Infiltration with lidocaine and adrenaline instead of normal saline does not improve the septoplasty procedure

The aim of this study was to determine whether infiltration of local anesthetics with adrenaline improved septoplasty procedure when compared to normal saline. Eight-two patients undergoing septoplasty were randomized into two groups. In group 1, septal mucoperichondrium was infiltrated with lidocaine with adrenaline, and normal saline was used in group 2. Presence of intra-operative septal mucosal injuries, the amount of bleeding, arterial blood pressure, operation time as well as the quality of the surgical field and the convenience of finding the correct surgical plane as determined by the surgeon using a 5-point scale were compared between two groups. There were no significant differences for the amount of blood loss, mean arterial pressure, operation time, or scores for convenience of finding the correct surgical plane between the two groups. There was no significant difference for intra-operative simple (P = 0.631) and total (simple+severe) (P = 0.649) septal mucoperichondrial injuries between groups 1 and 2, either. However, severe mucoperichondrial injury rate was higher in the patients infiltrated with lidocaine and adrenaline (P = 0.026), and the quality of the surgical field was worse in the patients injected with normal saline (P = 0.0179). Infiltration of septal mucoperichondrium with lidocaine and adrenaline instead of normal saline was not advantageous in terms of objective parameters tested, including bleeding amount and duration of surgery as well as the of the total mucosal injury rate in septoplasty procedure.

Investigation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume in sudden hearing loss

Introduction

Several theories attempt to explain the pathophysiology of sudden hearing loss.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible role of inflammation and atherothrombosis in sudden hearing loss patients through the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume.

Methods

Study design – retrospective cross-sectional historical cohort. This study was conducted on two groups: one with 59 individuals diagnosed with sudden hearing loss, and other with 59 healthy individuals with the same characteristics of gender and age distribution, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume levels were measured in patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss as well as in the control group, and it was verified whether these results interfered for a better or worse prognosis with treatment of sudden deafness.

Results

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels are much higher in patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss compared to the control group. Similarly, mean levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are higher in non-recovered versus recovered patients (p = 0.001). However, we could not find a correlation with mean platelet volume levels (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a quick and reliable indicator regarding diagnosis and prognosis of sudden hearing loss; on the other hand, mean platelet volume may be considered a less important indicator in this aspect.

Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in Bell's palsy and its correlation with facial nerve enhancement on MRI

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammation and atherothrombosis in Bell's palsy (BP) by using neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV), respectively, and to study their relations with the facial nerve enhancement on temporal gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (TGd-MRI).

STUDY DESIGN

Case control study.

SETTING

Tertiary health institution.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study was performed on 65 patients who were diagnosed with BP and a control group of 35 healthy individuals. The BP patients were also divided into 2 groups, those with facial nerve enhancement on TGd-MRI and those without enhancement. The NLR and MPV of each group were compared.

RESULTS

The NLRs of the BP patients were significantly higher than control group (P = .001). The NLRs of patients with facial nerve enhancement on TGd-MRI were significantly higher than patients without enhancement (P = .001). There was a positive and significant correlation between NLR and House-Brackmann (HB) grade of the patients (r = 0.641; P < .05). MPV did not show any significant correlation with any of the parameters studied (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

NLR can be used as a new and important marker in BP since it is high in BP patients and significantly correlated with HB grade and facial nerve enhancement on TGd-MR. On the other hand, MPV does not have such correlations. These results offer evidence to support an inflammatory theory rather than microvascular response theory in the etiopatogenesis of BP.

Division of the stapedial tendon results in noise-induced damage to the inner ear

Background

The effect of division of the stapedial tendon on susceptibility to noise-induced inner ear damage has not been previously studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of noise exposure following division of the stapedial tendon in guinea pigs.

Material/Methods

Ten adult albino guinea pigs were used. The stapedial tendon of each right ear was cut. The stapedial tendon in each left ear was left intact and these ears served as a control group. DPOAEs and ABR tests were performed before and 10 days after noise exposure. The animals were exposed to a 110-dB noise stimulus for 6 h in a silent room a week after surgery. Cochleas of the animals were removed, and inner and outer hair cells were examined under a light microscope.

