A new transnasal approach to nasolabial cyst: endoscopic excision of nasolabial cyst.

Nasolabial cyst (NC) is one of the midface lesions that are seen rarely. Nasolabial cyst is generally seen in females typically on the fourth and fifth decades and localized unilaterally. Diagnosis usually depends on clinical evaluation. Sublabial excision is the classic method, but endoscopic marsupialization is suggested in current literature. An NC that is totally excised endoscopically is introduced in this article. This is the first case of NC excised endoscopically that is described in English literature.

Effects of buffered 2.3%, buffered 0.9%, and non-buffered 0.9% irrigation solutions on nasal mucosa after septoplasty.

A prospective randomized study was designed to compare the effect of different irrigation solutions on mucociliary clearance and nasal patency and to compare the limitations of the used solutions, such as nasal burning by a visual analog scale. Forty-five patients who underwent septoplasty were divided into three groups postoperatively. Each group was administered with 2.3% buffered hypertonic seawater, buffered isotonic saline solution and non-buffered isotonic saline, respectively, as irrigation fluid. Saccharine test and acoustic rhinometer were used to determine mucociliary activity and nasal patency. Patients were asked about the burning sensation using a 10-cm visual analog scale. There was no significant difference in saccharine clearance time (SCT) on the 5th postoperative day between the three groups (P = 0.07). On the 20th day, there was a significant difference in SCT between the hypertonic buffered seawater group and non-buffered isotonic saline (P = 0.003). Buffered hypertonic seawater improved nasal airway patency more than the buffered isotonic saline (P = 0.004). Buffered hypertonic solutions used after endonasal surgery have been advantageous for both mucociliary clearance and postoperative decongestion.

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: our experience with 19 patients.

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a potentially fatal infection that affects immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and treatment, including aggressive surgical debridement, antifungal medication, and correction of underlying predisposing factors are essential for recovery. The aim of this study was to review our experience with AIFR. The records of 19 patients histopathologically diagnosed with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, presenting symptoms and signs, underlying diseases, and outcomes of the patients are presented and invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is discussed in light of the current literature.

Nasal pepsin assay and pH monitoring in chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). We also investigated the diagnostic value of pepsin in nasal lavage by means of fluorometric assay as compared with 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a controlled, prospective study from a retrospective dataset of 33 patients recruited for endoscopic sinus surgery between 2005 and 2006 in a tertiary care referral center (Hacettepe University Medical Center). All patients underwent 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring and nasal lavage fluid investigation for pepsin. A fluorometric pepsin assay using casein-fluorescein isothiocyanate in nasal lavage fluid was used to detect LPR. The control group included 20 patients who were proven not to have sinusitis. RESULTS: A higher incidence of pharyngeal acid reflux events was found in patients with CRS (29 of 33, 88%) compared with the control patients (11 of 20, 55%). The difference was statistically significant (P = .01). The fluorometric pepsin assay was correlated to the results of 24-hour dual-probe monitoring for LPR diagnosis with a 100% sensitivity and 92.5% specificity. These data suggest that an association between CRS and LPR is present and that the detection of pepsin in nasal lavage fluid may provide a noninvasive and feasible method of LPR screening.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: a revised staging system.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the shortcomings of current staging systems and to suggest modifications according to new surgical methods and data. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. METHODS: The medical records of 36 patients, all of whom underwent resection of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma by external or endonasal approach between 1983 and 2002, were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up period of patients ranged from 3 to 7 years (mean, 4.5 years). Tumour extent, sites and rate of persistent disease were analyzed and compared with the literature. RESULTS: Persistent or recurrent disease was found in 12 of the 36 patients (33%). The primary tumour of these 12 cases invaded one or more anatomic region beside nasopharynx: the base of the pterygoid process in 9 cases (75%), the infratemporal fossa in 4 (33%), the pterygomaxillar fossa in 4 (33%), and the sphenoid sinus in 2 cases (17%). Involvement of the pterygoid process base was observed in only 3 of the 24 patients without persistent disease, whereas it was found 10 out of 12 patients with persistent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in radiographic imaging, embolization, and surgical methods of treating angiofibromas have changed the sites associated with a high risk for persistent disease or morbidity. These changes have made it necessary for the authors to devise more appropriate classifications and, subsequently, several new staging systems were gradually introduced. Recent technological advances, particularly angled endoscopes, have resulted in improved exposure. In the light of all these recent advances, data from our series, and the literature, we suggested a new classification for determining the risk of persistent disease, choosing the appropriate surgical method, and for maintaining uniformity.

