Measuring nasal nitric oxide in allergic rhinitis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare two sampling methods for nasal nitric oxide in healthy individuals and allergic rhinitis patients, and to examine the within-subject reliability of nasal nitric oxide measurement. METHODS: The study included 23 allergic rhinitis patients without concomitant asthma and 10 healthy individuals. For all participants, nitric oxide levels were measured non-invasively from the lungs through the mouth (i.e. the oral fractional exhaled nitric oxide) and the nose. Nasal nitric oxide was measured by two different methods: (1) nasal aspiration via one nostril during breath holding and (2) single-breath quiet exhalation against resistance through a tight facemask (i.e. the nasal fractional exhaled nitric oxide). RESULTS: Compared with healthy participants, allergic rhinitis patients had significantly higher average oral and nasal nitric oxide levels. All methods of nitric oxide measurement had excellent reliability. CONCLUSION: Nasal nitric oxide measurement is a useful and reliable clinical tool for diagnosing allergic rhinitis in patients without asthma in an out-patient setting.

Receptive speech in early implanted children later diagnosed with autism.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising through the years with estimated 1 in 68 in the US in 2014. This incidence is also rising in the population of congenitally deaf children. Favorable outcome after early cochlear implantation is expected due to plasticity and reorganization capacity of brain in infants and toddlers, but outcomes could be significantly modified in children with diagnosed ASD. Current methods of screening for autism have difficulties in establishing diagnosis in children who have both autism and other developmental delays, especially at such an early age. The aim of the study was to assess the development of auditory perception and speech intelligibility in implanted children with profound congenital hearing loss who were diagnosed with ASD comparing to those who were typically developing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen children underwent cochlear implantation; four were later diagnosed with ASD and ten were typically developing. All children underwent intensive postoperative speech and hearing therapy. The development of auditory perception and speech intelligibility was assessed using the Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) during the 5-years follow-up. RESULTS: In children later diagnosed with ASD, auditory processing developed slowly. Depending on the individual capabilities, by the age of six they could identify environmental sounds or discriminate speech sounds. Speech Intelligibility in children with ASD was at best rated as category 2, with very little or no progress up to the age of six, despite extensive speech and language therapy. Communication skills were strongly affected by a degree of autistic features expression. CONCLUSION: Preoperative psychological assessment in congenitally deaf infants should be expanded by the use of validated instruments for early detection of autism. The possibility of developing ASD should be kept in mind by all professionals involved in programs for cochlear implantation.

Prospective case-control study of efficacy of bilateral selective neck dissection in primary surgical treatment of supraglottic laryngeal cancers with clinically negative cervical findings (N0).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of bilateral selective neck dissection of levels II-IV in elective and therapeutic management of the neck as a part of primary surgical treatment of patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer and clinically negative cervical findings (N0). DESIGN: Institutional, observational, case-control study with historic control of patients who underwent primary supraglottic tumour surgery, and a prospective cohort of patient, who underwent, besides the operation of primary tumour, bilateral selective neck dissection (level II-IV). SETTING: University, tertiary level hospital, national referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 193 patients with supraglottic cancer and without palpable or ultrasound positive cervical findings who were surgically treated from 1988 to 2005. Besides the operation of primary tumour, all patients in the study group underwent bilateral selective neck dissection (level II-IV). Patients in the control group (N = 51) underwent primary tumour operation only and were followed up regularly. In cases with postoperative regional recurrences, the radical neck dissection was performed. All patients with histopathological confirmation of occult metastases were administered radiotherapy treatment (60 Gy) in the postoperative period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-year overall survival rate. RESULTS: Occult cervical metastases were found in 18% of patients. They were present in level II in 77.5%, in level III in 20% of cases and in one patient in level IV (2.5%); the extracapsular spread was observed in 20% of cases. Postoperative regional metastases were found in 4.15% of cases in the study group, and in 11.8% in the control group, which proved to be significantly higher. The five-year overall survival rate showed no significant difference between the study group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative regional recurrences could be reduced by performing bilateral selective neck dissection simultaneously with primary tumour operation, but with no influence on the survival rate.

Parapharyngeal space tumors: 61 case reviews.

