Rhinitis medicomentosa and substance addiction.

BACKGROUND: Rhinitis medicomentosa (RM) is a form of non-allergic rhinitis caused by the use of nasal decongestants for longer than the recommended duration. Because of this problem of use, addiction to the drug occurs in individuals. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of RM patients to substance addiction. METHODS: The study was planned as a prospective, multicentric study between September 2022 and September 2023. Patients diagnosed with RM were included in the study. Beck depression scale, Drug use disorders identification test, Substance Abuse Proclivity Scale were applied to the patients participating in the study. The research data were analyzed electronically with SPSS program version 25. RESULTS: The study included 86 patients with an average age of 31 years. The average duration of medication use was 22 months. Age, gender, duration of nasal congestion, duration of drug use and smoking were not independent predictors for depression and substance use tendency. CONCLUSION: The relationship between RM and addictive substances is not clear. The tendency to use drugs did not increase in RM patients. In the light of these data, we think that there is no need for a practice other than routine functioning in the use of drugs and similar substances that are likely to cause addiction in RM patients.

Early clinical outcomes of ınferior turbinate radiofrequency and lateralization combined with septoplasty / Resultados clínicos iniciais da utilização de radiofrequência e lateralização das conchas nasais inferiores combinadas à septoplastia

Abstract Introduction: Mechanical obstruction is the most common form of nasal obstruction. Among the types of mechanical obstructions, septum deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy are the most prevalent. Objective: This study evaluated the early clinical outcomes of inferior turbinate radiofrequency and inferior turbinate lateralization combined with septoplasty in the treatment of nasal obstruction symptoms. Methods: The research retrospectively evaluated data from 33 patients (24 male, nine female) undergoing septoplasty and inferior turbinate radiofrequency (RF group) and 32 patients (24 male, eight female) treated with septoplasty and inferior turbinate lateralization (LAT group), who were admitted, with complaints of nasal obstruction, to the University of Health Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018. The patients' preoperative and 6-month postoperative symptoms were evaluated via the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, the NOSE scale. Results: The mean preoperative NOSE scores were 10.3 ± 4.2 in the RF group and 10.9 ± 4.9 in the LAT group, and the mean six-month postoperative scores were 1.09 ± 1.3 in the RF group and 1.2 ± 1.3 in the LAT group. There was no significant difference in NOSE scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The data obtained in this study show that both methods result in similar outcomes in terms of relieving nasal obstruction symptoms in patients requiring inferior turbinate intervention. Therefore, the researchers believe that, in each case, the intervention method should be selected at the discretion of the patient and surgeon(s).

Resumo Introdução: A obstrução mecânica é a forma mais comum de obstrução nasal. Entre os tipos de obstruções mecânicas, o desvio do septo e a hipertrofia de conchas inferiores são os mais prevalentes. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados clínicos iniciais da aplicação de radiofrequência nas conchas inferiores e a lateralização delas combinada com septoplastia no tratamento dos sintomas de obstrução nasal. Método: O estudo avaliou retrospectivamente dados de 33 pacientes (24 homens, nove mulheres) que foram submetidos a septoplastia e aplicação de radiofrequência no concha inferior (grupo RF) e 32 pacientes (24 homens, oito mulheres) submetidos a septoplastia e lateralização de concha inferior (grupo LAT), que foram admitidos com queixas de obstrução nasal na University of Health Sciences, Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia, entre 1° de janeiro de 2017 e 1° de janeiro de 2018. Os sintomas pré-operatórios e pós-operatórios de 6 meses dos pacientes foram avaliados pela escala NOSE, do inglês Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation. Resultados: Os escores médios pré-operatórios da escala NOSE foram 10,3 ± 4,2 no grupo RF e 10,9 ± 4,9 no grupo LAT e os escores médios pós-operatórios de seis meses foram 1,09 ± 1,3 no grupo RF e 1,2 ± 1,3 no grupo LAT. Não houve diferença significante nos escores da escala NOSE entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusão: Os dados obtidos neste estudo mostram que ambos os métodos têm resultados semelhantes em termos de alívio dos sintomas de obstrução nasal em pacientes que necessitam de intervenção nas conchas inferiores. Portanto, os pesquisadores acreditam que, em cada caso, o método de intervenção deve ser selecionado a critério do paciente e do cirurgião.

