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Olfactory impairment is associated with cognitive impairment. However, differences between subjective and objective olfactory impairment measurements in older adults and their relationship with cognitive impairment are unclear.We assessed the relationship between cognitive and olfactory impairments via a single-center observational study in 2020. Forty-seven individuals who visited our memory clinic were enrolled and asked to complete objective and subjective olfactory tests. Participants had dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or normal cognition. We administered the Open Essence (a simple card-type odor identification test) and self-administered odor questionnaire to assess objective and subjective olfaction, respectively, and the Mini-Mental State Examination to assess cognitive function.Older age was related to decreased Open Essence scores (P 0.001). Compared with the mild cognitive impairment and normal cognition groups, the dementia group had significantly lower Open Essence scores (P 0.001). Cognitive impairment was also associated with decreased Open Essence scores after adjusting for age, sex, and education (P 0.001). Participants with dementia did not obtain lower self-administered odor questionnaire scores than those with normal cognition, and they tended to be unaware of their olfactory impairment.Open Essence scores significantly decreased according to the degree of cognitive impairment. Participants with dementia were unaware of their olfactory impairment, as indicated by odor questionnaire scores. Objective and subjective scores of olfaction differed in participants with dementia. Concomitant assessment of objective and subjective olfaction is useful to screen older adults with both olfactory and cognitive impairments. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 924-929.

Two patients with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) considered to be associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) are reported. In case 1, a 23-year-old man presented with progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) from 10 years of age and was diagnosed with ANSD. He was later diagnosed with CMT by neurological testing. In case 2, a 16-year-old girl, the younger sister of the patient in case 1, presented with progressive SNHL with similar auditory findings since 6 years of age as those of her brother. Both cases underwent bilateral cochlear implantation. In case 1, the maximum discrimination score improved to 45% 24 months after the first side of cochlear implantation from 5% before the surgery. In case 2, the score was 5% 10 months after cochlear implant (CI) surgery from 0% before the surgery. CI treatment for CMT patients has been considered difficult because of both failure in synchronization of nerve conduction due to demyelination and axonal failure of the auditory nerve. Though slower progress compared to the average subset of patients receiving CI was seen, significant improvement was gradually observed in the present patients after bilateral cochlear implantations. CI is thus a viable option for rehabilitation of SNHL in CMT patients.

Objectives To investigate the clinical features of ears with dilatation of the endolymphatic space in the ampulla of the posterior semicircular canal on magnetic resonance imaging. Study design Retrospective study. Setting A university hospital. Methods This study included 1,842 ears from 934 patients who underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium to investigate the presence of endolymphatic hydrops. Age, sex distribution, hearing thresholds on pure-tone audiometry, and vestibular symptoms were compared between cases of unilateral and bilateral dilatation of the endolymphatic space in the ampulla of the posterior semicircular canal. Results Forty-eight ears (17 men and 14 women; mean age 49.9 yrs) showed dilatation of the endolymphatic space in the ampulla of the posterior semicircular canal. Age and the rate of chronic sensorineural hearing loss were significantly higher in the unilateral group (14 ears) than in the bilateral group (34 ears). The average hearing thresholds and rates of vestibular symptoms reported did not differ between unilateral and bilateral cases, but some patients showed positional nystagmus. Conclusions Dilatation of the endolymphatic space in the ampulla was observed selectively in the posterior semicircular canal, though its pathogenesis was not clear. Such dilatation is not usually accompanied by vestibular endolymphatic hydrops, and it may be a cause of vertigo and dizziness.

