Do smoking and human papilloma virus have a synergistic role in the development of head and neck cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), arising from the squamous epithelium, is the most common head and neck cancer (HNC). Smoking and alcohol are well known risk factors for HNSCC, while some high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes were specifically identified as a high-risk factors for developing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). In this study, we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to investigate the possible synergistic role of smoking and HPV in the development of HNSCC. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search in two online databases PubMed and Cochrane Library, searching for studies published between 2010-2018. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria; a total of 2161 patients were included, comprising 1470 HPV-negative and 691 HPV-positive, respectively. RESULTS: The number of smokers between HPV-positive HNSCC patients (group A) and HPV-negative HNSCC patients (group B) was compared. We have found that smokers in HPV-positive group were statistically significantly less than smokers in HPV-negative group (OR=0.33 with 95% CI 0.18, 0.61). The test for overall effect was Z =3.61 (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: Smoking is less common in HPV positive group than in HPV negative group, and so probably smoking does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of HPV-positive HNSCC as in the pathogenesis of HPV-negative HNSCC.

Urine concentrations changes of cysteinyl leukotrienes in non-obese children with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to compare preoperative to postoperative levels of urine-Cysteinyl leukotrienes (uCysLT) in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in order to investigate whether exaggerated leukotriene activity is the cause or consequence of OSA. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective study was conducted on non-obese children (4-10 years old) referred for overnight PSG. Children with moderate/severe OSA treated with AT were included. A second PSG study performed 2 months postoperatively to confirm OSA resolution, and those with residual OSA were excluded. Morning urine specimens after both PSG studies were obtained and pre-operative uCysLT levels were compared to postoperative levels. RESULTS: 27 children fulfilled the criteria and underwent a post-operative PSG study with three exclusions for residual OSA (postop-AHI>2), so the study group consisted of 24 children (mean age: 5.7 ±â€¯2.1 years). Mean preoperative and postoperative AHI was 10.96 ±â€¯5.93 and 1.44 ±â€¯0.56 respectively. Mean preop-uCysLT were 21.14 ±â€¯4.65, while after AT they significantly reduced to 12.62 ±â€¯2.67 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: uCysLT levels are significantly reduced after AT in non-obese children with moderate/severe OSA, suggesting that exaggerated leukotriene activity is mainly a consequence of OSA.

Subcutaneous emphysema to the head and neck: an unlikely traumatic origin.

Subcutaneous emphysema to the neck represents a rare entity mainly derived from iatrogenic and traumatic origin. We report a case of a subcutaneous emphysema resulted from an intraoral injury aiming to emphasise the significance of precise medical history to identify an unlikely mechanism. A 40-year-old female patient was presented with subcutaneous emphysema extending from the region underneath the left eye up to the submandibular area of the neck. The patient complained of painful, swollen neck. The patient mentioned that the symptoms began after an intraoral injury accidentally caused by the use of a high-pressure water jet device meant for car wash. The patient was managed conservatively and was discharged after 2 days. This case highlights the urgency for clinical suspicion for unlikely mechanisms. Moreover, the manufacturer companies should alert and give official warning for the contingency of injury due to incorrect or careless usage.

Assessment of xerostomia and its impact on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Xerostomia in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients significantly affects their quality of life (QoL). The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations among QoL, xerostomia and quantity of saliva in a sample of H&N cancer patients who had received conventional radiotherapy (RT). A total of 60 H&N adult patients were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30), the Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Module (QLQ-H&N35) and the Greek version of the XQ questionnaire at 4 timepoints: At the beginning of RT, at the end of RT, 6 months after RT completion and 1 year after RT completion. Patients with distant metastases or serious comorbidities were excluded from the study. Salivary pH, and stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate were assessed. All functional scales and symptom scales, apart from cognitive functioning in QLQ-C30 and feeding tube in H&N35 exhibited an abrupt deterioration at timepoint 3 and were then gradually restored over time. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). XQ scores at different timepoints exhibited a statistically significant negative correlation with salivary flow rates. Salivary flow rate and XQ scores almost parallelled one another. Flow rates recovered at a mean level of 20% below baseline values at the end of the follow-up period. The subjective symptom of xerostomia parallelled salivary flow and QoL. Despite receiving conventional RT, the participants exhibited a considerable preservation of salivary gland function after 12 months, allowing some optimism regarding the course of xerostomia in selected patients.

