Wada T, Suzuka Y, Sugihara S
… +2 more, Sato H, Hara A
Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
· 2016 Dec · PMID 30035484
Although prevention of noise-induced hearing loss is important, the risk of exposure to high-level sounds is not well recognized at workplaces. Occupational health support centers are expected to provide care resources f...Although prevention of noise-induced hearing loss is important, the risk of exposure to high-level sounds is not well recognized at workplaces. Occupational health support centers are expected to provide care resources for workers, wherein the workers can see an otolaryngologist to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. The Committee of Occupational and Environmental Health in the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan was planned to promote cooperation with occupational health support centers by means of registration of otolaryngologists as occupational health advisors. The committee conducted a survey using a questionnaire about the occupational health advisor registration process. Subsequently, there was an increase in the number of otolaryngologists who participated as occupational health advisors, with registrations occurring in 20 of the 47 occupational health support centers in Japan. Cooperation between otolaryngologists and occupational health support centers appears to be proceeding reasonably well and is the first step toward a more widespread effort for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss at workplaces.
Yuta A, Ogawa Y, Suzuki Y
… +4 more, Arikata M, Kozaki H, Shimizu T, Ohta N
Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
· 2016 Dec · PMID 30035481
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for Japanese cedar pollinosis is known to be effective. However, better SLIT adherence is needed to improve its safety and efficacy. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate SL...Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for Japanese cedar pollinosis is known to be effective. However, better SLIT adherence is needed to improve its safety and efficacy. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate SLIT adherence and its influence on clinical outcome. Methods: We conducted a detailed survey of 132 patients who have been receiving SLIT for 2 years on adherence at each visit using both questionnaires and direct calculation from prescription. Questionnaires on total symptoms using the visual analog scale (VAS), face scale, and total nasal symptom medication score (TNSMS) were obtained at the peak season for Japanese cedar pollinosis. Results: Good adherence by prescription for 2 years was observed in 83.1% ± 11.7% of patients. The adherence in the second year (80.8% ± 13.6%) was lower than that in the first year (88.5% ± 9.8%). However, adherence by questionnaire was 13.5% higher than that by prescription. VAS of total symptoms and adherence did not correlate; however, evaluations by VAS, face scale, and TNSMS were significantly improved if the adherence cut-off value was set to 70% or 75%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SLIT adherence for Japanese cedar pollinosis is high and adequate adherence is required for better efficacy.
Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
· 2016 Nov · PMID 30035525
Detecting changes in the physical characteristics of the eardrum by ocular inspection is difficult. Herein, we propose an alternative method for the quantitative detection of such changes using an acoustic conductance ty...Detecting changes in the physical characteristics of the eardrum by ocular inspection is difficult. Herein, we propose an alternative method for the quantitative detection of such changes using an acoustic conductance tympanogram, termed as G tympanograms, which exhibit the real part of acoustic admittance. The middle ear, including the eardrum, can be modeled using a mechano-acoustic system with physical parameters comprising mass, spring, and friction, and we have developed a procedure to numerically evaluate these parameters. We report the results obtained thus far and discuss their significance and implications. Specifically, we performed pure tone audiometry, 226-Hz tympanometry, and rigid endoscope otoscopy on 175 children aged 5-13 years. Of 350 total ears, we selected 248 ears with normal hearing levels, type A tympanogram, no effusion in the middle ear, non-retracted eardrums, and no eardrum calcification. We measured the distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and performed four-frequency (i.e., 226, 678, 800 and 1000 Hz) tympanometry. From the latter analysis, we extracted G-tympanograms, which enabled us to calculate the above-mentioned parameters, the spring constant in particular, for each of the 248 selected ears. We classified these ears into three groups: group I (68 ears), which showed no evidence of acute otitis media (OMA) or otitis media with effusion (OME); group II (68 ears), which showed evidence of OMA but not of OME; and group III (112 ears), which showed evidence of OME and OMA. We found that ears in group III had reduced spring constants, even after apparently recovering from OME. We also found a strong correlation between the spring constant and OAE value, which suggests that eardrums with low OAE values tend to have reduced spring constants. Because DPOAE-measurement is much easier to perform than four-frequency tympanometry, we suggest that DPOAE is a practical means of detecting reduced spring constants.
Yamaguchi W, Iida M, Watanabe S
… +3 more, Sugimoto N, Otori N, Kojima H
Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
· 2016 Nov · PMID 30035522
Chondroma of the head and neck are commonly found in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, or larynx but rarely at other sites. Here we report a rare case of nasopharyngeal chondroma arising from the Eustacian tube. The pat...Chondroma of the head and neck are commonly found in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, or larynx but rarely at other sites. Here we report a rare case of nasopharyngeal chondroma arising from the Eustacian tube. The patient was a 55-year-old male with chief complaints of nasal obstruction and left ear fullness. Nasal observation showed a white mass lesion filling the area extending from the left Eustachian tube to the nasopharynx. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the pharynx showed a mass lesion occupying the nasopharyngeal cavity. We performed surgical excision of the nasopharyngeal tumor via the endoscopic endonasal approach. Histopathological examination performed at our hospital led to the diagnosis of chondroma. As of this report, 4 months have passed since surgery and the patient has not experienced a relapse. Although chondroma is a benign tumor, local recurrence or malignant transformation is possible. Therefore, these patients should continue to be followed up regularly.