The Relationship of Ankyloglossia With Gender in Children and the Ideal Timing of Surgery in Ankyloglossia.

INTRODUCTION: Ankyloglossia is a congenital condition that restricts tongue mobility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between gender and pediatric ankyloglossia and evaluate the planning of ideal timing of surgery. METHODS: The files of pediatric patients in the Turkish population treated surgically for tongue-tie between June 2014 to June 2018 were scanned retrospectively. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-two pediatric patients were included in the study. Of these, 115 (30.1%) were female and 267 (69.9%) were male. The prevalence of ankyloglossia was significantly higher in males than in females (P < .001). The age of the patients at time of surgery ranged from 1 day to 114 months. The most common indication was sucking/feeding difficulties (82%) in patients younger than 2 years, and the most common symptom was speech problems (67%) in patients aged 2 years and older. CONCLUSION: In our study, the prevalence of ankyloglossia in Turkish society was significantly higher in males. Frenectomy surgery is a safe procedure that can be performed on the first day of life in newborns.

Effect of Hypertonic Saline during Flexible Nasopharyngeal Laryngoscopy: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Flexible nasopharyngeal laryngoscopy (NPL) is a cost-effective, simple procedure that provides visualization of the nasal airways. However, it involves a number of challenges for both the clinician and the patient. Hypertonic saline nasal wash is used to prevent nasal secretion in acute/chronic sinusitis and after nasal surgery. We aimed to determine the efficacy of hypertonic saline by comparing the clinician's and patients' experiences during NPL. METHODS: This prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled study was performed at a tertiary referral university hospital. Two hundred patients were randomly divided into hypertonic saline, lidocaine, xylometazoline, and isotonic saline groups. During NPL, the clinician's experiences in terms of the quality of the field of view and the patients' experiences in terms of pain and discomfort resulting from the 4 premedication drugs were compared. RESULTS: The groups differed significantly in terms of the clinician's field of view, and patients' pain scores and levels of discomfort (P < 0.025). The field of view results were the highest in the hypertonic saline group, and the lowest in the lidocaine group. The pain scores were the lowest in the lidocaine group, whereas they were the highest in the hypertonic saline group. The discomfort scores were the lowest in the xylometazoline group, but the highest in the lidocaine and isotonic saline groups. CONCLUSION: The use of hypertonic saline facilitated the NPL procedure by improving the clinician's field of view. Moreover, intranasal hypertonic saline reduced the patient's discomfort. Intranasal hypertonic saline can be a good alternative to premedication before NPL.

Effect of video-assisted information prior to intratympanic steroid injection on patient anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: Patients may be afraid when they receive knowledge that medications are injected into the middle ear through the tympanic membrane using a fine needle during intratympanic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of video-assisted information prior to intratympanic steroid injection on patient anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, Non-randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary academic medical center. METHODS: A total of 85 patients who had an indication for intratympanic treatment due to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were included in this prospective study. 40 cases received video-assisted information before intratympanic steroid injection in the study group, while 45 cases were verbally informed face-to-face in the control group. Then, patient anxiety was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 3.58 ± 3.37 (mean rank = 42.09) in the study group and 3.87 ± 3.56 (mean rank = 43.81) in the control group. The mean STAI-S score was 37.03 ± 10.637 in the study group and 39.11 ± 11.783 in the control group. The mean STAI-T score was 40.18 ± 9.151 in the study group and 38.73 ± 11.438 in the control group. It was found that there were no statistically significant differences in the mean VAS, STAI-S and STAI-T scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We revealed that video-assisted information prior to intratympanic steroid injection had no superiority in reducing anxiety over face-to-face verbal information.

Is the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio a prognostic and predictive factor in sudden hearing loss?

