Anterior Skull Base Surgery via Endoscopic Endonasal Approach: Outcomes and Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study was retrospectively conducted to evaluate the postoperative surgical results of our patients with anterior skull base mass, defect, and/or cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea who underwent reconstruction via endoscopic endonasal approach and to share our experiences. METHODS: Sociodemographic features of patients who had undergone endoscopic surgery in our clinic due to anterior skull base mass, defect, or rhinorrhea were evaluated in terms of etiological factors, surgical method, pathology, postoperative complications, need for revision surgery and comorbid disease. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included; 76 were male and mean age was 36.2 years. Endoscopic endonasal surgery was performed for nasal mass (70.2%) in 92 cases, rhinorrhea (17.6%) in 23 cases, chronic sinusitis (7.6%) in 10 cases, and gunshot injury (4.6%) in 6 cases. After surgery, benign mass pathology was detected in 75 patients and malignant mass pathology was detected in 23 patients. Osteoma was the most common among benign formations, and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common among malignant formations. The most common cause of surgical revision was nasal masses (25 cases, 77.4%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic intracranial interventions and increased anterior skull base surgery are garnering increased interest of physicians as endoscopic approaches are gaining popularity in recent years. Successful results are achieved through appropriate diagnostic methods and endoscopic approaches. Success rates will be further increased due to developing technology and imaging methods, while the risk of complications and revision surgery will be further reduced.

Giant ethmoidal mucocele leading to proptosis and hypertelorism in a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chronic sinusitis and its complications are common in patients with cystic fibrosis. Mucoceles are one of these complications and can have life-threatening consequences if left untreated. CASE: We present the case of a giant ethmoid mucocele leading to proptosis and hypertelorism in a 5-year-old child with cystic fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Chronic sinusitis and its complications are common in patients with CF. Mucoceles are a rare complication of sinusitis that can be treated surgically. As seen in this case if left untreated mucoceles can lead to orbital pathologies such as proptosis, hypertelorism. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case report of giant ethmoidal mucocele leading to proptosis and hypertelorism in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Change in Warthin's tumor incidence: a 20-year joinpoint trend analysis.

PURPOSE: The incidence of Warthin's tumor (WT) has increased worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of WT in our hospital, which provides health care for an extremely large population. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 573 patients, comprising 345 males and 228 females, who all experienced parotid tumor for the past 20 years. Patients with WT that were operated in the last 20 years were evaluated according to the number of patients per year to determine the annual WT increase trend. RESULTS: In the distribution of WT over the years of surgery, the ratio of WT to all tumors irregularly changed. Furthermore, the total number of parotidectomies per year increased in time. We investigated whether WT had any increasing trend over the years. The annual percentage change (APC) of WT was calculated, and according to the segmented regression analysis, the APC was insignificant (APC = 4.3, 95% CI = - 3.6-12.9, P = 0.300). CONCLUSION: The incidence of WT has increased across the world. However, in our study, no significant APC was observed according to the segmented regression analysis.

Cervical Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis for Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis.

In this study the authors evaluated the outcomes of tracheal resection and anastomosis in postintubation tracheal stenosis. The authors also aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors associated with restenosis. Thirty-four consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients with subglottic stenosis who underwent procedures involving cricoid cartilage and patients with other etiologies were excluded from the study. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for restenosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for the diameter of the narrowest part of the trachea (Dst) and the distance between cricoid cartilage and stenosis (Dcs). Of the 34 patients, 31 (91.1%) patients were successfully decannulated. Nineteen (55.8%) patients had complications. After univariate analysis, Dst (P = 0.001), Dcs (P = 0.001), smoking (P = 0.007) and grade of the stenosis (P = 0.003) were significantly associated with restenosis. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 77.3%, respectively, when the cutoff value for Dst was 4 mm. Sensitivity and specificity were 72.7% and 100%, respectively, when the cutoff value for Dcs was 10 mm. Tracheal resection and anastomosis is an effective surgical method for treating postintubation tracheal stenosis. In our series, 91.1% of the patients with postintubation tracheal stenosis were successfully decannulated. Restenosis was the most common complication. The diameter of the narrowest part of the trachea (Dst), the distance between cricoid cartilage and stenosis (Dcs), smoking and grade of stenosis were significantly associated with restenosis.

Genotypic-phenotypic features and enzyme replacement therapy outcome in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis VI from Turkey.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) is a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) characterized by a chronic, progressive course with multiorgan involvement. In our study, clinical, biochemical, molecular findings, and response to enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for at least 6 months were evaluated in 20 patients with MPS VI. Treatment effects on clinical findings such as liver and spleen sizes, cardiac and respiratory parameters, visual and auditory changes, joints' range of motions, endurance tests and changes in urinary glycosaminoglycan excretions, before and after ERT were analyzed. ERT caused increased physical endurance and decreased urinary dermatan sulfate/chondroitin sulfate ratios. Changes in growth parameters, cardiac, respiratory, visual, auditory findings, and joint mobility were not significant. All patients and parents reported out an increased quality of life, which were not correlated with clinical results. The most prevalent mutation was p.L321P, accounting for 58.8% of the mutant alleles and two novel mutations (p.G79E and p.E390 K) were found. ERT was a safe but expensive treatment for MPS VI, with mild benefits in severely affected patients. Early treatment with ERT is mandatory before many organs and systems are involved.

