Comparison of postoperative bleeding between submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of postoperative secondary hemorrhage for tonsillectomy and submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (smUPPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective case series, the medical records of 404 patients who underwent tonsillectomy with unipolar electrocautery and smUPPP at our institution between January 2001 and December 2010 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (198 patients) underwent tonsillectomy; Group 2 (206 patients) underwent smUPPP. Main outcome measures were incidence of bleeding or complications after tonsillectomy and smUPPP and the need for revision surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of Group 1 patients was 38.1 (±2.58) years and that of Group 2 was 37.7 (±2.25) years. Males were 51.3% of Group 1 and 46.7% of Group 2. No statistically significant difference in age or gender distribution was found between Groups 1 and 2. The incidence of secondary, delayed hemorrhage was 5.05% (10 patients) in Group 1 and 1.45% (three patients) in Group 2 (P = 0.05). The incidence of delayed hemorrhage requiring surgical treatment was 4.54% (nine patients) in Group 1 and 0.97% (two patients) in Group 2. CONCLUSION: In adults, smUPPP, which includes tonsillectomy, has a lower incidence of postoperative delayed hemorrhage than does tonsillectomy with unipolar cautery.

Ossicular reconstruction for incus long-process defects: bone cement or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare hearing results in patients undergoing ossiculoplasty with bone cement (BC) vs partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) in cases of incudostapedial discontinuity during tympanoplasty surgeries. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: A total of 44 patients with incudostapedial discontinuity, 21 operated on with BC and 23 operated on with PORP, were enrolled in this study. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative audiograms at 12 months were evaluated. Pure-tone averages and air-bone gaps (ABGs) were calculated according to the guidelines. RESULTS: The ABG was 26.61 dB preoperatively and 9.76 dB postoperatively in the BC group. The hearing gain in ABG was statistically significant (P = .0001). The preoperative and postoperative ABGs in the PORP group were 29.48 and 8.89 dB, respectively. The hearing gain in ABG was statistically significant (P = .0001). When the groups were compared for mean gains in the ABG, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .192). The postoperative ABG of less than 20 dB was achieved by 90.4% in the BC group and 86.9% in the PORP group. This difference was not statistically significant (P = .745). No adverse reactions or complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both BC and PORP are reliable and efficient methods for the repair of incudostapedial joint defects. There is no difference between these 2 methods, based on the hearing results. Additional research is necessary to determine the maximum incudostapedial defect length suitable for bone cement repair.

The morphology of the nasopharyngeal inlet in obstructive sleep apnea.

Routine flexible optic laryngoscopy (FOL) can visualize the airway from the nasopharynx to the hypopharynx in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With the tip of a flexible endoscope at the nasopharyngeal inlet (NPI), we can visualize the morphology of this area. We evaluated the effect of NPI morphology on OSA severity. Videos were obtained during FOL examinations of the NPI in 83 patients (11 females, 72 males; mean age 42.1 ± 9.5 years) and NPI morphology was examined. Two main morphologies were seen: wide and narrow. The narrow NPI group (n = 45) was further subdivided into kidney-shaped (n = 34), elliptical (n = 6), and circumferential (n = 5) groups. The wide NPI group (n = 38) was subdivided into circumferential (n = 20) and kidney-shaped (n = 18) groups. Mean Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) values were 30.38 ± 22.36 and 14.51 ± 13.9 in the narrow and wide groups, respectively. Mean RDI values were 45.32 ± 30.6, 23.74 ± 10.8, and 28.72 ± 21.5 in the narrow circumferential, elliptical, and kidney-shaped groups, respectively. Mean RDI values were 11.58 ± 12.91 and 17.8 ± 14.6 in the wide circumferential and kidney-shaped groups, respectively. RDI values were significantly lower in the wide morphology group (p < 0.0005). NPI morphology might predict OSA during routine FOL examination. Further analysis of the subgroups supported evidence of narrowing, reflected as higher RDI values.

