Assessing nasal airway resistance and symmetry: An approach to global perspective through computational fluid dynamics.

This study aimed to explore the variability in nasal airflow patterns among different sexes and populations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). We focused on evaluating the universality and applicability of dimensionless parameters R (bilateral nasal resistance) and ϕ (nasal flow asymmetry), initially established in a Caucasian Spanish cohort, across a broader spectrum of human populations to assess normal breathing function in healthy airways. In this retrospective study, CT scans from Cambodia (20 males, 20 females), Russia (20 males, 18 females), and Spain (19 males, 19 females) were analyzed. A standardized CFD workflow was implemented to calculate R-ϕ parameters from these scans. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess and compare these parameters across different sexes and populations, emphasizing their distribution and variances. Our results indicated no significant sex-based differences in the R parameter across the populations. However, moderate sexual dimorphism in the ϕ parameter was observed in the Cambodian group. Notably, no geographical differences were found in either R or ϕ parameters, suggesting consistent nasal airflow characteristics across the diverse human groups studied. The study also emphasized the importance of using dimensionless variables to effectively analyze the relationships between form and function in nasal airflow. The observed consistency of R-ϕ parameters across various populations highlights their potential as reliable indicators in both medical practice and further CFD research, particularly in diverse human populations. Our findings suggest the potential applicability of dimensionless CFD parameters in analyzing nasal airflow, highlighting their utility across diverse demographic and geographic contexts. This research advances our understanding of nasal airflow dynamics and underscores the need for additional studies to validate these parameters in broader population cohorts. The approach of employing dimensionless parameters paves the way for future research that eliminates confounding size effects, enabling more accurate comparisons across different populations and sexes. The implications of this study are significant for the advancement of personalized medicine and the development of diagnostic tools that accommodate individual variations in nasal airflow.

Beyond skeletal studies: A computational analysis of nasal airway function in climate adaptation.

OBJECTIVES: Ecogeographic variation in human nasal anatomy has historically been analyzed on skeletal morphology and interpreted in the context of climatic adaptations to respiratory air-conditioning. Only a few studies have analyzed nasal soft tissue morphology, actively involved in air-conditioning physiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used in vivo computer tomographic scans of (N = 146) adult individuals from Cambodia, Chile, Russia, and Spain. We conducted (N = 438) airflow simulations during inspiration using computational fluid dynamics to analyze the air-conditioning capacities of the nasal soft tissue in the inflow, functional, and outflow tract, under three different environmental conditions: cold-dry; hot-dry; and hot-humid. We performed statistical comparisons between populations and sexes. RESULTS: Subjects from hot-humid regions showed significantly lower air-conditioning capacities than subjects from colder regions in all the three conditions, specifically within the isthmus region in the inflow tract, and the anterior part of the internal functional tract. Posterior to the functional tract, no differences were detected. No differences between sexes were found in any of the tracts and under any of the conditions. DISCUSSION: Our statistical analyses support models of climatic adaptations of anterior nasal soft tissue morphology that fit with, and complement, previous research on dry skulls. However, our results challenge a morpho-functional model that attributes air-conditioning capacities exclusively to the functional tract located within the nasal cavity. Instead, our findings support studies that have suggested that both, the external nose and the intra-facial soft tissue airways contribute to efficiently warming and humidifying air during inspiration. This supports functional interpretations in modern midfacial variation and evolution.

Nasal surgery handled by CFD tools.

Annually, hundreds of thousands of surgical interventions to correct nasal airway obstruction are performed throughout the world. Recent studies have noted that a significant number of patients have persistent symptoms of nasal obstruction postoperatively. In the present work, we introduce a new methodology that raises the success rate of nasal cavity surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon performs virtual surgery on a 3D nasal model of a patient prior to the real surgery. The main goal of the methodology is to guide the surgeon throughout the virtual operation using mathematical estimators based on CFD results. The virtual surgery intervention ends as soon as the estimators fall into a region of a Cartesian coordinate system with a high success probability. This region is defined according to a statistical analysis of estimators corresponding to sets of healthy and diseased cavities. As examples of this application, this study includes 2 surgical operations performed with this innovative methodology on patients with severe nasal obstruction. The patients underwent nasal surgery according to the final nasal geometry revealed by CFD-guided virtual surgery. Currently, both subjects show high degrees of satisfaction.

