Comparative assessment of Helicobacter pylori colonization in children tonsillar tissues

Objective

The objective was to survey the results of RUT (rapid urease test) in children tonsillar tissues.

Methods

In a prospective clinical study 285 children (4-14 years) tonsillar tissue tested with RUT (rapid urease test) and histopathologic biopsy and simultaneously serum IgG Helicobacter pylori level was measured for all patients.

Results

One hundred and thirteen patients (39.6%) were positive to H. pylori in histopathologic examination. Forty patients (14%) had positive RUT and 15 patients had positive serum IgG anti-H. pylori level. In 40 patients the results in both histopathology and RUT were positive (P = 0.000) although in 172 patients the results in both histopatologhic and RUT were negative (P = 0.000).

Conclusions

This study showed that H. pylori was present in tonsillar tissue and RUT is not sensitive enough for diagnosis of H. pylori in tonsillar tissue. Indicating that H. pylori has a possible role in reservoir of H. pylori in children.     

Investigation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> colonization in laryngeal neoplasia

Helicobacter pylori has been investigated in several other organ systems and localizations such as the oral cavity, but has not been investigated extensively in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, a region that could be directly exposed to the bacterium by the oral route or gastro-esophageal reflux. Only serological studies are available regarding the relation between H. pylori and laryngeal cancer, yielding conflicting results. To our knowledge, there is no study investigating the presence of H. pylori in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of H. pylori in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and to investigate the possible role of this organism in the etiopathogenesis of laryngeal cancer. Specimens from 50 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent total or partial laryngectomy between March 1999 and December 2002 were examined by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods to detect H. pylori. The presence of H. pylori was also investigated histopathologically in 50 benign laryngeal biopsy specimens. In our study, we demonstrated that H. pylori was not present in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue or in the benign lesions. We could not find any evidence indicating that H. pylori played a role at the tissue level in the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma.     

Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III in laryngeal carcinoma tissues

Objectives

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) has been believed to be an attractive tumor-specific candidate for molecular targeting therapy. However, there is little literature dealing with this variant of EGFR expressed in laryngeal carcinomas. In the present study, we try to evaluate the expression of EGFRvIII, as well as EGFR, in laryngeal carcinoma tissues and its correlation with clinicopathological features.

Methods

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) with TaqMan probes was applied to detect the expression for EGFR and EGFRvIII mRNA in the 39 pairs of samples of laryngeal carcinoma tissues and microscopically normal laryngeal mucosal tissues adjacent to the tumor. 2^−ΔΔCT method was used to obtain the relative quantity of target mRNA expression. The correlation between EGFRvIII expression and its clinicopathological features was analyzed by Pearson's chi-squared test.

Results

Among the 39 pairs of samples of laryngeal carcinoma tissues and microscopically normal laryngeal mucosal tissues adjacent to the tumor, the level of EGFR mRNA of the former (0.030 ± 0.076) was higher than that of the latter (0.011 ± 0.046) (P < 0.01). EGFRvIII mRNA was detected only in six samples of laryngeal carcinoma tissues. While, as control, in 39 samples of microscopically normal laryngeal mucosal tissues, EGFRvIII mRNA was hardly detected. As analyzing the correlation between expression of EGFRvIII and EGFR, we found the positive rate of EGFRvIII expression was higher in samples with relative EGFR mRNA value ≥0.025 than those of EGFR mRNA <0.025. The difference between them was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Expression of EGFRvIII in laryngeal carcinoma was confirmed in this study. It is tumor-specific and tends to be more frequent in EGFR-over expressing tumor tissues and poorly differentiated ones, which may in part contribute to the malignant phenotype.     

Reduced E-cadherin expression is associated with lymph node metastases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Sixty-four patients who had previously undergone complete resection of tumor for LSCC were studied retrospectively. The level of E-cadherin expression in tumor tissues and paired nontumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissues was significantly lower than nontumor tissues (P < 0.001). Reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates showed a significant correlation between E-cadherin expression and patient survival rate (log-rank P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis confirmed that lymph node metastases (P = 0.001) and tumor stage (P = 0.013) were statistically significant, independent predictor of prognosis.