Herpes viruses and human papilloma virus in nasal polyposis and controls / Herpesvírus e vírus do papiloma humano na polipose nasal e controles

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a multifactorial disease entity with an unclear pathogenesis. Contradictory data exist in the literature on the potential implication of viral elements in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of human herpes viruses (1-6) and Human Papilloma Virus in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls. METHODS: Viral DNA presence was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction application to nasal polyps specimens from 91 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps patients and nasal turbinate mucosa from 38 healthy controls. RESULTS: Epstein-Barr virus positivity was higher in nasal polyps (24/91; 26.4%) versus controls (4/38; 10.5%), but the difference did not reach significance (p = 0.06). Human herpes virus-6 positivity was lower in nasal polyps (13/91; 14.29%) versus controls (10/38; 26.32%,p = 0.13). In chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps group, 1 sample was herpes simplex virus-1-positive (1/91; 1.1%), and another was cytomegalovirus-positive (1/91; 1.1%), versus none in controls. No sample was positive for herpes simplex virus-2, varicella-zoster virus, high-risk-human papilloma viruses (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) and low-risk-human papilloma viruses (6, 11). CONCLUSION: Differences in Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus-6 positivity among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls are not statistically significant, weakening the likelihood of their implication in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps pathogenesis.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A rinossinusite crônica com pólipos é uma doença multifatorial de etiopatogênese ainda não definida. Existem dados contraditórios na literatura sobre a implicação potencial de elementos virais na etiologia de pólipos nasossinusais. OBJETIVO: Comparar a prevalência de herpes vírus humanos (1-6) e papiloma vírus humano em pacientes adultos com rinossinusite crônica com pólipos nasais (CRwNP) e controles saudáveis. MÉTODO: A presença de DNA viral foi avaliada por PCR em tempo real, em amostras de pólipos nasais de 91 pacientes com CRwNP e na mucosa das conchas nasais de 38 controles saudáveis. RESULTADOS: A positividade do EBV foi maior nos pólipos nasais (24/91; 26,4%) do que nos controles (4/38; 10,5%), mas a diferença não foi significante (p = 0,06). O HHV-6 apresentou positividade menor nos pólipos nasais (13/91; 14,29%) do que os controles (10/38; 26,32%), (p = 0,13). No grupo CRwNP, uma amostra foi positiva para o vírus herpes simples (HSV-1) (1/91; 1,1%), e uma para citomegalovírus (CMV) (1/91; 1,1%); e nenhuma amostra foi positiva no grupo controle. Não houve amostra positiva para HSV-2, VZV, HR-HPV (16,18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) e LR-HPV (6,11). CONCLUSÃO: Diferenças de positividade do EBV e HHV-6 entre pacientes com CRwNP e controles saudáveis não são estatisticamente significantes, enfraquecendo a probabilidade de sua implicação na patogênese da CRwNP.

Herpes viruses and human papilloma virus in nasal polyposis and controls.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a multifactorial disease entity with an unclear pathogenesis. Contradictory data exist in the literature on the potential implication of viral elements in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of human herpes viruses (1-6) and Human Papilloma Virus in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls. METHODS: Viral DNA presence was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction application to nasal polyps specimens from 91 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps patients and nasal turbinate mucosa from 38 healthy controls. RESULTS: Epstein-Barr virus positivity was higher in nasal polyps (24/91; 26.4%) versus controls (4/38; 10.5%), but the difference did not reach significance (p=0.06). Human herpes virus-6 positivity was lower in nasal polyps (13/91; 14.29%) versus controls (10/38; 26.32%, p=0.13). In chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps group, 1 sample was herpes simplex virus-1-positive (1/91; 1.1%), and another was cytomegalovirus-positive (1/91; 1.1%), versus none in controls. No sample was positive for herpes simplex virus-2, varicella-zoster virus, high-risk-human papilloma viruses (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) and low-risk-human papilloma viruses (6, 11). CONCLUSION: Differences in Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus-6 positivity among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls are not statistically significant, weakening the likelihood of their implication in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps pathogenesis.

