Martin Formánek

Diagnosis of extraesophageal reflux in children with chronic otitis media with effusion using Peptest

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study was to investigate whether Peptest, an immunoassay used to detect pepsin, could be used to diagnose extraesophageal reflux (EER) in children with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME). The results obtained using this fast, simple and non-expensive method were compared with the results of previous studies. METHODS Children 1-7 years old who had been diagnosed with OME and who were undergoing myringotomy with insertion of a ventilation tube were included in the prospective study. Middle ear fluid obtained during myringotomy was analyzed with Peptest to determine the presence of pepsin, and hence EER. RESULTS Bilateral and unilateral myringotomy was performed in 15/44 (34.1%) and 29/44 (65.9%) children, respectively. Pepsin in the middle ear was detected in 14/44 (31.8%) children and in 19/59 (32.2%) middle ear specimens. Serous and mucous samples were positive for pepsin in 11/32 (34.4%) and 6/27 (22.2%) cases, respectively. Pepsin in the middle ear was detected in 3/7 children (42.9%) with bronchial asthma (p=0.662). CONCLUSIONS Pepsin was detected in 1/3 of middle ear specimens of patients with OME. These patients probably suffer from more severe reflux and therefore would be potential candidates for antireflux therapy. However, this has to be confirmed in further studies.

Chronic rhinosinusitis and extraesophageal reflux: Who is the candidate for antireflux treatment?

Background During the past decade, extraesophageal reflux (EER) has been hypothesized to be one of the possible factors that contribute to the worsening of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the relationship remains indeterminate due to its complexity, and it is not clear whether antireflux treatment is indicated for patients with recurrent CRS and who would benefit from it. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the severity of EER in patients with variable durations of CRS and different numbers of previous endoscopic endonasal surgeries (EES). Methods Ninety patients with CRS were recruited for the prospective case series. The age, sex, body mass index, reflux symptom index, duration of treatment of CRS with corticosteroids, and the number of ESS within the previous 5 years were ascertained. The severity of EER was evaluated by oropharyngeal pH monitoring by using the Restech system (the presence of EER, value of the RYAN score) and compared among the groups with varying durations of treatment of CRS (≤10 years, 11–20 years, >20 years) and different numbers of ESS within the previous 5 years (no ESS, 1–2 ESS, >2 ESS). Results Pathologic EER was present significantly more often in patients with CRS treated for >10 years (p = 0.0054) and in patients who underwent >2 ESS within the previous 5 years (p = 0.0001). Conclusion Patients with CRS treated for >10 years and those who had undergone >2 ESS within the previous 5 years had significant EER. Antireflux therapy (e.g., proton pump inhibitors) can be recommended for these patients. However, its effect has to be confirmed in further studies.

Comparison of Three Methods Used in the Diagnosis of Extraesophageal Reflux in Children with Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion.

Objectives. Detection of extraesophageal reflux (EER) in children with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) using three different diagnostic methods. Methods. Children between 1 and 7 years with OME who underwent adenoidectomy and myringotomy with insertion of a ventilation tube were included in this prospective study. EER was detected using three methods: oropharyngeal pH was monitored for 24 hours using the Restech system; detection of pepsin in middle ear fluid obtained during myringotomy was done using Peptest, and detection of pepsin in an adenoid specimen was done immunohistochemically. Results. Altogether 21 children were included in the study. Pathological oropharyngeal pH was confirmed in 13/21 (61.9%) children. Pepsin in the middle ear fluid was present in 5/21 (23.8%) children; these 5 patients were diagnosed with the most severe EER established through monitoring of oropharyngeal pH. No specimen of adenoids tested was positive for pepsin upon immunohistochemical examination. Conclusions. Diagnosis of EER in patients with OME using Restech is sensitive but less specific when compared to the detection of pepsin in middle ear fluid using Peptest. Pepsin in the middle ear was consistently present in patients with RYAN score above 200, and these patients in particular could potentially profit from antireflux therapy.

Bipolar Thermofusion BiClamp 150 in Thyroidectomy: A Review of 1156 Operations

Objectives. To compare the bipolar thermofusion BiClamp 150 with conventional ligature techniques for thyroid gland surgery, and report the advantages/disadvantages of both techniques. Methods. In this retrospective comparative study, all thyroid gland operations performed in the ENT Clinic Faculty Hospital Ostrava from 2006 to 2013 were included (1156 operations, 2122 lobes). Patients were categorized into two groups according to the type of vessel sealing method used, group I (BiClamp, n = 819 operations) and group II (conventional ligature, n = 337 operations). The number of revision surgeries due to wound hematoma was recorded as a bleeding event. Statistical analysis of the complication rate (bleeding rate, recurrent nerve palsy) and time of duration was performed. Results. The rate of revision surgery performed due to postoperative wound hematoma was significantly lower in group I (15/819, 1.83%) compared with group II (14/337, 4.15%) (P = 0.022). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy between groups I and II (P = 0.36). The average surgery time was significantly shorter in group I (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Bipolar thermofusion BiClamp is an effective vessel sealing method that leads to a significant reduction in postoperative wound bleeding rates and reduces surgical time compared with conventional vessel ligature.

