Coronavirus disease 2019 status and related anxiety levels in cases undergoing total laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate rate of the COVID-19 disease, its severity, mortality rate and anxiety levels in subjects who underwent total laryngectomy. METHODS: The subjects who underwent total laryngectomy were included in the study. The data were first obtained retrospectively and then a telephone survey was applied. Anxiety levels was evaluated by the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). RESULTS: A total of 54 subjects were included in the study. Nine (16.7%) males were reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Five (55%) of them were hospitalized; 2 of them (22%) were taken to intensive care units, and one subject (11%) died. Although a tendency to increase risk of COVID-19 disease in the tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis users (23.1% vs 14.63%) was observed, statistically difference was not significant. The average total CAS score was significantly higher in those who had COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The data documented that people who underwent total laryngectomy developed more frequent and more severe COVID-19 disease and had a higher mortality rate. Although no obvious variable was found, our data suggest that using a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis may be somewhat effective. Besides, our subjects presented very low anxiety about COVID-19.

Efficacy of radiological depth of invasion measurements on magnetic resonance images acquired at different magnetic field strengths and imaging sequences in predicting cervical lymph node metastasis and other outcomes in tongue cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters and tumor pathological depth of invasion (pDOI), between pDOI and radiological DOI (rDOI), between rDOI and duration between biopsy and MRI, and between rDOI and duration between MRI and surgery to determine the efficacy of rDOI in identifying small lesions and other conditions. STUDY DESIGN: We examined 36 adult patients who had been diagnosed histopathologically with cancer of the tongue and had undergone a glossectomy. Using 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T MRI, we measured rDOI at the deepest infiltration point on 4 MRI sequences. We calculated the correlations between rDOI and the variables examined by Spearman rho analysis and evaluated the diagnostic performance of rDOI by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Axial T2-weighted images using 1.5T MRI provided the closest approximation of pDOI. Although the correlation between rDOI and pDOI was significant, rDOI showed poor or acceptable discrimination in identifying small lesions and other conditions. There were no significant correlations between rDOI and the time between biopsy and MRI or between MRI and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between rDOI and pDOI is significant, but rDOI is ineffective in predicting malignancy and other conditions. Axial T2-weighted images using 1.5T MRI provide the closest approximation of pDOI.

Cochlear Implantation in Inner Ear Malformations: Considerations Related to Surgical Complications and Communication Skills.

INTRODUCTION: There are particular challenges in the implantation of malformed cochleae, such as in cases of facial nerve anomalies, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, erroneous electrode insertion, or facial stimulation, and the outcomes may differ depending on the severity of the malformation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inner ear malformations (IEMs) on surgical complications and outcomes of cochlear implantation. METHODS: In order to assess the impact of IEMs on cochlear implant (CI) outcomes, 2 groups of patients with similar epidemiological parameters were selected from among 863 patients. Both the study group (patients with an IEM) and control group (patients with a normal inner ear) included 25 patients who received a CI and completed at least 1 year of follow-up. Auditory performance, receptive and expressive language skills, and production and use of speech were evaluated preoperatively and at least 1 year after implantation. Types of surgical complications and rates of revision surgeries were determined in each group. RESULTS: In the study group, the most common malformation was an isolated enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) (44.8%). Overall, the patients with IEMs showed significant improvement in auditory-verbal skills. In general, the patients who had normal cochleae scored significantly better compared to patients with IEMs (p < 0.05). The complication rate was significantly lower in the control group compared to the study group (p = 0.001), but the rate of revision surgeries did not differ significantly (p = 0.637). CONCLUSION: It is possible to improve communication skills with CIs in patients with IEMs despite the variations in postoperative performances. Patients with EVA, incomplete partition type 2, and cochlear hypoplasia type 2 were the best performers in terms of auditory-verbal skills. Patients with IEMs scored poorly compared to patients with normal cochleae. CSF leak (gusher or oozing) was the most common complication during surgery, which is highly likely in cases of incomplete partition type 3.

