Is there any association between Helicobacter pylori and otitis media with effusion?

IntroductionIt is proposed that Helicobacter pylori can be responsible for the development of otitis media with effusion.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori in the adenoid tissue and fluid of the middle ear in patients who suffer from adenoid hyperplasia and otitis media with effusion in comparison with those who suffer from adenoid hyperplasia without otitis media with effusion.MethodsThis is a case–control study that was carried out in 50 children of age 2–7 years old who were admitted with adenoid hyperplasia. Patients were divided into case and control groups. The study group included 25 patients with adenoid hyperplasia and otitis media with effusion and the control group included 25 patients with adenoid hyperplasia without otitis media with effusion. The patients in both groups underwent surgical adenoidectomy. For the case group we carried out myringotomy and placement of tympanostomy tube, and fluid samples were collected under sterile conditions. The samples were sent to the laboratory for polymerase chain reactions.ResultsIn the case group H. pylori was found to be positive in 18 samples of the middle ear fluid (70%) and in 1 polymerase chain reaction adenoid tissue sample (4%). In the control group H. pylori was positive in 3 samples of adenoid tissues (12%). There was no gender difference.ConclusionH. pylori is one of the important bacteria that plays a role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion. Whether adenoid tissue may be a reservoir for H. Pylori is unclear.     

Is there any correlation between allergy and adenotonsillar tissue hypertrophy?

Objectives

Tonsil and adenoid are part of waldeyers ring;the basic function of which are antibody formation,which later react against a grat variety of antigens,The Adenotonsillectomy is the most common operation in small children but the exact reasons of adenotonsillar hypertrophy remains unknown,some researches have shown that allergy may be at risk factor for adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Methods

Thorough one year two separated groups of children at the ENT and allergy ward of childrens hospital was enrolled in the study.The study group consisted of 117 children between 1 and 14 years old(with average of 6) who had adenotonsillar hypertrophy.The control group consisted of 100 children in the similar age that had not adenotonsillar hypertrophy.both groups were examined for the incidence of allergic disease,results of skin prick test, serum IgE levels and close contact to smoke.

Results

In the study group .70.3% of children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy had positive skin prick test.But only 10% of children in control group had positive skin prick test.Increased serum total IgE level was confirmed in 48% of children with positive skin prick test in study group were in close contact with smoker parents.

Conclusion

Allergy and sensitivity to different kinds of allergens are important risk factors for adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children.Allergy control may have role in reducing the rate of adenotonsillectomy in children suffering allergic reactions with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.     

Is there a correlation between radiographic and histologic findings in chronic sinusitis?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the degree of radiologic changes noted on computed tomography (CT) scan correlate with the severity of histologic changes. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Academic tertiary care centre. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis, with complete data obtained for 131 sinuses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Paranasal sinus CT scans and pathologic reports were examined. Respective findings were graded as mild, moderate, or severe, and the results were analyzed for agreement. CT scan grading was based on the extent of sinus opacification and pathologic grading was determined by the number of inflammatory cells found in the sinus mucosa. RESULTS: Of the 51 ethmoid sinuses, agreement between the radiographic and histologic grading occurred in 32 or 62.7%. In the maxillary group, a 57.1% (24 of 42) correlation was noted. Of the 20 frontal sinuses, agreement occurred in 8 or 40%, whereas a 22.2% (4 of 18) correlation was present in the sphenoid group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the severity of sinus disease based on preoperative CT scan does not correlate with the histologic degree of disease.     

Is there any developmental relationship between mastoid pneumatization and adenoid tissue volume?

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental relationship between adenoid tissue volume and mastoid air cell volume, using a 3D reconstruction technique.

Study design

Cross-sectional retrospective study.

Subjects and methods

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) images were obtained using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and volume-rendering techniques (VRT). The subjects were 63 boys and 37 girls, 3-16 years of age. The volumes of bilateral mastoid air cells and adenoids marked in axial-coronal-sagittal planes were calculated. The patients were grouped into three categories according to adenoid tissue volume, total mastoid volume (TMV), and age.

Results

No significant difference was noted between the right mastoid volume (RMV) and the left mastoid volume (LMV) or between age and sex (p = 0.368; p = 0.549; p = 0.454). The incremental increase in adenoid tissue volume did not correlate with TMV (r = −0.161, r = −0.279, r = 0.015). The incremental increase in TMV did not correlate with the volume of adenoid tissue (r = 0.024, r = 0.148, r = 0.017).

Conclusions

No significant correlation was obtained between the incremental increase in adenoid tissue volume and TMV or the incremental increase in TMV and adenoid tissue volume. There does not seem to be a developmental relationship between adenoid tissue volume and TMV.     

