Sinonasal involvement in systemic vasculitides and cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions: Diagnostic controversies.

Multiple systemic diseases produce various clinical manifestations in the sinonasal area. They usually appear as difficult-to-diagnose disease processes with slow, atypical clinical courses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sinonasal manifestations of systemic vasculitides, highlighting key points for diagnosis and differential diagnosis with other pathological entities, especially cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDL). A retrospective study was performed of 10 patients treated in our hospital during the last 5 years with an initial diagnosis of systemic vasculitides with sinonasal involvement: eight patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; new nomenclature for Wegener granulomatosis) and two patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). The study variables were clinical presentation, nasal endoscopy results, maxillofacial scan results, nasal biopsy results, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and autoimmune antibody levels. The definitive diagnosis was GPA in six (60%) patients, CSS in two (20%) patients, and CIMDL in two (20%) patients. Nasal symptoms were similar in all patients, but nasal polyps were present in only one patient with CSS. Systemic manifestations were absent in patients with CIMDL. Likewise, peripheral eosinophilia was observed only in the two patients with CSS. Specific positive biopsy specimens were obtained in six patients (all six patients with GPA, one with CSS, and one with CIMDL). Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were positive in all patients with GPA (proteinase 3 antigen in five patients and myeloperoxidase in one patient), and perinuclear ANCA was positive in one patient with CIMDL; however, this patient showed an undefined pattern. Finally, the response to treatment was adequate in all patients excluding those with CIMDL. GPA and CIMDL syndromes pose a difficult differential diagnosis because they have common clinical, serological, and histological presentations. Negative histological results do not exclude the diagnosis of sinonasal vasculitides. The absence of systemic manifestations and the lack of response to treatment will lead to the confirmation of CIMDL syndrome in a cocaine user. Otolaryngologists play an important role in the early and differential diagnosis of these diseases.

Roflumilast N-oxide, a PDE4 inhibitor, improves cilia motility and ciliated human bronchial epithelial cells compromised by cigarette smoke in vitro.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mucociliary malfunction occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compromised functions of ciliated bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to this. Cigarette smoke, a major risk factor for COPD, impairs ciliary beat frequency (CBF). cAMP augments CBF. This in vitro study addressed, in differentiated, primary human bronchial epithelial cells, whether roflumilast N-oxide, a PDE4 inhibitor, (i) augments CBF; (ii) prevents the reduction in CBF induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE); and (iii) protects against the loss of the ciliated phenotype following long-term CSE exposure. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Air-liquid interface cultured human bronchial epithelial cells were incubated with roflumilast N-oxide and exposed to CSE. CBF was assessed by digital high speed video microscopy (DHSV). Ciliated cells were characterized by ß-tubulin IV staining and analyses of Foxj1 and Dnai2 mRNA and protein (real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting). KEY RESULTS: Roflumilast N-oxide concentration-dependently triggered a rapid and persistent increase in CBF and reversed the decrease in CBF following CSE. Long-term incubation of bronchial epithelial cells with CSE resulted in a loss in ciliated cells associated with reduced expression of the ciliated cell markers Foxj1 and Dnai2. The PDE4 inhibitor prevented this loss in the ciliated cell phenotype and the compromised Foxj1 and Dnai2 expression. The enhanced release of IL-13 following CSE, a cytokine that diminishes the proportion of ciliated cells and in parallel, reduces Foxj1 and Dnai2, was reversed by roflumilast N-oxide. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Roflumilast N-oxide protected differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells from reduced CBF and loss of ciliated cells following CSE.

[Influence of the nasogastric tube in the pathology of the maxillary sinus]. / Influencia de la sonda nasoesofágica en la patología del seno maxilar.

