Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma With Nasopharyngeal Involvement: Two Unusual Cases of an Extremely Rare Lesion.

Chondromesenchymal hamartoma (CMH) is a rare, benign lesion of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and skull base, composed of islands of hyaline cartilage in a myxoid background. The vast majority of CMH cases are infants and young children. According to the world literature, nasopharyngeal involvement of CMH is extremely rare. In all cases, the lesions were masses protruding from the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses to the nasopharynx. We hereby report 2 adult male patients with masses completely situated in the nasopharyngeal space. In the first patient, the tumor originated from the posterior edge of the nasal septum and in the second one, from the posterolateral wall of the nasopharynx, adjacent to the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube. In both patients, the lesion was excised endoscopically, and histopathological analyses were consistent with a diagnosis of CMH. To our knowledge, those are the only cases of CMH completely situated in the nasopharynx.

Different levels of mucus inflammatory mediators in nasal polyposis with and without aeroallergen sensitivity.

Objectives: Biomarker levels in nasal secretions can reflect the inflammatory status of nasal mucosa and evolution of sinus disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between local inflammatory mediator production and clinical characteristics of patients with nasal polyposis (NP). Methods: Thirty-one nonaeroallergen sensitized patients with NP (NANP), 29 aeroallergen sensitized patients with NP (ANP), and 30 subjects without inflammation of nasal mucosa as controls (C) entered this prospective, cross-sectional study. Clinical parameters (symptoms, endoscopic, and radiological findings) were assessed. The concentrations of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), tryptase, substance P and Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) were measured in the nasal secretion samples of all participants by ELISA method. Results: Our results showed higher concentrations of HSP70, ECP, and tryptase in ANP than in NANP and C (p < .001 for all markers). On the other hand, levels of CC16 were significantly higher in C than in NANP and ANP groups (p < .001; p < .001, respectively). We found positive correlations between HSP70, ECP, tryptase, and substance P levels and nasal symptom score in patients with NP. Also, HSP70, ECP, tryptase, and substance P showed different levels of positive correlation among themselves, with HSP70 showing highest positive correlation with ECP. Finally, relatively strong negative correlations were found between the levels of CC16 and nasal symptoms, as well as between the CC16 levels and levels of other four mediators in nasal fluid. Conclusion: HSP70, ECP, tryptase, and substance P might play a role in the pathogenesis of NP. The results suggest that chronic inflammation in NP involves a self-sustaining local release of HSP70, ECP, and tryptase, independent of aeroallergen stimulation of the mucosal layer, although the production of these mediators is higher in aeroallergen sensitized NP patients.

A Pott's Puffy Tumor Associated with Epidural - Cutaneous Fistula and Epidural Abscess: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Pott's puffy tumour is characterized by a fluctuate swelling of the frontal region as a result of osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. This inflammatory lesion may propagate endocranially, resulting in acute meningitis, epidural abscess, subdural empyema, cavernous sinus trombophlebitis, cerebritis, and frontal lobe abscess of the brain. CASE REPORT: We present an unusual case of a 33-year-old man suffering from Pott's puffy tumour whose condition was further complicated by a draining epidural-cutaneous fistula and an epidural abscess. We confirmed the diagnosis by contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging of the head. After intense antibiotic treatment, we performed a combined endoscopic and external surgical approach with drainage of abscesses, evacuation of pus and bone sequestrate and excision of fistulous lesion. The treatment was prolonged with four weeks' antibiotic administration. CONCLUSION: Subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone is an extremely rare complication of frontal sinusitis. This lesion may propagate endocranially, resulting in dangerous intracranial inflammatory lesions. Early diagnosis, medication and surgical therapy are very important in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Adaptation and Validation of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30 into Serbian.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and clinical validity of the Serbian version of the self-administered Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The English version of VHI-30 was translated into Serbian and then back-translated into English. The Serbian VHI-30 was administered to 91 patients divided into four groups according to voice pathology: structural, inflammatory, neurologic, and functional groups. The control group included 90 subjects with no voice problems. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient α), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient) of VHI-30, comparison of patient's and control's VHI-30 scores (Mann-Whitney U test; Kruskal-Wallis test), and correlation with overall severity of dysphonia (Spearman correlation coefficient, ρ) were calculated. RESULTS: In the patient group, we observed excellent internal consistency for the Serbian VHI-30 (α = 0.95) and good internal consistency for all VHI-30 subscales: physical (α = 0.88), functional (α = 0.88), and emotional (α = 0.88). The interclass correlation coefficient indicated strong test-retest reliability for patients (0.99) and controls (0.84). The mean scores of all 30 items in dysphonic participants were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Good correlation was obtained between the total scores of VHI-30 and patients' self-perceived overall severity of dysphonia (ρ = 0.748, P < 0.001). Within the patient group, the female participants displayed significantly higher VHI-30 scores than male participants (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001). The VHI-30 scores showed strong correlation within different patient groups and controls (Spearman correlation coefficient: structural, 0.942; inflammatory, 0.756; neurologic, 0.888; functional, 0.982; controls, 0.882). CONCLUSIONS: The Serbian VHI-30 is a useful and valuable tool for the evaluation of patients with vocal disorders and for making subsequent clinical decisions.

