Age-dependent differences of the depth of olfactory fossa in children

Abstract Objective: With this radio-anatomical study, we aimed to describe the distribution of the depth of the olfactory fossa based on the Keros classification in the pediatric population in our region and to reduce complication rates by providing normative data. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted with computed tomography imaging of the paranasal sinuses of 390 pediatric patients referred over a six-year period in Sakarya and Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine. Patients were divided into 3 groups as 1-6, 6-12, and 12-18 years old. The depth of the olfactory fossa was measured and classified according to the Keros classification. The incidence of Keros asymmetries was also investigated. Results: The distribution of the depth of a total of 780 olfactory fossa according to the Keros classification was 24.7% Keros I, 65.9% Keros II, and 9.4% Keros III. When the groups were evaluated with each other and within each group, it was seen that the prevalence of Keros I type was significantly higher in the first group (p < 0.05), and the prevalence of Keros type II was significantly higher in the second and third groups (p < 0.05). Apart from this, the number of Keros type III increased in the third group compared to the first two groups and showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Among all patients, asymmetry of the olfactory fossa was detected in 29 patients (7.4%). Although the number of olfactory fossa asymmetry was low in group I, it was not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, high Keros I rate and low Keros III rate in children aged -6 were remarkable. Especially for children under the age of six, questions arise about the validity of the Keros classification. More detailed studies in larger populations, in different ethnicities, and with various age groups are needed. Level of evidence: Level 3.

Age-dependent differences of the depth of olfactory fossa in children.

OBJECTIVE: With this radio-anatomical study, we aimed to describe the distribution of the depth of the olfactory fossa based on the Keros classification in the pediatric population in our region and to reduce complication rates by providing normative data. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted with computed tomography imaging of the paranasal sinuses of 390 pediatric patients referred over a six-year period in Sakarya and Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine. Patients were divided into 3 groups as 1-6, 6-12, and 12-18 years old. The depth of the olfactory fossa was measured and classified according to the Keros classification. The incidence of Keros asymmetries was also investigated. RESULTS: The distribution of the depth of a total of 780 olfactory fossa according to the Keros classification was 24.7% Keros I, 65.9% Keros II, and 9.4% Keros III. When the groups were evaluated with each other and within each group, it was seen that the prevalence of Keros I type was significantly higher in the first group (p<0.05), and the prevalence of Keros type II was significantly higher in the second and third groups (p<0.05). Apart from this, the number of Keros type III increased in the third group compared to the first two groups and showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Among all patients, asymmetry of the olfactory fossa was detected in 29 patients (7.4%). Although the number of olfactory fossa asymmetry was low in group I, it was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, high Keros I rate and low Keros III rate in children aged 1-6 were remarkable. Especially for children under the age of six, questions arise about the validity of the Keros classification. More detailed studies in larger populations, in different ethnicities, and with various age groups are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

The Short-Term Effect of Eugenol on the Prevention of Experimentally Induced Myringosclerosis in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the possible short-term effects of topical and oral eugenol on the suppression of experimentally developed myringosclerosis (MS). METHODS: Four groups of seven male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. The tympanic membranes (TMs) of all subjects were myringotomized, and group 1 was given no treatment (as control group), group 2 received saline, group 3 had received topical eugenol and group 4 received oral eugenol. RESULTS: In macroscopic evaluation the control and saline groups showed much more MS compared to the topical and oral eugenol groups which had statistically significantly less changes (p<0.05). Fibrosis and inflammation regarding the lamina propria (LP) of the eardrums of the topical and oral eugenol groups were significantly less than those of the control and saline groups (p<0.001). In microscopic evaluation, TMs were found to be thicker in the control and saline groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the application of topical and oral forms of eugenol reduced fibrosis and prevented the advancement of MS in the LP of the TMs in the short-term. More studies with different extracts are needed to investigate the efficacy of phytotherapeutic agents for preventing MS development following myringotomy.

Topographic anatomy of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical and topographical anatomy of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (ibSLN) in laryngectomy patients. METHODS: Patients aged 36-90 years old who underwent a total laryngectomy operation with a diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma participated in the study. Fifteen patients who underwent a total laryngectomy operation between June 2015 and November 2016 were included in the study. A total of 29 superior laryngeal nerves (SLN) of 15 patients were studied. The position of the nerve was photographed before the thyrohyoid membrane (THM) was passed during dissection. The relationship and course of the ibSLN with respect to the superior laryngeal artery (SLA) were observed. The distance to adjacent formations and branching variants were examined along the course of the nerve. RESULTS: Of the total 29 ibSLN, 17 were divided into three branches and 12 into two branches. In all cases except for one, the ibSLN course after piercing the THM was determined. The ibSLN penetrated the THM at a mean of 12.0 ± 2.61 mm (6-16 mm) from the superior border of the thyroid cartilage. The ibSLN penetrated the THM with a mean distance of 9.34 ± 1.65 (6-12) mm from the inferior border of the hyoid bone. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the surgical and topographical features of the ibSLN with respect to the THM, and provided a more precise knowledge of its anatomy in laryngectomy patients. It thus may help head and neck surgeons identify this nerve.

Comparison of Incidence and Severity of Chronic Postsurgical Pain Following Ear Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Literature review shows a limited number of studies investigating chronic pain following ear surgeries. The effect of mastoidectomy on chronic postsurgical pain, however, has never been investigated. The present study investigates not only the incidence and severity of chronic pain following ear surgeries with and without mastoidectomy, but also predisposing diseases for pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed in a total of 150 patients who underwent tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy through a retroauricular incision in a single tertiary health care center. During the routine postoperative 3rd-month examination, the patients were questioned for the presence and severity of chronic pain, as well as the diseases that might predispose the pain. RESULTS: The difference between the visual analog scale scores of the groups was not statistically significant. Comparison of pain character revealed that neuropathic pain is more prevalent in both the groups. Evaluating the relationship between concomitant diseases and chronic pain, it was observed that migraine, cervical pathology, and acute postsurgical pain were closely associated with chronic pain. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that mastoidectomy does not pose an additional risk for chronic postsurgical pain. However, patients with migraine, cervical pathology, and acute postsurgical pain are at risk for chronic postsurgical pain.