Management of deep neck infections in adults and importance of clinical and laboratory findings.

This study aimed to analyze laboratory and radiological imaging results in the prediction of treatment strategy in patients with deep neck infections. Eighty-three patients (55 (66.3%) men, mean age: 38.2±14.5 years) were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment strategy: group 1 received only antibiotic treatment, group 2 underwent abscess drainage with needle puncture in addition to antibiotic treatment, and group 3 underwent surgical drainage with antibiotic treatment. Laboratory outcomes, imaging methods, duration of hospital stay, treatment strategy, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.According to the laboratory results, complete blood count values did not vary among the three groups, but C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values were higher in group 3 (p<0.01). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the cut-off levels for CRP and ESR associated with the need for surgical drainage were 133 mg/L and 42.5, respectively. According to radiological imaging results, the number of involved neck spaces was significantly different among the three groups (p=0.03), and group 3 had more spaces involved when compared with groups 1 and 2 (p=0.04). Gas formation in the neck tissues was noted in 10 patients in group 3 and 5 patients in groups 1 and 2 (p=0.02). ESR and CRP levels were higher in patients who underwent surgical drainage. In patients with deep neck space infections, the involvement of two or more neck spaces and gas formation on radiological images might indicate surgical drainage as a treatment strategy.

How important is the Sphenoseptal cell in identifying the skull base? Recent incidence and demonstration of endoscopic surgical steps

Background/aim: Because of close relations to important anatomical structures such as cavernous sinus and optic nerve, sphenoid sinus variations must be well trained by the otolaryngologist who has an interest in endoscopic sinus surgery. Newly defined sphenoseptal cell (SSC) is one of those variations that may lead to insufficient endoscopic sinus surgery outcomes if not defined preoperatively with imaging studies. The present study aimed to present the main characteristics of this special type of nasal cell. Materials and methods: In this study, 610 paranasal sinus CT scans were analyzed and reviewed retrospectively between May 2018 and December 2019. Also, endoscopic findings of SSC that cause a surgical catastrophe in identifying skull base and sella are presented during transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Results: According to its definition and relation to the sphenoid sinus and the skull base, an SSC was seen in 21 scans of 610 patients (3.4%), 11 were women (55%) and 10 were men (45%). Conclusion: Although an SSC is a rare variation of nasal air cells, preoperative diagnosis of this cell is of paramount importance in some patients during endoscopic transnasal surgery for the identification of skull base.

Is Septal Cartilage Graft via Transmastoid Approach Safe Enough in the Repair of Large Tegmen Defects?

INTRODUCTION: Tegmen defect (TD) has a potential of intracranial spread of middle ear infection, meningoencephalic herniation (MEH), and cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL). Especially the defects >1 cm with MEH or CSFL are generally repaired via the classical middle fossa or minicraniotomy technique. The aim of this study was to show the efficiency of the intracranial, extradural placement of the septal cartilage graft in the closure of the TD larger than 1 cm via the transmastoid (TM) approach. METHODS: The demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 11 patients with chronic otitis media (COM) who had TD larger than 1 cm were reviewed retrospectively. Hospitalization time and hearing preservation with respect to MEH or CSFL were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common etiology of TD was cholesteatoma (82%), and 91% of the patients had multiple COM surgery history. The mean TD size was 15.4 (10-25) mm. Fifty-five percent of the patients presented with either MEH or CSFL. The mean follow-up of the patients was 22.5 (8-42) months. There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative mean bone conduction thresholds. Mean hospitalization time was 5.2 (3-10) days. There was no significant difference in the hospitalization time between patients with MEH or CSFL and without MEH or CSFL. Neither recurrence nor graft infection was encountered. CONCLUSION: Extradural grafting with the septal cartilage in the large TD up to 25 mm can be repaired efficiently via the TM approach without application of a lumbar drainage.

Is There Any Effect of Subjective Tinnitus on Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials.

