Comparison of the Effects of Minimal and High-Flow Anaesthesia on Cerebral Perfusion During Septorhinoplasty

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of minimal-and high-flow anaesthesia on cerebral oxygenation during septorhinoplasty with controlled hypotension using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Methods

Eighty patients scheduled for septorhinoplasty under general anaesthesia with controlled hypotension were randomised into two groups: minimal-flow (MF) or high-flow (HF). Both groups received desflurane anaesthesia to maintain bispectral index values at 40%-50% and 0.25-0.5 μg kg^-1 min^-1 i.v. remifentanyl infusion to maintain mean arterial blood pressure between 55 and 65 mmHg. The MF group received 5 L min^-1 of fresh gas flow for the first 10 mins then the gas flow was reduced 0.4 L min^-1. The HF group received 2 L min^-1 of fresh gas flow throughout. Haemodynamic parameters and cerebral oxygen saturation were measured.

Results

There were no statistical differences in demographic variables, duration of anaesthesia and surgery, time to extubation and proceeding to an Aldrete score of 9. There were no statistical differences in haemodynamic parameters, end-tidal CO₂ and cerebral oxygen saturation. The amount of desflurane used in the MF group was significantly lower than that used in the HF group (30.5±9.8 mL vs. 48.5±12.1 mL; p<0.05).

Conclusion

MF and HF anaesthesia did not lead to any difference in cerebral oxygen saturation in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty with controlled hypotension. MF anaesthesia may thus be used as safely as HF anaesthesia is.

Can Wideband Tympanometry Be Used as a Screening Test for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence?

OBJECTIVES

We explored whether wideband tympanometry (WBT) could be used as a screening test for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), and obtained new WBT data (given that the test is not yet in common clinical use) on patients with SSCD.

METHODS

We compared the WBT data of patients clinically and radiologically diagnosed with SSCD in our hospital between 2013 and 2018 to those of healthy volunteers. We compared the resonance frequency (RF), maximum absorbance frequency (MAF), and maximum absorbance ratio (MAR). The t-test was used for statistical analysis with the significance level set to P<0.05. In addition, we used receiver operating characteristic analysis to derive cutoff values for SSCD diagnosis in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients (four with bilateral and 13 with unilateral disease; 17 ears) diagnosed with SSCD and 27 healthy volunteers (47 ears) were included. The mean RFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 548.7 Hz (range, 243 to 853 Hz) and 935.1 Hz (range, 239 to 1,875 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). The mean MARs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 89.4% (range, 62% to 100%) and 82.4% (range, 63% to 99%), respectively (P=0.005). The mean MAFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 1,706.3 Hz (range, 613 to 3,816 Hz) and 2,668 Hz (range, 876 to 4,387 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). In terms of SSCD diagnosis, a MAR above 86% afforded 81% sensitivity and 77% specificity; an RF below 728 Hz, 86% sensitivity and 81% specificity; and an MAF below 1,835 Hz, 79% sensitivity and 67% specificity.

CONCLUSION

WBT may be a useful clinical screening test for SSCD. The RF and MAF were lower, and the MAR higher, in SSCD patients than in normal controls.

Comparison of Metoprolol and Tramadol with Remifentanil in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective

Controlled hypotension is commonly induced during functional endoscopic sinus surgery to limit mucosal bleeding. This may be detrimental to elderly patients and patients with arterial stenosis. The aim of this pilot study was to determine if a normotensive anaesthetic technique with sufficient analgesia and without profound vasodilation may reduce intraoperative bleeding and incidence of adverse haemodynamic effects associated with vasodilation and variable rate continuous infusions.

Methods

In this double-blind randomised controlled trial in a tertiary care centre, a total of 88 patients were randomised to receive intravenously either 0.1 mg kg^-1 metoprolol and 1 mg kg^-1 tramadol following anaesthesia induction (MT group) or a bolus dose of 0.5 μg kg^-1 remifentanil following anaesthesia induction, followed by 0.25-0.5 μg kg^-1 min^-1 remifentanil infusion (R group). The primary outcome was quality of surgical field and incidence of adverse haemodynamic effects. The secondary outcomes were time to achieve intraoperative bleeding score <3, bleeding rate and changes in cerebral regional oximetry.

