The Overfilled Face.

The desire for longevity, beauty, and health is as old as the history of human culture. Minimizing tissue damage and invasive surgeries has led to a variety of options in the 21st century medicine. In the past 20 years, hyaluronic acid filler injections have thus become a popular modality of treatment for facial rejuvenation due to low costs for patients with immediately visible results. Ideally, the treated face looks natural. We aim at stopping time, maybe tweaking the handles of our clocks a bit backward to counteract aging processes, but creating a natural look and maintaining the individual appearance.

Nasal Valve Lift in Nasal Valve Stenosis-A 2 Years Clinical Trial.

A clinical study was conducted to determine the effect of nasal valve lift treatment using absorbable, polylactic acid, self-retaining cone threads (Silhouette Soft) in patients with nasal valve stenosis. Sixty patients (n = 60) were included in this prospective study which was performed from January 2015 until December 2018, 19 patients dropped out due to noncompliance. Initially, participants were divided into two equal groups. One was treated by nasal valve lift only, the other additionally received turbinoplasty. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to rate the sense of nasal ventilation. Patients' satisfaction was examined by a categorical scale, preoperatively, after 1 week, and after 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. For statistical analysis, an univariant variance analysis was conducted to test the significance of differences in nasal breathing within one group at different points of postoperative controls, with the statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Moreover, the two groups were compared with each other regarding results of the categorical scale. After surgical treatment, an improvement is reported by all participants. Average VAS scores were significantly lower between preoperative and every postoperative rating. Although a decline in the effect of breathing improvement is recognizable as threads are dissolved, patients' satisfaction in improvement of nasal breathing is persistent in most cases, even at long-term observation. Overall, these results demonstrate that valve lift is an effective method to treat patients with nasal valve stenosis.

[Messverfahren zur objektiven Beurteilung der nasalen Durchgängigkeit]. / Assessment techniques of nasal patency.

The need for objective assessment of nasal patency in the fields of rhinosurgery and allergy has led to the development of various methods for the evaluation of nasal patency. These methods include active anterior rhinomanometry, PNIF, acoustic rhinometry, rhinostereometry, optical rhinometry, minimal cross-sectional area endoscopy, nasal sound spectral analysis, magnetic resonance imaging and numerical flow simulation. This article provides a brief overview of currently common procedures.

General Precautions and Safety Aspects of Facial Laser Treatment.

The current overview of laser radiation therapy options and the legal aspects of the head and neck region provides insight into the available laser hardware, discusses the indications and treatment options and risks, as well as the necessary precautions to be taken when operating a laser device. Further handling recommendations and requirements for the laser devices are drawn and the question of transferring tasks to nonmedical personnel is discussed. The reader should get an idea about the benefits and risks of using lasers in treating patients and be able to set the precise indication on the background of possibilities, adverse effects, and legal aspects.

Management of neck metastases of unknown primary origin united in two European centers.

Combined analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic management of neck metastases of carcinoma of unknown primary origin ('true CUP') in two European tertiary referral centers (University Medical Centers of Maastricht, NL and Cologne, D) to contribute to the ongoing discussion on management in CUP. Retrospective analysis of 29 (Maastricht) and 22 (Cologne) true cervical CUP syndrome patients (squamous cell carcinoma). The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches were correlated with clinical follow-up data and HPV status. In total, 48 out of 51 true CUP patients received postsurgical adjuvant radiotherapy. In eight patients from Cologne, this was combined with concomitant platin-based chemotherapy. Neither in Cologne nor in Maastricht, radiotherapy of the pharyngeal mucosa was commonly performed (n = 6, 12.5 %) The percentage of patients who were irradiated ipsilaterally or bilaterally did not differ between both institutes (N = 21/27 in Maastricht vs. 11/21 in Cologne), nor did the 5-year overall survival differ significantly. Oncogenic HPV was only found in 4 out of 51 CUPs (7, 8 %). Therefore, no relation with overall and recurrence-free survival could be detected. No occult primary tumors were revealed during follow-up despite de-escalation of therapy by abandoning irradiation of the pharyngeal mucosa in both institutes. There were no significant differences between ipsilateral and bilaterally irradiated patients regarding overall and recurrence-free survival. The occurrence of distant metastases was more often noticed in ipsilaterally treated patients as compared to bilaterally radiated patients (8 vs. 2, p = 0.099). Those patients all had been classified N2b or higher. International guidelines still are not unified and there is an urgent need for a consented therapeutic regimen. Comparison of two international strategies on the management of CUP patients is presented and further research is recommended regarding the role of radiotherapy of the pharyngeal axis, the value of unilateral and bilateral radiotherapy and the role of concomitant or induction chemotherapy in CUP patients, particularly in N2b or higher-staged neck disease. The prevalence and role of HPV in true CUP after thorough diagnostic work-up seem limited in our case series, particularly when compared to the role in oropharyngeal carcinomas.

The Facial Profile in the Context of Facial Aesthetics.