Idiopathic subjective tinnitus has a complex pathophysiology in which not only cochlear and central classical auditory pathways but also nonclassical auditory pathways of different parts of the brain are involved. Vestibuloocular and vestibulocollic pathways are the central projections of utricle and saccule used in the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of idiopathic subjective tinnitus on vestibuloocular and vestibulocollic pathways via VEMP. We prospectively analyzed 30 unilateral idiopathic subjective tinnitus patient's cervical, ocular VEMP tests, tinnitus handicap index scores, symptom duration and compared with contralateral ear and 35 healthy volunteers. The latencies and amplitudes of P1 and N1 waves were recorded and pathologic wave criteria was calculated according to healthy volunteer's data. In cervical VEMP there were significant longer latencies of P1 and N1 waves with respect to contralateral ear and control group. In ocular VEMP test, N1 and P1 latencies and amplitudes were not significantly different. The percentages of pathologic wave of the tinnitus side were not significantly higher in both cervical VEMP and ocular VEMP tests with respect to contralateral side. Tinnitus handicap index scores and symptom duration had no relationship with latency and amplitude of VEMP tests. Although cervical VEMP P1 and N1 latencies were significantly longer, subjective tinnitus did not result in pathological alterations in the VEMP test. Presence of subjective tinnitus is not an influencing factor in the VEMP interpretation.

Effects of acute hypoxia on auditory pathway of Wistar albino rats

Background/aim: Ischemia is insufficient blood flow to provide adequate oxygenation. In the present study, we aimed to show whether acute hypoxia has a critical oxygen value that may lead to the deterioration of cochlear function. Materials and methods: Under general anesthesia, prehypoxic signal-to-noise ratios were determined by distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). The oxygen saturation (SaO2) values of rats were monitored with an oxygen saturation probe. Rats were injected with an extra dose of anesthetic agent, and SaO2 was reduced. DPOAE values in SaO2 100­90, 90­80, 80­70, and 70­60 posthypoxic values were measured and compared statistically with prehypoxic values. Results: At 3000 and 4000 Hz, SaO2 70­60 values measured after the hypoxia were observed to be statistically significantly lower than the values measured before the hypoxia. At 6000 and 8000 Hz, SaO2 80­70 and 70­60 values measured after the hypoxia were observed to be statistically significantly lower than the values measured before the hypoxia. At 10,000 Hz, all of the values measured after the hypoxia were observed to be statistically significantly lower than the values obtained before the hypoxia. Conclusion: Many studies have been conducted on the effects of hypoxia on the inner ear. It remains unclear how fluctuations in DPOAE levels affect hearing in clinical trials when the SaO2 starts to decrease. Although hypoxia has been implicated in the etiology of sudden hearing loss and tinnitus, the effects of acute hypoxia on the cochlea are still uncertain. Further studies are needed on this subject.

The effect of hypoxia on hearing function

Background/aim: This study was conducted to determine the critical partial oxygen pressure (pO2) value that would impair hearing function by evaluating the effects of hypoxia on hearing function in subjects diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD). Materials and methods: The study included 25 male and 5 female patients referred to our clinic who were diagnosed with COPD, according to spirometry and PaO2 values, and who did not show pathology upon autoscopic examination. The control group consisted of 14 female and 16 male patients who had no lung disease and were in the same age range as the COPD group. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups for distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) (P < 0.001). The COPD group was divided into two groups according to pO2 levels (pO2 ≤ 70 and pO2 > 70) in order to find a critical pO2 level which might cause significant change at a certain audiological extent. Conclusion: Hypoxia causes long-term decline in hearing thresholds, deterioration of DPOAE results, and prolongation of I­V interpeak latency in auditory brainstem response. However, the critical oxygen level that disrupts hearing function could not be determined.

