Treatment strategy in Goldenhar syndrome.

Goldenhar syndrome is a rare congenital defect characterized by ocular symptoms including (epibulbar dermoids, microphthalmia, anophthalmia, eyes asymmetry/dysmorphy, cleft eyelid, exophthalmia, strabismus), auricular symptoms (dacryocystitis), preauricular appendages, preauricular fistulas, ear asymmetry, microtia, atresia of the external auditory canal), craniofacial deformities (cleft face, cleft lip, cleft palate, macrostomia, bifid tongue, hypoplasia of the mandible, hypoplasia of the maxilla, asymmetry of the mandible and maxilla, malocclusion, tooth discrepancies, agenesis of third molars and second premolars, supernumerary teeth, enamel and dentin malformations, delay in tooth development), and skeletal abnormalities (cleft spine, microcephaly, dolichocephaly, plagiocephaly, vertebral defects) or abnormalities of internal organs. The degree of abnormalities vary from severe to mild. In this article, we present a long-term observation of a patient with Goldenhar syndrome. During the patient's life, the intensification of anomalies varied. We describe preoperative and postoperative orthodontic treatment and surgical correction procedures of maxillofacial deformation.

The role of human papillomavirus infection in the head and neck region and methods for its detection.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological factors of many benign and malignant lesions localized in the skin and mucous membranes in the region of the urogenital organs and head and neck. Currently, most assays for the detection of HPV are based on detecting the presence of viral nucleic acids, mostly viral DNA. These molecular techniques can be divided into: 1) methods based on a targeted, selective amplification of nucleic acids, 2) signal amplification methods, 3) nucleic acid hybridization assays. This paper presents and explains a number of different HPV detection methods and provides examples of some commonly available commercial tests.

Neurologic and functional long-term outcome after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to assess the neurologic status of patients a year after endarterectomy with the use of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the degree of disability using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and to examine the patients' subjective evaluation of their health. METHODS: One hundred two patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis who underwent endarterectomy and attended a 1-year follow-up examination were enrolled in the study. The material comprised 72 (70.6%) men and 30 (29.4%) women. Before the surgery, the patients' neurologic status was assessed according to the NIHSS, and their functional status was rated with the mRS. Additionally, the patients were asked to assess their life quality on a 10-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The mean NIHSS score before the operation was 2.76 points (SD 2.47), whereas a year after it was 2.05 points (SD 1.84) (P < .0001). The NIHSS scores that improved significantly a year after endarterectomy were level of consciousness-questions and commands, motor leg, and sensory (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The patients' neurologic status assessed with the NIHSS improved significantly 1 year after carotid endarterectomy mostly because of the improvement in their verbal and motor communication ability, physical condition and agility, and reduction in sensory disturbances. The observed changes in the neurologic status were reflected in the functional status and subjective life quality assessment, which appeared to be significantly better a year after the surgical treatment.

Oral Cavity Cancer Tissues Differ in Isotopic Composition Depending on Location and Staging.

The aim of this paper was to characterise the isotopic composition of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) specimens of different areas of the oral cavity. Secondly, we assessed whether there was a correlation between clinical stages of OSCC and isotopic abundance. The IRMS procedure was performed on 124 samples derived from 31 patients with OSCC of 15 N and 13 C to assess the isotopic composition. From each individual, four samples from the tumour, two from the margins, and two samples of healthy oral mucous membranes were derived. The two samples from the tumour and two samples from the margin were additionally subjected to histopathological assessment. Then, statistical analysis was conducted. Tumour infiltration tissues of the lower lip were characterised by higher mean δ13C values compared to samples derived from cancers of the other oral cavity regions (-23.82 ± 1.21 vs. -22.67 ± 1.35); (p = 0.04). The mean percentage of nitrogen content in tumour tissues was statistically higher in patients with the most advanced cancers (11.89 ± 0.03%) versus the group of patients with II and III stage cancers (11.12 ± 0.02%); (p = 0.04). In patients at stage IV, the mean δ13C value in the cancer samples equalled -22.69 ± 1.42 and was lower than that in patients at less severe clinical stages (p = 0.04). Lower lip cancer tissues differed in the isotopic abundance of carbon in comparison with tissues derived from the group of combined samples from other locations. Values of δ13C observed in specimens derived from lower lip cancers were similar to those observed in healthy oral mucous membranes. Cancer tissues obtained from patients in the last stage of OSCC had a different isotopic composition in comparison with those obtained from earlier stages. To confirm these observations, further research on larger groups of patients is needed.

