Long-term outcome after anterior cervical discectomy without fusion

To retrospectively study the long-term outcome of patients after anterior cervical discectomy without fusion (ACD) compared to results published on the long-term outcome after ACD with fusion (ACDF). We reviewed the charts of all patients receiving ACD surgery between 1985 and 2000 to analyze the direct post-operative results as well as complications of the surgery. Moreover, 102 patients, randomly selected, were interviewed with the neck disability index to study possible persisting complaints up to 18 years after ACD surgery. A total of 551 Patients were identified. Two months post-operative follow up at the outpatient clinic revealed that 90.1% of patients were satisfied with the result of ACD surgery. At the time of the survey, this percentage had dropped to 67.6%. In addition, 20.6% and 11.8% had obtained moderate to severe complaints, respectively, in daily-life activities. Complaints were mainly localized in the neck region and occasionally provoked radiating pain in the arm. On the short term, ACD leads to a satisfied outcome. Over the longer term, patients report increasing complaints. The increase in complaints at the time of the survey may be the result of ongoing degenerative effects. Compared to published data on ACDF, there is no superiority of any fusion technique compared to ACD alone

Sinusite fúngica alérgica: atualização Allergic fungal sinusitis: an update

Sinusite fúngica alérgica é uma modalidade de sinusite fúngica reconhecida há aproximadamente 20 anos. Os critérios diagnósticos ainda não estão bem definidos e muitas dúvidas existem com relação à sua fisiopatogenia e tratamento. Com o intuito de rever os mais modernos conceitos desta nova entidade clínica, foi realizada uma pesquisa utlilizando como fontes de referências bibliográficas o Medline e o Lilacs, abrangendo os últimos 20 anos. A sinusite fúngica alérgica vem sendo reconhecida como uma importante causa de rinossinusite crônica e a integração entre otorrinolaringologistas, imunologistas e patologistas faz-se necessária para seu manuseio adequado.<br>Allergic fungal sinusitis is a well recognized form of fungal sinusitis first described 20 years ago. This entity hasn't a well defined diagnostic criteria and many questions rise about its true fisiopathology and treatment. The authors have performed a MEDLINE and LILACS search, comprising the last 20 years, in order to review the most moderns concepts about this new clinical entity. Allergic fungal sinusitis has been considered an important cause of chronic rhinosinusitis and a good relation envolving otolaryngologists, immunologists and pathologists is essential for its correct management