INTRODUCTION: Sudden hearing loss is a significant otologic emergency. Previous studies have revealed a coexistence of sudden hearing loss with chronic inflammation. The predictive importance of C-reactive protein/albumin values as a prognostic factor has been shown in various inflammatory and tumoral conditions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in sudden hearing loss can be used for prognostic purposes and whether there is a relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio. METHODS: A retrospective examination was made of 40 patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden hearing loss and a control group of 45 healthy subjects. The pure tone averages of all the patients were determined on first presentation and repeated at 3 months after the treatment. The patients were separated into 2 groups according to the response to treatment. The neutrophil/lynphocyte ratio and the C-reactive protein/albumin ratios were calculated from the laboratory tests. RESULTS: The patients included 16 females and 24 males with a mean age of 44.1±14.2 years and the control group was composed of 23 females and 22 males with a mean age of 42.2±13.8 years. The mean C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was 0.95±0.47 in the patient group and 0.74±0.13 in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.009). The mean C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was 0.79±0.12 in the response to treatment group and 1.27±0.72 in the non-response group, with no significant difference determined between the groups (p=0.418). The mean neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 3.52±3.00 in the response to treatment group and 4.90±4.60 in the non-response group, with no statistically significant difference determined between the groups (p=0.261). CONCLUSION: C-reactive/albumin ratio was significantly higher in patients with sudden hearing loss than in the control group. Although C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was found to be lower in sudden hearing loss patients who responded to treatment compared to those who did not, the difference between two groups was not statistically significant.

Newborn hearing screening results of refugees living in our city and the factors affecting the results.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in the risk factors affecting the results of the Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) and the hearing test results of the Syrian refugees in our city. METHODS: Syrian and Turkish newborns, born in our hospital between 01.01.2016 and 31.12.2017 and referred to our hospital from environmental hospitals for NHS, were included in this study. NHS results and risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: 786 Syrian and 7230 Turkish newborns were included in this study. 53 (6,74%) infants referred in both ears, 26 (3,30%) infants in the one ear. There was a significant relationship between the presence of hearing loss and the history of intensive care unit admittance, presence and absence of low birth weight and neonatal icterus at Syrian newborns. In the same period, 20 (0,3%) Turkish infants referred bilaterally and 45 (0,6%) newborns unilaterally (25 right ear, 20 left ear). There was a significant difference between Turkish and Syrian newborns in terms of very low and low birth weight and intensive care unit admittance. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of hearing loss in Syrian refugee patients is quite high. Pregnant refugee women who are forced to migrate because of war face many risk factors and these people need to be included into the newborn hearing screening programs in the country where they took refuge in.

Investigation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in antrochoanal polyps.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES: This study aimed to investigate the presence of HPV (HPV types 11 and 16) and EBV in antrochoanal polyps and to contribute to the current literature in this regard. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (including 43 patients undergoing surgery for antrochoanal polyp, 27 patients undergoing surgery for nasal polyp, and 30 patients undergoing surgery for hypertrophic inferior turbinate) were included in this study. DNA was isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples with the aid of the Bioneer's AccuPrep Genomic DNA Extraction Kit. In the obtained genomic DNAs, while the detection of HPV DNA was performed using the nested-PCR method, the detection of HPV types 11/16 and EBV DNA was performed using the RT-PCR method. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with antrochoanal polyp was 26.7 ±â€¯15.4 years (range 7-70). There were 20 (46.5%) women and 23 (53.5%) men in the antrochoanal polyp group. HPV DNA was positively detected using the nested-PCR method in 14 (32.6%) of the patients with antrochoanal polyp and in 3 (11.1%) of the patients with nasal polyp. HPV DNA was not detected in the hypertrophic inferior turbinate group (control group). There was a statistically significant difference between all groups in terms of HPV DNA positivity. In the antrochoanal polyp group, 2 patients had HPV 11 positivity and 12 patients had HPV 16 positivity. In the nasal polyp group, 1 patient had HPV 11 positivity and 2 patients had HPV 16 positivity. EBV DNA was positively detected in 16 (37.2%) of the patients with antrochoanal polyp, in 11 (40.7%) of the patients with nasal polyp and in 8 (26.7%) of the patients with hypertrophic inferior turbinate, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of EBV DNA positivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that there is a need for further studies investigating the presence of viruses in antrochoanal polyps.

