Prestin autoantibodies screening in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: To define the clinical association of serum prestin autoantibodies and their impact on prognosis, as specific serum diagnostic markers in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). DESIGN: Sera from 63 patients with ISSNHL were screened prospectively for the presence of prestin autoantibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) test. Serum was assayed for anti-prestin IgG antibodies using recombinant human prestin (SLC26 A5). Demographic, clinical, and audiometric variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Two patients (3.17%) had demonstrable anti-prestin antibodies in serum (exact 95% CI: -1.16% to 7.5%). No statistically significant association was found between prestin autoantibodies and demographic or audiologic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary and novel study does not support the presence of an active humoral immune reaction against prestin in ISSNHL.

Association of dental and maxillary sinus pathologies with ear, nose, and throat symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) findings in the maxillary sinus, ear-nose-throat (ENT) symptoms and dental pathologies in asymptomatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 81 patients were referred for CBCT and filled a standard ENT visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire. CBCT images were analyzed for sinus ostium obstruction, Schneiderian membrane thickening, sinus floor turbidity, and the presence of polyps. Dental pathologies were evaluated with the aid of CBCT images, periapical X-rays, and clinical examination. A possible correlation between the CBCT findings and the ENT/dental parameters was examined by applying Student's t test and the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Despite being asymptomatic, most of the 81 patients reported ENT symptoms in the questionnaire, thereby indicating that these symptoms were mainly subclinical. A significant correlation was found between the presence of polyps in the sinus and a decrease in smell/taste. Obstruction of the sinus meatus was associated with coughing; turbidity was associated with ear congestion. Thickening of the Schneiderian membrane showed an association with both coughing and ear congestion. The mean number of missing posterior teeth correlated with postnasal drip and nasal congestion. Periapical pathology was associated with nasal discharge/runny nose. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize the need to evaluate ENT symptoms when radiographic findings are identified in CBCT.

CD48 on blood leukocytes and in serum of asthma patients varies with severity.

BACKGROUND: CD48 is a membrane receptor (mCD48) on eosinophils and mast cells and exists in a soluble form (sCD48). CD48 has a pivotal role in murine asthma and in the proinflammatory interactions of mast cells with eosinophils via its ligand CD244. Thus, CD48 might be important in human asthma. METHODS: Therefore, two separate cohorts (IL and UK) comprising mild, moderate, and severe asthma and healthy volunteers were evaluated for blood leukocyte mCD48 expression and sCD48 in serum. Asthmatic bronchial biopsies were immunostained for CD48. sCD48 effect on CD244-dependent eosinophil activation was evaluated. RESULTS: Eosinophil mCD48 expression was significantly elevated in moderate while downregulated in severe asthma. mCD48 expression on B, T, and NK cells and monocytes in severe asthma was significantly increased. sCD48 levels were significantly higher in mild while reduced in severe asthma. sCD48 optimal cutoff values for differentiating asthma from health were identified as >1482 pg/ml (IL) and >1619 pg/ml (UK). In asthmatic bronchial biopsies, mCD48 was expressed predominantly by eosinophils. sCD48 inhibited anti-CD244-induced eosinophil activation. CONCLUSIONS: mCD48 and sCD48 are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of asthma patients of varying severity. sCD48 inhibits CD244-mediated eosinophil activation. These findings suggest that CD48 may play an important role in human asthma.

Neck dissection: cause and effect.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate changes in neck dissection procedures over time in a tertiary university hospital to determine their influence on residency training. METHODS: Neck dissections performed in a recent decade (2003-2012) were retrospectively analysed and compared with those of an earlier decade (1981-1990). RESULTS: Nowadays, neck dissections are most frequently performed for thyroid (2003-2012 vs 1981-1990: 60.7 per cent vs 25 per cent, p = 0.002) and less often for epithelial malignancies (23.2 per cent vs 53.5 per cent, p = 0.002). Compared with dissections for thyroid spread, more dissections for epithelial malignancies are extensive (epithelial vs thyroid malignancies, 66 per cent vs 4.9 per cent) and more are performed after chemoradiation failures (25.6 per cent vs 0 per cent). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates changes in neck dissection procedures over time. There is an increasing preference for conservative treatment for epithelial cancers. In addition, there is a large increase in both the diagnosis and surgical treatment of thyroid cancer. This shift may have a great effect on residents' learning curves and on their ability to achieve competency in performing neck dissections.

