[The phenomenon of mobile third window]

[Traumatic perilymphatic fistula with the luxation of the stapes into vestibule]

A case of perilymphatic fistula with the luxation of the stapes into vestibule was described, which was caused by a direct damage of the eardrum (the patient cleaned the right ear with a cotton swab and received a strong blow to the arm). The moment of injury was characterized by severe pain, a significant hearing loss, the appearance of tympanophonia and vertigo. Clinical examination revealed the eardrum rupture. After perforation healing the hearing did not improve, a high degree of mixed sensorineural hearing loss remained with a bone-air interval of up to 50 dB throughout the tone scale. CT of the temporal bones showed a pneumolabirinth and a change in the malleus position, which made it possible to suggest the presence of a perilymphatic fistula with the luxation of the stapes. The extent of damage was confirmed by surgery. The stapes was removed and the perilymphatic fistula was closed.

[The research activities based at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Rostov State Medical University]

This article reports the results of the main fields of the scientific activities carried out by the research personnel of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Rostov State Medical University. In addition the data on the history of the Department are presented beginning from the time of its foundation, together with the characteristic of its ongoing work and the main tendencies of its further development. The most important publications of the scientists of the Department are listed, the new research areas and prospects for the future studies and practical works along these lines are discussed.

[The diagnostics and treatment of tympanophonia]

Tympanophonia can be a consequence of a variety of diseases and pathological conditions diagnostics of which encounters difficulties. The comprehensive clinical examination of the patient is necessary to determine the cause of tympanophonia including elucidation of the following characteristics: initial (acute or gradual) sensation of sound in the ear(s), duration of persisting clinical manifestations, the presence of an acoustic or craniocerebral injury, characteristics of the noise, viz. continuous or intermittent, clicking sounds, paroxysmal or pulsed noise (synchronous with the heart beating), fluctuating, audible to the patient alone or to the surrounding people as well, unilateral and bilateral noises (either symmetric or asymmetric), perception of noise in the head rather than ears., high- and low-pitched noise together with the accompanying neurological symptoms. The analysis of these characteristics makes it possible to differentiate between objective and subjective sensation of noise in the ear(s), determine the amount of additional studies needed for the evaluatio of the conditions of a given patient, identify the possible cause of tympanophonia, establish the nosological diagnosis, and distinguish a group of the patients in need of emergency otological management.