Bilateral Nasoalveolar Cyst Causing Nasal Obstruction.

Nasoalveolar cysts, which originate from epithelial remnants of nasolacrimal duct, are nonodontogenic soft tissue lesions of the upper jaw. These cysts are thought to be developmental and are presented with fullness in the upper lip and nose, swelling on the palate, and sometimes nasal obstruction. Because of cosmetic problems, they are often diagnosed at an early stage. These lesions are mostly revealed unilaterally but also can be seen on both sides. In this case report, a patient who complained of nasal obstruction and then diagnosed with bilateral nasoalveolar cysts and treated by sublabial excision is presented and clinical features and treatment approaches are discussed with the review of literature.

A Middle Cranial Fossa Dermoid Cyst Treated by an Endonasal Endoscopic Approach.

Dermoid cysts are rare, benign, congenital ectodermal inclusion cysts in the skull base, comprising skin supplements surrounded by squamous epithelium. In the period of embryological development, the cysts originate from ectodermal cells left behind in the cranial region by the closure of the neural tube and are primarily located at the midline, especially in the subarachnoid spaces. These lesions are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. When the cysts reach large sizes, they can be symptomatic due to infection, rupture, or mass effect around neurovascular tissue. The cysts typically demonstrate accurate radiological diagnostic features. In this case report, we present a rare dermoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa, treated by an endonasal endoscopic approach. The endonasal endoscopic management of appropriate middle cranial fossa is discussed as a recent advance in the extended applications of endoscopic sinus surgery.

Chronic Otitis Media Resulting in Aortic Valve Replacement: A Case Report.

The bicuspid aortic valve is known to be the most common congenital cardiac malformation, with an approximate incidence rate of 1-2% in the general population. Most patients are unaware of the disease until the onset of infective endocarditis, which is a life-threatening complication that may affect a heart valve or other cardiac structures at the site of endothelial damage. A 22-year-old man presented to our internal medicine clinic with a complaint of acute onset dyspnea and fatigue. His body temperature was 38 (°)C. A diastolic murmur was detected at the right sternal border. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe aortic insufficiency, and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography showed that the aortic valve was bicuspid. There was also a flail lesion extending the left ventricular outflow tract, resulting in pathological coaptation and severe aortic insufficiency. The patient was referred to our cardiovascular department for surgery. We herein present this case of a bicuspid aortic valve complicated by infective endocarditis due to the underlying disease of chronic otitis media related to a rare pathogen: Alloiococcus otitidis. The patient underwent a successful aortic valve replacement surgery due to aortic insufficiency following infective endocarditis. He was discharged on the 16(th) postoperative day in good condition.

Effect of antibiotic use on bacterial flora of tonsil core in patients with recurrent tonsillitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of commonly used antibiotics on bacterial flora of the tonsil core. Patients who underwent tonsillectomy for recurrent chronic tonsillitis were included in the study. Three groups were formed: group 1 was treated for 10 days preoperatively with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid; group 2 was treated for 10 days preoperatively with clarithromycin; and group 3 included patients who underwent tonsillectomy without preoperative antibiotic use. The removed palatine tonsils were sent to our microbiology department in sterile tubes for bacteriological analysis. Seventy-three patients (group 1 = 19, group 2 = 20, group 3 = 34 patients) aged 3-18 years (mean 7 years) were included in the study. At least one bacterium was isolated from all tonsils, except for two cases in group 1; the difference in single bacterial growth among groups was not significant (p = 0.06). On the other hand, the numbers of patients with pathogenic bacterial growth was significantly lower in group 2 (n = 2) compared with group 1 (n = 10) and group 3 (n = 27) (p < 0.001). The bacterium isolated most frequently from the tonsils was Streptococcus viridans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the only pathogenic bacterium that grew in all three groups. Clarithromycin was more effective than amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in eradicating pathogenic bacteria in the tonsil core. Pseudomonas aeruginosa might be responsible for resistant or recurrent tonsil infections. To prevent endocarditis, antibiotic prophylaxis toward S. viridians, which is the most prevalent bacterium in the tonsil core, should be kept in mind for patients with heart valve damage.

Epiphora as the presenting sign of relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a child with Bruton agammaglobulinemia.

PURPOSE: Primary or secondary infiltration of the lacrimal drainage system by a lymphoid neoplasm is rare in children. Primary immunodeficiencies are characterized by occurrence of unusual malignancies at unexpected locations in the pediatric age group. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 12-year-old boy with a history of Bruton agammaglobulinemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that primarily originated in the perianal region was referred to our oculoplastics department for persistent epiphora. Computed tomography scan and nasal endoscopy revealed relapse of NHL in the inferior portion of the nasolacrimal duct. Complete remission was achieved with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Epiphora could be the initial manifestation of a relapse or a recurrence of an underlying malignancy in the pediatric population with predisposing immunodeficiency.