Assessment of olfactory and gustatory functions in COVID-19 patients

Background/aim: This study aims to evaluate of olfactory and gustatory functions of COVID-19 patients and possible risk factors for olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study included adult patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Gazi University Hospital between April 2020 and June 2020. Volunteered patients participated in a survey in which olfactory and gustatory functions and various clinical information were questioned. Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 was also administrated to all patients. Results: A hundred and seventy-one patients participated in this study. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions rates were 10.5% (n: 18) and 10.5% (n: 18), respectively. Patients without any symptom other than smell and taste dysfunctions were clustered as group 1 and patients who are clinically symptomatic were clustered as group 2. Olfactory dysfunction occurred in 8% of group 1 and 17.4% of group 2 (p = 0.072). Gustatory dysfunction rate of smokers was 19.7% and significantly higher than gustatory dysfunction rate of nonsmokers (5.5%) (p = 0.007). Twenty-seven-point-eight percent of the patients with olfactory dysfunction (n = 5) were male and 72.2% (n: 13) were female. Sex did not show significant effect on rate of olfactory dysfunction. Twenty-five patients participated in psychophysical olfactory function test. No participant reported olfactory dysfunction at the time of test. Of the participants, 64% (n: 16) were normosmic and 36% (n: 9) were hyposmic according to Sniffin' Stick test. Conclusion: Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are more common in patients who are clinically symptomatic than those diagnosed during contact tracing. Objective tests may show that frequency of olfactory dysfunction is greater than frequency of self-reported olfactory dysfunction.

Does evaluation of tumor volume or/both origination site better guide to optimal surgery for inverted papilloma? / A avaliação do volume do tumor e/ou dos seus locais de origem fornece a melhor orientação para a técnica cirúrgica ideal do papiloma invertido?

Abstract Introduction Sinonasal inverted papilloma is noted for its high rate of recurrence. Staging systems aid to reduce recurrence and avoid excessive surgeries by guiding the selection of the optimal surgical approach. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of different endoscopic approaches in inverted papilloma by assessing tumor origin site and tumor volume. Methods Krouse classification system that is based on tumor volume was used for staging; furthermore, tumor origin sites were grouped as lateral nasal wall, medial wall and other walls of maxillary sinus. The main treatment method for all patients was endoscopic sinus surgery. Endoscopic extended middle meatal antrostomy, endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were the additional surgery types performed in different combinations. Results Fifty-five patients (42 male) with a mean 54.9 ± 14.4 years of age were included. 37 patients were diagnosed with advanced stage inverted papilloma (67.2 %). Recurrence was observed in 12 patients (21.8 %). In early stage lateral nasal wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the simple tumor resection group (0/10). In early stage medial wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the extended middle meatal antrostomy group (0/8). In advanced stage medial wall origination, the recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy, extended middle meatal antrostomy + endoscopic Caldwell- Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 100.0 %, 53.8 % and 13.6 %, respectively (p = 0.002). In advanced stage other walls of maxillary sinus origination, recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy + endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 20 % and 16.6 %, respectively (p = 0.887). Conclusion Tumor origin site, tumor stage and surgery types show an impact on recurrence. Despite the fact that tumor origin site singly could lead to appropriate selection of the surgery type in most cases, tumor stage carries substantial importance in selection of surgery type for sinonasal-inverted papilloma. An operation plan regarding both tumor volume and tumor origin site may aid surgeons in selecting optimal endoscopic surgical method to avoid recurrence or excessive surgeries.

