Myxoma of the zygomatic bone--a case report.

Myxoma is a benign tumor composed of primitive connective tissue cells and mesenchymal mucousal stroma. Also referred to as, a gelationus or colloidal tumor. Although rare, it can be found in the atrium of the heart, and it is the most common heart tumor. It has also been described in other body sites, one of which is the bone. We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient, with recurrent headaches located in the area of the right half of the face. Radiological analysis (Multislice Computed Tomography of the paranasal sinuses and viscerocranium) was performed, and a formation of irregular contours, destroying the right zygomatic bone, was described, measuring 25 x 17 x 20 mm in its widest diameters. Its me- dial border was adjacent to the lateral wall of the right maxillary sinus and the cortical bone in this segment was thinned, but preserved. A probatory excision was performed in general anesthesia, and the histopathological finding showed, star-like tumor cells embedded in mucoid stroma and infiltrating the bone. After pathohistological confirmation of myxoma, the tumor was excised in total, using infraorbital surgical approach to the zygomatic bone. During the follow-up, the patient was symptom free, without headaches, and there were no signs of local tumor recurrence. Despite of the fact that myxoma behaves as a benign disease in its nature, it can cause destruction of the tissue in the vicinity of the tumor itself and thus major health issues for the patient. A timely proper diagnosis and the right choice of a surgical treatment can help avoid more extensive surgery procedures, as shown in our case report.

Pathological and non-pathological irregularities of nystagmus.

Irregularities of nystagmus can be found almost in every electronystagmographic record, but only a few are pathological. In this investigation, the authors try to define the border line between pathological and nonpathological irregularities of nystagmus and according to this measure the diagnostic use of findings of irregularities of nystagmus.

Full thickness cartilage palisade tympanoplasty with malleus interposition: a study of the long term results.

The aim of this retrospective study is to review long term results of full-thickness cartilage palisade tympanoplasty (FTCPT) with malleus head interposition performed on 51 patients (56 ears); 36 women and 15 men (7-73 years, 44 years average). The pathology of ears which encourages this technique of tympanoplasty is presented. On average 12 years after surgery we have elaborated anatomic and functional results. Anatomic results were categorized based on empiric evaluation of the new tympanic membrane status: 40 (71%) tympanic membranes without anatomic irregularities, 14 (25%) with irregularities and 2 (4%) with secondary perforation. Functional results (tonal audiogram) are based on pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) at 4 frequencies. Main functional results of 51 ears (51 audiograms performed): pre- and post-operative average PTA-ABGs were 27.07 +/- 9.98 and 10.77 +/- 7.85 dB (t = 10.36; p < 0.001). In the group of ears with a tympanic membrane with no anatomic irregularities, pre- and post-operative average PTA-ABGs were 27.30 +/- 10.56 and 10.82 +/- 8.33 dB (t = 8.09; p < 0.001). In the group of ears with cartilage resorption, pre- and post-operative PTA-ABGs were 24.92 +/- 8.19 and 9.33 +/- 6.58 dB (t = 6.21; p < 0.001). The differences between the two groups are irrelevant. Postoperative PTA-ABG values of ears after first surgery (N = 34) and revision surgery (N = 17) was significantly different (8.75 +/- 5.75 and 15.16 +/- 9.62 dB) (t = 2.60; p = 0.016). In spite of the thickness of the new tympanal membrane, FTCPT is a successful technique for solving advanced ear pathology.

Postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation and swimming.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of swimming on postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation. This prospective open interventional trial at a tertiary academic hospital included 100 laryngectomised patients; 17 were swimmers and 83 were nonswimmers. Participants practiced the polite yawning technique (PYT) for postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation. Rhinomanometry was used to measure air quantity in the right and left nostrils, respectively; to test sense of smell, we applied the smell diskettes olfaction test (SDOT). Swimmers used swimming aids and swam only in a pool accompanied by another person trained in the rescue and resuscitation of a laryngectomee. Measures were made at three time points. Following PYT initiation, the number of accurately guessed odours was higher among swimmers (SDOT1 = 5.29, SDOT2 = 6.40, SDOT3 = 6.76) than nonswimmers (SDOT1 = 3.73, SDOT2 = 5.48, SDOT3 = 5.60) as were airflows through the left (swimmers: FL1 = 40.82, FL2 = 137.71, FL3 = 172.80; nonswimmers: FL1 = 13.05, FL2 = 104.63, FL3 = 113.00) and right nostrils (swimmers: FR1 = 46.82, FR2 = 115.41, FR3 = 145.40; nonswimmers: FR1 = 13.70, FR2 = 92.77, FR3 = 106.43). The number of odours identified by laryngectomised patients increased with the volume of nasal airflow, but this number and the efficiency of olfactory rehabilitation were higher in swimmers compared to nonswimmers. Swimming with a swimming aid improved the quality of life after surgery and may facilitate resocialisation of laryngectomised patients.

Gene amplification of epidermal growth factor receptor in atypical glottic hyperplasia.

The study searched for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification in hyperplastic glottis lesions. After classical pathohistological findings of hematoxylin-eosin (HE) slides and quantitative immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used on tissue microarrays of laryngeal hyperplastic tissue ranging from normal mucosa to abnormal and atypical hyperplastic lesions. FISH analysis of two atypical hyperplastic lesions discovered the amplification of EGFR gene while it was not found in simple and abnormal hyperplastic lesions. The results may indicate that EGFR gene amplifications could possibly correlate with the histopathologic picture. Tissue samples burdened with specific oncogen signatures like EGFR gene amplification could be detected in precancerous lesion. This might improve follow-up and treatment protocols of glottic lesions which are an everyday problem for ENT practitioners. Further research is mandatory to confirm our findings.

The use of ultrasound in determining the length of the Provox II voice prosthesis.

The use of speech prosthesis after total laryngectomy has become an international standard for voice restoration today. Provox II voice prosthesis is not permanently inserted, and as such, it must meet the criterion of achieving prolonged retention time within the walls of tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF). Complications after the insertion of speech prosthesis are familiar and anticipated but efforts are being made in order to reduce them. Part of the complications is caused by inadequate choice of the length of the prosthesis. The Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in Rijeka conducted a study which included 91 patients in the period from 01.01.2004. to 31.12.2010. We used ultrasound and computerized neck tomography on 58 (63.7%) patients in preoperative procedure through which we determined the length of the subsequent TE fistula. At the same time we used this opportunity to specify the length of the speech prosthesis we have inserted primarily or secondary. The number of respondents who had complications, and with whom we used neck ultrasound during preoperative procedure in order to determine the length of the prosthesis, was significantly smaller than the number of respondents who had complications but with whom we did not use the above mentioned procedure (5.6% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.042). Comparing our results to other studies, we believe that we managed to reduce the number of complications caused by inadequate length of the prosthesis, by routine preoperative use of neck ultrasound. This procedure has extended the median retention time of the prosthesis within the TE fistula, thus improving the results of speech restoration using voice prosthesis on laryngectomized patients.

Perceptual evaluation of alaryngeal speech.

The aim of this study was to compare the self-assessed vocal handicap of laryngectomees treated with three different communication methods: tracheoesophageal speech, esophageal speech and electrolarynx. Forty-eight patients, 40 males and 8 females, who had undergone total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Depending on the voice restoration method, all patients were divided into three groups: 20 patients were tracheoesophageal speakers (group 1), 13 patients were esophageal speakers (group 2) and 15 patients were electrolaryngeal speakers (group 3). They autonomously completed the Croatian version of Voice Hendicap Index, a questionnaire that was developed to quantify the patient's perception of deficiency due to vocal dysfunction. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 13.0), and the data obtained with each group and scale were formally compared. 31.25% of patients rated their voice disorder as a minimum handicap, 54.16% of patients rated their voice disorder as a medium handicap, and 14.58% of them rated their voice disorder as a significant handicap. There are differences between each group, but differences were not statistically significant. No single method is considered to be the best for every patient. Selection of a method should be based on the input from the patient, surgeon and speech pathologist.

