The association between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement and selected biochemical and anthropometric parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorders, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) and selected biochemical and anthropometric parameters in women with PCOS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 153 Polish, Caucasian women with PCOS hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology Gynecology from January 2018 to March 2020. All women had stable body mass during the 3-month period. ABPM was performed using a portable lightweight device with oscillometric technology accepted by International Protocol of European Society of Hypertension (ABPM, HolCARD CR-07, Poland). RESULTS: The first factor taken into consideration was the variability phenotypic subgroups of PCOS on the values of 24-hour ABPM. We revealed that the daytime and night-time systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in phenotype A subgroup than in other subgroups. Moreover, daytime and night-time systolic and diastolic blood pressure value as well as day-time heart ratio value were significantly higher in subgroup with than without hyperandrogenemia. The obese women with PCOS were characterized of the highest value of all night-time measurements among women with PCOS and normal weight, overweight or obesity. In addition, insulin resistance in the PCOS subgroup was associated with lower value of systolic, diastolic blood pressure and both at daytime and night-time heart rate value than in insulin sensitive PCOS subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperandrogenemia and obesity were the crucial influencing factors on 24-hour ABPM in the group of women with PCOS. In addition, hypertension, apart from visceral obesity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, could be considered as component of metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS.

Use of a navigation system in endonasal surgery: Impact on surgical strategy and surgeon satisfaction. A prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical navigation systems (SNS) are now widely used in endoscopic endonasal surgery. Benefit, however, has not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an SNS in terms of performance of the surgical procedure and of surgeon satisfaction, in a prospective multicenter study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective study included patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery using the electromagnetic DigiPointeur® (DGP) SNS in 16 French hospitals. An observation form, completed by the surgeon immediately at end of procedure, included type of procedure, and any changes in strategy or extent of surgery related to use of the SNS. Surgeon satisfaction was rated on an analog scale, with self-assessment of stress experienced during the procedure. RESULTS: The study included 311 patients operated on by 36 surgeons in 16 French hospitals. Ethmoidectomy was the most frequent procedure (90%); tumor resection was performed in 5.1% of cases. The SNS enabled more extensive surgery in 81% of cases, in particular by identifying and opening additional cells (57% of cases). Mean satisfaction was 8.6/10; surgeons reported decreased surgical stress thanks to the SNS in 95% of cases. CONCLUSION: In this observational study, the use of an SNS increased the extent of surgery in 81% of cases, and had a positive impact on the stress perceived by the surgeon in 95% of cases.

Hormonal and metabolic aspects of acne vulgaris in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Acne vulgaris in women can indicate a systemic disease, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is associated with hormonal and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hormonal and metabolic disorders on acne vulgaris in women with PCOS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 110 women with PCOS. Women were divided according to their androstenedione concentration: within reference range (n=66) or higher (n=44). All patients were between 17-36 years old. Acne was graded according to the US FDA scale for a five-category global system (acne global severity scale). Hirsutism was defined using a modified Ferriman-Gallwey method. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-beta-estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen (androstenedione, total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) were assessed, as were prolactin and cortisol concentrations. Thyrotropin and free thyroxine concentrations were also measured. The free androgen index (FAI) and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were calculated. RESULTS: The average age and rating on the hirsutism scale were similar in both analyzed groups. A higher percentage of severe acne was observed in the group of women with an androstenedione concentration within reference range than in the group with the higher concentration. Meanwhile, the severity of acne in the group of PCOS women with the higher androstenedione concentration was correlated with higher concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol. Increased glucose concentration was also proportional to the severity of acne. We did not observe a statistically significant correlation between the severity of acne and the androstenedione concentration. In the group of PCOS women as a whole, the severity of acne was correlated only with higher dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration; other androgens did not affect the severity. CONCLUSIONS: The acne global severity scale in PCOS women is associated with higher concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and FAI value. Higher concentrations of androstenedione did not affect acne severity.

