Choice of cochlear implant side in a paediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of right- or left-sided cochlear implantation on listening skills in a paediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the listening skills performance data of children who were operated on and followed up at the Çukurova University Department of Otorhinolaryngology between 2007 and 2011. Sixty-three patients were included in the study. Patients were evaluated using the Listening Progress Profile, the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale and the littlEARS test. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was two years (range of one to five years). Twenty-nine patients were male and 34 were female. Twenty-eight patients were implanted in the right ear and 35 in the left ear. There were no statistically significant differences between right and left ear implantees in terms of listening skills performance. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the choice of cochlear implant side is not crucial for the development of listening skills.

Connexin 26 and 30 mutations in paediatric patients with congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss treated with cochlear implantation in Mediterranean Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in the genes for connexin 26 (GJB2) and connexin 30 (GJB6) play an important role in autosomal recessive, non-syndromic hearing loss. This study aimed to detect the 35delG and 167delT mutations of the GJB2 gene and the del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation of the GJB6 gene in paediatric patients diagnosed with congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss and treated with cochlear implantation in Mediterranean Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We included 94 children diagnosed with congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss and treated with cochlear implantation. Blood samples were collected, DNA extracted and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed to enable molecular diagnosis of mutations. RESULTS: Of the 94 children analysed, the 35delG mutation was detected in 12 (12.7 per cent): 10 (83.3 per cent) were homozygous and 2 (16.7 per cent) heterozygous mutant. The 167delT and del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutations were not detected. CONCLUSION: The GJB2-35delG mutation is a major cause of congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss in this study population.

Detection of recurrent and primary acquired cholesteatoma with echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in pre-operative detection of suspected primary acquired, residual and/or recurrent cholesteatoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight chronic otitis media patients with suspected cholesteatoma were thus evaluated two weeks pre-operatively, and divided into group one (41 patients, no previous surgery, suspected primary acquired cholesteatoma) and group two (17 patients, previous surgery, scheduled 'second-look' or revision surgery for suspected residual or recurrent cholesteatoma). Patients' operative, histopathology and radiological findings were compared. RESULTS: Cholesteatoma was found in 63 per cent of group one patients and 58 per cent of group two patients at surgery. Histopathological examination of surgical specimens indicated that imaging accurately predicted the presence or absence of cholesteatoma in 90 per cent of group one (37/41; 23 true positives, 14 true negatives) and 76 per cent of group two (13/17; seven true positives, six true negatives). Three patients in both groups were false negative diagnoses and one patient in both groups was a false positive. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of cholesteatoma were respectively 88, 93, 95 and 82 per cent in group one and 70, 85, 87 and 66 per cent in group two. CONCLUSION: Echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable technique with high sensitivity and specificity for cholesteatoma imaging.

Endovascular embolization of intermittent massive epistaxis secondary to posttraumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysms.

Epistaxis is a very common medical problem in otolaryngology practice and can usually be controlled with conservative interventions. Rarely, uncontrolled and life threatening epistaxis occurs. We present the case of a 29-year-old male who developed intractable intermittent epistaxis due to post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms arising from the cavernous segment of the left internal carotid artery. The patient was successfully treated with endovascular embolization.

Aplasia of bilateral uncinate processes with a bilateral nasomaxillary cavity.

Aplasia or hypoplasia of the uncinate process is associated with maxillary sinus aplasia or hypoplasia. It is of particular clinical importance to recognize the presence of normal or abnormal uncinate processes in patients who will undergo surgical procedures for paranasal sinus diseases. In this report, we present a case of aplasia of bilateral uncinate processes, discuss the variations of uncinate processes, and review related literature.

Gastric cyst of the oral cavity.

A case of a heterotopic gastric cyst of the oral cavity is described and a review of the literature, with emphasis on the possible etiological theories of this rare lesion, is presented. This developmental lesion is found more commonly in males. It most likely arises from misplaced embryonal tissue. Surgical treatment is the preferred choice of treatment, and CO2 laser is a safe alternative surgical approach for the removal of this lesion.

Adenoids and otitis media with effusion: a morphological study.