Isolated sphenoid sinus disease: An overlooked cause of headache.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients who underwent endoscopic sphenoid sinus surgery for isolated sphenoid sinus disease. We also investigated the impact of sphenoid sinus surgery on headache intensity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic sphenoidotomy for isolated sphenoid sinus disease were included in the study. Diagnosis of isolated sphenoid sinus pathology was based on history, physical examination, and radiologic evaluation. All patients had headache with various localizations. Pre- and postoperative headache intensity of patients was scored using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The most common location of headache was the vertex (24%). The preoperative and postoperative mean VAS scores for headache were 8.24 ± 0.94 and 2.67 ± 1.49, respectively. Statistical comparison revealed a significant improvement in headache intensity (p < 0.01). Polyps (33.3%) were the most common pathology, followed by inflammation (23.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common presenting symptom of isolated sphenoid sinus disease is headache. In this study, we demonstrated that headache induced by isolated sphenoid disease can be relieved by endoscopic sphenoidotomy. Sphenoid sinus disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with subacute or chronic headache.

Mucopolysaccharidosis: Otolaryngologic findings, obstructive sleep apnea and accumulation of glucosaminoglycans in lymphatic tissue of the upper airway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate otolaryngologic problems (upper airway obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, restriction of mouth opening, middle ear effusion, hearing and breathing problems) and their treatments on mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) patients and to investigate accumulation of glucosaminoglycans (GAG) in the upper airway biochemically and pathologically. METHODS: 76 MPS patients were evaluated. Forty-two MPS patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Pre- and postoperative PSG results of 18 patients were compared. The success and complications of treatments for OSA in MPS were evaluated. Biochemical and histopathological accumulation of GAG in tonsil and adenoid tissue and middle ear effusion were analyzed and compared with the control group. RESULTS: Forty patients out of 42 tested with PSG had OSA (95%). Adenoid grade, Mallampati grade, restricted mouth opening, rate of difficult intubation were significantly different among MPS subtypes. MPS types III and IV had significantly lower Mallampati scores; type VI had significantly worse mouth opening; and type III had significantly better mouth opening and higher rate of easy intubation when compared to other MPS types. There was no significant difference between MPS subtypes according to tonsil grade, adenoid grade, rate of otitis media with effusion and OSA severity. Statistically significant difference was found between GAG accumulation in adenoid tissue and middle ear effusion of MPS and control group (p<0.05). However, GAG accumulation in tonsil was not significantly different between MPS and control group. There was a statistically significant improvement in postop Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) compared to preop AHI (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most MPS patients have airway obstruction and OSA due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Most of these children benefit from adenotonsillectomy, after which OSA significantly improves. They experience high recurrence rate after adenoidectomy; though this is not clinically problematic. They also suffer from conductive hearing loss due to OME, which has to be treated with ventilation tube insertion. However, such operations are usually complicated by difficult endotracheal intubation and restricted mouth opening. Sometimes tracheotomy may be necessary. Tracheotomy is also highly complicated in MPS patients. Significant accumulation of GAG in middle ear fluid and adenoid tissue is present; however, GAG appears not to accumulate in tonsillar tissue.

Oval window atresia: a novel surgical approach and pathognomonic radiological finding.

OBJECTIVES: The facial nerve usually occupies the oval window area in patients with oval window atresia. During exploration, if the facial nerve is discovered to lie in the oval window area, this is usually regarded as a contraindication for further surgical intervention. The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate the preoperative pathognomonic radiological sign and describe a new surgical approach for this difficult situation. METHODS: 3 patients and 4 ears were operated due to conductive hearing loss by the same surgeon in a tertiary referral center. Their clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical findings and final outcomes were evaluated and correlated. RESULTS: Surgical findings were identical in all 4 ears: facial nerve was running over the oval window and tympanic portion was completely dehiscent. Incus long arm was medially displaced due to abnormal development of the stapes suprastructure. In each ear a successful vestibulotomy and teflon piston placement was achieved. Preoperative mean air-bone gap of 47.5dB was improved to 21.5dB. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Oval window atresia is a rare middle ear anomaly usually regarded as a contraindication for surgical intervention. In this study we present a novel surgical approach with succesful results. However the best approach is to inform the family by showing the nerve on tomography, showing the operation video, informing the family about the sensorineural hearing loss and letting the family choose the treatment option.