First bite syndrome after parotidectomy: a single-centre experience.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of first bite syndrome (FBS) among post-parotidectomy patients and to analyse the risk factors for its occurrence. The study involved 111 adult patients operated for benign parotid tumours. After surgery, the participants were asked to assess the presence of food-related pain and the nature of the pain. Participants also answered questions on complications after parotidectomy. FBS was found in seven patients (6.3%). Sex (P=0.036) and age (P=0.002) differed significantly between patients with and without FBS. Female patients were found to be at higher risk of FBS, and the lower the patient's age, the more likely FBS was to occur after surgery. Tumour location (P=0.002) and the occurrence of disturbing symptoms before surgery (P=0.009) had a statistically significant effect on the occurrence of FBS. A tendency towards significance for paresis of cranial nerve VII after surgery (P=0.051) was found; this complication was more frequent in the FBS patients. FBS is a rare pain syndrome that can occur after parotidectomy and should be distinguished from postoperative pain. Proper diagnosis and implementation of the appropriate treatment can significantly improve patient quality of life.

Körner's septum (petrosquamosal lamina): the anatomical variant or clinical problem?

Körner's septum (KS) or petrosquamosal lamina is a bony lamina beginning at the articular fossa, extending above the middle ear, and running inferiorly and laterally to the facial nerve canal as it proceeds to the mastoid apex. This septum marks the junction of petrous and squamous bones. The paper presents details of the anatomical structure of KS, which is most often present at the level of the head of the malleus and/or the anterior semicircular canal. Attention is paid to embryological aspects of temporal bone development that lead to the formation of KS. Two imaging techniques most frequently used to diagnose KS are described, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and cone-beam computed tomography. Also presented is a case report of a 6-year-old patient suffering from chronic otitis media who developed a cholesteatoma due to presence of KS, illustrated with HRCT images and intraoperative capture. The authors describe diagnostic difficulties associated with this anatomical variant in the middle ear. The article also discusses the more frequent occurrence of this clinical problem in ears operated on due to chronic inflammation, retraction pocket or tympanosclerosis in comparison to healthy ears.

[Primary malignant neoplasms of nasal septum in the material of ENT Department at Medical University in Gdansk]. / Pierwotne nowotwory zlosliwe przegrody nosa w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii AM w Gdansku.

The authors presented 25 years experience of ENT Department Medical University of Gdansk in treatment 28 primary malignant neoplasms of nasal septum. The aim of the study was to analyse epidemiological (age, sex, addictions etc.), morphological and clinical data of these tumors, methods of treatment and their results. Histologically the most often recognized neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma (15 of 28 cases--53.6%) and malignant melanoma (6 of 28 cases--21.4%). Diagnostic and clinical difficulties in this group of patients were presented. The treatment results were compared to the results obtained in the whole group of patients with malignant neoplasms of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a method of treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal radionecrosis]. / Hiperbaria tlenowa jako metoda leczenia zmian popromiennych gardla i krtani.

The authors described two cases of palatine tonsil carcinoma treated with surgery and subsequent radiation therapy after which occurred severe radionecrosis of the larynx, pharynx and oral cavity. These subjects were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Complete resolution of postradiation changes was observed. The authors described: 1) basic changes in the tissues caused by radiation therapy; 2) the mechanisms of healing activity of hyperbaric oxygen.

[Necrotizing sialometaplasia. Case report]. / Martwicza metaplazja slinianki podzuchwowej. Opis przypadku.

The authors present a rare case of inflammatory disease of submandibular salivary gland (necrotizing sialometaplasia), in which the histopathological examination was of particular value while estimating the final diagnosis. Review of world literature concerning this disease was made.

[Malignant schwannoma of parotid gland. Case report and review of literature]. / Zlosliwy nerwiak oslonkowy slinianki przyusznej. Opis przypadku i przeglad literatury.

The authors described a rare malignant neoplasm of peripheral nerve sheath, sarcomatous neurillemoma, localized in parotid gland in 72-year female. Findings of the computer tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance and Doppler-ultrasound are presented and discussed. A review of world literature, including 14 cases of this tumor, was made.

