Tekin Baglam

Effects of Vitamin E on Cigarette Smoke Induced Oxidative Damage in Larynx and Lung

Objectives: Cigarette smoke (CS) contains a large variety of compounds, including many oxidants and free radicals (also known as reactive oxygen species), that are capable of initiating or promoting oxidative damage, which leads to various degenerative pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. Recent studies have established a strong relationship between CS and development of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the present study was to detect ROS levels in laryngeal and lung tissues of rats by measuring luminol‐amplified chemiluminescence and to determine the changes in ROS levels in lung and laryngeal tissues induced by exposure to CS, with and without concurrent treatment with vitamin E.

Actinomycosis of the larynx

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous disease that involves the upper airway and gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 40–55% of actinomycosis comprises the cervicofacial form. It presents a challenging clinical diagnostic dilemma because of variable presentations in the head and neck. Herein, we report a rare case of actinomycosis presenting as a vocal cord nodule in a healthy 21-year-old man who was not immunocompromised and had no other known medical disease.

Predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with deep neck space infection secondary to acute bacterial tonsillitis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as a predictor for deep neck space infections (DNSIs) that occur as a complication of acute bacterial tonsillitis in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated the NLR values of 180 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute bacterial tonsillitis with or without DNSI who presented to the Otolaryngology Department of Marmara University Hospital between 2010 and 2013. In cases in which DNSI was suspected, the patients underwent complete otolaryngological examination and radiological imaging including CT and MRI. NLR was calculated in all the subjects and was compared between the patients with acute bacterial tonsillitis without DNSI and those with DNSI. RESULTS With regard to the tonsillitis-related complications, 17 patients had peritonsillar abscess (9.4%); five, parapharyngeal abscess (2.8%); and two, retropharyngeal abscess (1.1%). The mean NLR was significantly higher in the patients of acute bacterial tonsillitis with DNSI (P<0.05). The optimum cut-off value of NLR was determined to be 5.4. CONCLUSION This study is the first to investigate the relationship between NLR and DNSI as a complication of acute bacterial tonsillitis. The results demonstrated that the NLR value could be a potential laboratory parameter for diagnosing DNSIs.

Use of a Gelatin-Thrombin Hemostatic Matrix for Secondary Bleeding After Pediatric Tonsillectomy

Importance Secondary posttonsillectomy bleeding associated with oozing from multiple sites or overcauterized tonsillar bed deserves special evaluation. Objective To evaluate the use of an absorbable, flowable gelatin-thrombin hemostatic matrix (GTHM) sealant for secondary bleeding after tonsillectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective data analysis, with information gathered from medical records of pediatric patients with secondary posttonsillectomy bleeding treated with the GTHM between 2012 and 2016 at a referral center and a local satellite facility. Forty-two pediatric patients admitted with secondary bleeding after tonsillectomy characterized by diffuse bleeding, multiple bleeding sites, or an overcauterized tonsillar bed, were treated with GTHM. Exclusion criteria were a bleeding disorder, genetic syndrome associated with abnormal oropharyngeal anatomy, and hemorrhage from a single site. Exposures GTHM was used to treat posttonsillectomy secondary bleeding. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient medical records were reviewed for information relevant to this study: (1) patient history, the tonsillectomy surgical technique used, and whether there were prior bleeding episodes (and if so, methods of treatment); (2) physical examination and laboratories on presentation, operative report details, and results of treatment; (3) hospital course and whether any further bleeding episodes occurred; and (4) hospital follow-up information (range, 3-20 months). Results The study population comprised 22 boys (52%) and 20 girls (48%) (a total of 42 patients), and the mean (SD) age was 7 (2.7) years (range, 4-14 years). Two patients had presented with recurrent secondary bleeding necessitating multiple operations, but the others had only 1 episode. The mean day of occurrence of bleeding was on the eighth day (range, day 7-12; median, day 10). Only 2 patients required blood transfusions: they were the same patients who underwent multiple operations for recurrent episodes of secondary bleeding. All patients except for 1 (41 of 42) were discharged without further bleeding following treatment. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions and Relevance Results suggest that GTHM is generally simple, safe, and effective for use in the treatment of posttonsillectomy secondary bleeding types not associated with a direct vein or artery source but oozing from multiple sites and/or overcauterized tonsillar bed that cannot be stopped by traditional hemostatic methods.

Comparison of pharyngocutaneous fistula closure with and without bacterial cellulose in a rat model

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to compare the effects of bacterial cellulose used for closure of pharyngocutaneous fistulae, a complication of total laryngectomy, with those of primary sutures in a rat model. METHODS Thirty female Sprague-Dawley underwent experimental pharyngoesophagotomy and were grouped depending on the material used for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure: group I, which received primary sutures alone, group II, which received bacterial cellulose alone; and group III, which received both. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed. Pharyngocutaneous fistula development was assessed, the gross wound was inspected, and histological examination was conducted. RESULTS Pharyngocutaneous fistulae developed in 12 rats (41%) in all: 6 from group I (21%), 4 from group II (14%) and 2 from group III (7%). CONCLUSION Fibroblast density and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly greater in group III than group I. We concluded that bacterial cellulose may be useful for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure.

Association Between Atypical/Incomplete Kawasaki Disease and Sensorineural Hearing Loss A Case Report

A 6-month-old male was admitted to our Pediatrics Department because of fever that had persisted for 13 days. He had no history of drug allergy and infectious disease, or no recent vaccination, and no abnormal find-ing on physical examination. The laboratory and radio-logical findings were as follows: white blood cell count, 9.2 × 10