Technical update of barbed pharyngoplasty for retropalatal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND: Barbed pharyngoplasty aims to reduce lateral retropalatal obstruction by pulling up the soft palate anterolaterally. However, barbed pharyngoplasty can be less efficient in some cases of obstructive sleep apnoea, especially in the presence of an elongated uvula with redundant tissues over it. This paper describes an attempt to overcome this drawback by modifying barbed pharyngoplasty, using a single continuous suture technique. METHODS: Thirty-four patients were assigned to two groups based on the surgical procedure performed. Those with an elongated uvula were treated with modified barbed pharyngoplasty (n = 17); the others were treated with barbed pharyngoplasty (n = 17). Pre- and post-operative quality of life questionnaires, and questionnaires concerning diet, pain and return to activity, were completed. Pre- and post-operative polysomnography was performed as an objective measurement. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between barbed pharyngoplasty and modified barbed pharyngoplasty in terms of outcomes. However, reductions in the apnoea/hypopnea index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and snoring visual analogue scale scores were greater in the modified barbed pharyngoplasty group. CONCLUSION: Modified barbed pharyngoplasty is a safe and feasible method, and eliminates the need for surgical resection of the redundant soft tissues around the uvula while lifting up the uvula base.

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis in Bell's palsy as a novel pathogenetic marker.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Bell's palsy and a novel oxidative stress parameter, thiol/disulphide homeostasis. DESIGN: A prospective study evaluating oxidative stress in Bell's palsy. SETTING: This research took place in the department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 77 patients with Bell's palsy and 38 healthy controls were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The blood levels of total and native thiol and disulphide activity were assessed, and their levels were compared in the patients and controls. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the patients and controls regarding thiol/disulphide parameters. The mean native thiol and total thiol were significantly lower and disulphide levels were higher in the Bell's palsy than controls. On binary logistic regression analysis, the created model showed 45.3% variation. The cut-off value was 18.95 for disulphides. CONCLUSION: Native and total thiol levels were low in the Bell's palsy. This metabolic disturbance may have a role in the pathogenesis of Bell's palsy.

New treatment strategy and assessment questionnaire for external auditory canal pruritus: topical pimecrolimus therapy and Modified Itch Severity Scale.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the efficacy of topical pimecrolimus versus hydrocortisone in treating external auditory canal pruritus, using the Modified Itch Severity Scale as an assessment tool. METHODS: We included in the study 40 patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal who had not received any benefit from previous topical and systemic treatments. Topical 1 per cent pimecrolimus or topical hydrocortisone was applied to each patient's external auditory canal for three months. A Modified Itch Severity Scale was developed and used to assess treatment response. RESULTS: Compared with itching scores on initial assessment, the scores of patients receiving topical pimecrolimus had decreased by 52.3 per cent by the third week of treatment and by 77.6 per cent by the third month, whereas the scores of patients receiving topical hydrocortisone had decreased by 34.4 per cent by the third week and by 64.2 per cent by the third month. CONCLUSIONS: Topical pimecrolimus appears to be as effective as topical hydrocortisone in relieving external auditory canal pruritus. We used a novel scoring system, the Modified Itch Severity Scale, to evaluate external auditory canal pruritus; this is the first self-reporting questionnaire for the quantification of external auditory canal pruritus severity. Further studies are needed to validate this scoring system.

An unusual cause of dysphonia: laryngeal verruca vulgaris.

PROBLEMS/OBJECTIVES: Verruca vulgaris of the larynx (VVL) is an uncommon lesion with clinical and histopathological features that are easily misdiagnosed as verrucous carcinoma, and thus may lead to unnecessary surgery. This case study investigated clinical and pathological features that might distinguish VVL from other keratotic laryngeal lesions. METHODOLOGY: A 35-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of progressive hoarseness and superficial, keratotic, vocal cord lesions. The verrucoid configuration of the surface and lack of nuclear atypia enabled treatment by local excision. The biopsied lesion was sectioned and examined by immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The patient was disease-free up to 1 year and 6 months after surgery. The exophytic, keratotic lesions of the larynx had features of cutaneous verruca vulgaris. No human papilloma virus was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We described histopathological features of VVL that will facilitate its distinction from laryngeal keratosis, squamous papillomas, verrucous hyperplasia, and verrucous carcinoma.