תוצאת חיפוש

Balance Disturbances in Children with Middle Ear Effusions

Avishay Golz, Batia Angel-Yeger, Henri Zvi Joachims, Aviram Netzer, S. Parush

Dept. of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

Vertigo and dizziness are not common complaints in childhood, but probably present more often than has been thought. These symptoms, caused mainly by otitis media (OM) and middle ear effusion (MEE), are 2 of the most common diseases in children, and until recently had long been neglected in the literature and in practice. We determined objectively the incidence of balance-related symptoms in children with long-lasting MEE, and resolution following insertion of ventilation tubes (VT). 36 children, aged 4-9 years, were studied using electronystagmography (ENG) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky tests for motor proficiency, before and after ventilation of the middle ear. Results were compared to those in 74 healthy children with no history of middle ear disease. Abnormal ENG findings were found in 58%, and 71% had low Bruininks-Oseretsky (BO) test scores. The ENG was abnormal in only 3 of the controls, 1 of whom also had low BO test scores. The symptoms and signs of balance disturbances resolved in 96% following VT insertion. These results indicate that balance-related symptoms often encountered in young children may result from chronic MEE, and that they resolve following evacuation of the effusion and ventilation of the middle ear.

The Parapharyngeal Space: Tumors and Surgical Approaches

E. Raveh, R. Sadov, B. Nageris, R. Feinmesser

Dept. of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva

The potential parapharyngeal space contains the great vessels of the neck, cranial nerves IX-XII, the sympathetic chain and lymph nodes. Surgical access is difficult and the infrequency of tumors in it make surgery of this part of the head and neck a challenge. 8 women and 2 men (mean age 54.7, range 31-70 years) with tumors of the parapharyngeal space operated on during the past 6 years are presented. The most common surgical approach was the cervical submandibular, used in 6 of our patients with relative ease and minimal complications. Tumors of deep lobe parotid origin should be operated through a transparotid approach. Large benign or malignant tumors have a better prognosis when the transcervical transmandibular approach is used, providing wider access.

Gradenigo Syndrome and Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, in Fusobacterial Acute Otitis Media

S. Hananya, Y. Horowitz

Pediatrics Dept., Central Hospital of the Emek, Afula

In this era of antimicrobial medication, intracranial complications following otitis media are rare. We present a 5-year-old boy who suffered from petrositis (Gradenigo syndrome) and cavernous sinus thrombosis as combined complications of acute otitis media caused by fusobacteria. The diagnosis was made using imaging methods suited to the various structures of the skull. Cure was achieved by prolonged conservative treatment with antibiotics, with gallium scan for evaluation of the bone inflammation.