Evaluation of tissue response to Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) implantation.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess the tissue response to Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) in rats and compare the results of surgical placement modalities. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were performed in 18 young Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into 3 groups. Gore-Tex patches were implanted subcutaneously over the periosteum in the first group and under the periosteum in the other groups. Gore-Tex was immersed in an antibiotic-containing solution in the third group. All animals were killed 4 weeks after the procedure. The tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and evaluated using a light microscope. RESULTS: The Gore-Tex patches were displaced and not observed at the originally implanted sites in the first group. The Gore-Tex patches were observed at the originally implanted sites in the other groups. In group 1, edema and inflammation were prominent. In the second group, ossification was detected in 5 rats and foreign-body reaction and edema were identified in 1 rat. In the third group, all of the rats were found to have developed ossification, but no inflammatory reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that implanting synthetic graft materials immersed in an antibiotic solution at the subperiosteal plane provides better stabilization and low complication rates.

Effects of high altitude on sleep and respiratory system and theirs adaptations.

High-altitude (HA) environments have adverse effects on the normal functioning body of people accustomed to living at low altitudes because of the change in barometric pressure which causes decrease in the amount of oxygen leading to hypobaric hypoxia. Sustained exposure to hypoxia has adverse effects on body weight, muscle structure and exercise capacity, mental functioning, and sleep quality. The most important step of acclimatization is the hyperventilation which is achieved by hypoxic ventilatory response of the peripheral chemoreceptors. Hyperventilation results in increase in arterial carbon-dioxide concentration. Altitude also affects sleep and cardiac output, which is the other determinant of oxygen delivery. Upon initial exposure to HA, the resting pulse rate increases rapidly, but with acclimatization, heart rate and cardiac output tend to fall. Another important component that leads to decrease in cardiac output is the reduction in the stroke volume with acclimatization. During sleep at HA, the levels of CO2 in the blood can drop very low and this can switch off the drive to breathe. Only after the body senses a further drop in O2 levels breathing is started again. Periodic breathing is thought to result from instability in the control system through the hypoxic drive or the response to CO2.

Effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on retropalatal region.

Flexible optic laryngoscopy (FOL) allows us to visualize the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related airway passages. Retropalatal region is a part of upper airway contributing to the OSA. We aimed to demonstrate the changes in the retropalatal surface area (RPSA) after submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (smUPPP) in an attempt to exhibit enlargement as a predictor of surgical treatment. It is a prospective, case-control study and conducted at the Otolaryngology department in a university hospital. Twenty patients with OSA who underwent smUPPP were prospectively evaluated. Pre and postoperative respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and RPSA measurements were studied. Retropalatal region videos were obtained at the base of uvula during FOL. Photographic images were captured at the same level of a virtual horizontal line passing through the base of uvula posteriorly to measure RPSAs using AutoCad2004. RDI levels, RPSA measurements were compared using paired t test. Twenty patients underwent smUPPP. There were 17 (85 %) male and 3 (15 %) female. The mean age was 37 years. The RPSA measurements were between 18.41 and 144.102 (mean 63.39) preoperatively. The RPSA measurements were between 83.784 and 255.463 (mean 143.87) postoperatively. The RPSA measurements were significantly enlarged postoperatively (p < 0.0005). The mean RPSA increased from 63.39 ± 29.3 to 143.82 ± 57.8. The mean RDI decreased from 22.95 ± 19.2 to 9.0 ± 8.2 (p = 0.011). RPSA increases in smUPPP patients postoperatively, evidencing enlarged retropalatal region. Decreased RDI levels indicate amelioration in OSA. RPSA measurements can be used to predict UPPP surgical treatment success.