Parapharyngeal tumors account for 0.5% of head and neck tumors. They are difficult to diagnose because they have few symptoms and are surgically inaccessible. This retrospective study included 61 patients with parapharyngeal space tumors, treated in the last 20 years. The data, obtained from the medical records, included symptoms and clinical signs, diagnostic procedures, surgical approach, postoperative complications and histopathological findings. The most common symptoms were dysphagia, foreign body sensation, pain, and symptom-free patients. For precise tumor localization and its relation to adjacent structures, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and contrast angiography were used. All the patients were treated surgically. The commonest surgical approach was transcervical, followed by transoral and combined transcervical-transoral. Histopathological examination verified that the origin of these tumors was most frequently salivary or neurogenic.

[Preliminary results of applying the inverse stapedotomy].

The authors have analyzed a group of 90 patients (105 operations) that have underwent stapes surgery over three years period. First group of 40 patients (45 operations) have been operated on by a classic stapedotomy from 2006 to 2007 and the second group of 50 patients (60 operations) by inverse stapedotomy in 2007. Manual perforator has been used in all of the patients. In a group of patients operated by inverse technique not a single case of floating basal plate has occurred during surgery. Rate of postoperative complaints regarding nausea and balance disorders was considerably lower when reversal of the steps has been used. Closure of air bone gap better than 20dB in about 80% patients in both series, with slight advantage of the inverse technique, but no statistically significant difference was proven. Inverse stapedotomy is efficient procedure as compared to classic stapedotomy with less intraoperative complications and postoperative complaints. Postoperative audiograms have shown similar improvement of hearing thresholds in both groups.

[Immunoglobulins G, A, M and circulatory immune complexes in patients with laryngeal carcinoma].

INTRODUCTION: Malignant tumors of the head and neck represent 5% of all malignancies, of which the most common are tumors of the larynx and oral cavity. In the blood serum of patients with malignant tumors increased levels of immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes have been detected, with a diverse relevance to the clinical course and prognosis of the disease. AIM: Due to contradictory findings of the correlation between the humoral immune response and the clinical course of the disease, we examined 42 male patients with laryngeal carcinoma. All patients underwent surgery, of which 15 patients were treated postoperatively with radiotherapy. The changes in the levels of immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes in the blood serum were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis of the results showed an immunological disorder of an abnormal level of circulating immune complexes in the blood serum that normalized after the surgical removal of the tumor. The levels of immunoglobulins G and A were abnormal during the whole postoperative period of examination. CONCLUSION: The normalizing of the levels of circulating immune complexes in the blood serum, after surgical removal of the tumor, shows a strong association between the two, and this could consequently mean that it could be used as a prognostic tool, particularly in correlation with other immunological parameters.

[Hearing damage caused by noise].

INTRODUCTION: Noise is most common profession risk, as well as risk from environment, for hearing loss. Top limit for industrial noise is 85 dB. OBJECTIVES: Aim of our study was to determined all number of recognized professional diseases in our country, as well as to see which of industries are with highest prevalence of professional hearing damage caused by noise. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We use an cohort study for analyzing patient histories which were hospitalised in the Institute of occupational health. All of them have recognized professional disease hearing loss. In order to be recognized as cases of a professional hearing damage, all of them had to satisfy all legal requirements. RESULTS: Average age of patients with professional damage of cochlear nerve was 50 y. They have high total time period as well as exposed time period. In 2003 and 2004 there was highest number of detected and recognized cases of such professional diseases. More than half of examined patients had lesion between 30 and 40 percent following tables of F. S. Most of them were metal and mining industry workers. CONCLUSION: Following results of the study we can conclude that regular medical examinations of workers in all industries are necessary, specially in metal and mining industry. It is also needed to use personal protection items and to provide appropriate medical education of both workers and the management staff of said industries in order to prevent this kind of profession disease.

[Bilateral vocal paralysis phonosurgery in adults].

Ordinary clinical manifestation of the patient with bilateral vocal fold paralysis is inability of abducting the cords with a result of narrowing the glottic space, causing inspiratory stridor and mild dysphonia. Such patients can be life threatened due to narrowing airway. Some kind of surgery has to be performed on these patients in order to enlarge the airway. When we treat patients with OPG, the most reasonable way is to gradually enlarge airway at glotic level and there are several surgical methods for achieving this. The least agresive and the safest procedures are posterior transversal cordectomy (PTC) or medial arytenoidectomy (MA), after which we can perform extended versions of some of these methods or combination of both. Bilateral vocal fold paralysis has to be diagnostically different from stenosis of posterior commissure, even though the procedures such as medial arytenoidectomy, posterior transversal cordectomy and total arytenoidectomy can be performed in both cases. The patients have to be explained that the aim of the procedure is to enlarge airway to the detriment of voice quality and voice capabilities.

