Estimation of the ethmoid roof depth and length of lateral lamella of the cribriform plate, upper attachment of the uncinate process and anterior ethmoid artery in multiplanar reconstructions of Computed Tomography.

The aim is to assess the relationship of Anterior Ethmoid Artery with the Upper Attachment of the Uncinate Process and their relation with the Lateral Lamella of the Cribriform Plate in multiplanar reconstructions (i.e. coronal, axial and sagittal) of Computed Tomography. We measured the depth of the olfactory fossa, the length of the LLCP and determined the most superior attachment of the uncinate process, which designates boundaries of the frontal recess anteriorly, laterally and medially [20,22]. METHODS: All CT examinations were performed using the 320-detector Aquilion ONE CT Scanner (Canon Medical Systems, Otawara, Japan). Axial, coronal,sagittal reconstructions were performed by using dedicated workstation software (Vitrea Enterprice Siute, Version 6.7; Vital Images, Minnetonka USA). The Statistica 13 software was used for the analysis, results were considered statistically significant at the level of p<0,05. RESULTS: The most frequent types of Uncinate Process according to Landsberg- Friedman criteria in group of mens are: type I-30,77%,type II-30,77%, type III-26,92%, type VI-7,69%, type V-3,85%, type IV-0% respectively. In women's group: type III-44,12%,type II-32,35%, type I-8,82%,type V-8,82%, type IV-5,88%, type VI-0%. The median LLCP length in the anterior-posterior dimension measures 13 mm i. e. Yenigun type II on the both sides. The median value of depth in the superior-inferior dimension of the LLCP in the ethmoid roof is 5 mm i.e. Keros type II on both sides. The mean distance between Anterior Ethmoid Artery and Upper Attachment of the Uncinate Process measures approximately 9,73 mm and 9,16 mm on the right and left side respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the AEA, UAUP and configuration of the anterior skull base on CT multiplanar reconstructions contribute to optimazing the results of frontal sinus surgery.

Perceptual and acoustic voice analysis in patients with glottis cancer after endoscopic laser cordectomy.

<b>Introduction:</b> Treatment of glottis cancer, despite oncological safety, should consider postoperative voice quality. CO₂ laser endoscopic cordectomy allows radical removal of the tumor while maintaining respiratory, defensive and phonatory functions. <br><b>The aim:</b> The aim of the study is perceptual and acoustic evaluation of voice in patients after endoscopic CO2 III-Va laser cordectomy due to glottis cancer. <br><b>Material and method:</b> The study included 30 men after CO₂ cordectomy. 13 (43%) patients underwent type III cordectomy, 6 (20%) - type IV; 11 (37%) - type Va. Voice quality has been assessed 6 months after the surgery. Control group included 30 healthy men of the same age. GRBAS scale has been used in perceptual evaluation of voice. Acoustic analysis has been performed using DiagnoScope Specjalista software. Narrowband spectrography and Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) measure has been performed. <br><b>Results:</b> In study group, voice has been classified as G₁R₁B₀A₀S₀ after type III cordectomy; as G₁R₁B₁A₁S₂ in type IV and as G₂R₁B₁A₀S₃ in type Va. Acoustic evaluation revealed the highest values of F0, Jitter, Shimmer and NHR after Va cordectomy as well as non-harmonic components in narrowband spectrography and reduction of MPT. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Postoperative voice quality depends on the type of cordectomy. Perceptual assessment indicates that type IV and Va cordectomy cause intensification of voice disorders. Parameters of acoustic evaluation increase with the extent of the procedure. The presence of non-harmonic components in narrowband spectrography increases with the extent of cordectomy, such as the reduction of MPT. Preservation of anterior commissure influences good voice quality in perceptual and acoustic assessment.

Carotid Body Tumor - radiological imaging and genetic assessment.