Effects of phenytoin injection on vocal cord healing after mechanical trauma: An experimental study

Background/aim: Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug which causes fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and an increase in epidermal growth factor. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of phenytoin injection on the wound healing process in rats with vocal cord injury by histopathological methods. Materials and methods: The vocal cords of 10 albino Wistar rats were damaged bilaterally; the left vocal cord was kept as the control group. Phenytoin was injected in the right vocal cord. Ten rats were sacrificed. The thickness of the lamina propria and density of the fibroblast and collagen were evaluated histopathologically. Results: Thickness of the lamina propria was 18.0 ± 7.1 µm in the control group, 65.5 ± 10.7 µm in the phenytoin group. The density of fibroblast and collagen were statistically lower in the control group compared the phenytoin group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Phenytoin injection in rats after vocal cord injury significantly increased the thickness of the lamina propria and density of fibroblast and regular and mature collagen in the lamina propria. The findings in our study provide a feasible scientific view for adding phenytoin treatment to vocal cord surgeries in otolaryngology practice, but further studies are needed in order to evaluate the use of phenytoin in preventing the formation of scar tissue and possible effects on vocal cord vibration in humans after vocal cord injury.

Stentless endoscopic repair of congenital choanal atresia: is it enough for maintaining choanal patency?

The aim of choanal atresia (CA) surgery is to achieve bilateral nasal patency. Among the different methods of CA repair, the endoscopic transnasal approach has gained recent popularity with the advent of endoscopic instruments and techniques. This article describes our experience regarding CA repair that was done either using or not using a stent in different periods of time in our department. Between February 2006 and February 2016, a total of 29 patients aged 2 days-53 years underwent endoscopic transnasal CA repair. While in early years stents were used to maintain nasal patency, since 2010, all cases were repaired endoscopically without stenting. Of the 29 patients, 8 were excluded because of inadequate follow-up data. The mean follow-up time for the remaining 21 patients after surgery averaged 53 months (range 12-111 months). Intranasal stents were used in 5 of 21 patients for 8 out of 32 operative sides. Of the 8 stented neochoanae, 6 (75%), restenosed at a mean time of 15.2 weeks (5-24). The restenosis rate was 25% (6/24 nasal sides) in 16 patients who underwent stentless repair. In unilateral CA, 2 of 10 (20%) patients underwent atresia repair using stents and only these cases restenosed after surgery in this group. Of the 11 patients with bilateral disease, 5 (45.4%) underwent revision surgeries. In the bilateral group, 2 of 3 (66.6%) stented patients required revision surgeries, whereas 3 of 8 (37.5%) patients who underwent stentless repair relapsed. In one patient, we have experienced an alar cartilage injury intraoperatively caused by drilling. The transnasal endoscopic repair has proved to be effective and yielded long-term satisfactory results. The use of stent seems to have no advantage over a stentless repair regarding maintenance of a patent nasal airway. Patients experienced restenosis more frequently with stenting.

Thymoma with an incidental benign laryngeal mass mimicking laryngeal carcinoma: Case report.

Thymic carcinomas are rarely seen. Because of recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement, hoarseness is a common presenting symptom. Persistent hoarseness in a male smoker past his fifth decade is also a distinctive symptom for laryngeal carcinoma. Stroboscopic laryngeal examination and biopsy are required for the diagnosis. In this article we describe a case involving a patient with thymic carcinoma who, interestingly, also presented with a benign laryngeal mass with unilateral vocal fold fixation. We emphasize the importance of keeping in mind nonlaryngeal pathologies invading the recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients with persistent hoarseness and a nonspesific laryngeal mass.

The Effects of Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Flap on the Development of Frey's Syndrome and Cosmetic Outcomes After Superficial Parotidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap and classic techniques in superficial parotidectomy in terms of Frey's syndrome (FS) and cosmetic satisfaction. METHODS: In this study, a retrospective chart review of patients that underwent superficial parotidectomy was performed. These patients were divided into two subgroups: group 1 included patients in which the SMAS flap was harvested and group 2 comprised the remaining patients on whom classic superficial parotidectomy was performed. All the patients were evaluated clinically and with Minor's starch-iodine test for FS. For the evaluation of the cosmetic results, the patient's satisfaction was queried according to the incision scar and surgical field skin retraction/facial symmetry. Both groups were compared in terms of complications and numbness of surgical area. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (31 male and 24 female) with a mean age of 50.19 years were included in the study. Thirty-two patients were in group 1 and 23 in group 2. Thirteen patients (23.7%) described as having FS and six of them were in group 1, while seven were in group 2. Minor's starch-iodine test was positive in nine patients in group 1 (28.1%) and six patients in group 2 (26.1%) (p=1.000). With regard to cosmetic satisfaction, eight patients (25%) stated mild discomfort from the incision scar and two patients (6.3%) stated cosmetic dissatisfaction for facial asymmetry in group 1. In group 2 for the same factors the number of patients were 11 (47.8%) and 2 two (8.7%), respectively (p=0.027). There were no statistically significant differences in means of complication and numbness (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to our study results, there was no superiority between both the groups in terms of FS and incision scar satisfaction. We determined that there was a significant benefit of SMAS flap application in the prevention of volume loss and surgical area retraction.

