Emine Elif Altuntaş

Primary malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity.

Primary malignant melanoma of the nose and paranasal sinus mucosa is a rare disease and seen in less than 1% among all melanomas. Malignant melanomas have 2 origins: cutaneous and mucosal. The mucosal form has a worse prognosis because of its aggressiveness compared with that of the cutaneous form. Mucosal melanomas often occur at a rate of 2% to 3% among all melanomas and are typically found in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Generally, it is more common in males and in those older than 50 years. In this study, 4 patients were observed at the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine; 2 of them were a 64-year-old man and an 82-year-old woman who had a malignant melanoma originating from the nasal septal mucosa, 1 patient was a 72-year-old woman whose malignant melanoma originated from the inferior turbinate, and 1 patient was a 77-year-old woman with a sinonasally located melanoma. The conditions of these patients were discussed under the light of literature instructions.

Assessment of Hematological Factors Involved in Development and Prognosis of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of routine hematological parameters on the development and prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients applying to our clinic. Study design:A retrospective clinical study. SettingOne academic health center from 2008 to 2014. Patients and intervention:One hundred forty patients with sudden hearing loss and 132 healthy controls were included in the present study. Results:Patients having idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were divided into 2 subgroups based on whether they recovered (complete, partial, and slight recovery) (Group 1; n = 83, 59.3%) or not (Group 2; n = 57, 40.7%) during the follow-up term. Group 1, Group 2, and the controls differed statistically significantly in terms of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.001), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.001), lymphocytes % (P = 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P = 0.019), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.015), platelet (P = 0.001), mean platelet volume (P = 0.001), platelet distribution width (P = 0.009), and glucose (P = 0.001). The study groups and the controls did not have any significant difference in terms of other laboratory parameters affecting the prognosis of Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions:The results the authors obtained showed that laboratory parameters such as lymphocyte, lymphocyte%, platelet, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration may be indicative for prognosis and treatment success in groups of patients suffering idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in whose etiology many factors play a role.

Is sensorineural hearing loss related with thyroid metabolism disorders

Objectives: In this study, we measured hearing thresholds in patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism with high-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emission before and after treatment to determine whether hearing losses were cochlear or retrocochlear and whether they would improve with medical therapy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism at Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism and accepting to participate in the study. We measured the hearing thresholds of the study population during the pretreatment period and in posttreatment euthyroid period. Result: The audiometric findings of patients with hyperthyroidism were better than those of the control group especially at high frequencies. Sensorineural hearing loss was detected in the euthyroid period. We compared the audiometric findings of the patients with hypothyroidism and the controls. We found sensorineural hearing loss in patients with hypothyroidism, especially at low frequencies. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may have an effect on hearing pathway disorders. Medical therapy may lead to hearing loss in patients with hyperthyroidism, and the underlying factors should be investigated in detailed future studies. It was shown in our study that the hearing loss induced by hypothyroidism may improve with medical therapy. Therefore, in all patients with thyroid dysfunction, hearing levels should be monitored closely with audiometric tests.

Importance of Postoperative Stimulated Thyroglobulin Level at the Time of 131 I Ablation Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND Serum thyroglobulin detection plays an essential role during the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients treated with total/near total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the relationship between stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level at the time of high dose 131I ablation and risk of recurrence, using a three-level classification in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) according to the ATA guidelines. Also we investigated the relationship between postoperative stimulated Tg at the time of ablation and DxWBS results at 8-10 months thereafter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with radioiodine accumulation were regarded as scan positive (scan +). If there was no relevant pathological radioiodine accumulation or minimal local accumulation in the thyroid bed region, this were regarded as scan negative (scan-) at the time of DxWBS. We classified patients in 3 groups as low, intermediate and high risk group for assessment of risk of recurrence according to the revised ATA guidelines. Also, we divided patients into 3 groups based on the stimulated serum Tg levels at the time of 131I ablation therapy. Groups 1-3 consisted of patients who had Tg levels of ≤ 2 ng/ml, 2-10 ng/ml, and ≥ 10 ng/ml, respectively. RESULTS A total of 221 consecutive patients were included. In the high risk group according to the ATA guideline, while 45.5% of demonstrated Scan(+) Tg(+), 27.3% of patients demonstrated Scan(-) Tg(-); in the intermediate group, the figures were 2.3% and 90.0% while in the low risk group, they were 0.6% and 96.4%. In 9 of 11 patients with metastases (81.8%), stimulated serum Tg level at the time of radioiodine ablation therapy was over 10, however in 1 patient (9.1%) it was < 2 ng/mL and in one patient it was 2-10 ng/mL (p = 0.005). Aggressive subtypes of DTC were found in 8 of 221 patients and serum Tg levels were ≤ 2 ng/ml in 4 of these 8. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin level at the time of ablation may not determine risk of recurrence. Therefore, DxWBS should be performed at 8-12 months after ablation therapy.