Protease activities of Candida spp. isolated from otitis externa: preliminary result.

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the ear predominantly caused by Candida and Aspergillus spp. The possible virulence factors of Candida spp. are enzymes, such as proteases, phospholipases, phosphatases and esterase. According to our knowledge, protease production in Candida strains isolated from patients with otomycosis has not been investigated. The present study was aimed at determining in vitro protease activity in 8 strains of Candida spp. (C. parapsilosis, C. famata, C. guilliermondii and C. albicans) isolated from children with otomycosis. A majority of isolated strains 7/8 (87.5%) were protease positive. The protease activity ranged from Pz 0.61 to 0.78. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the contribution of protease production to Candida virulence associated with otomycosis.

[Occult metastases in patients with supraglottic larynx cancer].

The treatment of patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer still remains a controversal issue. The study comprised 193 patients with a supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma treated in the period 1986-2003. All patients had primary surgery. They all had clinically and ultrasonografically negative findings in the neck (N0). Bilateral selective neck dissection at the level II-III was performed in all patients at the time of primar surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy was given to all patients with verified occult metastases (60 Gy). The occult cervical node metastases were found in 18% (35/193). Ipsilateral occult metastases were more common (77%, 27/35), but both bilateral and contralateral spread was also seen (14%, 5/35 and 9%, 3/35, respectively). Only in two (1%) did metastases develop subsequently. The 5-years survival rate was 86%.

Overlooked nasal foreign body with a 48-year latent period.

Foreign bodies of the nose are relatively frequent in pediatric population, while in the adults, they are usually seen in disturbed persons. Overlooked nasal foreign bodies may be singled out as a special entity. They become rhinolites over time with latent period of several decades. Our paper illustrates an overlooked foreign body in the nose--i.e. encrusted plastic bead which, after the asymptomatic period of 48 years, induced the unilateral mucopurulent and ichorous secretion from the nose. Rhinolite should be suspected if radiological diagnostics detected calcified mass in the nose together with unilateral nasal symptomatology. Surgical removal of rhinolite results in complete management of such problem. This case indicates the significance of medical history data and examination of nasal cavity in any adult patient with unilateral nasal symptomatology which is refractory to conservative treatment. Computerized tomography of paranasal sinuses is an important adjunct diagnostic tool in indefinite cases. Nevertheless, it often happens that only the extraction of rhinolite indicates the diagnosis that is not usually suspected in adult persons.

[The analysis of the quality of life in laryngectomized patients]. / Analiza kvaliteta zivota laringektomisanih bolesnika.

Total laryngectomy, as extremely mutilating surgical intervention, results in drastic changes of the style and quality of life. The trauma of laryngectomy is huge, both to patients and their environment. The most pronounced changes of the quality of life of laryngectomized patients are seen at marital, familial, professional, business and communication aspects. Malignant disease and total laryngectomy significantly reduce working capacity, producing, besides professional, the economical difficulties. Psychological implications associated with total laryngectomy are the most severe, comprehensive ones and require multidisciplinary approach. The study analyzes the frequency and distribution of factors affecting the quality of life of laryngectomized patients (sex, age, psychic status, probable history of chronic diseases, impairment of hearing and social-family environment of patients). Significant improvement of the quality of life of laryngectomized patients is achieved by systemic, planned and multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients as well as their immediate environment. The need for the association of laryngectomized patients is stressed.

[Carcinoma of the skin of the external auditory meatus]. / Karcinom koze spoljasnjeg slusnog hodnika.

Carcinoma of the external meatus is a rare disease and a challenge to treat. Demographic and clinical characteristics of this disease are discussed for 14 patients treated in the Institute of Otorhinolaryngonlogy and Maxillofacial Surgery during the period 1993-2003. using four different clasification of the disease. All patients were treated surgically with postoperative radiotherapy. Five years survival is 100% for the II and II stage of the disease for all clasifications, and 75% for the III stage according to Pitsburg clasiffication. Reccurence of the disease in the first year after treatment is 66.6% and, 84% in the second year. The diagnostic protocol is clinical examination, computed tomography of the temporal bone, nuclear magnetic resonance of the temporal bone and endocranium, ultrasound examination of the neck and parotid region and tumor biopsy. The surgical approach could be less radical, through mastoid, with postoperative

[Distribution of cervical metastases from carcinoma of the cervicofacial region]. / Distribucija cervikalnih metastaza karcinoma cervikofacijalne regije.

