Otolaryngology-Specific Symptoms May Be Highly Observed in Patients With a History of Covid-19 Infection After Inactivated Coronavirus Vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the otolaryngology-specific symptoms that occur after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and its possible side effects in patients who had Covid-19 infection in the last 6 months before the vaccination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 3383 health care workers who were vaccinated against Covid 19. After excluding, the study was conducted with 1710 (51%) participants who agreed to answer the study questions. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to the history of Covid-19 positivity in the last 6 months before vaccination. The presence of symptoms related to otolaryngology practice, including cough, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, hearing loss, dizziness, loss of smell, loss of taste, ear pressure, and facial paralysis was recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 35.79 ± 10.2 (19-71) years and 1454 (85%) of the patients had a history of Covid-19 infection in the last 6 months. Regarding otolaryngology-related symptoms, the most common complaints were rhinorrhea (4.4%), sore throat (3.2%), and nasal congestion (2.9%). The presence of smell and taste loss, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and hearing loss was significantly more common in patients with a history of Covid-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with a history of Covid-19 disease might have otolaryngology-specific symptoms more commonly than those without a history of Covid-19 disease in the last 6 months before vaccination.

The Educational Reliability and Viewer Interest of YouTube Videos Presenting Otoplasty Procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Otoplasty procedures consist of around 30% of facial plastics surgeries in the adult population. In this study, we aimed to assess the reliability of YouTube otoplasty videos based on technical video analysis, usefulness scores, and recommended surgical steps. METHODS: The present study evaluated 356 videos after a search on YouTube with the keywords "otoplasty, prominent ear, cosmetic otoplasty, and aesthetic ear surgery" during the period from October 2008 to June 2020. The viewer interest parameters such as the total number of views, comments, subscribers, likes, dislikes, source of videos, and video upload date were assessed. Besides, usefulness scores and recommended surgical steps were also analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 356 videos that were compatible with the keywords of the study, only 122 (34%) of them were in agreement with the inclusion criteria. Group 1 (not useful and slightly useful) comprised 69 (57%) videos, and Group 2 (useful and very useful) consisted of 53 (43%) videos. The mean numbers of views, subscribers, and likes were 20544.65 ±â€Š55235.41, 6718.37 ±â€Š20213.54, and 44.34 ±â€Š121.48, respectively, in Group 1, and 82905.22 ±â€Š292819.49, 18603.57 ±â€Š58007.94, and 1089.09 ±â€Š6991.91, respectively, in Group 2. All 3 parameters were significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 1 (P: 0.02, P: 0.005, P: 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, only 43% of YouTube videos presenting otoplasty procedures were defined as useful or very useful. The interest rates of the viewers are compatible with the usefulness rate of the otoplasty videos.

Laryngeal Osteoblastoma: Unusual Location in Arytenoid Cartilage.

ABSTRACT: Osteoblastoma is a benign bone tumor with a slow growing and local aggressive nature. This tumor type is usually localized in the cervical vertebra and rarely involves laryngeal cartilage structures. Very few osteoblastoma cases have been reported in the literature. Here we present laryngeal osteoblastoma originating from arytenoid cartilage in a patient with a history of cordectomy due to glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

The Relation Between Otolaryngology-Specific Symptoms and Computed Tomography Findings in Ambulatory Care COVID-19 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a study to evaluate the relation between otolaryngology-specific symptoms and computed tomography findings in ambulatory care COVID-19 patients. PATIENT AND METHODS: The study was conducted with medical records of 987 (82%) patients with confirmed COVID-19 virus via real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction between March 11, 2020, and April 21, 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups as computed tomography (CT)-negative and CT-positive groups considering the presence of the CT findings depicting COVID-19 disease. RESULTS: The mean age was significantly higher in CT-positive group than CT-negative group (41.53 ± 12.82 vs 36.61 ± 11.81, P < .001). Cough and shortness of the breath were observed with a significantly higher rate in CT-positive group than that of CT-negative group (44% vs 29.9%, P = .001 and 18.4% vs 9.7%, P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, advanced age, cough, and shortness of breath could be related to CT scan positivity.