Quantification of retropalatal region in obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: Flexible optic laryngoscopy (FOL) allows us to visualize the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related airway passages. However, objective data presenting evidence of OSA through this perspective are lacking. The aim of this study was to quantify the surface area of the retropalatal region in control subjects and OSA patients utilizing FOL images. This was a prospective, case-control study. The study was performed at the otolaryngology department of a university hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven OSA patients in group 1 and 87 patients with no complaints of OSA in group 2 were evaluated. Retropalatal region photographs were captured at the base of uvula through endoscopic images. The retropalatal surface area (RPSA) was measured using AutoCAD. Groups 1 and 2 RPSA measurements were analyzed. The RPSA measurements of subgroups in group 1 were analyzed to document severity of OSA. RESULTS: Mean RPSA measurements in group 1 was 73.21 (SD, 31.99), and that in group 2 was 129.31 (SD, 26.54), respectively. Retropalatal surface area is significantly larger in group 2 when compared with group 1 (P = 0.0001). Twenty-four patients had mild (mean respiratory disturbance index [RDI], 10.83 [SD, 3.63], 26 had moderate (mean RDI, 20.9 [SD, 4.14]), and 17 had severe OSA (mean RDI, 52.13 [SD, 17.24]) in group 1. The mean RPSA measurements are 72.48 (SD, 28.9) in mild subgroup, 73.88 (SD, 30.5) in moderate subgroup, and 73.22 (SD, 39.59) in severe subgroup, showing no evidence of correlation between the severity OSA and RPSA measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The RPSA measurements are significantly larger in control subjects (group 2) when compared with OSA patients (group 1). This might implicate that RPSA measurements through FOL examination can be a predictor of OSA when screening patients.

Comparison of transoral power-assisted endoscopic adenoidectomy to curettage adenoidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective and randomized study was to compare patients who underwent curettage adenoidectomy (CA) or transoral power-assisted endoscopic adenoidectomy (PAEA) performed as isolated procedures by a single surgeon over a period of 7 years. The success of an adenoidectomy has been evaluated by assessing the amount of reduction in the adenoid size and the symptomatic improvement at the sixth postoperative month. METHODS: Patients' nasal airway obstruction was graded by the parents of the patient on a visual analog scale (VAS), with a range from 0 to 10, with grade 10 representing total obstruction. The ratio of the choanal opening obstructed by an adenoid mass was measured and expressed in percentages as representative of the adenoid size. Preoperative and 6-month postoperative adenoid sizes were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (CA group 27 patients/PAEA group 26 patients) completed the study. In the CA group, VAS score improved from the preoperative score of 8.63 ± 0.88 to the 6-month score of 2.22 ± 1.01 (P < 0.0001); and in the PAEA group, the preoperative VAS score of 8.69 ± 0.84 improved to 2.08 ± 1.05 in the same period (P < 0.0001). No statistical significance was found when VAS score improvements were compared (P = 0.4569). The average ratio of choanal opening obstructed by an adenoid mass improved from the preoperative ratio of 89.41% ± 6.48% to the 6-month ratio of 7.85% ± 2.28% in the CA group; and the preoperative ratio of 90.19% ± 6.95% in the PAEA group improved to 3.65% ± 1.38% after 6 months. The reduction of adenoid size was significantly superior in PAEA than CA (P < 0.0001). The operative time in PAEA was significantly shorter than that in CA (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although symptomatic improvement at the 6-month follow-up is statistically indifferent, PAEA has been shown to be superior to CA with its superior performance in providing a near-total elimination of the adenoid mass in a shorter operating time.

Endoscopic endonasal management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

The authors review their 5 years' experience with endonasal endoscopic repair of the anterior skull base fistulas presenting with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. A total of 12 patients were managed endoscopically between 2004 and 2008. Seven patients (58.3%) had nonsurgical posttraumatic CSF rhinorrhea, 2 patients (16.7%) had CSF rhinorrhea due to surgical/iatrogenic trauma, and 3 patients (25%) had spontaneous onset of CSF rhinorrhea. Radiosurgical correlation for CSF fistula identification was positive in all patients. The most common site of leak was the fovea ethmoidalis. The repair method consisted of an extradural underlay closure of a defect with fascia lata. The largest diameter of a defect to be closed was 15 mm. Immediate results were good in all patients, but later in the follow-up, CSF rhinorrhea recurred in 2 patients, and each patient had a revision 2 times. In the first revisions, transcranial approach was used, whereas in the second revisions endonasal endoscopic route was resorted. The primary closure rate was 83.3%, and the overall closure rate was 100%. The average follow-up period thus far is 21 months. Endonasal endoscopic technique well known to otolaryngologists should be considered as the first choice of surgery in the repair of CSF rhinorrhea because of low morbidity and a higher closure rate. The possibility of revision with the same technique makes this approach ideal for the repair of cranionasal osteodural defects.

