[Computed tomography stage in patients with allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome]. / Alerjik rinit ve nonalerjik rinit eozinofilik sendromlu hastalarda bilgisayarli tomografi evresi.

OBJECTIVES: To compare computed tomography (CT) scores and nasal eosinophilia between patients with allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) and to evaluate the effect of the number of responsible allergens on the CT scores. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with a positive skin prick test, 11 patients with NARES and 15 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Allergic rhinitis patients were divided into three groups according to sensitivity to one allergen, two allergens, and more than two allergens. All the patients were examined by paranasal CT scans. The mean CT scores were determined by using the Lund-Mackay grading system and the results were compared. RESULTS: The mean CT scores were 5.4+/-5.8, 15.6+/-6.2, and 1.0+/-0.6 in patients with allergic rhinitis and NARES and in the control group, respectively. The mean CT score and eosinophilia in nasal smears were significantly higher in NARES patients compared to those with allergic rhinitis (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the three groups of allergic rhinitis in this respect (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the paranasal sinuses are affected by both allergic rhinitis and NARES, this effect is greater in NARES. The number of allergens causing sensitivity does not influence the CT score.

[Detection of gastroesophageal reflux by scintigraphy in patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings]. / Larengofarenjeal semptom ve bulgulari olan hastalarda gastroözofajeal reflü sikliginin sintigrafik yöntemle degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux by scintigraphy in patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 32 patients (14 males, 18 females; mean age 38 years; range 17 to 55 years) who presented with laryngopharyngeal complaints. All patients underwent routine ENT and head-neck examinations and rigid endoscopy of the larynx to determine laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux was sought by technetium 99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy. RESULTS: The most common symptom was dysphagia (56%) followed by hoarseness (46%). Posterior laryngitis was the most common laryngeal finding (18 patients, 56%). Scintigraphy revealed gastroesophageal reflux in 21 patients (66%), 14 of whom (67%) had posterior laryngitis. CONCLUSION: Patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings should be investigated with regard to gastroesophageal reflux. Scintigraphy may be a method of choice in this respect.