The Effect of Different Dose Regimens of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss in Rhinoplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

ABSTRACT: Rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure. Bleeding prevention is a crucial part of the surgery. We aimed to evaluate the different dose regimens of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing intraoperative blood loss among patients undergoing rhinoplasty.This prospective randomized study was performed in patients scheduled for rhinoplasty surgery between March 2019 and March 2020. The patients were divided into 3 groups containing 30 patients in each group. The patients in Group 1 received the first dose of 1 g intravenous (IV) TXA 10 minutes before the surgery, and the second dose was administered at the end of the operation. The patients in Group 2 received only a single dose of 1 g of IV TXA 10 minutes before the surgery. The patients in Group 3 did not receive medication. Demographic data were obtained through a review of patient's medical records. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, postoperative transfusion, and complications rate were compared between the study groups.No significant differences were observed between the study groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, and the level of preoperative Hb values (P > 0.05). The mean total blood loss was lower in Group 1 than the other groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.464).The administration of single-dose IV TXA or intermittent IV doses of TXA could decrease total blood loss in rhinoplasty, but the statistical and clinical relevance was not significant.

Is It Important Which Suturing Technique Used for Pharyngeal Mucosal Closure in Total Laryngectomy? Modified Continuous Connell Suture May Decrease Pharyngocutaneous Fistula.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to research the correlation between pharyngeal mucosal suture techniques and pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) development after total laryngectomy. We also aimed to investigate other risk factor for fistula development. METHODS: Medical charts of 85 patients who had total laryngectomy during August 2016 and February 2020 were reviewed. Sixteen patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria. Patients were grouped according to pharyngeal mucosal suture technique. Group 1 had modified continuous Connell suture and group 2 had interrupted submucosal suture for mucosal closure of pharynx. Demographic, medical, and surgical records reviewed for comparison. RESULTS: Overall PCF rate was 28%;PCF rates were 16% (5/31) in group 1 and 39% (15/38) in group 2. This difference was significant (Pearson χ2 P = .033). There was no difference between groups due to age, gender, smoking history, tumor stage preoperative albumin levels, preoperative hemoglobin levels, radiotherapy status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and diabetes mellitus history of patients, previous tracheostomy, neck dissection. But correlation analysis revealed that PCF formation significantly related with suture technique (P = .032), preoperative albumin level <3.5 g/dL (P = .028), preoperative hemoglobin level <12.5 g/dL (P = .041), and previous radiotherapy status (P = .012) of the patients. We also showed that suture technique is an independent predictive factor for PCF formation when other factors were controlled by univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The suture technique used for pharyngeal mucosal closure, preoperative albumin level <3.5 g/dL, preoperative hemoglobin levels<12.5 g/dL, and previous radiotherapy to the head and neck are risk factors for PCF development. Modified continuous Connell suture is a good option for pharyngeal closure.

Integrative analysis of mRNA and microRNA expression profiles in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Larynx cancer is a therapeutically challenging disease. Rapidly evolving experimentally validated data have significantly improved our understanding of the complex role of numerous RNA, DNA, and proteins that play a role in the development and progression of cancer. Based on the insights from approximately two decades of research, it seems clear that microRNAs (miRNAs) have revolutionized our concepts related to the main role of noncoding RNAs in different cancers' progression, development, and metastasis. Mechanistically, miRNAs have been reported to regulate different RNAs and finally protein-coding genes. The expression profiling of miRNAs and messenger RNA (mRNAs) was conducted for a deeper analysis of the miRNAs and mRNAs which play an essential role in larynx cancer. Downregulation or upregulation over twofolds in the miRNAs was considered to be significant, and that of sixfolds or below was considered to be significant for the mRNAs. In accordance with this approach, the expression levels of 43 miRNAs were increased in this study, whereas the expression levels of 129 were decreased. Accordingly, all the genomic expression studies provided evidence of upregulation of 97 genes, whereas 128 genes were found to be downregulated. Among these miRNAs, hsa-miR-20a-3p and hsa-miR-1972 were noted to be important in the etiology of larynx cancer.

Frontal Mucocele Extended Orbita and Endoscopic Marsupialization Technique.