[Merkel cell carcinoma in otolaryngology]. / Rak z komórek Merkela w otolaryngologii.

The authors presented two cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare malignant neoplasm of neuroendocrine origin located in parabasal layer of epithelium. The first described case was 67 year old woman, after resection of primary tumor of eyelid, with metastases in lymph nodes of parotid gland. The second case was 44 year old woman with the primary tumor in retroauricular region. The patient underwent radiotherapy 23 years earlier due to malignant lymphoma. Basing on the available literature the authors discussed clinical and histological features of this malignancy, they stressed the important role of immunohistochemical tests in the diagnosis.

[Carcinoma of the hypopharynx in the material of ENT Department at the Medical University of Gdansk]. / Rak gardla dolnego w materiale Kliniki Gdanskiej.

The authors presented results of retrospective epidemical and clinical evaluation of 101 patients with carcinoma of hypopharynx. 42 of them were treated surgically or combined method. 29.7% of them survived 3 years and 23.5%--5 years. Radiotherapy was applied in 52 cases--25.6% of them survived 3 years, and 19.9%--5 years. 28.4% of the patients survived 3 years and 21.5%--5 years.

[Osteoma of the maxillary sinus]. / Kostniak zatoki szczekowej.

Osteomas of paranasal sinuses occur mainly in frontal and ethmoid sinus, in maxillary or sphenoid sinus are seen very rarely. The authors present a review of literature and next describe a case of spongioid osteoma in 42-years old female. The clinical features and radiologic assessment of the disease are presented. The tumour was resected by Caldwell-Luc operation with very good long term result.

[Retained teeth in the maxilla]. / Retencja zebów w szczece.

Two cases of retained teeth in maxilla, very rare disease seen in otolaryngological practice, are described. The authors present causes of this pathology, symptomatology, diagnostics and treatment. Diagnosis of retained teeth is made mainly by radiologic investigation i.e. CT and pantomography. A review of literature was made.

[Malignant ameloblastoma of the maxilla as an interdisciplinary problem]. / Szkliwiaki zlosliwe szczeki--problem interdyscyplinarny.

The clinico-pathological assessment of three cases of rare dentogenic tumours of the maxilla was made (including one case described earlier). In two patients primary malignant ameloblastoma was diagnosed. In one patient benign ameloblastoma was treated few times; in this case we have observed the transformation of benign disease to malignant because the occurring lymph node metastases. The authors discussed clinical and morphological characteristics of these tumours, which are under interest of many specialists.

[Laryngeal papilloma in the material of ENT department, Gdansk, 1965-1994]. / Brodawczaki krtani. Material kliniki gdanskiej (1965-1994).

Laryngeal papilloma is a non-malignant epithelial neoplasm of viral etiology. The disease occurs in children and in adults, and- apart from the same microscopic structure--its clinical course is different in those age groups. The authors presented a material of 210 patients with laryngeal papilloma: 76 children and 134 adults. In both groups a clinical analysis with regard to symptomatology, therapy, recurrences, complications and microscopic structure was made. Our observations show that clinical significance of laryngeal papilloma results from the tendency for recurrences and extralaryngeal spread by transmissibility--in childhood, and from the possibility of malignant degeneration--in adults.

Captopril: determination in blood and pharmacokinetics after single oral dose.

The study describes a specific, precise, sensitive and accurate method for determination of unchanged captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in human plasma. Captopril was stabilized by forming an adduct with p-bromophenacyl bromide and this adduct was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The standard curve was linear over a range of 30-800 ng ml-1. The average yield of derivatization of the unchanged captopril was 73.6% and the recovery of captopril-adduct reached 93.1%. The limit of detection was 15 ng ml-1, while the quantitative limit was 30 ng ml-1. Inter- and intra-assay RSD was below 9%, but inter- and intra-assay accuracy was below 8%. On the basis of elaborated method, a single-dose pharmacokinetics in 12 men, in two doses (25 and 50 mg of captopril) has been investigated. The comparison of the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from both doses of the drug have been made.