Isa Kaya

Long-term Follow-up of Positive Surgical Margins in Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face.

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in central facial locations and tumors with positive margins are at a higher risk of recurrence. The most effective treatment is total excision, which includes an adequate pathological margin. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome of the patients who underwent surgery for BCCs of the head and neck and of those who had positive surgical margins where Mohs surgery is not available. METHODS This study was conducted at Ege University Medical School between 2004 and 2014. One hundred thirty patients with 154 BCC who underwent surgical excision were included. In the histopathologic report, the existence of positive margin, BCC subtype, localization of the tumor, and distance of margins to the tumor were evaluated. RESULTS Twenty-three lesions (14.9%) of 22 patients revealed positive surgical margins. Six patients (26.1%) had recurrences on the surgical site. The BCC subtypes of recurrent patients were reported to be multifocal superficial in 2 (33.3%), infiltrative (16.7%) in 1, and micronodular (50%) in 3. CONCLUSION Patients with superficial multifocal or micronodular tumors should undergo reoperation because of high recurrence rates.

Butterfly Cartilage Tympanoplasty Long-term Results: Excellent Treatment Method in Small and Medium Sized Perforations

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate and report the long-term results of the butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty. Short-term and long-term hearing outcomes were compared according to age and perforation location as well. Methods Ninety-three patients who were diagnosed with noncomplicated chronic otitis media and underwent microscopic transcanal butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty due to anterior, posterior, and central tympanic membrane perforation were included. Age, gender, follow-up time, pre- and postoperative pure tone audiometry thresholds (both air and bone conduction), pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABGs), if any residual perforation was noted. Results At the end of the follow-up period, successful closure occurred in 88 of 93 patients and success rate is 94.6%. In all patients, including those with residual perforations, the mean preoperative bone conduction threshold was 15.9 dB (range, 5 to 50 dB) among all groups whereas mean air conduction threshold was 36.4±15.1 dB (range, 10 to 90 dB) preoperatively and 28.8±14.3 dB in 6th month follow-up and 24.9±14.1 dB 24th month follow-up. Preoperative mean ABG was 22.1±7.1 dB (range, 5 to 40 dB) whereas 13.3±5.9 dB 6 months after surgery and 11.9±5.5 dB 24 months after surgery. There was a significant difference between pre- and postoperative ABG in both 6th and 24th month follow-up (P6 mo-24 mo<0.05). Furthermore, preoperative mean air conduction differed significantly from postoperative 6th and 24th month follow-up mean air conduction thresholds (P<0.05). Conclusion We suggested that butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty can be safely performed in small, moderate, and even large perforations, as the hearing outcomes and successful closure rate are similar to those of other surgical methods. Moreover, it can be performed under local anaesthesia and it has low complication rates.

The Value of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Oral Cavity Cancers

Objective The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the detection of metastasis in N0 necks of T1-T2 early-stage oral cavity cancers. Materials and Methods Twenty neck dissections were performed in 18 patients diagnosed with T1 and T2 oral cavity cancer, with an indication for elective neck dissection between November 2007 and January 2011. The male to female ratio was 12:8, with a mean age of 54.5 years (range 28-76). Eight of the dissections were performed for lower lip cancer, 7 for tongue cancer, and 5 for floor of the mouth cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was used to detect metastatic lymph nodes. Tc99m radionuclide injection was administered to the periphery of the tumor 24 h before the operation, and a lymphoscintigraphy image was obtained 30 min after the injection. Sentinel lymph nodes were localized and excised on the day of surgery using static lymphoscintigraphy images and a gamma probe. Sentinel lymph nodes were sent for a frozen section examination, and either a selective or a comprehensive neck dissection was performed for each neck according to the results. Results After the final histopathological examination of the specimens, the negative predictive value, the positive predictive value, the accuracy of the sentinel lymph node biopsy, and frozen section accuracy were found to be 100%. Conclusion Sentinel lymph node biopsy was found to be an efficient method in the pathological staging and management of the N0 neck in early T-stage oral cavity cancers.

