The International Study of the Allergic Rhinitis Survey: outcomes from 4 geographical regions

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem and is characterised by one or more symptoms, including sneezing, itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the features of AR and the physician's approach to the management of AR patients in four geographical regions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey concerning AR was completed by Honorary and Corresponding Members of the Italian Society of Rhinology from different countries among 4 world geographical regions—Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. RESULTS: The prevalence of AR was reported to be 15%–25%. Children and adolescents, as well as young adults, were the age groups more affected by AR with comorbidities of asthma, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and nasal polyposis. Nasal symptoms of AR were more intense in the spring (51.92%) and autumn (28.85%). The most common aero-allergens were pollen and mites (67.31%), animal dander and pollutants (23.08%), and fungal allergens (21.15%). Allergen-specific immunotherapy was prescribed for both perennial and seasonal allergens (32.69%) via sublingual swallow (46.15%) and subcutaneous (32.69%) routes. For the AR patients, the most prescribed drugs were intranasal corticosteroids (86.54%) and oral H₁-antihistamines (82.69%). CONCLUSION: A network of experts can improve our knowledge concerning AR epidemiology, and together with guidelines, could assist practitioners and otolaryngologists in standardising the diagnosis and treatment of AR.

Pleomorphic adenoma in unusual locations

Pleomorphic adenoma most frequently presents in the major salivary glands. Three cases at unusual locations are reported, one arising from the nasal septum and the other two arising in the hard palate. The features of the tumours related to these locations are discussed

Maxillofacial injuries in middle anatolia

During the period between January 1980 and January 1990 a total of 172 maxillofacial injuries were managed in this ENT Department. The data collected from the patients records, retrospectively. Our cases were up to 60 years of age. The highest incidence of maxillofacial injuries was in the age group of 11-40 years. The ratio between male and female was found to be 3:1. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of maxillofacial injuries in this study followed by fights, falls, industrial accidents, 14 cases [8.1%] had only soft tissue injury, 55 cases [32%] had only bone injury and the rest of the cases [59.9%] had both soft tissue and bone injuries. Of 158 patients [92%] that had fractures of facial bones, 57% had mandibular fractures, 15% had nasal fractures whereas 8% had Zygomatic fractures. Intraoral intermaxillary fixation with arch bar was performed in 94 cases [54.6%], open surgical reduction and internal fixation in 32 cases [18.6%], head cap and external stench in 32 cases [18.6%], external nasal fixation in 26 cases [15.1%], primary suture in 31 cases [18%], grafting and flap in 13 cases [7.6%] maxillar suspension in 6 cases [3.5%], Barrel-Barton bandage in 3 cases [1.8%] and facial nerve anastomoses in one case [0.5%] were also performed

Mucin impaction tumor of paranasal sinuses

Commonly known destructive lesions of the maxillary sinus include the mucocele, mucous retention cyst, pseudocyst, pyocele and cholesteatoma. This report tries to support a new clinical entity that appeared in the literature by Wening et al Two cases who had submucosal inspissated, compact mucin collection and bone destruction in the maxillary sinus are reported