3D 4K exoscope in snore surgery simulation: pre-clinical experience.

PURPOSE: The application of 3D exoscopic technology is spreading worldwide, in several surgical scenarios. In this study, we present the first-time use of the exoscopic system (VITOM® and Versacrane™) in a cadaver simulation of transoral Snore Surgery. METHODS: All participants (n = 14) were asked to perform 2 exercises that simulate tasks required in Snore Surgery, they were then administered a questionnaire assessing their evaluation of the applied exoscopic technology. Participants were divided into groups according to age and experience. RESULTS: Mean zooming and focusing time was higher in young surgeons than in seniors, and similar results were obtained for mean procedural times. The responses to the questionnaire showed that in the vast majority (86%), the exoscopic technology was well rated. CONCLUSION: The exoscope can be considered a useful tool, thanks to its magnifying power and high-definition images, as well as for its indirect ability to enhance staff involvement in the procedure and for educational purposes.

Application of a symptoms score questionnaire after conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy: outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medium/long term outcomes and patient satisfaction through relief of symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL) after Jones tube conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (JT-CDCR) using the Naso Lacrimal Duct Obstruction symptom-score (NLDO-SS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, non-comparative, multicentric study including patients with complete obstruction of the superior and inferior proximal lacrimal drainage system. All patients underwent JT-CDCR, and the patency of the tube was evaluated with saline irrigation and endoscopic examination. We assessed patient satisfaction and quality of life administering the NLDO-SS. RESULTS: We enrolled 16 patients, for a total of 21 eyes operated. The success rate for procedures was 81%. The success rate for single parameters was globally 95.9%; if considered separately, ocular symptoms and nasal symptoms were respectively 94.3% and 100%. CONCLUSIONS: JT-CDCR was a reliable procedure, able to solve symptoms in a majority of patients and guaranteed a good quality of life over a long period of time.

Definition and management of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: a single-centre retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) and chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis with underlying diseases, aetiological microorganisms, clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and surgical and medical treatment to determine the subset of patients who require more accurate diagnostic investigation and to prevent irreversible complications. METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study included 17 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery evaluated by paranasal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Age, sex and symptoms, and location of the invasive fungal infection and the causative fungus were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 4 patients were affected by the AIFRS form, and 13 by the chronic form. Diabetes mellitus was reported in 41.17% of cases, and haematological diseases in 23.52%. The maxillary sinuses were involved in 47.05% of cases and sphenoidal sinuses in 52.94%; Aspergillus fumigatus was the fungus in 76.47% of cases, and Zygomycetes in 23.53%. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of the different types of fungal sinusitis and knowledge of their features play a crucial role in reaching prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy, which is essential to avoid a protracted or fatal outcome.

History of Meniere's disease and its clinical presentation.

The term Meniere's disease is used to define either the classic triad of vestibular and cochlear symptoms and aural pressure from known or unknown causes or its clinical variants, vestibular and cochlear Meniere's disease. Some variants evolve after years into typical forms, whereas others do not. Some symptoms (positional vertigo) have been long underestimated in previous reports. The more we study our patients and correlate clinical findings and the natural history with pathologic studies on temporal bones and laboratory research, the more we will understand Meniere's disease and its causes. Some causes have already been identified as most probable. Extrinsic factors (inflammation, trauma, otosclerosis, autoimmunity, endocrine disorders, and such) interact with congenital (genetic) and developmental intrinsic factors (primary or secondary, acquired) into a multifactorial inheritance that is, to date, the best explanation for the basis of Meniere's disease. Endolymphatic hydrops is widely accepted as the pathologic substrate, but not all hydrops seems to be progressive or becomes clinically manifest. Endolymphatic hydrops is the result of a dysfunction in the mechanism of production/absorption of endolymph, which is mainly due to defective absorptive activity of the endolymphatic duct and sac. Hyperproduction of endolymph cannot be excluded in some cases. Ruptures of the labyrinthine membranes do not satisfactorily substantiate the multiform duration, recurrence, and repetitiveness of attacks of Meniere's disease, nor do they explain the entire complex of symptoms. It seems reasonable to explain symptoms of Meniere's disease on the basis of mechanical factors (as observed in temporal bone studies) associated with biologic and biochemical factors.