Conclusion

Expression of E-cadherin is an independent predictor of lymph node metastases in LSCC. However, it does not appear to be a better prognostic predictor than other established markers in LSCC.     

Simultaneous squamous cell carcinoma with leiomyosarcoma of the larynx

Objective

To present the first reported case of a simultaneous squamous cell carcinoma with a leiomyosarcoma of the larynx, our treatment of the patient, and the 9-month follow-up results.

Study design

Case study.

Methods

Review of diagnostic studies, the operative technique, and the patient's chart for the 9-month period after treatment.

Results

A case with double laryngeal tumors with simultaneous evolution but different histological patterns is described. The squamous cell carcinoma and leiomyosarcoma involved both the vocal cords and the anterior commissure. A partial laryngectomy was performed, and the patient has been free of disease for 9 months.

Conclusions

Multiple laryngeal tumors are exceedingly rare. To our knowledge, no previous reports of a simultaneous squamous cell carcinoma and a leiomyosarcoma of the larynx have been reported. Both tumors were not invasive in this case, so conservation surgery was feasible.     

Clinical impact of iodine staining for diagnosis of carcinoma in situ in the floor of mouth, and decision of adequate surgical margin

Objective

The use of iodine staining has been recommended for the early detection of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the upper aerodigestive tract. The purpose was to verify the effectiveness of iodine staining in detecting early squamous cell carcinoma in the floor of mouth.

Methods

Between 1995 and 2005, otolaryngological examinations including the floor of mouth were performed for 2278 esophageal cancer patients as a screening program of high-risk patient group. Iodine staining was applied to a lightly reddish and/or white patch, and/or uneven lesions in the floor of the mouth. Forceps biopsy was performed for demarcated unstained or lightly stained lesions. Three patients with the tumors in the floor of mouth, which were diagnosed as more over T2 level just by visual examination, were excluded from this study. If SCC was found in the specimen, mucosal resection was performed with a safety margin of 2 mm from the unstained or lightly stained lesion. The incidence, rate of carcinoma in situ, and prognosis of cancer of the floor of mouth (CFOM) were assessed.

Results

Iodine staining was performed for 72 of 2278 patients (3.2%) according to the presence of suspicious reddish and/or whitish and/or uneven lesions. Of these, unstained or lightly stained areas after iodine staining were recognized in 47 patients and SCC was revealed in 28 of 47 patients. The diagnosis of other 19 patients included inflammatory mucosa (n = 11), low grade dysplasia (n = 6), and hyperkeratosis (n = 2). Sensitivity and specificity of iodine staining for detecting SCC were 100% and 59.6%, respectively. Pathological diagnosis of the 28 patients included squamous cell carcinoma in situ (n = 12), microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (n = 15) disease, and focal invasive squamous cell cancer (n = 1). Twenty-four of 28 patients were treated with mucosal resection without mandible resection. The other 4 patients did not receive the treatment of CFOM due to concomitant far advanced esophageal cancer. In 24 patients undergoing mucosal resection, no patients developed local recurrence or metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes during an average of 74.2 months of follow-up period (from 7 to 156 months). The 5-year cause-specific survival of these patients was 100%.

Conclusion

The use of iodine staining as a part of otolaryngological examinations may be beneficial for the early detection of CFOM, including carcinoma in situ and micro-invasive SCC. Moreover, it would be very useful to determine an adequate surgical margin for locally mucosal resection.     

Long-term results of open cordectomy for the treatment of T1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma

Objective

To assess the long-term results and prognostic factors in patients who have undergone open cordectomy (OC) for the treatment of T_1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods

One hundred four epidermoid cancer patients operated from January 1989 through December 1999 were included in the study. Clinical parameters, postoperative complications, and postoperative stay were retrospectively evaluated in all cases.