Results

We found that noise exposure adversely affected DPOAE measurements at all frequencies except 2 KHz in experimental ears. Noise exposure also produced significantly elevated ABR thresholds in experimental ears at 2, 4, 8, and 16 KHz. On histopathological examination, we found a significantly greater prevalence of apoptotic cells in the experimental ears.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, we can conclude that after division of the stapedial tendon, noise exposure may cause damage to the inner ear. This is the first study in the English literature that demonstrates the potential protective effect of the stapedial tendon against acoustic damage.

Middle ear barotrauma with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: incidence and the predictive value of the nine-step inflation/deflation test and otoscopy

We conducted a prospective study to determine the incidence of middle ear barotrauma in patients who were undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We also investigated the value of the nine-step inflation/deflation test and otoscopic findings before and immediately after the initial HBOT session in predicting barotrauma in an attempt to establish some criteria for prophylaxis. The study was conducted on 36 ears of 18 adults who had no history of eustachian tube dysfunction. Patients were being treated with HBOT for sudden hearing loss, wound-healing complications, or complications of diabetes. After 7 days of HBOT, barotrauma was seen in 12 of the 18 patients (66.7%) and in 18 of the 36 ears (50.0%). The nine-step inflation/deflation tests, which were performed before and immediately after the initial HBOT session, were not predictive of barotrauma (p = 0.095 before and p = 0.099 after). However, otoscopic findings obtained immediately after the first session of HBOT were predictive of barotrauma, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83 and 100%, respectively. We conclude that patients with even minor positive pathologic findings on otoscopy immediately following HBOT are at increased risk of middle ear barotrauma if HBOT is to be continued without prophylaxis.

Middle Ear Barotrauma with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Incidence and the Predictive Value of the Nine-step Inflation/Deflation Test and Otoscopy

We conducted a prospective study to determine the incidence of middle ear barotrauma in patients who were undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We also investigated the value of the nine-step inflation/deflation test and otoscopic findings before and immediately after the initial HBOT session in predicting barotrauma in an attempt to establish some criteria for prophylaxis. The study was conducted on 36 ears of 18 adults who had no history of eustachian tube dysfunction. Patients were being treated with HBOT for sudden hearingloss, wound-healing complications, or complications of diabetes. After 7 days of HBOT, barotrauma was seen in 12 of the 18 patients (66.7%) and in 18 of the 36 ears (50.0%). The nine-step inflation/deflation tests, which were performed before and immediately after the initial HBOT session, were not predictive of barotrauma (p = 0.095 before and p = 0.099 after). However, otoscopic findings obtained immediately after the first session of HBOT were predictive of barotrauma, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83 and 100%, respectively. We conclude that patients with even minor positive pathologic findings on otoscopy immediately following HBOT are at increased risk of middle ear barotrauma if HBOT is to be continued without prophylaxis.

Comparison of levo-bupivacaine and lidocaine for postoperative analgesia following septoplasty

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of levo-bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic and lidocaine in postoperative analgesia following septoplasty. 112 patients randomized into two groups were included in the study. 56 patients were operated using levo-bupivacaine and 56 using lidocaine as the local anesthetic. All patients were asked to mark their pain levels on a Visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6trh 8th, 12th, and 24th hours postoperatively. In addition, the amount of analgesics used by each patient was recorded. The results indicated that the VAS scores of the levo-bupivacaine patients were significantly lower within the postoperative 4 hours (p < 0.05) compared to the lidocaine group. In the levobupivacaine patients the earliest time for analgesic need was delayed (p < 0.001) and the total amount of analgesics used was significantly lower when compared to lidocaine group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, levo-bupivacaine is effective for obtaining postoperative analgesia following septoplasty with local anesthesia. When compared to lidocaine, it increases the postoperative comfort of the patients by reducing pain levels.