Comparison of two endoscopic examination methods, the Muller maneuver and fiberoptic pharyngoscopy during sleep, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare two endoscopic examination methods, the Muller maneuver (MM) and fiberoptic pharyngoscopy during sleep, both of which are used to detect obstructed segments in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 28 patients (23 males, 5 females; mean age 44.6 years; range 28 to 59 years) who underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Obstruction was examined both at the level of the soft palate and tongue base while the patients were awake and asleep and was scored. The Muller maneuver was performed in the sitting and supine positions. In addition, fiberoptic pharyngoscopy was performed right after induction of anesthesia. The results of the two methods were compared. RESULTS: Changes in body position were not associated with significant differences in the results of MM. The two methods were found to be highly discordant, in that a greater degree of obstruction was noted especially at the level of the soft palate by fiberoptic pharyngoscopy. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the degree of obstruction might be underestimated by MM.

Body fat composition: a predictive factor for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate body fat composition, measured by bioelectrical impedance assay (BIA), for predicting the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Body fat composition was also compared with other well-known OSAHS predictors such as body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, and abdominal visceral fat. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was designed. Fifty-one patients (41 male, 10 female), who were referred to Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery with suspected OSAHS, between April 2003 and June 2004, were included in the study. METHODS: All patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) and were classified according to their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) into four groups. The cross-sectional area of abdominal visceral fat was measured by computed tomography (CT) scanning in 33 of the patients. Neck circumference and BMI was measured for all patients. BIA was performed to determine body fat composition. The groups were compared, and correlation of the variables with AHI was investigated. RESULTS: Of the variables, BMI and percentage of body fat (determined by BIA) were found to be significantly correlated with AHI (r = 0.782, r = 0.647). CT of cross-sectional area of abdominal visceral fat provided 100% sensitivity and specificity (P < .001) in differentiating simple snorers from OSAHS patients. By combining percentage of body fat and body fat mass, higher levels of sensitivity (95%) and specificity (100%) were achieved for diagnosis of OSAHS. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the BIA could be an inexpensive and practical alternative to prePSG screening tests and should be included in the evaluation of OSAHS patients.

Sole effect of genioglossus advancement on apnea hypopnea index of patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

CONCLUSION: Selected patients might have benefited from genioglossus advancement (GA), even it was applied solely. GA provided significant reduction on the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), with a 53% surgical success. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of GA on AHI of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHOD: From January 2008 to April 2014 patients who underwent a genioglossus advancement procedure alone were included into the study and records of these cases were analyzed retrospectively. Pre-operative and post-operative values of body mass index (BMI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), nocturnal polysomnographic data including AHI, mean, and minimum oxygen saturation were compared. RESULTS: There were 16 males and one female patient with the mean age of 46 years. The AHI showed a significant reduction from 27.5 ± 8 pre-operatively to 17.3 ± 12.6 post-operatively. The pre-operative and post-operative mean O2 saturation value improved from 92.1 ± 2.4% to 93.4 ± 1.7%. Pre-operative ESS scores decreased significantly from 7.7 ± 1.6 to 4.8 ± 1.9. There were no significant difference between pre- and post-operative values of BMI and minimum O2 saturation. The success rate was found to be 53%, which was based on success criteria as an AHI of <20 with at least 50% reduction.

Giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the neck in a patient with neurofibromatosis-1.

Sixteen-year-old mentally retarded male patient presented with a giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) on his neck. Surgery was the chosen method of treatment by the help of a neurosurgeon for dissecting the mass from the nerves of the brachial plexus and a thoracic surgeon for removing the mass from the superior mediastinum. A mass of 2 kg in weight was excised gross totally. He had an early recurrence in the second month of the follow-up period despite postoperative irradiation therapy. He died of his disease due to the compression of vena cava superior.

Endoscopic surgery in treatment of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a highly vascular and locally invasive tumor with a high incidence of persistence and recurrence. The classical treatment of this tumor is surgery and/or radiotherapy. Use of endoscopic techniques seems to be on the rise in treatment of these lesions. We tried to explore the roles and limits of endoscopic surgery alone or with classical surgical techniques in treatment of these tumors. METHODS: Retrospective case review was conducted at a tertiary referral center. Twelve patients were treated for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma using endoscopic approach between 1998-2002. The staging, average blood loss during surgery, residual, and/or recurrent tumor were evaluated. RESULTS: Eight of these patients (8/12) were up to stage IIC according to Radkowski staging. This group of patients has an average blood loss of 1000 ml and were followed for at least 6 months. We did not encounter any residual or recurrent tumor in this group. Four patients (4/12) had minimal intracranial extension, were staged IIIA, and had an average blood loss of 1500 ml during surgery. Two of these patients had minimal residual tumor around the cavernous sinus, but showed no progression of disease over a follow-up of 2 years with MRI. Two patients had no residual or recurrent tumor over a follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: This data suggests that endoscopic surgery can be used in the treatment of JNA even with minimal intracranial extension with minimal morbidity and low recurrence rate.