Results

Mean survival for the patients included in the study was 61.5 ± 24.8 months after the date of operation (range: 11–121 months). Ninety-four patients did not have recurrent tumor (90.4%). Local, regional and distant recurrence were linked with a statistical negative impact on survival rates (p < 0.05). Only sero-hematoma was significantly related to local recurrence (p < 0.05), whereas the remainder complications did not. None of the complications was associated with neck recurrence or distant metastasis (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Open cordectomy is nowadays a valid technique for the surgical treatment of T_1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Its results are comparable with those of other more recent techniques.     

Pilot study: Association between Helicobacter pylori in adenoid hyperplasia and reflux episodes detected by multiple intraluminal impedance in children

Objectives

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate an association between laryngopharyngeal reflux detected by combined multiple intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring and Helicobacter pylori in adenoid hyperplasia detected with real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Methods

The study group consisted of 30 children (median age 5.34 years) with extraesophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease with adenoid hyperplasia. All children underwent adenoidectomy with subsequent PCR detection of H. pylori DNA in the tissue and multiple intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring. The most proximal impedance sensor was located 1 cm caudal to the entrance of the oesophagus.

Results

We found significant differences in the number of reflux episodes among patients with PCR positivity (median 35) and negativity (median 0) of H. pylori (p-value of Mann–Whitney U-test 0.0056). Patients with PCR positivity of H. pylori had significantly more reflux episodes reaching the upper oesophageal sphincter (p-value of Mann–Whitney U-test 0.023). The absence of reflux episode was the only independent factor for PCR negativity of H. pylori in the multiple logistic regression model.

Conclusions

These results support the hypothesis that reflux episodes reaching the upper oesophageal sphincter may play an important role in the transmission of H. pylori into lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx and thus may contribute to adenoid hyperplasia in children.     

Frequency of Alloicoccus otitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) in Iranian patients

Objective

To determine the presence of common bacterial agents of otitis media with effusion (OME), together with investigation these agent in the adenoid tissue and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolated bacteria in Iranian children with OME.

Methods

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture methods were used for detection and isolation of Alloicoccus otitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae in 63 middle ear fluid samples and 48 adenoid tissues from 48 OME patients. Fifteen patients were bilaterally affected. Antimicrobial susceptibility of all bacterial isolates were determined by disk agar diffusion (DAD) method.

Results

Bacteria were isolated from 47% (n = 30) of the middle ear fluid samples and 79% (n = 38) of the adenoid tissue specimens in OME patients. A. otitidis was the most common bacterial isolated from the middle ear fluid 23.8% by culture and 36.5% by PCR method. S. pneumoniae was the most prevalent pathogen (35.5% and 31.2% by culture and PCR) in the adenoid tissues. In 10 patients the same organisms were isolated from the middle ear fluid and adenoid tissue. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed taht most isolates of bacteria were sensitive to ampicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate and fluoroquinolones.

Conclusion

The present study, being the first report on the isolation of A. otitidis by culture method in Iran and Asian countries, shows that A. otitidis is the most frequently isolated bacterium in Iranian children having otitis media with effusion. In this study A. otitidis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis are the major bacterial pathogens in patients with OME and we found that ampicillin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanate have the excellent activity against bacterial agents in Iranian children with OME.     

p53 expression in concurrent chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background

The current study aimed to evaluate the significance of an immunohistochemical assessment of tumor suppressor p53 as a prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with docetaxel and radiotherapy.

Methods

The expression of tumor suppressor p53 and its phosphorylated form at the Ser392 residue was retrospectively evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 51 Stage T1-3N0-2M0 (except T1N0 glottis) HNSCC patients who were treated with 10 mg/m²/week docetaxel four to six times and received concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Results

Kaplan–Meier univariate analysis revealed that no difference in rates for overall and disease-free survival (DFS) between patients with p53-positive and -negative tumors (p = 0.786 and p = 0.924, respectively). The prognostic significance of phosphorylated p53 at the Ser392 residue was neither observed.

Conclusions

An immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of p53 and its phosphorylated form might not be of clinical use in defining subgroups of patients with poor prognosis.     