Intracranial occlusions and internal carotid artery stenoses: clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of intracranial stenoses or occlusions on the outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis. The authors also searched for internal carotid artery plaque's morphology influence on the atherosclerotic process in intracranial arteries. METHODS: The study included 154 patients who underwent angiography and CEA. Intracranial lesions (stenosis or occlusion) were stated in 28 (18.2%) patients. RESULTS: Perioperative stroke - death rate was 3.9%. Statistical analysis revealed that perioperative stroke after CEA appeared significantly more often in patients with intracranial stenoses or occlusions (p = 0.0104). Late death-stroke rate was 13.6%. Log-rank test revealed that after a 1-year follow-up period, there were significantly more survivals in patients without intracranial lesions than in those with intracranial lesions (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial stenosis or occlusion predicts poor perioperative neurological outcome. Patients with intracranial lesions benefit less from endarterectomy in a 1-year follow-up period. On the basis of internal carotid artery plaque's morphology, no conclusions on advancement of intracranial arteries' atherosclerosis can be made.

Characteristics and epidemiology of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics, namely, cause, type, site of fracture, and epidemiology data, of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital records and computed tomographic scans of 468 patients, treated for ZMC fractures at the Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oncological Surgery between January 1990 and December 1995 and between January 2000 and December 2007, were selected and analyzed according to several factors including age, sex, cause, type, site of fracture, alcohol use before injury treatment modalities, complications, and mean treatment delay. RESULTS: A total of 468 patients (400 males and 68 females; male to-female ratio, 5.88:1) were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 85 years (mean T SD age, 37.1 T 14.83 y). Type B, by Zingg classification, was the most common type of ZMC fractures and accounted for 73.1% of cases. Assaults (64.5%), traffic accidents (13.9%), falls (13.0%), sports accidents (5.8%), and work accidents (2.8%) were noted. More than one-third of all the patients experienced injury after alcohol consumption. Of these patients, 96.6% were treated surgically. The most favored technique was miniplate osteosynthesis. The complication rate associated with the inaccurate reduction of the fractures was the most common. In this group of complications, minor asymmetry was the most common and occurred in 35 patients. Mean treatment delay was 42.7 hours. It ranged from 0.25 to 1080 hours, and the lowest value was observed in work accidents (2.7 hours). CONCLUSIONS: Facial trauma can result in fractures limited to 1 component of the tetrapod structure but more commonly results in a tetrapod fracture involving all 4 buttresses. Males are the most common victims of ZMC fractures, and assault remains the major cause of ZMC injuries in Poland, like in most developed countries. Alcohol involvement among trauma patients is high, especially in case of assaults and falls. Each patient with ZMC fracture should be evaluated individually.

Characteristic of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tissues Using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry.

Overall prognosis for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSSC) is still unfavourable. However, there is a hope that a novel diagnostic method may establish better cancer biology characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the isotope ratio of nitrogen and carbon in OSSC as compared to margin and healthy tissue. A total of 18 patients with OSSC were included in the study. Specimens collected covered: four tumour, four margin and two healthy oral mucosa samples. The samples underwent further procedures: lyophilization and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Measurements of the ratio of stable isotopes of nitrogen 15N/14N and carbon 13C/12C were performed. It is noticeable that the highest average nitrogen concentration was observed in tumour 12 ± 0.4% and the lowest in healthy tissues 8 ± 0.9% (p < 0.00001). The highest average carbon content was observed in healthy tissues 57 ± 2.2% and the lowest in tumour 46 ± 1.3% (p < 0.00001). Moreover, values of 15N/14N expressed in delta notation were the highest in healthy tissues 9.84 ± 0.61 and the lowest in tumour 8.92 ± 0.58. Values of 13C/12C tended to be higher in tumour -22.2 ± 0.89 and the lowest in healthy tissues -23.7 ± 1.2. Tumour tissues differ in isotopic composition from tissues taken from margin and healthy tissues taken from distant oral mucosa.

