The shortening of the time interval between the onset of oestrus and ovulation in sows by the transcervical administration of seminal plasma was investigated in 23 German Landrace gilts, using the technique of single horn infusions (Mariensee model) in combination with the transcutaneous sonographic monitoring of ovaries. Preparative surgery comprised the detachment of the left uterine horn from the corpus, leaving the caudal end open to the peritoneal cavity but sealing the corpus wound. The left ovary was loosely tied to the ventral abdominal wall for better sonographic distinction. The animals were used in two to four consecutive cycles. After detection of oestrus by the teaser boar, the patent (right) horns were filled by transcervical infusion of 100 ml of a variety of test solutions. Ovulation was probed by transcutaneous sonography at intervals of 4 h thereafter. Native seminal plasma provoked ovulation in the ipsilateral ovary of the treated horn 10.7 h earlier than in the contralateral ovary. This effect was reduced to 7.3 h after charcoal treatment of seminal plasma; addition of 10 micrograms oestradiol restored the effect in full, while 10 micrograms of oestradiol in PBS shortened the time interval to only 3.3 h versus the control ovary. Little effect was seen with oestrone sulfate, none with prostaglandins in PBS or with PBS alone. The preliminary characterization of the nonsteroidal component of seminal plasma advancing ipsilateral ovulation after transcervical infusion suggests a proteinaceous nature. The activity resides in the 1-10 kDa fraction separated by ultrafiltration and is lost after treatment with pronase.

La dilatazione tubarica con balloon è stata recentemente annoverata com nuovo metodo minimamente invasive per il trattmento della disfunzione cronica ostruttiva della tuba di Eustachio. Per la prima volta nel mondo, abbiamo definito il ruolo della suddetta tecnica nel trattamento della disfunzione tubarica cronica non rispondente ad altri trattamenti. Sono stati analizzati i dati clinici di 60 bambini (età media: 6,3 anni; range: da 28 mesi a 12 anni) sottoposti a dilatazione della Tuba di Eustachio con il balloon di Bielefeld. In aggiunta, sono stati reclutati i genitori di altri 66 bambini sottoposti a dilatazione con balloon, ed è stato chiesto loro di compilare un questionario standardizzato, e di rispondere ad alcune domande riguardo il decorso postoperatorio dei loro bambini. Non ci sono state complicanze durante gli interventi chirurgici. I sintomi clinici sono migliorati in più dell’80% dei casi. Nessun paziente ha riferito un peggioramento sintomatologico. L’83% dei partecipanti è rimasto notevolmente soddisfatto dei risultati derivanti dal trattamento. La dilatazione con balloon è una tecnica semplice, rapida e sicura per il trattamento della disfunzione tubarica non rispondente ad altri trattamenti sia negli adulti, sia nei bambini. Ulteriori studi, preferibilmente multicentrici, sarebbero utili per definire al meglio le indicazioni già esistenti e potenziali nuovi indicazioni per questa tipologia di trattamento, e per stabilire definitivamente il ruolo di questa tecnica nella gestione della disfunzione tubarica cronica refrattaria.

BackgroundIntralabyrinthine schwannoma (ILS) is a rare, mostly unilateral disease that causes deafness. Different intralabyrinthine sites of ILS can occur and can be removed by different surgical approaches. Cochlear ILSs are frequently partially hidden by the modiolus and therefore difficult to extirpate. Surgical techniques can be traumatic, offer limited surgical control during removal, and are time-consuming. The aim of this present study was to demonstrate the performance and handling of a newly developed device for the removal of cochlear intralabyrinthine schwannoma in the temporal bone.MethodsIn a temporal bone study with a prepared posterior tympanotomy, an enlarged round window approach, and additional second turn access, a stiffened device with silicone rings was inserted and extracted gradually from the second turn access until the rings were visible in the second turn access.ResultsInsertion and extraction of the second cochlear access were easily performed. Pulling and pushing the silicone rings through the modiolus and hidden parts of the basal turn was possible and worked like a pipe cleaner.ConclusionThis newly developed tissue removal device in combination with the proposed surgical handling offers a new and less traumatic way to remove cochlear ILS.

Background Recent developments regarding cochlear implant magnets (e.g., a bipolar diametral magnet) and refined surgical technique (e.g., implant positioning) have made a significant impact on the relation between a cochlear implant and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI scanning has changed from a contraindication to a diagnostic tool. For the first time, a pain-free in vivo evaluation of the cochlea’s fluid state, following the insertion of an electrode, has become possible via MRI scanning. The aim of this study was to evaluate various cochlear implant electrodes’ MRI-specific patterns. Materials and Methods In a retrospective study, we evaluated the MRI pattern of casting iron (CI) electrodes in a 3T T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence after a surgery with Medel Flex 28, Flex 24, AB HFMS, and MRI at 1.5 T T2 TSE with the Oticon EVO array. Results A generally different axial MRI pattern between the “lateral wall” electrodes and the “modiolar” electrodes at the basal turn could be observed. A difference in terms of electrode length/insertion depth could not be found at the present scan resolution. Electrode contacts have an impact on the MRI signal-diminishing pattern. Conclusion At T2 sequences, an electrode design-specific MRI pattern can be observed.