Results

A total of 105 patients were recruited, in which 88 were randomised. The median intraoperative bleeding score was similar (1, interquartile range: 1-1, p=0.69). The mean bleeding rate was lower in the MT group, although the difference was not significant (p=0.052, 95% CI 0 to 8.8). Hypotension, bradycardia and cerebral desaturation in the MT group were not observed compared to hypotension in 3 (7%), bradycardia in 18 (41%) and cerebral desaturation in 2 (5%) patients in the R group (p=0.241, p<0.001, p=0.474, respectively).

Conclusion

Providing sufficient analgesia and eliminating stress response can provide stable heart rate and good surgical field with no need for additional hypotension. This normotensive technique may be useful in patients with stenotic arteries or ischaemic organ diseases.

The course of lower cranial nerves within the neck: a cadaveric dissection study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the course of lower cranial nerves (CNs) within the neck in relation to surrounding structures and anatomic landmarks via a cadaveric dissection study.

METHODS

A total of 70 neck dissections (31 bilateral, 8 unilateral) were performed on 39 adult fresh cadavers [mean (SD) age: 38.5 (11.2) years, 29 male, 10 female] to identify the course of lower CNs [spinal accessory nerve (SAN), vagus nerve and hypoglossal nerve] within the neck in relation to surrounding structures [internal jugular vein (IJV), common carotid artery (CCA)] and distance to anatomical landmarks (cricoid cartilage, hyoid bone, digastric muscle).

RESULTS

SAN travelled most commonly anterior to IJV (51.4%) at the level of jugular foramen, while travelling lateral to IJV at the post belly of digastric (55.7%) and inferior to digastric muscle (90%) in most neck dissections. Vagus nerve travelled lateral to CCA in majority (94.3%) of dissections, while medial (2.9%), posterolateral (1.4%) and posterior (1.4%) positions were also noted. Average distance of hypoglossal nerve was 27.7 (9.7) mm to carotid bifurcation, 9.3 (3.9) mm to hyoid bone, and 54.7 (18.0) mm to the inferior border of cricoid cartilage.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings indicate that anatomic variations are not rare in the course of lower CNs within the neck in relation to adjacent structures, and awareness of these variations together with knowledge of distance to certain anatomic landmarks may help the surgeon to identify lower CNs during neck surgery and prevent potential nerve injuries.

Otologic Findings Based on no Complaints in a Pediatric Examination

Introduction  the otological evaluation is highly significant in those branches of medicine in which the general evaluation of the patient is conducted by general practitioners and pediatricians. Objectives  To investigate the otologic findings and their incidences in the sample, which consisted of patients who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic with non-otologic complaints. Methods  Patients, aged between 2 and 16 years, who had neither otorhinolaryngological complaints nor history of surgery by the otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat, ENT) department were included in the present study. The findings detected in the external auditory system and in the tympanic membranes as well as the otorhinolaryngologists' otologic examination findings of the referred patients were recorded from the files of each patient along with the applied medical and surgical treatments, and diagnostic investigations. Results  Of a total of 973 patients evaluated, 129 (13.2%) were referred to the ENT outpatient clinic due to any otologic pathology. In the otorhinolaryngological examinations, false positivity was detected in 12 (1.2%) patients, and pathological findings were detected in 117 (12%) patients who received the following diagnoses: 68 (6.9%) had otitis media with effusion(OME); 37 (3.8%) had cerumen impactions; 8 (0.8%) had acute otitis media (AOM); 2 (0.2%) had ticks in the external auditory canal; 2 (0.2%) had a retraction pocket in tympanic membrane; 1 (0.1%) had unilateral central dry perforation of the tympanic membrane; and 1(0.1%) had congenital cholesteatoma. Conclusion Any complications and sequelae that may develop due to any pathologies and predominantly infections can be prevented by an early diagnosis, which can be made by means of a simple examination, performed merely with an otoscope. Pediatricians and general practitioners should be in close contact with otorhinolaryngologists regarding the pathologies they identify.