Importance of placing Gore-Tex in the subperiosteal plane for augmentation rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the placement technique of Gore-Tex implants for nasal augmentation. METHODS: The study group comprised 32 patients of various nasal deformities who underwent consecutive rhinoplasty via open approach with Gore-Tex implant material for dorsal augmentation. A pocket is made subperiostally at the nasal dorsum. The implant is rinsed in antibiotic solution and placed in position. Complications due to Gore-Tex were observed during the follow-up period. RESULTS: There were 12 men and 20 women. The mean age was 28.4 years. There were 9 primary rhinoplasty and 23 revision rhinoplasty. Patients were followed up postoperatively for 12 to 24 months. During the postoperative follow-up period, no complications were encountered in this series of patients. The implants were stable and immobile under the skin. CONCLUSIONS: In the cases of nasal dorsum augmentation, Gore-Tex can be a suitable graft material. We recommend implanting graft materials at subperiosteal plane to provide better stabilization and low complication rates.

Will a crushed concha bullosa form again?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study endoscopically and radiologically evaluated whether a surgically crushed concha bullosa (CB) can form again. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: This study included 14 adults who underwent CB surgery between March 2010 and February 2011. The middle turbinate was examined endoscopically and classified pre- and postoperatively into four groups according to size. The CB volume of all patients was measured using pre- and postoperative paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT). The pre- and postoperative measurements were compared using the paired t test. RESULTS: This study included 22 CB in 11 men and 3 women with a mean age of 35.85 (range, 20-47) years. The mean follow-up period was 4.42 (range, 2-10) months. The middle turbinates were significantly smaller postoperatively (P < .0005), as was the CB volume measured using paranasal sinus CT (P < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: The CB crushing technique is an easy, conservative treatment modality. As the CB does not appear to reform after crushing, this technique can be considered a definitive treatment. Nevertheless, these patients should be followed for the long term.

Long-term efficacy of submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The objective of the study was the assessment of the long-term efficacy of submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Thirty-two of 156 patients who underwent UPPP between January 2001 and March 2007 with a follow-up period of 36-96 months (mean, 56 months) were included in the study conducted at the university affiliated center. Preoperative and postoperative snoring evaluation forms and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESC) scores were used for subjective analysis. Preoperative and postoperative respiratory distress index (RDI) levels were evaluated objectively. Patients who had 50% or more reduction in RDI levels postoperatively were named as responders to the procedure. The other patients were named as non-responders. Body mass index (BMI) was also analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. Snoring disappeared in 83% of the patients, did not change in 13% and deteriorated in 4% of the patients (p < 0.001). Excessive daytime sleepiness decreased in 22 patients (68%) and ESC values decreased from 14.6 ± 3.7 to 6.5 ± 3.9 (p = 0.0001). RDI decreased by more than 50% of the preoperative values in 15 (46.9%) of 32 patients forming the responders and the mean RDI decreased from 33.3 ± 22.9 to 23.7 ± 22.8 (p = 0.027). BMI increased over years (p = 0.0001) evidencing a preponderance in non-responder patients. Submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is an effective tool in treating patient's subjective symptoms of OSAS. Objective findings suggest that smUPPP is inadequate in treating OSAS. It cannot abolish OSAS, though it can decrease the intensity of the condition in nearly half of the patients. Weight gain decreases the success of the procedure over the years.

Arteriovenous hemangioma formation following radiofrequency ablation for inferior turbinate reduction.

Inferior turbinate reduction by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recommended as an easy and safe option for the treatment of patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Complications of this type of excision are generally acceptable. We describe a case of RFA turbinate reduction that resulted in an unusual complication: the formation of an arteriovenous hemangioma.

Placement technique of extended spreader grafts.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to show the placement of extended spreader grafts in reductive septorhinoplasty operations to support the nasal bony vault as well as the middle cartilaginous structures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (16 males, 22 females; mean age 26.4 years; range 18 to 55 years) who underwent septorhinoplasty under general anesthesia via open approach between January 2008 and December 2010 were included in this study. Two separate cartilage grafts were placed end-to-end and secured to the septum on both sides after removing the cartilage and bony hump. These grafts not only transverse the full length of the middle one-third of the nose, also run approximately 1 cm under the nasal bones cephalically and the anterior septal angle caudally on both sides. The obtained data were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were followed up postoperatively for 7 to 24 months with a mean follow-up of 14 months. RESULTS: There was no significant bony vault collapse or irregularity, inverted-V deformity or middle-vault narrowing observed during the postoperative period. All of the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results. CONCLUSION: We think that extended spreader grafts are more beneficial not only in reconstructing the middle one-third of the nose but also in supporting the collapsed and/or distrupted nasal bony vault in reductive septorhinoplasty.

