients underwent PTA examination before treatment and after 3 months. Thresholds were analyzed by frequency along with other factors. Results: Low frequency hearing loss responded better than high frequency loss to PTA. When we analyzed pure tone audiogram patterns, all patterns except for the descending type showed better improvement in patients with lower frequency hearing loss than in patients with higher frequency hearing loss.

The prevalence of hearing loss in South Korea: Data from a population‐based study

In the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in the South Korean population and to understand the correlation between aging, sex, and hearing loss prevalence through the analysis of data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Protective role of edaravone against neomycin-induced ototoxicity in zebrafish.

Aminoglycosides such as neomycin are one of the most commonly prescribed types of antibiotics worldwide. However, these drugs appear to generate free radicals within the inner ear, which can result in permanent hearing loss. We evaluated the effects of edaravone, a neuroprotective agent, on neomycin‐induced ototoxicity in transgenic zebrafish. The 5‐day post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae were exposed to 125 μM neomycin and various concentrations of edaravone for 1 h. Hair cell survival was calculated as average numbers of the hair cells in the control group, which was not exposed to neomycin. Ultrastructural changes were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Edaravone protected against neomycin‐induced hair cell loss in the neuromasts (1000 μM: 11.6 ± 1.1 cells, neomycin only: 5.5 ± 0.5 cells; n = 10, P < 0.05) and decreased the TUNEL reaction for detecting apoptosis. In ultrastructural analysis, structures of mitochondria and hair cells within neuromasts were preserved in zebrafish exposed to 125 μM neomycin and 1000 μM edaravone for 1 h. Edaravone protected against neomycin‐induced hair cell loss by preventing apoptosis. Copyright

Effect of Cigarette Smoking and Passive Smoking on Hearing Impairment: Data from a Population–Based Study

Objectives In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of both active and passive smoking on the prevalence of the hearing impairment and the hearing thresholds in different age groups through the analysis of data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Study Design Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Methods The KNHANES is an ongoing population study that started in 1998. We included a total of 12,935 participants aged ≥19 years in the KNHANES, from 2010 to 2012, in the present study. Pure-tone audiometric (PTA) testing was conducted and the frequencies tested were 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz. Smoking status was categorized into three groups; current smoking group, passive smoking group and non-smoking group. Results In the current smoking group, the prevalence of speech-frequency bilateral hearing impairment was increased in ages of 40−69, and the rate of high frequency bilateral hearing impairment was elevated in ages of 30−79. When we investigated the impact of smoking on hearing thresholds, we found that the current smoking group had significantly increased hearing thresholds compared to the passive smoking group and non-smoking groups, across all ages in both speech-relevant and high frequencies. The passive smoking group did not have an elevated prevalence of either speech-frequency bilateral hearing impairment or high frequency bilateral hearing impairment, except in ages of 40s. However, the passive smoking group had higher hearing thresholds than the non-smoking group in the 30s and 40s age groups. Conclusion Current smoking was associated with hearing impairment in both speech-relevant frequency and high frequency across all ages. However, except in the ages of 40s, passive smoking was not related to hearing impairment in either speech-relevant or high frequencies.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Evidence and Efficacy

Tinnitus is defined as auditory perception without external sound. There is currently no cure for tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a tinnitus treatment that addresses the affected individuals reaction to tinnitus. It aims not to eliminate auditory perception as sound but to reduce or correct ones negative response to tinnitus. CBT identifies negative automatic thought and then evaluates its validity with the patient. It also aims to change negative automatic thought to more positive and realistic thought. In this way, tinnitus sufferers can function well despite the presence of tinnitus. Many studies have supported the efficacy of CBT for treating tinnitus. A meta-analysis of CBT for tinnitus also concluded that CBT is effective in treating tinnitus. Thus, CBT is considered a good option for treating tinnitus. We herein discuss the use of CBT for tinnitus with a literature review.

Correlating the head shake-sensory organizing test with dizziness handicap inventory in compensation after vestibular neuritis.