The primary goal in the therapy of patients with cervico-facial cancers has been always the control of loco-regional disease. It is more difficult to control metastasis than primary tumor. According to numerous authors, metastases to cervical lymphonodus reduce the survival of patients with planocellular cancer of the upper aero-digestive pathways for about 50%. Precise classification of primary tumor and regional lymphonodus is highly significant for adequate and timely treatment of patients with cancers of cervico-facial region. The objective of our study was to make clinical classification of cervico-facial tumors and to establish the distribution of nodes according to node groups and cervical levels. In our series of 319 subjects, T2 category of primary tumors was most prevalent accounting for 40.44%. Clinically palpable lymphonodes were found in 87.15%, with most prevalent N1 category accounting for 42.95%. The incidence of clinically negative cervical nodus (N0) was reported in 12.85%. The nodes of the upper, medium and lower jugular group were most frequent in cancers of the larynx and pharynx. In cancer of the oral cavity, submental and submandibular nodes were the most commonly involved. In distribution of nodes based on oncological cervical levels, 45.86% of nodes at level II of the neck were found in laryngeal cancer, while 40% the neck level I was involved in the cancer of the oral cavity. In epipharyngeal cancer, 3.15% of cervical metastases were detected in the posterior triangle of the neck. The incidence of cervical metastases in specific primary localizations has a significant role for indications of one of the dissections of the neck.

[Surgery of cholesteatoma: surgical technique and cholesteatoma recurrences]. / Hirurgija holesteatoma: hirurska tehnika i recidivi holesteatoma.

Past experience with open and closed techniques of tympanoplasty in surgery of cholesteatoma has shown that recurring illness is one of the major causes of surgical failure. The literature has reported varying trend of surgical treatment of cholesteatoma. The objective of the study was to analyze the significance of surgical technique in relation to the incidence and most frequent localization of recurrent cholesteatoma. Our study analyzed 120 patients operated on for cholesteatoma. The patients were divided into two groups, group I (45) with recurring disease and group II (75) without any recurring condition, which were followed up three years. Statistical analysis was carried out by modified t-test. The largest number of patients was re-operated in the first two years from the initial surgery (50%), In the majority of patients (50%), recurrent cholesteatoma was most commonly localized (stage I) in attic (20%) and much rarely in mesotympanum (11.9%). Stage III recurrent cholesteatoma was verified in 35% of patients, most frequently diffuse form (13.4%). The involvement of attic by all three stages of disease accounted for over 60%. The analysis of the used techniques of surgical treatment in both groups revealed significant difference. Open techniques of tympanoplasty were used in 60% of patients with no recurrence. Closed techniques were used more frequently in patients with recurring disease, i.e. in over 90% of cases. Recurerrent cholesteatoma develops, in the majority of cases, during the first two years after the surgical intervention. Attic is the most common localization of cholesteatoma. More frequent utilization of open technique of tympanoplasty for surgery of cholesteatoma significantly reduces the incidence of recurring condition. The indications for CWD technique are the initial spread of cholesteatoma, possibility of complete removal of cholesteatoma and postoperative follow-up of patients.

[Pathogenesis and methods of treatment of otogenic brain abscess]. / Patogeneza i nacin lecenja otogenih apscesa mozga.