Screening test for extracranial carotid lesions' detection in patients of an outpatient vascular clinic.

Purpose The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial sections of carotid arteries and to determine the level of the correlation between these lesions and symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Secondly, to identify the most common risk factors of ischaemic stroke occurrence in population of patients of vascular outpatient clinic. Material and Methods Prospective study was conducted on a group of 1,000 people (217 women and 783 men), aged 50 to 86 years, the average age was 62 years (± 9.95). Results Atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries were observed in 670 examined people (67%). In 63 cases (6.3%) carotid artery occlusion was revealed. Patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis more frequently were addicted to cigarettes and suffered from hypertension in comparison to asymptomatic group. A statistically significant correlation between the TIA or ischemic stroke and smoking were noticed, as well as between TIA/ischemic stroke and hypertension Conclusions Among patients with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries atherosclerotic lesions in the extracranial carotid sections occur with a high frequency. Statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries were observed in this group. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries in symptomatic patients and smoking and hypertension. Performing screening in patients with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or lower limb arteries may detect significant carotid artery stenosis, requiring surgical intervention.

Characteristics and risk factors of bike-related accidents: Preliminary analysis.

BACKGROUND: The growing popularity of cycling not only enhances self-efficacy, physical well-being and improves quality of life, but it also leads to the increasing number of bike-related injuries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the population of cyclists in Poland, assess the occurrence of safety behaviors among them and to precise the risk factors for bike accidents. Additionally, we analyzed bike-related injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was based on a 39-item questionnaire created for this study. We collected data concerning the demographical status of respondents, their cycling preferences, attitude toward safety behaviors during cycling, and the characteristics of bike-related injuries. Our research covered 729 people who declared themselves as cyclists (302 women - average age: 31.5 ±10.3 years; 427 men - average age: 32.6 ±10.7 years). RESULTS: In the study, 71.3% of the interviewees declared that they did not always wear helmets. Women more often than men claimed that they did not always use head protection (p < 0.001). Among 729 people, 277 suffered from bike-related injuries. In this group, we noted 870 accidents that resulted in 1,671 different injuries. In our study, wearing helmets did not influence the region of trauma nor its type (p < 0.05). We noted 811 injuries of the upper extremities and 541 of the lower extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Young men constitute the main group of cyclists in Poland. The risk factors for bike-related accidents in our study proved to be: educational level (secondary education and incomplete higher education), number of children (having at least 3 children), frequency of using a bike (the more often, the more injuries), type of bike used (mountain bikes and fold-up bikes), and frequency of using a helmet (using helmets was correlated with a higher rate of injuries). The upper and lower extremities were the most common location of injuries.

Goldenhar syndrome: current perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Progress in medical branches that has taken place since the first child with Goldenhare syndrome (GS) had been described in 1952 by Maurice Goldenhar, facilitated better understanding of this congenital defect. It also gave new perspectives and the opportunity to achieve satisfactory treatment results, mainly due to development of surgical techniques. DATA SOURCES: Based on the literature and own experience, we discussed the phenotype of presentation of GS, ethiopathogenesis, genetic counselling and treatment with particular emphasis on surgery correction of hemifacial microsomia. RESULTS: The spectrum of GS abnormalities ranges from mild to severe ones and include patients with barely noticeable facial asymmetry to very pronounced facial defect with more or less severe abnormalities of internal organs and/or skeleton. It is characterized most commonly by impaired development of eyes, ears, lips, tongue, palate, mandible, maxilla, zygomatic and orbital structures and deformations of the teeth structures. Ethiopathogenesis is multifactorial and dependent on genetic and environmental factors but there are still many unknowns about the syndrome which should be revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GS due to a large variety of abnormalities and different severity of symptoms pose a challenge for clinicians. All of this necessitate an individual approach to each single patient and involvement a team of specialists in treatment planning. It is a complex, long-lasting, multidisciplinary process and should be divided into stages, according to patient's age, as well as the extent and severity of observed abnormalities. Neonatologists and pediatricians are involved in care of these patients from the onset.