Physical interactions between mast cells and eosinophils: a novel mechanism enhancing eosinophil survival in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils (Eos) are the key effector cells of the allergic reaction. Although classically associated with different stages of the response, the cells co-exist in the inflamed tissue in the late and chronic phases in high numbers and are likely to cross-talk. While some mediators of MCs are known to affect Eos biology and vice versa, paracrine and physical interplay between the two cells has not been described yet. We aimed to investigate whether intercellular MC-Eos communication could take place in the allergic response and exert functional bidirectional changes on the cells. METHODS: Tissue sections from various allergic disorders were specifically stained for both cells. Human cord blood-derived MCs and peripheral blood Eos, co-cultured under different conditions, were studied by advanced microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Several co-localized MC-Eos pairs were detected in human nasal polyps and asthmatic bronchi, as well in mouse atopic dermatitis. In vitro, MCs and Eos formed stable conjugates at high rates, with clear membrane contact. In the presence of MCs, Eos were significantly more viable under several co-culture conditions and at both IgE-activated and steroid-inhibited settings. MC regulation of Eos survival required communication through soluble mediators but was even more dependent on physical cell-cell contact. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide the first evidence for a complex network of paracrine and membrane interactions between MCs and Eos. The prosurvival phenotype induced by this MC-Eos interplay may be critical for sustaining chronic allergic inflammation.

Efficient purification of eosinophils from human tissues: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are key effector cells in allergy and in other inflammatory diseases. Although they carry out their function in the tissues, no efficient method exists allowing for consistent purification of tissue eosinophils for culture. Rather, studies rely mainly on peripheral blood eosinophils. This study aimed to determine the most efficient protocol for purifying eosinophils from nasal polyp tissue. METHODS: Nasal polyps were obtained from patients undergoing surgical polypectomy. The polyps were minced and enzymatically digested. Surface receptor analysis was performed by flow cytometry. In order to obtain optimal purification, the nasal polyp cell suspension was subjected to two methods of purification: 1) positive magnetic selection of CCR3+cells, or 2) negative selection using CD3/CD14/CD16 magnetic beads. Enriched tissue eosinophils were cultured with or without IL-3, IL-5 or GM-CSF, and their survival was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Tissue-derived eosinophils exhibited surface expression of NEC2, DNAM-1, NTBa, 2B4, and CD300a comparable to similarly prepared eosinophils obtained from the peripheral blood of the same patients. Positive selection consistently yielded eosinophils of high purity (>90%) with 63% viability. In contrast, negative selection yielded better viability (88%), reduced purity (66%), and could be utilized for in vitro activation experiments. CONCLUSION: Eosinophils can be purified from nasal polyps. Negative selection appears to be advantageous due to improved viability of the eosinophils, which may be cultured and activated in vitro. This methodology is an important advance in studying tissue eosinophils for further investigations on inflammatory tissue responses.