Background: High signals in the inner ear of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been reported, but no quantitative evaluation has yet been done. Objectives: To evaluate hearing outcomes and cochlear signal intensities on 3-T heavily T2-weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (hT2W-3D-FLAIR) in patients with ISSNHL. Materials and methods: Twenty-nine patients with ISSNHL were included. Patients underwent hT2W-3D-FLAIR with intravenous gadolinium injection and pure tone audiometry (PTA) at initial visits and 3 months later. Signal intensity ratios (SIRs) were measured in the basal or apical-middle turns of the affected cochlea. A statistical analysis of relationships between SIRs and the average hearing levels (HLs) at low (125, 250, and 500 Hz) and high (2, 4, and 8 kHz) tone frequencies was performed. Results: Hearing improvements at high-tone frequencies in ears with HLs ≥60 dB were significantly worse in those with high SIRs at the basal turns on pre-contrast images. Similarly, hearing improvements at low-tone frequencies in ears with HLs ≥60 dB were significantly worse in those with high SIRs at the apical-middle turns on post-contrast images. Conclusions and significance: High SIRs on hT2W-3D-FLAIR indicate cochlear disturbances with severe ISSNHL and could provide lesion-specific prognostic information., ファイル公開：2021/10/12

An examination of taste and olfactometry in Yakumo-Cho inhabitants’ examination carried out in 2005, and the result reported in Academia Journal of Medicinal Plants 2018. This study examined olfactory function. A personal function test is calculated from the Yakumo study database, and the odor stick identification tests administered to healthy older adults. The participants were community dwellers who voluntarily participated in the Yakumo Study and had managed everyday life by themselves. The participants were engaged in a variety of jobs, not only white-collar but also agriculture, fishery,and forestry. Therefore, the city regarded as a representative of today's Japanese society. From the database, 298 participants (169 females and 129 males) were selected form data in August, 2019. The Odor Stick Identification Test (OSIT-J) was used to assess odor perception. The aromas used in the OSIT-J include curry, perfume, Japanese cypress, India ink, menthol, rose, wood, Smelly socks/ sweat, fried garlic, condensed milk, gas for cooking, and Japanese mandarin aromas.

We summarize the presence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in otological disorders evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of temporal bones, and propose a classification of EH based on its pathological significance. A search of the literature published in English-language journals was performed using electronic databases, especially focusing on EH-related otological disorders. Clinical articles that contained the terms EH and contrast-MRI published from 2007 to the present, with relevant human temporal bone studies, were included. The following three main points are discussed based on the results in the relevant articles: i) otological disorders that present EH, ii) current grading for evaluation of EH on MRI, and iii) a proposed classification of EH based on its pathological significance. MRI evaluation revealed that EH exists extensively not only in ears with typical Meniere's disease (MD), but also in those with various other otological disorders. The etiological classification of EH helps to summarize ideas for determining the pathophysiology of otological disorders, while a therapeutic classification provides clues to their management. MRI evaluations of EH have led to breakthroughs in investigations of EH in otological disorders. Precise grading for evaluation and clarification of EH on MRI based on its pathological significance could provide keys to elucidating the pathophysiology of EH-related otological disorders.

Background: Otological diseases including Meniere’s disease (MD) involve endolymphatic hydrops (EH), which can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium contrast agents, but the temporal changes of contrast in the inner ear have not been evaluated. Objectives: We investigated the permeability of the blood–perilymph barrier (BPB) in ears with EH to evaluate the severity of the inner ear disturbances. Materials and methods: The study included 32 ears from 16 patients with EH or related diseases who underwent MRI. The permeability of the BPB was assessed by the signal–intensity ratio (SIR) at four-time points: before and at 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after administration of gadolinium for assessing EH. Results: Cochlear EH was found in 25 of the 32 ears, and vestibular EH in 11. The rate of EH was significantly higher in symptomatic ears; however, the existence of EH was not related to SIR values. Nevertheless, SIR values in the basal turn were significantly higher 4 and 24 h after injection of gadolinium in patients aged ≥50 years. Conclusion and significance: Higher SIR values observed in older patients with EH indicate severe disturbances of the BPB in the cochlea, which may account for intractable inner ear disturbances in older patients.