INTRODUCTION: Nasoesophageal tube (NT) is very often used by the ear, nose and throat specialists in head and neck oncological surgery. It is well known the irritative effect that it has on the nasosinusal mucosa. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the use of the NT and the pathology of the maxillary sinuses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was carried out in 25 patients treated in our department who had been fed by NT, after surgery. A plain sinus X-ray was performed in the pre-operatory period and a control radiograph in the post-operatory period, and the results have been analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: No sinusitis had been observed whatever length of time the NT remained in situ.

Influencia de la sonda nasoesofágica en la patología del seno maxilar / Influence of the nasogastric tube in the pathology of the maxillary sinus

Introducción: La sonda nasoesofágica (SNE) es utilizada por los otorrinolaringólogos con mucha frecuencia en la cirugía oncológica de cabeza y cuello. Es conocido por todos el papel irritativo que ésta constituye sobre la mucosa nasosinusal. El objeto de este trabajo es analizar la relación entre el uso de la SNE y la patología del seno maxilar. Material y método: En este trabajo se realiza un estudio en 25 pacientes intervenidos en nuestro servicio, a los que tras la cirugía se les ha alimentado mediante SNE. Se ha realizado una radiografía de senos paranasales en el preoperatorio y controles radiológicos en el postoperatorio en un periodo de tiempo determinado, analizando los hallazgos encontrados. Resultados y conclusiones: No se han observado casos de sinusitis independientemente del tiempo de permanencia de la sonda

Introduction: Nasoesophageal tube (NT) is very often used by the ear, nose and throat specialists in head and neck oncological surgery. It is well known the irritative effect that it has on the nasosinusal mucosa. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the use of the NT and the pathology of the maxillary sinuses. Material and method: The study was carried out in 25 patients treated in our department who had been fed by NT, after surgery. A plain sinus X-ray was performed in the pre-operatory period and a control radiograph in the post-operatory period, and the results have been analyzed. Results and conclusions: No sinusitis had been observed whatever length of time the NT remained in situ

[Intranasal approaches for pituitary area tumors. Our experience]. / Abordajes transnasales para los tumores de región hipofisaria. Nuestra experiencia.

Transsphenoidal approach is the most commonly employed surgical technique for the resection of pituitary tumors. We present our experience in the transnasal-transsphenoidal approach in 30 patients undergoing pituitary surgery from 1998 to 2002. Ten patients underwent surgery via a sublabial-transeptal-transsphenoidal approach, 15 patients via a transeptal-transsphenoidal approach and 5 patients via a pure endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal. The pathological study showed 29 pituitary adenomas and 1 Rathe's cleft cyst. We conclude that the pure endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal approach guided by a navigator-system is safest and more effective approach. We reserved the transeptal-transsphenoidal approach for cases with obstructive septal deflection and poor pneumatized sphenoid sinuses. We do not recommend the use of the sublabial-trans-sphenoidal approach.

Upper lateral cartilage transposition in the surgical management of nasal valve incompetence.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of nasal valve dysfunction is very controversial and many otorhinolaryngologists do not always take surgery into consideration. The purpose of this paper is to present the author's surgical technique and the description of 13 patients on which it may work. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen cases presenting with nasal obstruction secondary to nasal valve dysfunction are reviewed. All of the patients presented with internal valvulary incompetence and in three of them an alar collapse was associated. Diagnosis was achieved by means of the clinical findings and physical examination. An open rhinoplasty approach was employed. The surgical technique consisted in a transposition of the upper lateral cartilage over the alar cartilage. In the three patients with alar collapse a fixation graft from the septal cartilage was also employed. RESULTS: Nasal obstruction and valvular incompetence seemed improved in all of the cases. CONCLUSION: Upper lateral cartilage transposition seems to be an adequate method to solve the nasal valve incompetence.

