Anna Rzepakowska

Tuberculosis of the head and neck - epidemiological and clinical presentation.

Introduction The aim of our retrospective study was to review the clinical and epidemiological presentation of head and neck tuberculosis. Material and methods We analyzed the history of 73 patients with head and neck tuberculosis hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw, between 1983 and 2009. Results We found that 26 (35.6%) patients presented with lymph node tuberculosis, 20 (27.4%) with laryngeal tuberculosis, 10 (13.7%) with oropharyngeal tuberculosis, 9 (12.3%) with salivary gland tuberculosis, 3 (4.1%) with tuberculosis of paranasal sinuses, 3 (4.1%) with aural tuberculosis, and 2 (2.7%) with skin tuberculosis in the head and neck region. Within the group of patients with lymph node tuberculosis in 15 cases there were infected lymph nodes of the 2nd and 3rd cervical region and in 11 infected lymph nodes of the 1st cervical region. In 5 cases of laryngeal tuberculosis there was detected coexistence of cancer. Oropharyngeal tuberculosis in 7 cases was localized in tonsils, where in 1 case coexisting cancer was diagnosed. Chest X-ray was performed in all cases and pulmonary tuberculosis was identified in 26 (35.6%) cases. Conclusions We conclude that tuberculosis still remains a problem and must be taken into consideration in the diagnostic process. The coincidence of tuberculosis and cancer is remarkable in the head and neck region.

Adaptation and Validation of the Voice-Related Quality of Life Measure Into Polish.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to translate and adapt the original V-RQOL (Voice-Related Quality of Life) instrument into Polish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure such as internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity in different groups of dysphonic patients. METHODS A total of 214 patients with voice disorders were assessed using the V-RQOL Measure, the Voice Handicap Index, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life, short version. RESULTS The Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure showed strong internal consistency with the Cronbach alpha coefficient: 0.92 for the total score, 0.90 for the social-emotional domain, and 0.86 for the physical functioning domain, and a good test-retest reliability (r-Spearman correlation coefficient: r = 0.8852 for the total score of the V-RQOL Measure). Construct validity was demonstrated with a strong correlation to the Voice Handicap Index (r = -0.843, P = 0.000*) and a weak positive, statistically significant correlation between the V-RQOL-physical functioning domain, V-RQOL-social-emotional domain, and the Q1, Q2, and Domain 1-Domain 4 of the World Health Organization Quality of Life, short version (0.2 < r < 0.4). CONCLUSIONS The Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the patients perception of his or her own voice disorders and the impact it can have on the patients life. The V-RQOL Measure is easy to perform in clinical practice.

Combined Functional Voice Therapy in Singers With Muscle Tension Dysphonia in Singing

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate vocal tract function and the voice quality in singers with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) after undergoing combined functional voice therapy of the singing voice. DESIGN This is a prospective, randomized study. METHODS Forty singers (29 females and 11 males, mean age: 24.6 ± 8.8 years) with MTD were enrolled in the study. The study group consisted of 20 singers who underwent combined functional voice therapy (10-15 individual sessions, 30-40 minutes each). Singers who did not opt for vocal rehabilitation consisted of the control group. Effects of rehabilitation were assessed with videolaryngostroboscopy, palpation of the vocal tract structures, flexible fiberoptic evaluation of the pharynx and the larynx, perceptual speaking and singing voice assessment, acoustic analysis, maximal phonation time, and the Voice Handicap Index. RESULTS After combined functional voice therapy in the study group, great improvement was noticed in palpation of the vocal tract structures (P < 0.001), perceptual voice assessment (P < 0.001), phonetograms (P = 0.002), and singing range obtained from acoustic analysis of glissando (P < 0.001). In the control group, no statistically significant differences were found between the first and the second assessments. CONCLUSIONS Combined functional voice therapy proved to be an efficacious treatment method in singers with MTD in singing. Development of palpation and perceptual singing voice examination protocols enables one to compare results before and after rehabilitation in clinics.

