Otologic manifestations of Larsen syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss otologic manifestations of Larsen syndrome, based on a case report and a systematic review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMED database search, and we selected studies reporting otolaryngologic manifestations secondary to Larsen syndrome. The selected articles were read in full, and three researchers independently extracted data from the studies. In parallel, we report the case of a 14-year-old patient who had hearing loss secondary to Larsen syndrome. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met our selection criteria. Seven studies reported hearing loss in patients with Larsen syndrome (4 had conductive hearing loss and 3 had mixed hearing loss). The conductive hearing loss may be secondary to ossicular malformations and/or middle ear effusions. Other causes for conductive hearing loss are mesenchymal remnants in the middle ear, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and cleft palate. Surgical management of the hearing loss is possible in selected cases, although the surgical and anesthetic risks should be considered. Hearing aids seem to be safe and effective treatment options for the hearing loss secondary to Larsen syndrome. CONCLUSION: Although rare, patients with Larsen syndrome may have hearing loss. The most frequent type of deficit is conductive, either secondary to malformation of the ossicles or middle ear effusion. Possible surgical correction of these abnormalities should be weighed against the anesthetic risks of these patients.

Evaluation of topical n-acetylcysteine in diversion colitis

INTRODUCTION: Diversion colitis (DC) is a benign condition characterized by the appearance of inflammation in the mucosa of the colon or rectum devoid of fecal stream. Oxidative stress has been associated with the etiopathogenesis of the disease. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a substance with antioxidant properties, used in different treatments of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical applications of NAC in an experimental model of DC. METHODS: Thirty-six Wistar rats were submitted to deviation of fecal stream by proximal colostomy and a distal mucosal fistula. They were distributed into 3 experimental groups of 12 animals according to the daily application of enemas containing 0.9% saline or 2 doses of NAC, 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. In each group, half of the animals were sacrificed after two weeks of irrigation and half after four weeks of irrigation. The diagnosis of colitis was assessed by histopathological analysis and the grade of inflammation by inflammatory grading scale. The results were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney test, adopting significance level of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: Daily enema of NAC improved the inflammatory alterations in colon without fecal stream. In colonic segments without fecal stream, the inflammatory score was significantly lower in the animals treated with 100mg/kg, compared with those treated with saline solution or 25 mg/kg of NAC, regardless of the duration of intervention (p<0.05). The inflammatory score in colon segments without fecal stream was significantly lower in the animals treated with both concentration of NAC, compared with those treated with saline, regardless of the concentration and duration of irrigation (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Enemas containing NAC improve the inflammatory process and constitute a beneficial tool in the treatment of DC. (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Colite de exclusão (CE) é uma condição benigna caracterizada pelo desenvolvimento de inflamação na mucosa do cólon desprovida de trânsito fecal. O estresse oxidativo tem sido implicado na patogênese da doença. A n-acetilcisteína (NAC) é uma substância com efeitos antioxidantes, sendo utilizada no tratamento de várias doenças inflamatórias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da aplicação tópica de NAC em modelo de CE. MÉTODO: Trinta e seis ratos Wistar foram submetidos ao desvio do trânsito por meio de colostomia proximal e fístula mucosa distal. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos experimentais de igual tamanho segundo a aplicação de enemas diários contendo soro fisiológico 0,9% ou NAC nas concentrações de 25 mg/kg ou 100 mg/kg. Em cada grupo, metade dos animais foi sacrificada após duas ou quatro semanas de irrigação. O diagnóstico de CE foi feito por estudo histopatológico e a graduação por escala inflamatória. Na avaliação dos resultados, utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Withney, adotando-se nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: A aplicação intrarretal de NAC melhorou a inflamação no cólon sem trânsito intestinal. Nos segmentos sem trânsito, o escore inflamatório foi menor nos animais tratados com NAC na concentração de 100 mg/kg, quando comparado aos tratados com 25 mg/kg (p<0,05). O escore inflamatório nos segmentos sem trânsito fecal foi menor nos grupos tratados com NAC, quando comparados ao tratado com soro fisiológico, independente da concentração e do tempo de intervenção (p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: A aplicação de enemas contendo NAC melhora o processo inflamatório demonstrando-se estratégia benéfica para o tratamento da CE. (AU)