Tocilizumab treatment in severe COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective study with matched controls.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) associated pneumonia may progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Some patients develop features of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Elevated levels of IL-6 were reported to be associated with severe disease, and anti-IL-6R tocilizumab has been shown to be effective in some patients. This retrospective multicenter case-control study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tocilizumab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who received standard of care with or without tocilizumab. Primary outcome was the progression to intubation or death. PSMATCH (SAS) procedure was used to achieve exact propensity score (PS) matching. Data from 1289 patients were collected, and study population was reduced to 1073 based on inclusion-exclusion criteria. The composite outcome was observed more frequently in tocilizumab-users, but there was a significant imbalance between arms in all critical parameters. Primary analyses were carried out in 348 patients (174 in each arm) after exact PS matching according to gender, ferritin, and procalcitonin. Logistic regression models revealed that tocilizumab significantly reduced the intubation or death (OR 0.40, p = 0.0017). When intubation is considered alone, tocilizumab-users had > 60% reduction in odds of intubation. Multiple imputation approach, which increased the size of the matched patients up to 506, provided no significant difference between arms despite a similar trend for intubation alone group. Analysis of this retrospective cohort showed more frequent intubation or death in tocilizumab-users, but PS-matched analyses revealed significant results for supporting tocilizumab use overall in a subset of patients matched according to gender, ferritin and procalcitonin levels.

Evaluation of Diarrhea in Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The COVID-19 disease, which was declared epidemic by the WHO, is a global emergency public health problem. Patients with extrapulmonary symptoms are the group of patients who should be considered for person-to-person transmission in the community. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with COVID-19-related diarrhea symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively in CO-VID-19 rtRT-PCR-positive patients in 5 medical centers. Three or more loose/liquid stools per day or increased number of defecations compared to normal defecation were defined as diarrhea. The patients were analyzed in 2 groups as those with and without diarrhea. RESULTS: One thousand eighty-six patients were included in the study. Seventy-eight (7.2%) of the patients had diarrhea. Diarrhea was watery in 54 (69.2%) patients while with blood and mucus in 18 (23.1%) patients. Diarrhea continued for an average of 5.2 ± 1.6 (2-11) days. The clinical and laboratory findings of patients with diarrhea were more serious than those without diarrhea. Diarrhea is more common in the elderly and people with comorbid disease, and patients with diarrhea had higher CMI score and CRP and higher complaints of fever, cough, shortness of breath, myalgia, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of diarrhea should indicate a suspected COVID-19 infection and suggest testing for early diagnosis of the disease. It should be kept in mind that the course of the disease may be more severe in these patients, and precautions should also be taken in terms of fecal transmission during discharge.

Bilateral Ethmoidal Mucocele Causing Proptosis in a Child.

OBJECTIVES: Paranasal sinus mucocele is a benign cystic lesion, lined with respiratory epithelium and filled with mucoid secretions, which is generally seen in the ethmoid or frontal sinuses. Inflammation, trauma, fibrosis, neoplasm, and previous surgery play a role in etiology. Treatment of this condition requires marsupialization and drainage. Endoscopic surgery is the gold standard procedure. METHODS: A 2-year-old boy was referred to our clinic with a diagnosis of bilateral ethmoid mucocele causing proptosis in the right eye. General clinical examinations and routine blood analysis revealed normal health condition of the patient and comorbidities such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and/or ciliary dysfunction were excluded. The patient was operated with an endoscopic endonasal approach. RESULTS: As far as we know, our article reports the first case of bilateral ethmoidal sinus mucocele with no underlying comorbidity, such as cystic fibrosis or ciliary dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS: Children are rarely affected by mucocele and if present at early age, there is usually an underlying cause. In pediatric patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of a mucocele, it is important to rule out other benign and malignant paranasal sinus pathologies. Marsupialization and drainage via endoscopic endonasal approach is the preferred treatment modality.

The Simplified Nasal Septal Deviation Evaluation System and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Scale Correlation.

