Evaluation and Management of Antrochoanal Polyps

Antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) are benign polypoid lesions arising from the maxillary antrum and they extend into the choana. They occur more commonly in children and young adults, and they are almost always unilateral. The etiopathogenesis of ACPs is not clear. Nasal obstruction and nasal drainage are the most common presenting symptoms. The differential diagnosis should include the causes of unilateral nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scans are the main diagnostic techniques, and the treatment of ACPs is always surgical. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and powered instrumentation during FESS for complete removal of ACPs are extremely safe and effective procedures. Physicians should focus on detecting the exact origin and extent of the polyp to prevent recurrence

The Effects of Using Bioglue in Nasal Septal Surgery.

Objectives: Nasal septal surgery is one of the most common surgical procedure performed by otolaryngologists. Nasal packs are used for bleeding control, prevention of septal hematoma, replacement of mucoperichondrial flaps, and stabilization of the septum after nasal septal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of albumin-glutaraldehyde-based tissue adhesive (Bioglue), which can be used as an alternative to nasal pack on the nasal septum after experimental nasal septum surgery. Methods: A total of 16 female Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into the study group (n = 10) and the control group (n = 6). After raising the mucoperichondrial flap on one side of the septum, Bioglue was used to fix the mucoperichondrial flap over the septal cartilage in the study group and nasal packs (Merocel) were used for fixation in the control group. The rats were sacrificed at 2 and 4 weeks after septoplasty. All the tissue samples were evaluated under light microscope by the same pathologist in respect of foreign-body reaction, degree of inflammation, granulation tissue, fibrosis, cartilage damage, and cilia and goblet cell damage. In the control group, the Merocel packs were removed after 2 days and the groups were compared in terms of hematoma. Results: No hematoma was observed in any group. Septal perforation was determined in all the study group participants and loss of cilia and goblet cells and foreign-body reaction were found in 8 samples of the study group participants and in none of the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study show that Bioglue caused segmental cartilage injury; therefore, it may not suitable for use following septal surgery.WOS:0006736210000082-s2.0-85101145326PubMed: 3355949

Assessment of auditory brainstem responses in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

WOS: 000435652100011Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of thyroid hormone changes on hearing pathways by assessing audiometry and auditory brainstem responses of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients and to determine whether hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism patients are at risk for hearing loss. Material and Method: Between June 2008-July 2009, 25 hyperthyroidism (Graves, Multinodular Goitre) and 25 hypothyroidism (Hashimato hypothyroidism) patients who were newly diagnosed in the endocrinology clinic of Duzce University Medical Faculty between the ages of 20-50 were taken into study. Audiometry and Auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements were performed for each patient. Results: In audiometry findings of hyperthyroid patients, a sensorineural hearing loss was detected especially at high frequency when compared to normal control group. There was no significant difference in the ABR results when compared with the control group. When audiometric findings were interpreted in hypothyroid patients, a sensorineural hearing loss was detected especially at high frequencies when compared to the control group. When the ABR measurements of the control group were compared with the hypothyroid group, the wave latencies I., III., V. and I-III, I-V interpeak latencies were higher in the hypothyroid group, but the difference between the first wave latency and III-V and I-V interpeak latencies was not statistically significant (p>0,05), but the difference between III., V. wave lattices and I-III interpeak latency was statistically significant (p < 0.05). These changes in ABR waves suggest that there are retrocochlear problems in hypothyroid patients. Discussion: The results of our study suggest that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may have an impact on the hearing pathways

Objective and Subjective Voice Examination in Turkish Imams.

Objective: Imams are professional voice users and they are at high risk of developing voice problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate vocal acoustic parameters and voice handicap index (VHI) scores in Turkish imams and comparing these paramaters with a control group of male nonprofessional voice users. Methods: A total of 62 active working Turkish imams that never applied to our clinic with voice problems volunteered as subjects for the study and the control group consisted of 47 male nonprofessional voice users. Every participant completed a VHI questionnaire. A voice analysis was performed using computer program Dr.Speech Version 4 in an acoustically treated setting. Mean fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonics to noise ratio values were recorded during the phonation and were analyzed. Results: All imams were active working men aged 27–57 and the control group was comprised of male nonprofessional voice users of a similar age group. The measure of mean fundamental frequency, harmonics to noise ratio, jitter and shimmer rates were similar between two groups. In comparison of VHI between the groups no significant differences were found. Conclusion: Even though imams in the study group stated that they experienced voice problems in their professional lives, this did not cause any adverse changes in acoustic and subjective parameters (VHI) compared with control group. © 2020 The Voice Foundation2-s2.0-8509951359