Multiparametric Assessment of Voice Quality and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Microlaryngeal Surgery—Correlation Between Subjective and Objective Methods

The aim of the study was to estimate voice defect and the quality of life deterioration in patients with different laryngeal pathologies qualified for microsurgery treatment. The results of videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), perception, aerodynamics, acoustics, Dysphonia Severity Index, Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version before microsurgery were analyzed. There were 151 patients enrolled in the study. There were 86 patients in group 1 (benign lesions), 34 in group 2 (premalignant conditions), and 31 in group 3 (malignant neoplasms). Significant differences were found in the mean values of VLS between group 1 and group 3 (P = 0.001), maximum phonation time between group 1 and group 2 (P = 0.001), and between group 2 and group 3 (P = 0.04), mens fundamental frequency between group 1 and group 2 (P = 0.03), and between group 1 and group 3 (P = 0.01), and shimmer between group 1 and group 3 (P = 0.01). The correlation between the methods was analyzed, and there was a strong to moderate correlation between VLS and perception (r = 0.57-0.73) in group 1 and group 2. The jitter and shimmer correlated moderately with perception in group 1: grade of hoarseness (G) (r = 0.52 and r = 0.57, respectively), breathiness (B) (r = 0.58), and asthenia (A) (r = 0.57 and r = 0.53, respectively). In group 3, the strongest correlation was observed between maximum phonation time and phonation quotient and G (r = 0.52; 0.58), B (r = 0.54; 0.55), and strain (S) (r = 0.63; 0.72). The VHI results and life quality outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. The VHI did not correlate with any voice measure method.

Przyzwojaki szyi w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w latach 2001–2010

Summary Paragangliomas are rare neoplasms of neurological origin and account for 0.012% of all tumors. Only 10% of them have extraadrenal localization. Head and neck paragangliomas account for 0.33% neoplasms of that localization. Typically paragangliomas are benign tumors, but even 19% cases may have malignant potential. On the neck they are located typically closely to carotid artery bifurcation, jugular bulb and along the course of vagus nerve. Laryngeal localization is very rare. Nonspecific manifestation and wide spectrum of symptoms cause difficulty in diagnosis of paragangliomas. Aim Presentation of the diagnostic process, performed treatment and obtained results of neck paragangliomas in the material of the Department of Otolaryngology of Warsaw Medical University in years 2001–2010. Material and methods There was performed retrospective analysis, based on the medical documentation of 14 patients with neck paragangliomas (9 women and 5 men), age range 25–62 years, hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology of Warsaw Medical University during the last 10 years. The date from the history, physical examination, radiological evaluation and the method of performed treatment and post – treatment complications were studied. Results Out of 14 patients with neck paragangliomas, there were 9 cases of isolated tumors and 5 cases of synchronic, multicentric neoplasms. The most common and single symptom was nonspecific neck mass. Doppler ultrasonography was adequate diagnostic tool in carotid artery paragangliomas. To diagnose mulicentric paraganglioma, vagal or laryngeal paraganglioma more thorough radiological examination was necessary, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance and angiography. All patients had performed surgical treatment. There were observed very good results in patients with isolated paragangiomas of carotid artery or larynx. Surgical management of multicentric and vagal paragangliomas was exposed to higher risk of cranial nerve paresis. Conclusions 1. Paragangliomas are rare tumors of nonspecific clinical manifestation, making the early diagnosis very difficult. 2. Precise radiological evaluation is necessary taking into consideration quite high incidence of multicentric paragangliomas. 3. There is higher risk of cranial nerve paresis after surgical treatment of multicentric paragangliomas, neoplasms larger then 5 centimeters in diameter and vagal paragangliomas then in isolated carotid artery paragangliomas.UNLABELLED Paragangliomas are rare neoplasms of neurological origin and account for 0.012% of all tumors. Only 10% of them have extraadrenal localization. Head and neck paragangliomas account for 0.33% neoplasms of that localization. Typically paragangliomas are benign tumors, but even 19% cases may have malignant potential. On the neck they are located typically closely to carotid artery bifurcation, jugular bulb and along the course of vagus nerve. Laryngeal localization is very rare. Nonspecific manifestation and wide spectrum of symptoms cause difficulty in diagnosis of paragangliomas. AIM Presentation of the diagnostic process, performed treatment and obtained results of neck paragangliomas in the material of the Department of Otolaryngology of Warsaw Medical University in years 2001-2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS There was performed retrospective analysis, based on the medical documentation of 14 patients with neck paragangliomas (9 women and 5 men), age range 25-62 years, hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology of Warsaw Medical University during the last 10 years. The date from the history, physical examination, radiological evaluation and the method of performed treatment and post-treatment complications were studied. RESULTS Out of 14 patients with neck paragangliomas, there were 9 cases of isolated tumors and 5 cases of synchronic, multicentric neoplasms. The most common and single symptom was nonspecific neck mass. Doppler ultrasonography was adequate diagnostic tool in carotid artery paragangliomas. To diagnose mulicentric paraganglioma, vagal or laryngeal paraganglioma more thorough radiological examination was necessary, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance and angiography. All patients had performed surgical treatment. There were observed very good results in patients with isolated paragangiomas of carotid artery or larynx. Surgical management of multicentric and vagal paragangliomas was exposed to higher risk of cranial nerve paresis. CONCLUSIONS (1) Paragangliomas are rare tumors of nonspecific clinical manifestation, making the early diagnosis very difficult. (2) Precise radiological evaluation is necessary taking into consideration quite high incidence of multicentric paragangliomas. (3) There is higher risk of cranial nerve paresis after surgical treatment of multicentric paragangliomas, neoplasms larger then 5 centimeters in diameter and vagal paragangliomas then in isolated carotid artery paragangliomas.

