Nasal and paranasal involvement in primary Sjogren`s syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate nasal and paranasal signs and symptoms of the primary Sjogren`s syndrome patients and compare them with healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-seven (7 M, 70 F) primary Sjogren`s syndrome patients and 77 healthy controls were included in the study. Anterior rhinoscopy, nasal endoscopy, 5 component smell discrimination test, nasal clearance analysis with saccharin test and electrorhinomanometer were performed. RESULTS: Nasal crusting was present in 31 and 24 individuals in patient and control groups, respectively. Sinusitis was present in 2 and 1 individuals in patient and control groups, respectively. Nasal polyposis was present in 7 and 1 individuals in patient and control groups, respectively. These differences were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Although there were some findings in a few patients, nasal findings were insignificant and mild even in patients with severe oral or ocular findings. Rhinomanometry, nasal clearance determination or smell discrimination tests have very little value in the diagnosis or management of primary Sjogren`s syndrome. Nasal polyposis was higher in the patient group, though it did not reach a significant level. Nasal glandular involvement is mild and insignificant in primary Sjogren`s syndrome.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: analysis of 42 cases and important aspects of endoscopic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the general characteristics of 42 patients who were operated for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA); and to determine the important aspects and the advantages of endoscopic transnasal approach over other techniques. METHODS: Forty-two patients with JNA, 12 of whom were operated with endoscopic transnasal approach at a tertiary care center between March 1987 and February 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. The general characteristics of the patients, presenting signs and symptoms, the surgical approach performed, tumor stage, whether preoperative embolization was performed and rates of recurrence were studied. Patients who underwent surgery with endoscopic transnasal approach were compared to others who underwent surgery with different techniques. RESULTS: One patient was female and the remaining 41 patients were male. Twelve patients underwent endoscopic removal of the tumor. Lateral rhinotomy was used for 10 patients, degloving approach for 7 patients, transpalatal approach for 6 patients, combined approach for another 6 patients and finally midfacial splitting for 1 patient. Seventeen percent of the patients had referred with recurrent diseases. According to staging system of Radkowski, about half of the patients belonged to stage IIA or IIC. The mean age was 16 and the most common presenting symptom was nasal obstruction. Preoperative embolization rate was 59.5% while recurrence rate in the postoperative period was 17%. In non-endoscopic approaches, the tumor contiguity and operative plan were determined via radiological data. In operations performed with endoscopic transnasal approach in patients with JNA, the radiological data as well as a detailed endoscopic tumor examination were utilized and it was observed that tumor invaded the middle turbinate in 67% and both the septum and middle turbinate in 42% of the patients. While preoperative embolization was performed only in larger tumors before 1998, it was recruited in all subjects after 1998. Preoperative and postoperative hemorrhage were less, and durations of packing and hospitalization were shorter in patients operated with endoscopic approach plus preoperative embolization. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transnasal approach has advantages of no non-cosmetic sequela, less hemorrhage and no disruption in facial skeleton. Besides, this method allows better visualization of tumor contiguity and enables dissection and ligature of vascular structures in JNA surgery. The rate of tumors associated with middle turbinate and septum is greater than that is assumed in patients with JNA. Starting the tumor excision with partial resection of the middle turbinate and subperiostal dissection of the septum and anterior sphenoidal wall, and avoiding direct contact with the tumor might decrease the amount of bleeding.

Nasomaxillary osteotomy in lesions of the central compartment of the middle cranial base.

The pituitary fossa, sphenoid rostrum, sphenoid sinus, nasopharynx, pterygopalatine fossa and clivus are the components of the central compartment of the middle cranial base. It is a surgical challenge to gain access to this region. This fact has led to the development of a number of surgical procedures reported in the literature. However, none of these techniques can provide a wide and direct exposure to the middle cranial fossa without morbidity on its own. In this report, nasomaxillary osteotomy is described as a satisfactory alternative to reach the middle cranial fossa. With the nasomaxillary osteotomy technique, a wide access can be obtained to the central compartment of the skull base, caudally till the inferior clivus and upper cervical vertebrae (C1, C2). Since bilateral, internal carotid arteries are in sight laterally, the technique provides a secure resection of tumors with marked lateral extensions. Repositioning the translocated bone segment, surrounding the apertura piriformis, results in satisfactory cosmesis postoperatively. The technique is discussed on the basis of eight cases with the histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (1 case), olfactory neuroblastoma (2 cases), chordoma (2 cases) and juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (3 cases). No vascular complication has been encountered. One chordoma patient died of the disease in the follow-up period. All other cases, including one squamous cell carcinoma patient, are alive and disease-free without cosmetic deformity. In conclusion, nasomaxillary osteotomy provides a wide and direct exposure to the central compartment of the skull base in a relatively short period of time, securing the vascular and neural structures. Besides, it offers the advantage that it can be combined with other techniques in extensive tumors, while cosmesis and nasal functions are preserved.

Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses.

