H. Halis Unlu

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without stents

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to present our endoscopic DCR operation method without the use of silicone tubing and our results on the patients suffering from chronic epiphora with postsaccal stenosis. METHODS Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy operations were performed to 21 sides of 18 patients who had chronic epiphora. No silicone tubing was used in any of the cases. In the postoperative healing period, the rhinostomy opening was maintained with frequent removal of nasal debris and using eyedrops. The patients were evaluated by fluoresceine test and endoscopic controls. RESULTS Symptomatic improvement was achieved in 19 out of 21 sides of the patients (90.5%) and the results were confirmed by the fluoresceine test under endoscopic control. CONCLUSION Our results of 21 sides of 18 cases underwent primary DCR without stents are as successful as those reported in the literature and the technique seems to be promising.

Efficacy of leukotriene antagonists as concomitant therapy in allergic rhinitis

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis result from an immunoglobulin E‐dependent mast cell activation cascade, marked by the release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine. Patients with perennial allergic rhinitis also have elevated levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in nasal lavage fluid. Histamine and CysLTs produce different responses in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, and this study tested the hypothesis that the effects of combined antihistamine and leukotriene antagonist therapy would be more effective than antihistamine alone.

Organized hematoma of the maxillary sinus mimicking tumor

The authors present two cases of organized hematoma of the maxillary sinus. Both patients showed no bleeding abnormalities. Clinical symptoms, signs and radiologic appearance of the mass mimicked tumor during the initial diagnosis of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first article describing organized hematoma in the maxillary sinus mimicking tumor without bleeding history and disorders. A provisional diagnosis of organized hematoma should be considered when a patient with history of epistaxis develops a slow-growing mass of the cheek and/or nasal obstruction.

Injury to the Lacrimal Apparatus After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Surgical Implications From Active Transport Dacryocystography

In order to evaluate the lacrimal drainage system injury after functional endoscopic sinus surgery, surgical records and postoperative active transport dacryocystography imaging of 31 patients were analyzed. Presence of the lacrimal bone dehiscence and no passage of the contrast material into the inferior meatus were noted as the signs of injury to the lacrimal canal on active transport dacryocystography. Bony dehiscence was detected in 53.2% of the operated sides but 20% of the nonoperated sides. No passage of the contrast material into the inferior meatus was observed in 14.9% of the operated sides. There were no cases of epiphora postoperatively. The lacrimal drainage system injury was more frequently observed on the left sides operated. We conclude that lacrimal drainage system injury might occur in various extents during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. However, it does not necessarily result in postoperative epiphora. Performing the middle meatal antrostomy in posteroinferior direction, and uncinectomy with backbiting forceps or a shaver might help in reducing the lacrimal injury. Active transport dacryocystography can be adopted as an alternative diagnostic tool in detection of the lacrimal injury.

Pleomorphic adenoma originated from the inferior nasal turbinate

Although pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign neoplasm of the salivary glands, it has also been reported to be present in the neck, ear, mediastinum, external nose and nasal cavity. Intranasal localization of this lesion is very rare and mainly originates from the nasal septum. From wherever the lesion originates, the main treatment modality should be surgical. We presented a very rare case of intranasal pleomorphic adenoma originated from the inferior nasal turbinate. Due to the expansile nature of the lesion, a midfacial degloving approach was preferred.

Morphometric analysis of anatomical relationships of the facial nerve for mastoid surgery

Surgical anatomical relationships of the facial nerve (FN) with several landmarks used in mastoid surgery were studied in temporal bone axial high resolution CT scans of 90 patients (180 ears). The shortest distances between the FN and external auditory canal (EAC), sigmoid sinus (SS), posterior fossa dural plate (PFD), and joint of the bony EAC with the lateral surface of the mastoid (M) were measured. These measurements were also analysed in respect of pneumatization and side differences. On average, it was found that FN-EAC was 2.9 mm, FN-SS was 10.5 mm, FN-PFD was 7.3 mm and FN-M was 15.3 mm. FN-EAC was found to be longer in poorly pneumatized bones whereas other distances were longer in pneumatized bones. FN-M was found to be longer on the right side.

The “physician on call patient engagement trial” (POPET): measuring the impact of a mobile patient engagement application on health outcomes and quality of life in allergic rhinitis and asthma patients

In this prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, double‐blind study, we investigated the impact of a mobile patient engagement application on health outcomes and quality of life in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma patients.

Inferior concha bullosa.

Inferior concha bullosa is defined as the pneumatization of inferior intranasal turbinate and is a rare clinical condition. In this article, a 37-year-old female patient complaining from unilateral nasal stuffiness and intermittent headache is presented. Symptomatology, diagnostic and therapeutic measures for inferior concha bullosa is discussed. In the differential diagnosis of inferior turbinate hypertrophy, inferior concha bullosa should be kept in mind.

Neural control of eustachian tube function

It has been hypothesized that middle ear pressure can be controlled by the Eustachian tube through a neuronal reflex arc in animal models. We aimed to define the role of the neuronal control mechanisms in regulating middle ear pressure in humans.

The intracranial complication of acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis

Acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare, potentially destructive entity, which has indistinct clinical findings and non-specific symptoms. Hence, it can be easily be misdiagnosed. We present and discuss a case of an isolated sphenoiditis with intracranial complication.