Aneurysmal bone cyst in the middle turbinate: a case report.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign and locally destructive bone lesion usually seen in the younger population. Its etiology is unknown. Its yearly incidence rate has been reported to be 0.14/100,000, comprising 1% of all bone tumors. It may develop primarily or arise from primary bone tumors. Hemorrhagic fluid content with a septated appearance is the characteristic feature of aneurysmal bone cyst. It is most commonly seen in the metaphysis of the long bones. In rare cases, the cyst is located in the skull. Primary treatment is surgical excision, and the recurrence rate after treatment is 10 to 30%. Based on a review of the current literature, there have been no previous reports of aneurysmal bone cyst located in the middle turbinate. We report a case of aneurysmal bone cyst with an atypical location and discuss the treatment of the patient with endoscopic surgery in light of relevant literature.

The effects of CPAP treatment on nasal mucosa in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effects of nasal CPAP treatment on the morphology and function of nasal mucosa in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with complaints relevant to OSA underwent respiratory function tests, arterial blood gas analyses and polysomnography. Saccharine test and nasal biopsies were performed to assess the mucociliary transport time and to observe the histopathological changes in patients with apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 in whole night polysomnography. Tissue samples were obtained from middle and inferior turbinates and septal mucosa to observe the degree of inflammation and fibrosis by semiquantitative means. Biopsies and mucociliary transport test were performed before and 3 months after the initiation of CPAP treatment. A total of 25 patients with a mean age of 52 were enrolled in the study. While the pretreatment mucociliary transport time before and 3 months after the treatment were 10.50 and 11.50 min respectively. The difference between these values was statistically insignificant. Mean apnea-hypopnea index was 63.19, while mean partial oxygen pressure was 75.46 mmHg. Nasal CPAP treatment was introduced with a mean pressure of 9.54 cmH2O. The degree of inflammation and fibrosis was found to be significantly increased after CPAP treatment. Nasal CPAP leads to alterations in mucosa. Efforts should be directed to make CPAP treatment a safer method via protecting the morphologic and functional properties of the nasal mucosa.

Comparison of montelukast and mometasone furoate in the prevention of recurrent nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to compare the effects of montelukast and mometasone furoate nasal spray on the postoperative course of patients with nasal polyposis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients diagnosed with nasal polyposis between March 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. All patients underwent bilateral endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy and were randomized postoperatively into two groups. Group A (n = 25) received 10 mg montelukast per day and group B (n = 25) received 400 µg mometasone furoate nasal spray twice daily. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22 scores, polyp grades, computerized tomography (CT) scores (Lund-Mackay), eosinophils in peripheral blood and polyp tissue were evaluated before and after surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in SNOT-22 scores in both groups throughout the study period. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between both groups with a marginal advantage of mometasone furoate nasal spray. Eosinophils in peripheral blood were found to be effective on the recurrence rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both drugs seem to have a complementary action and further studies are needed to determine which patients should receive which treatment.

Endonasal endoscopic approach for the resection of chondroid chordoma with skull base involvement.

Chordoma is an uncommon tumor of bone that is believed to develop from remnants of the notochord. The chondroid variant of chordomas contains elements possessing both chordoma and cartilaginous tissues. Chondroid chordomas occur almost exclusively in the sphenooccipital region of the skull base. Primary treatment with surgical excision and radiotherapy for residual or recurrent tumor is recommended. Here, we describe a patient with chondroid chordoma with skull base involvement who underwent an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach for complete resection. In conclusion, endonasal endoscopic approach should be kept in mind for the resection of carefully selected chondroid chordomas with skull base involvement because of its minimally invasive characteristics.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the ethmoid presenting with proptosis and epiphora.