Dermoid cyst of the parotid gland: report of a rare entity with literature review.

Dermoid cysts (DCs)are benign lesions and histologically composed of tissues originating from ectoderm and mesoderm, but not endoderm. Approximately 7 % of all DCs are seen in head and neck area. However, parotid gland is an extremely rare localization in which DCs develop, and only 17 cases have been reported in the literature to date. Correct preoperative diagnosis is difficult to be established due to the rarity and ambiguous radiological findings. We report a case of a 21-year old man. All previous reports reviewed and the pathogenesis as well as the histopathologic and radiologic features are discussed.

Evaluation of the changes in the nasal cavity during the migraine attack.

OBJECTIVES: There are some subjective symptoms involving the nasal cavity such as nasal congestion during a migraine attack. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible changes occurring in the nasal cavity during headache in patients with migraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with migraine were studied. The control group consisted of patients with tension-type headache. The severity of the headache and accompanying complaints were assessed using visual analog scale, and the nasal mucosa was assessed through anterior rhinoscopy and endoscopy. Resistance of the nasal cavity was evaluated through anterior rhinomanometry. Data obtained during the attack periods and attack-free periods were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with migraine and 15 patients with tension-type headache were enrolled. It was found that 19 patients (76%) of the group with migraine and 5 patients of the group with tension-type headache were experiencing nasal congestion during the attack and that the differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average of total nasal resistance in the patients with migraine was 0.57 ± 0.60 kPa/L/sn during migraine attacks and 0.28 ± 0.14 kPa/L/sn during attack-free periods. The average of total nasal resistance in the patients with tension-type headache was 0.32 ± 0.14 kPa/L/sn during attack periods and 0.31 ± 0.20 kPa/L/sn during attack-free periods. In the group with migraine, the change of nasal resistance between during the attack and attack-free periods was found statistically significant, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the group with tension-type headache. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, complaints regarding nasal obstruction and nasal airway resistance increase during migraine attacks. Cause-and-effect relationship between nasal obstruction and pain is not clear, and clinical trials are needed to determine the effect of nasal obstruction treatment (mucosal decongestion, etc) on the complaint of pain.

Coexistence of Epstein-Barr virus and Parvovirus B19 in tonsillar tissue samples: quantitative measurement by real-time PCR.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence and copy number of six different viruses in tonsillar tissue samples removed surgically because of chronic recurrent tonsillitis or chronic obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. METHODS: In total, 56 tissue samples (tonsillar core) collected from 44 children and 12 adults were included in this study. The presence of viruses was investigated using a new TaqMan-based quantitative real-time PCR assay. RESULTS: Of the 56 tissue samples, 67.9% (38/56) were positive for at least one of the six viruses. Epstein-Barr virus was the most frequently detected virus, being found in 53.6% (30/56), followed by human Parvovirus B19 21.4% (12/56), human adenovirus 12.5% (7/56), human Cytomegalovirus 5.4% (3/56), BK polyomavirus 1.8% (1/56), and Herpes simplex virus 1.8% (1/56). Precancerous or cancerous changes were not detected in the tonsillar tissue samples by pathologic examination, whereas lymphoid hyperplasia was observed in 24 patients. In contrast to other viruses, B19 virus was present in high copy number in tonsillar tissues. The rates of EBV and B19 virus with high copy number (>500.000 copies/ml) were higher in children than in adults, and a positive relationship was also found between the presence of EBV and the presence of B19 virus with high copy number (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: It is previously reported that some viral agents are associated with different chronic tonsillar pathologies. In the present study, the presence of B19 virus in tonsillar core samples was investigated quantitatively for the first time, and our data suggests that EBV infections could be associated with B19 virus infections or could facilitate B19 virus replication. However, further detailed studies are needed to clarify this observation.

Validity of late-term electroneurography in Bell's palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of early (within 3 wk) and late-term (after 3 wk) electroneurography (ENoG) findings in Bell's palsy (BP) to predict the prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with peripheral facial paralysis with no identified cause. All patients were given the same treatment. INTERVENTION(S): House Brackmann (HB) grading and ENoG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The records of 38 patients with BP were retrospectively analyzed. This study included only those patients who had been followed up for at least 4 months on a regular basis or until complete recovery. ENoG was performed for orbicularis oculi and orbicularis oris muscles and degeneration ratio was calculated separately. Correlation between HB grading and ENoG findings, relationship between duration for maximum recovery and ENoG findings, and also initial HB grading and recovery rate were investigated. RESULTS: Complete recovery rate was significantly higher in patients with HB grades I to III at initial examination. A significant correlation was found between HB grading and degree of ENoG degeneration at the 7th and 14th days of FP. Patients with degeneration less than 80% for orbicularis oculi and less than 65% for orbicularis oris had significantly better and faster recovery than those with higher level of degeneration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ENoG and HB grading during first to fourth weeks of BP are useful prognostic indicators. Serial ENoG examinations are recommended to predict the status of neural degeneration and the prognosis of the palsy. However, ENoG in late term may not be compatible with clinical facial function.