Age related changes in ocular motor testing in healthy subjects.

The aim of the present study was the investigation of age influenced changes in ocular motility testing in healthy subjects. Two hundred and fifty subjects between 18 and 70 years old were enrolled in a prospective study. Study population was divided in 5 groups of 50 subjects each (group A: 18-30 years old, group B: 31-40 years old, group C: 41-50 years old, group D: 51-60 years old and group E: 61-70 years old). Ocular motility was recorded by video-oculography and age related normative data were obtained with respect to: a) gain and slow phase velocity of smooth pursuit tracking, b) latency, velocity and accuracy of saccade eye movements and c) gain and slow phase velocity of optokinetic eye movements. The influence of age on all parameters was examined by one-way ANOVA. A statistically significant difference was found in all parameters analyzed for smooth pursuit test, saccade eye movements and optokinetic eye movements in between groups. In conclusion, aging influences the majority of the parameters in ocular motility testing, carried out by means of video-oculography. Elderly healthy subjects showed a deterioration of performance in all parameters of the eye tracking tested. Age must be taken into account during interpretation of the eye tracking tests, especially in patients with central nervous system lesions.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Greek OSA-18 questionnaire in children undergoing polysomnography.

OBJECTIVE: Translations of validated questionnaires help to compare different countries/cultures populations and establish protocols for global health. OSA-18 is a validated disease-specific questionnaire for pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Our aim was to validate OSA-18 in Greek and correlate it with polysomnography results and OSA severity. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective instrument validation study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: OSA-18 was translated in Greek and back into English. Children undergoing polysomnography due to snoring were recruited prospectively. OSA-18 was completed by parents during the initial clinic visit (test), in the evening prior to the sleep study (retest), and 3 months postoperatively for subjects who underwent adenotonsillectomy. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated. Validity was assessed by exploring correlations between OSA-18 and AHI, by comparing OSA-18 of OSA and non-OSA groups, and by calculating questionnaire's sensitivity and specificity for detecting OSA. Total scores of non-OSA, mild, moderate and severe OSA subgroups were compared. In OSA children who underwent adenotonsillectomy, preoperative and postoperative total scores were compared to assess responsiveness. RESULTS: Test-retest questionnaires were fully completed for 141 children. OSA-18 in Greek had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.951 for test and 0.947 for retest) and test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficients between test and retest scores: 0.850-0.946; P<0.05). Total and subscale OSA-18 scores and AHI were significantly correlated (Spearman's correlation coefficients: 0.376-0.633; P<0.01), while children with OSA had higher total OSA-18 score than those without OSA [median (interquartile range): 61 (35) vs. 38 (22), respectively; P<0.001)]. Sensitivity was 53.4%, suggesting poor validity compared to polysomnography. All OSA severity subgroups had significant higher score than non-OSA. OSA-18 scores postoperatively were significantly lower compared to preoperatively (22.91±5.49 vs. 67.13±15.27, respectively; P<0.001), indicating good responsiveness. CONCLUSION: Greek OSA-18 is an instrument with satisfactory internal consistency, reliability, and responsiveness, but it is a poor predictor of OSA severity.

Atopy does not affect the frequency of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and sleep apnoea in children who snore.

AIM: Viral respiratory infections and atopy have been implicated in the pathogenesis of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but the role of atopy is controversial. We aimed to test our hypothesis that atopy, expressed as physician-diagnosed eczema, was associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and OSA among children who snored. METHODS: Data on children who snored and were referred for polysomnography were reviewed. The primary outcome measures were adenotonsillar hypertrophy and OSA. RESULTS: We analysed data on 855 children with a mean age (±standard deviation) of 6.3 (±2.5) years and median obstructive apnoea-hypopnea index of 2.1 episodes per hour. Of the 855 subjects, 133 (15.6%) had physician-diagnosed eczema, 591 (69.1%) had adenoidal hypertrophy, 605 (70.8%) had tonsillar hypertrophy, 219 (25.6%) were obese and 470 (55%) had OSA. Eczema was not related to adenoidal or tonsillar hypertrophy after adjustment for gender and age, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.67-1.49; p = 0.98) and 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.59-1.32; p = 0.54), respectively. Similarly, eczema did not affect OSA frequency after adjustment for adenoidal and tonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, gender and age, with an adjusted OR of 0.82 (0.56-1.21; p = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Atopy was not related to adenotonsillar hypertrophy or OSA in children who snore.