Gastroesophageal reflux and laryngeal cancer: causation or association? A critical review

Gastroesophageal reflux disease has been implicated as a causative factor in several laryngeal disorders. Its involvement in laryngeal cancer is of interest not only from a clinicopathologic aspect, but also from a public health perspective. However, despite a number of studies, a causal relationship with laryngeal cancer is uncertain. In this article, we address the current literature in a critical manner to facilitate the understanding of this subject and evaluate the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngeal carcinoma.     

Invasive surgery for paranasal sinus cancer: is there still any indication for lateral rhinotomy and non endoscopic approaches?

A combined intracranial and transfacial approach for often very malignant lesions of the sino-nasal complex yields the best chance of curation. The operative risk diminishes in a centre with a large turnover after an initial learning curve and it is the only possibility to try to cure the patient from his or her disease. The removal of a rather small malignant lesion in the anterior part of the middle meatus can be safely done through the nostril with correct oncologic margins. In case of inoperability because of local destructions or because of the histological type (malignant melanoma e.g.) freeing up the nasal airway endoscopically can help patients symptomatically and repeatedly.     

Is there a higher prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in Chinese laryngeal cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Accumulating evidence suggests that persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is closely related to the risk of certain types of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma types, including laryngeal cancer (LC). Some reports indicated a higher HPV prevalence in Chinese LC patients, which remains to be established due to small study sample sizes. The aim of this study was to estimate the HPV infection rate in Chinese LC patients and assess the LC risk conferred by high-risk subtype HPV infection by meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, the Embase Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database for studies published in either English or Chinese up to October 2013, and systematically reviewed 28 original research articles that met the inclusion criteria. Both the HPV infection rate in the LC group (all 28 studies) and the LC risk from high-risk HPV infection (a subgroup of 12 case–control studies) were analyzed by R 3.0 software. Overall HPV, HPV-16/18, and HPV-6/11 infection rates were 32 % (95 % CI 22–44 %), 30 % (95 % CI 24–37 %), and 12 % (95 % CI 9–17 %), respectively. There was a strong association between high-risk HPV-16/18 infection and LC (P < 0.01; OR = 8.07, 95 % CI 5.67–11.48). Our research indicates that there is a higher HPV prevalence in Chinese LC patients compared to LC patients outside of China and that HPV infection significantly increases LC risk.     

Is dissection of levels 4 and 5 justified for cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer?

CONCLUSION: Dissecting levels 2 and 3 and sparing the dissection of level 4 and the contralateral neck when frozen section results are negative are reasonable options for the selective dissection of cN0 necks. Our findings show that dissection of level 5 is considered unnecessary, unless there is overt metastasis. OBJECTIVE: The level of node involvement and recurrence rates were assessed in cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients in order to develop appropriate guidelines for the treatment of the neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 328 cN0 necks operated with selective dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were monitored for at least 24 months and regional recurrences were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of level 4 occult metastases was 3.4%; 1.5% of them were isolated to level 4. We observed regional recurrence in 5.6% of the necks. No case of metastasis or regional relapse was observed in level 5.     

Is dissection of levels 4 and 5 justified for cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer?

Conclusion. Dissecting levels 2 and 3 and sparing the dissection of level 4 and the contralateral neck when frozen section results are negative are reasonable options for the selective dissection of cN0necks. Our findings show that dissection of level 5 is considered unnecessary, unless there is overt metastasis. Objective. The level of node involvement and recurrence rates were assessed in cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients in order to develop appropriate guidelines for the treatment of the neck. Materials and methods. A total of 328 cN0necks operated with selective dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were monitored for at least 24months and regional recurrences were evaluated. Results. The prevalence of level 4occult metastases was 3.4%; 1.5% of them were isolated to level 4. We observed regional recurrence in 5.6% of the necks. No case of metastasis or regional relapse was observed in level 5.     

Is there a relationship between presbycusis and hyperlipoproteinemia? A literature review

This paper reviews several articles on the subject of presbycusis, and its relationship to dietary lipids--particularly lipoproteins--as well as hypertension, and noise exposure. Although most studies do reach some sort of consensus, the evidence supporting a relationship between presbycusis and hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) remains questionable. The etiology of such a connection has not been properly tested, probably due to inadequate laboratory techniques. Future opportunities for exploring this subject are considerable, both in the laboratory and clinical setting. Possible treatment measures for "HLP-hearing loss" are also reviewed.     

Does asbestos cause laryngeal cancer?

Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Its role in the aetiology of laryngeal cancer has been investigated and debated for the last three decades. Here, we consider much of the published evidence from post-mortem studies, cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies. We feel that the weight of evidence does not support a causal association for asbestos with laryngeal cancer. The 'positive studies' raise important questions regarding an association; the opportunity may present itself to answer some of these as the incidence of asbestos-related malignancy is increasing in the UK and Europe.