Background: Asthma often coexists with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Recent studies revealed that sinus inflammation in asthmatic patients was related to eosinophilic inflammation. However, the relationship between the severity of CRS and four different sputum inflammatory phenotypes as defined by the proportion of eosinophils and neutrophils is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the severity of CRS on lower airway and systemic inflammation in asthmatic patients. Methods: We enrolled 57 adult asthmatic patients who underwent sinus computed tomography (CT). The severity of CRS was evaluated by the Lund-Mackay score (LMS). The induced sputum inflammatory phenotype was defined by eosinophils (≥/

Hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, and the use of a hearing aid (HA) may prevent cognitive decline alongside hearing loss. We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of self-reported HA usage in Japanese community-dwelling elders with hearing loss, and the effect of hearing and HA on cognitive impairment.A total of 1193 participants, who had audiometric defined hearing loss and were aged 60 years or over, had their cumulative 3260 observations followed up for 10 years from a large cohort of a Japanese study. Association between hearing (pure-tone average threshold level at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz from the better hearing ear: PTABHE) and HA usage with cognitive impairment (total score of Mini-Mental State Estimation was under 27 or diagnosed as dementia) was analyzed using generalized estimating equations.The HA usage rate of the 1193 community-dwelling elders with hearing loss was 6% during the first involvement. The majority (59.2%) of HA users always used an HA. HA usage rate was 0.7% for the mild hearing loss group and 32.4% for the moderate or greater hearing loss group in the latest participating wave. PTABHE was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio for every 10 dB 1.36; 95% CI 1.21-1.53, p0.0001) after adjusting for age, sex, education, depressed mood, smoking status, alcohol intake, income, activity, obesity, histories of hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, ear disease, and occupational noise exposure. PTABHE was also significantly associated with cognitive impairment in the mild hearing loss group (odds ratio for every 10 dB 1.34; 95% CI 1.05-1.72, p = 0.020) and moderate hearing loss group (odds ratio for every 10 dB 1.82; 95% CI 1.27-2.61, p = 0.001). HA use showed a significant suppressive effect on cognitive impairment in those with moderate hearing loss who always use an HA (odds ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.30-1.00, p = 0.049).The prevalence of HA usage among Japanese community-dwelling elders with hearing loss is consistent, at around 10%. The hearing level remained a primary risk factor for cognitive impairment among elders with hearing loss after adjusting for several confounding factors. Regular HA use may have a protective effect on cognitive impairment in those with moderate hearing loss.

Understanding the relationships among aging, cognitive function, and olfaction may be useful for diagnosing olfactory decline in older adults. Olfactory function declines in the early stage of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Aging and cognitive impairment are associated with olfactory decline. Moreover, the assessment of hyposmia and anosmia is paramount to the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to assess the relationships among aging, cognitive function, and olfaction in patients with olfactory impairment.This observational study included 141 patients with olfactory deterioration who presented with dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), age-related hyposmia, or postviral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD). The patients underwent TT olfactometry, a self-administered odor questionnaire (SAOQ), a visual analog scale (VAS), and a Mini-Mental State Examination.TT odor recognition thresholds decreased with aging (p0.01) and cognitive impairment (p 0.08). The average TT recognition thresholds were 5.1,4.6,4.2, and 3.7 in dementia, MCI, age-related hyposmia, and PVOD, respectively. Moreover, the average differences between the detection and recognition thresholds were 3.7, 2.8, 2.3, and 2.0 in dementia, MCI, age-related hyposmia, and PVOD, respectively. Hyposmia with dementia presented the highest recognition thresholds (p 0.05) and the largest differences between the TT detection and recognition thresholds, compared with age-related hyposmia and PVOD (p 0.05). Hyposmia with dementia had the highest SAOQ and VAS scores compared with the other groups (p 0.05).The possibility of dementia should be investigated in patients with hyposmia, including those with high TT recognition thresholds, a large difference between the TT detection and recognition thresholds, and high SAOQ and VAS scores.

