Is the effect of topical intranasal steroids on obstructive adenoids transient or long-lasting? Case series and systematic review of literature.

OBJECTIVES: To study and review the short- and long-term effects of intranasal steroids on obstructive adenoids. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 19 children previously treated with mometasone furoate for 3 months were contacted at 3, 6 and 12 months after cessation of treatment. Main outcome measures included: change in severity of nasal obstruction, allergic rhinitis and obstructive symptoms. A systematic review of literature was also performed. RESULTS: By one year, 25 per cent of patients required adenoidectomy; the remaining children had no significant change in clinical score (p = 0.464), obstruction severity (p = 0.191) or allergic symptoms (p = 0.284). Fourteen pertinent studies were identified; all but one study showed improvement in the patients' symptoms and/or degree of obstruction. Two studies with follow up reaching 25 months showed positive effects. CONCLUSION: The short-term positive effect of some intranasal steroids on obstructive adenoids seems to persist in a significant number of patients after the cessation of treatment.

Efficacy and safety of inferior turbinates coblation in children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of coblation in relieving inferior turbinate hypertrophy in children. METHODS: An observational cohort study was undertaken. The severity of allergic rhinitis and the severity and degree of nasal obstruction were assessed using subjective and clinical symptom grading tools, a visual analogue scale, and endoscopy. Any post-operative complications were noted at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Data from extended follow-up periods were included when available. The statistical significance of changes in parameter values was assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were recruited (mean age, 11.28 years; range, 6-17 years). Significant post-operative improvement (p<0.001) was noted in the severity and degree of nasal obstruction. This improvement was maintained after a mean follow-up period of 10.5 months (range, 1 month to 4 years). No mucosal ulceration or adhesion was encountered. Minimal crusting was noted in 8.57 per cent of patients at 1-week follow up. Allergic rhinitis symptoms improved significantly. CONCLUSION: Inferior turbinate reduction by coblation is an effective and safe procedure in children aged six years and older. The positive outcomes seem to be long-lasting.

Multi-pole multi-zero frequency-independent phase-shifter.

A multi-pole, multi-zero design allowed realizing a "true" phase-shifter (not time-delayer) of flat frequency-response over more than three decades (30 Hz-100 kHz), which can be extended to higher frequencies or broader bands thanks to a modular design. Frequency-dependent optimization of a single resistance made also the gain flat to within few percents. The frequency-independent phase-shifter presented can find application in any experiment in which an action needs to be taken (e.g., a measurement needs to be performed) at a fixed phase-delay relative to an event, regardless of how rapidly the system rotates or oscillates.

New insights on age-related association between nasopharyngeal airway clearance and facial morphology.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relation between adenoid hypertrophy and facial morphology across age in a pediatric population. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The American University of Beirut Department of Otolaryngology. Two-hundred consecutive children (age 6.00 ± 2.62 years) referred from the Pediatric Otolaryngology unit to the Orthodontic division and requiring a lateral cephalogram for adenoid hypertrophy assessment. METHODS: Cephalometric measurements included relations among cranial base, maxilla and mandible, and airway clearance measured from adenoid to soft palate (AD). The children were classified into two age groups, Group 1: ≤ 6 years (n = 124) and Group 2: ≥ 6.01 years (n = 76), and also stratified in four subgroups (A, B, C, D) based on maxillo-mandibular divergence (palatal to mandibular plane angle, PP-MP): A- PP-MP ≤ 27.5°, n = 34; B- 27.5° < PP-MP ≤ 32°, n = 68; C- 32°