Fungal infections can be mainly grouped into four types. The invasive forms are acute sinusitis (fulminant), chronic sinusitis (indolent), whereas the non-invasive forms are mycetoma and allergic fungal sinusitis. From December 1993 to December 1997, 27 cases of fungal sinusitis, 22 of which were noninvasive forms, and 5 of which were invasive forms, were treated and are presented in this study. When we classified the patients with fungal sinusitis, 11 were diagnosed as mycetoma, 9 as allergic fungal sinusitis, 3 as acute fulminant sinusitis and 2 as chronic indolent sinusitis, while 2 patients were not included in our four groups of sinusitis. In all mycetoma cases the active agent was Aspergillus. Patients with non invasive forms of sinusitis were all treated with endoscopic sinus surgery. 2 of the patients with invasive forms of sinusitis underwent maxillectomy and they were given Amphotericin-B. With a mean follow up of 20 months, only 3 recurrences were seen. The infection recurred in 2 patients with allergic fungal sinusitis and 1 patient with chronic invasive sinusitis. However, 2 patients with acute fulminant invasive sinusitis died before they were operated on, and 1 patient died postoperatively.

Probing and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation under nasal endoscopy in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the beneficial effects of nasal endoscopy on preventing complications during probing and bicanalicular silicone intubation, and to determine the structural nasal abnormalities in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Probing and silicone tube intubation under nasal endoscopy were performed in 37 eyes of 26 patients who ranged in age from 7 to 60 months (mean, 18.8 +/- 13.4 months). RESULTS: By nasal endoscopy, the inferior turbinate and meatus appeared normal in 15 patients (58%), whereas 11 patients (42%) had hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate and/or stricture in the inferior meatus. Twenty-four of 26 eyes (92%) were cured by probing only. We performed silicone tube intubation and cured 11 of 12 eyes (92%) including two failures. Of 14 eyes that had undergone failed probings elsewhere, the success rate was 92.8% (13 of 14 eyes). The overall success rate of probing and silicone tube intubation under nasal endoscopy was 97%. CONCLUSION: Nasal endoscopy during probing and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation is useful especially in selected cases of failed probings. Nasal endoscopy should assist the inexperienced surgeon in preventing trauma to the nasal base and septal mucosa, hemorrhage, and passage of the probe under the mucosa rather than through the ostium.

Endoscopic sinus surgery in the isolated paranasal sinus aspergilloma.

Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses are in four clinical forms. Beside the acute fulminating form, chronic invasive form, allergic fungal sinusitis and fungus ball. Fungus ball is mostly encountered in only one paranasal sinus of an otherwise healthy person. Ten fungus balls of the paranasal sinuses are presented with their management and results.

Allergy as an etiologic factor in nasal polyposis.

Allergy has been reported as an important factor in the etiology of nasal polyposis. Asthma, chronic sinusitis and aspirin hypersensitivity are frequently found together with nasal polyposis. Total IgE, RAST for specific IgE and skin prick test were used to investigate the incidence of allergy in 95 patients with nasal polyposis. In addition, histopathologic appearance of polyp tissue was examined in 21 patients after polypectomy and compared in allergic and nonallergic groups. IgG subclass levels were also measured to detect if there were any changes. Mean serum IgE level was found to be higher in the patient group and the skin prick test (SPT) was positive in 66.3% of patients. On the basis of positive SPT and serum RAST results, 45.2% of all patients with nasal polyposis were defined as allergic. Both total IgE and IgG4 were detected at increased levels in the SPT-positive group. These findings suggest that an IgE-mediated mechanism may be present in a subpopulation of patients with nasal polyposis.

[Treatment of sudden deafness apropos of 447 cases]. / Traitement des surdités brusques: à propos de 447 cas.

Due to 447 cases of sudden deafness followed up and treated during the last ten years in their clinic, the authors report the results of their treatment method composed of normovolemic hemodilution followed by fractional perfusion of vasodilators, corticosteroids and anticoagulants. Presenting overall examination of this population with audiological, vestibular, clinical, hematological and radiological findings, they insist on the need for emergency treatment and discuss the different aspects of this problem. They also present a global evaluation of the investigations performed on some patient groups. The most spectacular recoveries are obtained in cases who present earlier and who have a hearing loss of low frequencies.

The evaluation of the changes of voice registers in trainee singers by using the two-channel signal processing method.

This study was done at the ENT Department of the Ege University Medical Faculty on twenty trainee singers. Using the two-channel signal processing method, the electroglottographic (EGG) signals and the voice signals were digitized with an analog-digital converting card during an ascending and descending glissando exercised by the trainee singer. These signals were recorded on the computer's hard disk and the obtained data was analysed. It has been determined that the EGG signals were more irregular the singing formant of the voice signal was very weak or absent and the change of register was more significant in less trained singers. This method can be used to evaluate objectively the change of voice registers in the training of the singers and be easily performed by adding an analog-digital converting card to a PC computer, without the need of expensive modern devices.

[Arytenoidopexy in bilateral abductor paralysis of the glottis]. / L'aryténoïdopexie dans la paralysie bilatérale des dilatateurs de la glotte.

The arytenoidopexy operation has been performed in 15 cases of bilateral abductor paralysis of different causes. A tube on n. 6 for women and a tube of n. 6.5 for men has been used for the intratracheal general anesthesia without a tracheotomy. The microdissection of the arytenoid has been realised under the operation microscope. The fixation suture of the arytenoid has been passed with a special needle set prepared by the experimental studies on the laryngectomised pieces. The functional respiration result has been controlled by the pre and postoperative spirometry. The laryngeal spasm disappeared and very good respiratory functional results have been obtained in all cases. After a post-operative phoniatric reeducation, the voice was found to be good in most of the cases.