The Effect of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty on Cochlear Function

Objectives The aim of this prospective clinical study was to measure the audiologic outcomes of the patients that underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty, and to investigate the effects on cochlear function. Methods Thirty-three patients (33 ears) who were diagnosed with noncomplicated chronic otitis media and underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty technique were included. Pre- and postoperative first month distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bone conduction hearing levels and air bone gap (ABG) values were measured and total endoscope usage time was noted. Results Preoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (1–11; interquartile range [IQR], 1), 6 dB (4–20; IQR, 1), 7 dB (3–26; IQR, 5) and 5.50 dB (0–9; IQR, 3), respectively. Postoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (3–9; IQR, 1), 6 dB (2–21; IQR, 3), 7 dB (2–20; IQR, 3), and 6 dB (0–10; IQR, 7), respectively. Regarding the DPOAE measurements, there was no statistically significant difference between the SNR values of all given frequencies (P>0.05). Regarding the pure tone audiometry (PTA) measurements, bone conduction was significantly better at 0.5 and 1 kHz, postoperatively (P<0.05) and there was statistically significant difference at 2 and 4 kHz (P>0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant correlation was found between the SNR and PTA measurements and the endoscope usage time (P>0.05). Conclusion We suggested that cochlear functions and sensorineural hearing remained stable after endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty and cold light source doesn’t cause significant adverse effects cochlear functions.

Primary Sinonasal Malignant Melanoma: Effect of Clinical and Histopathologic Prognostic Factors on Survival.

Background: Mucosal melanoma is a rare malignancy arising from melanocytes of the mucosal surfaces. The pattern and frequency of oncogenic mutations and histopathological biomarkers have a role on distinct tumour behaviour and survival. Aims: To assess the rate of C-KIT positivity and its effect on survival of surgically treated sinonasal malignant melanoma patients with other histopathological biomarkers and clinical features. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Seventeen sinonasal malignant melanoma patients with a mean age of 65.41 (39-86) years were included. Overall survival and disease-specific survival rates were calculated. The impact of age, gender, stage and extent of the disease, type of surgery, and adjuvant therapies were also taken into consideration. The effect of mitotic index, pigmentation, S100, HMB-45, Melan-A and C-KIT on survival were evaluated. Results: Median tumour size was 20 mm (interquartile range=27.5 mm). Pigmentation was present in 7 (41.2%) cases. Median number of mitoses per millimetre squared was 11 (interquartile range=13). Melan A was positive in 7 (41.2%) patients, ulceration was present in 6 cases (35.3%), and necrosis was present in (47.1%) 8 cases. Six patients (35.3%) were positive for S100, 14 (82.4%) specimens stained positive for HMB-45 and C-KIT (CD117) was positive in 9 cases (52.9%). Three patients (16.7%) developed distant metastasis. Five year overall and disease free survival rates were 61.4% and 43.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Although C-KIT positive sinonasal malignant melanoma patients (52.9%) can be candidates for targeted tumour therapies, the studied clinical or histopathological features along with C-KIT seem to have no significant effect on survival in a small group of patients with sinonasal malignant melanoma.

Malignant Otitis Externa: A Retrospective Analysis and Treatment Outcomes

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze previous treatments and outcomes in patients with malignant otitis externa (MOE) retrospectively. The efficacy of medical and surgical treatments was also evaluated. Methods This study included 25 patients diagnosed with MOE and treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ege University School of Medicine between 2006 and 2017. The duration of hospitalization, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels of the patients, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), source of the infection, complications, and previous medical and surgical treatments were also retrospectively assessed. Results The mean age of the patients (7 females and 18 males) was 69.68±11.29 years. The mean length of hospital stay in patients with HbA1c levels ≤6 and in patients with HbA1c levels >6 was 26.86 and 33.39 days, respectively. The mean hospitalization time was significantly longer in patients with HbA1c levels >6 (p<0.05). Additionally, elderly patients (age>65 years) had a significantly longer hospital stay in our study (p<0.05). ESR was found to be 52.76±32.49 (9-108) mm/h at the first examination and 14.92±1.22 (4-32) mm/h at the time of discharge. Conclusion MOE is an aggressive disease that requires conservative management, and ESR proved to be a good indicator of treatment response. Long-term antibiotherapy are recommended for treatment.

