The role of nasopharyngeal examination and biopsy in the diagnosis of malignant diseases / O papel do exame clínico e da biópsia de nasofaringe no diagnóstico de doenças malignas

Abstract Introduction: In direct proportion to the increasing rate of nasopharynx examinations applied, the early diagnosis and treatment of lesions in this region is possible. At times the clinical findings and the biopsy results are not consistent, so biopsies may have to be repeated. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of pathology test results obtained from cases of nasopharynx biopsy, to determine with which methods determination most often was made, and to investigate which kinds of cases required the biopsy to be repeated. Methods: The study included a total of 1074 patients (500 female, 574 male) who underwent nasopharyngeal biopsy in our clinic between June 2011 and June 2017. Data were obtained from patient records of age, gender, clinical findings, imaging findings if available and pathological diagnosis. The pathological diagnoses were separated into 3 main groups as chronic nasopharyngitis, benign cytology and malignant cytology. Results: The examinations resulted in 996 cases reported as chronic nasopharyngitis, 47 as benign cytology and 31 as malignant cytology. Of the 31 malignant lesions, diagnosis was made in 15 patients (48.4%) with a single biopsy, and in 16 patients (51.6%), as a result of the pathology report when 2 or more biopsies were taken. In the comparison of the benign and malignant lesions in respect of the need for repeated biopsies, the cases determined with malignancy were found to have a statistically significantly higher rate of repeated biopsy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In comparison with cases of benign tumor, a statistically significantly greater number of repeated biopsies were required in cases diagnosed as malignant tumors to confirm the pathological diagnosis or when there was continued suspicion of malignancy. Therefore, when there is clinical suspicion, even if there are no findings of malignancy on the first biopsy, the biopsy should be repeated expeditiously.

Resumo Introdução: Em proporção direta à taxa crescente de exames de nasofaringe que são feitos, o diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento de lesões nessa região têm sido possíveis. Nem sempre os achados clínicos e os resultados da primeira biópsia são consistentes, levando à necessidade de biópsias repetidas. Objetivos: Avaliar a distribuição dos resultados dos testes histopatológicos obtidos pela biópsia de nasofaringe, determinar quais métodos foram mais frequentemente usados na identificação e investigar os casos nos quais a biópsia precisou ser repetida. Método: O estudo incluiu 1.074 pacientes (500 mulheres, 574 homens) submetidos a biópsia de nasofaringe em nossa clínica entre junho de 2011 e junho de 2017. Os dados foram obtidos dos prontuários dos pacientes e incluíram idade, sexo, achados clínicos, achados de imagem e diagnóstico histopatológico. Os diagnósticos histopatológicos foram separados em três grupos principais como nasofaringite crônica, citologia benigna e citologia maligna. Resultados: Os exames resultaram em 996 casos laudados como nasofaringite crônica, 47 como citologia benigna e 31 como citologia maligna. Das 31 lesões malignas, o diagnóstico foi feito em 15 (48,4%) com uma única biópsia e em 16 (51,6%), quando duas ou mais biópsias foram feitas. Na comparação das lesões benignas e malignas em relação à necessidade de biópsias repetidas, os casos determinados como malignos mostraram uma taxa estatisticamente maior de biópsia repetida (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Em comparação com os casos de tumores benignos, um número estatisticamente maior de biópsias repetidas foi necessário em casos diagnosticados como tumores malignos, para confirmação do diagnóstico histopatológico ou na suspeita continuada de malignidade. Portanto, quando há suspeita clínica, mesmo que não haja achados de malignidade na primeira biópsia, ela deve ser repetida tão logo seja possível.

Evaluation of the upper airway in obstructive sleep apnoea.

The evaluation of the upper airway (UA) includes the physical examination of pharyngeal structures and a number of imaging techniques that vary from the mostly used lateral cephalometry and computed tomography to more sophisticated methods such as tri-dimensional magnetic resonance image (MRI). Other complex techniques addressing UA collapsibility assessed by measurement of pharyngeal critical pressure and negative expiratory pressure however are not routinely performed. These methods provide information about anatomic abnormalities and the level of pharyngeal narrowing or collapse while the patient is awake or asleep. Data suggest that individual patients have different patterns of UA narrowing. So, the best method for evaluating obstruction during obstructive events remains controversial. In general, in clinical practice physical examination including a systematic evaluation of facial morphology, mouth, nasal cavity and the pharynx as well as simple imaging techniques such as nasopharyngoscopy and cephalometry have been more routinely utilized. Findings associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are UA narrowing by the lateral pharyngeal walls and enlargements of tonsils, uvula and tongue. Additionally cephalometry identifies the most significant craniofacial characteristics associated with this disease. MRI studies demonstrated that lateral narrowing of UA in OSA is due to parapharyngeal muscle hypertrophy and/or enlargement of non adipose soft tissues. The upper airway evaluation has indubitably contributed to understand the pathophysiology and the diagnosis of OSA and snoring. Additionally, it also helps to identify the subjects with increased OSA risk as well as to select the more appropriate modality of treatment, especially for surgical procedures.

Clinical Predictor in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying sites of obstruction and estimating the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the principal goal of clinical examination by an otolaryngologist. There have been many attempts to derive easily obtainable predictors for OSA, which are complementary to polysomnography (PSG) in the evaluation of patients suspected of OSA. The aim of this study is to explore relatively simple and useful test batteries that can predict the presence and severity of OSA. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Seventy seven patients who complained for snoring and/or sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepness prospectively underwent PSG, physical examination, cephalometry and nasopharyngosopy. The physical examination included the measurement of tonsil size, palatal position, body mass index (BMI) and thyromental space distance (TMD). The AP diameter of posterior airway space (PAS), the length of soft palate (PNS-P) and inferior displacement of hyoid bone (MP-H) was measured in cephalometry. Retropalatal area and retroglossal area were measured by 4 scales with nasopharyngoscopy during the end of expiration and during Mueller maneuver (MM). RESULTS: Significant correlations with RDI were found in BMI, TMD, MP-H in cephalometry and collapsibility of the retropalatal area in nasopharyngoscopy during MM. BMI, MP-H in cephalometry and collapsibility of the retropalatal area in nasopharingoscopy during MM were found to be good predictors of OSA severity by multivariate linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, although it can not replace the role of PSG, the test battery combined with BMI, cephalometry (MP-H) and nasopharyngoscopy with MM (collapsibility of retropalatal area) can predict the presence and severity of OSA.