The effects of merocel and glove finger tampon applications on the nasal septum mucosa of rabbits

OBJECTIVE

The use of tampons after nasal septum surgery is important for both prevention of postoperative bleeding and stabilization of the nasal flaps and the septum. One of the most important factors in achieving rapid postoperative recovery is the choice of the nasal tampon material, among many, to produce minimal damage on the nasal mucosa. In this study, the histopathological effects of the glove finger and merocel tampons, which are commonly used in clinical applications, have been investigated on the nasal mucosa of rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, merocel and glove finger tampons were used for nasal packing in one-sided nasal cavities of 16 adult New Zealand rabbits. The animals were randomized into two groups, each consisting of eight animals. The tampons were removed after 48 hours.

RESULTS

Histological examination showed that if the merocel was in a glove finger, it did not create any damage to mucosal integrity and lamina propria. However, in the group where merocel was used directly, the epithelium of the nasal mucosa was shortened and demonstrated loss of cilia and in four of the eight specimens, it was partly from lamina propria.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the use of merocel in glove finger tampon leads to a lesser degree of damage in the lamina propria, and may facilitate rapid mucosal wound healing postoperatively.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component: Combined carcinoma of larynx

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common neoplasm of the larynx. There are three variants of SCC. Each variant presents distinctive biologic behaviors and clinical courses. Therefore reaching the exact diagnosis and distinguishing the variants is fateful. We describe a case of spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with a verrucous carcinoma component. To our knowledge, this entity has never been documented before.

Bilateral antrochoanal polyps in an adult: a case report

Antrochoanal polyps (ACP) are almost always unilateral. Only two bilateral cases have been reported to date, both of them in children. There have been no investigations of the aetiology of the bilateral occurrence of these lesions, possibly due to the rarity of bilateral ACPs. In this paper, we report on the first adult case of bilateral ACPs and review the literature.

Radiofrequency excision of a large postcricoid mucous cyst

OBJECTIVES

To present the case of a patient with a large mucous cyst originating from the postcricoid region that was removed by radiofrequency excision.

METHODOLOGY

A 75-year-old male who complained of progressive difficulty in breathing, dysphonia, and throat discomfort upon swallowing presented at our clinic. Computerized tomography imaging showed a 4 x 4 x 3 cm cystic mass in the hypopharyngeal region. The patient had been on medical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years, and his ability to extend his neck was totally restricted. Thus, the Kleinsasser operating laryngoscope could not be inserted; instead, the blade of a flexible intubation laryngoscope and a 30 degree rigid nasal endoscope was used to visualize the lesion.

RESULT

The walls of the cyst were excised from the postcricoid region using a radiofrequency device to avoid bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Radiosurgery of these kinds of lesions produces less hemorrhage and may provide a suitable alternative to classical surgery.

An unrecognized foreign body in the parotid gland after trauma

OBJECTIVE

Foreign bodies within the parotid gland retained after trauma are rarely observed, due in part to ease of detection. Few, however, particularly wooden foreign bodies, may not be identified clinically and radiologically.

CASE

A 44-year-old male was admitted complaining of recurrent swelling and pain in the left parotid gland with recent history of penetrating parotid trauma and foreign body removal. Ultrasonography revealed a high degree of parenchymal heterogeneity and an 18 x 5.7 mm linear mass shadow. Following superficial parotidectomy, an approximately 1 x 2 cm wooden fragment that was buried in the masseter muscle and surrounded by granulation tissue was palpated and extracted.

CONCLUSION

Any suspicion of a residual foreign body after penetrating parotid gland trauma can be clarified with a detailed radiological examination, which may provide further guidance for treatment. The treatment modality of parotid foreign bodies is early surgical exploration, and in delayed cases, superficial parotidectomy may be needed.

[Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in patients with laryngeal carcinoma]

OBJECTIVES

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of lipid peroxidation and ROS in laryngeal cancer tissues.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We determined glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities as markers of lipid peroxidation in laryngeal tumor specimens and tumor-free adjacent tissues of 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

Compared to the tumor-free specimens, the level of GSH was significantly low (p<0.001) whereas MDA, a lipid peroxidation product, showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in cancer tissues. No significant differences were found in MDA and GSH levels between patients with early (n=14) and advanced (n=16) tumor stages (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Decreased antioxidant capacity of laryngeal cancer tissues results in elevation of free oxygen radicals and increased lipid peroxidation. Free radical metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of laryngeal cancers.