Resumo Introdução O papiloma invertido nasossinusal é conhecido por sua alta taxa de recorrência. Os sistemas de estadiamento ajudam a reduzir a recorrência e evitar cirurgias excessivas e orientam a seleção da abordagem cirúrgica ideal. Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia de diferentes abordagens endoscópicas no papiloma invertido, de acordo com o local de origem e o volume do tumor. Método Para o estadiamento, usou-se o sistema de classificação de Krouse, baseado no volume do tumor; além disso, os tumores foram agrupados de acordo com seus locais de origem: parede nasal lateral, parede medial e outras paredes do seio maxilar. O principal método de tratamento para todos os pacientes foi a cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal. Foram feitos, em diferentes combinações, os seguintes tipos de cirurgia: antrostomia estendida do meato médio, Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica. Resultados Foram incluídos 55 pacientes (42 homens) com média de 54,9 ± 14,4 anos. Trinta e sete pacientes foram diagnosticados com papiloma invertido avançado (67,2%). Foi observada recorrência em 12 pacientes (21,8%). No estágio inicial com origem na parede nasal lateral, não foi observada recorrência no grupo de ressecção simples de tumor (0/10). No estágio inicial com origem na parede medial, não foi observada recorrência no grupo de antrostomia estendida do meato médio (0/8). Com tumor em estágio avançado com origem na parede medial, as taxas de recorrência na antrostomia estendida do meato médio, antrostomia estendida do meato médio + Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica foram de 100,0%, 53,8% e 13,6%, respectivamente (p = 0,002). No tumor em estágio avançado em outras paredes do seio maxilar, as taxas de recorrência na antrostomia estendida do meato médio + Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica foram de 20% e 16,6%, respectivamente (p = 0,887). Conclusão O local de origem do tumor, o estágio do tumor e os tipos de cirurgia mostram impacto na recorrência. Apesar da consideração de que na maioria dos casos o local de origem do tumor pode, de forma isolada, orientar a seleção apropriada do tipo de cirurgia, o estágio do tumor tem importância substancial na seleção do tipo de cirurgia para papiloma invertido nasossinusal. Um planejamento cirúrgico considerando tanto o volume quanto o local de origem do tumor pode ajudar os cirurgiões a selecionar o tipo ideal de cirurgia endoscópica para evitar recorrências ou remoções excessivas.

The role of gold weight implants in the management of paralytic lagophthalmos.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to evaluate the usage of gold weight implants and monitor complaints and comfort of patients. METHODS: A hundred and ninety-one implantations performed between January 2009 and January 2019 were analyzed. Seventy-eight patients included in this study The average age of the patients was 51.3 ± 14.5 years. Forty-five (57.7%) of them were male and 33 (42.3%) female. Patient satisfaction was measured with a questionnaire containing the most common complaints related to gold weight in the literature through telephone surveys. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 74.5 months. Ninety-three-point-five percent of subjects had operational causes, among which the most widespread was acoustic neuroma (44.9%). The average time between facial paralysis and implantation was 141.1 days. Implantation was performed 26.6 days on average after acoustic neuroma surgery and 3.2 days on average after temporal zone malignancy surgery. Thirty-eight patients had their implants removed over either complication (n = 14) or recovery (n = 24). Recovery was the fastest after facial nerve decompression (mean= 4.75 ± 3.6 (2-10) months) and the slowest after 7-12 cranial nerve transfer (mean= 18.3 ± 8.2 (3-31) months). Twenty-six-point-nine percent (n = 21) of patients had complications, of which the most common was extrusion (n = 10). The overall satisfaction rate was 88.5% with the highest in visual acuity and the lowest in continuous requirement for artificial tear. DISCUSSION: The gold weight implantation is an effective, reversible, and easy procedure significantly reducing complaints regarding paralytic lagophthalmos. Early implementation may be beneficial for ocular complications. A dynamic facial reanimation could terminate need of implant.

The Effects of Clinical and Home-based Physiotherapy Programs in Secondary Head and Neck Lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and home programs on external lymphedema, staging of lymphedema, fibrosis, and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning and volume evaluation in head and neck lymphedema. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled study. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were randomly divided into three groups: CDP (n:7), home program (n:7), and control (n:7). Assessment methods were applied at baseline and 4 weeks later for all groups. MD. Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol was implemented to evaluate head and neck external lymphedema, staging of lymphedema, and fibrosis. A 3D scanner and a software were used to determine and calculate the volume of the head and neck region via 3D surface scanning. Head and neck external lymphedema and fibrosis assessment criteria were performed to evaluate visible soft tissue edema and the degree of stiffness. RESULTS: The severity and volume of lymphedema decreased in the CDP program group (P < .05). Besides, external lymphedema and fibrosis at submental region were decreased in both CDP program and home program groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: While the benefits of home program are limited, a CDP program may be more effective in the management of lymphedema and fibrosis in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The clinical trial registration number: NCT04286698, date: 02/25/2020, retrospectively registered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1550-E1557, 2021.

