Extramedullary nasal plasmacytoma: Literature review and a rare case report

INTRODUCTION: Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a plasma cell tumor that grows within any of the soft tissues of the organism. Similar to all plasmacytic dyscrasia, the disease is extremely rare. AIM: This study reports a case of an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the nasal cavity and provides a literature review on the topic. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old woman presented at our tertiary university hospital with a 6-month history of progressive nasal obstruction, predominantly to the right side, and self-limiting epistaxis. Examination revealed a large pale-reddish tumor within the right nasal cavity. Anatomopathological analysis showed features consistent with a plasmacytoma diagnosis, which was subsequently confirmed by immunohistochemical techniques. Further assessment revealed the solitary nature of the condition, consistent with extramedullary plasmacytoma. Radiotherapy was initiated, which led to partial regression of the symptoms. The tumor was surgically removed by using a mid-facial degloving approach. The patient evolved with a naso-oral fistula and underwent 3 corrective surgeries. No evidence of associated systemic disease was found after 5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case report, which describes a rare tumor of the nasal cavity, is expected to improve the recognition and referral of this condition by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists for multidisciplinary management and long-term follow-up

Extra-laryngeal complications of suspension laryngoscopy

SummaryAlthough suspension laryngoscopy is routinely used in laryngeal surgery, there are only few studies on the complications of this procedure.Aimto evaluate the complications outside the larynx following suspension laryngoscopy and analyze their relation with surgery duration.Materials and MethodsThirty-seven procedures were prospectively analyzed for intervention-related complications. The study included patient preoperative and postoperative assessment, focusing on dental, mucosal and nerve status (hypoglossal and lingual nerves).ResultsMost procedures (27/37) were associated to some kind of complication, and mucosal injuries were the most common; temporary nerve lesions were observed in five cases and dental injuries in one case. Statistic significance was found between surgery duration and mucosal injury (lesions smaller than 1 centimeter), showing that longer procedure pose higher risks for these complications.ConclusionThese findings suggest that suspension laryngoscopy is frequently associated with complications outside the larynx. Although these injuries represent a low risk of significant morbidity, they can be avoided if more accurate techniques are used

Salivary transforming growth factor alpha in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and reflux laryngitis

Introduction: Saliva plays a key role in the homeostasis of the digestive tract, through its inorganic components and its protein growth factors. Sjögren's syndrome patients have a higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Decreased salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were observed in dyspeptic patients, but there have been no studies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Objective: To compare the salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux to those of healthy controls. Methods: This is a prospective controlled study. Twelve patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux and 11 controls were prospectively evaluated. Spontaneous and stimulated saliva samples were obtained to establish salivary transforming growth factor alpha concentrations. Results: The salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. Five patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux also had erosive esophagitis; their salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were comparable to controls. Conclusion: Salivary transforming growth factor alpha level was significantly higher in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux when compared to the control group

Análise do pH salivar de indivíduos com Síndrome de Sjögren e refluxo laringofaríngeo pH salivary analysis of subjects suffering from Sjögren's Syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux

A saliva é fundamental para a homeostase digestiva. Alterações no seu volume e composição são correlacionadas com o refluxo laringofaríngeo (RLF). Estudos recentes demonstraram que pacientes com RLF apresentam acidificação do pH salivar. A síndrome de Sjögren (SS) foi eleita como modelo de hiposalivação, com objetivo de analisar as repercussões da diminuição salivar na laringe e faringe. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Estudo clínico transversal de 19 sujeitos com SS e RLF comparados com 12 indivíduos saudáveis. Obtidas amostras de saliva total não estimulada (STNE) e saliva total estimulada por mastigação de parafilm M® (STE). RESULTADOS: Todos os indivíduos eram mulheres, média de idade de 60 anos (estudo) e 44 anos. A prevalência de RLF foi 100%. O pH médio na STNE foi 7,53 (grupo estudo) e 7,57(controle), aumentando para 7,87 e 7,93, respectivamente, após estimulação mecânica. Não houve diferença significante de pH entre os grupos. O volume salivar médio dos pacientes com SS foi 1,27mL (STNE) e 3,78mL (STE), sendo o volume salivar do grupo controle significativamente maior (4,02mL na STNE e 11,96mL na STE). CONCLUSÕES: Todos os indivíduos estudados apresentaram RLF, fato provavelmente relacionado à queda uniforme observada no volume salivar e de todos seus componentes, não sendo observadas mudanças no pH salivar no grupo estudado. Isso sugere fisiopatogenias diferentes do RLF para indivíduos com SS.<br>Saliva is one of the components for the digestive homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) present a drop in salivary pH. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are a potential clinical research model for xerostomia and its laryngeal and pharyngeal consequences. The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of saliva of patients with SS and LPR. METHODS: 19 patients with SS plus LPR, and 12 healthy controls had their saliva studied prospectively for volume and pH. Two salivary samples were obtained from each participant: whole unstimulated saliva(WUS) and whole stimulated saliva(WSS) while chewing parafilm M®. All the participants were females. RESULTS: Mean age was 60 years (study group) and 44 years (control). LPR was diagnosed on all 19 subjects. The mean pH of WUS was 7.53 (SS) and 7.57 (controls), raising to 7.87 and 7.83 respectively after stimulation. The mean salivary volume of patients with SS was 1.27 mL (WUS) and 3.78 mL (WSS), whereas controls had a significantly higher salivary volume both before and after stimuli. CONCLUSION: A very high prevalence of LPR was found in patients with SS, which is probably caused by a uniform drop in salivary volume and all its contents, rather than a specific deficiency in its components, as shown previously in patients without SS