UNLABELLED: Otitis media, acute or chronic, is a potentially dangerous disease which may lead to fatal complications. Meningitis is the most common intracranial complication, followed by otogenic brain abscesses while lateral sinus thrombosis is fairly uncommon. Mortality from otogenic brain abscesses remains relatively high. The aim of the study was to investigate mechanisms of development, diagnostic methods and treatment of these complications of otogenic brain abscesses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective study covered 42 patients with otogenic brain abscess (28 cerebral and 14 cerebellar) treated from 1973 to 1995 at the ENT and Neurosurgical Hospital in Belgrade. Medical records of the studied patients were analyzed for the occurrence of the disease, diagnosis and mode of therapy. Special care was dedicated to type of otitis, surgical findings, diagnostic methods, mode of therapy and therapy outcome. RESULTS: In the period of 23 (1973-1995) 114 patients with otogenic intracranial complications were treated at the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery. Meningitis was the most common complication in this series, followed by cerebral abscess, lateral sinus thrombosis, cerebellar abscess, while extradural abscesses were rare, and subdural occurred only exceptionally (Table 1). In somewhat more than half of the patients (55%) one intracranial complication was present, While in 54% two or more intracranial complications were recorded (Table 2). Otogenic brain abscesses are usually associated with meningitis. Meningitis was present in 20 patients with cerebral abscess (71%), and in 5 (33%) patients with cerebellar abscess. Meningitis and lateral sinus thrombosis were more commonly associated with cerebellar abscess (41%), and less with cerebral abscess (10%). In our group of patients otogenic brain abscesses were most common in the third decade of life, than in the second, while the frequency of the complication fell significantly in older age groups (Figure 1). Headache (92%). fever (91%), vomiting (68%) were the most common symptoms, while photophobia and vertigo were less common (38% and 30%, respectively). Active chronic otitis with cholesteatoma was most commonly present in patients with otogenic brain abscess, only somewhat more common in patients with cerebral abscess (84%), than in those with cerebellar abscess (80%). Neurological examination of 28 patients with cerebral abscess evidenced the abscess in 11, while in 15 the examination suggested meningitis. (Table 3). The diagnosis of abscess was most commonly established by computerized tomography. It revealed cerebral abscess in 18 out of 28 patients, and cerebellar abscess in 10 out of 12 patients. (Table 3). Radical trepanation of the temporal bone was performed in all our patients, while in nine patients revision was required after the surgery, since the initial operation was not sufficiently radical. (Table 4). Out of 28 patients with cerebral abscess 5 (18%) died while 3 (29%) patients died out of 14 patients with cerebellar abscess (Table 4). DISCUSSION: Otogenic brain abscesses imply accumulation of pus in the cerebrum or cerebellum developing after encephalitis, caused by pyogenic microorganisms originating from inflammatory process in the middle ear cavity. This is a severe otogenic complication with high mortality. Even with modern therapeutic alternatives, mortality remained high, about 40% (7). According to the data reported by several authors introduction of antibiotic therapy resulted in drastic fall of associated mortality. The annual risk of otogenic abscess of the brain is 1 per 1000 adults with active chronic otitis. The incidence of abscess is significantly higher in a certain age groups, i.e. 1 per 200 between the ages of 20 and 40 (3). The diagnosis of brain abscess established clinically is not quite reliable. The disease is usually associated with severe meningitis, so that neurological examination usually detects only signs of meningi

Altered immunoregulations in otosclerosis: presence of autoantibodies in otosclerotic sera samples.

A current concept of the etiopathogenesis of otosclerosis is an immune response. The purpose of this study was to determine if autoantibodies were present in sera samples from patients with known otosclerosis. Organ non-specific total antinuclear antibodies (tANA) were determined in 98 sera samples by the immunofluorescent method in 47.9% of otosclerotic patients versus 5% in controls. The most frequent specific antinuclear antibody was antibody to native deoxyribonucleinic acid and antibody to ribonucleoprotein. Tissue-specific antibodies to native-collagen type II molecule (ACA II) were determined by counter-immunoelectrophoresis in the same sera samples and were detected in 54% versus none in healthy sera. There was no correlation between the presence of these two autoantibodies. In patients with tANA present, a statistically significant depletion of cochlear function was noted. The presence of ACA II showed no connection with hearing loss. The present study showed some alteration in immunoregulatory markers in otosclerotic patients and the possibility that ANA may play a role in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis-induced perceptive deafness.

[Tympanosclerosis of the tympanic membrane]. / Timpanoskleroza bubne opne.

The structure of the tympanosclerotic plaques of the tympanic membrane was examined by using the scanning electron microscope. Studies were carried out on specimens of the tympanosclerotic plaques obtained during surgery in 15 patients for chronic middle ear inflammation. It was found that tympanosclerotic plaques contained fibrous fibers of different densities, distribution and calcification, and without cellular elements. The authors recognized two types of plaques, with moderate and severe degree of calcifications. The results showed that the role of a degenerative process was dominant in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.