Nasal septal deviation (NSD) is a common condition in otorhinolaryngology practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between localization and severity of NSD, and related complaints as well as to suggest a simplified assessment method for NSD. Seventy-five patients who complaint nasal obstruction were enrolled this study. The affected nasal cavity was divided into 4 separate sections as follows: antero-superior (AS), antero-inferior (AI), postero-superior (PS), and postero-inferior (PI). Each section was determined according to its relationship to the both superior edge and head of the inferior turbinate. The NSD score was calculated separately for each section according to its relationship with lateral nasal wall. The NSD-related complaints were assessed via the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. There were 42 male and 33 female patients, with an age range of 18 to 44 years. The mean NSD score was 2.18 ±â€Š0.63 for AS section, 1.92 ±â€Š0.67 for AI section, 1.54 ±â€Š0.70 for PS section, and 1.18 ±â€Š0.60 for PI section. The mean total NSD score was 6.84 ±â€Š1.97 while the mean NOSE score was 12.5 ±â€Š5.11. There was a strong positive correlation between total NSD and NOSE scores when the NSD score was 6 or more (r = 0.9556). This correlation was also present when each section was evaluated separately. The strongest correlation was detected for AS section deviations. Our septal classification system provides a simple and effective evaluation of NSDs. The NSDs which affect internal valve are more related with nasal obstruction and patients' discomfort.

A Rarely Seen Mass of Nasal Cavity: Seromucinous Hamartoma.

Seromucinous hamartoma (SH) is a rarely seen benign polypoid mass of the sinonasal tract. Although the most common presentation symptom is nasal obstruction, most of the patients are asymptomatic. In this paper, the authors present an additional case of SH and discuss its differential diagnosis. A 34-year-old male patient presented with progressive nasal obstruction and serous nasal discharge for several months. A well-defined polypoid mass was detected in the left nasal cavity during the endoscopic assessment. Preoperative biopsy was reported as benign polypoid lesion. The mass was resected via transnasal endoscopic approach and final pathological examination was notified as SH.The SH is an uncommon tumor, originates from nasal septum in the most cases and presents as a well-circumscribed polypoid mass. Radiological imaging modalities and biopsy should be performed to distinguish from the sinonasal malignancies. Complete surgical excision is recommended treatment and recurrence is almost never.

Paranasal sinus volumes and headache: is there a relation?

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to investigate the relation between paranasal sinus volumes and headache in patients with no other rhinologic causes. METHODS: Two hundred patients with chronic headache and 99 subjects with no headache or facial pain history in the last 6 months were included in the study. Paranasal computed tomography (CT) scans of both patient and control groups were evaluated. Sixty one patients were excluded from the study due to possible rhinogenic headache CT findings such as secretions and contact points. Sinus volume index (SVI) formula created by Barghouth et al. in 2002 was used to calculate paranasal sinus volumes: SVI = ½. A × B × C. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare an independent continuous variable and a continuous variable with non-normal distribution. RESULTS: In the patient group, the total sinus, frontal sinus, and maxillary sinus volumes were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001). Although the total sphenoid sinus volume was found to be lower in the patient group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Although rhinogenic findings are often related to secondary headache, the relation between paranasal sinus volume and headache is scarcely investigated in the literature. Our study showed that paranasal sinus volumes might have a role in secondary headaches. Furthermore, in contrast to the literature, our study showed a significant relation between headache and smaller paranasal sinus volumes.

A Practical Recommendation for Teaching Neck Anatomy During Neck Dissection in the Operating Room.

Anatomy knowledge is not only essential for surgeons but also has importance for anyone who performs an invasive procedure on a patient, and provides examination and diagnosis of patients and sharing of these findings to the patient and other medical professionals. It is accepted that most surgical procedures could facilitate anatomic perception in surgical internships. There is an educational tendency to explore innovative instructional tools and methods that can help support current education styles. This study investigates the effect of a green laser pointer on students' perceptions and educational effectiveness when neck dissection is performed in the operating room.

Olfactory dysfunction and quality of life in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.

Transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) is a group of thalassemia syndromes that require regular blood transfusions for survival. It is unknown whether the sense of smell of patients with TDT is affected, and if so, whether smell loss has an adverse effect on quality of life (QOL). Olfactory thresholds were measured using Snap & Sniff® wands. QOL was assessed via the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Forty-two TDT patients from the Thalassemia Center in Istanbul Medical Faculty were tested (mean age 26.6 years), along with 42 healthy controls (mean age 28.0 years). Mean olfactory sensitivity was lower in the TDT patients than the controls (p < 0.0001). TDT was associated with lower mean QOL scores on the domains of physical function (p < 0.0001), physical role limitation (p = 0.011), and general health (p < 0.0001). Within the TDT group, significant correlations were present between the threshold scores and physical function, physical role limitation, emotional role limitation, and general health. Patients with TDT are less sensitive to odors than healthy controls and the lower olfactory test scores are related to lower quality of life, suggesting that decreased smell function is an additional complication of this disease.

Frontal Sinus Pneumatization Affects Height of the Lateral Lamella and Position of Anterior Ethmoidal Artery.

Preoperative evaluation of the frontal sinus (FS) and associated anatomical structures may reduce the risk of intraoperative complications and facilitate the management of potential complications. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate relationship between FS pneumatization and critical anatomical structures. Paranasal sinus computerized tomography scans of 350 sides of 175 patients were evaluated. The pneumatization pattern of the FS, FS dimensions (on the axial, coronal, and sagittal slices), anterior ethmoidal artery, and depth of the of olfactory fossa were evaluated for every patient on both sides. There were 111 (63.4%) male and 64 (36.6%) female patients. The authors found a statistically significant correlation between the depth of olfactory fossa and the anterior ethmoidal artery position (P <0.001). As the FS pneumatization increases, the likelihood of the anterior ethmoid artery to run separately from the skull base also increases. Also, there was a statistically significant difference among the types in terms of the depth of the olfactory fossa (Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.002). The depth of the olfactory fossa increases depending on the increase of FS pneumatization.Our study shows that the olfactory fossa depth (skull-base depth) increases as FS pneumatization increases. In light of this information, the evaluation of the preoperative sinus computerized tomography scans will help in performing safer endoscopic sinus surgeries.

Figure-of-Eight Suspension Suture in Open Technique Septorhinoplasty.

The aim of this study was to describe a novel surgical suture technique for achieving ideal nasal tip rotation and projection with nasal supratip angle. The figure-of-eight suspension suture (FOESS) technique was used in 68 patients who underwent open technique septorhinoplasty operation between the years 2013 and 2015. Fifty-four of the patients were female and 14 were male. The mean age of the patients was 28.2. The mean follow-up time of the patients was between 6 and 18 months. No complications were observed due to the FOESS technique. Satisfactory results were obtained in the postoperative period after surgery. The FOESS technique generated power against the anterior-inferior tensile strength of the alar cartilages. Thus, it can be possible to shape the nasal tip rotation and projection in the desired dimensions. In addition, this technique helps us to create supratip break point and angle.

Unilateral Inner Mucoperichondrium Flap From Upper Lateral Cartilage and Inferior Mucosal Advancement Flap Technique for Repair of Septal Perforations.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical technique have been described for repair of nasal septal perforations with different success rates. This study aimed to describe authors' surgical technique and discuss its results as well as those reported in the literature. METHODS: Nineteen patients with nasal septal perforation were operated on between March 2009 and February 2015 at Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty. The technique described in this article, closure of the perforation with unilateral upper lateral cartilage inner mucoperichondrial flap and inferior meatal advancement flap is an alternative surgical technique. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with symptomatic nasal septal perforation were operated with this technique. All surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative major complications were observed in any patients. Preoperative and postoperative symptom scores for nasal obstruction, epistaxis, nasal discharge, crusting, whistling, snoring, and olfactory loss as well as overall discomfort levels were compared using a visual analog scale. Complete closure of the perforation was achieved in 18 patients (95%). CONCLUSIONS: Small and large perforations may be reliably closed with this technique. Also, this technique can be easily applied via closed or external approach.

