Evaluation of biophysical skin parameters and assessment of hair growth in patients with acne treated with isotretinoin.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of the severe forms of acne vulgaris remains a challenge. Isotretinoin is a drug often used in these cases. Retinoids affect the mechanisms that play a role in the pathogenesis of acne, reduce the production of sebum and sizes of the sebaceous glands. However, isotretinoin appears to have undesirable side effects in the skin, mucous membranes and hair. AIM: THE AIM OF THIS STUDY WAS TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF ACNE VULGARIS TREATMENT WITH ISOTRETINOIN ON BIOPHYSICAL SKIN PARAMETERS: skin sebum and stratum corneum hydration levels, transepidermal water loss values, pH, erythema and hair growth parameters: total number, density and proportion of anagen hair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: THE STUDY INCLUDED THIRTY PATIENTS WITH ACNE TYPES: papulopustular, conglobata and phlegmonosa. Patients were treated with isotretinoin at a dose of 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day for a period of 4-7 months. The measurements of skin biophysical parameters were performed before and after the treatment using Sebumeter SM815, Corneometer CM825, Tewameter TM300, MX Mexameter MX18 and Skin-pH-Meter PH908. Hair growth parameters were evaluated with FotoFinder Dermoscope using the TrichoScan Professional V3.0.8.76 software. RESULTS: The results of biophysical skin parameter measurements after the treatment showed a reduction in the severity of seborrhea. However, the skin was dry, which confirmed a lowered degree of stratum corneum hydration and an increase in transepidermal water loss values. Moreover, severity of erythema, an increase in pH value, and variations in selected hair growth parameters: decrease in total count, density and proportion of anagen hair were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in the skin sebum levels was observed after the treatment. There was dryness of the skin, which was confirmed by biophysical skin parameter measurements. Changes in the hair growth parameters showed telogen effluvium hair loss.

[Subjective intraoperative hearing self-assessment in patients after stapedotomy comparing to postoperative pure-tone audiometry]. / Subiektywna sródoperacyjna poprawa sluchu u chorych po stapedotomiach w porównaniu z wynikiem kontrolnego badania sluchu w audiometrii tonalnej progowej.

UNLABELLED: In otosclerosis patients the most common procedure followed at Otosurgical Dept. Medical University of Lodz is stapedotomy with insertion of teflon-piston prosthesis. When surgery is finished a whisper hearing test is done from the 1 meter distance for brief intraoperative hearing improvement assessment. There is a number of patient who report subjective intraoperative hearing improvement which is not confirmed by postoperative pure-tone audiometry (2-3rd post-op day). THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was the analysis of factors influencing stapedotomy (teflon-piston procedure) patients in which intraoperative hearing improvement was not confirmed by postoperative pure-tone audiometry. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of postoperative hearing results in patients who underwent stapedotomy (teflon-piston operation) at the Otosurgical Dept. Medical University of Lodz from 2005 to 2009. RESULTS: The total number of 142 stapedotomies were analyzed. In 27 ears no hearing improvement was reported (19.1%). Among them 18 reported intraoperative hearing improvement not confirmed on postoperative pure-tone audiometry and 9 cases intraopertively reported no hearing improvement. Patients in Group A (hearing improvement 1-2 month post stapedotomy)--12 cases (44.4%) with hearing improvement confirmed by pure-tone audiometry and Group B--5 cases (55.6%) in which no sign of hearing improvement in pure-tone audiometry was reported. CONCLUSION: In patients who intraopertively reported hearing improvement not supported by the pure-tone audiometry the following factors seem to play a vital role: a) strong suggestion and willingness of improvement after surgical treatment, b) specific condition of the whisper hearing test at the operating room environment, c) patient's stress during the surgery and strong fear of possible revision surgery.

[Impact of tinnitus on quality of life in the patients' self-assessment]. / Wplyw szumów usznych na jakosc zycia w samoocenie chorych.

Tinnitus may have multidirectional impact on patients and influence unfavourably their quality of life and psychology. The aim of the study was to investigate the aetiology, audiological parameters, and tinnitus characteristics and to evaluate the impact of tinnitus on patients life and emotional status by using the self-report questionnaire. A group of 157 consecutive patients referred to the Otiatry Clinic Medical University in Lodz were enrolled in the study. It was found that tinnitus negatively impact on 2/3 of patients and 1/3 of them consider it as annoying. The most frequent aetiological factor was noise exposure (40.8%). There was no correlation between tinnitus loudness and degree of hearing loss on the one hand and self-perceived handicap and annoyance of tinnitus on the other. It was stated that younger age and higher tinnitus pitch-match frequencies may influence patients' quality of life.

[Tonsillar carcinoma--clinical assessment and analysis of treatment results]. / Rak migdalka podniebiennego--ocena kliniczna i analiza wyników leczenia.

The aim of the study was an evaluation of the clinical signs and treatment results of the patients with tonsillar cancer treated in the ENT Clinic Medical University in Lódz during 10 years (1985-1994). In this study we analysed retrospectively the data of 40 subjects (52% of all group 76 patients). Twenty four patients (55%) had tumor with T3-T4 stage and 21 patients (52.5%)--palpable lymph neck nodes. The most frequent treatment modality was combined therapy (surgery with radio/chemotherapy) introduced in 25 persons (62.5%), surgery alone was performed in 10 cases (25%). Distant metastases developed in 6 patients (15%) and the second primary neoplasm in 5 patients (12.5%). We obtained 30% five years survival rate. We stress the importance of careful clinical assessment before planning the treatment.