High signal intensity in the endolymphatic duct (ED) is occasionally observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in ears that have otological disorders.The signal intensity (SI) in the ED on post-contrast MRI was investigated in subjects with various otological disorders, and the meaning of high SI in the ED was evaluated.392 patients with otological disorders and 21 controls without otological symptoms underwent 3 T MRI. The SIs of the ED and the cerebellum were measured, the SI ratio (SIR) was calculated, and ears with SIR ≥4 were identified.A high SIR was identified in the ED of 3.7% of ears affected by definite Meniere's disease (dMD), 100% of ears affected by large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), and 7.1% of ears with no otological symptoms. On the whole, a significant relationship was found between the existence of vestibular or cochlear EH and the SIR in the ED.The MRI finding of high SI in the ED may indicate the mechanism of inner ear disturbances in ears with otological disorders, especially in those with LVAS, and it may suggest an underlying disorder in some ears in which otological symptoms are not apparent.

Background: The presence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) may cause hearing loss and affect the transmission of acoustic energy to the inner ear.Objectives: Acoustic energy absorbance on wideband acou...

Objective Patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can have vitamin D deficiency, which is a cause of abnormal bone turnover. Several studies have established a relationship between osteoporosis and BPPV. The World Health Organization Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, widely known as FRAX® ( http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX ), is a computer-based algorithm for assessing fracture risk. No direct comparison has been made between the FRAX scores of patients with BPPV and controls. The purpose of this study was to determine whether women with BPPV are at high risk of fracture as assessed using FRAX. Methods The study involved 40 postmenopausal women diagnosed with BPPV between July 2015 and April 2016, and 40 postmenopausal women as controls. The 10-year major osteoporotic and hip fracture risks were calculated using FRAX and were compared between BPPV patients and controls using Welch’s t test and a general linear model. Results The 10-year major osteoporotic fracture risk was 20.4% ± 12.1% for BPPV patients (aged 72.4 ± 8.6 years) and 14.3% ± 6.5% for controls (aged 71.2 ± 6.3 years). The 10-year hip fracture risk was 9.0% ± 9.8% for BPPV patients and 5.0% ± 3.9% for controls. The BPPV group had significantly higher 10-year major risks of osteoporotic fracture (p = 0.0069) and hip fracture (p = 0.0202) compared with controls. Similarly, after adjustment for age, the BPPV group had significantly higher 10-year risks of major osteoporotic fracture (p = 0.0007) and hip fracture (p = 0.0092) compared with controls. Conclusion Fracture risk calculated using FRAX was significantly higher in the BPPV group than in controls. Women with BPPV may need early intervention to prevent future fractures.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and hearing level or vestibular symptoms by focusing on EH herniation into the semicircular canal (SCC).Retrospective study.University hospital.The study included 1,548 ears of 775 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination in our university hospital to investigate possible EH. MRI was performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of a standard dose of gadodiamide hydrate and/or 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine diluted eightfold. The hearing threshold and vestibular symptoms were compared between ears with unilateral and bilateral EH herniation into the SCC and between ears having vestibular EH adjacent to the stapes footplate with or without EH herniation.Forty-four ears (19 men and 25 women, mean age 53.6 yr) showed EH herniation into the SCC. The average hearing thresholds at 500 to 4000 Hz and presence of vestibular EH adjacent to the stapes footplate were significantly higher in ears with unilateral herniation than in those with bilateral herniation. The average hearing thresholds at 500 and 1000 Hz were significantly higher in the group of ears having adjacency with herniation than in those without herniation. Vestibular symptoms did not differ significantly between groups.Unilateral herniation occurs with EH progression. Bilateral herniation may occur regardless of EH progression and might be influenced by other factors that alter the membranous labyrinth.

Objectives The pathology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which is known as sudden deafness (SD), remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) polymorphism and SD risk. Materials and methods We compared 83 patients suffering from SD and 2048 controls who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Aging at the National Institute for Longevity Sciences. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for SD with a polymorphism of the UCP2 (rs660339) gene. Results Under the additive model of inheritance, UCP2 polymorphisms showed significant association with a SD risk. The OR was 1.468 (95% confidence interval, 1.056-2.040) with an adjustment for any past history, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, or hypertension, and for age and sex. Conclusion Our results imply that the UCP2 (rs660339) polymorphism has a significant association with the risk of developing SD.