A Rhinolith Surrounded by a Nasal Polyp

Rhinoliths are uncommon mineralized nasal mass in children and adolescents. We reported a case of unilateral rhinolith that presented as a nasal polyp. A 29-year-old woman who had right-sided nasal purulent discharge, nasal obstruction, intermittent epistaxis, and posterior nasal drip for 6 months was admitted to our department. Nasal examination revealed a nasal mass between the inferior turbinate and the nasal septum, presenting as a nasal polyp or a nasal tumor. Paranasal sinus computed tomographic scan confirmed a calcified mass in soft tissue. We removed the rhinolith and the soft tissue that was around it with a transnasal endoscopic approach. Histologic analysis of the soft tissue identified inflammatory nasal polypoid tissue

Giant Myoepithelioma of the Soft Palate

Myoepitheliomas are benign salivary gland tumors and account for less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors. They are usually located in the parotid gland. The soft palate is very rare affected site. The differential diagnosis of myoepitheliomas should include reactive and neoplastic lesions. The treatment of myoepitheliomas is complete removal of the tumor. Herein, we report a case with giant myoepithelioma of the soft palate, reviewing the related literature

Shepard grommet tympanostomy tube complications in children with chronic otitis media with effusion

The objective of this study was to determine tympanostomy tube complications in children with chronic otitis media with effusion who were treated with Shepard grommet tympanostomy tube insertion. This tube type was selected as it is the most commonly used one in our clinic. The medical records of 162 ears of 87 children (52 male and 35 female) were reviewed retrospectively. The children were between 3 to 16 years old (mean age = 8.1 +/- A 3.1). The patients were followed up 6-66 months (mean 23.3 +/- A 14.9 months) after tympanostomy tube insertion. We reviewed age, sex, time to tube extrusion and complications. In all patients the indication for surgery was chronic middle ear effusion. Otorrhea occurred in nine ears (5.6%). Granulation tissue was seen in two ears (1.2%). Complications after tympanostomy tube extrusion included myringosclerosis (34.6%), persistent perforation (5.6%), atrophy (23.5%), retraction (16.7%) and medial displacement of tubes (1.2%). The average extrusion time was 8.5 +/- A 4.6 months (range 1-24) for Shepard grommet tympanostomy tubes. Complications of tympanostomy tube insertion are common. Myringosclerosis, tympanic membrane atrophy and otorrhea are the most frequently appearing complications. But they are generally insignificant and cosmetic. Consequently, in the majority of these complications there is no need for any management

Otitis media with effusion: Recurrence after tympanostomy tube extrusion

Objective The incidence rate of recurrence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children after tympanostomy tube extrusion and the relationship between recurrence and tube retention time was investigated. Also relationship between recurrence rate and initial age of tube insertion was analysed

TPH1 A218 allele is associated with suicidal behavior in Turkish population

WOS: 000381843600004PubMed ID: 27497328Background: Serotonergic dysfunction is implicated in depression, psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviors. The first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin is catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) which is encoded by TPH1 and THP2 genes. Genetic association studies have revealed contradictory results about the effect of the TPH1 A218C (rs1800532) polymorphism on suicidal behavior in different populations. Material and method: In this study, we investigated A218C polymorphism in 109 suicide attempters and 98 healthy controls. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants were obtained through questionnaire. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotyping was performed by Real Time PCR. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the significance of the difference among the independent variables. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using Pearson's goodness-of-fit chi-squared test. Results: The frequency of A allele was significantly higher in suicide attempters than controls (46.33% vs. 35.71%, p = 0.0357). However, there were no differences in genotype frequencies of this locus between participants having attempted suicide and controls (p > 0.05). Among males, frequencies of CC genotype and C allele were found to be significantly higher in controls (p = 0.0125, p = 0.0298). With regard to the female subjects and female controls, no significant association was detected between suicidal behavior and genotype/allele frequencies (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that A allele of TPH1 A218C polymorphism may be associated with suicidal behavior in Turkish population. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Ege University Research FundsEge University [2012 TIP-089]This project is supported by Ege University Research Funds (Project No. 2012 TIP-089)