Olfactory neuroepithelium in the middle turbinate: is there any impact on olfaction function after lateral marsupialization for concha bullosa surgery?

Abstract Introduction: The effect of the quantity of olfactory neuroepithelium in the middle turbinate on the postoperative olfactory function for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients has not yet been evaluated. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the olfactory structures in the middle turbinate by immunohistochemical analysis of the olfactory marker protein and to correlate the immunostaining results with the olfaction test results for patients with middle turbinate concha bullosa. Methods: Surgical materials of 18 middle turbinate concha bullosa patients who had undergone lateral marsupialization surgery were immunostained with olfactory marker protein antibodies. Smell diskettes olfaction test was applied to all of the study group patients both preoperatively and three months postoperatively. A visual analog scale was used to quantify the sense of nasal obstruction. Results: It was observed that the postoperative smell scores and the nasal obstruction visual analog scale values were significantly improved as compared to the preoperative values (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the smell score gain and the visual analog scale gain values (r = 0.682). Results also indicated no significant correlation between the olfactory marker protein staining scores and the smell scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This first paper demonstrated that the quantity of the olfactory mucosa in the middle turbinate was not a determining factor for the postoperative smell function degree for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients. The underlying cause of the olfactory deficit for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients seems to be obstruction related rather than the middle turbinate's olfactory mucosa containing status.

The effectiveness of propranolol, flunarizine, amitriptyline and botulinum toxin in vestibular migraine complaints and prophylaxis: a non-randomized controlled study / A eficácia de propranolol, flunarizina, amitriptilina e toxina botulínica nas queixas e profilaxia da migrânea vestibular: um estudo controlado não randomizado

Abstract Introduction: Vestibular migraine is the most common cause of spontaneous episodic vertigo in adult patients and the second most common cause of vertigo in patients of all ages. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of oral medication type (propranolol, flunarizine, and amitriptyline) and botulinum toxin A application on vestibular symptoms, headache severity and attack frequency for vestibular migraine patients. Methods: Sixty patients with vestibular migraine were enrolled. Thirty patients received botulinum toxin A treatment (B+ group) in addition to the oral medication, whereas 30 patients received only oral medication (B− group). Headache severity was evaluated with Migraine Disability Assessment Scale and vertigo severity was evaluated with Dizziness Handicap Inventory scale. Vestibular migraine attack frequencies in the last three months were also evaluated. Results: There was a statistically significant decrement in mean Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale scores and vertigo attack frequencies after treatment for all patients, B+ and B− group patients (p < 0.001 for all). The mean Migraine Disability Assessment Scale score gains (p < 0.001) and vertigo attack frequency gains (p = 0.003) were significantly higher in the B+ patients than B− patients. Conclusions: Both B+ and B− group patients exhibited significant improvement in vestibular migraine attack frequencies, Dizziness Handicap Inventory score and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale score values. However, botulinum toxin A application had a more pronounced effect for Migraine Disability Assessment Scale score gain and vestibular migraine attack frequency values, but not for Dizziness Handicap Inventory score gain values. Thus, botulinum toxin A application should be considered for vestibular migraine patients whose headache severity degrees are more profound. The oral medication type (propranolol, flunarizine or amitriptyline) did not differ in influencing the vestibular migraine attack frequency, Dizziness Handicap Inventory score gain and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale score gain values.

Resumo Introdução: A migrânea vestibular é a causa mais comum de vertigem episódica espontânea em pacientes adultos e a segunda causa mais comum de vertigem em pacientes de todas as idades. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da aplicação dos tipos de medicamentos orais (propranolol, flunarizina e amitriptilina) e da toxina botulínica tipo A sobre os sintomas vestibulares, intensidade da cefaleia e frequência das crises em pacientes com migrânea vestibular. Método: Sessenta pacientes com migrânea vestibular foram incluídos. Trinta pacientes receberam tratamento com toxina botulínica tipo A e medicação oral (Grupo B+), enquanto 30 pacientes receberam apenas medicação oral (Grupo B-). A intensidade da cefaleia foi avaliada pelo migraine disability assessment scale e a gravidade da vertigem foi avaliada com o dizziness handicap inventory. A frequência das crises de migrânea vestibular nos últimos três meses também foi avaliada. Resultados: Houve um decréscimo estatisticamente significativo na média dos escores do dizziness handicap inventory e migraine disability assesment scale e na frequência das crises de vertigem após o tratamento em todos os pacientes, p < 0,001 para todos os pacientes dos grupos B+ e B−. Os ganhos médios no escore do migraine disability assesment scale (p < 0,001) e na frequência das crises de vertigem (p = 0,003) foram significantemente maiores nos pacientes B+ do que nos pacientes B−. Conclusões: Os pacientes de ambos os grupos B+ e B− exibiram melhoria significativa na frequência das crises de migrânea vestibular e nos valores dos escores do dizziness handicap inventory e do migraine disability assesment scale. No entanto, a aplicação da toxina botulínica tipo A teve um efeito mais pronunciado para os valores de ganho no escore do migraine disability assesment scale e na frequência das crises de migrânea vestibular, mas não para os valores de ganho no escore do dizziness handicap inventory. Portanto, a aplicação de toxina botulínica tipo A deve ser considerada para pacientes com migrânea vestibular, cujos graus de intensidade da cefaleia são mais marcantes. O tipo de medicação oral (propranolol, flunarizina ou amitriptilina) não diferiu em relação à frequência das crises de migrânea vestibular e aos valores de ganho dos escores do dizziness handicap inventory e do migraine disability assesment scale.