Does evaluation of tumor volume or/both origination site better guide to optimal surgery for inverted papilloma?

INTRODUCTION: Sinonasal inverted papilloma is noted for its high rate of recurrence. Staging systems aid to reduce recurrence and avoid excessive surgeries by guiding the selection of the optimal surgical approach. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of different endoscopic approaches in inverted papilloma by assessing tumor origin site and tumor volume. METHODS: Krouse classification system that is based on tumor volume was used for staging; furthermore, tumor origin sites were grouped as lateral nasal wall, medial wall and other walls of maxillary sinus. The main treatment method for all patients was endoscopic sinus surgery. Endoscopic extended middle meatal antrostomy, endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were the additional surgery types performed in different combinations. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (42 male) with a mean 54.9±14.4 years of age were included. 37 patients were diagnosed with advanced stage inverted papilloma (67.2 %). Recurrence was observed in 12 patients (21.8 %). In early stage lateral nasal wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the simple tumor resection group (0/10). In early stage medial wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the extended middle meatal antrostomy group (0/8). In advanced stage medial wall origination, the recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy, extended middle meatal antrostomy+endoscopic Caldwell- Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 100.0 %, 53.8 % and 13.6 %, respectively (p=0.002). In advanced stage other walls of maxillary sinus origination, recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy+endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 20 % and 16.6 %, respectively (p=0.887). CONCLUSION: Tumor origin site, tumor stage and surgery types show an impact on recurrence. Despite the fact that tumor origin site singly could lead to appropriate selection of the surgery type in most cases, tumor stage carries substantial importance in selection of surgery type for sinonasal-inverted papilloma. An operation plan regarding both tumor volume and tumor origin site may aid surgeons in selecting optimal endoscopic surgical method to avoid recurrence or excessive surgeries.

Evaluation of Caldwell-Luc Operation in the Endoscopic Era: Experience From Past 7 Years.

PURPOSE: We wished to draw attention to the changes in the surgical method and indications for the Caldwell-Luc (CL) operation in the endoscopic era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients who had undergone the CL operation in the previous 7 years were included in the present study. All operations had been performed by otolaryngologists. The CL operation was performed as 2 types of antrostomy: radical canine fossa antrostomy (RA) and mini-canine fossa antrostomy (MA). The surgical methods were grouped as follows: RA alone, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) plus RA, and ESS plus MA. RESULTS: RA alone, ESS plus RA, and ESS plus MA had been performed in 24 (25.5%), 6 (6.3%), and 64 (68.1%) patients, respectively. RA had been used for a total of 30 patients and had been combined with ESS for only 6 patients. The indications were categorized as mucosal sinus disease and odontogenic lesions. A statistically significant difference was found between the rates of the preferred antrostomy type for the treatment of sinus mucosal disease and odontogenic lesions (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In otorhinolaryngology practice, the CL procedure has mostly been required to provide easy access to the maxillary sinus when ESS alone would be inadequate. However, the formal CL operation, including RA, could still be considered a main surgical technique in oral and maxillofacial surgery practice.