Is Septoplasty Alone Adequate for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Septal Deviation?

Background

The purpose of this study was to reveal the role of septoplasty in curing chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with significant septal deviation.

Methods

This prospective study involved 26 patients with CRS and septal deviation. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the applied surgical procedures. In the first and second groups, septoplasty and septoplasty plus endoscopic sinus surgery were applied, respectively. Subjective (questionnaire) and objective (endoscopy and computerized tomography) success rates were used to analyze the results.

Results

Septoplasty alone and septoplasty plus endoscopic sinus surgery were applied in 57.7% (15/26) and 42.3% (11/ 26) of the patients, respectively. Success rates were 93.3% (14/15) and 81.8% (9/11), subjectively (p > 0.05), and 66.7% (10/15) and 54.5% (6/11), objectively (p > 0.05), respectively in each group.

Conclusion

We suggest that septoplasty alone can be adequate for the treatment of CRS with septal deviation.

Effects of gadolinium-based contrast agents on submandibular gland tissue in rats

AIM

The aim of this prospective animal study is to investigate the influence of multiple administrations of macrocyclic ionic (gadoteric acid) and linear nonionic (gadodiamide) gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) on submandibular gland tissue (SGT) of the rats.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Twenty-four Sprague Dawley female rats were included the study. Group 1 was determined as a control group (n = 6). Group 2 was determined as saline group (n = 6). Group 3 was determined as Omniscan group (n = 6) and received only intraperitoneal (IP) 0.1 mmol (0.2 mL/kg)/kg gadodiamide for 8 days. Group 4 was determined as Dotarem group (n = 6) and received only IP 0.1 mmol (0.2 mL/kg)/mg/kg gadoteric acid daily for 8 days. On the 9th day of the administration, the rats were sedated with ketamine and xylazine through IP injection. The right SGT was removed after sedation. Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in SGT were evaluated.

RESULTS

The SGT of the Omniscan and Dotarem groups decreased SGT acini surface area, and serous acinar cells number were observed. On the other hand, no pathology was observed. Mucous acinar cells' caspase-3 positivity for the same markers in Omniscan and Dotarem sections was similar to the control group. However, Omniscan and Dotarem groups serous acinar cells were caspase-3 (+) staining. The intensity of serous acinar cells' caspase-3 (+) for the same markers in Dotarem sections was similar to the Omniscan group. The results also revealed in the analysis of the mean area of the acinus area of the SGT; there were significantly decreased Dotarem group rats when compared to control rats (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We consider that numerical increased apoptosis results arise from repeated doses of GBCAs. Being aware of this effect of the contrast agent may have significance for the chronic sialo-adenitis patients group when used for recurrent contrasted MRI for diagnosis of diseases like MS which requires in follow-up. We should be aware about the frequently contrasted MRI in routine investigations.

Rhinoscintigraphic analysis of nasal mucociliary function in patients with Bell's palsy

OBJECTIVE

Mucociliary transport (MCT) is an important defense mechanism of the respiratory tract. One of the major factors determining MCT is the ciliary activity of the respiratory epithelium. Rhinoscintigraphy is the most commonly used method for the analysis of mucociliary activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of facial paralysis on the nasal mucociliary clearance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 38 Bell's palsy patients as the study group and 10 subjects without any history of paranasal sinus disease or facial paralysis as the control group. A drop of technetium 99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) was placed posterior to the head of the inferior turbinate and followed with a gamma camera. MCT rate was measured as the velocity of Tc-99m MAA drop.

