Surgical anatomic findings of sphenoid sinus in 1009 Iranian patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The most common surgical technique for the management of pituitary adenomas is the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EEA). preoperative neuroimaging along with detecting surgical landmarks of the sphenoid sinus during surgery is important for making a successful operation. METHOD: This study includes 1009 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent EEA between 2013 and 2020. We evaluated the anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus through a panel of items obtained from imaging and intra-operative findings. RESULTS: Our result includes 57.38% nonfunctional, 8.42% cushing, 12.39% prolactinoma, and 21.8% acromegaly patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. The mean age of the patients was 45 with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Sellar sphenoid type was the most common (91.8%) with only 12% symmetrical inter sphenoid septa, Internal carotid artery dehiscence was found in 1.7% of the cases. Apoplexy was present in 6.3% of patients, which was found more prevalent in nonfunctional adenomas (9.67%, Odds ratio: 4.85, 95% CI 2.24-11.79) and further investigation revealed a significant association between apoplexy and sphenoid mucosal edema and hemorrhage (Odds ratio: 43.0, 95% CI 22.50-84.26), and between apoplexy and cystic lesions (OR = 4.14, 95% CI 1.87-8.45, P-value < 0.0001). Acromegaly is associated with the increased number of lateral recces (Odds ratio: 11.41, 95% CI 7.54-17.52), septation of the sphenoid sinus (Marginal mean: 3.92, 95% CI 3.69-4.14), edematous sinonasal mucosa (Odds ratio: 6.7; 95% CI 4.46-10.08), and higher bony (OR: 4.81, 95% CI 2.60-8.97, P-value < 0.001) and cavernous (OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.13-2.46, P-value < 0.01) invasion. CONCLUSION: The present study provides anatomical data about the sphenoid sinus and its adjacent vital structures with adenomal specific changes that are necessary to prevent complications during endoscopic advanced transsphenoidal surgery.

Investigating the Incidence and Risk Factors of Hypocalcemia After Laryngectomy.

Background: Laryngeal cancer is a common advanced head and neck cancer. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments are used to treat locally advanced laryngeal cancer. Total laryngectomy is generally preferred for T3-4 laryngeal cancers, despite being an invasive procedure. Post-surgical hypocalcemia is a known complication of neck compartment surgeries, and patients who have undergone laryngectomy are at a higher risk of developing hypoparathyroidism, leading to hypocalcemia. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hypocalcemia in individuals following laryngectomy. Method: This retrospective study examined 50 consecutive laryngectomy patients over eight years. Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, surgical details, pre-and post-operative calcium levels, neck dissection laterality, history of radiotherapy were collected. Hypocalcemia was defined as calcium levels < 8.5 mg/dl or corrected calcium < 8.5 mg/dl. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and binary logistic regression using R studio. Results: The mean age of participants was 59 years, predominating males (94%) and habitual smokers (94%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent (98%) pathological diagnosis, and various surgical techniques were employed. While initial comparisons showed no significant changes in calcium levels pre-and post-operatively, adjusting for albumin levels revealed a significant association. Logistic regression identified neck dissection, low pre-operative calcium, radiotherapy, and total thyroidectomy as significant predictors of post-operative hypocalcemia (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Surgical factors such as neck dissection and total thyroidectomy, alongside albumin levels, significantly impact postoperative hypocalcemia. These findings underscore the need for meticulous monitoring and potential preventive measures to manage calcium imbalance post-laryngectomy.

Comparison Between the Effect of Intra-Scalar Methylprednisolone and Sodium Hyaluronate in Impedance and Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials in Cochlear Implant Patients.

To evaluate and compare the effect of intra-scalar methylprednisolone and sodium hyaluronate on cochlear implants' impedance and electrically evoked compound action potentials thresholds. In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 103 children with pre-lingual hearing loss candidates for cochlear implantation at a tertiary hospital were divided into three groups based on intervention. Intraoperatively, one group received intra-scalar methylprednisolone, the second sodium hyaluronate, and the third group was the control group. Impedance and electrically evoked compound action potentials (e-ECAP) thresholds on long-term follow-up were evaluated and compared in these three groups. Significant decrease in impedance and e-ECAP thresholds were observed in all groups in a 4-year follow-up. No statistically significant difference was observed among all mentioned groups. Impedance and e-ECAP thresholds decrease in the long term, and using topical intra-scalar Healon or methylprednisolone may not significantly affect these parameters.

Hepatitis C virus in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in Iran: is there any relation?

Recently, some studies have noticed a large number of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HCV in these patients in our population. Patients with SCCHN in four tertiary centers in different regions of Iran were checked for HCV. The prevalence of HCV in 107 patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was 0.9%, which has no significant difference with its prevalence in normal population. It seems that HCV at least in Iran could not be considered as a risk factor for SCCHN.