Cirugía virtual para pacientes con obstrucción nasal: empleo de un software basado en dinámica de fluidos (MeComLand(R), Digbody(R) & Noseland(R)) para documentar parámetros objetivos de flujo y optimizar resultados quirúrgicos / Virtual surgery for patients with nasal obstruction: Use of computational fluid dynamics (MeComLand(R), Digbody(R) & Noseland(R)) to document objective flow parameters and optimise surgical results

INTRODUCCIÓN: La dinámica de fluidos computacional (CFD) es una herramienta matemática que permite analizar el flujo aéreo. Presentamos un software innovador basado en CFD para mejorar los resultados de la cirugía nasal. MÉTODOS: Mediante colaboración de ingenieros especialistas en mecánica de fluidos y otorrinolaringólogos se ha desarrollado un software de fácil uso denominado MeComLand(R), que utilizando los cortes de tomografía computarizada de un paciente permite obtener gran cantidad de información como flujo, presiones, temperatura, velocidad o fricción sobre la pared de las fosas nasales. El programa DigBody(R) permite modificar en 3 D la anatomía del modelo y realizar cirugías virtuales para simular resultados antes de la cirugía real. Por último, NoseLand(R) permite viajar virtualmente por el interior de la fosa nasal, mostrando todo tipo de magnitudes termo-fluido mecánicas. OBJETIVO: Presentar un programa innovador para mejorar los resultados de la cirugía nasal. Emplear este software sobre cortes tomográficos de un paciente con desviación septal para planificar distintas opciones quirúrgicas (septoplastia, turbinectomía, spreader-grafts, colgajo en J y combinaciones) a fin de conseguir la mejor alternativa con la menor morbilidad. RESULTADOS: La combinación de todos los procedimientos considerados no produce los mejores resultados en cuanto a flujo nasal. Estos se consiguen asociando septoplastia y turbinectomía. La turbinectomía aislada obtuvo resultados muy similares a la septoplastia. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica computacional CFD proporciona una información complementaria valiosa en el diagnóstico del paciente con obstrucción nasal y sobre los resultados de distintas alternativas quirúrgicas respecto al flujo nasal, contribuyendo a un mejor manejo del enfermo. El software MeComLand(R) con sus respectivos módulos DigBody(R) y NoseLand(R) suponen una alternativa barata y no invasiva al estudio funcional del paciente con obstrucción nasal

INTRODUCTION: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a mathematical tool to analyse airflow. We present a novel CFD software package to improve results following nasal surgery for obstruction. METHODS: A group of engineers in collaboration with otolaryngologists have developed a very intuitive CFD software package called MeComLand(R), which uses the patient's cross-sectional (tomographic) images, thus showing in detail results originated by CFD such as airflow distributions, velocity profiles, pressure, or wall shear stress. NOSELAND(R) helps medical evaluation with dynamic reports by using a 3D endoscopic view. Using this CFD-based software a patient underwent virtual surgery (septoplasty, turbinoplasty, spreader grafts, lateral crural J-flap and combinations) to choose the best improvement in nasal flow. OBJECTIVE: To present a novel software package to improve nasal surgery results. To apply the software on CT slices from a patient affected by septal deviation. To evaluate several surgical procedures (septoplasty, turbinectomy, spreader-grafts, J-flap and combination among them) to find the best alternative with less morbidity. RESULTS: The combination of all the procedures does not provide the best nasal flow improvement. Septoplasty plus turbinoplasty obtained the best results. Turbinoplasty alone rendered almost similar results to septoplasty in our simulation. CONCLUSIONS: CFD provides useful complementary information to cover diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of nasal pathologies based on quantitative magnitudes linked to fluid flow. MeComLand(R), DigBody(R) and NoseLand(R) represent a non-invasive, low-cost alternative for the functional study of patients with nasal obstruction

Virtual surgery for patients with nasal obstruction: Use of computational fluid dynamics (MeComLand®, Digbody® & Noseland®) to document objective flow parameters and optimise surgical results. / Cirugía virtual para pacientes con obstrucción nasal: empleo de un software basado en dinámica de fluidos (MeComLand®, Digbody® & Noseland®) para documentar parámetros objetivos de flujo y optimizar resultados quirúrgicos.