Validation of the Greek OSD-6 quality of life questionnaire in children undergoing polysomnography.

OBJECTIVE: OSD-6 is a disease specific questionnaire for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aims of this study were to validate OSD-6 in Greek language and correlate OSD-6 with polysomnography results. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: OSD-6 questionnaire was translated to Greek and back to English. A prospective study was conducted on children undergoing overnight polysomnography due to snoring and disrupted sleep. Test-retest evaluation was carried out. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated. Validity was assessed by exploring correlations between OSD-6 scores and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and by comparing total scores of OSA and non-OSA groups. Responsiveness was assessed by comparing preoperative to postoperative total scores in OSA children who underwent adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: Test-retest evaluation of 91 subjects showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.860 for test and 0.873 for retest) and reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficients between test and retest scores: 0.751-0.546; p<0.01). Total and domains' OSD-6 scores and AHI were significantly correlated (Spearman's correlation coefficients: 0.277-0.630; p<0.01), while children with OSA had higher total OSD-6 score than those without OSA (median (interquartile range): 16 (11) vs. 10 (7), respectively; p<0.01), indicating good validity. Postoperative OSD-6 scores were significantly lower than preoperative (2.84 ± 3.21 vs. 15.42 ± 6.48, respectively; p<0.001), suggesting good responsiveness. CONCLUSION: The Greek version of the OSD-6 questionnaire proved to be a valid instrument with satisfactory internal consistency, reliability, validity and responsiveness. Furthermore, in our study OSD-6 was significantly correlated to polysomnography results.

Does perioperative dexamethasone affect voice-related quality of life after thyroidectomy?

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of perioperative dexamethasone on post-thyroidectomy voice outcomes. This study is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data in a tertiary referral center. This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on adult patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. Exclusion criteria were: previous neck surgery, thyroid lobectomy, neck dissection or other procedure together with thyroidectomy, pathological findings on laryngeal examination, preoperative or postoperative steroid therapy, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, and postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. In all patients, flexible laryngoscopy was performed and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores were obtained the day before, 48 h and 1 month after surgery. Patients' medical records were reviewed to find the patients who had received dexamethasone by the anesthesiologist as nausea and vomiting prophylaxis or analgesia. Thus, two groups of patients were formed: dexamethasone (D) group and non-steroid (NS) group. Mann-Whitney test used to compare VHI between the two groups. 122 patients fulfilled the criteria. D group consisted of 50 patients (44 females; mean age 53.16 ± 17.61), in which a single IV dose of 8 mg dexamethasone had been administered perioperative, and NS group consisted of 72 patients (58 females; mean age 50.53 ± 13.60), where no steroids had been administered. No significant difference was noticed between D and NS groups for preoperative VHI score, VHI scores 48 h and 1 month after surgery. In our study, a single perioperative IV dose of 8 mg dexamethasone did not seem to add any benefit on voice-related quality of life after thyroid surgery.

The sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT)-22: validation for Greek patients.

The aim of this study was to perform translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the sinonasal outcome test 22 (SNOT-22) in the Greek language. SNOT-22 was translated into Greek. A prospective study was conducted on adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) according to rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (EPOS) criteria. Test-retest evaluation of the patients was carried out. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha test, and test-retest reliability with Pearson's test (parametric correlation coefficient), kappa (reproducibility) and Bland-Altman plot (extent of agreement). Validity was assessed by comparing scores between a control group of volunteers without CRS and the CRS group using Mann-Whitney test. Responsiveness was assessed on CRS patients who underwent surgery, by comparing preoperative to 3 months postoperative scores with paired t test. Furthermore the magnitude of surgery effect was evaluated. Test-retest evaluation was accepted in 64 patients. Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 and 0.89 at test and retest, respectively, suggesting good internal consistency. Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.91 (p < 0.001), revealing good correlation between initial and retest scores. Mean kappa value was 0.65, indicating a high level of reproducibility, while in Bland-Altman plot the differences were located between agreement thresholds. The control group consisted of 120 volunteers. Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant lower score for the control group (p < 0.0001). 32 CRS patients underwent surgical treatment. Postoperative scores were significantly lower than preoperative (p < 0.0001) while the magnitude of surgery effect was considered high. Greek SNOT-22 is a valid instrument with good internal consistency, reliability, reproducibility, validity and responsiveness.