Transnasal Prelacrimal Recess Approach for Recurrent Antrachoanal Polyp.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and usefulness of transnasal prelacrimal recess approach (TPRA) in patients with recurrent antrochoanal polyps. METHODS: Twelve patients with antrochoanal polyp recurrence underwent surgery with a transnasal endoscopic prelacrimal recess approach. Success for visualization of the origin of the polyps, surgical complications, and recurrence was evaluated. RESULTS: Transnasal prelacrimal recess approach was successful in 83% of the patients (10/12); polyps that originated from a posterior location (2 patients) were excised using the middle meatal approach. Nasolacrimal duct injury occurred in 2 patients but neither had epiphora postoperatively. Three patients (3/12; 25%) had synechia formation between the lateral nasal wall and septum just superior to the inferior turbinate. One of the 3 patients (1/12; 8.3%) with synechia was symptomatic and required surgical treatment under local anesthesia. During a mean follow-up period of 14.2 months (range, 8-21 months) no recurrence had developed. CONCLUSION: In experienced hands, TPRA is a novel, reliable, and useful method for the treatment of recurrent antrochoanal polyps. It ensures good exploration of the maxillary antrum and easy access to the polyp origin on the maxillary wall without the need of additional approaches.

A new extended supracricoid laryngectomy technique for tongue base and hyoid bone involvement: crico-glosso-mandibulopexy technique.

In the conventional supracricoid laryngectomy technique, tumors extending beyond the lingual surface of the epiglottis with tongue base invasion are contraindicated due to the requirement of the hyoid bone resection. The loss of the hyoid bone causes intractable aspiration and renders the cricoidal pexy process impossible. Therefore, surgeons tend to treat such tumors with total or subtotal laryngectomies or organ preservation protocols. In this article, a new supracricoid partial laryngectomy technique for tumors requiring resection of the hyoid bone and the base of the tongue was described.

Francisella tularensis bacteremia: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Isolation of Francisella tularensis in blood culture is exceedingly rare and has been reported infrequently in Europe; a literature review showed 28 documented cases. Herein we report the first cases of bacteremic F.tularensis pneumonia in immunocompetent individuals in Turkey.

Oncologic and functional outcomes of open surgery in early supraglottic tumors: is it still a valid technique?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to analyze the oncologic and functional outcomes of supraglottic laryngectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of 91 cases (85 males, 6 females; mean age 55.4 years; range 30 to 75 years) who underwent surgery due to early supraglottic laryngeal cancer in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Mean values were estimated by means of t-test, while survival curves were drawn using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: With respect to oncologic assessment, disease-free survival rate was 81%, the rate of regional recurrence was 6%, the rate of local recurrence was 8%, the rate of distant metastasis was 7% and the rate of occult neck metastasis was 25%. Metastatic neck disease and extracapsular invasion in the lymphatic ganglia were found to be the most critical parameters in terms of survival. With respect to functional assessment, the mean time of decannulation was 41 days, while the mean time of nasogastric tube removal was 19 days. It was observed that cases with a Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV-1) of <75% experienced more aspiration-related problems. The functional outcomes were worse in the cases who underwent bilateral neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Open surgery is a more effective treatment modality in the early supraglottic tumors in terms of oncologic and functional outcomes. It should be continued to be use as an alternative method to the novel and expensive technologies including transoral robotic surgery or transoral laser surgery.

[Revision surgery in cochlear implantation]. / Koklear implantasyonda revizyon cerrahisi.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the reasons and management approaches for revision cochlear implant surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients (20 males, 12 females; mean age 7.4 years; range 15 month to 54 years) who underwent revision cochlear implantation in our clinic were divided into two group, including reimplantation or non-reimplantation group. RESULTS: Of patients who underwent revision surgery, 22 had reimplantation, while remaining 10 were not required reimplantation. The mean time from the first surgery to revision surgery was 17.3±15.2 months (range 1-59 months). In patients who underwent primary surgery in our clinic, the revision and reimplantation rates were 5.2% and 3.4%, respectively. The reasons for revision surgery included software failure of the device (n=7), local flap problems (n=7), reference electrode problems (n=5), magnet displacement (n=2), electrode migration to vestibule (n=2), extracochlear insertion of electrode (n=2), broken electrode (n=2), device failure following head trauma (n=2), facial stimulation and paralysis (n=1), electrode exposition from the external ear canal (n=1), and electrode exposition to the middle ear (n=1). CONCLUSION: The most common reasons for the revision cochlear implant surgery are software failure of the device, local flap problems and electrode failures. In revision surgery, the problems should be solved without damaging the implant, if the implant is running.

Does the Charlson comorbidity index help predict the risk of death in COVID-19 patients?