A brief report of plexiform neurofibroma.

Plexiform neurofibroma (PNF) is a rare variant of neurofibromatosis type1 (NF-1), which histopathologically, is a subtype of benign nerve sheath tumors, neurofibromas (NF). It develops as a result of proliferation in all parts of peripheral nervous system and can cause the functional damage, deformities, pain, considerable mortality, and morbidity and even the increasing risk of malignant transformation in some critical cases. Currently, the surgical intervention is the treatment of choice for PNF patients, which due to the tumor invasion, massive growth, and the chance of postoperative regrowth is not possible. The diagnosis of isolated tumor is an uncommon event. Considering the rarity of this neoplasm, herein, we describe a case of isolated PNF, so the purpose of this presenting is the rarity of recording. We describe a case of isolated plexiform neurofibroma presented with 7-year history of a slowly growing postauricular soft subcutaneous mass in a 14-year-old boy, which caused the right auricular deformity. After initial evaluation by imaging studies, the patient underwent to surgical resection of the mass and the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Surgical excision of the mass had been done before which concluded the satisfactory result and based on oncologist diagnosis, further intervention such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy was not needed. The patient left the hospital with a clinical stability and was suggested to continue the regular follow-up. In conclusion, considering neurofibroma (NF) as differential diagnosis for subcutaneous masses in head and neck area is critical for early diagnosis and treatment procedure.

The etiologies of low back pain in patients with lumbar disk herniation.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in population that lowers the quality of life. The main etiology of LBP is recognized in about 20% of patients while it is attributed to lumbar disk herniation (LDH) in 80% of cases and causes some unnecessary lumbar surgeries without realizing the definite cause. OBJECTIVES: This study was planned to evaluate the etiologies of LBP in patients who had LDH to clarify whether the disc herniation is the main cause of patients` pain or other diseases were responsible for this kind of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the medical profiles of the patients with proven LDH in a private clinic in Mashhad City, Iran, between 2005 and 2012, for demographic and the etiologies of LBP with clinical and paraclinical studies. We also calculated the incidence of each etiology by SPSS 13. RESULTS: In our study, among 1250 patients with proven LDH by MRI, 500 patients (40%) had chronic LBP and the most common causes of LBP were heavy constant working (40.2%), osteoporosis (35.6%), and sacroiliac joint pain (34.6%), consecutively. Interestingly, LDH had the ninth rank among the common cause of LBP. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that in spite of previous beliefs, discopathies were not common etiologies of LBP. Thus, even in patients with proven LDH by imaging studies, the physician should perform a thorough evaluation for other causes of LBP to avoid unnecessary lumbar surgeries.

Orthopedic lesions in tethered cord syndrome: the importance of early diagnosis and treatment on patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: Many of the patients with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) are admitted because of neurological symptoms, while some are admitted because of their orthopedic, urologic, anorectal, and dermatologic manifestations. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of tethered cord syndrome on patient outcome. METHODS: Fourty-three patients who underwent surgery because of tethered cord syndrome from 2006 to 2010 were studied. Many of these cases were referred by orthopedic surgeons. All of the findings were recorded and follow up was done twice (1 and 3 years after surgery). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were less than 7 years old and 6 were between 17 to 33 years old. According to clinical and neurological exams, satisfactory results were achieved in both groups. Those with early surgical intervention, especially in their early follow up assessment, had the best results. Seventeen cases were referred by an orthopedic surgeon because of manifestations such as leg weakness and numbness, leg pain and spasticity, pes cavus, claw toes, and leg or foot length discrepancy. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases after surgery and 1 showed pseudomeningocele formation. CONCLUSIONS: After one year of follow up, initially the results of the treatment were better in early operated cases, but in later follow up assessment (after 3 years) the results were almost the same in both of the groups.

Light microscopic histopathology of adenoid tissue in otitis media with effusion: is there any relation?

OBJECTIVE: The adenoid has long been recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion. The aim of this study was to determine if there is any relationship between light microscopic histopathologic parameters of adenoid tissue and otitis media with effusion. METHODS: The study group consists of 30 children aged from 2 to 8 years old with bilateral otitis media with effusion who were selected also for adenoidectomy due to obstructive symptoms of hypertrophied adenoid. The control group included 30 age-matched patients who undergone adenoidectomy due to same indications but without even unilateral otitis media with effusion. Adenoid specimens were examined under light microscopy by an expert pathologist who not aware of the specimens were belongs to which group. Nine histopathologic parameters of the specimens were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between these groups (p values>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The role of the adenoids in pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion is beyond its histopathologic changes at least in the level of light microscopic findings.