Bilge Türk

Sonographic scoring of solid thyroid nodules: effects of nodule size and suspicious cervical lymph node.

INTRODUCTION Ultrasound is the most frequently used imaging method to evaluate thyroid nodules. Sonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules which are concerning for malignancy are important to define the need for fine needle aspiration biopsy or open surgery. OBJECTIVE To evaluate malignancy risk of solid thyroid nodules through sonographic scoring. The effects of nodule size ≥2cm and associated pathologic cervical lymph node in scoring were examined in addition to generally excepted suspicious features. METHODS Medical data of 123 patients underwent thyroid surgery were reviewed, and 89 patients (58 females, 31 males) were included in the study. The presence and absence of each suspicious sonographic feature of thyroid nodules were scored as 1 and 0, respectively. Total ultrasound score was obtained by adding the positive ultrasound findings. Differently from the literature, nodule size ≥2cm and associated pathologic cervical node were added in scoring criteria. The diagnostic performance of nodule characteristics for malignancy and the effect of total US score to discriminate malignant and benign disease were calculated. RESULTS A significant relationship was found between malignancy and hypoechogenity, border irregularity, intranodular vascularity, and microcalcification (p<0.05). Pathologic cervical node was observed predominantly in association with malignant nodules. Positive predictive value of suspicious cervical node for malignancy was 67%, similar to microcalcification. Nodule size ≥2cm was not distinctive for diagnosis of malignancy. The number of suspicious sonographic features obtained with receiver operating characteristic analysis to discriminate between malignant and benign disease was three. CONCLUSION Sonographic scoring of thyroid nodules is an effective method for predicting malignancy. The authors suggest including associated pathologic node in the scoring criteria. Further studies with larger cohorts will provide more evidence about its importance in sonographic scoring.

Assessment of facial analysis measurements by golden proportion

INTRODUCTION The face is the most important factor affecting the physical appearance of a person. In facial aesthetics, there is a specific mathematical proportion, which is called golden proportion, used to measure and analyse facial aesthetic qualities in population. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to measure the facial soft tissue proportions which would help to constitute a standard for facial beauty and diagnose facial differences and anomalies and to compare these proportions to the golden proportion. METHODS One hundred and thirty-three (133) Turkish patients 18-40 years of age (61 females, 72 males) were involved in the study. Analysis of the photographs was performed by the same physician, and a software programme was used (NIH Image, version 1.62). Facial proportions were measured and differences from the golden proportions were recorded and grouped as normal (1.6-1.699), short (<1.6) and long (>1.699). RESULTS According to the facial analysis results, the trichion-gnathion/right zygoma-left zygoma was assessed: 33.1% of the patients were in normal facial morphology, 36.8% were in long facial morphology and 30.1% were in short facial morphology, according to this proportion. The trichion-gnathion/right zygoma-left zygoma proportion was significantly higher in males than females (p<0.001). Statistically significant difference was noted in gender groups, according to the trichion-gnathion/right zygoma-left zygoma and the right lateral canthus-left lateral canthus/right cheilion-left cheilion proportions (p=0.001, p=0.028). CONCLUSION Facial proportion assessments in relation to the golden proportion showed that a statistically significant difference was observed between gender groups. Long facial morphology was observed more in males (51.4%); normal (41%) and short (39.3%) facial morphology were more common in females. The measurements and proportions for facial balance in our study population showed that the facial width and height proportions deviated from the golden proportion.

The Effect of External Approach Septoplasty on Olfactory Function

Objective: Septal deviation-induced nasal obstruction is frequently accompanied by hyposmia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of external approach septoplasty on olfactory function. Methods: Thirty patients (23 males, 7 females) who had external approach septoplasty were included in the study. The age interval was 18 to 60 years (mean 33±12 years). All subjects had olfactory function and acoustic rhinometry tests in both the pre- and postoperative periods (mean interval 6 weeks ± 3 weeks). Olfactory function was determined by the “Sniffin Sticks” test. The minimum cross-sectional area from the nostril to 2.20 cm backward was referred to as MCA1, and the minimum cross-sectional area from 2.20 to 5.40 cm was referred to as MCA2, determined by acoustic rhinometry. Results: Olfactory threshold, discrimination, and identification function improved significantly after external approach septoplasty. A statistically significant difference was also detected between pre- and postoperative left MCA1 and left MCA2 of the nasal cavities. Postoperative hyposmic and anosmic patient improvement was statistically significant. Conclusion: External approach septoplasty has a beneficial effect on olfaction and this effect may be partly due to interactions between the increased perception of nasal air flow, as well as surgery-associated improvement in the internal nasal valve area.