Image guided navigation system-a new technology for complex endoscopic endonasal surgery.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has become the standard practice in sinonasal and anterior skull base surgery. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe experience using a new technology-the image guided navigation system (IGNS)-in complex cases undergoing EES. The advantages and disadvantages of computer aided surgery are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 165 endoscopic endonasal procedures were performed between April 2001 and January 2003. IGNS was used in 34 patients in whom it was assumed that the ability to identify surgical sites accurately could be compromised by previous surgery, massive recurrent polyposis, or abnormal anatomy, or when biopsies had to be taken from specific anatomic locations (for example, clivus, wall of sphenoid sinus, orbital apex). The precision of the navigation system, total operating room time, surgeon's satisfaction and confidence, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: In 33 out of 34 patients the surgical procedure was uneventful. One patient with an atelectatic maxillary sinus developed a minor complication of preseptal orbital haematoma. In 94% the IGNS provided accurate anatomical localisation with less than 2 mm localisation error (1.1-2.0 mm, mean 1.6 mm). In all cases the surgical team felt that the system increased the intraoperative safety factor for the patient. The overall operating room time at the end of the study was 15 minutes longer than when regular EES was used. CONCLUSIONS: IGNS enables a new level of efficiency and safety in EES. Nevertheless, it is not advised for surgeons who are not familiar with regular EES. For the experienced endoscopist, however, IGNS is a valuable new tool in complex procedures.

Dynamic tissue expansion of the larynx in a canine model.

OBJECTIVES: To test whether staged, progressive, monitored, dynamic tissue expansion is possible in the larynx and to evaluate its effectiveness in dilating and augmenting constricting cicatricial lesions. DESIGN: Animal study. SETTING: Research facility, tertiary care medical center. SUBJECTS: Thirteen dogs, 3 with laryngotracheal stenosis. INTERVENTIONS: Dogs underwent laryngeal splits, tracheostomy, and insertion of inflatable stents. In 7 normal dogs, stents were progressively inflated by air in predetermined increments during 11 days. In 3 normal dogs and 3 with laryngotracheal stenosis, stents were gradually expanded by water. Stents were kept in place for 21 days. After removal, dogs were observed for 25 days. Five died of complications of tracheostomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Airway diameter measured by endoscopy before the induction of stenosis, before the laryngeal splitting procedure, after stent removal, and before euthanasia. RESULTS: The lumen increased, then shrank somewhat after stent removal. In 2 surviving dogs with laryngotracheal stenosis and water-expanded stents, the lumen was 82.5% larger than baseline at stent removal and 71.0% larger at euthanasia. In 2 surviving normal dogs with water-expanded stents, lumen size increased by 50.0% at stent removal, and in 1 dog surviving to day 46, it was 17.0% larger. In 5 surviving dogs with air-inflated stents, lumen size was 39.0% larger at stent removal and 8.0% larger at day 46. Histologically, fibrous tissue developed in the gaps between the splayed margins of the laryngeal cartilages. CONCLUSIONS: The larynx may be dynamically expanded. Although the maximal diameter is not maintained, final cross-sectional areas are larger.

Effect of mechanical reinforcement on stability of the rotary door flap laryngotracheal reconstruction: a canine study.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The rotary door flap (RDF) laryngotracheal reconstructive procedure uses a 180 degrees rotation of the sternohyoid muscle into a laryngofissure. Despite excellent clinical results, there are concerns of flap inspiratory prolapse. This study examined RDF stability and the efficacy of ancillary materials in providing additional support. METHODS: Seventeen dogs underwent endoscopic induction of subglottic stenosis and delayed RDF reconstruction. Animals received 1) traditional RDF (control), 2) RDF with titanium screen implant, 3) RDF with porous polyethylene implant, or 4) RDF with hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) injection. Four weeks postoperatively the flaps were tested for stability. On qualitative assessment, endoscopic visualization was completed with quiet respiration and then following endotracheal tube occlusion. On quantitative assessment, after animals were killed, the RDF segment was isolated and subjected to negative pressure (maximum pressure, -50 mm Hg). The pressure-causing collapse was measured. RESULTS: In the traditional RDF animals (control), five of six flaps were stable in vivo and with negative pressures. In the titanium screen, porous polyethylene group, and HAC groups, respectively, four of four, three of four, and two of three flaps were stable in vivo and under negative pressure. Flaps that demonstrated instability had granulation, dehiscence, and poor healing. These occurred in 1 of 6 animals in the traditional RDF group and in 2 of 11 animals in the implant groups. In addition, 13 of 24 animals assigned to the implant groups died, compared with 2 of 8 of those in the traditional RDF group. CONCLUSIONS: The RDF is stable and maintains the airway under physiological conditions. Support materials did not improve stability, render flap harvest more difficult, or increase morbidity and mortality.

