Effects of Anatolian Propolis and Hypertonic Saline Combination Nasal Spray on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate how Rhinapi nasal spray affects symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, 10,000 patients (comprising 5028 males and 4972 females) exhibiting symptoms of allergic rhinitis (namely, nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction) from different centers in different regions of Turkey were enrolled in the study between March 2022 and March 2023. All the patients wanted to participate in the study and were administered Rhinapi one puff to each nostril three times a day, for a period of 3 weeks. Total symptom scores, quality of life (QoL) scores, and otolaryngological examination scores were evaluated before and 3 weeks after treatment. Results: The scores for discharge from the nose, sneezing, nasal pruritus, and blockage of the nose all indicated improvement when compared to pre-medication and post-medication. This difference achieved statistical significance (P < .001). The mean total symptom score fell following treatment (P < .001): whilst the score was 11.09 ± 3.41 before administering Rhinapi; after administration, the average score was 6.23 ± 2.41. The mean QoL scores also altered after medication (P < .001), improving from a mean value of 6.44 ± 1.55 to a mean of 7.31 ± 1.24. Significant improvement was also noted in the scores for conchal color and degree of edema after the treatment had been administered (P < .001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Rhinapi nasal spray decreases total symptom scores, and results in improved QoL and otolaryngological examination scores. Propolis spray may be recommended for patients with allergic rhinitis alongside other treatments.

The Bibliometric Analysis of the Studies Presented at the Turkish National Otorhinolaryngology Congresses in the Period 2009-2018.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the abstracts presented at Turkish National Otorhinolaryngology Congresses in the years from 2009 to 2018. METHODS: Abstracts were defined and grouped according to their field of study, design, level of evidence, number of authors, the main institution in which they were held, and whether they were uni- or multi-centric. Frequency and percentage tables were prepared. RESULTS: In total, 5,463 studies, of which 1,431 (26.2%) were oral presentations and 4,032 (73.8%) were poster presentations were reviewed. The highest number of studies was in the field of otology and in the form of oral presentations (32%), and in the field of head and neck surgery in the form of poster presentations (37%). Fifty-seven percent of all studies were conducted in university hospitals, and 34% in Training and Research Hospitals. Eighty-three percent of oral presentations and 99% of poster presentations were clinical studies. The rate of experimental animal studies was 16% in oral presentations. The most commonly used design of orally presented clinical studies was descriptive (31%), whereas prospective randomized controlled design was the least common (3%). No study with a level 1 of evidence was found. The rate of oral papers presented with evidence levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 among all oral presentations were 22%, 13%, 11%, and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the abstracts were satisfactory in quantity, but overall scientific quality was not sufficient. The data obtained may serve as a basis for future studies, and follow-up studies may guide individuals and institutions that steer the Turkish ENT community.

The role of CD133 expression of cancer stem cells on radiotherapy response in early stage glottic cancers.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between CD133 positivity and radiotherapy (RT) response in early stage glottic laryngeal cancers. METHODS: Thirty seven patients with early-stage glottic laryngeal carcinoma who were treated with primary RT were evaluated. Patients with regular follow-up of at least 3 years were included in the study. Patients who had previously received chemotherapy for laryngeal surgery or underwent surgery were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups as recurrent and non-recurrent. These two groups were compared in terms of CD133 expression by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: There were 37 patients in the study. Ten patients had recurrence and seven (70%) had CD133 positive and three had CD133 negative. Of 27 patients who had no recurrence, 16 (59%) had CD133 positive and 11 (41%) had CD133 negative. 7 (70%) of ten patients with recurrence were found to be positive for CD133; There was no statistically significant difference between recurrent and non-recurrent patient groups in terms of CD133 positivity (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between the final CD133 score and recurrence status as well (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between radiotherapy response and CD133 staining in early-stage glottic laryngeal cancers. It is the largest study about CD133 and RT sensitivity in early stage glottic carcinomas.

Mean platelet volume, neutrophil- and platelet to lymphocyte ratios are elevated in vestibular neuritis.

AIM: To evaluate the alterations in inflammatory markers, NLR and PLR, as well as mean platelet volume (MPV) and the other parameters of complete blood counts (CBC) in adult patients with vestibular neuritis (VN). METHOD: Designed as a case control study. The records of the patients, who were hospitalized due to an acute onset vertigo, and diagnosed as VN, were analysed retrospectively. The complete blood count (CBC) measures of the patients were statistically compared with the measures of healthy subjects. The correlations between the length of hospitalization and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also analysed. RESULTS: One hundred four patients with VN and 138 healthy controls were included. MPV, white blood cell and neutrophil counts, NLR and PLR were significantly higher; while lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the VN group (p < 0.001). There were no correlations between the length of hospitalization and NLR or PLR. CONCLUSION: The elevations of NLR and PLR support the role of inflammation in VN. The high level of MPV indicates the possible role of the vascular thrombosis in the etiology of VN.

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma as a rare cause of subglottic stenosis.

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma (CS) is a very rare entity. It is usually seen in 50-80-year olds. It is developed from cricoid cartilage largely. Patients have laryngeal CS complaint of respiratuvar distress, dysphonia, and dysphagia generally. A submucous mass is usually seen in physical examination with an intact mucosa. Distant metastasis is rare in CSs. Main treatment is surgical excision. An 82-year-old patient who has respiratuvar distress is presented in this paper and laryngeal CS is reviewed in the light of the literature.