Canal wall down versus canal wall up surgeries in the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma

Background/aim: To compare outcomes of canal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) techniques in the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma. Materials and methods: Medical records of 76 patients who had a primary surgery due to middle ear cholesteatoma between July 2015 and November 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Hearing thresholds, speech discrimination scores (SDS), recurrences, and revision surgeries of CWU and CWD surgeries were compared. Results: Of 76 cholesteatoma cases, 40 (52.6%) had a CWU and 36 (47.4%) had a CWD operation. Postoperatively, the mean air conduction thresholds were significantly better in CWU compared to CWD surgeries (P = 0.016). The presence of the stapes and the type of reconstruction material used did not have a significant effect on auditory success rates (P = 0.342 and P = 0.905, respectively). Auditory success was affected by the status of the middle ear mucosa as well. The recurrence and revision rates did not differ between the surgical techniques (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Status of the middle ear mucosa and external auditory canal are important factors affecting the outcomes in cholesteatoma. Instead of a CWD surgery, a CWU surgery seems applicable in cases of cholesteatoma when the bone in the external auditory canal is not eroded by the disease.

Assessment of Cochlear Implant Revision Surgeries in a Cohort of 802 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the etiology, demographics, rates and outcomes of revision surgeries, and device survival rates after cochlear implantation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary Otology & Neurotology center. PATIENTS: Cochlear implantees who received revision surgeries after implantation INTERVENTIONS:: Any surgical intervention, performed due to device failure or the major complications of cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Medical records of the patients who received cochlear implants (CIs) between July 2002 and March 2018 were reviewed retrospectively regarding postoperative complications. Demographic data, device survival rates, and causes of revisions were recorded. RESULTS: Totally, 924 implantations were performed in 802 patients. Eighty one (8.7%) of them underwent 102 revision surgeries. The most common causes of revision surgeries were device failures and flap related problems which were seen in 28 and 18 patients, respectively.Overall CI survival rate was 91.9% in a 10 years period, which remained almost stable after 10 years. Although age was not found to be related with device failure (p = 0.693), device loss rates were significantly higher in adult implantees than children (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Device failure seems the most common cause of revision. The revision surgeries are usually safe and help to resolve the problem although flap problems are the most difficult to treat and may necessitate multiple revision surgeries. The device failure rate may reach to a plateau after 6 years. Overall CI survival rate exceeds 90% in 10 years period, and then remains stable.

The effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the central auditory system

Background/aim: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease characterized by repeated hypoxia attacks during sleep. The effect of hypoxia on the central nervous system is a well-known entity. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of OSAS on the central auditory system. Materials and methods: Twenty-one OSAS patients diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) and 10 control subjects were included in the study. After a thorough otorhinolaryngology examination, all subjects underwent pure tone audiometry (250 to 8000 Hz frequency). The subjects with normal otoscopic examination and hearing threshold were included in the study. All participants underwent speech discrimination analyses and auditory time processing and sequencing tests, i.e. frequency pattern test (FPT) and duration pattern test (DPT). Results: Although hearing was normal in the OSAS patients, significant loss was observed in the speech discrimination rates compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Significant disruption was also detected in the FPT and SPT in the OSAS patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Repeated hypoxic episodes in OSAS resulted in statistically significant impairments in the central auditory pathways, even if the hearing threshold was within normal limits.

Temporal bone paragangliomas: 15 years experience / Paraganglioma do osso temporal: 15 anos de experiência

Abstract Introduction Temporal bone paragangliomas (TBPs) are benign tumors arising from neural crest cells located along the jugular bulbus and the tympanic plexus. In general surgical excision, radiotherapy and wait-and-scan protocols are the main management modalities for TBPs. Objective In this paper we aim to present our clinical experience with TBPs and to review literature data. Methods The patients who were operated for tympanomastoid paraganglioma (TMP) or tympanojugular paraganglioma (TJP) in our clinic in the last 15 years were enrolled in the study. A detailed patient's charts review was performed retrospectively. Results There were 18 (52.9%) cases with TMPs and 16 (47.1%) cases with TJPs, a total of 34 patients operated for TBPs in this time period. The mean age was 50.3 ± 11.7 (range 25-71 years). The most common presenting symptoms were tinnitus and hearing loss for both TMPs and TJPs. Gross total tumor resection was achieved in 17 (94.4%) and 10 (62.5%) cases for TMPs and TJPs, respectively. Five patients (31.2%) with TJP experienced facial palsy following the operation. For all the patients the mean follow-up period was 25.8 months (range 4-108 months). Conclusion In conclusion, based on our findings and literature review, total surgical excision alone or with preoperative embolization is the main treatment modality for TBPs. However radiotherapy, observation protocol and subtotal resection must be considered in cases of preoperative functioning cranial nerves, large tumors and advanced age.

