Alper Dilci

The demographics and histopathological features of oral cavity cancers in Turkey

BACKGROUND/AIM This study aimed to examine the demographics and histopathological features of oral cavity cancers (OCCs) managed in our clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who were diagnosed with OCCs in the Gazi University Otorhinolaryngology Department between the years 1993 and 2013 were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Surgical archive charts and pathology records were reviewed in detail regarding the anatomical and histopathological profiles of the tumors, as well as the demographic data of the patients. RESULTS Out of 230 patients with OCCs, the most common anatomic location and histopathological diagnosis were found to be the oral tongue (41.4%) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (84.3%), respectively. A marked predominance of SCC was observed in all subsites of the oral cavity except the hard palate location. The mean age at presentation was 55.5 ± 13.4 years (±SD). The male:female ratio was found to be 2.2:1. A male predominance was also present in all subsites except the retromolar trigon. CONCLUSION OCCs particularly concern the elderly population with a male predominance. The most common location and histopathological type are the oral tongue and SCC, respectively.

A rare pediatric malignant neck mass: Synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcomas are rare soft tissue sarcomas that typically seen in the periarticular region and predominantly located in the extremities. It most commonly affects young adults of the second to fourth decade. Head and neck synovial sarcomas are uncommon and carry a poor prognosis. In the head and neck region, tumor is localized laterally in the parapharyngeal space often. The tumor can spread loco -regionally and systemically easily, so it makes management challenging. Herein, we report a case of a 12-year-old child with a synovial sarcoma located in the right parapharyngeal space of the neck. The lesion extended from parapharyngeal space to subglottic level of the neck and it fills the parapharyngeal space and compresses the major vascular, laryngeal and neural structures.

Expression profiles of CD11b, galectin-1, beclin-1, and caspase-3 in nasal polyposis

Background/aim: Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the paranasal sinuses and nasal mucosae. It is thought that genetic and molecular mechanisms in inflammatory and apoptotic pathways are the main factors in the etiopathogenesis of nasal polyposis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of CD11b, galectin-1, beclin-1, and caspase-3 in nasal polyps.Materials and methods: The mRNA expression levels of CD11b, galectin-1, beclin-1, and caspase-3 protein and western blot analysis of caspase-3 protein were evaluated in inferior turbinate mucosae and nasal polyp tissues.Results: CD11b expression was markedly higher in nasal polyp tissues when compared to turbinate mucosae (5.5 times higher, P < 0.05). Expression of galectin-1 was not statistically higher in nasal polyp tissues when compared to the controls. Beclin-1 expression in nasal polyp tissues was lower than in controls (17 times lower, P < 0.05). Caspase-3 expression was significantly lower in nasal polyp tissues than in controls (5.5 times lower, P < 0.05).Conclusion: Inflammation, apoptosis, and hyperproliferation are the major cellular processes in nasal polyposis and these proteins may take part and play some important roles in formation of this disease and the targeting of new treatment protocols.

Effect of adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and mouth opening in early period

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mouth gag used in adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and mouth opening with using digital dial type caliper. Mouth opening distance and TMJ function of a total of 50 patients including 30 patients (6-43 yrs, 17 men, and 13 women) who had undergone adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy and 20 patients (19-47 yrs, 12 men and 8 women) of the control group who had undergone septoplasty between November 2015 and November 2016 at ENT Department of tertiary medical center were measured using digital dial type caliper one hour before, and one week, and one month after the operation. Changes in the distance of mouth opening at 4th hour, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively in the adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy group were statistically significant (p=0.001, p<0.01). Changes in the distance of mouth opening at 4th hour, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively in the septoplasty group were not statistically significant (p>0.05). There is 57.5% positive correlation between patients’ age, and range of mouth opening in two groups (r:0.575, p=0.001, p<0.01). As a conclusion; mouth opening and TMJ function might be effected by mouth gag in adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy surgeries depending on the duration of surgery and age of the patient. Small sample size and short follow-up period were limitations of the study.

Recovery of Tinnitus and Sensorineural Hearing Loss Due to Lysis of Arachnoid Adhesions in the Posterior Cranial Fossa: Is There a Novel Etiology in Neurotological Disorders?

We reported the recovery of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus in a 22-year-old man after complete removal of intracranial portion of jugular foramen schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach. The aim of this case report was to present the excision of a large jugular foramen schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach and to describe the improvement of sensorineural hearing loss related to arachnoid inflammations due to chronic arachnoiditis after suboccipital craniectomy. The recovery of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus after release of arachnoid adhesions may indicate the clinical significance of these adhesions or arachnoiditis, which should also be considered and investigated in the etiology of other neurotological diseases.

Flexible CO2 Laser Treatment for Subglottic Stenosis

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery for subglottic stenosis and to present retrospective experience of 14 patients treated with flexible fiber CO2 laser system. To determine the characteristics, management protocols, prognostic factors, and postoperative outcomes of the sample. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with subglottic stenosis undergoing flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery at the tertiary medical center. All demographic and clinical data were collected, radiologic and endoscopic evaluations were performed to assess the characteristics of stenosis. Myer–Cotton grading scale was used for classification of stenotic area. Results: All patients have subglottic stenosis due to intubation-related causes and inappropriate tracheostomy procedure. The duration of intubation period ranged from 15 days to 4 years; 11 patients have grade III stenosis according to Myer–Cotton system and there was cricoid involvement in 2 patients. The mean follow-up period was 5.2 months and postoperative decannulation was achieved in 10 patients (71.4%). Conclusions: Subglottic stenosis is the difficult situation to manage minimal invasively. Flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery is safe and effective in the management of properly selected patients and can be used as a first option for patients.

Surgical considerations and safety of cochlear implantation in otitis media with effusion

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of otitis media with effusion on surgical parameters, patient safety, perioperative and postoperative complications. METHODS Total 890 children who underwent cochlear implantation between 2006 and 2015 were included. The ages ranged from 12 months to 63 months (mean: 32 months). The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of otitis media with effusion; otitis media with effusion group and non-otitis media group. RESULTS Of 890 children, 105 had otitis media with effusion prior to surgery. In non-otitis media with group, there were 785 children. The average duration of surgery was 60min (ranged from 28 to 75min) in non-otitis media group, and 90min (ranged from 50 to 135min) in otitis media with effusion group (p<0.05). Granulation tissue and edematous middle ear and mastoid mucosa were observed in all cases of otitis media with effusion during the surgery. There was no significant difference between the complications of groups with or without otitis media with effusion (p>0.05). In 5 of 105 patients, there was a ventilation tube inserted before cochlear implantation, which did not change the outcome of implantation. CONCLUSION There is no need for surgical treatment for otitis media with effusion before implantation since otitis media with effusion does not increase the risks associated with cochlear implantation. Operation duration is longer in the presence of otitis media with effusion. However, otitis media with effusion leads to intraoperative difficulties like longer operation duration, bleeding, visualization of the round window membrane, cleansing the middle ear granulations as well as mastoid and petrous air cells.