Abordajes transnasales para los tumores de región hipofisaria. Nuestra experiencia / Intranasal approaches for pituitary area tumors. Our experience

La vía de abordaje transesfenoidal es la técnica quirúrgica más utilizada para la exéresis de los tumores de región hipofisaria. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en el abordaje transnasal-transesfenoidal en 30 pacientes intervenidos desde 1998 hasta 2002. Diez pacientes operados por vía sublabial-transeptal-transesfenoidal, 15 pacientes por vía transeptal-transesfenoidal y 5 enfermos por vía endoscópica transnasal pura-transesfenoidal. El estudio anatomopatológico mostró 29 adenomas hipofisarios y 1 quiste de la hendidura de Rathke. Concluimos que el abordaje endoscópico transnasal puro-transesfenoidal con monitorización por navegador computerizado es seguro, eficaz y evita la morbilidad quirúrgica sobre el tabique nasal de las vías transeptales. Una estrecha colaboración entre neurocirujano y otorrinolaringólogo es necesaria en el abordaje endoscópico. Reservamos la vía transeptal-transesfenoidal para casos con dismorfia septal obstructiva y escasa neumatización del seno esfenoidal. No recomendamos el uso de la vía sublabial-transnasal-transesfenoidal. (AU)

Transsphenoidal approach is the most commonly employed surgical technique for the resection of pituitary tumors. We present our experience in the transnasal-transsphenoidal approach in 30 patients undergoing pituitary surgery from 1998 to 2002. Ten patients underwent surgery via a sublabial-transeptal-transsphenoidal approach, 15 patients via a transeptal-transsphenoidal approach and 5 patients via a pure endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal. The pathological study showed 29 pituitary adenomas and 1 Rathe's cleft cyst. We conclude that the pure endoscopic transnasal-transsphenoidal approach guided by a navigator-system is safest and more effective approach. We reserved the transeptal-transsphenoidal approach for cases with obstructive septal deflection and poor pneumatized sphenoid sinuses. We do not recommend the use of the sublabial-trans-sphenoidal approach (AU)

Sistema inteligente para protocolizar el diagnóstico de invasión ganglionar en el cáncer de laringe / Intelligent system to perform a diagnostic protocol for ganglionar invasion in laryngeal carcinoma

El cáncer de laringe es el tumor maligno de cabeza y cuello más frecuente. La invasión ganglionar es uno de los factores que más influye en el pronóstico de esta patología. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido diseñar un sistema inteligente capaz de elaborar un protocolo diagnóstico de adenopatías metastásicas. Se han revisado 122 historias clínicas de pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer de laringe en nuestro servicio. Los datos recopilados han sido la localización tumoral, el estadio T y el estadio N (clínico, por TC y postcirugía). El método utilizado para elaborar el sistema inteligente ha sido el ID3, capaz de generar un árbol de decisión mínimo. La palpación ha sido la variable que mayor información ha aportado al conocimiento de la invasión ganglionar. La TC se ha mostrado más eficaz en los tumores supraglóticos. El método ID3 es útil para la elaboración de algoritmos diagnósticos, sobre todo cuando el número de casos y la cantidad de pruebas diagnósticas son elevados (AU)

Laryngeal carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumour in head and neck. Node invasion is known to be one of the most important prognostic factors. The aim of this study has been to design an intelligent system to perform a diagnostic algorithm of metastasic neck nodes. 122 clinical reports of patients diagnosed of laryngeal carcinoma in our department have been reviewed. The compiled data have been: tumor site, T stage, N stage (clinical, after CT scan and post-surgery). The method used to design the intelligent system has been the ID3, which is able to generate a minimal decision tree. Palpation has been the variable that has given more information about node invasion. CT has proved to be more efficient in supraglottic tumours. ID3 method has shown to be useful in performing diagnostic algorithms, specially when the number of cases and diagnostic tests are high (AU)

Inverted papilloma of the sphenoid sinus.

Inverted nasosinusal papilloma is a benign tumor accounting for less than 4% of all nasal masses. The lesion originates in the mucosa lining the nasal cavities, the locations in decreasing order of frequency being the lateral wall of the nasal fossa, ethmoid sinus, and maxillary sinus; the sphenoid sinus is only rarely affected. Despite its benign histology, the tumor shows aggressive behavior and can be associated to carcinomas. Surgery is therefore indicated in such cases.

