Mehmet Ozgur Pinarbasli

Mechanism of action of allergen immunotherapy.

Background Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) leads to the production of antiallergen immunoglobulin (IgG) or “blocking antibody” in the serum and an increase in antiallergen IgG and IgA in nasal secretions. There is also a decrease in the usual rise in antiallergen IgE that occurs after the pollen season. Methods In this paper, mechanisms of action of allergen immunotherapy is reviewed. Results Regulatory T (Treg) cells and their cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL) 10 and transforming growth factor beta, suppress T-helper type 2 immune responses and control allergic diseases in many ways. AIT induces a shift in the proportion of IL-4–secreting T-helper type 2 cells in favor of IL-10-secreting inducible Treg cells specific for the same allergenic epitope that increases in number and function. Different types of inducible Treg control several facets of allergic inflammation. There are two main types of immunotherapy: subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is efficacious and is indicated for the reduction of seasonal symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy involves the regular self-administration and retention of allergen extract under the tongue for 1–2 minutes before the extract is swallowed. The allergens cross the mucosa in 15–30 minutes and are then captured by tolerogenic dendritic cells and processed as small peptides. Next, via the lymphatic system, a systemic immune response is created to produce an early decrease in mast cell and basophil degranulation. Conclusion AIT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe intermittent or persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. AIT can be administered to those >5 years of age and has been shown to be safe in children as young as 3 years of age. In this article, AIT and other types of immunotherapies were discussed as well as the indications for immunotherapy.

Diagnostic role of ultrasound elastography on lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck cancer

INTRODUCTION Ultrasonography is the easiest non-invasive method to diagnose lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck cancer. However, since CT scans are often preferred in the evaluation of primary tumours of these patients, information about lymphatic metastases may also available in these patients. Therefore, ultrasound is not routinely employed in the evaluation of these patients. However, elastography technique, a recent development in ultrasound technology, could make use of ultrasonography in these patients even more widespread, even though it is still not widely used today. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of sonographic elastography in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer. METHODS Twenty-three patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and scheduled for surgical treatment including neck dissection were included in the study. All patients underwent neck examination by palpation, ultrasound elastography and computerized tomography with contrast. To compare the diagnostic performance of palpation, ultrasound elastography and computerized tomography, the findings of each examination method were compared with the histopathological examination results of neck specimens. RESULTS 15 (65.2%) patients had a primary tumour in the larynx; 7 (30.4%) in the oral cavity; and 1 (4.3%) in the parotid. 7 (30.4%) out of 23 patients underwent bilateral neck dissection. In total, 30 neck dissections were hereby taken into account during study. Ultrasound elastography showed higher accuracy (83.3%) and higher sensitivity (82.4%) than palpation and computerized tomography, but the specificity of ultrasound elastography was lower (84.6%) than palpation and computerized tomography. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound elastography is helpful for the diagnosis of lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck cancer. Due to its non-invasive character, it can be used safety in combination with other radiological techniques to support or improve their diagnostic performance.

Acoustic Analysis of Soccer Fans in Acute Phonotrauma After the Match

OBJECTIVES Acute phonotrauma is the result of sound production by shouting or straining ones voice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the acute changes in the vocal folds and voices of soccer fans who voluntarily applied to our clinic after the soccer match where they engaged in acute phonotrauma. There are no other studies in the literature conducted on a similar sample group. STUDY DESIGN This is a case-control study. METHODS Videolaryngostroboscopic (VLS) examination, acoustic voice analysis, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire were performed on 29 voluntary soccer fans included to the study before the match and at the first hour after the match. The values obtained were compared statistically with each other and with 29 control groups without voice pathology. RESULTS The jitter, shimmer, and normalized noise energy values measured after the match increased significantly statistically compared with the pre-match level, but harmonic noise ratio value decreased significantly (P < 0.05). VHI scores increased significantly after the match according to the pre-match scores (P < 0.05). In the VLS examinations, there was no difference in the images before and after the match. CONCLUSIONS It has been concluded that people who are using their voices loudly and intensely by shouting during the match are exposed to sound changes after the match, and if this situation becomes persistent, it may cause permanent voice pathologies. It is thought that VHI and acoustic voice analysis should be done together with VLS for diagnosis and follow-up of voice changes for which the VLS examination alone is not sufficient.

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Fat Grafts in the Repair of Tympanic Membrane Perforations: An Experimental Study

OBJECTIVE We investigated the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve the success rate of fat graft myringoplasty in perforated tympanic membranes of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 20 healthy Wistar albino female rats were divided into two groups. In Group 1, the left tympanic membranes were perforated and grafted with a fat graft that was harvested from the inguinal region. In Group 2, the left tympanic membranes were perforated, and a fat graft was also harvested from the inguinal region. Then, the fat was soaked in 0.5 mL PRP and grafted at the perforation. After the procedure, the rats were examined, and the graft situation was assessed at 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days. All of the rats were sacrificed 21 days after perforation, and a histopathological examination was made. RESULTS We compared fat graft histopathological and otomicroscopic findings between the groups. While we did not observe graft rejections in Group 2, we saw 1 case of graft rejection in Group 1. In the histopathological examination, PRP prevents fat graft resorption by the terms of the adipocyte area, granulation tissue area, and vacuolization area. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the efficacy of fat grafts prepared with PRP on rat tympanic membranes. The fat graft with PRP did not statistically improve the success rate compared to the graft without PRP. Histopatologic findings of the study showed that PRP prevents fat graft resorption. Further studies are needed to further examine the advantages of the graft with PRP.