Background: Diverticula in the internal auditory canal (IAC) have been reported in ears with otosclerosis. Objective: We evaluated hearing levels and vascular activity in ears with otosclerosis with and without IAC diverticula and clarify the significance of IAC diverticula. Materials and methods: Sixty-one ears from 54 patients who underwent stapes surgery for otosclerosis [fenestral (48 ears) and retrofenestral (13 ears) groups] were included in the present study. Preoperative hearing levels on pure tone audiometry (PTA) and intraoperative measurements of blood flow were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 24 of 61 ears (39.3%) showed IAC diverticula, significantly higher than the frequency in ears without otosclerosis (3.7%). No significant differences in air- and bone-conduction thresholds on PTA were evident between ears with and without IAC diverticula in each group. Ears without IAC diverticula tended to show higher blood flow in the area anterior to the oval window than ears with IAC diverticula, but the difference was not significant. Conclusions: The incidence of the IAC diverticula in otosclerosis was significantly higher than in cases without otosclerosis. The existence of IAC diverticula was not evidently related to the severity of the disease from the perspective of hearing level and vascular activity., Published online: 25 Jan 2019. ファイル公開：2020/01/25

Objective The influence of living alone on multiple food and nutrition behaviors across a range of ages and genders has not been sufficiently investigated. Moreover, to our knowledge, no studies have described both dietary status and medical examination findings in persons living alone. Among individuals who attended a health checkup in a rural town in Japan, we investigated dietary habits and medical examination findings in persons living alone and those living with one or more other persons. Methods The participants in this investigation were 501 community-dwelling individuals aged 40 to 91 y (mean, 63.8 ± 9.9 y). Thirty-four (16.4%) of the 207 men and 45 (15.3%) of the 294 women lived alone. Dietary intake frequency of 28 types of foods and drinks, including various vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, and dairy products, was investigated based on responses to a self-completed questionnaire. During the physical examination, body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were measured. Blood examination included red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, albumin/globulin ratio, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and serum calcium. Results Multivariate analysis revealed that living alone independently was associated with a reduced intake frequency of various vegetables and seafood, especially in men. Diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in men living alone than in men living with other persons. The albumin/globulin ratio in women living alone was significantly lower than in women living with other persons. Conclusions It was found that living alone was associated not only with a reduced quality of dietary intake but also with an unfavorable trend in some of the medical examination findings.

Objectives/hypothesis To investigate the relationship between endolymphatic hydrops and hearing level, focusing on significant vestibular endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate and low-frequency air-bone gaps. Study design Retrospective study. Methods The study included 1,548 ears from 775 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination in our university hospital to investigate possible endolymphatic hydrops between January 2012 and December 2015. Ears were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of a standard dose of gadodiamide hydrate and/or 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine diluted eightfold. Comparison of hearing thresholds on pure-tone audiometry was performed between ears having endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate and those having nonadjacent endolymphatic hydrops. Results Forty-one ears (22 men and 19 women, mean age 48.4 years) showed significant cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate, and 79 ears (30 men and 49 women, mean age 45.0 years) showed significant nonadjacent cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops. The average air-bone gap at 250 Hz was significantly higher in the group of ears with adjacent hydrops than in those with nonadjacent hydrops. Conclusions The appearance of low-frequency air-bone gaps suggests deterioration of endolymphatic hydrops, particularly in ears with Meniere's disease, and could be a useful indicator for evaluating and treating patients with endolymphatic hydrops. Level of evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1658-1662, 2018.

We investigated the otological aspects of Fabry disease (FD) in patients with normal hearing. Forty-one patients (21 men, 20 women) with bilaterally normal hearing were recruited, and their otological symptoms and hearing evaluations, which included pure tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), were investigated. Ten of the 21 male (47.6%) and eight of the 20 female (40.0%) patients had otological symptoms, of which tinnitus was the most frequent. Cardiac dysfunction was more frequently observed in female patients. The average thresholds on PTA were below 25 dB at all frequencies, but DPOAE amplitudes were significantly lower in female patients at some frequencies. Otological symptoms were frequently observed in patients with FD, despite their normal hearing levels on PTA. DPOAE might provide useful information regarding cochlear disturbances related to the disease..

Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has been reported in ears with otosclerosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of ears with otosclerosis and EH on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and identify predictors for the presence of EH.Retrospective study.University hospital.Forty-six ears from 37 patients with otosclerosis were included in the present study.The subjects were divided into three groups, those with no, mild, or significant EH, based on 3-T MRI with intravenous injection of gadolinium. Hearing levels and the extent of otosclerotic lesions graded based on the computed tomography (CT) findings were compared among the groups. Moreover, to examine the vascular activity of the disease, intraoperative measurements of blood flow were also evaluated.Imaging, hearing levels, and blood flow values.The overall rate of EH was 58.7% (27 of 46 ears); cochlear EH (52.2%) was more frequent than vestibular EH (26.1%). Average thresholds in ears with significant EH were significantly higher at several frequencies, both on air and bone conduction, than those with no or mild EH. Significant EH was more frequently observed in ears with advanced stages on CT than in those without advanced stages. The values of blood flow in the area anterior to the oval window were higher in some ears with EH than in ears without EH.EH was frequently present in ears with otosclerosis, especially those with severe hearing loss or advanced disease on CT.

Objective Olfactory dysfunction is a significant postoperative complication related to endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). This study aimed to determine the impact of endoscopic TSS on olfactory function. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 32 patients with sellar or parasellar tumors who were treated with endoscopic TSS between December 2013 and October 2016. TSS was performed via a right transseptal approach. We performed the Toyota and Takagi olfactometer test and the venous olfaction test for the evaluation of olfactory function preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Results The results of the Toyota and Takagi test showed that olfactory function deteriorated in 4 of 32 (12.5%) patients 1 month postoperatively and improved to preoperative baseline levels in all patients 3 months after the procedure. Olfactory function deteriorated in 1 of 31 (3.2%) patients 3 months after the procedure. The venous olfaction test revealed no response in 1 of 31 (3.2%) patients 1 month postoperatively, with no improvement 3 months after the procedure. Conclusions Endoscopic single-nostril transseptal TSS for sellar or parasellar tumor resection has minimal impact on olfactory function.

Background Though the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and lower airway diseases is well recognized, the impact of CRS on bronchial wall structure has not been elucidated. Here, we evaluated the bronchial wall structure of CRS patients with or without diagnosed airway diseases by three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). Methods Subjects who underwent both chest CT and sinus CT within a year were recruited from consecutive medical records. CRS was defined as a Lund-Mackay score (LMS) of over 5 points. Airway dimensions were measured using validated software. Standard blood tests and pulmonary function tests were performed, and their correlation with airway thickness was examined. Results One-hundred-seventy-two patients were recruited (93 CRS subjects and 79 non-CRS subjects). The bronchial walls of CRS subjects were significantly thicker than those of non-CRS subjects. CRS and asthma were related to bronchial wall thickening by multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for age, smoking status, and chest symptoms. In addition, LMS was significantly correlated with bronchial wall thickening. Conclusion Airway walls in CRS subjects were thicker than those in non-CRS subjects and associated with the severity of CRS. These data indicate strong relationship between upper and lower airways regardless of chest symptoms or diagnosed airway diseases.

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of MRI abnormalities which were suspected as sinusitis in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese and to identify risk factors for the MRI abnormality. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) were used for the analysis. Among the 2330 subjects in the NILS-LSA, 1933 participants were categorized as having no MRI abnormality or MRI abnormality using the Lund-Mackay (LM) score. The mean LM score of the participants was 0.88±1.92, and 144 (7.4%) participants had MRI abnormalities which were suspected as sinusitis when it was classified as an LM score greater than or equal to 4. The prevalence of MRI abnormality was significantly higher in participants of older age and the male sex, in participants with obesity, hypertension, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, gout, or hyperuricemia and in ex- or current smokers. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17), obesity (OR = 1.54), a smoking habit (OR = 1.71), history of asthma (OR = 3.77), and chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.66) were significant risk factors for MRI abnormality.