Arteriovenous haemangioma of the pterygoid process. Report of a case.

Arteriovenous haemangioma is a benign tumor which in ear, nose and throat practice is generally found in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Bone involvement is very uncommon. These lesions typically manifest themselves in infancy, with a tendency towards spontaneous resolution. The management options comprise simple observation, embolization or surgical removal--depending on the location of the tumour and its symptoms. A correct diagnosis is essential to ensure the adoption of adequate measures during surgery. The present case describes an exceptional location of arteriovenous hemangioma of the pterygoid process, and discusses the associated diagnostic and treatment problems.

[Intelligent system to perform a diagnostic protocol for lymphatic invasion in laryngeal cancer]. / Sistema inteligente para protocolizar el diagnóstico de invasión ganglionar en el cáncer de laringe.

Laryngeal carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumour in head and neck. Node invasion is known to be one of the most important prognostic factors. The aim of this study has been to design an intelligent system to perform a diagnostic algorithm of metastasic neck nodes. 122 clinical reports of patients diagnosed of laryngeal carcinoma in our department have been reviewed. The compiled data have been: tumor site, T stage, N stage (clinical, after CT scan and post-surgery). The method used to design the intelligent system has been the ID3, which is able to generate a minimal decision tree. Palpation has been the variable that has given more information about node invasion. CT has proved to be more efficient in supraglottic tumours. ID3 method has shown to be useful in performing diagnostic algorithms, specially when the number of cases and diagnostic tests are high.

[Upper lateral cartilage transposition in the surgical management of nasal valve incompetence]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la disfunción de la válvula nasal mediante la transposición del cartílago triangular.

We have operated eight patients with nasal obstruction secondary to internal valvular incompetence. In three of them an alar collapse were associated. Diagnosis was made by anamnesis and clinical exploration. Open rhinoplasty approach was employed. Surgical technique was the transposition of lateral over alar cartilage. In the three patients with alar collapse, a fixation graft of septal cartilage were added to the previous technique. Nasal obstruction and valvular incompetence missapeared in all the patients.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la disfunción de la válvula nasal mediante la transposición del cartílago triangular / Upper lateral cartilage transposition in the surgical management of nasal valve incompetence

Hemos intervenido a 8 pacientes que presentaban una insuficiencia ventilatoria nasal por disfunción de la válvula nasal interna. En tres de ellos había, además, un colapso alar. Al diagnóstico se llegó por la anamnesis y la exploración clínica. El abordaje se realizó por rinoplastia externa. La técnica quirúrgica consistió en la transposición del borde inferior del cartílago triangular sobre el alar. En los tres casos de colapso alar se incluyó, además, un injerto de cartílago septal sobre el cartílago alar. En todos los pacientes la mejoría de la respiración ha sido muy significativa y el colpaso valvular ha desaparecido (AU)

We have operated eight patients with nasal obstruction secondary to internal valvular incompetence. In three of them an alar collapse were associated. Diagnosis was made by anamnesis and clinical exploration. Open rhinoplasty approach was employed. Surgical technique was the transposition of lateral over alar cartilage. In the three patients with alar collapse, a fixation graft of septal cartilage were added to the previous technique. Nasal obstruction and valvular incompetence missapeared in all the patients (AU)