Beauty has been an intriguing issue since the evolving of a culture in mankind. Even the Neanderthals are believed to have applied makeover to enhance facial structures and thus underline beauty. The determinants of beauty and aesthetics have been defined by artists and scientists alike. This article will give an overview of the evolvement of a beauty concept and the significance of the facial profile. It aims at sharpening the senses of the facial plastic surgeon for analyzing the patient's face, consulting the patient on feasible options, planning, and conducting surgery in the most individualized way.

Feasibility of an interval, inspiration-triggered nocturnal odorant application by a novel device: a patient-blinded, randomised crossover, pilot trial on mood and sleep quality of depressed female inpatients.

It has been suggested that certain odorants positively affect mood, but this has not yet been scientifically tested in humans. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a new odorant applicator and to assess the effects of nocturnal intermittent rose odorant application on mood, and quality of sleep and dreams in depressed female inpatients. We hypothesised that mood as primary outcome will improve. Twenty-seven normosmic, 18- to 49-year-old female, depressed inpatients were investigated in a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Exclusion criteria were rhinitis, hyp- or anosmia. During sleep, an interval-controlled, inspiration-triggered applicator added rose concentrate to the inspirated air. There were three consecutive nights of each odorant and placebo application and a wash-out phase. Patients completed standardised questionnaires on mood, dreams, and sleep quality. Four patients dropped out (n = 1: non-compliance in filling in the questionnaires, n = 3: intolerance of nasal tube). Otherwise, this novel odorant applicator was well tolerated. Application of the odorant showed no significant mood differences between rose and placebo, however, some subdomains of sleep quality and mood showed a positive trend towards improvement by rose application. The feasibility of this new device and of nasal tubes could be shown. Odorant application is well tolerated. It may have a positive influence on quality of mood and sleep in depressed patients. A longer application phase is planned to obtain convincing evidence for our hypothesis.

Prevention and treatment of complications after polymethylmethacrylate-microspheres injections.

The present article focuses on the peculiarities of polymethylmethacrylate as facial filler highlighting the injection technique, known adverse effects, and all options for complication management. Supplemented by a historical overview and case series, the authors share their experience with this widespread and in the last decade heavily criticized injectable filler substance.

Taste-strip gustometry in cochlear implanted patients.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the gustatory function in a large cohort of cochlear implanted patients using lateralized taste-strip tests. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven unilaterally or bilaterally profoundly hearing impaired or deaf patients who received cochlear implants (n = 113) were included in this study. Data on gustometry, subjective gustatory dysfunction, and the detailed surgical procedure were acquired retrospectively. Gustatory function, assessed using lateralized taste-strip tests, was performed the day before, 3 days after cochlear implantation, and on the day of the initial CI adjustment (39 days ±7.3 SD). RESULTS: Averaged taste-strip scores of the cohort declined significantly from preoperatively 12.3 [11.8; 12.7] (mean [95% confidence intervals]) to 10.5 [9.7; 11.2] on the implanted side about 6 weeks after surgery. Patients with intraoperatively exposed and rerouted, or a severed, chorda tympani nerve (CTN) showed significantly reduced unilateral postoperative scores (10.1 [8.8; 11.4] and 9.3 [8.1; 10.5], respectively), when compared to not exposing or to leaving a bony layer over the CTN. Total taste-strip test scores showed a significant decline 6 weeks postoperatively in CI-patients expressing a subjective gustatory dysfunction (from 23.6 [21.4; 25.8] to 17.5 [14.2; 20.8]), as opposed to patients with a documented subjectively normal taste. CONCLUSION: We consider postoperative gustatory dysfunction as a relevant side effect post cochlear implantation, at least within the first month. Taste-strip based gustometry is a suitable diagnostic tool to assess taste function in CI patients and is recommended to be performed routinely. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3, retrospective, nonrandomized follow-up study.

Safety guidelines for nonsurgical facial procedures during COVID-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to last for an extended time, making strict safety precautions for office procedures unavoidable. The lockdown is going to be lifted in many areas, and strict guidelines detailing the infection control measures for aesthetic clinics are going to be of particular importance. METHODS: A virtual meeting was conducted with the members (n = 12) of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Focus Group to outline the safety protocol for the nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures for aesthetic practices in order to protect the clinic staff and the patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data analysis was undertaken by thematic and iterative approach. RESULTS: Consensus guidelines for nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures based on current knowledge are provided for three levels: precautions before visiting the clinic, precautions during the clinic visit, and precautions after the clinic visit. CONCLUSIONS: Sound infection control measures are mandatory for nonsurgical aesthetic practices all around the world. These may vary from country to country, but this logical approach can be customized according to the respective country laws and guidelines.

Assessment of the antiobstructive effect of fexofenadine on nasal allergy challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The oral administration of fexofenadine 120 mg daily is a common treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). It reduces the H1 receptor-mediated symptoms, such as sneezing, pruritus, and nasal secretion as well as non-nasal symptoms such as conjunctivitis. The objective was to assess the effect of fexofenadine on nasal symptoms (such as nasal obstruction) in seasonal allergic rhinitis. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study was performed which yielded evidence that two-week therapy with fexofenadine 120 mg daily in patients with SAR also relieves nasal obstruction and congestion. The parameters of nasal obstruction were evaluated by means of rhinoscopy, a subjective symptom score, and active anterior rhinomanometry. The subjective evaluation of nasal obstruction/congestion as recorded by the patient every 15 minutes for 4.5 hours after nasal allergen provocation showed a significant difference of the AUC (p = 0.025) between fexofenadine and placebo with a 12.8% lower obstruction after fexofenadine. The swelling of the nasal mucosa, which was assessed by rhinoscopy for 4.5 hours after nasal allergen provocation, was 21% lower after treatment with fexofenadine (p = 0.041). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjective patient ratings as well as objective investigator assessments demonstrate the anti-obstructive effect of fexofenadine in nasal allergen challenge.

