Genetic basis for Meniere's Disease...?
A new Japanese study by Katsumi Doi et al (ORL 2005;67:289-293) has demonstrated that Meniere's Disease might actually be the result of single nucleotide polymorphism (NSP) involving the K+ channel genes - KCNE1 & KCNE2

Abstract: Although the bases for both the sporadic and inherited forms of Ménière's disease (MD) remain undefined, it is likely to be multifactorial, one of the factors being a genetic predisposition. Recently, genetic association studies on complex diseases have become very popular and most of them are case-control studies using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers. Mutations/polymorphisms in KCNE potassium channel genes might play a causative role in MD, because KCNE potassium channels have been suggested to be present and active in transmembrane ion and water transports in the inner ear. In the present study, to identify MD susceptibility genes, we have conducted a genetic association study with optimized sampling, optimized phenotyping/genotyping, and a selection of KCNE genes as the candidate genes. The SNPs analyses identified 112G/A SNP in the KCNE1 gene and 198T/C SNP in the KCNE3 gene in 63 definite MD cases as well as 205 and 237 non-MD control subjects. For both KCNE1 and KCNE3 genes, a significant difference in frequency of each SNP was confirmed between MD cases and non-MD control subjects. The result indicates that 112G/A SNP in the KCNE1 gene and 198T/C SNP in the KCNE3 gene could determine an increased susceptibility to develop MD.

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Coming Events of Importance to Otolaryngologists in Africa...
 

1. Annual West Africa College of Surgeons Conference, Accra, Ghana, Feb 2006.
2. Association of Paediatric Otolaryngologists of India 12th Annual Conference and CME in Paediatric Otolaryngology
   February 25-26, 2006; New Delhi, India
3. 8th International Otology Course of the Jean Causse Ear Clinic
   June 22-24, 2006; Béziers, France
4. 110th American Academy of ORL,Head & Neck Surgery Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO
   September 17-20, 2006;
   Toronto, Canada.
5. 42nd South African ENT Congress joint meeting with the British Association of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
   October 29-November 1, 2006;
   Cape Town, South Africa.

         For more courses and workshops and conferences....Click Here

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Auditory-Visual Fusion in Young Cochlear Implantees.....?       

Schorr, Fox, van Wassenhove & Knudsen in a recent paper  (PNAS | December 20, 2005 | vol. 102 | no. 51) demonstrated that majority of children with cochlear implants, when presented with conflicting auditory and visual stimuli rely more on vision, while some of these children maintain consistent bimodal auditory-visual fusion.

Abstract: Speech, for most of us, is a bimodal percept whenever we both hear the voice and see the lip movements of a speaker. Children who are born deaf never have this bimodal experience. We tested children who had been deaf from birth and who subsequently received cochlear implants for their ability to fuse the auditory information provided by their implants with visual information about lip movements for speech perception. For most of the children with implants (92%), perception was dominated by vision when visual and auditory speech information conflicted. For some, bimodal fusion was strong and consistent, demonstrating a remarkable plasticity in their ability to form auditory-visual associations despite the atypical stimulation provided by implants. The likelihood of consistent auditory-visual fusion declined with age at implant beyond 2.5 years, suggesting a sensitive period for bimodal integration in speech perception.

 

What is the diagnosis?

Parting Shot...
If you have an interesting case to discuss or share with other Otolaryngologists all over Africa, feel free to email Me or at best go to otolaryngology in Africa blogsite and post your case

Also, if you are among those who requested for a copy of DODA at the last ORLSON Meeting @ Port Harcourt, please take time to view the DODA - FAQ page, and expect your copy of the program soon. The current delay is due to adding more features to the DODA program as well as pruning some features you might really not need for initial assessments

Expect a newer and more richer Newsletter in 2006.

Till Next Year,

Biodun