Evaluating laryngotracheal stenosis in a canine model with virtual bronchoscopy.

We performed a prospective masked animal study to determine whether virtual bronchoscopy, a noninvasive computed tomography technique, can accurately measure upper airway stenosis. Virtual bronchoscopy creates a 3-dimensional endoscopic image from spiral computed tomography data. Laryngotracheal stenosis was endoscopically induced in 18 dogs. The excised larynges were examined by endoscopy, virtual bronchoscopy, and macrodissection. Measurements were made of the anteroposterior (A-P) diameter, the left-right (L-R) diameter, the full length of stenosis in the sagittal plane, and the length of the tightest stenotic segment. Each measurement method was performed independently. All investigators were unaware of measurements made by others. The measurements obtained through virtual bronchoscopy and actual endoscopy were compared to those made at dissection by interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Endoscopy was better than virtual bronchoscopy in measuring the A-P diameter (ICC = .79, p < .0001; ICC = .42, p = .01). Both were equally effective in measuring the L-R diameter (ICC = .53, p = .0062; ICC = .52, p = .0064). The endoscopes could not assess the full length of the stenosis, whereas virtual bronchoscopy measured it fairly accurately (ICC = .72, p = .0001). Virtual bronchoscopy relatively accurately measured the length of the tightest stenotic segment (ICC = .68, p = .0002), whereas endoscopy produced measurements in only 11 of 18 larynges, and the measurements were less accurate (ICC = .45, p = .0068). Virtual bronchoscopy can provide good measurements of stenotic lesions in the airway. It is more accurate than actual endoscopy in determining the length of stenosis. It may therefore be useful as an adjunct imaging method in preoperative planning for reconstructive surgery.

Artifactual thickening of the sinus walls on computed tomography: a phantom model and clinical study.

Measuring sinus wall thickness on computed tomography may be important for distinguishing between acute and chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or in cases of a suspected neoplasm. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of opacified and aerated sinuses on the appearance of sinus wall thickness. A phantom model consisting of a skull half-immersed in water was scanned, and various slice thicknesses and different windows were used. The sinus walls of the water-immersed side appeared to be thicker than those of the aerated side. Bone windows did not completely eliminate this partial volume effect. It was concluded that comparison between a fluid- or tissue-filled sinus and an air-filled counterpart is not accurate enough for evaluating sinus wall thickness. Bone windows do not completely eliminate the artifactual thickening of the bony wall of a filled sinus.

A case of squamous papilloma after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

We report the case of an adult who developed an isolated-solitary papilloma on the margin of the soft palate 1 month after he had undergone a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. We describe the clinical and cellular characteristics of this common lesion.

Assessment of vestibular ototoxicity of ear drops by recording of vestibular evoked potentials to acceleration impulses.

INTRODUCTION: The cochlear ototoxicity of several ear drops is well documented in the literature, but very few studies exist on the vestibular ototoxicity of these topical drugs. GOAL OF STUDY: To develop an animal model for the assessment of the vestibular ototoxicity of ear drops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two animal groups, consisting of five fat sand rats (FSRs) each, underwent unilateral labyrinthectomy. Normal saline was topically applied into the middle ear cavity of rats in the first group for 7 days (control group). Rats in the second group were treated in the same way by topical gentamicin solution. Cochlear function was assessed by the recording of auditory evoked potential (ABPs) thresholds, and vestibular function was assessed by the recording of vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs) to angular accelerations. RESULTS: In the control group, except for the amplitude of the first wave, there was no significant difference in the VsEPs recorded before and after topical application. In the gentamicin group, VsEPs could not be recorded after 7 days, and ABPs were recorded in one case only, with a threshold of 100 dB sound pressure level (SPL). CONCLUSION: VsEPs seem to be a reliable measure for evaluating the vestibular ototoxicity of topical ear drops.