RESULTS

The mean MCT rate was 4.27 ± 0.76 millimeters per minute (mm/min) on 20 sides of 10 healthy controls, 4.11 ± 2.91 mm/min on the affected sides of the patients with Bell's palsy, and 6.03 ± 3.13 mm/min on the nonparalyzed sides of the patients. MCT rate was statistically significantly faster in the nonparalyzed side when compared to the paralyzed side in Bell's palsy patients (P = 0.001). MCT rates were not significantly different in the control group and paralyzed sides of the Bell's palsy patients (P = 0.810). The MCT rate was statistically significantly faster in the nonparalyzed sides of Bell's palsy patients when compared to the controls (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a faster MCT rate on the nonparalyzed side in Bell's palsy patients when compared to the paralyzed side and the control subjects. A compensatory mechanism could be the underlying reason for faster MCT on the nonparalyzed side. Further studies on larger patient groups are needed to investigate the effect of facial paralysis on the MCT and changes of facial nerve function on the opposite, nonparalyzed side of the face.

The relation between retrobulbar blood flow and posterior ocular changes measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of posterior ocular hemodynamics on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), choroid thickness (CT) and central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to reveal the association with glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

METHODS

The research was planned as a prospective, randomized study. The ophthalmic, retinal and posterior ciliary artery pulsatile index (PI) and resistive index (RI) were measured by colored Doppler sonography. RNFL thickness, CMT and CT were then measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

Sixty subjects were divided into four groups-mild, moderate and severe OSAS and a control group. There were 16 subjects in the control group, 14 in the mild OSAS group, 15 in the moderate OSAS group and 15 in the severe OSAS group. Ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery PI and RI values of the OSAS patients did not show statistically significant difference than those of the control group, but posterior ciliary artery (PCA) PI and RI values were significantly higher. In addition, mean, superior and inferior RNFL thickness values were significantly lower than those in the control group. Moreover, the glaucoma prevalence of the OSAS patients in this study was 6.8% and all of these patients were in the severe OSAS group.

CONCLUSION

PI and RI values of the PCA, which supplies the optic nerve, show a linear increase as the apnea hypoxia index values in OSAS. As the grade of OSAS improves, this situation leads to a more serious ischemic optic neuropathy. Furthermore, the prevalence of glaucoma in this study is found to be higher in the severe OSAS group.

Medial olivocochlear reflex in ankylosing spondylitis patients

OBJECTIVE

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease. Via autoimmune mediators, AS can damage the auditory system similar to other systems. Otoacoustic emission studies in AS patients showed that the damage that causes hearing loss was in the outer hair cells. The medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex is used to evaluate the MOC efferent system (MOES), which includes the outer hair cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of subclinical damage in the inner ear with the aid of the MOC reflex test in AS patients with no hearing complaints.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-four patients with AS and a control group of 30 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics were evaluated in the study. Otoacoustic emission responses, MOC reflex results, and frequency-specific and total suppression findings were compared between the groups. The relationship between clinical and laboratory findings for the AS patients, and the MOC reflex data were also investigated.

RESULTS

Reduced MOC reflex response (p = 0.04) and suppression (p = 0.019) were detected in AS patients. When the clinical and laboratory findings for the AS patients and the MOC reflex test results were compared, a significant correlation was found only between the MOC reflex and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that AS can damage the inner ear, especially the MOES, and can reduce the MOC reflex response without clinical hearing loss.

Evaluation of hyaluronic matrix efficacy in sinus augmentation: a randomized-controlled histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography analysis

The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the addition of hyaluronic acid-based matrix to collagenated heterologous bone graft for sinus augmentation would enhance bone formation compared to collagenated heterologous bone graft alone in the early healing period, by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. Thirteen systemically healthy patients requiring bilateral two-stage maxillary sinus augmentation (residual crest height≤4mm) were enrolled in this split-mouth prospective randomized controlled study. One sinus side as a control group was grafted with only collagenated heterologous bone graft; the other region as a test group was grafted with hyaluronic matrix and collagenated heterologous bone graft. Bone biopsy samples were taken after 4 months during the dental implant surgery and analyzed using micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric parameters. According to the micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric results, a significantly higher percentage of new bone was observed in the test group when compared to the control group after 4 months of healing. This study confirmed the hypothesis that the addition of hyaluronic matrix to collagenated heterologous bone graft for sinus augmentation enhances bone formation compared to collagenated heterologous bone graft alone in the early healing period.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Bell's Palsy

