Success rates for various graft materials in tympanoplasty - A review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to review how successful each type of grafts is in tympanoplasty. METHODS: Pubmed, Google and the Proquest Central Database at Kirikkale University were queried using the keywords "graft", "success" "tympanoplasty", "success rate" with the search limited to the period 1955 to 2017. RESULTS: Various types of graft materials including temporalis fascia, cartilage, perichondrium, periosteum, vein, fat or skin have been used in the reconstruction of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation. Although temporalis fascia ensures good hearing is restored, there are significant concerns that its dimensional stability characteristics may lead to residual perforation, especially where large TM perforations are involved. The "palisade cartilage" and "cartilage island" techniques have been stated to increase the strength and stability of a tympanic graft, but they may result in a less functional outcome in terms of restoring hearing. Smoking habits, the size and site of a perforation, the expertise level of the operating surgeon, age, gender, the status of the middle ear mucosa and the presence of myringosclerosis or tympanosclerosis are all important in determining how successful a graft is. CONCLUSION: Although temporal fascia is the most commonly used graft material for tympanoplasty, poor graft stability may cause failure. This failure is due to the inclusion of connective fibrous tissue containing irregular elastic fibers present in the grafted fascia. Cartilage grafts offer better ability to resist infection, pressure, and cope with insufficient vascular supply. This means that cartilage grafts are suitable for use in revision cases.

Consensus on Methodology for Experimental Studies of Nasal Mucosal Injury.

OBJECTIVES: The way wounds heal involves significant complexity, resulting in restoration of functional and anatomical integrity to tissues damaged as a result of trauma (whether mechanical, chemical, or radiation-induced). The authors reviewed the consensus on methodology for experimental studies of nasal mucosal injury. METHODS: The review aims to find where consensus exists amongst different experimental studies in nasal wound healing about the use of animal models. To achieve this, the authors queried the Pubmed, Proquest Central and Google databases for the last 20 years (i.e. 1996-2016). The search terms were: "mucosa injury," "nasal mucosa injury," "injury," "wound healing," "nasal," "nasal wound healing," "experimental," "animal," "model," "rat," "rabbit," "guinea pig," and "mice." These terms were searched for whether they occurred singly or in combination. The search uncovered 18 papers, on the basis of which this review has been prepared. RESULTS: The choice of an appropriate animal model is key in investigating nasal mucosal injury. Suitable animals include rodents such as rats or guinea pigs. There are reports in the literature concerning mechanical injury in rat nasal mucosae without attempts to treat it. Mechanical injury was induced unilaterally by means of an interdental brush. Other techniques involved the use of distilled water or irradiating the tissue to induce trauma. CONCLUSION: In this review, the use of a rat, guinea pig or rabbit model for human nasal mucosal injury is reviewed. Such models are suitable for use in well-designed experimental studies.

