The impact of the vitamins A, C and E in the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

This paper aims at evaluating the impact of vitamins intake in the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's oesophagus (BE), and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC). It concentrates primarily on the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. There were 180 subjects included in the trial, 109 males and 71 females, which were divided in the four groups (70 patients with GERD, 20 patients with BE, 20 patients with EADC, and 70 healthy examinees composing a control group). Their antioxidant vitamins intake was investigated through the usage of the dietary questionnaires. Concentration of the mentioned antioxidant vitamin in serum was detected by HPLC method, and although there were no major statistical differences in their levels between four groups, there existed a correlation between the vitamin serum concentration and the rephlux disease degree. The results showed that the healthy examinees had consumed the greater quantities of the vitamins A, C and E, through both the natural (fruits and vegetables) and the supplementary (industrial vitamin additives) way, than the patients with GERD, BE and EADC. This was reflected in the higher serum levels of the mentioned vitamins in the first group in the comparison with the second group. Based on this, the intake of the vitamins A, C and E through both the natural and the supplementary ways is suggested in order to prevent the development of the GERD, BE and EADC.

Perceptual evaluation of alaryngeal speech.

The aim of this study was to compare the self-assessed vocal handicap of laryngectomees treated with three different communication methods: tracheoesophageal speech, esophageal speech and electrolarynx. Forty-eight patients, 40 males and 8 females, who had undergone total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Depending on the voice restoration method, all patients were divided into three groups: 20 patients were tracheoesophageal speakers (group 1), 13 patients were esophageal speakers (group 2) and 15 patients were electrolaryngeal speakers (group 3). They autonomously completed the Croatian version of Voice Hendicap Index, a questionnaire that was developed to quantify the patient's perception of deficiency due to vocal dysfunction. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 13.0), and the data obtained with each group and scale were formally compared. 31.25% of patients rated their voice disorder as a minimum handicap, 54.16% of patients rated their voice disorder as a medium handicap, and 14.58% of them rated their voice disorder as a significant handicap. There are differences between each group, but differences were not statistically significant. No single method is considered to be the best for every patient. Selection of a method should be based on the input from the patient, surgeon and speech pathologist.

Bilateral laryngoceles in association with squamos cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

Coexistence of laryngoceles and laryngeal carcinoma is still being debated, and there are several suggested theories about the pathophysiological relationship between these two entities. We present the case of a 66-year-old male patient with bilateral laryngomucoceles and laryngeal squamos cell carcinoma. A systematic hystological examination of whole organ sections showed that the submucosal spreading of cancer around the saccular necks on both sides caused stenosis which probably created a one-way valve mechanism allowing air to enter the saccule but not to exit. Progression of the tumor completely obstructed the laryngeal opening, leading to glandular secretion stagnation and formation of laryngomucoceles.

The effects of gluten-free diet on body weight in children with celiac disease.

This study was aimed at monitoring and controlling of body weight in children with diagnosis of celiac disease when established and after introducing gluten-free diet. Prospective clinical study included 42 children with celiac disease whose body weight was measured before introducing gluten-free diet, and after the period of six and 18 months of introducing gluten-free diet. The children were divided into three age groups. The first group consisted of 16 children, 8 females and 8 males in the age from 6 to 18 months, the second group consisted of 14 children, 8 females and 6 males ranging from the age of 20 to 111 months and the third group consisted of 12 children, 6 females and 6 males ranging from the age of 115 to 204 months. The measured body weight was compared with the centile tables of children of the same age. After introducing gluten-free diet the body weight was significantly higher at first, especially at the second control examination in comparison to the centile table of children of the same age and gender When comparing the results at the time of establishing the diagnosis and at the first and second control examination of the body weight of children the results showed no difference concerning gender and the age of children. In conclusion it can be said that is very important to diagnose celiac disease as soon as possible because the introduction of gluten-free diet prevents the pathological conditions mucosal lesion of small intestine and the physical retardation of children.