INTRODUCTION: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a mathematical tool to analyse airflow. We present a novel CFD software package to improve results following nasal surgery for obstruction. METHODS: A group of engineers in collaboration with otolaryngologists have developed a very intuitive CFD software package called MeComLand®, which uses the patient's cross-sectional (tomographic) images, thus showing in detail results originated by CFD such as airflow distributions, velocity profiles, pressure, or wall shear stress. NOSELAND® helps medical evaluation with dynamic reports by using a 3D endoscopic view. Using this CFD-based software a patient underwent virtual surgery (septoplasty, turbinoplasty, spreader grafts, lateral crural J-flap and combinations) to choose the best improvement in nasal flow. OBJECTIVE: To present a novel software package to improve nasal surgery results. To apply the software on CT slices from a patient affected by septal deviation. To evaluate several surgical procedures (septoplasty, turbinectomy, spreader-grafts, J-flap and combination among them) to find the best alternative with less morbidity. RESULTS: The combination of all the procedures does not provide the best nasal flow improvement. Septoplasty plus turbinoplasty obtained the best results. Turbinoplasty alone rendered almost similar results to septoplasty in our simulation. CONCLUSIONS: CFD provides useful complementary information to cover diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of nasal pathologies based on quantitative magnitudes linked to fluid flow. MeComLand®, DigBody® and NoseLand® represent a non-invasive, low-cost alternative for the functional study of patients with nasal obstruction.

Tres nuevas estrategias para mejorar la precisión de la estimulación vestibular calórica monotérmica / Three new strategies to improve the accuracy of monothermal caloric screening testing

Objetivo: Encontrar una forma de estimar el valor de paresia canalicular (PC) a través de la estimulación vestibular calórica monotérmica (EVCM) que pueda utilizarse en cualquier laboratorio, controlando el error que se produce al utilizarla. Método: Se incluyó en este estudio a 2.304 pacientes de nuestro servicio a los cuales se les realizó una videonistagmografía con pruebas calóricas entre 2003 y 2011. El cálculo de la PC se realizó de 3 formas diferentes: utilizando los valores de las 4 estimulaciones calóricas (forma bitérmica) o exclusivamente con los 2 valores de una misma temperatura (formas monotérmica caliente y fría respectivamente). Se estudiaron 3 estrategias para mejorar la precisión de la EVCM: análisis de variables que empeoran la predicción, delimitación de un área gris de predicción deficiente y localización de un punto de separación entre sanos y enfermos de máxima utilidad. Resultados: 1) Corregir la fórmula de Jongkees con el valor del nistagmo espontáneo permite incluir como candidatos a la EVCM a sujetos con nistagmo espontáneo o inversión nistágmica. 2) Establecer una zona gris de predicción deficiente evita aproximadamente el 38% de las estimulaciones bitérmicas realizadas, con una sensibilidad y especificidad del 95%. 3) La máxima utilidad de la EVCM se obtiene al considerar como función vestibular normal la de sujetos con valores de EVCM caliente menores o iguales al 16%, suponiendo patológica una asimetría mayor del 20%. Conclusión: Las nuevas herramientas estadísticas permiten a los clínicos tomar decisiones que afecten al manejo de sus pacientes basados en los resultados de la EVCM (AU)

Objective: The objective was to find a way to estimate the value of inter-ear difference (IED) through monothermal caloric screening testing (MCST) that can be used at any laboratory, controlling and minimising the resulting error. Methods: We retrospectively included in this study 2304 patients from our department to whom a videonystagmography with caloric testing was performed between 2003 and 2011. The IED was calculated in 3 different ways: Using the values of the 4 caloric stimulations (bithermal form) and using only the 2 same-temperature values (warm monothermal and cool monothermal forms). We studied 3 strategies to improve the accuracy of MCST: Analysis of variables that could impair the prediction, delimitation of a grey area of insufficient prediction and location of a maximum utility cut-off point. Results: Correcting Jongkees’ formula with the value for spontaneous nystagmus makes it possible to include subjects with spontaneous nystagmus or nystagmus inversion. Establishing 2 cut-off points to classify the subjects avoids approximately 38% of bithermal stimulations performed with a sensitivity and specificity of 95%. Maximum utility was obtained diagnosing as healthy those subjects with IED values lesser than or equal to 16% in warm MCST when the pathological IED was set as greater than 20%. Conclusion: New statistical tools help clinicians to make decisions that affect their patients based on the results of MCST (AU)