Voice Quality After Radiotherapy and Cordectomy in Early-Stage Glottic Carcinomas.

Laryngeal carcinomas are the most common upper respiratory tract cancers and most commonly involve the glottic region. The aim of this study is to evaluate the voice quality after radiotherapy (RT) and microsurgical cordectomy (MC) treatments using Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Astenicity, and Strain (GRBAS) perceptual evaluation scale in patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma. A total of 37 patients with early-stage glottic carcinomas, 19 patients had RT and 18 patients with MC, were included in our study. The patients were evaluated in terms of their sound quality by using VHI-10 and GRBAS perceptual assessment scale 3 months after the treatment was completed. Although the findings were better in favor of RT according to GRBAS perceptual assessment scale of patients who received RT (n = 19) and MC (n = 18), no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P = .613). Patients in both groups were evaluated with VHI-10, emotional (P = .036) and physiological (P = .038) scores were significantly higher in MC group and no significant difference was found in functional scores (P = .192). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of voice quality (P = .185). In early-stage (Tis, T1a, T1b) glottic carcinoma, there was no significant difference between RT and MC in terms of voice quality. Therefore, the choice of treatment modality in patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma should be taken into account in terms of the patient's occupation, comorbid diseases, cost of treatment, hospital stay, and, most importantly, patient preference.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Patients With Low Vitamin B12 Levels.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin B12 deficiency-induced hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with impaired microarterial flow, demyelization, and neuronal damage, resulting in cochlear damage and auditory dysfunction. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the possible vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) abnormalities in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this prospective study, 37 patients diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency (<220 pg/mL) were compared with 31 audiologically healthy participants with normal B12 levels. Burst-evoked cervical VEMP (cVEMP) measurements were performed on all participants. Additionally, cVEMP responses were analyzed for P1-N1 latency, interpeak amplitude, and amplitude asymmetry ratio. The results of audiometric examination and VEMP records as well as absent responses were evaluated and compared between groups. RESULTS: The rate of absent VEMP responses was twice as high in the patient group than in the healthy control group (12 vs 6 cases, respectively). Moreover, the mean values of interpeak amplitude in both right and left ears were statistically shorter in the patient group than the control group (P values = .024 and .007, respectively). Similarly, the mean amplitude asymmetry ratio was statistically higher in the patient group than the control group (P = .050). There were no statistically significant differences in latency responses between groups. Furthermore, positive, statistically significant correlation was detected between values of the left P1-N1 interpeak amplitude and vitamin B12 levels (r = 0.287, P = .037). CONCLUSIONS: Increased rates of absent VEMPs and decreased amplitudes with normal latencies are attributed to peripheral vestibular hypofunction in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Early clinical outcomes of inferior turbinate radiofrequency and lateralization combined with septoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical obstruction is the most common form of nasal obstruction. Among the types of mechanical obstructions, septum deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy are the most prevalent. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the early clinical outcomes of inferior turbinate radiofrequency and inferior turbinate lateralization combined with septoplasty in the treatment of nasal obstruction symptoms. METHODS: The research retrospectively evaluated data from 33 patients (24 male, nine female) undergoing septoplasty and inferior turbinate radiofrequency (RF group) and 32 patients (24 male, eight female) treated with septoplasty and inferior turbinate lateralization (LAT group), who were admitted, with complaints of nasal obstruction, to the University of Health Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018. The patients' preoperative and 6-month postoperative symptoms were evaluated via the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, the NOSE scale. RESULTS: The mean preoperative NOSE scores were 10.3±4.2 in the RF group and 10.9±4.9 in the LAT group, and the mean six-month postoperative scores were 1.09±1.3 in the RF group and 1.2±1.3 in the LAT group. There was no significant difference in NOSE scores between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this study show that both methods result in similar outcomes in terms of relieving nasal obstruction symptoms in patients requiring inferior turbinate intervention. Therefore, the researchers believe that, in each case, the intervention method should be selected at the discretion of the patient and surgeon(s).