Background

Bell's palsy (BP) is the most common acute mononeuropathy of unilateral facial paralysis. Immune, infective and ischaemic mechanisms are potential contributors to the development of BP, but the precise cause remains unclear. Recently, oxidative stress has been proposed as a risk factor of various idiopathic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in patients with BP.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with BP and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured by the Erel method.

Results

Serum TOS activities and OSI values were significantly higher in patients with BP compared with the control group (P <0.003 for all comparisons), whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of TAS levels (P >0.05).

Conclusions

The data suggest that oxidative stress is increased in BP. These results of high oxidative stress in patients with BP may be helpful to clarify the etiopathogenesis of BP and contribute to improvement in the management or prevention of the disease.

Status of Neutrophils, Lymphocytes and Platelets in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty patients who were diagnosed with RAS between January 2014 and January 2016 were included in this study. Eighty age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were also enrolled as a control group. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were compared between groups, in addition to NLR, PLR, and MPV values.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in terms of lymphocyte count, platelet count, PLR, or MPV values between the two groups (P>0.05). However, white blood count, neutrophil count, and NLR were significantly higher in patients with RAS compared with the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed an increased NLR among RAS patients compared with healthy controls. This suggests that development of RAS involves an inflammatory process. We believe that NLR could be used as a cheap and simple marker of inflammation.

The therapeutic effect of thymoquinone on acoustic trauma-induced hearing loss in rats

Thymoquinone has antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that thymoquinone may prevent or alleviate hearing loss induced by acoustic trauma. We aimed to study thymoquinone's effect on hearing function with distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response. Thirty adult Spraque Dawley rats were randomized into four groups following exposure to acoustic trauma for 4 h. Control group (n = 7) did not receive further treatment. Thymoquinone-20 (n = 8) and Thymoquinone-40 (n = 8) received 20 and 40 mg/kg of intraperitoneal thymoquinone, respectively. Corn-oil group (n = 7) received 1 ml of corn oil intraperitoneally. Hearing function of both ears was tested with distortion-product otoacoustic emission and auditory brainstem response before, and shortly after acoustic trauma, and 96 h following acoustic trauma. Post-trauma signal/noise ratios and wave V amplitude/latencies of all groups were significantly low compared with pre-trauma values, which indicate no preventive effect of thymoquinone. Rats in Thymoquinone-20 showed a significantly improved distortion-product otoacoustic emission and auditory brainstem response results at 4000 frequency and above in post-treatment tests (p < 0.05). Improvement in Thymoquinone-40 at the same frequencies was insignificantly inferior to Thymoquinone-20, yet superior to control and corn-oil groups (p < 0.05). We conclude that thymoquinone may not prevent acoustic trauma-induced hearing loss, however, at 20 mg/kg for 96 h, may repair the damage.