An inflammatory pseudotumour of the larynx: a case report and literature review of an unusual tumour.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) is a rare benign pseudoneoplastic proliferation of unknown etiology, often showing locally aggressive behaviour. Conflicting theories about exaggerated response to injury versus true neoplastic origin have been suggested. METHODS: We report a case of laryngeal pseudotumour in a 73-year-old man presenting with hoarseness and slowly progressive dyspnea and a short review of the English language literature on the subject. RESULTS: Management consisted of midline vertical thyrotomy, excision of the tumour, and a temporary tracheotomy. No recurrence observed eight months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal IPT is extremely rare, and it may easily be misinterpreted as a malignant tumour. Conservative excision and anti-inflammatory therapy are advocated, since its general behaviour is benign.

Evaluating the outcome of phonosurgery: comparing the role of VHI and VoiSS questionnaires in the Greek language.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to study the role of the Greek version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI) in comparison with Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) in terms of measuring voice surgery outcome in patients with benign laryngeal lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized prospective. METHODS: Forty-six patients operated for benign laryngeal lesions were enrolled in the present study. All patients were assessed according to the European Laryngological Society guidelines. In terms of self-evaluation, patients answered the Greek versions of both VHI and VoiSS, preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively, and the results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The strongest correlation was observed between the functional subscale of VHI and the impairment subscale of VoiSS, as well as, between the emotional subscales of both VHI and VoiSS, pre- and postoperatively. A statistically significant change in subscale and total scores was found. VHI and VoiSS subscales and total scores correlated with the stroboscopic and aerodynamic measurements in a variable manner. Perceptual measurements, as well as shimmer and harmonic-to-noise ratio showed significant correlation with both VHI and VoiSS subscale and total scores postoperatively. CONCLUSION: VHI and VoiSS are considered useful tools in evaluating voice surgery outcome, in the Greek language.

Prevalence of human papilloma virus and human herpes virus types 1-7 in human nasal polyposis.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex virus-1/-2 (HSV-1/-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human herpes virus-6/-7 (HHV-6/-7) in 23 human nasal polyps by applying PCR. Two types of control tissues were used: adjacent inferior/middle turbinates from the patients and inferior/middle turbinates from 13 patients undergoing nasal corrective surgery. EBV was the virus most frequently detected (35%), followed by HPV (13%), HSV-1 (9%), and CMV (4%). The CMV-positive polyp was simultaneously positive for HSV-1. HPV was also detected in the adjacent turbinates (4%) and the adjacent middle turbinate (4%) of one of the HPV-positive patients. EBV, HSV, and CMV were not detected in the adjacent turbinates of the EBV-, HSV- or CMV-positive patients. All mucosae were negative for the VZV, HHV-6, and HHV-7. This is the first study to deal with the involvement of a comparable group of viruses in human nasal polyposis. The findings support the theory that the presence of viral EBV markedly influences the pathogenesis of these benign nasal tumors. The low incidence of HPV detected confirms the hypothesis that HPV is correlated with infectious mucosal lesions to a lesser extent than it is with proliferative lesions, such as inverted papilloma. The low incidence of HSV-1 and CMV confirms that these two herpes viruses may play a minor role in the development of nasal polyposis. Double infection with HSV-1 and CMV may also play a minor, though causative, role in nasal polyp development. VZV and HHV-6/-7 do not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of these mucosal lesions.