PURPOSE: Adenoidectomy, especially for the treatment of suppurative otitis media, has been used for a very long time. In this study, the role of adenoids in the origin of otitis media with effusion was investigated by using light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, enzyme chemistry, and electron microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 28 children with otitis media with effusion (OME) was identified. Ages ranged from 3 to 12 years. A control group of 10 age-matched children without any middle ear and upper respiratory tract infection served as the basis for comparison. Specimens obtained at surgeries from both groups were divided into groups for light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, enzyme cytochemistry, and electron microscopy and then all were examined blindly. Also, quantitative analysis of antigen-presenting cells was performed blindly on 10 patients and 10 controls. RESULTS: There was an increase in the number of lymphocytes, mast cells, plasma cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and M cells in the adenoids of patients with OME when compared with the normal cases. Stratified squamous epithelial areas, collagenous fibers, and fibrocytes were also increased in the patient group. Antigen-presenting functions of epithelial cells are shown by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II positivity of some ciliated-columnar epithelial cells in the patient group. CONCLUSION: Adenoid tissues of patients with OME in this study seem to be infectious foci, aggravating immune reactions, which might attack the middle ear through an ascending route.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula following laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) following laryngectomy is a serious complication, and its incidence varies from 7.6% to 50%. Despite the relative frequency of this complication, there is still uncertainty about the predisposing factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 295 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. RESULTS: Of the 295 patients, 37 (12.5%) developed PCF. The contributing factors,--such as early oral feeding postoperatively, prior radiotherapy or tracheostomy, accompanying neck dissection,--and the surgical technique failed to show a statistically significant effect. There was statistically significant association between tumor size and PCF formation. Also, when the suture materials used for the closure of the pharynx were compared, catgut showed a higher rate of PCF formation than vicryl (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The vicryl, when used as a suture material for the closure of the pharynx, seemed to decrease the fistula rate significantly, compared with catgut. Also, tumor stage was found to have a significant role in PCF formation, but no statistical significant difference could be demonstrated for other investigated parameters. We believe that after total laryngectomy, oral feeding can be started at the third postoperative day without increasing morbidity, which makes the patients feel more comfortable and confident without nasogastric tube.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy following neck dissections.

PURPOSE: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), which is a disorder that occurs after injury or surgery on the extremities, has not been reported as a complication of neck dissections until now. A group patients with head and neck cancer have been examined to determine the incidence of RSD in neck dissections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with head and neck cancer, who had undergone neck dissections together with the removal of the primary tumor, were evaluated for RSD on their routine controls. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The presentation of RSD in two patients who were treated with radical neck dissection is probably a result of sympathetic hyperactivity that is secondary to surgical trauma.

Ultrastructure of the nasopharyngeal orifice epithelium of the eustachian tube in otitis media with effusion.

Epithelial changes in nasopharyngeal orifice of eustachian tube in 15 patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) were studied. Ultrastructural examination of the epithelium revealed distinct alterations in the ciliated cells, intermediate cells and in the columnar cells with microvilli. The ciliated cells were the predominant cell type in the epithelium and were characterized by compound cilia and apical cytoplasmic bulgings with fine granular content. The intermediate cells showed more prominent lateral cytoplasmic bulgings. Cytoplasmic bulgings of both cell types eventually pinched off and set free as cytoplasmic bodies, similar to the cytoplasmic bodies derived from lymphocytes. As a result of epithelial destruction, the lumen of nasopharyngeal orifice was occupied by epithelial cellular debris among which leucocytic cells and cytoplasmic bodies with fine granular content. This accumulation in the lumen probably developed as a result of defective mucociliary activity which is due to compound cilia formation in the ciliated cells. Moreover, ultrastructural resemblance of cytoplasmic bodies derived from ciliated cells, intermediate cells and leucocytic cells indicates the possible role of these cells in common immune defence mechanisms in chronic otitis media with effusion.

Bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis with bilateral multicentric facial schwannomas.

A case report of a 20-year-old female with bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis (NF-2) and bilateral facial schwannomas is presented. Multiple segmental schwannomas were found with clinically intact tissue between each tumoral enlargement in the right parotid region. Translocation (2;8) (p2.4:q2.1) was detected in this patient, and has not been reported in a schwannoma until now. The patient's family would not allow any major surgery to be performed.

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a multifunctional cytokine that influences the clinical outcome in a number of diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate its role in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors and in the follow-up of patients. We also studied the correlation of TNF-alpha levels with the stage and differentiation of the diseases. METHODS: In this study, serum levels of TNF-alpha are determined by the immunoradiometric assay method in 26 patients with head and neck cancer, and results are compared with 8 control patients with benign diseases. In both groups, serum samples were taken before and after the therapy. After centrifugation, the sera was stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed. TNF-alpha levels were measured by TNF-alpha immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) kit (Medgenix, Diagnostics SA, Belgium). RESULTS: The pretreatment mean value of TNF-alpha in the study group (814.1 pg/mL) was almost 100 times higher than in the control group (8.6 pg/mL) (P = .001). It was also noted that posttreatment mean value (94 pg/mL) was significantly lower than pretreatment mean value in the study group (P = .001). No statistically significant difference was found between serum TNF-alpha levels and the stage and differentiation of the tumor. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of TNF-alpha may be an efficient tumor marker in the diagnosis of patients with head and neck cancer.

Acyclovir in the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we evaluate the effect of acyclovir in the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), in addition to CO2 surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We include 12 patients who had aggressive RRP and required at least three prior endoscopic surgeries in this study. Acyclovir treatment started the day after the surgery. During the planned treatment period of 6 months, patients older than 5 years were asked to take the daily dose of 800 mg, and those younger than 5 years were asked to take 400 mg. RESULTS: Nine of 12 patients were disease free during the follow-up periods, which ranged from 14 to 25 months with a mean of 18 months. Only 3 patients who used the drug inadequately required reoperation. CONCLUSION: Because of the specific viral origin of RRP, we hope that addition of acyclovir to surgery will preclude or at least decrease the number of recurrences in this potentially fatal disease.