Three new strategies to improve the accuracy of monothermal caloric screening testing.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to find a way to estimate the value of inter-ear difference (IED) through monothermal caloric screening testing (MCST) that can be used at any laboratory, controlling and minimising the resulting error. METHODS: We retrospectively included in this study 2304 patients from our department to whom a videonystagmography with caloric testing was performed between 2003 and 2011. The IED was calculated in 3 different ways: Using the values of the 4 caloric stimulations (bithermal form) and using only the 2 same-temperature values (warm monothermal and cool monothermal forms). We studied 3 strategies to improve the accuracy of MCST: Analysis of variables that could impair the prediction, delimitation of a grey area of insufficient prediction and location of a maximum utility cut-off point. RESULTS: Correcting Jongkees' formula with the value for spontaneous nystagmus makes it possible to include subjects with spontaneous nystagmus or nystagmus inversion. Establishing 2 cut-off points to classify the subjects avoids approximately 38% of bithermal stimulations performed with a sensitivity and specificity of 95%. Maximum utility was obtained diagnosing as healthy those subjects with IED values lesser than or equal to 16% in warm MCST when the pathological IED was set as greater than 20%. CONCLUSION: New statistical tools help clinicians to make decisions that affect their patients based on the results of MCST.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de los carcinomas escamosos de cabeza y cuello en España durante el periodo 2006-2011 / Surgical treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in Spain during the 2006-2011 period

Introducción y objetivos: La cirugía es uno de los pilares básicos en el tratamiento de los pacientes con carcinomas escamosos de cabeza y cuello (CECC). El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el estado actual del uso de la cirugía en este tipo de pacientes en España. Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de las altas hospitalarias de los pacientes con CECC tratados quirúrgicamente durante el periodo 2006-2011 en España a partir de los datos obtenidos del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos al Alta Hospitalaria (CMBD). Resultados: Se recogió información correspondiente a 26.629 altas hospitalarias, con un total de 27.937 procedimientos. Globalmente, en nuestro país la mitad de los pacientes con un CECC reciben un tratamiento quirúrgico sobre la localización primaria del tumor. No se produjeron modificaciones significativas en el número de procedimientos a lo largo del periodo de estudio. Apareció una suave tendencia hacia la disminución en el número y porcentaje de cirugías realizadas en pacientes del sexo masculino, y un elevado incremento para las pacientes del sexo femenino a lo largo del periodo de estudio. Del total de procedimientos realizados, un 15,7% se realizaron en centros hospitalarios de nivel de complejidad bajo, un 32,2% en los de complejidad intermedia, y un 52,1% en centros de alta complejidad. Conclusiones: La cirugía constituye un pilar fundamental en el tratamiento de los pacientes con un CECC. En España, aproximadamente la mitad de los pacientes con un CECC reciben un tratamiento quirúrgico sobre la localización primaria del tumor (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Surgery is one of the basic pillars in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objective of the present study was to analyse the current state of the use of surgery in patients with HNSCC in Spain. Methods: Retrospective review of the hospital discharge reports of the patients with HNSCC treated surgically during the 2006-2011 period in Spain. We obtained the data from the Minimum Basic Data Set during the hospital discharge. Results: We obtained information on 26,629 hospital discharges, with a total of 27,937 surgical procedures. Overall, in our country about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment of the primary tumour location. There were no significant changes in the number of surgical procedures throughout the study period. There was a smooth downward trend in the number and percentage of surgeries carried out in male patients, and a significant increase in those carried out in female patients throughout the study period. Among the total of surgical procedures, 15.7% were carried out in hospitals with a low level of complexity, 32.2% in hospitals with an intermediate complexity and 52.1% in centres of high complexity. Conclusions: Surgery is one essential pillar in the treatment of patients with HNSCC. In Spain about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment for the primary location of the tumour (AU)

