Arzu Tatlipinar

Spontaneous Meningoencephalocele of the Temporal Bone: Clinical Spectrum and Presentation

OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical presentation and the radiological and surgical findings in patients with spontaneous meningoencephalocele of the temporal bone. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Academic, tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS Fifteen consecutive patients with surgically confirmed meningoencephalocele of the mastoid and middle ear, without a history of trauma, tumor, cholesteatoma, or surgery of the mastoid or cranium, who were treated at our institution between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2006. RESULTS Ten of the 15 patients were women. Ages ranged from 31 to 77 years, with 12 patients 50 years or older. The most common presenting complaint was new-onset hearing loss in 14 patients, followed by aural fullness and headache. Cerebrospinal fluid formed an effusion in the middle ears of 13 patients and was most commonly identified when myringotomy resulted in continuous clear otorrhea. Four subjects had a history of adult-onset recurrent acute otitis media with intermittent otorrhea, which in 1 case was complicated by brain abscess. At least 1 full-thickness defect of the tegmen associated with cortical thinning of the middle fossa floor was identified in all cases on high-resolution computed tomography. At surgery, herniations of meningeal and cerebral tissue were seen through 1 (7 cases) or 2 (8 cases) defects in the middle fossa floor. Obstruction of antral aeration by the meningoencephalocele was present in all 4 cases associated with otitis media. CONCLUSIONS The onset of otitis media, including middle ear effusions at 40 years or older, warrants the consideration of a meningoencephalocele of the ear. The appearance of tegmental defects and cortical thinning of the middle fossa floor on computed tomography provides a strong indication of the diagnosis and of the need for surgical repair.

Arachnoid granulations of the temporal bone: a histologic study of dural and osseous penetration.

Hypothesis: Arachnoid granulations (AG) are more prevalent along the middle fossa surface of the temporal bone, where they produce larger bony defects than those occurring on the posterior surface. Background: Dural and bony defects formed by AGs are proposed to lead to spontaneous meningoencephaloceles and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea. They most commonly occur at the tegmen and in individuals older than 40 years. Methods: Vertically sectioned temporal bones were evaluated using light microscopy to determine AG histology, distribution, and morphometry and to determine the prevalence of AG penetration in the donor population. Results: AGs were observed to penetrate the dura mater and make direct contact with cortical surfaces in 12.7% of donors in the Johns Hopkins Temporal Bone Collection. AGs occurred at middle fossa sites 13% more frequently than at posterior fossa sites. At middle fossa sites AGs produced significantly larger bony openings and were more likely to be associated with herniating brain tissue. Donors with AGs were significantly older, and all were in the late 30s or older. Conclusion: Erosion of the temporal bone by AGs is not a rare occurrence in the population and becomes increasingly prevalent with age. It is estimated that 14 in 1,000 donors were at greatest risk of eventual cerebrospinal fluid leakage at the tegmen. The age and anatomic distribution described in this study strengthens the notion that AG penetration plays a role in the pathophysiology of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks and meningoencephaloceles of the temporal bone.

Reduction of complication rate in percutaneous dilation tracheostomies.

Introduction: Percutaneous dilation tracheotomy (PDT) is now an accepted alternative to surgical tracheotomy in certain patients. We began performing these procedures in 2000 and use it regularly in select intensive care unit patients requiring prolonged intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Percutaneous dilation tracheotomy in intensive care unit patients.

Objectives In our department, we routinely use percutaneous dilation tracheotomy (PDT) in select intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring prolonged intubation and mechanical ventilation. We present our experience with this technique and discuss the pros and cons of PDT in the intensive care setting. Study Design and Setting We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive PDTs performed in our institution between 2002 and 2004. Demographic information and procedural and postoperative complications were noted. Results Two hundred seventy-four PDTs were performed on intensive care unit patients during this time period. Complications included five cases of excessive intraoperative bleeding (1.8%), one postoperative hemorrhage (0.3%), one tracheoesophageal fistula (0.3%), one pneumothorax (0.3%), and four accidental decannulations (1.4%). No PDT-associated deaths occurred. Conclusions PDT is advantageous for the patient as it is performed at bedside in the ICU. It is our conclusion that this technique is suitable for many, but not all, critical care patients.

The role of computed tomography scanning in chronic otitis media.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of high-definition computed tomography (CT) in chronic otitis media (COM) patients and to present which parameters were useful or misleading for preoperative evaluation for management. Fifty cases of COM that underwent preoperative CT scanning at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively analyzed. Their CT scan reports were compared with the operative findings. The patients had undergone tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy for COM between April 2008 and January 2010. Patient charts were used to obtain the necessary data. In 62% (31/50) of cases, the CT scan showed the presence of cholesteatoma. Operative findings revealed cholesteatoma in 61.8% (19/31) of these cases. However, when a bone eroding soft tissue mass involved the epitympanum on CT, the presence of cholesteatoma was observed in 83.3% (15/18) of cases intraoperatively. Cholesteatoma was present in the mastoid or middle ear intraoperatively in 77.7% (7/9) of patients with an external ear bony canal defect found on CT. Despite 89.7, 85.29, and 90% agreement ratios for dehiscence of facial canal, lateral semicircular canal, and tegmen, respectively, CT could not detect dehiscence of these anatomic structures successfully. Based on these results, CT scanning has limitations but is a useful adjunct for the surgical management of COM patients.

