Yeşim Başal

Efficacy of low-dose intratympanic dexamethasone for sudden hearing loss

OBJECTIVE Intratympanic steroids (ITSs) are recommended for treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). On the other hand, the dosage, frequency and duration of the intratympanic therapy are still not clear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment of SSNHL. METHODS Seventy patients (ears) treated for SSNHL were involved in the study. The patients were divided into four groups: the systemic steroid, combined, intratympanic initial (ITSi) and intratympanic salvage (ITSs). The demographic data, accompanying symptoms, treatment onset duration, the treatment protocol, and pre- and post-treatment pure tone audiometry results were recorded. RESULTS The mean treatment onset was 60 days in the ITSs group, which is statistically later than the other groups (p<0.001). The treatment response was assessed based on Siegels criteria. Hearing recovery was statistically higher in the combined group than the systemic steroid group (p=0.042). 87.5% of the ITSi group showed full recovery, which is a statistically significantly higher difference than the other groups (p<0.001). In the salvage treatment group, the use of low-dose ITS was observed to be inadequate for the treatment (p<0.001). The post-treatment pure tone average gains in dB were analyzed at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000Hz and the recovery determined for each of the four groups was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001 to p<0.031). CONCLUSION The ITS administration as the initial treatment for mild to moderate hearing loss is adequate while low dose of dexamethasone used as a salvage treatment is inadequate. The use of low-dose ITS in the combined treatment may increase the hearing gain.

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios of our pediatric patients with Bell's palsy

BACKGROUND Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is considered to be a reliable indicator in etiological investigation and identification of the disease severity in inflammatory disorders. There are numerous observations or evidences suggesting that Bells palsy is an inflammatory disorder. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to investigate the presence of any clue which might suggest inflammatory etiology and also the presence of compliance between NLR elevation and inflammation severity in children. METHODS Patients younger than 18 years with Bells palsy and who had not another inflammatory disorder in addition to Bells palsy were included. A total of 25 patients and 25 healthy individuals were taken. The patient group and the control group were compared in terms of NLR, neutrophil and lymphocytes. The relationship of NLR with pre-treatment House-Brackmann classification was evaluated. RESULTS The mean age was 9.86±5.07 in the patient group and 9.14±5.94 in the control group. In all members of the patient group, oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) was administered for 7 days. The post-treatment House-Brackmann classification of all patients was determined as grade 1. The average neutrophil values were significantly higher in the patient group. In terms of average lymphocyte values, no statistically significant difference was found. The average NLR value was 1.78 (0.93-4.58) in the pediatric patient group and 1.1 (0.6-2.05) in the control group. NLR was significantly higher in the patient group. NLR and pre-treatment House-Brackmann classification showed no statistically significant correlation (r=0.173, p>0.05). When cut-off value was taken as 3 for NLR, no statistically significant difference was found between groups. CONCLUSIONS High NLR values determined in pediatric patients with Bells palsy support the inflammatory feature of this disease. NLR is recommended as a supportive parameter in the diagnosis of pediatric patients with Bells palsy.

Can Head and Neck Cancers Be Detected with Mean Platelet Volume

BACKGROUND Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker which has been investigated in many cancers but data for head and neck lesions are limited. We aimed to study the MPV levels in head and neck cancers as a diagnostic marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 96 head and neck cancer patients and 31 control patients who did not meet exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The cancer locations, the platelet and MPV levels at the first diagnosis time were collected. RESULTS The head and neck cancer location distribution between these patients was 2 (2.1%) buccal, 9 (9.4%) tongue, 6 (6.3) lip, 1 (1%) gingiva, 1 (1%) hypopharynx, 1 (1%) ear, 58 (60.4%) larynx, 2 (2.1%) maxilla, 2 (2.1%) nasal, 1 (1%) nasopharynx, 2 (2.1%) palatal, 3 (3.1%) primary unknown, 1 (1%) retromolar, 1 (1%) thyroid, 2 (2.1%) tonsil, and 4 (4.2%) salivary gland. MPV levels were significantly different between cancer and control group (p=0.002). The cut-off point for MPV predicting head and neck cancer is >10 fL (sensitivity=55.21, specificity=87.10). CONCLUSIONS MPV level increase, a readily assessable parameter which does not bring extra costs can warn us regarding head and neck cancer risk.

Protective effect of Pycnogenol on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.