Juvenile angiofibroma of the maxillary sinus.

Juvenile angiofibromas are benign fibro-vascular tumours of the nasopharynx that develop in prepubertal and adolescent males. Typical symptoms are longstanding unilateral nasal obstruction occasionally followed by epistaxes and frequent severe intraoperative haemorrhage of the discovered mass. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy histologically diagnosed with a juvenile angiofibroma in spite of the atypical localisation of the polyploid mass of the left maxillary sinus.

Voice rehabilitation of Broca's aphasia following total laryngectomy.

Total laryngectomy, as a consequence of carcinoma of the larynx, results in loss of speech function. Cerebrovascular stroke is the leading cause of reduced speech production ability, and thereby communication difficulties. The case is presented of a 60-year-old male patient who suffered stroke five years after a total laryngectomy. Speech rehabilitation was hampered due to the depressive state of the patient. Although contraindicated, the secondary voice prosthesis was implanted. Only at that moment the patient showed willingness and motivation for speech rehabilitation. The aim of this presentation is to demonstrate that not all neurological disorders are contraindicated for implantation of voice prostheses.

The role of videofluoroscopy and ultrasound in assessing pharyngoesophageal muscle tone after laryngectomy.

The aim of this study was to compare the respective value of videofluoroscopy and ultrasound for assessment of the tonicity of the neoglottis and determination of the exact neolaryngeal segment of hypertonicity. We examined twelve patients who had developed inadequate tracheoesophageal voice following total laryngectomy and installation of tracheoesophageal prosthesis. We assumed that the cause of the unsatisfactory voice quality in our patients was neolaryngeal muscle spasm. After determining the exact hypertonic segment, we administered lidocaine intramuscularly and tried to act on the hypertonic segment. By means of videofluoroscopy as gold standard for comparison with ultrasound examination, we followed the passage of contrast through the neo-larynx and watched for dilatation of the segment during swallowing, phonation and at rest to determine whether there were any tonus disturbances or differences before and after lidocaine injection. In conclusion, a combination of the two methods could yield better results in voice restoration. Videofluoroscopy is the method of choice for initial assessment and determination of the hypertonic segment, while ultrasound is the method to apply to facilitate administering the drug more precisely.

Basics of voice dysfunction--etiology and prevention of voice damage.

Voice is one of the most important means of communication and as such should be taken care of. The etiology of voice disorders is diverse. Due to the development of the society we live in, way of life, environmental factors, and exposure to pharmacological agents as well as demands we make towards our voice, there is a substantial growth in the number of people with voice disorders. We tasked ourselves to find out if it is possible to enlighten people on the importance of voice, to motivate them to take care of it, to notice the changes in its quality and eventually ask for help. We assessed in which measure do we understand the importance of a healthy voice, and do we know which is the most important factor that adds to its decline. For a long number of years voice therapists and other experts in the voice disorder field have been discussing the optimal voice impostation as well as vocal exercises and methods behind voice recovery. They have all come to the same conclusion that phonation is dependant on the sort of the voice disorder and the patient motivation. We wanted to go one step further and investigate, dependence of voice quality and the damage etiology (organic - functional), which are the predominant causes, what are the factors that account for the damage and how the disorder motivates the patient and therefore influences the rehabilitation success rate.

Importance of correct therapeutic procedure selection in voice recovery.

Psychological and physical patient state as well as the influence of other social factor is of great influence voice rehabilitation. A team of experts in the field of voice and its function are involved in voice therapy. Our research was focused on the successfulness of voice recovery depending on the patient vocal disorder approach. We made a comparison of two methods: RVT and Accent method. We attempted to evaluate clinically relevant voice disorders in relation to certain vocal methods, we propose that a lot can be learned about voice trough therapeutic procedures, which can also be used to enhance the practical application of vocal methods and raise the level of success in dealing with people that suffer from voice pathology.