Adaptation and validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index into Polish

To translate and adapt the original Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) for the Polish population and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish SVHI version, such as internal consistency, reliability and construct validity in different groups of dysphonic singers.

[Pharyngocutaneous fistula as a complication after total laryngectomy--clinical study and literature review].

Summary Pharyngocutaneous fistula is an important therapeutic problem. It occurs in approximately 20% of cases as a complication after total laryngectomy, performed due to the larynx and/or hypopharynx cancer. The process of fistulas’ conservative treatment is very long and sometimes reconstructive surgery of the pharynx and esophagus is necessary. Clinically, it is desirable to isolate a group of patients with risk factors of this complication. Numerous pathologies implicated in fistula formation are mentioned in the literature: wound infection, radiotherapy prior to surgery, hypoalbuminaemia, concomitant general diseases, postoperative anemia, location of the cancer in larynx and many others. Objective This paper analyzes the incidence and etiology of cutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomies as well as overall characterization of risk factors on the basis of the material collected by the Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of Warsaw between the years 2006–2011. Furthermore, an analysis of the literature on cutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy of the last 10 years was performed. Material and methods A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, treated with total laryngectomy was performed. 12 patients developed cutaneous fistula in the early postoperative period. Results The mean time of appearance of fistula after total laryngectomy was 19.3 days. In most cases, conservative management was used to obtain fistulas’ closure – after an average of 32.5 days. For two patients operative closure was needed. Microbiological study confirmed the infection in the region of the fistula in 10 patients. There were identified different pathogens, both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi. 3 patients with a fistula were preoperatively irradiated. The most common location of the cancer in this group was supraglottic area and piriform recessus (8/12 patients). Conclusions The pathogenesis of cutaneous fistula as a complication after total laryngectomy seems to be complex. The most significant risk factors for fistula formation are: radiotherapy, supraglottic location of the tumor, extension of the surgery to the pharynx and malnutrition of the patient. Postoperative wound infection favors the formation of fistulas and extends their healing time. It seems reasonable to plan the surgery with the reconstruction of the pharynx for patients with several risk factors of fistulas’ onset.

Przetoki skórne jako powikłanie po laryngektomii całkowitej – analiza materiału Kliniki Otolaryngologii WUM i przegląd piśmiennictwa

Summary Pharyngocutaneous fistula is an important therapeutic problem. It occurs in approximately 20% of cases as a complication after total laryngectomy, performed due to the larynx and/or hypopharynx cancer. The process of fistulas’ conservative treatment is very long and sometimes reconstructive surgery of the pharynx and esophagus is necessary. Clinically, it is desirable to isolate a group of patients with risk factors of this complication. Numerous pathologies implicated in fistula formation are mentioned in the literature: wound infection, radiotherapy prior to surgery, hypoalbuminaemia, concomitant general diseases, postoperative anemia, location of the cancer in larynx and many others. Objective This paper analyzes the incidence and etiology of cutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomies as well as overall characterization of risk factors on the basis of the material collected by the Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of Warsaw between the years 2006–2011. Furthermore, an analysis of the literature on cutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy of the last 10 years was performed. Material and methods A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, treated with total laryngectomy was performed. 12 patients developed cutaneous fistula in the early postoperative period. Results The mean time of appearance of fistula after total laryngectomy was 19.3 days. In most cases, conservative management was used to obtain fistulas’ closure – after an average of 32.5 days. For two patients operative closure was needed. Microbiological study confirmed the infection in the region of the fistula in 10 patients. There were identified different pathogens, both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi. 3 patients with a fistula were preoperatively irradiated. The most common location of the cancer in this group was supraglottic area and piriform recessus (8/12 patients). Conclusions The pathogenesis of cutaneous fistula as a complication after total laryngectomy seems to be complex. The most significant risk factors for fistula formation are: radiotherapy, supraglottic location of the tumor, extension of the surgery to the pharynx and malnutrition of the patient. Postoperative wound infection favors the formation of fistulas and extends their healing time. It seems reasonable to plan the surgery with the reconstruction of the pharynx for patients with several risk factors of fistulas’ onset.