[The value of endoscopy in the diagnosis of rhinolithiasis: a case report]. / Rinolithiasis tanisinda endoskopinin önemi: Olgu sunumu.

Diagnosis of rhinolithiasis may be difficult because of the possibility of varying clinical presentations. Complaints of a 34-year-old male patient had been misdiagnosed as sinusitis and several plain radiographs had missed the event. Endoscopic examination enabled a hard intranasal mass to be seen, resembling a rhinolith. The patient's complaints disappeared after endoscopic removal of the mass. Failure in the diagnosis was attributed to the presence of superimposed adjacent structures on plain films and inadequate exposure of the posteriorly located mass by routine anterior rhinoscopy.

Asymptomatic looping of the internal carotid artery: a case report.

Variations and anomalies of the internal carotid artery in the neck are not rare. Although the possibility of these variations is well known, it may mislead the surgeon in certain circumstances as in the present case. A 68-year-old female patient had an asymptomatic looping of the internal carotid artery, which was recognized during neck dissection. This small, nonpulsatile, and sigmoid looping resembled a lymph node rather than the carotid artery itself. The purpose of this report is to alert the surgeons to the potential risk of hazardous complications. The knowledge of such unexpected conditions and application of proper surgical techniques will prevent these complications.

The repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: comparison of histopathologic findings with cadaveric human temporal fascia, dura mater, and autologous fascia in a rabbit model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea through the transnasal approach, we investigated histopathologic findings of grafting with human temporalis fascia and dura mater in a rabbit model. DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-two rabbits were assigned to three groups according to the graft material to be used: human dura mater, human temporalis fascia, and autologous muscle fascia (control group). The repair of the surgically induced bony opening was performed via the transnasal approach. To evaluate healing process histopathologically, decapitation was performed at the end of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks in the control group; 1, 2, 3, 4, 32 and 40 weeks in the dura mater group; 4, 32 and 40 weeks in the temporalis fascia group. RESULTS: Macroscopically, adhesions to the cerebral cortex were not observed with any of the grafts. Histopathologically, complete healing occurred in four weeks in the control group. Healing took longer in both cadaveric graft groups, in which formation of giant cells was the most prominent feature at the end of four weeks, suggesting a late rejection. Nevertheless, these cells disappeared and complete resolution was observed at the end of 32 and 40 weeks. Despite prolonged healing, no adverse clinical effects were observed. CONCLUSION: This experimental model showed that human temporalis fascia can be used instead of dura mater in the repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

Two consecutive cases of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea after septoplasty operation.

Our aim in this work is to define the importance of anatomical knowledge in septoplasty operation and to prevent complications. Septoplasty is one of the most common operations in otorhinolaryngology to treat the nasal obstruction caused by septal deviation. During and after septoplasty, there are some recorded complications, such as hemorrhage, hematoma, septal abscess, septal perforation, saddle nose, infection, anosmia, visual disturbances, cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, pneumoencephalos, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural empyma, brain abscess, periorbital emphysema, toxic shock syndrome, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Some of the complications are rare, but their results are life threatening. We report a rare complication of septoplasty CSF rhinorrhea. Two consecutive cases of CSF fistulas after septoplasty operation are presented. Both of the cases were treated endoscopically. The possible mechanisms and different treatment options are discussed. Prevention of the CSF fistula in septoplasty is more important than its treatment. Realizing the anatomic variations and gentle manipulation at the ethmoid roof is essential.

The effect on arterial blood gases and heart rate of bilateral nasal packing.

In order to elucidate the blood gas and heart rate changes caused by bilateral nasal packing, 21 healthy subjects who had had septoplasty or septorhinoplasty were investigated with pre- and post-operative blood gas measurements and 24-h Holter monitoring. Nasal packing caused a significant decrease in O2 saturation (P < 0.05), a borderline decrease in PO2 (P = 0.09), insignificant changes in PCO2, pH and HCO3 (P > 0.05), a significant increase in minimum and mean heart rates (P < 0.05) and insignificant changes in maximum heart rates; however, further research is necessary to elucidate the direct cause-and-effect relationship. No serious arrhythmias were observed. Although these changes may be within normal levels for healthy subjects, they may have serious consequences for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.