An aneurysmal bone cyst of ethmoid is a rare and distinct clinicopathologic entity. The diagnosis is important in this localization because it requires multidisciplinary approach in its management. We report a case of a 14-year-old woman presenting to our clinic with the complaint of epiphora and proptosis in the right eye, which were the symptomatic findings of aneurysmal bone cyst of ethmoid.

Sublabial transseptal approach to pituitary adenomas with special emphasis on rhinological complications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this presentation is to show that the sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas is the least invasive anatomic route with the lowest postoperative complication rates. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study was based on a retrospective analysis of 276 patients with a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma who were surgically treated via the sublabial transsphenoidal route. RESULTS: The overall complication rate of the presented series was 14.8%. The recurrence rate was 14.1%; there were no deaths or intranasal complications in this series. Postoperative rhinological complications, such as septal perforation, synechiae, and mucosal tear which impaired nasal function, occur rarely with this approach compared to other approaches. CONCLUSION: Besides the technical advantages of this approach, performance of the initial phase of the operation by an otorhinolaryngologic surgeon is the basis of the low intranasal complication rate in our series.

[Prognostic factors in larynx cancers]. / Larenks kanserlerinde prognostik faktörler.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the prognostic factors affecting survival and recurrence in laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 116 patients (4 females, 112 males; mean age 55+/-9 years; range 35 to 75 years) who underwent surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Risk factors for survival and recurrence were analyzed using univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis. The mean follow-up period was 43+/-25 months. RESULTS: Mortality occurred in 14 patients, nine of which were due to tumoral causes. In univariate analyses, lymphovascular invasion, cartilage invasion, positive surgical margins, postoperative deglutition time, and complications had a significant effect on survival, while recurrence was influenced by age, postoperative deglutition time, postoperative radiotherapy, and positive surgical margins (p<0.05). Cox regression analyses showed that postoperative deglutition time, radiotherapy, recurrence, and tumor localization significantly affected survival, and preoperative differentiation, tracheotomy, pre- and postoperative tumor stage, radiotherapy, cartilage invasion, and positive surgical margins were significant prognostic factors for recurrence (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the prognostic factors in larynx cancer may serve as a guide to treatment and follow-up.

[The effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery in nasal polyposis]. / Nazal polipoziste endoskopik sinüs cerrahisinin etkinligi.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effectiveness and outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of nasal polyposis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 407 patients (262 males, 145 females; mean age 42+/-12 years; range 20 to 76 years) with nasal polyposis. Of these, 102 patients (25%) had asthma, 25 patients (6.1%) had asthma and aspirin sensitivity, and 142 patients (34.8%) had anatomic variations. The patients were operated on using the Messerklinger and Wigand techniques. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed bilaterally. Evaluations were made preoperatively and at six months by endoscopic examination and paranasal sinus computed tomography (Lund-Mackay score). Postoperatively, the patients were treated with nasal irrigation and topical steroid spray. RESULTS: Following surgery, the mean computed tomography score decreased from preoperative 17.0+/-4.3 to 8.5+/-4.7. Major complication occurred in one patient. Nasal mucosal adhesion was the most frequent minor complication (5.4%). Nasal polyposis recurred in 78 patients (19.1%), of whom 57 patients underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Our data show that functional endoscopic sinus surgery combined with corticosteroid administration is effective in the treatment of nasal polyposis.

[Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the larynx: a case report]. / Larenkste mukoepidermoid karsinom: Olgu sunumu.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the larynx is an uncommon malignancy. It is mostly located in the supraglottis. It frequently occurs in middle-aged and elderly men. The treatment is primarily surgical. A 42-year-old man presented with a complaint of hoarseness of six-month history. Examination revealed a swelling involving the right arytenoid, false cord, and vocal cords. The right vocal cord was fixed. A biopsy obtained from the lesion showed a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. He underwent total laryngectomy and right functional neck dissection.