Bone turnover in chronic otitis media with bone destruction.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the relationship between bone destruction and bone turnover markers in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). METHODS: Subjects with COM were divided into two groups: those with and without bone destruction. Thirty-seven patients were included in the group with bone destruction; 30 patients were included in the group without bone destruction. The enzyme values were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of enzyme levels of serum and urine. However, the osteocalcin, which is a bone formation marker, and the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen marker, which is bone destruction marker, were found to be lower in the group with bone destruction than the group without bone destruction. CONCLUSION: Data obtained in the present study suggest that the pressure necrosis theory and acid lysis theory provide the most valid explanations of bone destruction. However, the data provide limited preliminary information to clarify this mechanism.

Does Postauricular Incision Cause Auricula Protrusion After Tympanoplasty?

BACKGROUND: An ear surgery can be performed via transcanal, endaural, or postauricular approach according to the surgeon's desicion. The postauricular one is the most commonly performed approach. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether preferring postauricular approach during ear surgery cause auricular protrusion in over time. METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent tympanoplasty operation with postauricular incision were included in this study. Any patient who was under 18 years of age, those with auricular deformity and patients who underwent tympanoplasty operation with mastoidectomy were excluded from this study. The distances from mastoid area to superior and mid-point of helix were measured preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients' data were analyzed. There were 13 males and 23 females. The mean age was 28.2 ±â€Šyears (18-59). The preoperative mean distance from mastoid area to superior point of helix was 15.03 ±â€Š2.86 mm, whereas it was 17.92 ±â€Š2.96 mm at mid-helix level. At postoperative 1 year, the same distances were measured 14.67 ±â€Š3.12 mm and 17.25 ±â€Š3.17 mm, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measures. CONCLUSION: Although the structures that provide the stability of the auricle are cut during postauricular sulcus incision, long-term follow-up of patients did not show any protrusion of auricula.

Outcomes of endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate air-bone GAP (ABG), graft success and hearing gain according to the size and location of perforation in patients who underwent endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty due to the tympanic membrane perforation and chronic otitis media. METHODS: The 104 patients (52 male and 52 female) who underwent endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty, were evaluated retrospectively. Tragal cartilage grafts were utilized in all patients. Perforation size/location, duration of surgery, pre-operative and post-operative (6th month) average ABG, and pure-tone audiometric results (at 500-1000-2000-4000 Hz) as well as overall graft success were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 45.60 ± 17.39 min. Perforations were most frequently located in anterior quadrant with moderate sized. The post-operative air-conduction results were significantly improved at 500-1000-2000-4000 Hz frequencies. Similarly, pre-operative air-conduction pure-tone average (PTA) (35.36 ± 11.9 dB) was significantly decreased (22.34 ± 7.9 dB) after postoperative 6 months (p ≤ 0.001). The overall graft success rate was 93.2%. Moreover, pre-operative mean ABG (19.82 ± 7.4 dB) was significantly decreased (9.05 ± 4.3 dB) after postoperative 6 months (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty achieved a high graft success rate, and improved hearing results, regardless of the perforations' location and size. Endoscopic tympanoplasty provides high patient safety and comfort in middle-ear surgery by wide visualization, easy applicability, short-operation duration, low complication risk, and less invasive approach.

Transcanal Endoscopic Type 1 Cartilage Tympanoplasty in Children.

OBJECTIVE: Transcanal endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that enables better visualization of deep and narrow spaces compared to conventional microscopic methods. In our study, we aimed to evaluate air-bone gap difference, graft success, and hearing gain according to the perforation size and location in pediatric patients who underwent transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty. METHODS: Fifty pediatric patients who underwent transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media were included in the study. Tragal cartilage grafts were used in all patients. Air conduction pure tone audiometry hearing results (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz), mean air-bone gap levels, operating times, postoperative gap closure, and graft success rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 43.34±8.56 minutes. Overall graft success was 94% (47/50). Mean hearing levels at all frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) were found to have significantly improved after the operation (p<0.001). Mean preoperative air conduction pure tone threshold and mean air-bone gap had statistically significantly improved by the 6th postoperative month (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty was found to be a minimally traumatic, easy and safe method with a low complication rate. In pediatric patients, this method allows for high rates of anatomic and functional recovery with optimal surgery time regardless of the location and the size of the perforation.