Mucocele is benign, slow-growing, mucous-filled cystic lesions that arise in the paranasal sinuses. It causes progressive distension of the bony walls and induces compressive symptoms. Surgical treatment of paranasal sinus mucoceles includes endoscopic approach or external approach. The authors report a patient of frontal mucocele who presented with a history of progressive unilateral protrusion. Computed tomography scan revealed a large mucocele of the frontal sinus with orbital extension on the same side. He was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization without any serious complications.

Comprehensive analysis of parotid mass: A retrospective study of 369 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of patients who underwent superficial or total parotidectomy because of parotid gland tumors in our tertiary care clinic. METHODS: The data of 362 patients who underwent parotid surgery from January 2008 to November 2015 were collected and analyzed in demographic, histopathological features, and complications. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-nine cases (performed in 359 patients) were analyzed and we assessed complications of parotid surgery such as transient or permanent facial paralysis and Frey's syndrome. Pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin's tumors consisted 74% of all parotid gland tumors. These tumors were generally located in the superficial lobe and tail of the parotid gland (81%). Also, tumor size in the positive surgical margin group was larger than in the negative surgical margin group (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Most of parotid gland tumors are benign. However, the frequency of malignancy increases in deep lobe of parotid gland. High grade malignant tumors have more tendency to have positive surgical margin during surgery, and facial paresis preoperatively.

Impact of Routine Plain X-ray on Postoperative Management in Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the benefit of a routine plain radiography (X-ray) for confirming the optimal electrode position in cochlear implant surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 245 patients (135 males and 111 females) who underwent cochlear implantation in a single tertiary referral center were included in this study. Postoperative plain X-ray findings and electrophysiological tests were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 11.4±14.6 years (range, 1-70 years). Overall, 196 (80%) patients were pediatric patients (age, <18 years) and 49 (20%) were adults (age, >18 years). The mean rotation of electrode arrays was 1.03±0.17 turns. The plain X-ray revealed that electrode misplacement was present in 5 patients (2%); incomplete insertion in 3 patients, and tip rollover and electrode migration in 1 patient each. A revision was performed for the last patient who had an extracochlear electrode position in the plain X-ray. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative imaging is mostly used to confirm the electrode array position after cochlear implant surgery. In addition, intraoperative evaluations have low positive predictive value and sensitivity. Thus, this study revealed that postoperative radiological imaging should be considered even when all intraoperative electrophysiological measures and surgical reports are normal.

Are XPD and XPG gene variants related to the mechanism of oral squamous cell carcinoma?

Oral cavity cancers have anatomically a big part of the body system and include several types of cancer. The aim of the study is to investigate the relation between XPG and XPD gene variants in the DNA repair system and oral squamous cell cancers. A total of 111 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and a control group of 148 healthy volunteers who presented to Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery and Dentistry Faculty were included in the study. Isolation of DNA was achieved using an Invitrogen Purelink Genomic DNA Kit. XPD alleles of Lys751Gln (rs13181) and XPG Asp1104His (rs17655) loci from genomic DNA samples were reproduced using polymerase chain reaction. A statistically significant difference in XPD genotype distribution between control and patient groups was determined (P=0.019). XPD Lys+ was significantly more common in the patient group than in the control group, and a two-fold increased risk for disease was determined. XPD Gln/Gln+ was significantly more common in the control group than in the patient group, and a two-fold decrease in risk for disease was determined (P=0.045). In the other region of the study, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of disease development between XPG genotypes. In conclusion, Lys751Gln polymorphism in the XPD gene could play a role in oral squamous cell development. It is important to increase the numbers of subjects in patient groups and healthy controls in studies to increase the possibility of determining XPD's potential as a molecular risk factor.

Novel pathogenic variants underlie SLC26A4-related hearing loss in a multiethnic cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The genetics of sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity. Despite this heterogeneity, DNA variants found within SLC26A4 have been reported to be the second most common contributor after those of GJB2 in many populations. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing and/or Sanger sequencing of SLC26A4 in 117 individuals with sensorineural hearing loss with or without inner ear anomalies but not with goiter from Turkey, Iran, and Mexico were performed. RESULTS: We identified 27 unique SLC26A4 variants in 31 probands. The variants c.1673A > G (p.N558S), c.1708-1G > A, c.1952C > T (p.P651L), and c.2090-1G > A have not been previously reported. The p.N558S variant was detected in two unrelated Mexican families. CONCLUSION: A range of SLC26A4 variants without a common recurrent mutation underlies SLC26A4-related hearing loss in Turkey, Iran, and Mexico.