Transnasal Endoscopic Removal of a Knife Causing Penetrating Brain Injury in a Child.

Transnasal penetrating brain injuries are rare and a medical emergency, which needs to be treated promptly. A 4-year-old male patient was brought to our emergency room with a knife sticking out of his nose. The patient was immediately taken to the operating room and the knife was removed under general anesthesia. No cerebrospinal fluid leakage or any bleeding was seen and so the operation was terminated. The authors herein report a penetrating brain trauma through to the cella turcica with a knife that improved without any sequelae at a child.

Accuracy of identifying the cricothyroid membrane in children using palpation.

Accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) has paramount importance in the event of a 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' scenario. We sought to determine the ability of anesthesiologists to correctly identify the CTM in obese and non-obese children. Anesthesiologists were asked to mark the entry point of the cricothyroidotomy device with an ultraviolet invisible pen on obese and non-obese (BMI < 95th percentile for age and sex) children aged 7-12 years. A correct estimation was defined as a mark made between the upper and lower borders of the CTM and within the 3-mm midline. Twenty anesthesiologists palpated 30 obese and 50 non-obese children. The CTM was accurately identified with digital palpation in a total 55% of children, and there were no differences inaccurate identification rates of the CTM between obese and non-obese children [57 vs. 54%, respectively; median difference 3%; 95% confidence interval (- 20 to 25%); p = 0.82]. Accuracy was not correlated with any demographic or morphometric features of the children. Percutaneous identification of the CTM in children aged 7-12 years was poor and not significantly different for obese and non-obese children. Pre-procedural ultrasonography may help to identify the landmarks for cricothyroidotomy.

Sphenoethmoid Cell: The Battle for Places Inside of the Nose Between a Posterior Ethmoid Cell and Sphenoid Sinus: 3D-Volumetric Quantification.

BACKGROUND: Sphenoethmoid cells may be above the sphenoid sinus with/ or without con-tact to optical nerve. Although sphenoethmoid cells are theoretically considered to possibly influence the sphenoid sinus volume, we could not find any study in the literature on this issue. AIMS: The aim of our study was to detect sphenoethmoid cells and measure the sphenoid sinus vol-ume using multiplanar computerized tomography and also investigate the correlation between the presence of sphenoethmoid cells and the sphenoid sinus volume. METHODS: Retrospectively 141 patients who had available paranasal computerized tomography images were included in this study. The sphenoid sinus volumes of each patient were calculated individually for each side, and the relationship between the presence of sphenoethmoid cell and sphenoid sinus volume was investigated. RESULTS: Sphenoethmoid cells were detected at 106 (37.5%) of the total 282 sides in 141 patients. No gender difference was observed. The total sphenoid sinus volume was significantly lower in the group of patients who had bilateral sphenoethmoid cells than in the sphenoethmoid cell negative group. In patients with a unilateral sphenoethmoid cell, a significant decrease in the sphenoid sinus volume was observed only for the side where the sphenoethmoid cell was located. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the sphenoethmoid cells caused a significant reduction in the sphe-noid sinus volume on the side where they were located. In the case of low sphenoid sinus aeration, the sphenoethmoid cell should be kept in mind. Further studies with an extended patient series are required to explore this issue.