Types of endoscopic endonasal resections for sinonasal malignancies.

AIM: The aim of this study was to define the types of endoscopic endonasal resection for sinonasal malignancies according to their origin and extension. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for the removal of malignant tumors of the nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, and the anterior cranial base between 2003 and 2010 were included in the study. Patients' data were collected retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to types of endoscopic tumor resection as follows: type I: en bloc resection, type II: resection of intranasal free part piecemeal and origin of tumor en bloc, type III: resection of intranasal free part and origin of tumor piecemeal with curative intent, and type IV: resection of intranasal free part and origin of tumor piecemeal with palliative intent or removal of tumor with positive margin. The follow-up period varied from 2 to 7 years (mean, 4.35 years). RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in the study. Five patients underwent type I, 6 patients type II, 4 patients type III, and 5 patients underwent type IV resection. No local tumor recurrence was seen after types I, II, and III resections, whereas 2 patients (10%) with the type IV resection had a local recurrence. Distant metastasis was observed in 4 patients (20%) postoperatively (1 patient in type I, 1 patient in type III, and 2 patients in type IV resection). Disease-specific death was 15% (1 case in type I and 2 cases in type IV). CONCLUSION: Classification of endoscopic tumor resection used in the present study may help preoperative planning.

A case of rhinoorbital mucormycosis in a leukemic patient with a literature review from Turkey.

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is a rare, invasive, opportunistic fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses, caused by a fungus of the order Mucorales. We report a case of rhinoorbital mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient and review the 79 Mucormycosis cases reported in the last decade from Turkey. In our case, the diagnosis was made with endoscopic appearance, computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses, and culture of the surgical materials. Following aggressive surgical debridement and parenteral amphotericin B therapy, the patient recovered completely. In Turkish literature, rhinocerebral manifestations were the most common form of the mucormycosis (64 cases), followed by pulmonary form (6 cases). The most common risk factor was hematologic malignancies (32 cases) and diabetes mellitus (32 cases), similar to those reported from the rest of the world. The etiologic agents responsible for the review cases were Rhizopus sp., Mucor spp., Rhizomucor spp., Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, and Lichtheimia corymbifera. Although various treatment modalities were used, amphotericin B was the mainstay of therapy. Mortality rate was found to be 49.4% in review cases. It seems that strong clinical suspicion and early diagnosis, along with aggressive antifungal therapy and endoscopic sinus surgery, have great importance for better prognosis in mucormycosis.

[Ophthalmic complications of paranasal sinus mucoceles]. / Paranazal sinüs mukosellerinin göz komplikasyonlari.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe ophthalmic complications of paranasal sinus mucoceles and principles of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 25 paranasal sinus mucoceles patients (18 males, 7 females; mean age 35 years; range 20 to 62 years) that had been treated in two different ear, nose and throat clinics between the years January 2004 and June 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. Out of 22 patients of who had developed internal mucoceles in anterior paranasal sinuses, diplopia was observed in five, proptosis in four and partial loss of sight in one. Out of three patients with posterior paranasal sinus mucoceles, two developed diplopia and one developed proptosis, with loss of sight in all three. Eight patients were treated using osteoplastic flap technique and the remaining 17 were treated using endoscopic sinus surgery. RESULTS: In only one patient was loss of sight permanent whereas, in all the other patients eye complications resolved. CONCLUSION: In mucoceles that involve the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses loss of sight can be observed often because of their adjacency to the optic nerves, and loss can be permanent in advanced disease. It is possible to obtain good results in most patients treated in time with endoscopic sinus surgery and osteoplastic flep techniques.

Quantitative evaluation of reduction of plaque-like hard exudates in diabetic macular edema after intravitreal triamcinolone injection.

BACKGROUND: To describe a new method of quantifying the amount of plaque-like hard exudates after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in diabetic macular edema. METHODS: This study included 22 eyes of 14 patients (mean age, 63 years) with chronic diabetic macular edema and plaque-like hard exudates. The patients were injected with a single dose of 4 mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. The optic disc size as relative size unit was taken to quantify the hard exudates: Total areas of exudates and the optic nerve head were computed from fundus pictures with a digital analysis program on magnified images. The former was divided by the latter, and the results were expressed as a percentage value. The ratio was used to track improvements in a given eye over 6 months. RESULTS: Average ratio of hard exudates to optic nerve head area reduced to 81% of its initial value at 1 month (P=0.007), to 54% at 3 months (P<0.001) and to 41% at 6 months (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new method allowed detection of a significant reduction of ratio of hard exudates to optic disc area of diabetic plaque-like hard exudates following 4 mg intravitreal triamcinolone.