Anatomical variations and relations of large blood vessels to the tympanic cavity.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the protrusion of the upper bulb of the internal jugular vein (UBJV) and the internal carotid artery (ICA) into the cavum tympani, the thickness and the structure of the bone wall that separates these blood vessels from the middle ear cavity, as well as the bone wall absence between these blood vessels and the cavum tympani. METHODS: The study included a total of 150 samples of temporal bones of elderly people, both sexes. The methods used in the study were anatomic and histologic, while analyses were done by a surgical microscope. RESULTS: In 38 (25.3%) of the 150 studied temporal bones, the UBJV protruded into the cavum tympani, elevating its bottom. In 3 (7.8%) of the samples the bulb had a high position, thus filling the hypotympanum, and closing the lower half of the fenestra rotunda. The most frequent thickness of the bone wall that separates the ICA and the Eustachian tube was 2 mm (48.2%), less frequently it was 2-4 mm (29.6%), while least frequently it was of paper consistency (22.2%). CONCLUSION: High jugular bulb, aberrant ICA and anomalies of their wall structures are a pitfall and risk for middle ear surgery. Awareness of this variation is very important in the presurgical evaluation of the temporal bone to avoid vascular injury.

External ear canal cholesteatoma after ventilation tube insertion and mastoidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Etiopathogenetically, there are two types of chollesteatomas: congenital, and acquired. Numerous theories in the literature try to explain the nature of the disease, however, the question about cholesteatomas remain still unanswered. The aim of the study was to present a case of external ear canal cholesteatoma (EEC) developed following microsurgery (ventilation tube insertion and mastoidectomy), as well as to point ant possible mechanisms if its development. CASE REPORT: A 16-year-old boy presented a 4-month sense of fullness in the ear and otalgia on the left side. A year before, mastoidectomy and posterior atticotomy were performed with ventilation tube placement due to acute purulent mastoiditis. Diagnosis was based on otoscopy examination, audiology and computed tomography (CT) findings. CT showed an obliterative soft-tissue mass completely filled the external ear canal with associated erosion of subjacent the bone. There were squamous epithelial links between the canal cholesteatoma and lateral tympanic membrane surface. They originated from the margins of tympanic membrane incision made for a ventilation tube (VT) insertion. The position of VT was good as well as the aeration of the middle ear cavity. The tympanic membrane was intact and of normal appearance without middle ear extension or mastoid involvement of cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma and ventilation tube were both removed. The patient recovered without complications and shortly audiology revealed hearing improving. Follow-up 2 years later, however, showed no signs of the disease. CONCLUSION: There could be more than one potential delicate mechanism of developing EEC in the ear with VT insertion and mastoidectomy. It is necessary to perform routine otologic surveillance in all patients with tubes. Affected ear CT scan is very helpful in showing the extent of cholesteatoma and bony defects, which could not be assessed by otoscopic examination alone.