The effect of abdominal obesity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome on metabolic parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity contribute to the metabolic complications for women of reproductive age. The aim of present study was to analyze the effect of abdominal obesity expressed using waist/hip ratio (WHR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome on metabolic parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 659 women with PCOS with WHR <0.8 and ≥0.8 aged between 17 and 44 years. Patients were tested for follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17-beta-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, sex hormone binding globulin, and total lipid profile during the follicular phase (within 3 and 5 days of their menstrual cycle). Also, fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, and after, oral-glucose glucose administration, were determinate. De Ritis and Castelli index I and II were calculated. RESULTS: Women with WHR ≥0.8 had higher concentration of glucose and  insulin (both fasting and after 120 min of oral administration of 75 g glucose), as well as HOMA-IR value, than women with WHR value < 0.8. Also, abdominal obesity disorders hormonal parameters. Higher free androgen index and lower concentration of sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were found in female with WHR ≥ 0.8. Follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and 17-beta-estradiol, were on similar level in both groups. Elevation in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, as well as decrease in high density lipoprotein level in serum of women with WHR value ≥ 0.8, were found when compared to women with WHR < 0.8. A statistically significant correlation was found between WHR value and glucose, insulin, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index and lipid profile parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity causes additional disorders in metabolic and hormonal parameters in PCOS women, which confirmed changes in analyzed parameters between PCOS women with WHR < 0.8 and WHR ≥ 0.8 and statistically significant correlations between WHR value and analyzed parameters.

[Streptococcus milleri: An unusual cause of skull extensive osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient]. / Streptococcus milleri : une cause inhabituelle d'ostéite extensive du crâne chez un patient immunocompétent.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus milleri (Streptococcus anginosus, intermedius and constellatus) are commensal organisms, which can become pathogenic and cause infection with frequent abscess formation, local or metastatic extension. Osteomyelitis of the skull has been rarely reported in this type of infection. CASE REPORT: Skull osteomyelitis due to Streptococcus milleri is reported in a 61-year-old immunocompetent man without any medical history, occurring 10 months after a head injury without any wound or complication at initial presentation. A progressive right parieto-occipital headache with worsening and increased acute phase reactants evoked a giant cell arteritis. After few days of corticosteroid therapy (0.5 mg/kg/day), diagnosis of subcutaneous abscess associated to an extensive osteomyelitis of the skull due to Streptococcus milleri was diagnosed. The outcome was favorable after drainage of one liter of pus, irrigation, debridement and antibiotherapy by amoxicillin for 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to discuss the differential diagnosis of giant cell arteritis particularly when symptoms are unusual. Even a short-term corticosteroid therapy may dramatically exacerbate an undetected infection.

The effect of occupational exposure on pro/antioxidant balance in the blood of non-smoking and smoking smelters with diabetes.

Arsenic, lead and cadmium, potent environmental toxicants have been reported to induce diabetes mellitus, but their potential biological mechanism(s) have not been much investigated. The present study was designed to correlate parameters of pro/antioxidant balance with occupational exposure on heavy metals and smoking in smelters with diabetes compared on control group. The results showed a significant increase in the concentration of arsenic, cadmium and lead in the blood and urine of smelters, while smoking caused a further increase in the concentration of these metals. Increasing γ-glutamyltransferase activity and lead concentration due to occupational exposure in copper foundry, tobacco smoke and co-existing diabetes were observed. Also these factors have synergistic effects on metallothionein and glutathione concentrations as well as glutathione dependent enzymes activities. Our data suggests that sub-chronic arsenic, lead and cadmium exposure induces diabetic condition which may be mediated due to increased oxidative stress in blood.

Bronchogenic cyst of the tip of the tongue: report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Lingual bronchogenic cyst is a rare congenital malformation, classified as a choristoma. It is lined by respiratory epithelium. Extrathoracic sites are rare and the tongue is an exceptional site. CASE REPORT: The authors report two cases of bronchogenic cyst of the tip of the tongue in newborn infants. These two initially asymptomatic lesions gradually increased in size, leading to feeding difficulties in one case. MRI demonstrated well-demarcated, solitary, unilocular cystic images. Surgical resection was easily performed and histological examination concluded on bronchogenic cyst. An aberrant right upper lobe tracheal bronchus was also present in one case. DISCUSSION: Lingual choristomas are rare and defined histologically according to the type of epithelium. The embryological origin of lingual bronchogenic cysts remains controversial. MRI is the imaging examination of choice to characterize these lesions, but the definitive diagnosis is based on histological examination. Early, systematic surgical enucleation of all congenital lingual cysts must be performed to prevent obstructive and infectious complications.

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections for treatment of drooling.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of drooling by ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection of the salivary glands and to determine the optimal modalities of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of patients treated for drooling by injection of 100 units of Botox(®) into the parotid and submaxillary glands between 2002 and 2008. Efficacy was evaluated by a quality of life questionnaire six weeks after the injections. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven injection sessions were performed in 70 patients aged one to 84 years with a beneficial effect in 66% of cases. The most effective protocol was injection of 20 units of botulinum toxin into each submaxillary gland and 30 units of toxin into each parotid gland. CONCLUSION: The treatment of drooling by Botox(®) injections into salivary glands is effective. The authors propose ultrasound-guided injection of both submaxillary glands and both parotid glands. These injections can be repeated in the case of recurrence of drooling.

Adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinus: retrospective study of 42 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective analysis of the oncological results and morbidity of ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma surgery, and identification of survival factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two patients were treated from 1990 to 2009. The study covered clinical presentation, medical imaging, histologic data, TNM grade, treatment, morbidity and overall recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Forty-one men and one woman, with mean age at diagnosis of 61.5 years, were included. 85.7% had been exposed to wood dust. Twenty patients (47.6%) were graded T4 at diagnosis. Thirty-three (78.5%) were treated by surgery followed by radiation therapy; nearly half of these showed recurrence. Overall specific 5-year survival was 44.2% at 5 years and recurrence-free 5-year survival 46.4%. The factors of poor prognosis found were cerebromeningeal or orbital invasion and local recurrence. CONCLUSION: This series confirms the epidemiological literature on ethmoid adenocarcinoma and the influence of poor prognosis factors. Survival depended directly on local tumor control and seemed to be enhanced on an isolated transfacial approach.

[Persistent stapedial artery with otosclerosis]. / Artère stapédienne persistante et ankylose stapédovestibulaire.

OBJECTIVES: A persistent stapedial artery is a rare vascular malformation. This diagnosis is based on CT scan and intraoperative findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The case of a 19-year-old woman with a persistent stapedial artery found during stapes surgery is reported. This vascular malformation was explored with a CT scan showing the bilaterality of this anatomical variation and signs of associated otosclerosis. RESULTS: This malformation was successfully coagulated with laser allowing the stapedotomy to be completed. CONCLUSIONS: A persistent stapedial artery is not a contraindication to stapedotomy because it can be safely coagulated during the same procedure.

[Transoral resection of thyroid cancer metastasis to retropharyngeal lymph node]. / Abord transoral d'une adénopathie rétropharyngée métastatique d'un carcinome thyroïdien papillaire.

OBJECTIVES: Retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. Traditional extirpative procedures include cervical, cervical-parotid, and transmandibular approaches. The authors report the case of a patient with a retropharyngeal node metastasis originating from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland that was successfully removed by a transoral approach. METHOD: A 49-year-old man presented for removal of a retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis measuring 21 mm x 27 mm from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Surgical excision was performed through a transoral approach using a surgical navigation system to assess the location of the node precisely. RESULT: The postoperative course was uneventful with return to a normal diet on the first postoperative day and hospital discharge on the second postoperative day. Three months after surgery, TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin was undetectable. CONCLUSION: The transoral approach to retropharyngeal space is a reliable procedure with low morbidity compared to other approaches. The limited surgical access provided by this approach should limit its use to removal of well-circumscribed lesions not invading adjacent structures.

[Multifocal adult rhabdomyoma and positron emission tomography]. / Rhabdomyome multifocal et tomographie par émission de positons.

OBJECTIVES: We report the first case of a multifocal adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma discovered on positron emission tomography and provide a brief review of the literature on this entity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multifocal rhabdomyoma was discovered in a 65-year-old asymptomatic man on positron emission tomography (PET). Surgery was undertaken, allowing histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Adult rhabdomyoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor which generally grows slowly and is mainly localized in the head and neck area. Multifocal lesions are rare. PET (undertaken to explore a pulmonary nodule) found three fixations in the head and neck area, confirmed by tomodensitometry and MRI, without providing the diagnosis. This situation led to a surgical exploration. CONCLUSION: This observation revealed that rhabdomyoma can fix the PET scan. Tomodensitometry and MRI can also specify the tumor extension to define the treatment methods. Surgery must be preserving and is indicated only in the event of symptomatic tumor.