Management of Amelogenesis Imperfecta: A 15-Year Case History of Two Siblings

OBJECTIVE

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogenous genetic disorder that interferes with normal enamel formation in the absence of systemic disorders. The patients' main concerns are caries susceptibility, poor esthetics, and generalized sensitivity. There is a broad clinical spectrum, from discolorations to consequent enamel alterations. This case report describes the 15-year case study and the full-mouth rehabilitation of two siblings affected by a hypocalcified AI. Clinical Considerations: In these two patients, conservative care with stainless steel crowns and direct composite restorations was undertaken to restore function and esthetics and to reduce sensitivities in primary and mixed dentitions. The difficulties in monitoring resulted in severe infectious complications (dental abscess with cutaneous fistula), important dental defects, and loss of spaces with subsequent malocclusion. In the young adult dentition, they were treated by extractions, root canal therapies, and new restorations: stainless steel crowns for permanent molars, direct composite restorations (with strip crowns) for incisors and maxillary canines (to improve the crown morphology as well as to mask the discolorations and the malpositions), and adjusted composite crown molds using a thermoforming procedure for premolars and the mandibular canines. The main difficulties were rapid tooth surface loss, bonding to atypical enamel, developing dentition, long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Restoring function and esthetics in AI-affected patients is a challenge from primary to adult dentition. Early corrections are essential to avoid dental damage and for psychological benefits. This clinical report highlights the adhesive rehabilitation for anterior and premolar areas and the difficulty of patient follow-up.

The evaluation of eustachian tube paratubal structures using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media

Conclusion Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, which plays a role in the pathogenesis chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), does not seem to be due to differences in paratubal structures. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the paratubal structures of the ET between normal ears and ears in patients with CSOM. Methods The MRI records of 40 patients who underwent tympanomastoidectomy for a diagnosis of CSOM were reviewed retrospectively. The healthy ears served as the control group. The length, diameter, surface area and volume of the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) and levator veli palatini muscle (LVPM) were measured, in addition to the diameter of the pharyngeal orifice of the ET, volume of the Ostmann fat pad, bimucosal thickness of the lumen of the ET, and mucosal thickness. Results In the pathological ears, the mean length of the TVPM and LVPM was 22.6 mm and 19.3 mm, the mean diameter was 3.2 and 5.3 mm, and the mean volume was 1.75 and 3.2 cm(3), respectively. In addition, the mean diameter of the pharyngeal orifice of the ET was 1.9 mm. There were no significant between-group differences in the paratubal structures (p > 0.05).

High sensitization to house-dust mites in patients with allergic rhinitis in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Identification of the most common aeroallergens to which patients are sensitized in a specific area is important in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). We determined the distribution of aeroallergens, detected by skin-prick tests (SPT), in adult patients with AR in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey and compared the results with the other regions of Turkey and in the world.

METHODS

The medical records of SPT performed on 1457 patients with symptoms of AR (with regard to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma 2008 guidelines) between March 2010 and March 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. SPT were carried out with the same panel, which included grass; weeds; trees; mold; epidermal mixtures; and with two house-dust mite (HDM) extracts, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.

RESULTS

In 1229 of 1457 patients (84.4%), there were positive reactions for at least one aeroallergen on the SPT. The most common aeroallergen was the HDM D. pteronyssinus (84% [n = 1033]) followed by D. farinae (78.2% [n = 962]). Grass pollen sensitivity (70.8% [n = 871]) was higher than tree or weed pollen sensitivity in this region.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common aeroallergens in AR are HDMs of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in the Eastern Black Sea region in Turkey. Our study may help in developing environmental control strategies for AR.

Wideband Tympanometry Normative Data for Different Age Groups in Turkish Population

OBJECTIVE

Studies on the use of wideband tympanometry (WBT) for the evaluation of middle ear pathologies have been increasing gradually in recent years. However, studies regarding normative data of WBT are not sufficient. The aim of this study was to determine normative values of WBT for different age groups in Turkish population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred fifty volunteers from five age-related groups were included in this study. Values of resonance frequency (RF), absorbance percentage according to frequency, maximum absorbance ratio, and maximum absorbance frequency were obtained using WBT. Measurements were recorded at a pressure of 0 decapascal (daPa) using a sound stimulus given at 90±3 decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL).

RESULTS

The RF was detected to be significantly lower only in the group of subjects in the age range of 0-1 month. The absorbance value at 250 Hz was detected to be significantly higher in the age groups of 0-1 month and 1 month-2 years than in the other groups.

CONCLUSION

We believe that the findings obtained in this study would be helpful in determining normative data regarding WBT; by the determination of this normative data, the clinical use of WBT would become widespread.