Abstract Context: Pycnogenol®, which is French maritime pine bark extract, is a potent antioxidant. It is used in medical conditions caused by oxidative stress. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is an antineoplastic agent. However, its serious side effects such as ototoxicity limit its usage. Objective: Antioxidants can be used to prevent ototoxicity. We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol® on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Materials and methods: Rats were randomly assigned to four groups of five. Distortion product-evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) test was performed for each rat. The experimental groups were as follows: Control Group, Pycnogenol® Group: 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol® intraperitoneally for 7 days, Cisplatin Group: intraperitoneally 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin on the fifth day, Cisplatin + Pycnogenol® Group: intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol® treatment for 7 days, additionally on the fifth day, 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin was given. On the eighth day, DPOAE was re-performed and rats were sacrificed. Apoptosis was evaluated histopathologically. Results: Mean percentage of apoptotic cells was 1.5, 3, 30 and 11% in organ of Corti and 2, 2, 40, 15% in spiral ganglion neurons in Control Group, Pycnogenol® Group, Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol® Group, respectively. Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol® Group were significantly different when compared to Control Group histopathologically both in organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron (p <0.001, p = 0.019, p = 0.001, p = 0.015). DPOAE results showed that Cisplatin + Pycnogenol® Group was significantly different when compared to Cisplatin Group at 3, 6 and 8 kHz (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pycnogenol protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. Also, pycnogenol is not ototoxic.

Rarely seen nasal congenital problems causing neonatal upper respiratory obstruction: a case series

Since newborns are obligatory nasal breathers, upper respiratory tract problems may sometimes be life threatening. The most common pathology causing dyspnea and stridor in newborns is laryngomalacia. Nasal cavity pathologies that risk the neonatal airway are more rarely met. These anomalies may be seen either as solitary anomalies or as a part of a syndrome. While choanal atresia is one of the best-known nasal cavity anomalies, choanal stenosis, congenital nasal mid-line masses, congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis, and nasal tip anomalies are more rarely seen structural pathologies. Choanal atresia may be present either as an isolated congenital anomaly or as a part of CHARGE syndrome. Some rare chromosome anomalies may also cause significant problems during nasal respiration in newborns. With this study, we presented a case series of newborns with pathologies that affected nasal respiration. Although the diagnosis and treatment of choanal atresia and congenital dacryocystocele are well known, the information on the diagnosis and treatment of the other two uncommon cases are limited. With this study, we aimed to contribute to the literature by presenting our approach in six cases having congenital pathologies that cause nasal respiratory obstruction.

Evaluation of Lapatinib and Trastuzumab for Ototoxic Effects.

OBJECTIVE Trastuzumab and lapatinib are widely used chemotherapeutic agents. Our aim in this study was to assess the possible ototoxicity of these chemotherapeutic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups: Group 1 (control, n=8) received intraperitoneal saline for 7 days. Group 2 (n=8) and Group 3 (n=8) received 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg single doses of intraperitoneal trastuzumab, respectively. Lapatinib was administered by oral gavage to Group 4 (n=8) at 100 mg/kg/day and to group 5 (n=8) at 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Group 6 (n=8) received only one dose of 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal trastuzumab; subsequently, Group 6 received one dose of lapatinib at 100 mg/kg/day by oral gavage for 7 days. Before any medication was administered, distortion product emissions (DPOAE) were obtained. DPOAE tests were performed again on the rats on day 7, after which the mastoid bullas were harvested. The apoptosis degree was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) procedure. RESULTS The lapatinib 300 and lapatinib+trastuzumab groups (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively) were significantly different from the control group according to the spiral ganglion TUNEL. Apoptosis in the organ of corti was statistically different compared with the control group in the lapatinib 100, lapatinib 300, and lapatinib+trastuzumab groups (p=0.035, p=0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Trastuzumab induced damage in only the organ of corti; however, lapatinib induced damage in both the organ of corti and spiral ganglion. The degree of the damage in the organ of corti was high when trastuzumab and lapatinib were concomitantly used. Supporting this data, a reduction in DPOAE amplitudes was observed during the combined usage of the drugs. CONCLUSION Administering trastuzumab and lapatinib causes ototoxic effects.

Laryngeal Tuberculosis Mimicking Laryngeal Carcinoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging

Laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare presentation of tuberculosis. It can mimic laryngeal carcinoma with its clinical and imaging findings. A 51-year old woman underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging for clinically suspected carcinoma of the larynx. PET/CT revealed lung lesions consistent with tuberculosis in additional to hypermetabolic focus on larynx. The patient was histopathologically diagnosed with lung and laryngeal tuberculosis.