Microbial colonization of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses (Provox2) following total laryngectomy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of individual microorganisms and the most frequent microbial combinations in the biofilm of the indwelling Provox2 voice prosthesis in situ. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate the possible influence of biofilm composition on the mean and median lifetime of these voice prostheses. Over a 5-year period, implantation of a Provox2 voice prosthesis was performed in 85 patients, or 90% of the overall number of patients who underwent total laryngectomy. In total 100 implanted voice prostheses, at least one of every patient, were microbiologically processed immediately after being replaced. Out of the total of 292 isolates, 67% were bacteria and the remaining 33% were yeasts. The most frequently found yeast species on voice prostheses biofilms was C. albicans, followed by C. krusei and C. tropicalis. The most frequently isolated bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. Simultaneous presence of bacteria and fungi was established in 83% of the processed voice prostheses; in 16% of samples the biofilm contained only one or more bacterial species. The mean time of implantation was 238 days and the median lifetime of the device was 180 days. Dividing the prostheses in four groups according to the composition of biofilm revealed that the device lifetimes varied significantly between groups. The longest lifetime of voice prostheses was associated with the presence of single fungal isolate in combination with bacteria. There is a significant correlation between biofilm composition and the device life time.

Fine needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of parotid gland tumors.

Main objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) diagnosis of parotid masses to distinguish reliably between benign and malignant lesions. In the period of 5 years, 214 parotid glands were resected at the Rijeka University Hospital Center (Croatia), but 176 patients had cytopathological and histopathological diagnoses and therefore fulfilled the criteria for study. The results of the FNAC were analyzed and compared to the corresponding histopathological diagnosis obtained from the surgical specimen. Histological evaluation revealed 17malignant and 159 benign lesions. There were 13 true positive, 147 true negative, 3 false negative, and 13 false positive. Sensitivity of FNAC was 81%, and specificity was 98%. FNAC results provide useful predictive preoperative information and better preparation the surgeon and patient for surgical procedure.

The contribution of electromyography to the diagnostics of some rare palatal anomalies.

The paper presents the electromyographic (EMG) findings of the soft palate in three patients: a patient with Mohr syndrome and cleft palate, a patient with palatal asymmetry and rhinolalia and a patient with vertical oro-ocular facial cleft with marked asymmetry of the cleft palate. In the first patient, electrical silence was registered in one half of the palate. In the second patient, moderate loss of active motor units was registered in the hypoplastic part of the palate. In the third patient, in spite of asymmetry, the EMG finding was normal on both sides of the palate.

Congenital laryngeal cyst: one or two cysts.

The case presented is of a neonate with extreme respiratory distress immediately after birth, caused by a large laryngeal cyst. The vertical diameter of the cyst was larger than the height of the neonatal larynx. First excision of the cyst was performed in the region of the prominent aryepiglottic fold. Three weeks later, because of a recurrence of dyspnea, excision of the prominent wall of an obstructing cystic lesion was performed in the ventriculus Morgagni.

Gastroesophageal reflux and sequelae of chronic tubotympanal disorders in children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sequelae of chronic tubotympanal disorders in children with and without gastroesophageal reflux (GER). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 32 patients with chronic tubotympanal disorders GER was studied by means of 24-h continuous esophageal pH monitoring. After a period of 2-6 years (mean 4 years) sequelae of the tubotympanal disorders were examined, together with the clinical status of the ears and hearing status. The criteria for classification into mild, moderate and severe sequelae were based on the clinical status of the ear. Hearing was determined using tonal audiograms. Conductive hearing loss was classified as either slight (< or = 35 dB hearing loss in speech frequencies) or severe (>35 dB hearing loss in speech frequencies). RESULTS: In the group of 16 patients (mean age 6.1 years) with GER, sequelae were observed in 29 ears (mild, n=11; moderate, n=5; severe, n=13). Hearing impairment was determined in 20 ears (mild, n=8; severe, n=12). In the group of 16 patients (mean age 7.1 years) without GER, sequelae were observed in 17 ears (mild, n=11; moderate, n=1; severe, n=5). Hearing impairment was determined in 10 ears (mild, n=6; severe, n=4). CONCLUSION: The total number of ears with sequelae and the total number of ears with conductive hearing impairment were significantly higher in patients with GER.