Objective Despite complaints of dizziness, some patients with unilateral compensated vestibular weakness show normal results on Sensory Organization Test (SOT), which is being widely used for the evaluation of vestibular function compensation. The head shake-sensory organization test (HS-SOT) has been suggested to increase the sensitivity of SOT. In HS-SOT, the patient is required to shake head under Conditions 2 and 5 of traditional SOT. However, the sensitivity of HS-SOT remains unelucidated in patients with vestibular neuritis. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of HS-SOT and SOT and compare them with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) in detecting balance problems in patients with vestibular neuritis complaining of dizziness. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients A prospective analysis was conducted on all vestibular neuritis patients between September 2009 and April 2011. Thirty-two patients with uncompensated vestibular neuritis were enrolled in this study. Patients with acute symptoms of dizziness, orthopedic problems, or any other severe underlying conditions were excluded. Main Outcome Measures Equilibrium and vestibular scores of SOT and equilibrium score ratios of HS-SOT and DHI were obtained from each patient after 1 week and 1, 2, and 6 months of the first attack of vestibular neuritis. Results HS-SOT is more correlated with the DHI than SOT by periods. One month after vestibular neuritis, the correlation between DHI and SOT, HS-SOT Conditions 2 and 5 were −0.301, −0.385, and −0.625, respectively. Six months after vestibular neuritis, the correlation between DHI and SOT, and HS-SOT Conditions 2 and 5 were −0.053, −0.337, and −0.394, respectively. Conclusion HS-SOT was more sensitive than SOT during the compensation of vestibular neuritis. Specifically, during the compensation of vestibular neuritis, HS-SOT Condition 5 was more correlated with DHI than HS-SOT Condition 2. The results suggest that HS-SOT provides more useful measures for the evaluation of vestibular compensation in vestibular neuritis.

Ciglitazone inhibits cigarette smoke solution-induced inflammatory responses in human middle ear epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, plays an important role in the regulation of mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of a PPAR-γ agonist, ciglitazone, on cigarette smoke solution (CSS)-induced inflammation in human middle ear epithelial cell lines (HMEECs). DESIGN HMEECs with or without ciglitazone pre-treatment were exposed to CSS in order to induce the inflammatory response. The suppressive effect of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. RESULTS Stimulation with CSS at 40 μg/ml for 6 h resulted in a 4.1-fold increase in the expression of TNF-α mRNA in the HMEECs. CSS-induced up-regulation of TNF-α mRNA was decreased by more than 2.8-fold in cells pre-treated with ciglitazone. The up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and increased COX-2 protein expression induced by CSS were also inhibited by more than 3.7-fold with ciglitazone pre-treatment. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the inflammatory response induced by CSS could be inhibited by ciglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, in HMEECs. As such, PPAR-γ agonists may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of otitis media.

Multiple myeloma with isolated plasmacytoma in temporal bone.

Plasma cell tumors are characterized by a monoclonal neoplastic proliferation of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Multiple myeloma (MM) is the disseminated form of a malignant plasma cell disorder and is characterized by multiple lytic bone lesions, monoclonal protein in the serum or urine, and pathologic fractures. Typically, MM shows multiple lytic lesions of the cranium, whereas plasmacytoma manifests as a mass lesion. Plasmacytoma may involve the cranial vault, cranial base, brain parenchyma (1), and rarely, the temporal bone. We report a case of MM with isolated plasmacytoma in the temporal bone.

Validation of a Korean Version of the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire.

Objectives The goal of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the tinnitus handicap questionnaire (THQ-K). Methods A total of 60 patients were included in this study. Patients responded to the THQ-K, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), Becks depression index (BDI), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for loudness and pitch, loudness match, and minimum masking level (MML) test were performed. Results Internal consistency of the THQ-K was examined using Cronbach coefficient alpha. Cronbach alpha was 0.96. The THQ-K showed a significant correlation with THI, BDI, VAS for distress, and VAS for loudness, but no significant correlation with psychoacoustic measurement of tinnitus, such as loudness match, pitch match, and MML. Conclusion The THQ-K is a reliable and valid test for evaluating the degree of handicap due to tinnitus for both research and clinical use.