Prognostic significance of tympanosclerotic plaques localization and their morphological and histological characteristics for the outcome of surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tympanosclerosis is a sequela of inflammation of the middle ear usually causing conductive hearing loss. The aim of the study was to determine the significance of tympanosclerotic plaques localization in the middle ear and their morphological and histological characteristics for surgical treatment outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 73 patients operated on for tympanosclerosis in the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Military Medical Academy (MMA) in a period 1996-2010. The results of surgical treatment as well as the last audiometry findings were analyzed considering follow-up periods of 6 months to 8 years. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to tympanosclerotic plaques localization in the middle ear and the classification suggested by Wieling and Kerr. The patients were also divided based on intraoperatively noticed morphological characteristics of tympanosclerotic plaques, while the third division was done as per histological findings. Surgical success was assessed using the suggestions of the Japan Otological Society. RESULTS: The analyzed results showed the surgical success especially in the group II according to Wieling and Kerr, while histological findings had no impact on the outcome of the surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment has good results especially in patients with the mobile stapes. Results are satisfactory in other localizations, while various morphological and histological characteristics do not have impact on the surgery outcome.

[Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intensive epiphora (lacrimal apparatus disease) can make difficult daily routine and cause ocular refraction disturbances. In most cases ethiology is unknown, rarely occurs after nose surgical procedures, face fractures, in Wegener granulomatosis, sarcoidosis and malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of endonasal endoscopic surgical procedure with the conventional surgical instruments in treatment of nasolacrimal obstructions. METHODS: This retrospective study included 12 female patients with endonasal endoscopic surgical procedure from Otorhinological and Ophtalmological Departments of Military Medical Academy, Belgrade from September 2007 to April 2009. Preoperative nasal endoscopy was performed in order to reveal concomitant pathological conditions and anatomic anomalies which could make surgical procedure impossible. Computerized tomography was performed only in suspect nose diseases. Surgical endonasal endoscopic procedure was performed by otorhinolaryngologist and ophtalmologist in all patients. The patients had regular controls from 2 to 20 months. RESULTS: A total of 12 female patients, age 34-83 years, were included in our study. Epiphora was a dominant symptom in all patients. In two patients deviation of nasal septum was found, and in other one conha bulosa at the same side as chronic dacryocystitis. All patients were subjected to endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) by endoscopic surgical technique using conventional instruments. Concomitantly with DCR septoplastics in two patients and lateral lamictetomy in one patient were performed. There were no complications intraoperatively as well as in the immediate postoperative course. In two patients the need for reoperation occured. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic DCR is minimally invasive and efficaceous procedure for nasolacrymal obstructions performed by otorhinolaryngologist and ophtalmologist. Postoperative recovery is very fast.

Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy in treatment of maxillary sinus mucoceles.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Mucocele of a paranasal sinus is a benign non-neoplastic condition characterized by cystic expansion and distension of the sinus cavity by retained mucoid secretions. Etiology is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficiency of the endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) as a treatment modality in patients with maxillary sinus mucoceles. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 11 patients with maxillary sinus mucoceles/pyoceles treated endoscopically in the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology of Military Medical Academy, Belgrade over a 3-year period (2005-2007). The presented symptoms and signs, radiological and pathohistological findings and surgical treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: There were four females and seven males, age 22 to 65 years (mean 33 years). Two patients were with allergic rhinitis. All the patients complained of nasal obstruction, ten had facial pain, seven had nasal discharge, five had cheek pressure, and four had epiphora, and four had headaches. On endoscopic nasal examination, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus was bulging in ten patients. Purulent drainage was seen in eight patients, septal deviation in ten, and polyps were found in two of the patients. The MMA and marsupialization of the mucocele were performed in all the patients. On histopathological examination, the mucocele wall showed a lining composed of respiratory epithelium. Postoperative follow-up ranged between 8 and 44 months (in six patients, it ranged from 24 to 44 months). No patients required revision surgery. CONCLUSION: The MMA with mucocele marsupialization abolishes middle meatal obstruction and establishes better drainage and ventilation of the maxillary sinus and restitution of its mucosa.