Does stapes surgery improve tinnitus in patients with otosclerosis? / A estapedotomia melhora o zumbido em pacientes com otosclerose?

Abstract Introduction: Otosclerosis (OS) is the primary disease of the human temporal bone characterized by conductive hearing loss and tinnitus. The exact pathogenesis of tinnitus in otosclerosis patients is not known and factors affecting the tinnitus outcome in otosclerosis patients are still controversial. Objectives: To find the effect of stapedotomy on tinnitus for otosclerosis patients. Methods: Fifty-six otosclerosis patients with preoperative tinnitus were enrolled to the study. Pure tone average Air-Bone Gap values, preoperative tinnitus pitch, Air-Bone Gap closure at tinnitus frequencies were evaluated for their effect on the postoperative outcome. Results: Low pitch tinnitus had more favorable outcome compared to high pitch tinnitus (p = 0.002). Postoperative average pure tone thresholds Air-Bone Gap values were not related to the postoperative tinnitus (p = 0.213). There was no statistically significant difference between postoperative Air-Bone Gap closure at tinnitus frequency and improvement of high pitch tinnitus (p = 0.427). There was a statistically significant difference between Air-Bone Gap improvement in tinnitus frequency and low pitch tinnitus recovery (p = 0.026). Conclusion: Low pitch tinnitus is more likely to be resolved after stapedotomy for patients with otosclerosis. High pitch tinnitus may not resolve even after closure of the Air-Bone Gap at tinnitus frequencies.

Resumo Introdução: Otosclerose (OS) é a principal doença do osso temporal humano caracterizada por perda auditiva condutiva e zumbido. A patogenia exata do zumbido em pacientes com otosclerose não é conhecida e fatores que afetam o desfecho de zumbido em pacientes com otosclerose ainda são controversos. Objetivos: Encontrar o efeito da estapedotomia sobre o zumbido em pacientes com otosclerose. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo 56 pacientes com otosclerose com zumbido pré-operatório. Os valores médios tonais do gap aero-ósseo, o tom de zumbido no pré-operatório, o fechamento do gap nas frequências dos zumbidos foram avaliados quanto ao seu efeito sobre o desfecho pós-operatório. Resultados: O zumbido em tom grave teve desfecho mais favorável em comparação com o zumbido agudo (p = 0,002). Os valores médios dos gaps pós-operatórios não foram relacionados com o zumbido pós-operatório (p = 0,213). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o fechamento pós-operatório do gap na frequência do zumbido e melhoria do zumbido de tom agudo (p = 0,427). Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a melhoria no gap nas frequências do zumbido e recuperação do zumbido de tom mais grave (p = 0,026). Conclusão: O zumbido de tom mais grave parece ser mais bem resolvido depois de estapedotomia em pacientes com otosclerose. O zumbido de tom agudo pode não desaparecer, mesmo após o fechamento do gap nas frequências do zumbido.

Hairy Polyp of the Supratonsillar Fossa Causing Intermittent Airway Obstruction

Introduction Dermoids frequently called "hairy polyps" and their nature have not been completely clarified. Objectives To discuss the unusual presentation, symptoms, incidence, histology, and perioperative management of hairy polyps in the light of a case and current literature. Resumed Report A 3-year-old boy presented with intermittent respiratory distress since birth. Oropharyngeal examination revealed a nasopharyngeal mass originating from the supratonsillar fossa. The mass was so mobile that it moved between the oropharynx and the nasopharynx during swallowing. The radiologic and pathologic examinations confirmed the mass as a hairy polyp. Conclusion In a pediatric age group with airway obstruction, hairy polyps of the oropharyngeal region must also be included in the differential diagnosis. .