An extremely rare case of large Delphian node metastasis preceding primary laryngeal cancer

Objectives

To present an extremely rare case of large Delphian node metastasis preceding primary laryngeal cancer.

Materials and methods

A 74-year-old male who noted a mass on the lower anterior neck and consulted our department immediately. The mass rapidly grew to 6 cm from 2 cm in diameter within 2 months after the initial presentation.

Results

Fiberoptic laryngoscopy was unremarkable. Surgical excision of the lesion showed well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with invasion into the surrounding tissues. Postoperative radiotherapy was added. During follow-up after those treatments, thickening of the right vocal cord was observed, which gradually became more apparent. Total laryngectomy was performed 13 months after the initial operation.

Conclusion

Delphian node metastasis is included in the differential diagnosis in a case of rapidly increasing mass in the anterior neck.     

The first case of osteoma in the false vocal fold

Objectives

This article reports the first evidence of a larynx osteoma of the false vocal fold.

Study design

Case report and literature review.

Methods

Case report and review of previously published cases of larynx osteomas.

Results

A 79-year-old patient was referred to our institution for dysphagia and hoarseness. Fibrolaryngoscopy showed a regular surface tumefaction of the false fold and the left ventricle, with preserved cordal motility. Patient underwent direct laryngoscopy with CO₂ laser excision of the lesion. Pathologic examination of the lesion (1.6 cm × 1 cm) showed features consistent with an osteoma. Complete regression of symptoms was observed after surgery, with no lesions found on routine 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Osteomas are benign, slow growing tumors of the craniofacial bone area, very rarely located in the larynx. Although the etiology is unknown, accepted theories point to embryologic, post-traumatic and infectious causes. Surgical excision is indicated only in symptomatic cases. This case report is the fourth evidence of laryngeal osteoma and, to our knowledge, the first finding of a false vocal fold osteoma.     

Helicobacter pylori colonization of the adenotonsillar tissue: Fact or fiction?

Objective

The transmission of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori involves the oral route. Molecular techniques have allowed the detection of H. pylori DNA in samples of the oral cavity, although culture of H. pylori from these type of samples has been sporadic. Studies have tried to demonstrate the presence of H. pylori in adenotonsillar tissue, with contradictory results. Our aim was to clarify whether the adenotonsillar tissue may constitute an extra gastric reservoir for H. pylori.

Methods

Sixty-two children proposed for adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy were enrolled. A total of 101 surgical specimens, 55 adenoid and 46 tonsils, were obtained. Patients were characterized for the presence of anti-H. pylori antibodies by serology. On each surgical sample rapid urease test, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a peptide nucleic acid probe for H. pylori, and polymerase chain reaction-DNA hybridization assay (PCR-DEIA) directed to the vacA gene of H. pylori were performed.

Results

Thirty-nine percent of the individuals had anti-H. pylori antibodies. Rapid urease test was positive in samples of three patients, all with positive serology. Immunohistochemistry was positive in samples of two patients, all with negative serology. All rapid urease test or immunohistochemistry positive cases were negative by FISH. All samples tested were negative when PCR-DEIA for H. pylori detection was used directly in adenotonsillar specimens.

Conclusions

The adenotonsillar tissue does not constitute an extra gastric reservoir for H. pylori infection, at least a permanent one, in this population of children. Moreover, techniques currently used for detecting gastric H. pylori colonization are not adequate to evaluate infection of the adenotonsillar tissues.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in adenotonsillar tissue of children with chronic adenotonsillitis using rapid urease test, PCR and blood serology: a prospective study

Objective

Contradictory results have been reported regarding Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) detection in adenotonsillar tissue. The aims of this study were to investigate whether adenotonsillar tissue of symptomatic children with chronic adenotonsillitis harbors the H. pylori organism, using two biopsy-based invasive methods namely; rapid urease test (RUT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as blood serology and to compare the results obtained from each of these methods to the “gold standard”.