A Rare Orbital Complication of Sinusitis in a Pregnant Patient: Orbital Inflammatory Granulation

Development of orbital inflammatory granulation in pregnant patients as an orbital complication of acute sinusitis is extremely rare. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with a complication of acute sinusitis that mimicked orbital tumors. The patient presented with left orbital protrusion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pansinusitis with a well-defined mass lesion in the extraconal space of the left orbit. Endoscopic endonasal sphenoethmoidectomy and orbital decompression were performed. Histopatological examination revealed acute inflammatory granulation tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe orbital inflammatory granulation in a pregnant patient as an orbital complication of sinusitis.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Temporal Bone and Skull Base: A Case Report

Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign tumor that originates from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of the bone marrow. The cranium as well as temporal bone is a rare location for GCTs. Despite its benign nature, GCT may be locally aggressive and has the potential to recur locally. Furthermore, GCT may give rise to pulmonary metastases (~1%) in addition to causing local bone destruction. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for patients with GCT. We describe the case of a 56-year-old female who presented with headache and hearing loss with extensive GCT, which originated in the squamous part of the temporal bone and extended into the left mandibular fossa and middle ear. She was treated by total resection of the tumor using left temporal craniotomy approach. In this article, we present a case of temporal bone GCT with its clinical features as well as a review of the related literature.

The effect of “xanthan gum-based fluid thickener” on hydration, swallowing functions and nutritional status in total maxillectomy patients

PurposeSwallowing functions are affected after total maxillectomy operations and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The purpose of our study is to assess the role of xanthan gum based thickening agents on swallowing and hydration of maxillectomy patients on a randomized controlled fashion.Methods12 of the 22 patients diagnosed with maxillary carcinoma and planned to undergo total maxillectomy was identified as study group and 10 of them were identified as control group. The study group used “xantham based liquid thickener” for liquid foods up to 3 months postoperatively and the control group did not use. Dysphagia-related quality of life, bioimpedance analysis, EAT-10 scores, swallowing functions were evaluated both preoperative and postoperative period.ResultsThe mean age of the study group was 56 ± 9.87, and 41.6% were women. The mean age of control group was 60 ± 15.63, and 50% were women. Postoperative EAT-10 scores were statistically significant higher than preoperative scores in both groups (p < 0.05). In both of the study and control groups, a statistically significant reduction in dysphagia related quality of life was detected postoperatively (p < 0.05). Intracellular water, extracellular water and total body water detected statistically significant higher in study group at postoperative month three.ConclusionSwallowing functions are affected due to total maxillectomy and radiotherapy. With this study, it has been shown that, total maxillectomy and radiotherapy reduce dysphagia-related quality of life. Swallowing dysfunction and dehydration has been shown to affect total maxillectomy patients. Using of ‘xanthan gum-based fluid thickener’ helps to maintain intracellular water, extracellular water, and total body water.

Defect Reconstruction of the Nose After Surgery for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Our Clinical Experience

Objective This study aimed to investigate reconstruction methods according to nasal subunits in patients who were surgically treated with diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer of the nose. Methods All patients were retrospectively investigated. This study was conducted between April 2004 and December 2010; 180 patients who were surgically treated with diagnoses of skin basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cancer of skin appendages, and precancerous lesions and 194 lesions were included. The types of repair performed were divided into seven main groups: Secondary healing, primary closure, skin graft, local flap, auricular composite graft, subtotal reconstruction and prosthesis application. Results Among the 180 patients, 110 (61.1%) were males and 70 (38.9%) were females. The mean duration of follow-up was 39.8 (range, 32-81) months. Repair was by a local flap, a primary suture, a skin graft, and an auricular composite graft in 133, 16, 38, and 2 defects, respectively. Four defects were left for secondary healing. A prosthesis was applied to one patient. Totally, 194 defects were treated by surgery. Conclusion Although nonsurgical treatment options such as radiotherapy or cryotherapy may be effectively used, surgery is the main treatment option for cancer of the nasal skin. Nasal subunits have distinct characteristics; thus, optimal reconstruction should be preferred for each subunit. The objective of the reconstruction is not only closing the defect. Closing the defect appropriately with the optimal flap and in proper with the aesthetic subunits is the most important point in reconstruction of the nose.