Dislocated Dental Prothesis Sitting at the Larynx in an Aphasic Patient: Potentially Fatal Situation

Introduction: Foreign body in respiration tract is a life-threatening emergency and requires urgent treatment. The diagnosis and treatment requires awareness and suspicion of signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration. Case: A unique case of total dental prothesis aspiration of a 44-year-old aphasic patient is presented. The prothesis is completely removed from the larynx. Discussion: Foreign-body aspiration is frequently suspected in children, it is rarely thought about in adults with subacute or chronic respiratory symptoms unless an evident history of an aspiration event is obtained. Facial trauma, dental procedures, central nervous system dysfunction due to stroke, mental retardation, metabolic encephalopathy, seizures, and alcoholism are precipitating factors in adults. Careful clinical history and physical examination is mandatory. Foreign bodies located in the laryngeal region are almost always treated with surgery. Conclusion: Loose dentures must be avoided especially in mental retarded, aphasic patients, and patients with central nervous system dysfunction.

Outcomes of Open-Approach Extracorporeal Septoplasty Without Simultaneous Rhinoplasty: Effects on Nasal Tip Projection and Rotation

Importance Performing an open-approach extracorporeal septoplasty (OAES) without simultaneous rhinoplasty could have adverse effects. We sought to understand the effects of OAES without simultaneous rhinoplasty on nasal tip projection and rotation in patients with severe septal deviation. Objectives To evaluate the outcomes of OAES without simultaneous rhinoplasty in terms of nasal tip projection and rotation using objective measurements. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective study was conducted at a training and research hospital using medical records of 32 adult patients who underwent OAES without simultaneous rhinoplasty between April 10, 2012 and June 12, 2015. Patients who underwent endonasal septoplasty, revision septal surgery, septorhinoplasty, open-approach septoplasty with nasal tip plasty, or open-approach septoplasty without removal of the entire septal cartilage were excluded from the study. Postoperative photographs of the patients were taken at a mean (range) time of 16.4 (6-36) months after surgery. Nasolabial angle (NLA), nasofacial angle (NFA), and projection index (PI) were measured by the same surgeon on preoperative and postoperative lateral images. Main Outcomes and Measures Projection index was measured using the Goode method; NLA and NFA were measured drawing lines between specific facial points according to the literature. All measurements were compared statistically. Results Thirty-two adult patients (26 men and 6 women between ages 20 and 57 years) with severe septal deviation and underwent OAES without simultaneous rhinoplasty were included in the study. The postoperative values of NLA and NFA were observed to be decreased in all patients (100%). The PI was also determined to be decreased in 27 patients (84.6%) whereas it remained unchanged in 5 patients (15.4%). The overall postoperative mean values of NLA, NFA, and PI were found to be lower compared with preoperative mean values and the difference between them were determined to be statistically significant (NLA: 95% CI, 0.40-2.55, P = .005; NFA: 95% CI, 0.48-2.06, P = .003; and PI: 95% CI, 0.004-0.015, P = .002). Conclusions and Relevance This study reveals that the nasal tip lost height from facial plane and rotated caudally in most patients who underwent OAES without simultaneous rhinoplasty. Patients demanding only relief of nasal obstruction and scheduled for OAES have to be informed about the potential cosmetic alterations when a simultaneous rhinoplasty is not requested.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Case with Squamous Cell Larynx Cancer: Difficulties in the Choice of Treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is rarely encountered in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive patients compared with HIV-associated malignancies. Standard protocols are absent for the management of laryngeal carcinoma in HIV-positive patients. HIV infection-associated immune suppression increases the mortality and morbidity of laryngeal carcinoma treatment. In the management of laryngeal carcinoma in HIV-positive patients, beside the clinical staging, the detection of CD4+ cell count is important. Regular antiretroviral treatment may have favorable effects in the management of laryngeal carcinoma. The treatment modality in the presented HIV-positive case with the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer was determined with a multidisciplinary approach.

Total Closure of Enlarged Tracheoesophageal Puncture with Septal Button: Long-Term Results

Tracheoesophageal puncture enlargement in laryngectomized patients is a significant problem due to complications such as aspiration pneumonia. There are several management methods including conservative and nonconservative techniques. A total closure of the enlarged tracheoesophageal puncture is needed in some cases when conservative approaches have failed. At this point, the insertion of a silicone septal button in the puncture site is a useful, inexpensive, and simple technique. The follow-up of 4 patients managed with this technique revealed satisfactory long-term results.