Carotid Body Tumor i.e. Paraganglioma is a challenging entity from the point of multidisciplinary diagnosis. The main treatment option i.e. surgery yields intraoperative risk,related to cranial nerve palsy and vascular morbidity.Bifurcation of Common Carotid Artery especially at the Carotid Body is the place where Head and Neck Paraganglioma is most frequently seen i.e. 60% of incidence [19]. Indeed, the knowledge of genetic germline SDH mutations, which cause deregulation of hypoxia-induced factors yields better understanding of the tumor nature. It is recommended to conduct selective neck dissection in regions IIA, IIB, III to exlude malignant transformation and metastasis, due to malignant potential of Carotid Body Tumors, especially in case of SDHB mutation. SDHD mutation is the main cause of hereditary HNPGLs. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography yield thorough assessment of paraganglioma extension. In large size tumors, embolization of supplying artery under guidance of angiography may be considered. In case of Carotid Body Tumor, differential diagnosis should include: carotid artery aneurysm, lymphadenopathy, Schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve or acessory thyroid gland.

Phonatory compensation in patients with larynx cancer after CO2 laser cordectomy.

INTRODUCTION: CO2 laser endoscopic cordectomy is the method of laryngeal cancer treatment. The type of cordectomy (I-VI) depends on the extent of the tumor. Endoscopic laser surgery provides more satisfactory phonation conditions in comparison to open surgical procedures. THE AIM: The aim of the study was to classify phonatory compensation mechanisms after CO2 laser cordectomy using the HSDI. M aterial and methods: The study included 30 men treated and diagnosed at the Department of Otolaryngology and Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics, Medical University of Bialystok. The control included 30 men with no pathological changes in the larynx. Type III, IV and Va CO2 laser cordectomy have been for glottis cancer treatment. Postoperative evaluation has been conducted 6 months after the surgery. HSDI has been used in larynx visualization. R esults: Type I compensation occurs most frequently in patients after type III cordectomy. Advanced glottis cancer, as an indication for type IV and V cordectomy, leads to epiglottic hyperfunction and phonation involving vestibular folds - type II and III compensation. Type IV compensation is most frequent in type IV cordectomy. C onclusions: The type compensation is connected with the extent of glottis resection. In cordectomy including anterior commissure and the part of opposite fold (type Va), supraglottic hyperfunction with the participation of vestibular folds (type II and III compensation) has been recorded. Transmuscular cordectomy (type III) most often resulted in type I compensation. Type III-Va cordectomy caused reduction or absence of MW, decrease in amplitude and aperiodicity of vibrations in HSDI.

Preoperative assessment of the risk of cavernous ICA injury in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

In endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal procedures, ICA injury occurs in up to 3.8% [1]. The highest hazard of injury is in case of contact between the ICA and pituitary gland, during opening of the dura. Preoperative imaging, i.e. CTA, MRA, supports objectively intraoperative techniques of imaging. CTA as well as MRA are essential to access anatomic details in variability of cavernous segments of the ICA (C4 ICA). The aim of the study was to measure the space between Internal Carotid Arteries and distances between the pituitary gland and ICA on both sides. Anatomic relations between left and right ICAs were accessed on CTA (coronal scans) at levels: A - The most concave point of the C4-C5 bend; B - The most convex point of the C4 bend; C - The C4 posterior ascending portion. Distances between pituitary gland and ICAs were measured on both sides on MRA (axial scans): A' - The most concave point of C4-C5 bend; B' - The most convex point of the C4 bend. The Statistica 13 (StatSoft) software was used for the statistical analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine differences between the groups. To analyze the strength of correlations between the quantitative variables, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated. The results were considered statistically significant at the level of P < 0.05. Distance reduction was shown between pituitary glands and cavernous segment (C4) of ICAs on both sides, which is related to age. This has impact on surgical planning and highlights the risk of intraoperative injury of ICAs.

Impact of the anatomy of laryngeal nerves on intraoperative neuromonitoring results in surgery of thyroid gland and functional results after partial laryngectomies.

The aim of this work was to describe, interpret and highlight the impact of neuroanatomy in the region of the larynx on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy. A rich network of anastomoses of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) may have impact on the results of thyroidectomy and partial laryngectomy. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a useful tool in the armamentarium of a head and neck surgeon but it will never replace profound knowledge of surgical anatomy and good surgical technique.

[Phonosurgical methods of treatment in unilateral vocal folds paralysis]. / Fonochirurgiczne metody leczenia jednostronnych porazen faldów glosowych.