Surgical Success of Tympanoplasty Using Composite Tragal Cartilage in Chronic Otitis Media.

This study aims to investigate the preoperative, postoperative airway hearing threshold levels, and perforation closure rates in patients who underwent primary tragal cartilage tympanoplasty. One hundred seventy-one patients who had chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma underwent primary tragal cartilage tympanoplasty with endaural approach by using underlay technique. Preoperative and postoperative airway hearing threshold levels at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz frequencies in 8 to 99 months' follow-up were found and compared with each other. Postoperative perforation closure rates were also investigated. At 500 Hz in 112 patients, at 1000 Hz in 106 patients, at 2000 Hz in 96 patients, and at 4000 Hz in 80 patients, more than 9.5 dB airway hearing gain was determined. The authors found their postoperative perforation closure rate as 84.8%. In conclusion, tragal cartilage tympanoplasty may be chosen as the primary operation technique in primary chronic otitis media patients and by this technique perforation closure rates are also acceptable in addition to satisfactory hearing gain.

A Strong Relationship Between Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and DNA Repair Genes.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of DNA repair genes alter protein function and modulate DNA repair efficiency in various cancers. The X-ray repair cross-complementing group (XRCC) is responsible for the repair of DNA base damage and single-strand breaks. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphisms with the susceptibility to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Turkish subjects. One hundred eleven patients with OSCC and 148 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Genetic analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). We found that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln Gln/Gln genotype and Gln allele were risk factors for OSCC. Also, Arg/Arg genotype and Arg allele had protective effects against OSCC. Relative to XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism, carrying homozygote variants (Thr/Thr and Met/Met) was related with elevated OSCC risk. However, the heterozygote genotype and Thr allele variants were shown to be protective against OSCC. We suggest that XRCC1 Arg399Gln Gln/Gln genotype, Gln allele, and homozygote variants of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism may be a risk factor for predisposition of OSCC in Turkish. In addition, XRCC3 Thr241Met genotype could be associated with tumor size and level of daily smoking.

Is Human Oxoguanine Glycosylase 1 Genetic Variant Successful Even on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most widespread cancer types that arise from different sites of oral cavity and has a 5-year survival rate. This study is aimed at investigating the human oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1)-Ser326Cys and APE-Asp148Glu polymorphisms of DNA repair genes in OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the hOGG1-Ser326Cys and APE-Asp148Glu polymorphisms of DNA repair genes in the oral cavity. Genotyping was conducted using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis based on 132 patients who were diagnosed as having OSCC and 160 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Individuals with the genotype hOGG1-Ser326Cys, Cys allele carriers, were found significantly more frequently in the patient group compared to the control group as increase in risk (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it was observed that there were significantly more individuals with the Ser allele in the control group (p < 0.001). Individuals with genotype APE-Asp148Glu were not statistically significant; however, they were still more in the control group and provided protection against the disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that hOGG1-Ser326Cys Cys allele is statistically important and relevant with respect to the development of oral squamous cancer. In view of our results, further studies including expression levels are required in which hOGG1-Ser326Cys should be investigated as molecular biomarkers for the early prediction of squamous cell carcinoma.

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma: a rare nasal benign tumor.

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is a rare nasal benign tumor, which arises from the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. In this article, we present a five-year-old male patient with rhabdomyosarcoma unity in remission that emerged with nasal obstruction. Synchronous diagnosis of pediatric tumors such as pleuropulmonary blastoma in the literature is a remarkable finding. We found a mass within the left nasal cavity originating from superior portion of nasal septum, extending to the olfactory cleft and resected all tumor via endoscopic surgical approach. Histopathological diagnosis revealed that NCMH contained cartilaginous and mesenchymal components. In conclusion, NCMH is a rare surgically treated benign tumor that can be synchronously diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma and should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis of unilateral pediatric nasal mass.