Hidrocystoma of the external auditory canal: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Apocrine hydrocystomas arising in the external auditory canal are very rare. In this report a clinical case of apocrine hydrocystoma located in the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal is presented. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with a solitary nodule, located in the outer part of the external ear canal after repeated episodes of external otitis. For diagnostic purposes, computerized tomography was used. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy of the mass via an intra-aural incision and the surgical specimen was sent for histopathologic examination. CONCLUSION: An apocrine hidrocystoma inside the auricular canal is uncommon. It can cause recurrent external otitis and conductive hearing loss and should be treated with wide local excision and reconstruction of the external auditory canal for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Ectopic internal carotid artery presenting as an oropharyngeal mass.

Ectopic internal carotid artery (ICA) is a very rare variation. The major congenital abnormalities of the ICA can be classified as agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia, and they can be unilateral or bilateral. Anomalies of the neck artery may be vascular neoplasms or ectopic position. Carotid angiograms provide absolute confirmation of an aberrant carotid artery, while EcoColorDoppler (ECD) gives also important information about the evaluation of carotid vassels. Nevertheless Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the neck provide spatial information about the adjacent pharyngeal anatomy and are less invasive than angiogram. Injuries to the ICA during simple pharyngeal surgical procedures can be catastrophic due to the risk of massive bleeding. We report a case of a 56 year-old male patient suffering from dysphagia associated with aberrant ICA manifesting itself as a pulsative protruding of the left lateral wall of the oropharynx.

Diagnosis of tetanus by an otorhinolaryngologist and immunity against tetanus among adults on the island of Crete.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus (lockjaw) is a rare disease in developed countries. METHODS: An otorhinolaryngologist can be the first physician to see a patient with tetanus. In our department, we have seen 10 such cases presenting with head and neck symptoms. We report 2 of these cases followed by an investigation of the immune status of the adult Cretan population against tetanus using 200 random patients who visited our clinic. RESULTS: A negative history of complete childhood immunization was recorded in 37% of individuals. Of the male population, 88.5% had received active immunization during adulthood, although 47% had received all three doses. Only 12.6% of the females had received full-dose immunization during adulthood. Overall, only 8.5% of the studied population had received either complete immunization or a scheduled booster dose during the last decade. CONCLUSIONS: In many cases, an otorhinolaryngologist can be the first physician to examine a patient with tetanus. The incidence of the disease in Crete, Greece, is significantly higher than in most parts of developed countries.

RKIP and BRAF aberrations in human nasal polyps and the adjacent turbinate mucosae.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the implication of BRAF and RKIP expression, or about the incidence of BRAF mutations in the formation of nasal polyposis. OBJECTIVES: To determine the expression levels of the genes BRAF and RKIP, and to inspect the frequency of BRAF mutations in exons 11, 14 and 15 in human nasal polyps (NP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 24 human NP specimens and their adjacent inferior and middle turbinates (AIT and AMT), as well as 14 control subjects [bearing 14 Control Inferior Turbinates (CIT) and 14 Control Middle Turbinates (CMT), in total]. The expression pattern of BRAF and RKIP was assessed with real-time RT-PCR. A real-time allele-specific PCR method, in combination with direct sequencing, was performed in order to inspect the frequency of the V600E mutation in exon 15, and to examine mutation status within exons 11 and 14. RESULTS: The control mucosae presented significantly higher mRNA levels for both genes, compared to the NP and the AIT-AMT. Moreover, in NP, AIT and AMT, RKIP was found to present higher mRNA levels, in relation to the equivalent values of the BRAF gene (P=0.003 in NP; P<0.001 both in AIT and AMT). No mutation was detected in exon 14, whereas a silent mutation (A1380G, G460G) was noted for one NP sample in exon 11. Another NP sample was found to carry two mutations, one T1799A (V600E) and one A1801G (K601E). A significant co-expression of the two genes was noted in NP (P=0.012) and AIT (P=0.019). CONCLUSION: The results of the expression levels of RKIP and BRAF, reflect the strong connection between the two genes. RKIP could play an important role in the down-regulation of wild-type BRAF, serving thus as an endogenous inhibitor of the MAPK pathway in nasal polyps and their adjacent turbinate mucosa.