Resumo Introdução Paragangliomas do osso temporal (POT) são tumores benignos derivados de células da crista neural localizados ao longo do bulbo jugular e do plexo timpânico. Em geral, a excisão cirúrgica, a radioterapia e os protocolos de acompanhamento com estudos por imagem são as principais modalidades de conduta para o POT. Objetivo Apresentar nossa experiência clínica com POT e revisar os dados da literatura. Método Os pacientes que foram submetidos a cirurgia para paraganglioma timpanomastoideo (PTM) ou paraganglioma timpanojugular (PTJ) em nossa clínica nos últimos 15 anos foram incluídos no estudo. Realizou-se retrospectivamente uma revisão detalhada dos prontuários dos pacientes. Resultados Houve 18 (52,9%) casos com PTM e 16 (47,1%) com PTJ, portanto, um total de 34 pacientes operados para POT nesse período. A idade média foi de 50,3 ± 11,7 (intervalo de 25-71 anos). Os sinais e sintomas de apresentação mais comuns foram o zumbido e perda auditiva, tanto para PTM quanto para PTJ. A ressecção tumoral completa foi obtida em 17 (94,4%) e 10 (62,5%) casos para PTM e PTJ, respectivamente. Cinco pacientes (31,2%) com PTJ apresentaram paralisia facial decorrente da cirurgia. Para todos os pacientes o tempo médio de seguimento foi de 25,8 meses (intervalo 4-108). Conclusão Com base nos nossos dados e na revisão da literatura, a excisão cirúrgica total isolada ou com embolização pré-operatória é a principal modalidade de tratamento para POT. No entanto, a radioterapia, o protocolo de observação e a ressecção subtotal devem ser considerados no caso de nervos cranianos funcionais no pré-operatório, grandes tumores e idade avançada.

Evaluation of Effect of Garlic Aged Extracts and Vitamin B12 on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated effects of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and vitamin B12 on inner ear functions and morphology after long-period high-level broadband noise exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four healthy rats were randomly divided into four groups. First group was chosen as the control group. Vitamin B12, SAMC, and DADS were applied to other groups for 4 weeks. On the 14th day, each group was exposed to broadband noise. Auditory brainstem response test was performed before and immediately after noise exposure and repeated on the 2nd and 14th day. RESULTS: Permanent threshold shifts were significantly lower in groups treated with vitamin B12, SAMC, and DADS. Histologically, cochleae of SAMC and DADS groups were found to be better preserved than the cochleae of vitamin B12 and control groups. CONCLUSION: Physiologically and histologically, SAMC and DADS reduced the long-term effects of noise. However, physiological recovery was not consistent with the morphological findings in vitamin B12 group.

Does nasal congestion have a role in decreased resistance to regular CPAP usage?

Nasal obstruction is known to cause resistance to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In this paper, short- and long-term nasal congestion in OSAS patients receiving CPAP treatment were evaluated with acoustic rhinometry (AR). A total of 36 patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS, diagnosed with polysomnography were included in the study. Ten healthy subjects without OSAS constituted the control group. Pre-treatment nasal patency were measured with AR in all participants. 26 patients used the recommended CPAP treatment. Ten patients did not accept CPAP treatment. The AR test was repeated for all the subjects after 1 and 3 months except the 3rd month's measurements of the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the initial minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) measurements of OSAS patients, using or not using CPAP, and the control group (P > 0.05). However, the first month MCA measurements of patients receiving CPAP were found to be significantly decreased compared with the initial values (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in the first and third months MCA values in the control group and patients who did not use CPAP (P > 0.05). No significant difference revealed in the 3rd month MCA measurements of the patients using CPAP compared with the initial values (P > 0.05). In this study, the increased nasal congestion, which is thought to be the cause of CPAP resistance, was objectively demonstrated in OSAS patients using CPAP. In addition, the nasal congestion developing at the first month was shown to disappear over time, supporting the opinion that patient compliance in CPAP treatment is expected to increase after regular device usage.

