Objective : The objective of the study was to elucidate the effect of linear acceleration on spatial orientation, especially on cognition of the gravitational axis and the horizontal axis, while the otolith organ was subjected to continuous loading by linear acceleration in bilateral directions, alternately.
Methods : A linear accelerator was used to apply continuous sinusoidal loading in the Z axial direction (i.e., stimulation of the saccules) and the Y axial direction (i.e., stimulation of the utricles) with the experimental subject in a supine position. To measure cognition of the gravitational axis and the horizontal axis, a liquid crystal display was used to project two points on the wall facing the experimental subject these two points were then rotated around the experimental subject using a joystick. The experimental subject was then instructed to imagine a line which would connect the two points, and to indicate the gravitational axis and the horizontal axis. The effects of Z or Y axial direction loading on the cognition of the gravitational axis direction and the horizontal axis direction were then determined.
Results : Regarding the cognition of the gravitational axis, there was a tendency for the error in the angle to be larger in response to loading in the Z axial direction, compared with loading in the Y axial direction. Regarding the cognition of the horizontal axis, there was no difference between loading in the Z axial direction and loading in the Y axial direction.
Conclusions : Loading in the Z axial direction by means, of repeated stimulation of the otolith organ (mainly the saccules), which is the primary sensor of the gravitational axis, by linear acceleration reduced the experimental subject's cognition of the gravitational axis. This result suggests that the otolith may be involved in the establishment of spatial orientation.

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We observed the clinical course of pediatric patients with intractable otitis media who were examined at our otorhinolaryngological clinic, focusing on changes in the pars flaccid of the tympanic membrane.
An endoscope for the tympanic membrane, a CCD camera, and an image-filing computer were exclusively used for the detailed observations.
The criteria for the selection of patients in this study were as follows :
1) Patients who had received treatment for recurrent or intractable (acute, exudative) otitis media for at least one year from the time of the initial examination.
2) Patients meeting the above-mentioned criterium and for whom images for at least 3 years had been stored.
3) Young patients aged 20 years or under.
Based on these selection criteria, 240 pediatric patients with otitis media were selected from among those who were brought to our clinic between 1996 and 2003 ; these study subjects were retrospectively evaluated using the images stored in the computer.
Retraction of the pars flaccid of the tympanic membrane was classified according to Tos' method.
1. According to Tos' method for classifying the severity of retraction, 452 ears were classified into types 0through IV. On initial examination, type 0, I, II, III, and IV retraction was recognized in 43.4%, 36.0%, 16.4%, 4.0%, and 0.2% of the total ears, respectively. On final examination, type 0, I, II, III, and IV retraction was recognized in 40.9%, 39.0%, 14.8%, 4.6%, and 0.2% of the total ears, respectively. The patient whose ear exhibited a type N retraction at the initial examination (0.2%) continued to exhibit a type N retraction at the final examination.
2. With regard to improvement in the retraction of the pars flaccid of the tympanic membrane, types 0 through II showed a higher likelihood of being restored to a normal position, with improvement of the mesotympanum, than type III, in which there appeared to be little possibility of improvement.
3. Many children with Down syndrome or cleft palate were included among the patients with type III retraction. This result suggests that tubal insufficiency may underlie the progression to type 111 retraction.
4. None of the patients in the present study exhibited the formation of cholesteatoma on the pars flaccidof the tympanic membrane.

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A 19-year-old Japanese man showed symptoms of upper respiratory tract symptoms beginning on the 9th day after surgery for chronic sinusitis ; these symptoms included fever, runny nose, sore throat, etc. The diagnosis of his condition was difficult because of the successive manifestation of various general signs and symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, arthralgia and proteinuria. The patient subsequently developed purpura, and a biopsy led to a diagnosis of anaphylactoid purpura. Steroid pulse therapy and supplementation with blood coagulation factors in-proved the patient's symptoms. At present, the patient continues to show an improvement in his general signs and symptoms, and his condition and course are being observed on an outpatient basis.

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Waardenburg syndrome type 1, caused by a congenital ectodermal germ layer defect with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and variable phenotypic expressivity, consists of 6 major characteristics : dystopia canthorum, broad nasal root, hypertrichosis of the medial eyebrow, heterochromia irides, white fore-lock, and congenital sensory hearing loss. These stigmata may be present in any combination and degree. We report two cases of Waardenburg syndrome type 1. The first case was a one-month old girl with unilateral deafness identified through early neonatal hearing screening. The second case was the child's father, who did not have any hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss is variable within and between families. The implications of this finding for genetic counseling in families with this syndrome are discussed.

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I treated 38 cases (53 ears) of prolonged external otitis or myringitis using Burow's solution (aluminum acetate). Bacterial cultures from the 38 yielded MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, β-lactamase (+) Staphylococcus aureua, and fungi appearing to result from microbial substitution.
Applying of Burow's solution was curative in 36 ears (67.9%), effective in 8 (15.1%), and ineffective in 9 (17.0%).
Burow's solution was very effective against MRSA, P. aeruginosa, and fungi, with no significant irritation or pain in treatment.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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