Cepstral Peak Point Analyses of Patients Recovering from Supraglottic Laryngectomy

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate smoothed cepstral peak point and laryngostrobosopic results in patients who underwent supraglottic laryngectomy.Method:Ten patients who underwent transcervical supraglottic laryngectomy with bilateral modified radical neck dissection, and who completed at least 12 months of follow-up, were included. All patients underwent laryngostroboscopic evaluation at study commencement; glottal closure and mucosal wave pattern were examined. Voice records were taken at fundamental frequency and smoothed cepstral peak point were analysed. Voice handicap index-10 was requested to be completed. Ten healthy individual constituted control group. Results were compared.Results:The mean smoothed cepstral peak points were 1.53-5.91 in the supraglottic laryngectomy group and 4.6-6.06 in controls, a significant difference. The fundamental frequency ranged from 174.49 to 197.25 Hz in the supraglottic laryngectomy group and from 118.57 to 197.61 Hz in the control group, also a significant difference. Laryngostroboscopic evaluation revealed no significant between-group differences in closure, but the mucosal waves differed significantly. Voice handicap index was significantly lower in supraglottic laryngectomy patients.Conclusion:Supraglottic laryngectomy reduces smoothed cepstral peak point and affects the mucosal wave, reducing voice quality

A simple method to reduce halitosis; tongue scraping with probiotics

PubMed: 31639775Objective: We aimed to assess the effects of probiotic implantation to the dorsum of the tongue against halitosis. Materials and methods: 100 participants were randomly divided into three groups as tongue back scraping (TS), probiotic implantation to the dorsum of the tongue (PB) and mouthwash alone as the control group (MW). Measurements were taken before the treatment, after the first month of treatment and one month after the cessation of treatment. Results: Halimeter, winkel and woodlight scores were evaluated initially, in the first month and after the cessation of the treatment. All of MW measurements showed no difference throughout the study. All of TS measurements decreased significantly in the first month (p < 0.05) but rose again in the final count. All of PB measurements significantly decreased in the first month and kept their low levels after the cessation of the treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Probiotics and tongue scraping are widely used against halitosis but they are not intended to be used together. In this study, we proposed and proved an effective method of probiotic implantation by tongue scraping and showed that halitosis did not recur after the cessation of the treatment. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd

A novel Turkish instrument for assessing quality of life in chronic otitis media –translation and validation of Zurich chronic middle ear inventory

Background/aim: The Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Questionnaire (ZCMEI-21) is a newly-developed German-language questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of chronic otitis media (COM) patients and translate, transculturally adapt, and validate the ZCMEI-21 into Turkish. Materials and methods: Based on internationally accepted guidelines, the ZCMEI-21 was translated into Turkish. To assess its validity, the total score of the ZCMEI-21-Tur was compared to the scores taken from the original validation study and a question that was directly related to the health-related QoL (HRQoL), as well as the general criterion EQ-5D-5L. Questionnaires were completed by healthy volunteers and the results were evaluated statistically. Results: A total of 80 COM patients and 40 healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. Regarding internal consistency, the questionnaire showed a Cronbach α of 0.94, which indicated high internal consistency. Moreover, internal consistency was also determined to be excellent for the Cronbach α of the individual subscales, as follows: ear sign symptoms, 0.79; hearing, 0.83; psychosocial impact, 0.91, and medical resources, 0.84. Conclusions: The ZCMEI-21 was translated into Turkish and validated. Therefore, the ZCMEI-21-Tur was suitable for use in assessing HRQoL in adult patients with COM

Evaluation of inner ear damage by mastoid drilling with measurement of serum prestin (SLC26A5) levels

Objective: The objective of this study is to demonstrate any inner ear injury caused by drilling in mastoid surgery with prestin, outer hair cell motor protein specific to the cochlea. Methods: The patients with chronic otitis media requiring mastoidectomy (n = 21) and myringoplasty (n = 21) were included. Serum prestin level obtained from blood samples was measured before surgery and on postoperative days 0, 3, and 7 using Human Prestin (SLC26A5) ELISA Kit. All patients underwent the Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) test before surgery and on the postoperative 7th day. The drilling time was also recorded for all patients who underwent mastoidectomy. Results: In both mastoidectomy and myringoplasty groups, the postoperative serum prestin levels increased on days 0 and 7 (pday-0 = 0.002, pday-7 = 0.001 and pday-0 = 0.005, pday-7 = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the serum prestin levels between the two groups, postoperatively. The PTA thresholds at day 7 did not change in either group. A significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. There was no correlation between the drilling time and the increase of prestin levels in the postoperative day 0, 3, and 7. Conclusion: Our results showed that mastoid drilling is not related to a significant inner ear injury. Although the myringoplasty group was not exposed to drill trauma, there was a similar increase in serum prestin levels as the mastoidectomy group. Also, a significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. These findings suggest that suction and ossicular manipulation trauma can lead to an increase in serum prestin levels and postoperative temporary or permanent SNHL at 2000 and 4000 Hz. Level of evidence: Level-4

Dehiscence or thinning of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Study design Retrospective cohort. Objectives The objective of the study is to evaluate a relationship between idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal (SSC). Materials and methods A total of 57 (114 ears) individuals, 20 of whom were controls and 37 of whom were IIH, were included in the study. Individuals were evaluated with 0.8 mm slice thickness computed tomography (CT) images for SSC bony roof thickness and SSCD. Thickness of the bony roof over the SSC was graded from Grade 1 to Grade 4. Grade 3 was defined as pre-dehiscence and Grade 4 as dehiscence. Results Bony roof thickness was 1.25 mm in the control group and 0.76 mm in the IIH group. When bony roof thickness was compared between the groups, it was found to be significantly thinner in the IIH group (p = 0.012). In the IIH group, while dehiscence was detected in 25 of 74 ears, no dehiscence was detected in 49 ears. In the control group, while dehiscence was detected in 5 ears, no dehiscence was detected in 35 ears. The difference is statistically significant (p = 0.015). The correlation between bony roof thickness and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in the IIH group was not statistically significant (p = 0.343; rho = 0.110). The correlation between bony roof thickness and age in the IIH group was not statistically significant (p = 0.082; rho = - 0.164). Conclusion Increased CSF pressure in patients with IIH may cause chronic, progressive, and irreversible damage to the bone of the SSC and, according to our study, the rate of SSCD was found to be high in IIH patients