Learning curve for endoscopic evaluation of vocal folds lesions with narrow band imaging

INTRODUCTION The endoscopic methods are progressing and becoming more common in routine clinical diagnosis in the field of otorhinolaryngology. Relatively large amount of researches have proved high accuracy of narrow band imaging endoscopy in differentiating benign and malignant lesions within vocal folds. However, little is known about learning curve in narrow band imaging evaluation of laryngeal lesions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for the narrow band imaging evaluation of vocal folds pathologies depending on the duration of the procedure. METHODS Records of 134 narrow band imaging that were analyzed in terms of the duration of the procedure and the accuracy of diagnosis confirmed by histopathological diagnosis were enrolled in the study. The narrow band imaging examinations were performed sequentially by one investigator over a period of 18 months. RESULTS The average duration of narrow band imaging recordings was 127.82s. All 134 studies were divided into subsequent series of several elements. An evident decrease in time of investigation was noticed between 13th and 14th series, when the examinations were divided into 5 elements series, which corresponds to the difference between 65th and 70th subsequent narrow band imaging examination. Parallel groups of 67 examinations were created. Group 1 included 1st to 67th subsequent narrow band imaging examination; Group 2 - 68th to 134th narrow band imaging examinations. The non-parametric U Mann-Whitney test confirmed statistically significant difference between the mean duration of narrow band imaging examination in both groups 160.5s and 95.1s, respectively (p<10-7). Sensitivity and specificity of narrow band imaging examination in the first group were respectively: 83.7% and 76.7%. In the second group, these indicators amounted 98.1% and 80% respectively. CONCLUSIONS A minimum of 65th-70th narrow band imaging examinations are required to reach a plateau phase of the learning process in assessment of glottis lesions. Analysis of learning curves is useful for the development of training programs and determination of a mastery level.

Idiopatic facial nerve palsy in pregnancy – facts and myths

Idiopathic facial nerve palsy, also called Bell’s palsy, can pose a challenge for clinicians if a pregnant woman reports symptoms of facial paresis. The incidence of Bell’s paralysis in pregnant women is almost three times higher than in the non-pregnant women’s age group. The problem is lack of guidelines for treatment of idiopathic facial nerve palsy in this group of patients. Randomized studies, but without participation of pregnant women, showed greater efficacy in the return of nerve function after early treatment with corticosteroids than with other methods. The dilemma concerning therapy is intensified by the fact that prognosis regarding the return of facial nerve function in pregnant women is significantly worse than in the remaining population, and the weakness of the facial muscles is diagnosed in a young woman. This article presents an example of a patient consulted in our department and a review of current literature. We introduce recommendations for treatment of pregnant women with facial nerve palsy. Benefits, advised medicines, doses, necessary precautions and potential side effects of corticosteroids, being the only ones that have proven efficacy in the treatment of Bell’s paralysis in pregnant women are discussed. KeywORDs: Bell’s palsy, idiopatic facial nerve palsy, pregnancy, puerperium, treatment sTReszCzeNIe: Idiopatyczne porażenie nerwu twarzowego, zwane również porażeniem Bella, może stanowić dla klinicystów duże wyzwanie, jeżeli z objawami niedowładu mięśni twarzy zgłasza się pacjentka w ciąży. Częstość występowania porażenia Bella u kobiet w ciąży jest prawie trzy razy większa, niż w odpowiadającej wiekowo grupie kobiet nieciężarnych. Problem stanowi brak wytycznych leczenia samoistnego porażenia nerwu twarzowego w tej grupie chorych. W randomizowanych badaniach, ale bez udziału ciężarnych pacjentek, potwierdzono większą skuteczność w powrocie funkcji nerwu po wcześnie włączonym leczeniu glikokortykosteroidami, w porównaniu z innymi metodami. Dylemat dotyczący terapii potęguje fakt, iż rokowanie co do powrotu funkcji nerwu twarzowego u ciężarnych są znamiennie gorsze niż w pozostałej populacji, a niedowład mięśni twarzy dotyczy przecież młodej kobiety. W artykule na przykładzie chorej konsultowanej w Klinice oraz na podstawie przeglądu aktualnego piśmiennictwa, przedstawione zostały zalecenia postępowania w samoistnym porażeniu nerwu twarzowego u kobiet w ciąży. Przedstawiono korzyści, zalecane preparaty, dawki, niezbędne środki ostrożności i potencjalne skutki uboczne stosowania kortykosteroidów, które jako jedyne mają potwierdzoną skuteczność w leczeniu porażenia Bella u kobiet będących w ciąży. słOwA KlUCzOwe: porażenie Bella, samoistne porażenie nerwu twarzowego, ciąża, połóg, leczenie