Biomedical subjects

Ben I Nageris

Publications and source records attributed to Ben I Nageris.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Facial palsy associated with acute otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: Facial palsy secondary to acute otitis media is rarely encountered today. The aim of the present study was to review the characteristics of the disease and propose the proper management. STUDY DESIGN: File review. Setting University-affiliated tertiary referral center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease course, management and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-five children with facial palsy were identified, of whom 13 (20%) had acute otitis media. The otitis media preceded the facial palsy in all cases by 1 to 21 days (average 5 days). House-Brackmann grade ranged from 2 to 5 (average 3.5). The recovery period was varied and unpredictable, ranging in duration from 1 to 180 days (average 68 days). Treatment was conservative, except for insertion of a ventilation tube in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that all the patients recovered, conservative treatment, including myringotomy and intravenous antibiotics, may be the correct approach to facial palsy associated with acute otitis media.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Esophageal incisions repair by CO2 laser soldering.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility of fiberoptic CO2 laser soldering for the repair of esophageal injuries under tight temperature feedback control in an animal model. Healing was compared to conventional suture closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A CO2 soldering system equipped with infrared transmitting silver halide fibers was used. The soldered tissue temperature was monitored continuously, and laser power was adjusted to provide constant temperature. The procedure was done with 50% bovine serum albumin solder. Longitudinal incisions measuring 8 to 10 mm were made under general anesthesia in the cervical esophagus of 25 rats. Twenty rats (group I) underwent laser tissue bonding; 8 of which were tested in a preliminary study to determine optimal laser parameters. In the remaining 5 rats (group II, controls), closure was performed with 1 layer of 6/0 Vicryl sutures. The rats were sacrificed 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively, and the esophagus was examined histologically. RESULTS: Optimal temperature was found to be 65 to 70 degrees C and optimal exposure time, 150 to 200 seconds. Laser soldering was successful in 9 of the 12 rats (75%) treated under optimal settings; suturing was successful in 4 of the 5 control rats (80%). There were no significant differences between the groups in healing or complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the CO2 laser soldering technique is a valid option for the correction of esophageal tears or incisions in rats. The confirmation and extension of these findings in further studies with larger animals may ultimately lead to the routine in vivo use of temperature-controlled laser repair for the esophagus and other organs. This method lends itself to endoscopic bonding of tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Magnesium treatment for sudden hearing loss.

Magnesium treatment has been repeatedly shown to reduce the incidence of both temporary and permanent noise-induced hearing loss. We hypothesized that it might also improve the permanent threshold shift in patients with acute-onset hearing loss. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 28 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated with either steroids and oral magnesium (study group) or steroids and a placebo (control group). Compared to the controls, the magnesium-treated group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with improved hearing (>10 dB hearing level) across all frequencies tested, and a significantly greater mean improvement in all frequencies. Analysis of the individual data confirmed that more patients treated with magnesium experienced hearing improvement, and at a larger magnitude, than control subjects. Magnesium is a relatively safe and convenient adjunct to steroid treatment for enhancing the improvement in hearing, especially in the low-tone range, in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Acoustic neuroma in patients with completely resolved sudden hearing loss.

Approximately 30% of patients with sudden hearing loss show complete recovery. Researchers have long questioned whether extensive evaluation is necessary in these cases. Recently, however, with the increasing widespread application of magnetic resonance imaging, a higher rate than expected of acoustic neuromas has been detected in patients with sudden hearing loss. Two studies have suggested that affected patients may even partially regain hearing. The aim of the present clinical study was to determine whether acoustic neuroma-induced hearing loss may be associated with full recovery. The files of 67 patients evaluated for sudden hearing loss at Rabin Medical Center from 1989 to 2000 were reviewed. All patients underwent pure tone audiometry, acoustic reflex tests, and auditory brain stem evoked response tests. Hearing evaluation was followed by magnetic resonance imaging scan and, 1 month later, a second hearing test. Findings were compared between patients with and without evidence of tumor on imaging, and between patients with tumor with and without full recovery. Twenty-four patients (36%) had a diagnosis of acoustic tumor, of whom 4 (16.7%) recovered hearing after 1 month. All 4 tumors were intracanalicular. Two of these patients had low-tone hearing loss, and 2 had flat curves; 3 had a pathological auditory brain stem evoked response. Of the 43 patients without tumors, 26 (60%) showed complete resolution of the hearing loss. We conclude that complete recovery of hearing loss does not exclude acoustic tumor, and these patients therefore require full evaluation. The reason for the recovery remains unclear.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗

PubMed2002

[Subglottic carcinoma].

Subglottic malignancies are rare. They constitute about 1% of laryngeal cancer. Most of these malignancies are squamous cell carcinoma. In this article were describe various definitions concerning the borders of the subglottic region. A summary of pathophysiology and behavior of cancer in this location is presented. The incidence of primary subglottic carcinoma is low. The origin of most cancers in this area is the glottic cancer that extends into the subglottic region. The tumor tends to spread through lymphatic channels to the paraglottic and preglottic (delphian) nodes and secondary to the jugular chain. The delayed diagnosis is due to the lack of symptoms in the early stage of the disease and the hidden location of the tumor. The presenting symptoms are usually dyspnea and stridor. Direct laryngoscopy is essential for early detection of the tumor and the use of CT and MRI is advocated. Therapy is usually radical. Total laryngectomy and radiation therapy have both been advocated. Between 1995 and 2000, 126 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were presented to our department. Our experience in diagnosing and treating subglottic cancer in 4 patients is hereby described. The latest literature on the subject is reviewed.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