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pharynx in OSA patients and healthy subjects.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs because of recurrent narrowing and occlusion of the velopharynx (VP) during sleep. The specific cause of OSA is unknown. Cephalometric radiography, fibreoptic nasopharyngoscopy, acoustic reflection techniques, and computerized tomography have limitations (dynamic and tridimensional evaluation) in the mechanism of occlusion investigation. Static and dynamic examination of the soft tissue structures surrounding the upper airway during the respiratory cycle in wakefulness and sleep, can lead to a better understanding of the process. Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (one image per 0.8 s) was used to study the upper airway and surrounding soft tissue in 17 patients with OSA during wakefulness and sleep, and in eight healthy subjects whilst awake. The major findings of this investigation in the 25 subjects were as follows: 1) the VP was smaller in apnoeic patients, only during part of the respiratory cycle; 2) the variation in VP area during the respiratory cycle was greater in apnoeic patients than in controls, particularly during sleep, suggesting an increased compliance of the VP in these patients; 3) VP narrowing was similar in the lateral and anterior-posterior dimensions, both in controls and apnoeic patients while awake; apnoeic patients during sleep have a more circular VP upon reaching the minimum area; 4) there was an inverse relationship between dimensions of the lateral pharyngeal walls and airway area, probably indicating that lateral walls are passively compressed or stretched as a result of changes in the airway calibre; and 5) soft palate and parapharyngeal fatpads were larger in apnoeic patients, although their role in the genesis of OSA is uncertain. It was concluded that changes in the velopharynx area and diameter during the respiratory cycle are greater in apnoeic patients than in normal subjects, particularly during sleep. This suggests that apnoeic patients have a more collapsible velopharynx, this being the main mechanism of obstruction.

Axonemal beta heavy chain dynein DNAH9: cDNA sequence, genomic structure, and investigation of its role in primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Dyneins are multisubunit protein complexes that couple ATPase activity with conformational changes. They are involved in the cytoplasmatic movement of organelles (cytoplasmic dyneins) and the bending of cilia and flagella (axonemal dyneins). Here we present the first complete cDNA and genomic sequences of a human axonemal dynein beta heavy chain gene, DNAH9, which maps to 17p12. The 14-kb-long cDNA is divided into 69 exons spread over 390 kb. The cDNA sequence of DNAH9 was determined using a combination of methods including 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends, RT-PCR, and cDNA library screening. RT-PCR using nasal epithelium and testis RNA revealed several alternatively spliced transcripts. The genomic structure was determined using three overlapping BACs sequenced by the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research. The predicted protein, of 4486 amino acids, is highly homologous to sea urchin axonemal beta heavy chain dyneins (67% identity). It consists of an N-terminal stem and a globular C-terminus containing the four P-loops that constitute the motor domain. Lack of proper ciliary and flagellar movement characterizes primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder with respiratory tract infections, bronchiectasis, male subfertility, and, in 50% of cases, situs inversus (Kartagener syndrome, KS). Dyneins are excellent candidate genes for PCD and KS because in over 50% of cases the ultrastructural defects of cilia are related to the dynein complex. Genotype analysis was performed in 31 PCD families with two or more affected siblings using a highly informative dinucleotide polymorphism located in intron 26 of DNAH9. Two families with concordant inheritance of DNAH9 alleles in affected individuals were observed. A mutation search was performed in these two "candidate families," but only polymorphic variants were found. In the absence of pathogenic mutations, the DNAH9 gene has been excluded as being responsible for autosomal recessive PCD in these families.

[Warthin tumor. Report of eight cases and review of the literature]. / Tumor de Warthin. A propósito de ocho casos y revisión de la literatura.

We have studied 8 patients with Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland (WT). Seven of them were men and smoked more than a packet daily. Seven were operated with conservative superficial parotidectomy and the other one with total parotidectomy with facial preservation. Two had postoperative peripheral facial paresia which disappeared with medical treatment in few days. One of the operated suffered from postoperative Frey's syndrome.

Contribution of artificial intelligence to the knowledge of prognostic factors in laryngeal carcinoma.

Many studies have investigated prognostic factors in laryngeal carcinoma, with sometimes conflicting results. Apart from the importance of environmental factors, the different statistical methods employed may have influenced such discrepancies. A program based on artificial intelligence techniques is designed to determine the prognostic factors in a series of 122 laryngeal carcinomas. The results obtained are compared with those derived from two classical statistical methods (Cox regression and mortality tables). Tumor location was found to be the most important prognostic factor by all methods. The proposed intelligent system is found to be a sound method capable of detecting exceptional cases.