The role of Onodi cells in sphenoiditis: results of multiplanar reconstruction of computed tomography scanning / Papel das células de Onodi na esfenoidite: resultados da tomografia computadorizada com reconstrução multiplanar

Abstract Introduction Onodi cells are the most posterior ethmoid air cells and extend superolateral to the sphenoid sinus. These cells are also intimately related with the sphenoid sinus, optic nerve, and carotid artery. Radiologic evaluation is mandatory to assess for anatomic variations before any treatment modalities related to the sphenoid sinus. Objective To evaluate the effect of Onodi cells on the frequency of sphenoiditis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 618 adult patients who underwent high-resolution computed tomography between January 2013 and January 2015. The prevalence of Onodi cells and sphenoiditis was evaluated. Whether the presence of Onodi cells leads to an increase in the prevalence of sphenoiditis was investigated. Results Onodi cell positivity was observed in 326 of 618 patients and its prevalence was found to be 52.7%. In the study group, 60.3% (n = 73) were ipsilaterally (n = 21) or bilaterally (n = 52) Onodi-positive, whereas 39.7% (n = 48) were Onodi-negative (n = 35) or only contralaterally Onodi-positive (n = 13). Of the control group, 48.3% (n = 240) were Onodi-positive and 51.7% (n = 257) were Onodi negative. The co-existence of Onodi cells ipsilaterally was observed to increase the identification of sphenoiditis 1.5-fold, and this finding was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of sphenoiditis appears to be higher in patients with Onodi cells. However, it is not possible to state that Onodi cells are the single factor that causes this disease. Further studies are needed to investigate contributing factors related to sphenoiditis.

Resumo Introdução As células de Onodi são as células etmoidais mais posteriores, que se prolongam superolateralmente ao seio esfenoidal. Essas células também se encontram em íntima relação com o seio esfenoidal, o nervo óptico e a artéria carótida. Para análise de variações anatômicas antes da implantação de qualquer modalidade terapêutica relacionada ao seio esfenoidal, a avaliação radiológica é obrigatória, Objetivo Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o papel das células de Onodi na frequência de esfenoidite. Método Em nosso estudo, foi feita uma análise retrospectiva em 618 pacientes adultos que se submeteram à tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução entre janeiro de 2013 e janeiro de 2015. Avaliamos a prevalência de células de Onodi e de esfenoidite. Investigamos se a presença de células de Onodi leva a um aumento na prevalência de esfenoidite. Resultados A positividade para células de Onodi foi observada em 326 de 618 pacientes e sua prevalência foi de 52,7%. No grupo de estudo, 60,3% (n = 73) eram CO-positivas: ipsilateral (n = 21) ou bilateralmente (n = 52); e 39,7% (n = 48) eram CO-negativas (n = 35) ou apenas contralateralmente CO-positivas (n = 13). No grupo de controle, 48,3% (n = 240) eram CO-positivas; e 51,7% (n = 257) eram CO-negativas. Observamos que a coexistência de CO ipsilateralmente aumentava em 1,5 vez a associação com esfenoidite e esse achado foi estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05). Conclusão A prevalência de esfenoidite parece ser maior em pacientes com células de Onodi, mas não é possível afirmar que elas são isoladamente o fator causador dessa doença. Novos estudos precisam ser feitos para uma investigação dos fatores contributivos relacionados à esfenoidite.

The role of Onodi cells in sphenoiditis: results of multiplanar reconstruction of computed tomography scanning.

INTRODUCTION: Onodi cells are the most posterior ethmoid air cells and extend superolateral to the sphenoid sinus. These cells are also intimately related with the sphenoid sinus, optic nerve, and carotid artery. Radiologic evaluation is mandatory to assess for anatomic variations before any treatment modalities related to the sphenoid sinus. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Onodi cells on the frequency of sphenoiditis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 618 adult patients who underwent high-resolution computed tomography between January 2013 and January 2015. The prevalence of Onodi cells and sphenoiditis was evaluated. Whether the presence of Onodi cells leads to an increase in the prevalence of sphenoiditis was investigated. RESULTS: Onodi cell positivity was observed in 326 of 618 patients and its prevalence was found to be 52.7%. In the study group, 60.3% (n=73) were ipsilaterally (n=21) or bilaterally (n=52) Onodi-positive, whereas 39.7% (n=48) were Onodi-negative (n=35) or only contralaterally Onodi-positive (n=13). Of the control group, 48.3% (n=240) were Onodi-positive and 51.7% (n=257) were Onodi negative. The co-existence of Onodi cells ipsilaterally was observed to increase the identification of sphenoiditis 1.5-fold, and this finding was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sphenoiditis appears to be higher in patients with Onodi cells. However, it is not possible to state that Onodi cells are the single factor that causes this disease. Further studies are needed to investigate contributing factors related to sphenoiditis.

