Background and ObjectivesZZHearing outcomes and prognostic factors of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) were investigated in patients who underwent combined intratympanic and systemic steroid therapy. Subjects and MethodZZThis study was performed by retrospective chart review. Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors were evaluated in 147 patients who received intratympanic steroid plus systemic steroid therapy. ResultsZZComplete hearing recovery was achieved in 36.7% (n=54) of the patients, partial recovery in 12.9% (n=19), slight recovery in 12.3% (n=18), and total recovery in 61.9% (n=91). Age was identified as an independent, negative prognostic factor for hearing recovery. The recovery rates of the down sloping and profound types were poorer than those of the up sloping type as determined by audiography. ConclusionZZThe results of this study suggest that the combined treatment of intratympanic and systemic steroids for idiopathic SSNHL results in high hearing recovery rates, and that the down-sloping and profound types of audiogram patterns and age are negative prognostic factors. Key WordsZZ Hearing loss ㆍMiddle ear ㆍPrognosis ㆍSteroid ㆍSudden.

Surgical navigation is a useful tool for identifying the locations of zygomatic arch fractures and for guiding closed reduction. Surgical navigation is recommended for localizing the sites of zygomatic fractures.

Background and Objectives Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is valuable for the prognosis of vocal fold paralysis (VFP). However, there is a lack of reliable data to apply it to clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of interference pattern of LEMG in order to predict the prognosis of VFP by comparing interference pattern and vocal cord mobility. Subjects and Method A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent LEMG from January 2012 to October 2015. Gender and age of patients, cause and treatment of VFP, vocal cord mobility, and result of LEMG were analyzed. The interference pattern of LEMG was used as a predictive marker of prognosis, which is compared with vocal cord mobility during the last follow-up. Results Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, five patients were predicted by LEMG evaluation to have good prognosis, and 10 patients were predicted to have poor prognosis. All of the five patients with good prognosis showed improvement in vocal cord mobility, while seven out of 10 patients predicted with bad prognosis showed vocal fold fixation at the last follow-up. The reliability of prognostic prediction through interference pattern was 80%. Conclusion Interference pattern of LEMG is reliable data to predict the prognosis of VFP, especially it showed perfect consistency for good prognosis.

Ultrasonography is highly sensitive for the diagnosis of sialoliths. Recently, wireless mobile ultrasonography was developed. We describe the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with painful postprandial left cheek swelling. Computed tomography detected a solitary 5-mm parotid duct stone with infection at the anterior portion of the left masseter muscle. Transoral stone removal was planned, although difficulty was expected in view of the surrounding infection. Surgery was performed under the guidance of mobile ultrasonography, and the stone was removed safely.

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