Do patients with allergic rhinitis have a particular personality trait?

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the personality traits of patients with allergic rhinitis. It also examined the association between personality type and the type of allergic rhinitis, and compared this with the general population. METHODS: A descriptive observational pilot study was carried out on 50 consecutive cases of allergic rhinitis who presented to the allergy clinic between June and October 2010. These patients were compared with a control group comprising 50 individuals from the general population that had no symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Both groups completed the International Personality Disorder Examination questionnaire for the assessment of personality traits. RESULTS: Persons falling into cluster C personality type showed a positive correlation with the type and severity of allergic rhinitis. The majority of control group individuals fell into cluster A. This indicated a correlation between allergic rhinitis and a dominant anxious trait compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: In psycho-allergological research, the potential relevance of personality factors in the maintenance and exacerbation of atopic symptoms is still a matter of debate. More attention should be paid to the psychological status of allergic rhinitis patients, and appropriate treatment should be provided to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis for post-intubation cervical tracheal stenosis: study of 14 cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of acquired laryngeal stenosis is increasing. This retrospective study aimed to assess the long term results of circumferential resection with end-to-end tracheal anastomosis for isolated post-intubation stenosis of the cervical trachea, and to review the relevant literature. METHODS: Twelve male and two female patients (aged 16-30 years, mean age 24 years) treated between February 2003 and December 2008 were included. Hospital and office records were reviewed and relevant surgical details recorded. RESULTS: Indications for tracheal resection anastomosis were post-intubation stenosis (78.57 per cent) and trauma (21.42 per cent). One to five tracheal rings were resected (i.e. 1-2.5 cm of cervical trachea). Tracheal anastomosis was considered successful if the patient remained asymptomatic for 24 months of close follow up (involving regular flexible bronchoscopy and neck X-ray). The anastomotic success rate was 92.85 per cent. CONCLUSION: Tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis is relatively safe and reliable for definitive treatment of benign tracheal stenosis in appropriate patients. Local application of mitomycin C prevents granulation and aids long term airway patency.

Sublingual hydatid cyst: case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the importance of detailed clinical analysis in the differential diagnosis of a cyst in the floor of the mouth, and to provide an update on current knowledge and treatment of sublingual hydatid cyst. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old man presented complaining of a swelling in the midline of the sublingual region, present for four months and progressively increasing in size. Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a well defined, hypoechoic lesion in the sublingual region, containing a calcific focus. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed numerous round to oval structures resembling brood capsules, with scolices and occasional hooklets. T1- and T2-weighted, multiplanar magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a well defined, multiloculated lesion in the sublingual region. CONCLUSION: Hydatid disease may present as a slow-growing cyst in the sublingual region. Aspiration cytology should preferably be avoided until radiological imaging studies are complete. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose hydatid disease in an unusual location.

Extracranial cysticercosis of the parotid gland: a case report with a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: A case of solitary extracranial cysticercosis of the parotid gland is reported. A discussion concerning the clinical features, imaging modalities, diagnostic methods and management of cysticercosis, along with a review of relevant literature is also presented. CASE REPORT: A young female patient presented with features resembling acute parotitis. Solitary cysticercosis of the parotid gland was diagnosed, based on fine needle aspiration cytology and radiological investigations. Medical therapy was effective, consequently surgery was deferred. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of solitary extracranial cysticercosis of the parotid gland. A high index of suspicion for such parasitic infestations is essential even in non-endemic areas due to the ease of worldwide travel.

Surgical management of a case of third branchial pouch fistula.

A case of left pyriform sinus fistula in a 20-year-old male is presented. The surgical management of this uncommon condition is discussed. Its embryological and clinical aspects are reviewed.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults: a study of 26 patients.

The clinical records of 26, predominantly male, adults with rhabdomyosarcomas in the head and neck were analyzed. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean: 24.5 years). According to the retrospective clinical group classification, 18 (69%) of 26 were advanced tumors at initial presentation belonging to group III or IV. The ethmoids were the most common primary site of origin in 12 (46%) of 26 patients. Nodal and systemic metastases were noted in 12 (46%) and 6 (23%) patients, respectively. Bone metastases were noted in 4 patients. Heterogeneous treatment protocols were used with a variety of chemotherapy combinations in most cases, with surgery and radiotherapy. Overall results were poor, with a survival rate of 7.6% at 5 years. Neither histopathology nor response to chemotherapy was found to influence survival. All long-term survivors belonged to the early-stage groups (clinical groups I and II) for which complete surgical excision was possible. In spite of a poor prognosis after relapse, the use of aggressive chemotherapy appeared to prolong life in some patients.

Malakoplakia of the temporal bone in a nine-month-old infant.

A case of malakoplakia, of the temporal bone in a nine-month-old male child is reported. The lesion presented as an aural polyp, associated with a lower motor neuron facial palsy. On exploration, the granuloma was noted to involve the temporal bone, eroding the bony labyrinth. It was successfully treated with surgical debridement, and antibiotics. A review of the relevant literature is presented.

Reliability of conventional ear swabs in tubotympanic CSOM.

Conventional external ear swab cultures were compared with cultures obtained from the middle ear, in 25 cases of tubotympanic type ('safe'), chronic suppurative otitis media. These cultures were identical in 22 of the 25 cases. Anaerobic organisms were isolated in only one case. Mixed infections of both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were seen in nine cases (36 per cent). Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest single agent isolated (16 cases). Multidrug resistance was seen in 12 of these isolates.

Septal deviation in neonates.

Deviated nasal septum (DNS) is believed to occur in neonates following the trauma of birth processes. The present prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship of intrauterine and parturition processes with neonatal septal dislocations. The neonates were subjected to a series of tests to assess presence and extent of deviated septum within the first 48 hours. A statistically significant correlation was demonstrable between the incidences of septal deviations with intra uterine fetal positions and mode of delivery.

Orbital apex syndrome due to rhinoscleroma. A case report.

A case of Rhinoscleroma of the left maxilla and ethmoid with involvement of the orbital apex, in a female diabetic, is reported. The significance of the associated diabetes is discussed.

A study of the pharynx after laryngectomy.

The hypopharyngeal anatomy of 20 post-laryngectomy patients was studied both with endoscopy and radiological contrast medium examination. The pharynx was found to be essentially a featureless tube with mucosal rugosities running along its axis. No correlation was found between the endoscopic and radiological appearance of the pseudoepiglottis, or between its presence and post-operative complications or the acquisition of oesophageal speech. A low incidence of post-operative dysphagia was noted. The RPS ratio for normal patients was calculated.