[Endonasal phototherapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis]. / Alerjik rinit tedavisinde endonazal fototerapi.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we assessed the effect of endonasal phototherapy on quality of life, nasal obstruction and the other symptoms in allergic rhinitis with visual analog scale (VAS), sinonasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20), and acoustic rhinometry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients (6 males, 18 females; mean age 41.3±13.0 years; range 20 to 60 years) suffering allergic rhinitis refractory to anti allergic drugs for at least two years were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent a total of six sessions of endonasal phototherapy with Rhinolight (Rhinolight Ltd, Szeged, Hungary) performed three times a week for two weeks. During course of the investigation, additional therapy was not applied to any of the patients. Before and one month after treatment, patients completed visual analog scale and SNOT-20 forms and nasal obstruction was evaluated with acoustic rhinometry. RESULTS: After the treatment, the mean VAS score and the mean total SNOT-20 score were found lower than the results before the therapy (p=0.0001, p=0.0001). A significant decrease was found in the scores of sneezing, nasal discharge, postnasal drainage, coughing after treatment (p=0.0001). During objective evaluation of nasal obstruction with acoustic rhinometry, no statistically significant difference was found between pre- and post-treatment findings. CONCLUSION: Endonasal phototherapy is an effective modality in the treatment of symptomatology in allergic rhinitis patients refractory to antiallergic drugs. It is detected that endonasal phototherapy has positive effects on the quality of life. However, no effect on nasal obstruction was found with acoustic rhinometry which is an objective method.

Removing intranasal splints after septal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective chart review of the patients who had septal surgery with or without turbinate surgery was to compare the postoperative complication rates according to the time of intranasal-splint (INS) removal. METHODS: The data of 137 patients who underwent septal surgery with or without turbinate surgery at 2 different hospitals of Acibadem Health Care Group between January 2007 and March 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients who had these risk factors were eliminated, and 96 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to splint-removal time. The first group comprises patients whose nasal splints were removed in 24 hours after surgery, and the second group comprises patients whose splints were removed 5 days after the surgery. Any bleeding, septal hematoma, and synechia after pack removal were recorded. Analysis of the rate of complications was done with the χ test. RESULTS: Sixty-five male and 31 female patients with a mean age of 32.4 years (range, 18-57 years) were included in the study groups. Septal surgeries were performed in association with turbinate surgery in all 96 patients. These patients were divided into 2 groups. In the first group (n = 50), INSs were removed in 24 hours after surgery. In the second group (n = 46), INSs were removed 5 days after surgery. Bleeding within the first postoperative week was not recorded in both groups. Late bleeding was recorded in 2% (n = 1) of group 1 and in 2.17% (n = 1) in group 2. Septal hematoma and synechia were not recorded in none of the groups. The results were not statistically significant (P = 1). CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of INSs after septoplasty and removing them 24 hours after septoplasty are sufficient to avoid postoperative complications, and it minimizes postoperative discomfort.

Pleomorphic adenomas recurrences within the parapharyngeal space.

This study was undertaken to evaluate and concentrate on the recurrent pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) of the parapharyngeal space. The records of 9 patients treated for recurrent PAs occupying parapharyngeal space were retrospectively reviewed. The study population comprised 6 women and 3 men with a mean age of 51 (range, 35-79 years). Before the first revision surgery, imaging studies and clinical examinations showed 1 solitary mass in 4 patients, 2 solitary masses in 3 patients, and 3 or more masses in 2 patients. After first revision surgery, 4 patients had rerecurrences with multinodular disease. Two of 4 patients underwent radiation therapy (RT), and the other 2 patients underwent second revision surgery, among whom 1 patient underwent third revision surgery, and the other one was also submitted to RT. Overall, 12 reoperations were performed, and at the end of all operations, 4 patients had rerecurrences and residual disease. In conclusion, we recommend RT to patients with multinodular disease, known tumor spillage, and residual tumor in addition to revision surgery. Histopathologic features, surgical resection, relationship to surrounding vital tissues, and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy are the most important determinants for recurrent PAs.