Cartilage palisade tympanoplasty in children and adults: long term results.

OBJECTIVE: To show long-term anatomic and functional results of full thickness cartilage palisade tympanoplasty in children and adults. METHODS: In 51 patients (56 ears); 9 children (12 ears) and 42 adults (44 ears) full thickness cartilage palisade tympanoplasty and interposition with malleus head autograft was performed. On average 11 years after the tympanoplasty, an otomicroscopy and a tonal audiogram were done to assess anatomic and functional results. RESULTS: Anatomic results of 56 ears: 40 (71.43%) tympanic membranes have no anatomic irregularities; 14 (25.00%) have cartilage resorption (11 of them minor and 3 major resorptions), 2 (3.57%) have secondary perforation. In the group of children all ears tympanic membrane were with no or minor resorption and no perforations. Functional results (51 audiograms performed: in children 12 and in adults 39): pre- and post-operative average pure tone average air-bone gaps were 27.29 ± 10.26 and 10.73 ± 7.90 dB, respectively. In the group of children pre- and post-operative average pure tone average air-bone gaps were 29.44 ± 10.30 and 6.81 ± 3.47 dB, respectively. In the group of adults pre- and post-operative pure tone average air-bone gaps were 26.63 ± 10.30 and 11.93 ± 8.50 dB, respectively. The differences between the two groups preoperatively (z=0.733; p=0.463) and postoperatively are irrelevant (z=1.723; p=0.085). The hearing gain is bigger in children (F=4.788; p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The full thickness cartilage palisade tympanoplasty with malleus autograft interposition is also nowadays a successful method in solving of an advanced ear pathology also in children.

The clinical status of the eardrum: an inclusion criterion for the treatment of chronic secretory otitis media in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if the clinical status of the eardrum could be an inclusion criterion for the therapy of chronic secretory otitis media (CSOM). To compare the results of treating CSOM by adenoidectomy and by adenoidectomy in combination with tympanostomy tubes in two groups of patients chosen according to that criterion. METHODS: 161 ears in 87 children were treated for CSOM. An otomicroscopic examination showed there were no pathological changes on the tympanic membrane (signs of adhesive process, malleus rotation, and dangerous attic retractions). The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first group of 59 ears was treated by myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes and adenoidectomy, while the other group of 102 ears was treated only by adenoidectomy. At least 6 months after the treatment, otomicroscopy and audiological assessments were performed in order to show the resolution of the middle ear effusion (MEE), audiological results and incidence of clinical sequelae of the eardrum. RESULTS: The resolution of MEE by adenoidectomy alone was not significantly different from the results of treatment by adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes (z=1.565; p=0.0587). There were no differences in pure tone audiometry between the two methods of treatment. Only at the frequency of 2000 Hz (t=2.173; p=0.031) in treatment with adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes the values of air-bone gap (ABG) were lower. Sequelae: scars of the eardrum (chi-square=28.107; ss=1; p<0.001) and attic retractions (chi-square=4.592; ss=1; p=0.032) were more often in treatment with tubes. The incidence of clinical sequelae on the eardrum after treatment by tubes was commented on. CONCLUSION: A criterion that could influence the approach to the therapy of CSOM in children.

Combined anomalies of the palate in Mohr syndrome: is preoperative electromyography of the palate useful?

The authors present a girl with typical characteristics of oral-facial-digital syndrome type II (Mohr syndrome) with a cleft soft palate and pendulous tongue nodules. Because of feeding difficulties, electromyography was performed of both morphologically identical halves of the soft palate. One half showed a normal muscle action potential and in the other half electrical silence was registered. Exploratory surgery during palatoplasty showed a fatty hamartoma in the half of the palate in which no electric potentials had been registered.