Comparison of narrow band imaging and the Storz Professional Image Enhancement System for detection of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal pathologies

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy and Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (SPIES) in observing epithelial and/or subepithelial microvascular irregularities and pathologies.MethodsA total of 73 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal lesions were investigated using high-definition NBI endoscopy preoperatively in local anesthesia and using SPIES system intraoperatively in general anesthesia from August 2016 to October 2017. Superficial vascular structures were classified preoperatively (NBI) and intraoperatively (SPIES) according to descriptive guidelines of vascular changes by Arens. All lesions were endoscopically evaluated and divided according to the histological examination into four groups (A—benign lesions, B—recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, C—low-grade dysplasia, D—high-grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma), and results were compared with NBI and SPIES optical biopsy.ResultsBenign lesions (polyps, cysts, chronic inflammation, hyperkeratosis) were histologically confirmed in 26/73 (35.6%) cases and identified by NBI in 20/26 lesions (76.9%) and in 20/26 cases (76.9%) by SPIES, respectively. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis was confirmed in 16/73 (21.9%) and detected in 15/16 cases (93.8%) by NBI and in 16/16 cases (100.0%) by SPIES. Low-grade dysplasia (mild and moderate dysplasia) was histologically detected in 7/73 patients (9.6%) and accurately identified by NBI in 6/7 (85.7%) and by SPIES in 6/7 (85.7%) cases, respectively. Histopathological features of severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma were detected in 24/73 (32.9%) patients. According to the NBI endoscopy the suspected vascular neoangiogenesis was recognized in 19/24 cases (79.2%) and in 18/24 cases (75.0%) using SPIES endoscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of NBI endoscopy and SPIES system in correct prediction of histological diagnosis of already detected lesions were 83.0 and 98.0% and 86.0 and 96.0%, respectively. Results of NBI/SPIES endoscopy and histopathological features of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lesions were compared and the level of agreement was 81.43%, kappa index κ = 0.7428 (95% CI 0.682–0.832) (p < 0.001) by NBI endoscopy and 81.16%, kappa index κ = 0.7379 (95% CI 0.638–0.880) (p < 0.001) by SPIES endoscopy, respectively. The agreement was confirmed as substantial and strong. Level of agreement of both endoscopic methods was 92.54%, kappa index κ = 0.8965 (95% CI 0.877–0.954) (p < 0.001), agreement was confirmed as almost perfect. Between NBI and SPIES endoscopic imaging methods is no significant differentiation.ConclusionBoth methods, NBI endoscopy and SPIES system, are comparable in detection and analysis of superficial neoangiogenesis, typical for benign lesion and for precancerous or cancerous changes in larynx and hypopharynx.

Combined transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of chronic tinnitus

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is currently being tested for suppressing the symptoms of subjective chronic primary tinnitus, although its effect is controversial. The aim of this randomized double‐blinded controlled trial was to determine the effect of rTMS with unique settings for tinnitus treatment.

Comparison of Impedance and Pepsin Detection in the Laryngeal Mucosa to Determine Impedance Values that Indicate Pathological Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Objective:Recently, a 24-h impedance was used to detect laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). However, not every case of LPR is pathological. Thus, pathological pharyngeal impedance values need to be clearly established to diagnose pathological LPR. The aim of our study was to establish pathological 24-h pharyngoesophageal impedance/pH values for the diagnosis of LPR.Methods:The study was conducted in a tertiary care setting. A total of 30 patients who were referred to microlaryngoscopy for a laryngeal pathology that might be caused by LPR were included in this prospective study. All patients were off proton-pump inhibitor therapy. The 24-h pharyngoesophageal impedance–pH monitoring was performed 1 day before surgery. A biopsy of laryngeal tissue was obtained during microlaryngoscopy and was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to detect pepsin. The patients were divided into two groups: pepsin negative and pepsin positive (which indicated pathological LPR). The results of 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance–dual-channel pH monitoring were compared between the groups. The number of LPR episodes in the pepsin-positive group was analyzed to establish a cutoff value for pathological LPR.Results:There were 18 participants in the pepsin-negative group and 12 in the pepsin-positive group. The median total pharyngeal refluxes detected were two (0–5) in the pepsin-negative group and 14 (6–39) in the pepsin-positive group (P<0.001), although the groups were otherwise homogeneous. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of all types of refluxes between groups. Six or more pharyngeal refluxes were the cutoff for the presence of pepsin in the laryngeal mucosa and, thereby, for the diagnosis of relevant/pathological LPR.Conclusion:Six or more pharyngeal reflux episodes registered during the 24-h impedance/pH monitoring seem to be the cutoff for diagnosing pathological LPR. Therefore, it is possible to suggest establishing this value as the pathological impedance value indicating pathological LPR. These results must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 are Possible Risk Factors for Adult-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (prospective case-control study)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Although HPV prevalence is high, the incidence of papillomatosis is low. Thus, factors other than HPV infection probably contribute to RRP. This study investigated whether patients with papillomatosis are more often infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 and chlamydia trachomatis (ChT) and whether laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) occurs in this group of patients more often.