Impaired sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen-induced allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional, observational survey in German athletes.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis has major impacts on sports performance of athletes. The present study aimed at determining the frequency of seasonal pollen allergy and analyzing the impacts of pollen allergy, the choice of allergy treatments and their benefits for sports performance in a group of professional and recreational athletes. METHODS: The study was conducted as a self-reported questionnaire survey. Subjects were recruited from the German Sport University and the Cologne Marathon 2014 during the peak pollen season of 2014. RESULTS: Athletes returned 636 completed questionnaires, 42.6% of participants reported suffering from a pollen allergy and 30.2% also suffered from asthma. Performance impairments were reported in more than 80% of allergic subjects. In all, 82.2% of subjects used symptomatic medications, 32.3% alternative therapies, and 47.6% allergen immunotherapy. Subjects who used immunotherapy had fewer impaired training bouts than those who used symptomatic and alternative therapies. The majority of subjects had concerns about allergy treatment such as side effects, negative impacts on sports performance and lack of long-term effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed a high prevalence of pollen allergy among German athletes. The majority of allergic rhinitis athletes were undertreated, and the reason could be their reservations about allergy treatments. Pollen allergy tremendously reduced sports performance of athletes during the pollen season. This impact can be lessened with proper treatment such as immunotherapy. Better understanding of available treatment modalities should be provided to patients and physicians to improve sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen allergy.

Is there a need for positron emission tomography imaging to stage the N0 neck in T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx?

OBJECTIVES: We assess whether negative findings on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) may contribute to the decision-making process of elective neck dissection (eND) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or the oropharynx (oSCC) staged cT1-T2 cN0 cM0. METHODS: We interpreted CT, MRI, and 18FDG-PET images separately, after combining the data of CT with those of 18FDG-PET and the data of MRI with those of 18FDG-PET. Each set of results was then compared with the histopathologic results of ipsilateral or bilateral eND in a prospective, blinded study. RESULTS: The histopathologic examination of 594 lymph nodes revealed 4 metastases less than 4 mm in diameter and 3 micrometastases (less than 2 mm) in 6 of 17 patients. On CT, MRI, and 18FDG-PET, respectively, 5, 5, and 0 cases were true-malignant (true positives) and 4, 10, and 1 cases were false-malignant (false positives). The accuracy was not enhanced by fusing CT with 18FDG-PET or MRI with 18FDG-PET. CONCLUSIONS: The detectability threshold of occult metastases appears to be below the spatial and contrast resolution of CT, MRI, and 18FDG-PET. The decision for eND in patients with cT1-T2 cN0 cM0 oSCC cannot be based upon cross-sectional imaging at the resolutions currently available.

Decompression illness reported in a survey of 429 recreational divers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of diving experience and diving techniques on the lifetime incidence of decompression illness (DCI). METHODS: Attendants of three diving medical symposia voluntarily answered a questionnaire about their age, gender, medical history, diving experience, diving habits, diving certification levels, and diving associated incidents (cross-sectional survey). RESULTS: Out of 650 divers, 429 completed the questionnaire. The study population consisted of experienced divers with an average of 670 dives. The majority of the divers were certified diving instructors (43%). There were 37 participants (8.7%) who were classified as technical divers with an average of 1193 logged dives. There was an overall lifetime incidence of DCI of 1 per 5463 dives. The complete study group showed an increased lifetime incidence of DCI with decreased diving experience (1.97-fold to 8.17-fold higher). Of the divers, 27% reported severe DCI with neurological symptoms. The lifetime incidence for severe DCI was 1 in 20,291 dives. Again, lifetime incidence for severe DCI was increased with decreased diving certification level (1.1-fold to 13.7-fold higher). Technical divers showed a DCI lifetime incidence of 1 to 8591 dives compared to the non-technical divers with a lifetime incidence of 1 to 5077 dives (not significant). CONCLUSION: In our study population, the lifetime incidence of DCI was increased in divers with less diving experience. If further studies confirm this finding, diving federations should be encouraged to intensify their efforts of educating divers and should limit diving time and depth in inexperienced divers.

Congenital familial bilateral branchial tracts: a rare case.

The embryologic development of the head and neck is directed by an ensemble ofnumero us genes. Embryologic malformations of the head and neck are rare. When they do occur, the most common are thyroglossal duct cysts and branchial anomalies. Most malformations are apparent at birth. Complete excision at an early stage is recommended to prevent complications such as infection. We describe an extremely rare case of bilateral branchial tracts in which there was evidence of a genetic etiology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of familial bilateral branchial tracts to be described in the literature.