Methods

This prospective clinical study was carried out on 20 children aged between 2 and 10 years scheduled for tonsillectomy +/− adenoidectomy in a tertiary referral center. Exclusion criteria included: use of antacids, H₂ blockers or antibiotics during the previous month before surgery and adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea. Core biopsy samples from resected adenotonsillar tissue was tested for H. pylori detection using both RUT and PCR assay for the ureC gene. Preoperative patient venous blood samples were also tested for H. pylori IgG antibodies. As a “gold standard”, examined tissue was considered to be H. pylori infected if the two biopsy specimen-based methods (RUT and PCR) yielded positive results.

Results

Thirty adenotonsillectomy specimens were tested (20 tonsils and 10 adenoids). RUT was positive in 16 (53.3%) specimens (12 tonsils and 4 adenoids). According to the “gold standard”, 11/16 were considered false-positive, yielding this test sensitivity 100% and specificity 56%. The ureC gene sequence was detected by PCR in 5 (16.6%) specimens (3 tonsils and 2 adenoids), all of which were also positive by RUT, thus were considered H. pylori infected. Accordingly, PCR had a 100% sensitivity and specificity. Serology testing was positive for H. pylori IgG antibodies in 4/20 patients (20%), only two of them were found to have H. pylori infected adenotonsillar tissue.

Conclusions

Based on our findings it seems that adenotonsillar tissue may constitute an extra-gastric reservoir for H. pylori in symptomatic children with chronic adenotonsillitis. RUT was found to be of less accuracy than PCR in H. pylori detection in an extra-gastric location, thus results of previous studies using this test alone for detection of oral H. pylori should be treated with caution.     

Results after supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy

Objectives

This study analyzed oncological and functional results of supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted involving 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx who underwent SCPL between 1996 and 2005 in Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa Hospital of Sao Paulo, Brazil. There were 18 male and 2 female patients with ages ranging from 39 to 74 years (median = 58 years), of whom 19 were smokers and 14 alcoholics. The tumors were present in the glottis in 16 cases and supraglottis in 4; 5 were stage I or II and 15 were stage III or IV. We analyzed treatment given when rehabilitation was unsuccessful, oncological results of SCPL, including local and regional recurrences, time to recurrence and treatment given, distal metastases, global survival, survival free of disease, and appearance of second primary tumors. We also calculated the index of functional preservation of the larynx.

Results

Rehabilitation of swallowing capabilities and speech was achieved in 18 patients. Removal of the tracheostomy varied between 1 and 9 months. Rehabilitation was unsuccessful in two patients. Three patients required a total laryngectomy, two for unsuccessful rehabilitation and one for recurrence. The preservation of a functional larynx was 85%, with 10% of patients requiring a total laryngectomy after failed rehabilitation.

Conclusions

Supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy is an efficient surgical oncology technique that yields good functional results for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx--A systematic review

Objectives

This study pools all the cases of Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in the English literature to investigate the clinical course of this rare clinico-pathological disease entity.

Methods

We found and analyzed 100 cases with individual patient data from 36 publications spanning 20 years.

Results

It is a rare disease of the elderly with strong male predominance and more common in the supraglottis. Patients typically present with locoregionally advanced stage. Surgery alone or combined with radiotherapy is commonly reported. It has a worse survival outcome when compared to laryngeal cancers in general. Twenty-two percent eventually develop distant metastases with the lung being the predominant site.

Conclusions

Given the rarity of this clinical condition and the lack of data from studies with adequate number of cases, this systematic literature analysis provides the best possible relevant evidence.     

Late complications of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective

To evaluate and assemble late complications of radiotherapy in cases of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Methods

From October 2003 to January 2005, a prospective cohort study was done in a tertiary center, Chiang Mai University Hospital. Two hundred patients were evaluated for late complication according to the RTOG/EORTC late radiation morbidity scoring criteria.