Pediatric Type 1 Cartilage Tympanoplasty: Comparison between Graft Success Rates and Hearing Results in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: It is an ongoing debate whether tympanoplasty should be performed in the pediatric age group. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of type I cartilage tympanoplasty in children and adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The file records of patients who underwent type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 133 patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media were included. Tragal cartilage grafts were used in all patients. The patients were divided into two groups: pediatric (age≤16 years, n=54) and adult (age>18 years, n=79) groups. The graft success rates and hearing results between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The graft success rate was 90.2% (120/133) in the study group. At the end of the 24-month follow-up, the graft was intact in 48 of the 54 (88.9%) patients in the pediatric group and 72 of the 79 patients in the adult group (91.1%) (p=0.769). The functional success rate (postoperative air-bone gap<20 dB) obtained in the study group was 90.2% (120/133). The functional success rate was 88.9% (48/54) in the pediatric group and 91.1% (72/79) in the adult group (p=0.255). CONCLUSION: The graft success rates and hearing results obtained with cartilage grafts are similar in children and adults. Therefore, cartilage grafts may be safely used in pediatric patients, similar to their use in adults.

Sudden Pediatric Hearing Loss: Comparing the Results of Combined Treatment (Intratympanic Dexamethasone and Systemic Steroids) With Systemic Steroid Treatment Alone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare hearing improvements obtained with combined intratympanic and systemic steroid therapy, and systemic steroid therapy alone in pediatric patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients with SSHL. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were divided into two groups, based on the method of steroid administration: Group 1 (systemic therapy group, n = 23) was treated with oral methylprednisolone alone whereas Group 2 (combination therapy group, n = 26) was treated with combination of oral methylprednisolone and intratympanic dexamethasone injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-treatment audiograms were compared with pure-tone averages (PTAs) in each group. Two treatment groups were also compared. The final hearing assessment was performed 4 weeks after completion of the treatment. RESULTS: The mean PTAs before and after the treatment were 61.86 ±â€Š23.99 and 42.65 ±â€Š32.69 dB in Group 1 (p = 0.001), and 70.07 ±â€Š29.74 and 38.85 ±â€Š32.28 dB in Group 2 (p = 0.001). Pure-tone gain was 20.00 ±â€Š15.02 dB in Group 1, and 31.69 ±â€Š28.29 dB in Group 2. Comparison of two groups for post-treatment PTA and pure-tone gains did not yield any statistically significant differences (p = 0.388 and p = 0.132, respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant hearing improvement may be obtained with use of systemic steroids alone, or simultaneous administration of systemic and intratympanic steroids in pediatric patients with SSHL. Although we did not have a control group, two treatment options appear to offer similar hearing improvements in the pediatric age group higher than the rates obtained with placebo when previous studies in the literature are taken into account.

The role of the mean platelet volume and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in peritonsillar abscesses.

INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar abscess is a serious infectious disease of the tonsillar tissue. Treatment generally requires both medical and surgical approaches to relieve the symptoms. Recently, in addition to clinical follow-up, some inflammatory markers, such as the mean platelet volume and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, have been considered to be additional inflammatory monitoring markers in inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the role of mean platelet volume and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with peritonsillar abscess. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 88 patients with peritonsillar abscess and 88 healthy individuals. We analyzed the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, C-reactive protein, mean platelet volume and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio values and compared them among the patient and control groups. RESULTS: The mean platelet volume levels were significantly higher in the peritonsillar abscess pretreatment group than in the peritonsillar abscess posttreatment group and the control group. A mean platelet volume value of 8.7 was the optimal cut-off value for evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 75%, 65.9%, 68% and 72%, respectively. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels were significantly higher in the peritonsillar abscess pretreatment group than in the peritonsillar abscess post-treatment group and the control group. A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio value of 3.08 was the optimal cut-off value for evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 90.9%, 90.9%, 90.9% and 90.9%, respectively. While the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and C-reactive protein values were significantly different among the patient and control groups (p<0.05), the platelet count was not significantly different among the patient and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean platelet volume and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio values made us think that these parameters were quick, inexpensive and reliable inflammatory follow-up parameters and could be easily integrated into daily practice for peritonsillar abscess treatment except platelet count.

An Asymptomatic Foreign Body in the Nose in an Eighteen-Year-Old Patient: Button Battery.

Foreign bodies lodged in the upper airway are a common occurrence in children. Many unusual foreign bodies in the nose have been reported as foreign bodies like nuts, plastic toy parts, beads, and so forth. Most of these produce minimal morbidity but button batteries due to their early chemical disintegration require early surgical intervention. Here, we report a case of button battery lodged in the nose for several years with a symptom of nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Is antiviral treatment really necessary?

OBJECTIVES: It was aimed to investigate the necessity of antiviral agents in the ISSHL treatment. METHODS: In this study, the patients, diagnosed with sudden hearing loss and admitted in the first 7 days of hearing loss were divided into two groups; a combination therapy was administered to one of the groups, and famciclovir was administered to the other group as an antiviral treatment in addition to the combined therapy. Both groups were compared in terms of levels of recovery. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the recovery rates between the two groups (p=0.7). CONCLUSION: In this study, the additional antiviral treatment was found to have no effect on the remission rates in patients with ISSHL treated with combined therapy.

A Rare Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress: Cervical Ranula.

Plunging or cervical ranula is a mucus extravasation pseudocyst arising from the sublingual gland that is located below the mylohyoid muscle. Clinically, if large enough, cervical ranulas can affect swallowing, speech, chewing, and even breathing. The acute presentation of ranulas, which are clinically known as slow-growing, painless masses, is rare. In this study, we present a case of cervical ranula that grew in a short period of 3 days and resulted in respiratory distress and that was operated in our clinic.

Effectiveness of radiofrequency cryptolysis for the treatment of halitosis due to caseums.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) cryptolysis for caseum-induced halitosis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical retrospective study. SETTING: Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Konya Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with caseum-induced halitosis were included. Eight were male (23.5%) and 26 were female (76.5%). Their mean age was 28.29 ± 9.3 (range: 17-48) years. The mean duration of complaint of halitosis before RF cryptolysis was 53.41 ± 42.6 months (range: 6-182 months). The Finkelstein test, organoleptic measurements, and visual analog scale (VAS) were performed before and 12 months after RF cryptolysis. RESULTS: Before RF cryptolysis, all patients had a positive Finkelstein's test result, organoleptic measurements revealed that three (8.82%) had serious halitosis, 24 (70.58%) had average halitosis, and seven (20.58%) had mild halitosis, and the mean VAS score was 6.82 ± 1.45. The follow-up period after RF cryptolysis was 12 months. After the single RF cryptolysis session, 26 patients (76.47%) were negative for Finkelstein's test, organoleptic assessments revealed that 26 (76.47%), six (17.64%), and two (5.88%) showed complete, partial, and no recovery, respectively, (p<0.001), and the mean VAS score was significantly better at 1.88 ± 2.5 (p<0.001). Thirty-two patients (94.1%) exhibited a decrease in VAS score. CONCLUSION: RF cryptolysis is a cost-effective, safe, and easily applicable modality for the treatment of halitosis due to caseums in the crypts of the palatine tonsils.