The correlation of prognostic biomarkers (Ki-67, Bcl-2, HIF-1α, cyclin D1) with metabolic tumor volume measured by F-FDG PET/CT inlaryngeal cancer

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between tumor stage, Ki-67, Bcl-2, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), cyclin D1 and metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured by 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. Patients and Methods: In this study, included 25 consecutive laryngeal cancer patients (2 women, 23 men) diagnosed and treated in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of our tertiary care center. All cases underwent 18F FDG PET/CT and SUVmax, mean standardized uptake value, MTV, and TLG values were calculated. Tumor staging was made and immunohistochemical staining was carried out for Ki-67, Bcl-2, HIF-1α and cyclin D1. Results: Eight (32%) patients had glottic laryngeal cancer, 6 (24%) had supraglottic laryngeal cancer and 11 (44%) had transglottic laryngeal cancer. Cyclin D1 was significantly correlated with MTV (r = 0.45, P = 0.03), TLG (r = 0.492, P = 0.01) and T-stage (r = 0.483, P = 0.02). Bcl-2 was significantly correlated with SUVmax (r = –0.41, P = 0.05) and tumor stage (r = –0.442, P = 0.03). MTV and TLG are significantly correlated with nodal stage (r = 0.422, P = 0.04, r = 0.419, P = 0.04), while TLG (r = 0.403, P = 0.05) and SUVmax (r = 0.440, P = 0.03) were correlated with tumor stage. Conclusion: Our results indicated that biomarkers such as cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 were correlated with measures such as MTV, TLG, and SUV in 18F-FDG PET/CT. Integrative and combined evaluation of biomarkers and imaging data derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT are important for staging and appropriate management of patients with laryngeal cancer.

Ophthalmic adverse effects of nasal decongestants on an experimental rat model

PURPOSE To investigate the potential effects of chronic exposure to a nasal decongestant and its excipients on ocular tissues using an experimental rat model. METHODS Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups. The first two groups were control (serum physiologic) and Otrivine® groups. The remaining four groups received the Otrivine excipients xylometazoline, benzalkonium chloride, sorbitol, and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid. Medications were applied into both nostrils twice a day for 8 weeks. Before the rats were sacrificed, epithelial staining, the Schirmer test, and intraocular pressure measurements were performed under ketamine/xylasine anesthesia (50 and 5 mg/kg, respectively). RESULTS Epithelial defects and dry eye were common findings in all study groups. Cataracts developed in two cases clinically. Histopathological evaluation revealed many different pathological alterations in all parts of the ocular tissues such as corneal edema, polypoid proliferation and hyalinization of the vessel wall, cystic formation of the lens, retinal nerve fiber layer degeneration, and corpora amylacea formation of the lacrimal gland. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged usage of the nasal decongestant xylometazoline and its excipients may cause ophthalmic problems such as dry eyes, corneal edema, cataracts, retinal nerve fiber layer, and vascular damage in rats. Although these results were obtained from experimental animals, ophthalmologists should keep in mind the potential ophthalmic adverse effects of this medicine and/or its excipients and exercise caution with drugs containing xylometazoline, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, benzalkonium chloride and sorbitol for patients with underlying ocular problems.

[Laryngeal effect of experimental postnatal hypothyroidism: do thyroid hormone receptors change?].

OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to investigate the laryngeal histopathological alterations and thyroid hormone receptors in rats with experimentally-induced postnatal hypothyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective, randomized study, pregnant Wistar albino rats were followed and newborn 20 Wistar albino rat pups were included in the study. The pups were randomly divided into two groups: In group 1 (methimazole (MMI)-induced hypothyroidism group), the mothers and pups were given MMI added water up to 90th day, as the pups were fed with breast milk for 19 to 22 days. In group 2 (control group), the mothers and pups were fed with MMI-free water up to 90th days. When the pups were 90 days of age, they were decapitated and their larynx was removed. Their larynx was evaluated for edema, inflammation, goblet cells, and thyroid hormone receptors (TR-α, TR-β). RESULTS Nine larynx samples for group 1 and eight for group 2 were studied. There was a significant difference in inflammation between the groups with slightly lower in the hypothyroidism group (p=0.009). The TR-α, TR-β, and edema were significantly higher in the hypothyroidism group (p=0.002, p=0.029, p=0.029). There was no significant difference in the Goblet cells between the groups (p=0.637). CONCLUSION Histopathologically increased laryngeal edema and increased thyroid hormone receptors were found, shedding light on the mechanism of voice changes in hypothyroidism.