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy: correlation between obstruction types and cardiopulmonary complications.

To evaluate the association of upper airway obstruction (UAO) type and cardiopulmonary complications in children. The effect of obstruction type on quality of life and severity of obstructive symptoms were also investigated.

Effect of Adenotonsillectomy on Endothelin-1 and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Children with Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of adenotonsillectomy on the plasma concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The relationship between quality of life and ET-1 levels was also evaluated. Setting. Tertiary referral center. Study Design. Before-and-after case series. Methods. Fasting blood samples for ET-1 and high-sensitivity CRP were drawn preoperatively in all patients and at 3 to 4 months postoperatively. The Obstructive Sleep Apnea–18 (OSA-18) survey and Brouilette symptom score were completed by each child’s parents during the same time periods. Results. The mean ET-1 level decreased from 3.51 ± 0.93 fmol/mL to 2.67 ± 0.69 fmol/mL postoperatively (P < .01). OSA-18 survey scores and Brouilette symptom scores also decreased in the postoperative period (P < .01). When comparing moderate and severe cases to mild cases according to Brouilette scores, ET-1 levels were significantly higher in moderate and severe cases (P < .01). There was a significant correlation between ET-1 and the OSA-18 survey scale (r = 0.442; P = .001). Although CRP levels decreased from 0.63 ± 1.19 mg/dL to 0.31 ± 0.23 mg/dL postoperatively, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Adenotonsillectomy effectively lowered plasma ET-1 levels in children with SDB and thus may have reduced their related risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, adenotonsillectomy improved quality of life in this group.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on serum insulin like growth factors and the adenoid/nasopharynx ratio in pediatric patients: A blind, prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVES Obstructive adenoid and tonsillar hyperplasia may present with retardation of growth. An adenoid-nasopharynx (A/N) ratio determined by means of lateral cephalometric radiographs has long been used as a diagnostic tool in the assessment of adenoid size. This study was designed to investigate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and correlation between A/N ratio and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. METHODS Patients (n=48) that had been operated on our clinic with a diagnosis of adenotonsillar hypertrophy between July 2009 and January 2010 were included in the study. The routine ear-nose and throat examination was done in all patients. Blood samples were taken, and lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained preoperatively and repeated at 6-9 months (mean 7.2 ± 1.0 mo) following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent method was used to IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Each cephalometric radiograph was evaluated by a blinded radiologist. The A/N ratio was calculated using the Fujioka method. RESULTS When the preoperative and postoperative results were compared, a statistically significant increase in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and a decreased A/N ratio were found. However, although correlation between the Δ(preoperative-postoperative difference) IGFBP-3 and ΔA/N ratio was 40%, it was not statistically significant. Additionally, no statistically significant correlation between the ΔIGF-I and ΔA/N ratio was found. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that adenotonsillectomy could result in the relief of nasopharyngeal obstruction and have a positive effect on growth in children by decreasing the A/N ratio and increasing IGF-I and IGFBP-3. There was no correlation between the ΔA/N ratio and ΔIGF-I and ΔIGFBP-3 levels.

Effects of Ovariectomy and Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Laryngeal Tissue A Histopathological Experimental Animal Study

Objective. To determine the histopathological effect of estrogen deficiency and hormone replacement treatment on laryngeal tissue in ovariectomized rats. Study Design. Animal study. Setting. The study was conducted at the animal experiment laboratory of Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Subjects and Methods. Six-month-old female Wistar albino rats were divided into the following 3 groups (n = 8 per group): sham-operated control, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized with estrogen replacement. Rats in the ovariectomized with estrogen replacement group received 17 β-estradiol valerate (200 µg/kg, subcutaneously) once a week. Animals were killed after 8 weeks of intervention. Results. Significant changes were observed in the ovariectomized group when edema in lamina propria, inflammation in squamous, respiratory epithelia and lamina propria, pseudostratification, and cilia loss were assessed. Except cilia loss, there were no significant differences in the assessments between the sham-operated control and ovariectomized with estrogen replacement groups. Conclusions. On the basis of histopathological evaluations, it was shown that estrogen replacement helped to improve laryngeal changes due to experimentally induced menopause.

Association of COL1A1 polymorphism in Turkish patients with otosclerosis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of COL1A1 gene polymorphism in the etiology of otosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Peripheric blood samples are obtained from 28 patients diagnosed with otosclerosis and 50 control subjects. DNAs of all samples are isolated and amplified by using the PCR technique. The products are restricted by appropriate enzymes and the allele distributions were compared. RESULTS SS (homozygous normal), Ss (heterozygous mutant) and ss (homozygous mutant) alleles of the otosclerotic and control subjects were significantly different from each other. CONCLUSION Otosclerosis is a disease with progressive hearing loss. There are viral, hormonal, immunologic and genetic hypothesis of etiology. In this study, we concluded that the polymorphism seen in the COL1A1 gene resulting in production of excessive type 1 collagen, could play a role in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis.