The Significance of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancers.

This present study aimed to assess the predictive significance of two systemic inflammatory markers, the neutrophilic to lymphocytic ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocytic ratio (PLR), in evaluating the prognosis of individuals. The research involved 47 patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, all of whom were histo-pathologically confirmed and aged over 18 years. The patients were monitored every 6 months for a period of 18 months. The average age of the study participants was 57.66 ± 13.5 years, with 42 (89.36%) being male and 5 (10.64%) female. After 6 months, the mean PLR in patients with residual/recurrence was 161.5 ± 8.5, which was significantly, exceeded that of patients without residual/recurrence (109.07 ± 36.29; p value < 0.0001). However, no significant correlation was seen between the NLR (p value = 0.822) and residual/recurrence after 6 months. After 12 months, the mean NLR in patients with recurrence was 4.89 ± 0.69, which was significantly higher compared to patients without recurrence (3.48 ± 1.01; p value = 0.025). Conversely, no significant association was found between the PLR (p value = 0.751) and recurrence after 12 months. Notably, there were no significant associations observed in NLR and PLR at the 18-month mark. Elevated levels of the NLR and PLR can serve as indicators of poor prognosis and the presence of residual/recurrent disease in head and neck malignancies.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss: Is There Any Correlation?

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder related to sleep that has a negative effect on the behavior and health of people around the globe. Chronic hypoxemia and variations in the concentration of oxygen in the blood noticed in OSA individuals may have adverse effects on the process of auditory transduction and transmission. Objective To assess the effect of OSA on hearing and to find out the parameters that have more influence on hearing recorded during polysomnography of patients with OSA. Methods The present is a hospital-based, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one year. After application of the exclusion criteria, the patients were then submitted to the application of the Berlin questionnaire, as well as polysomnography, impedance, and pure tone audiometry (PTA). Results A total of 58 individuals were studied. Age, gender, and height were comparable among cases and controls, while weight, body mass index (BMI), and neck circumference were significantly higher in cases in comparison to controls. The mean PTA was significantly higher at 10 kHz or higher frequencies in cases in comparison to controls. Conclusion We observed that there is evidence that the auditory mechanism is affected in OSA patients. We recommend early auditory screening of OSA patients for timely diagnosis and to raise awareness about its prevention.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss: Is There Any Correlation?

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder related to sleep that has a negative effect on the behavior and health of people around the globe. Chronic hypoxemia and variations in the concentration of oxygen in the blood noticed in OSA individuals may have adverse effects on the process of auditory transduction and transmission. Objective To assess the effect of OSA on hearing and to find out the parameters that have more influence on hearing recorded during polysomnography of patients with OSA. Methods The present is a hospital-based, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one year. After application of the exclusion criteria, the patients were then submitted to the application of the Berlin questionnaire, as well as polysomnography, impedance, and pure tone audiometry (PTA). Results A total of 58 individuals were studied. Age, gender, and height were comparable among cases and controls, while weight, body mass index (BMI), and neck circumference were significantly higher in cases in comparison to controls. The mean PTA was significantly higher at 10 kHz or higher frequencies in cases in comparison to controls. Conclusion We observed that there is evidence that the auditory mechanism is affected in OSA patients. We recommend early auditory screening of OSA patients for timely diagnosis and to raise awareness about its prevention.

Primary submandibular tuberculosis: an unusual cause of submandibular salivary gland enlargement.

A case report of very rare Primary Tuberculosis of Submandibular Gland. This is presented in view of its rarity and highlighting the importance of histopathological examination and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to reach the final and exact diagnosis of disease.

Secondary pharyngeal tuberculosis.

Secondary tuberculosis of pharynx is a rare condition as pharynx is not a common site for clinically manifest tuberculosis. A rare and unusual case of secondary oropharyngeal tuberculosis in a 40 years male patient, who presented with an ulceroproliferative lesion of oropharynx extending to nasopharynx and laryngopharynx is being reported.