[Present situation of antibiotic resistances in tonsillar infections]. / Situación actual de las resistencias a antibióticos en infecciones amigdalares.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the main responsible organisms, its sensitivity and resistances to antibiotics in tonsillitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have studied the post-surgical tonsils, carrying out a microbiologic study, its culture and sensitivity. RESULTS: The most frequent isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (29.3%), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (23.4%), and Haemophilus influenzae (12.1%). The highest resistances were for the S. aureus (penicillin 91%, erythromycin 18% and 5% to the rest of the beta-lactams), followed by H. influenzae (50% clarithromycin, 30% amoxyciIlin and 2% cephalosporins) and S. pyogenes (28% erytromycin, 10% clindamycin and 3% penicillin). CONCLUSIONS: We noticed the minimal resistance found to cephalosporins, and for this reason they appear to be the safest option, except in children under five years old, in which amoxicillin is still the first line treatment, because the causative agent is S. pyogenes, sensitive to that antibiotic.

[Clinical and performance results of functional endoscopic sinus surgery]. / Resultados clínicos y asistenciales de la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal.

Our aim was to know the clinical performance and management results of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in Spanish hospitals. We sent a survey on the use and results of FESS to 160 Spanish public hospitals in June of 2002, obtaining a response rate of 69%. 82.9% of the interviewed hospitals carried out FESS and 17.1% of the remaining used the classic techniques of approaching the paranasal sinuses. The reported length of stay in hospital was 1.4 days for the FESS and 2.4 for the traditional surgery. The surgical time was 15 minutes shorter for the CENS, and the rate of recurrence was 16% less than for the classic surgery. As years of experience in the practice of the CENS go by, the surgical times tend to decrease, that didn't happen with the rate of recurrence. In conclusion, we consider that FESS seems to improve the analyzed clinical performance and assistential results.

[The implementation of endoscopic sinus surgery in Spain]. / Implantación de la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal en España.

The purpose of this study is to find out more about the implementation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in our country. To do that, we designed a survey which was sent to 160 public hospitals (June 2002). We received the answers of 111 hospitals. 82.9% of hospitals and 58% of surgeons performed FESS, with some differences among autonomic regions. The percentage of surgeons who performed FESS was higher in small hospitals and their mean experience time was 6.2 years. We consider the implementation of endoscopic sinus surgery very high, this can reflect that there are evident advantages for those who specialists who use it.

[Objective study of the voice in a normal population and in dysphonia caused by nodules and vocal polyps]. / Estudio objetivo de la voz en población normal y en la disfonía por nódulos y pólipos vocales.

A study of the objective evaluation of voice was made of 100 voices of healthy adults and 60 with disphonia (nodules and polyps). A laryngostroboscopy and an acoustic analysis was made to everyone. A sustained vowel "a" was carried out and digitalized with Dr. Speech Science software. These parameters were estimated: fundamental frequency (Fo, according to gender), Jitter, Shimmer and glottic noise (NNE, HNR, SNR). In the healthy group Fo was 139.72 in men and 267.33 in women, jitter 0.24 and shimmer 2.10. In disphonic patients (nodules) Fo was 126.96 in men and 240.72 in women, jitter 0.35 and shimmer 3.25. In disphonic patients (polyps) Fo was 119.75 in men and 218.26 in women, jitter 0.50 and shimmer 4.34. These difference were statistically significant. Glottic Noise in healthy group was: NNE -13.62, HNR 24.07 and SNR 24.49; in disphonic patients (nodules) was: NNE -10.65, HNR 25.21 and SNR 25.55; in disphonic patients (polyps) was: NNE -8.24, HNR 29.63 and SNR 28.22. Only the difference in the NNE was statistically significant. We highlight the importance of objective evaluation of voice disorders.

[Mediofacial degloving in extramedullary plasmacytoma with orbital invasion]. / Degloving medio-facial en un plasmocitoma extramedular con invasión orbitaria.

Extramedullary solitary plasmacytoma is a rare plasmatic cell tumor occurring in the head and neck. We report the case of a patient with a mass that arose from the sphenoidal base, extended toward the right paranasal sinuses, and invaded the orbit. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic problems are discussed and reviewed in the literature, with special attention to an alternative therapeutic approach, midfacial degloving.

[Head and neck symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux]. / Manifestaciones en cabeza y cuello del reflujo gastroesofágico.

In otorhinolaryngology, the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and pharyngolaryngeal disorders is well-known. In fact, many patients with GER debut with head and neck symptoms or are first seen by an otolaryngologist. We proposed to identify the ENT symptoms most frequently associated with GER, to differentiate between physiological and pathological GER, and to confirm the effectiveness of antacid treatment. Our study included 20 ambulatory patients who presented pharygolaryngeal symptoms and clinical manifestations of GER (heartburn and regurgitation). The patients underwent a complete ENT examination and were referred to a gastroenterologist for esophagoscopy, manometry, and 24-hour pH monitoring. All patients received antireflux therapy for one month (ranitidine 150 mg given twice daily). We conclude that GER produces a variety of manifestations, but the most frequent pharyngolaryngeal symptoms and physical findings were globus pharyngeus and erythema of the arytenoids, respectively. Pathological GER was found in only one third of our patients and 90% responded well to treatment.