[Surgical treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in Spain during the 2006-2011 period]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de los carcinomas escamosos de cabeza y cuello en España durante el periodo 2006-2011.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Surgery is one of the basic pillars in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objective of the present study was to analyse the current state of the use of surgery in patients with HNSCC in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective review of the hospital discharge reports of the patients with HNSCC treated surgically during the 2006-2011 period in Spain. We obtained the data from the Minimum Basic Data Set during the hospital discharge. RESULTS: We obtained information on 26,629 hospital discharges, with a total of 27,937 surgical procedures. Overall, in our country about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment of the primary tumour location. There were no significant changes in the number of surgical procedures throughout the study period. There was a smooth downward trend in the number and percentage of surgeries carried out in male patients, and a significant increase in those carried out in female patients throughout the study period. Among the total of surgical procedures, 15.7% were carried out in hospitals with a low level of complexity, 32.2% in hospitals with an intermediate complexity and 52.1% in centres of high complexity. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is one essential pillar in the treatment of patients with HNSCC. In Spain about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment for the primary location of the tumour.

Tratamiento de dos casos de enfermedad de Forestier-Rotes Querol / Treatment of two cases of Forestier-Rotes-Querol's disease

No disponible

Fístula traquecolónica en un paciente tratado con una coloplastia / Tracheo-colonic fistula in a patient treated with coloplasty

No disponible

Disnea laringea en recién nacido por quiste branquial / Branchial cyst causing laryngeal dyspnoea in a newborn

No disponible

Granulomatosis de Wegener causante de parálisis facial y cofosis bilaterales / Wegener’s granulomatosis causing bilateral facial paralysis and deafness

La parálisis facial bilateral (PFB) es una entidad infrecuente, que habitualmente se presenta como manifestación de una enfermedad sistémica. Presentamos el caso de una mujer afecta de granulomatosis de Wegener (GW), con especial afectación de las vías respiratorias altas y ótica, que desarrolló hipoacusia y PFB resistente a tratamientos inmunosupresores y bolos de corticoides, con pruebas de imagen que no muestran afectación del nervio facial en las estructuras óticas. Finalmente, la paciente mejoró de la PFB, pero la cofosis es permanente y se ha realizado un implante coclear. Las series publicadas sobre PFB son escasas, y no hacen referencia a la GW como posible etiología (AU)

Bilateral facial paralysis (BFP) is an uncommon condition that typically occurs as a manifestation of systemic disease. We present a female patient with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), particularly upper respiratory and ear impairment who develops hypoacusis and BFP, resistant to immunosuppressive therapy and steroid boluses. Her imaging tests showed no involvement of the facial nerve as it passed through the ear structures. The patient finally improved the BFP; however, deafness is permanent and she has entered into a cochlear implant program. Published papers on BFP are rare and they make no reference to WG as a possible aetiology (AU)

Síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt causante de parálisis laríngea / Ramsay-Hunt syndrome presenting laryngeal paralysis

El síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt consiste en la asociación de parálisis facial periférica (PFP) e infección por virus varicela zoster (VVZ) con afectación del conducto auditivo externo y membrana timpánica. Se puede acompañar de sordera, acúfenos y vértigos. En ocasiones puede afectar los pares craneales bajos. Se presenta el caso de un paciente inmunocompetente con afectación de los pares craneales VII, VIII y X (AU)

The Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is the association of facial palsy and varicella-zoster virus infection with involvement of the ear canal and eardrum. It may be associated with deafness, tinnitus and dizziness. It can sometimes affect the lower cranial nerves. A case of an immunocompetent patient with affectation of the VII, VIII and X cranial nerves is presented (AU)

Wegener's granulomatosis causing bilateral facial paralysis and deafness.

Bilateral facial paralysis (BFP) is an uncommon condition that typically occurs as a manifestation of systemic disease. We present a female patient with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), particularly upper respiratory and ear impairment who develops hypoacusis and BFP, resistant to immunosuppressive therapy and steroid boluses. Her imaging tests showed no involvement of the facial nerve as it passed through the ear structures. The patient finally improved the BFP; however, deafness is permanent and she has entered into a cochlear implant program. Published papers on BFP are rare and they make no reference to WG as a possible aetiology.

[Ramsay-Hunt syndrome presenting laryngeal paralysis]. / Síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt causante de parálisis laríngea.

The Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is the association of facial palsy and varicella-zoster virus infection with involvement of the ear canal and eardrum. It may be associated with deafness, tinnitus and dizziness. It can sometimes affect the lower cranial nerves. A case of an immunocompetent patient with affectation of the VII, VIII and X cranial nerves is presented.