Effects of acute thyroxine depletion on hearing in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients

Introduction: Radioiodine ablation refers to the destruction of functioning remnants of normal thyroid tissue or metastatic foci remaining after thyroidectomy. Effective thyroid ablation requires adequate stimulation of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the hearing changes of patients before ablation therapy in the iatrogenic hypothyroid period, which has been constituted with the purpose of treatment success and following the ablation therapy in the euthyroid period 1 month after the thyroid hormone (TH) replacement therapy was initiated. Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer, treated with total/near-total thyroidectomy and referred for 131 I therapy or low-dose 131 I whole body scan were included in our study. Hearing tests as high-frequency audiometry, autoacoustic emission and tympanometry were made during hypothyroid and euthyroid periods on all the patients included in the study. Results: In the present study were enrolled 75 patients with a mean age of 46.6 ± 12 years (range: 19-69 years). In hypothyroid period, while there was not any hearing-loss in 124 of 150 (82.7%) ears of 75 patients; mild hearing-loss in 18 (12%) ears, moderate hearing-loss in 7 (4.7%) ears and severe hearing-loss in 1 (0.07%) ear were detected. In euthyroid period, while there was not any hearing-loss in 132 of 150 (88%) ears; there were mild hearing-loss in 11 (7.3%), moderate hearing-loss in 6 (4%), and severe hearing-loss in 1 (0.07%) ear. However, there could not be found any significant difference between hearing levels of patients before and after treatment (P = 0.317). Conclusion: Although THs play an important role in the physiology of hearing, the hypothyroidism made in 4 weeks period causes serious damages on hearing functions of patients. However, with regard to temporary hearing losses that hearing levels could improved with treatment, we believe that hearing should also be questioned in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Tularemia: potential role of cytopathology in differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenitis: multicenter experience in 53 cases and literature review.

Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis. Tularemia outbreaks occurred in Central Anatolia during 2009 and 2011. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and cytomorphologies of fine needle aspirations (FNAs) from cervical lymph nodes in serologically confirmed tularemia cases. To our knowledge, this is the first large series concerning FNA morphology of Tularemia. FNA smears of 53 patients of the 290, diagnosed by microagglutination tests and PCR, were evaluated at three Pathology centers. FNAs were performed by cytopathologists or ear‐nose‐throat surgeons. Of all patients, 17 had also lymph node resections. FNAs showed the presence of suppuration and abscess. Rare epithelioid histiocytes and granulomas, seldom phagocytosed bacilli‐like microorganisms were observed. On histopathology; granulomas, necrosis, and suppurative inflammation extending extracapsular areas were seen. Tularemia is endemic in certain areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The benefit from cytopathology is limited and cytological suspicion should be confirmed by serology. However FNA cytology is helpful in differential diagnosis of tularemia and other diseases presented with suppurative, granulomatous cervical lymphadenitis. It is also useful in providing the material for PCR and culture in early phase when the serology is negative and the treatment is more effective.