Background: This study examined the relationship between olfactory function and taste function. A personal function test was calculated from the Yakumo study database, and the odour stick identification test and salt taste identification test were administered to healthy elderly people. The participants were community dwellers who voluntarily participated in the Yakumo Study and had managed everyday life by themselves. Totally, 358 people (152 male, 206 female) participated in Yakumo–cho inhabitant’s examination of 2014. The average age of 152 male was 65.2±9.4 years old (40–80 years old). We used Sal save (product made in Advantec Co. Ltd.) for an examination of taste. We used Smelling stick (product made in Daiichi Kogyo Co. Ltd.) for olfactometry. In addition, the average age of 206 female was 63.7±10.6 years old (40–85 years old).The results showed that the performance score on odour identification test was better in female participants than male participants. The results of the salt taste identification test showed that the recognition of salt density was lower in female participants than in male participants. Because taste and olfactory cognitive abilities decline with age, the development of meals for the elderly requires a new approach. Meals for the elderly should be healthy, with a strong fragrance and a light taste of salt.

Objectives/Hypothesis Pathologic third window lesions, such as superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) or large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), cause several auditory and vestibular symptoms, which might affect perilymphatic pressure and induce endolymphatic hydrops (EH). In this study, the existence of EH in subjects with SCDS or LVAS was investigated using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design Case series at university hospital. Methods Seventeen ears from nine subjects who were diagnosed as having SCDS (five ears from three cases) or LVAS (12 ears from six cases) were studied. Ears were evaluated by 3-T MRI performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of gadodiamide hydrate. Imaging data concerning the degree of EH in the cochlea and the vestibule were compared with clinical symptoms and hearing levels for all ears. Results All ears showed air–bone gaps at low frequencies on pure tone audiometry. None of the subjects with SCDS had episodes of acute sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or vestibular symptoms, except for one patient who complained of head vibration induced by loud noise. Conversely, five of six subjects with LVAS had episodes of acute SNHL or vestibular symptoms. Four of five ears with SCDS showed severe EH in the cochlea, and two ears showed mild EH in the vestibule. All ears with LVAS showed mild to severe EH in both the cochlea and vestibule. Conclusions The present study demonstrated the existence of EH in ears with pathologic third window lesions, which might affect patients' auditory or vestibular symptoms. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2015

OBJECTIVE Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has been reported in cases with otosclerosis, and preoperative EH could be a risk factor for inner ear disturbances after stapes surgery. Visualization of EH has recently become possible using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast agents. This study investigated the presence of EH on MRI in ears with clinical otosclerosis. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS 27 ears of 15 cases diagnosed with otosclerosis. INTERVENTION Ears were evaluated by 3-T MRI performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of gadolinium. The degree of EH in the vestibule and cochlea was classified into three grades (none, mild, and significant). Imaging data were compared with clinical findings for all ears. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Imaging and clinical findings. RESULTS Varying degrees of cochlear EH and vestibular EH were observed in 20 and 15 ears, respectively. Episodes of acute sensorineural hearing loss with rotatory vertigo occurred in four ears that showed severe EH in the cochleae and vestibules. Severe EH, however, was also observed in ears without such symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The presence of EH in ears with otosclerosis was clearly visualized in the present patient series. Such MRI evaluation could provide useful information for managing symptoms related to EH.

Aim Hearing loss is a risk factor for the progression of dementia. Cognitive improvement is occasionally found after removal of cerumen impaction. Because patients with dementia do not usually complain about cerumen impaction, detection methods are important. The present study aimed to investigate whether cerumen impaction is observable using brain magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Participants were six patients whose hearing level improved 15 dB or more unilaterally or bilaterally after the removal of cerumen impaction. A radiologist who was blind to the impaction side and whether magnetic resonance imaging scans were taken before or after impaction removal classified cerumen impaction as positive, negative or unclear. Results Three ears classified as impaction positive and five ears classified as impaction negative corresponded accurately to the presence or absence of cerumen impaction. Among four ears classified as unclear, two did and two did not have cerumen impaction. Conclusion Careful examination of the external ear canal on brain magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect cerumen impaction. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●–●●.