Temporal bone paragangliomas: 15 years experience.

INTRODUCTION: Temporal bone paragangliomas (TBPs) are benign tumors arising from neural crest cells located along the jugular bulbus and the tympanic plexus. In general surgical excision, radiotherapy and wait-and-scan protocols are the main management modalities for TBPs. OBJECTIVE: In this paper we aim to present our clinical experience with TBPs and to review literature data. METHODS: The patients who were operated for tympanomastoid paraganglioma (TMP) or tympanojugular paraganglioma (TJP) in our clinic in the last 15 years were enrolled in the study. A detailed patient's charts review was performed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 18 (52.9%) cases with TMPs and 16 (47.1%) cases with TJPs, a total of 34 patients operated for TBPs in this time period. The mean age was 50.3± 11.7 (range 25-71 years). The most common presenting symptoms were tinnitus and hearing loss for both TMPs and TJPs. Gross total tumor resection was achieved in 17 (94.4%) and 10 (62.5%) cases for TMPs and TJPs, respectively. Five patients (31.2%) with TJP experienced facial palsy following the operation. For all the patients the mean follow-up period was 25.8 months (range 4-108 months). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, based on our findings and literature review, total surgical excision alone or with preoperative embolization is the main treatment modality for TBPs. However radiotherapy, observation protocol and subtotal resection must be considered in cases of preoperative functioning cranial nerves, large tumors and advanced age.

Excision of recurrent synovial sarcoma of the infratemporal fossa.

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma especially encountered in the lower extremities. The infratemporal fossa is quite a rare location. Since it is a closed location, combined approaches and multidisciplinary planning always need to be considered. This case emphasizes the high-grade character of synovial sarcoma, which causes it to recur often. The difficulty of clear surgical margins in the infratemporal fossa adds to synovial sarcoma a second challenging issue. Therefore, the need of complementary therapy is essential. In this case, we applied postoperative radiotherapy and we did not observe any sign of local, regional or distant metastasis in the one-year follow-up. In this article, we present a 68-year-old male patient together with totally excised synovial sarcoma in the infratemporal fossa by mandibular swing and transzygomatic technique information on the manifestation, imaging, histopathological features and postoperative complications of previous infratemporal fossa synovial sarcomas.

Role of nasal problems on positional and nonpositional obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the relationship between nasal pathologies and positional (PP) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or nonpositional (NPP) OSA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 44 male OSA patients (mean age 48.0±6.8 years; range 31 to 60 years) suffering from nasal obstruction were retrospectively evaluated for nasal obstruction scores, overall apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and AHI in supine and nonsupine positions, daytime sleepiness scores, and body mass index (BMI). Patients were divided into two equal groups as PP group and NPP group. Output parameters were snoring severity index, clinical nasal obstruction score, septal deviation score, conchal hypertrophy score, and allergic rhinitis (AR) score. These parameters were correlated with the type of OSA. RESULTS: Apnea hypopnea index was significantly lower in PP group than in NPP group (p<0.03). Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlation between AR score and PP (r=-0.40, p<0.0001). Pearson correlation test revealed significant correlation between AHI and BMI (r=0.32, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that AR is not only an important risk factor for OSA, but also patients with AR tend to be NPP OSA patients because of the serious nasal obstruction which already causes an increase in nasal resistance or pharyngeal collapsibility.

[Nasal type natural killer/T cell lymphoma: case series and literature review]. / Nazal tip dogal katil/T hücreli lenfoma: Olgu serisi ve literatür derlemesi.

Nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is a rare type of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma which originates from nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Exact diagnosis of nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, which is a rapidly progressive clinical condition, may be established by immunohistochemical analysis on biopsy material after clinical suspicion. In this article, we report four cases of nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma who were followed-up in our clinic and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in light of the literature data.