Larinks kanserli hastaların tedavi sonuçları, yan etkileri ve sağkalımını etkileyen prognostik faktörler

Objective: Our aim was to determine the treatment results, side effects and the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with larynx cancer treated in our clinic. Methods: Data of a total of 90 patients with larynx carcinoma were included in the study. The patients’ performance scores were evaluated according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) system. Results: Eighty-seven (97%) patients were male and three patients (3%) were female. The median age of the patients was 59 (37-86) years. Early-stage, locally advanced stage, and metastatic disease were detected in 43, 55, and 2% of the patients, respectively. Laryngeal cancers were observed in the glottic (53%), and supraglottic (47%) regions. Performance score (p=0.022), grade (p=0.033), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), T stage (p=0.034) and disease stage (p=0.007) were significantly unfavourable in supraglottic cancers compared to glottic cancers. Recurrence was observed in 17% of the patients in a median 15 (range: 5-96) months. Distant metastasis was observed in 12% of the patients in a median 17 (range: 1-155) months. The factors affecting survival were the presence of comorbidities (p=0.032), performance status (p=0.022), hemoglobin level (p=0.003), T stage (p=0.006), disease stage (p=0.011), and weight loss (p=0.002). When RT- and CRT-associated side effects were compared, the incidence of adverse effects such as mucositis (p<0.001), nausea/vomiting (p<0.001), weight loss (p=0.005), neutropenia (p=0.001), and anemia (p=0.003) in patients under chemoradiotherapy was significantly higher than those associated with radiotherapy.

Effects of the preoperative anxiety and depression on the postoperative pain in ear, nose and throat surgery

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders can be widespread among patients who are being treated in surgical clinics and they can affect operation outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the level of their anxiety and depression in the preoperative period and the pain level in the postoperative period, analgesic requirement, development of complications and the duration of hospital stay in patients followed up in an ENT clinic. Materials and Methods : One hundred and three ( n =103) subjects [male = 56 (%54), female = 47 (%45.6)] filled out the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, sociodemographic data evaluation form before the surgery. Postsurgical pain levels of the subjects were evaluated by the Visual Pain Scale. The analgesic requirements of the subjects were assessed and their duration of hospital stay was noted. Results: While the presence of preoperative anxiety was a predictor of postoperative pain, such a relationship was not found between depression and postoperative pain. On the Visual Pain Scale, it was observed that the anxiety levels were moderately correlated with the Visual Pain Scale assessments on the first day of postoperative period (r = 0.30, P P Conclusion: For elective conditions requiring short-term hospitalization in ENT surgery, presence of preoperative anxiety seems to be a significant predictor of postoperative pain.

Tularemia and the oculoglandular syndrome of Parinaud.

An 18-year-old female came to our clinic with complaints of a tender lump just under her jaw on the left side and another lump in front of her left ear, ecchymosis around the eye and some redness in the eye at the same side. After administering antibiotic therapy for two days we suspected of tularemia and referred the patient to the Infectious Diseases Department. A serum sample was taken and a fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed. The patient was diagnosed with tularemia, the oculoglandular syndrome of Parinaud. Tularemia should also be kept in mind for differential diagnosis in patients with both ocular and glandular symptoms in endemic regions like Turkey and the appropriate therapy should be initiated immediately.

Presentation of the cerebellar abscess and sigmoid sinus septic thrombosis secondary to chronic otitis media: Case presentation and literature review

Cerebellar abscess is a serious complication of ear disease. In the present report, a case of cerebellar abscess and thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus, secondary to chronic otitis media is described. A 25-year-old male presented with clinical features suggestive of chronic suppurative otitis media. The patient hospitalized for operation. In postoperative third day the patient began to complain about headache. The patient suddenly began to lose his balance while walking and had difficulty in talking. MRI revealed that there was a cerebellar abscess and operated him for the cerebellar abscess. After 6 weeks antibiotherapy the patient discharged from the hospital as cured. As seen in the literature review; most of the patients having thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and cerebellar abscess together have showed the symptoms of cerebellar abscess. However, the symptoms of thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus were more prominent than cerebellar abscess in our case unlike many others in the literature.