Histopathologic response to highly purified liquid silicone injected intradermally in rats' skin.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess and compare the tissue response to small- and large-volume injections of pure liquid silicone in rats. METHODS: The study used 25 Sprague-Dawley rats. Two different injection sites were determined for a single rat, and 5000 centistoke liquid silicone was injected subdermally using 0.2-0.3 ml (small volume) and 1 ml (large volume) injections. After the injections, 15 animals were killed at 4 weeks and 10 animals at 10 weeks. Tissue responses were evaluated under a light microscope. RESULTS: At week 4, the numbers of lymphocytes and neutrophils were higher in the small-volume injection group. At week 10, the number of neutrophils decreased, and the numbers of macrophages and foreign body giant cells increased in the small-volume injection group, whereas the intensity and type of infiltrate in the large-volume injection group did not change significantly. The thickness of the fibrous capsule was greater in large-volume injection group at weeks 4 and 10. The thickness of the fibrous capsule did not change significantly in either group through time. CONCLUSIONS: Purified high-density liquid injectable silicone causes a low-grade and well-tolerated inflammatory response during the long term and can be used when given as small-volume injections.

Incidental diagnosis of mastoiditis on MRI.

The aim of this study was to document patients with clinical mastoiditis who were reported to have mastoiditis by radiologists due to increased fluid signal intensity in the mastoid air cells on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Brain and temporal bone MRI reports between January 2004 and November 2009 were obtained from the radiology units of four different hospitals of the same Health Care Group. MRI reports for keyword mastoiditis and 406 patients were reported to have radiological mastoiditis on MRI due to increased fluid signal intensity. Otoscopic examination findings of 275 of these 406 radiological mastoiditis patients were documented and compared with MRI reports for clinical infectious otological disease. Forty-eight (17, 45%) (48/275) patients were found to have clinical otological disease on examination. The remainder of the patients (227/275, 82%) did not show any evidence of clinical otologic infectious disease. Of these 48 patients, 18 patients (37, 5%) had eustachian tube dysfunction, 13 patients (27%) had serous otitis media, nine patients (9%) had chronic otitis media, five patients (10%) had tympanosclerosis, and three patients (6%) had acute otitis media. The results of this study showed that MRI is not an effective diagnostic tool for mastoiditis. 82% of the MRI mastoiditis did not show clinical mastoiditis contradicting MRI reports. Fluid signal in the mastoid on MRI should not always be interpreted as mastoiditis by radiologists. Radiological mastoiditis does not necessarily point out to clinical mastoiditis.

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil ablation for the treatment of halitosis.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) tonsil ablation in the treatment of halitosis caused by chronic tonsillitis with caseum. The study method was retrospective. The medical records of 58 patients undergoing temperature-controlled RF tonsil ablation due to chronic tonsillitis with caseum between November 1, 2005 and November 30, 2008 were reviewed. Forty-nine (84.4%) of 58 patients reported complete disappearance of bad breath after the first treatment; five patients (8.6%) reported as having insufficient improvement and four (6.9%) patients had no change. Two patients from "insufficient group" and all four patients from "no change" group agreed to a repeat treatment. After the second session, four (6.9%) patients reported complete disappearance of halitosis with the disappearance of caseum formation. But two patients still suffered from halitosis. One of these patients underwent tonsillectomy, other patient is under our follow-up. Overall, complete elimination of halitosis was accomplished with one session in 49 (84.4%) patients, two sessions in four (6.9%) patients, making a total of 53 (91.3%) patients. Postoperative morbidities included one transient mild bleeding, one secondary bleeding and one mild edema. Temperature-controlled RF tonsil ablation is an effective method for treating halitosis which derived from chronic tonsillitis with caseum. This well-tolerated technique avoids the post-procedure morbidities and discomfort of more invasive surgical modalities currently used.