Results

Of 200 patients, 131 were male (65.5%) and 69 female (34.5%). The mean age was 49.7 ± 13.5 years (11–78). The mean pre- and post-treatment body mass indexes (BMI) were 22.5 ± 4 (15–35.6), and 19.8 ± 3.2 (12.9–34.5; P < 0.05). Mean post-radiation period was 3.6 ± 3.4 years (0.3–18.6 years). The radiation dosage ranged from 60 to 76 Gy (mean 69 Gy). Most of the patients (92%) had undifferentiated (50.5%) and poorly differentiated (41.5%) squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were in Stage III and IV. Chemotherapy was given to 145 patients (72.5%). The mean post-radiation period in the added chemotherapy group was lower than the group treated with radiation alone (2.9 ± 2.7 years vs. 5.4 ± 4.4 years, P < .05). The most common complication was dryness of mouth (97.5%); followed by hearing impairment (inner ear 82.5%). Added chemotherapy increased the complication severity significantly for the skin (P < 0.05). The mean number of complications was 6.3 ± 2.2 (range from 1 to 12).

Conclusion

In this study, every patient had a more or less adverse reaction to radiation. Doctors need to be aware of these complications in order to prevent serious ones and to improve the patients’ quality of life in the long term.     

Laryngeal dysfunction and oral hygiene: Any relation?

Objective

The purpose of this study is to establish a relation between poor oral hygiene and laryngeal dysfunction.

Methods

43 adult patients were divided into two groups according to caries activity and oral hygiene. 18 patients with oral hygiene index score (OHI-S) 0-1 were grouped as the control group (good oral hygiene). 25 patients with OHI-S 2-3 were grouped as the study group (poor oral hygiene). Larygostroboscopic examination, aerodynamic measures by defining maximum phonation time (MPT) and s/z ratio and the pitch level measurements were done.Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), previously confirmed laryngeal diseases or pathologies, systemic other diseases, or smokers were excluded from this study.

Results

The average MPT values of the study group were found to be statistically very significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.01). In the stroboscopic findings, the proportion of normal closure levels were meaningfully higher in the control group than in the study group (p < 0.05). The supraglottic involvement was found statistically meaningfully higher in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The proportion of normal closure phase incidences were meaningfully higher in the control group than in the study group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

So, our findings of high glottic closure impairment, supraglottic involvement and low MPT scores in the poor oral hygiene group correlate with LPR findings such as muscle tension dysphonia. Poor oral hygiene may aggravate potential LPR in people.     

Bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis and their relationship with inflammation severity

Aims

To identify the presence of bacterial biofilms on mucosal specimens from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients, and evaluate their relationship with severity of CRS.

Methods

A prospective study of biofilms presence on 24 CRS patients compared with 12 controls was designed. The presence of biofilms was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and associations with the preoperative Lund–MacKay CT scores, Johansson endoscopic scores, and the history of ESS were assessed.

Results

Biofilms were found in 13/24 CRS patients (54.2%) but in only 1/12 controls (8.3%; P < 0.01). CRS patients with and without biofilms had similar preoperative Lund–MacKay CT and Johansson endoscopic scores (P > 0.05). Patients with revision ESS showed a tendency of higher biofilms incidence (5/7, 71.4%) than those undergoing their first procedure (8/17, 47.1%), but did not reach a significant difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The higher incidence of biofilms in CRS patients suggests a role in the pathogenesis of CRS, but no correlation with severity of CRS.     

Prognostic significance and association of Helicobacter pylori infection in pharyngolaryngeal cancer

The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) serologic status of patients who underwent for curative resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx and their prognosis. From April 2004 to March 2005, we included eighty patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Control group consisted of 20 healthy patients and 10 patients with Reinke’s edema. Serologic status was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for immunoglobulin G. Patients were followed for 5 years. H. pylori-positive serologic status was statistically significant for the case subjects (70.6 v/s 29.4 %; p < 0.001). Mean overall and disease-free survival were 50.7 months (range 46.9–54.5) and 52.1 months (range 48.3–55.7), respectively. H. pylori-positive serologic status was not associated with a poor prognosis in the Cox regression model (p = 0.77). We observed a positive association between H. pylori infection and laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. But we fail to confirm that the presence of H. pylori infection is associated with poor outcome or a higher recurrence rate.