Glottal insufficiency (GI) is a cause of breathy voice that can profoundly affect quality of voice. Main causes are unilateral vocal fold paralysis or endoscopic cordectomy for the early treatment of laryngeal cancer of the glottis. The main strategy in surgical treatment is type I medialization thyroplasty according to Isshiki with the use of implants e.g. silastic, hydroxyapatite, titanium, Gore-Tex or Montgomery. Other procedures are arytenoid adduction, the injection laryngoplasty via thyrohyoid and cricothyroid approach and laryngeal reinnervation. To predict successful voice outcome and to prevent revision surgery, surgeon must choose appropriate size of the implant on the basis of subjective intraoperative visualization of the glottal closure during phonation in fibroptic laryngoscopy and by objective measurement of peroperative maximal phonation time (MPT) or direct peak subglottic pressure (DPSP) through a catheter inserted into the cricothyroid membrane. Majority of otolaryngologist recommend surgical treatment 12 months after the onset of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, before performing any permanent intervention, because some patients will have full or partial recovery of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function and others will have adequate compensation from the intact side.

[Analysis of phonosurgical methods of treatment in spasmodic dysphonia]. / Analiza wybranych metod fonochirurgicznych w terapii dysfonii spastycznej.

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is rather a rare voice disorder. It is most often seen in woman aged 40-50. The disease is caused by deep emotional and neurological disorders of extrapyramidal system. Two main clinical forms of SD are distinguished: about 90% of cases - adductor spasmodic dysphonia and abductor spasmodic dysphonia roughly 10%. Conservative therapy does not always yield sufficient effects. Botulinum toxin - type A injections into the thyroarytenoid muscle are also used in therapy. Though results are temporary and reversible. Among phonosurgical methods thyroplasty type II according to Isshiki and tyroarytenoid muscle myectomy (TAM) should be also mentioned among phonosurgical methods. The aim of the work is to evaluate results of conservative and phonosurgical treatment of SD. Spasmodic dysphonia markedly restricts communication process of patients and public relations both social and occupational.

[Phonosurgery treatment options in male to female and female to male transsexuals.] / Fonochirurgiczne metody leczenia glosu u pacjentów transseksualnych.

The voice is an important part of human identity. The voice is susceptible to impact of hormons mainly sexual hormons. The larynx is one of secondary sex characacteristics. Disorders of voice pose serious obstacle to full social integration in male to female and female to male transsexuals. The causes of transsexuality are still a matter of considerable debate. Now it is considered that, big nucleus suprachiasmaticus in the hypothalamus may be a cause of transsexuality. The aim of phonosurgery in transsexual patients is to gain acceptable voice by the patients. Proper preoperative assessment by the use of HRCT 3D imaging of the larynx and phoniatric counseling yields realistic postoperative results and verify patients expectations.

[Effects of electrostimulation therapy in selected cases of vocal fold paralysis]. / Efekty terapii elektrostymulacyjnej w wybranych przypadkach porazen faldów glosowych.

Paralytic dysphonia is the most serious neurogenic pathology of voice quality. An important issue is to identify methods which support routine treatment. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess voice quality after electrostimulation (ES) therapy in patients with paralytic dysphonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The group consisted of 40 patients diagnosed at the Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics and then treated at the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic of the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland in years 2013-2015. In the assessment of voice quality GRBAS scale was used, it was determined voice attack, maximum phonation time (MPT), voice self-evaluation of patients were analyzed using a questionnaire Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Visualization of the vocal fold vibration was performed using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique. The acoustic examination of voice was made during phonation of vowel "a" and continuous linguistic text. Electrostimulation (ES) therapy was performed after determining the ratio á, which conditioned the choice of set of voice exercises (VE) and duration of one-time electrical impulse stimulation. Subjective and objective evaluation was performed before and after ES therapy. The results were compared with a group of patients that received the routine therapy without ES. RESULTS: Subjective, objective and self-evaluation analysis of voice showed a improvement of its quality after ES. Increasing the mobility of vocal folds after ES resulted in an improvement of voice quality parameters in the acoustic assessment. Effectiveness of the ES therapy on the function of the vocal fold vibration was confirmed by HSDI technique. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that ES therapy is a valuable addition to the routine method of treatment of paralytic dysphonia.