Ear, nose and throat, Ahus

About the group

Otological research is aimed at creating new autologous tissue for implantation in vivo. We map genetic, structural and functional properties of cells cultured from human tympanic membrane tissue.

We want to develop regenerative medicine in otology by gathering knowledge about the ear's stem cells. We also aim to evaluate or improve current diagnostic methods for diseases of the ear (intraoperative laser and Doppler vibrometry). In addition, we want to improve the outcome of surgical treatments in ear surgery and ventilation tube treatment (drain)

The research on diseases in the nose, focuses primarily on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal congestion. The projects focus on investigating the characteristics of the relationship between patient-reported quality of life and measurements of space and airflow through the nose. We are also investigating the connection between nasal/sinus disease and OSA.

The research on sleep apnea is discussed in a separate, interdisciplinary research group called "Sleep Heart and Respiration (SHeaR)".  Read more about the research group here.  

Projects

Ear

• Cultivating keratinocytes from the epidermis for better treatment of perforations in the tympanic membrane. Stem cells from human eardrums are cultured. Their characteristics; such as morphology, phenotype, viability, in addition to gene, protein and enzyme expression are mapped. The genetic code for the inherent ability to migrate ear keratinocytes has been identified and the associated protein expression analysed.
• A structural and functional study of epithelial cell regeneration from stem cells in human tympanic membrane.
• Will the shape and material of the ventilation tube (drain) affect the duration of the drain and the risk of complications? A prospective, randomized, comparative study of 800 ears with a four-year follow-up.
• Taste changes after disease and surgery in the middle ear. A clinical, prospective study of 300 ears where nerve function before and after the operation was analyzed by subjective and objective methods, as well as questionnaires on quality of life.
• Laser-Doppler vibrometric intraoperative measurement of auditory ossicle movement. A new method for measuring the movements of the auditory bone during surgery can help the surgeon to choose the most favorable technical solution in certain operations. The method is evaluated in the temporal bone in humans.

Rhinology

• The presence of biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis. Biopsies taken from the nasal cavity during surgery and examined by confocal microscopy. The results are correlated with clinical symptom scores and histological parameters of the degree of inflammation.
• Treatment outcomes of facial fractures: a database has been created to examine the outcomes following conservative treatment versus surgical treatment of facial fracture.

Sleep apnea

• Sleep Apnea, tecnological treatment study 
  Development of interventions based on focused muscle training and treatment adherence. 
  Read more about the study (in Norwegian). 

• Akershus Sleep Apnea project 3 (ASAP) 
  Development of interventions aimed at central breathing regulation and treatment adherence.  

• Project Eurostars Hypnos 1
  Development of interventions aimed at the awakening threshold and treatment adherence.  

Cooperation and collaboration partners

Read more about our partners here: 
SHeaR - Sleep, Heart and Respiration - Institute of Clinical Medicine (uio.no)