Anti-IgE treatment in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: To review the efficacy of anti-IgE therapy in allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Literature search was performed using the PubMed and Proquest Central databases at Kirikkale University Library. RESULTS: Although the skin prick testing in patients suffering from AR is positive (indicating that antigen-specific Immunoglobulin E has been produced), there is no association with overall circulating IgE levels. Correlation was lacking between circulating IgE level and either skin prick tests or laboratory testing for specific IgE. Omalizumab binds to uncomplexed IgE in man more avidly than does Fc-epsilon. The effect of omalizumab is to lower the level of IgE and downgrade production of FceRI receptors (which bind IgE) in mast cells and basophils, causing less mast cell recruitment and responsivity and thus diminishing eosinophilic infiltration and activation. Anti-IgE therapy through omalizumab may shorten the lifetime of mast cells and causes dendritic cells to downgrade their production of FcεRI. There are reports indicating benefit from omalizumab in managing food allergies, nasal polyp formation, essential anaphylaxis, AR, venom allergy and eczema. Omalizumab acts to lessen circulating IgE levels, whilst reducing production of FceRI by mast cells and basophils. The fact that omalizumab influences how eosinophils respond may be down to disruption of the antigen-IgE-mast cell interactions, with mast cells being recruited at lower levels and thus chemotactic eosinophilic recruitment via cytokines being greatly reduced. Omalizumab has the effect in cases of perennial AR of blocking the increased eosinophilic recruitment and tissue infiltration initiated by seasonal antigens. Likewise, in omalizumab-treated cases, circulating unbound IgE levels showed significant decreases. For patients with perennial AR, the average daily nasal severity score was significantly reduced where omalizumab was administered, compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: Omalizumab has efficacy in ameliorating symptoms and reduces the necessity for additional medication in both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Consensus on the methodology for experimental studies in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by allergen exposure, which triggers immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation of the nasal membranes. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common health problems and has a major effect on the quality of life. METHODS: In this review, we aimed to provide a consensus for experimental studies on allergic rhinitis in terms of allergic rhinitis models. For this purpose, we searched for experimental studies in the PubMed, Proquest Central, and Google electronic databases over a 20-year period from the current time (1996-2016). The literature survey was performed using keywords including "allergic rhinitis", "experimental", "animal", "model", "rat", "rabbit", "guinea pig", and "mice" alone or in various combinations. The search identified a total of 285 papers, which were included in this review. RESULTS: It is vital to select a suitable animal for an allergic model. Rodents like rats, guinea pigs, and mice can produce allergen-specific antibodies with the use of adjuvants. Rats are cheap and the vast majority of the allergen-specific antibodies are immunoglobulin E (IgE). Still, intraperitoneal sensitization is inescapable and adjuvants are required for sensitization. Rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs can be utilized for this reason. CONCLUSION: This review presented allergic rhinitis models in rats, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Using these methods, researchers may perform well-designed studies.

Mechanism of action of allergen immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) leads to the production of antiallergen immunoglobulin (IgG) or "blocking antibody" in the serum and an increase in antiallergen IgG and IgA in nasal secretions. There is also a decrease in the usual rise in antiallergen IgE that occurs after the pollen season. METHODS: In this paper, mechanisms of action of allergen immunotherapy is reviewed. RESULTS: Regulatory T (Treg) cells and their cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL) 10 and transforming growth factor beta, suppress T-helper type 2 immune responses and control allergic diseases in many ways. AIT induces a shift in the proportion of IL-4-secreting T-helper type 2 cells in favor of IL-10-secreting inducible Treg cells specific for the same allergenic epitope that increases in number and function. Different types of inducible Treg control several facets of allergic inflammation. There are two main types of immunotherapy: subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is efficacious and is indicated for the reduction of seasonal symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy involves the regular self-administration and retention of allergen extract under the tongue for 1-2 minutes before the extract is swallowed. The allergens cross the mucosa in 15-30 minutes and are then captured by tolerogenic dendritic cells and processed as small peptides. Next, via the lymphatic system, a systemic immune response is created to produce an early decrease in mast cell and basophil degranulation. CONCLUSION: AIT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe intermittent or persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. AIT can be administered to those >5 years of age and has been shown to be safe in children as young as 3 years of age. In this article, AIT and other types of immunotherapies were discussed as well as the indications for immunotherapy.

Clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergen immunotherapy (AIT) should be considered for patients who exhibit symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), rhinoconjunctivitis, and/or asthma after natural exposure to allergens and who also demonstrate specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against relevant allergens. METHODS: In this paper, clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis is reviewed. RESULT: Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is effective for seasonal and perennial AR. Sustained effectiveness requires several years of treatment. SCIT may prevent the development of allergic asthma in children with AR. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is currently considered an alternative treatment to the subcutaneous route. The use of SLIT has been included in international guidelines for the treatment of AR with or without conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with SCIT are at risk of both local and systemic adverse reactions; however, in most cases, symptoms are readily reversible if they are recognized early and treated promptly. The safety profile of SLIT is good; therefore, SLIT can be self-administered by patients in their homes. In this article, we reviewed the efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy.

Alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Some alternative products instead of immunotherapy are used in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: In this paper, alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy are reviewed. RESULTS: Alternative products and methods used instead of immunotherapy are tea therapy, acupuncture, Nigella sativa, cinnamon bark, Spanish needle, acerola, capsaicin (Capsicum annum), allergen-absorbing ointment, and cellulose powder. N. sativa has been used in AR treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effects. N. sativa oil also inhibits the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The beneficial effects of N. sativa seed supplementation on the symptoms of AR may be due to its antihistaminic properties. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, some measures are taken regarding known immunotherapy applications and alternative routes of intralymphatic immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy are used. CONCLUSION: There are alternative routes and products to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Update on local allergic rhinitis.

We here provide an update on the literature regarding local allergic rhinitis (LAR). In reviewing LAR, we have included an updated definition, classifications, mechanisms, comorbidities, and recommendations for diagnosis and treatment for LAR, as well as the defined research areas for future evidence-based studies. LAR is a localised nasal allergic response in the absence of systemic atopy characterised by local production of specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies, a TH2 pattern of mucosal cell infiltration during natural exposure to aeroallergens, and a positive nasal allergen provocation test response, with the release of inflammatory mediators. The localised allergic response of LAR is an important topic for the study of allergies. This review provides an update on the current knowledge of LAR.

Antileukotrienes in adenotonsillar hypertrophy: a review of the literature.

We assessed the use of antileukotrienes for treating adenotonsillar hypertrophy. We reviewed the current literature on the anatomy of adenotonsillar tissue, adenotonsillar hypertrophy/hyperplasia (and the associated pathophysiology and symptoms), and the effects of antileukotrienes used to treat adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Leukotrienes (LTs) are inflammatory mediators produced by a number of cell types, including mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, macrophages, and monocytes. There are several types (e.g., LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4). By competitive binding to the cysLT1 receptor, LT-receptor antagonist drugs such as montelukast, zafirlukast, and pranlukast block the effects of cySHLTs, improving the symptoms of some chronic respiratory diseases. High numbers of LT receptors have been found in the tonsils of children with obstructive sleep apnea. Antileukotrienes reduce the apnea-hypopnea index and adenotonsillar inflammation. Antileukotrienes may be useful for children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy due to their anti-inflammatory effects, which help to reduce adenotonsillar inflammation.

Clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergen immunotherapy (AIT) should be considered for patients who exhibit symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), rhinoconjunctivitis, and/or asthma after natural exposure to allergens and who also demonstrate specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against relevant allergens. METHODS: In this paper, clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis is reviewed. RESULT: Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is effective for seasonal and perennial AR. Sustained effectiveness requires several years of treatment. SCIT may prevent the development of allergic asthma in children with AR. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is currently considered an alternative treatment to the subcutaneous route. The use of SLIT has been included in international guidelines for the treatment of AR with or without conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with SCIT are at risk of both local and systemic adverse reactions; however, in most cases, symptoms are readily reversible if they are recognized early and treated promptly. The safety profile of SLIT is good; therefore, SLIT can be self-administered by patients in their homes. In this article, we reviewed the efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy.

Alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Some alternative products instead of immunotherapy are used in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: In this paper, alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy are reviewed. RESULTS: Alternative products and methods used instead of immunotherapy are tea therapy, acupuncture, Nigella sativa, cinnamon bark, Spanish needle, acerola, capsaicin (Capsicum annum), allergen-absorbing ointment, and cellulose powder. N. sativa has been used in AR treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effects. N. sativa oil also inhibits the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The beneficial effects of N. sativa seed supplementation on the symptoms of AR may be due to its antihistaminic properties. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, some measures are taken regarding known immunotherapy applications and alternative routes of intralymphatic immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy are used. CONCLUSION: There are alternative routes and products to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.