Objective: Comorbidities are diseases that coexist with a disease of interest or an index disease, which can directly affect the prognosis of the disease of interest or indirectly affect the choice of treatment. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is the most widely used comorbidity index. In this study, it was aimed to examine the predictive role of the CCI score on the mortality of patients with COVID-19. Methods: We have retrospectively analyzed COVID-19 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by PCR and who were hospitalized in two centers between April 2020 and December 2020. The severity of comorbidity of the patients was categorized into five groups according to the CCI score: CCI score 0, CCI score 1-2, CCI score 3-4, CCI score 5-6, and CCI score ≥7. Factors affecting mortality and differences between groups classified by CCI were determined by logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance. Results: A total of 1,559 COVID-19 patients were included in the study and 70 (4.49%) patients had deceased. Half of the study population (n=793, 50.9%) had different comorbidities. The CCI score was 3.8±2.7 in deceased patients and 1.3±1.9 in surviving individuals. There was a positive correlation between CCI scores and mortality in COVID-19 patients, with each point increase in the CCI score increasing the risk of death by 2.5%. CCI score of 4 and above predicted mortality with 87.2% sensitivity and 97.9% negative predictive value. Five (0.6%) of 766 patients with CCI scores of 0, 16 (3.6%) of 439 patients with CCI scores of 1-2, 13 (6.9%) of 189 patients with CCI scores of 3-4, and a CCI score of 5, 13 (15.7%) of 83 patients with -6 and 23 (28.0%) of 82 patients with a CCI score of ≥7 died. Conclusion: CCI is a simple, easily applicable, and valid method for classifying comorbidities and estimating COVID-19 mortality. The close relationship between the CCI score and mortality reveals the reality of how important vaccination is, especially in this group of patients. Increasing awareness of potential comorbidities in COVID-19 patients can provide insight into the disease and to improve outcomes by identifying and treating patients earlier and more effectively.

Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, fetus and newborn, and treatment management.

Objective: During pregnancy, changes occur in many systems, including the immune system. In line with our experience in the previous years, COVID-19 infections have negative effects on pregnancy. In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, fetus and newborn, and treatment management. Methods: In our study, 63 patients followed up between April 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021, were evaluated. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory data, treatments, clinical course and delivery characteristics of the patients, as well as pathologies in the fetus and newborn were investigated retrospectively. The obtained data were statistically analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: In this study, 63 pregnant COVID-19 patients aged 19-37 years were included in the study. Fifty of the patients had symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of admission. At the time of admission, 13 patients required oxygen, and ten of these patients had severe radiological involvement. Seven patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and three of them required invasive mechanical ventilation and deceased afterward. All newborns were found negative for the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test. Low birth weight has been detected in eight newborns and low Apgar score in 2 of them. Respiratory distress was observed in four newborns and they were discharged from intensive. Conclusion: Pregnant women have more disadvantages in the course of COVID-19 and have worse maternal outcomes. In addition, treatments such as Lopinavir/Ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine did not have any effect. These patients should be carefully evaluated and followed up.

Paranasal Sinus Fungus Ball, Anatomical Variations and Dental Pathologies: Is There Any Relation?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anatomical variations and the fungus ball (FB), and the association between odontogenic etiologies and the maxillary sinus FB. Methods: We analyzed the clinical records of 66 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for FB. The anatomical variations determined were nasal septal deviation (NSD) and direction, presence of Onodi and Haller cell, concha bullosa and lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. Further, dental X-ray records were reviewed to detect any possible odontogenic etiologies in patients with maxillary sinus FBs. Results: There were 41 female and 25 male patients. Positive fungal culture was found in 60 patients (91%) and the causative fungus was Aspergillus species in all cases. The correlation between NSD and localization of the maxillary sinus FB was statistically significant (p=0.0409). Maxillary sinus FB was more common on the concave side of the NSD. Presence of dental pathologies was significantly associated with maxillary sinus FB compared to the healthy side (p=0.0011). For sphenoid sinus FB, NSD was detected in a similar number for both the affected and unaffected side and there were no significant correlations (p>0.05). However, the relationship between sphenoid sinus FB and presence of lateral recess was significant (p=0.0262). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the maxillary sinus FB was more common on the concave side of the deviated septum. Also, dental pathologies or a presence of dental treatment history were associated with maxillary sinus FB.