Introduction Sensory deficits of the upper airways are common in people with Parkinson disease. Compounded by considerable deterioration of the swallowing function, these deficits may contribute to the elevated rates of morbidity and mortality among this population. Objective To examine the sensitivity of the vocal tracts of people with Parkinson disease using nasal videoendoscopy and to compare the results with paired controls. Methods The present was a prospective, observational, case-control study. Sensitivity assessments were conducted in a sample of 24 people divided into 2 groups: one group of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease, and a control group with 12 healthy subjects. The study group also underwent a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and answered the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SQD) to detect dysphagia. Results There was a significant difference ( p < 0.05) in the region of the arytenoid cartilages, showing that sensitivity was better preserved among the control group, and that sensitivity deficits were present in the study group. The qualitative results showed sensorial impairment in the study group than in the control group regarding the base of the tongue, the vestibular folds, and the vocal folds. The study group showed self-awareness regarding the deficits in the swallowing function, but there was no statistically significant association between swallowing function deficits and deterioration of sensorial function among them. Conclusions Sensorial deficits were present in the study group when compared to the healthy subjects, mainly in the qualitative evaluation.
Introduction Clinical assessment in orofacial motricity is required for the speech therapist to diagnose and treat disorders involving the stomatognathic system. Validated tools can help establish a prognosis and outline intervention methods connected to human development. Objective The goal of the present study was to examine the domains of the oromyofunctional assessment of nursing infants and preschoolers according to sex and age group, as well as the application of the MMBGR Protocol - Nursing Infants and Preschool Children. Methods A quantitative technique was used to conduct an analytical and cross-sectional investigation. The present study included a total of 214 healthy breastfeeding infants and preschoolers of both sexes. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the medians. The Spearman correlation of each test domain was determined. R Core Team 2021 (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria) was used, and the significance threshold was set at 5%. Results In intraoral and extraoral examinations, there was a difference between sexes for tongue scores in nursing infants (d = - 0.428; p = 0.045), worse in males. When the orofacial functions were considered in nursing infants, there were differences between the sexes for the liquid/solid/semisolid deglutition scores (d = 0.479; p = 0.031), with females performing worse. There were sex differences in solid/semisolid deglutition (d = - 0.335; p = 0.043), and speech in preschoolers (d = - 0.478; p = 0.034), including the production of phones/phonemes (d = - 0.599; p = 0.007), which were always worse in males. Conclusion The research revealed sex disparities and related the domains of oromyofunctional assessment, according to scores, of the domains of myofunctional assessment, as recorded in a standardized oromyofunctional assessment protocol by age group.
Introduction Age and lymph node ratio have been attributed as independent predictors for survival and recurrence in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of p16 overexpression for CUP in the absence of true primary (TP). Methods The study involved 43 patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection (LND) from 2000 to 2015 after all the diagnostic work up for CUP. Immunohistochemistry for p16 overexpression was performed. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic impact on 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results The male-to-female ratio was 5.1:1, with a median age of 62 years. The clinicopathological data, except for p16 overexpression, did not differ significantly in terms of 5-year OS and RFS. The Cox regression analysis proposed p16 positivity to be an independent prognosticator of regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 6.180, p = 0.21). The median time to recurrence and death were 10 and 25 months, respectively. Conclusion Cervical metastasis with p16 overexpression is a significant prognostic factor of improved RFS after surgery in CUP. The prognostic significance of lymph node p16 positivity should be further studied.
Introduction Correction of caudal septal deviations has always been a challenging subject in septorhinoplasty. The septum batten extension graft (SBEG) is a new graft that has potential properties in rhinoplasty. However, few reports have evaluated the surgical outcomes of this technique. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SBEG in correcting caudal septal deviation. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with caudal septal deviation undergoing septorhinoplasty using SBEG at 2 different hospitals in 2019. We then retrospectively reviewed medical records and photographs of 50 patients at the preoperative period, as well as at 1-month, and 12-month postoperatively. Gross changes in nasolabial angle, columellar show, nasal tip projection, and dorsal nasal deviation were evaluated by a photographic analysis method, and nasal obstruction was assessed by patient satisfaction with breathing. Results There was a significant difference between the mean nasolabial angle and columellar show at 1 and 12-months postoperatively, compared with the previous values ( p < 0.0001). The nasolabial angles were in a favorable position with an increase of 12 to 15 degrees compared with the preoperative state. The columellar show also improved by an average of 1.2 mm and was in good condition. The postoperative dorsal nasal deviation was significantly reduced, and projection was significantly increased (3.521 ± 0.087 mm vs. 0.719 ± 0.028; p < 0.0001; p < 0.001). Moreover, this method had a significant favorable effect on nasal obstruction ( p = 0.049). Conclusion Our results showed that septorhinoplasty using SBEG is useful for correcting caudal septal deviation, with favorable surgical outcomes, and it has responded well to all five aforementioned criteria.
Introduction Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) present with a multitude of symptoms that can range from headaches to shoulder pain. Patients frequently present with pain in the ear, dizziness, and vertigo. It is noted that some patients who report TMDs also have a history of sleep disturbances, which is noted in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a reduction in the oropharyngeal airway volume. Objective To evaluate the airway volume in pre- and posttreatment of TMD with the use of neuromuscular orthotics made with ultra-low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS). Methods A total of 15 patients were evaluated for TMDs using the related criteria. Those included were treated with ULF-TENS with evaluation of the airway volume both pre- and posttreatment using CBCT and the Dolphin 3D volume analysis software. Results While the symptoms were shown to be significantly reduced in patients who were treated with this particular modality, the airway volume varied in those who reported a reduction after a period of 3 months and those that reported after a period of 6 months. Conclusion Posttreatment evaluation of the airway should be done after a period of 6 months for a more objective evaluation. A multidisciplinary evaluation of the patient is required in such cases.
Introduction The nonspecific hyperreactivity of rhinitis has been attributed to neurotrophins activating sensory nerves and inflammatory cells. The relationship between these markers and the intensity of the symptoms is not well established and few studies have evaluated individuals with idiopathic rhinitis. Objective The present study aims to evaluate whether perivascular innervation and nerve growth factor (NGF) are related to the intensity of the clinical conditions in allergic rhinitis (AR) and idiopathic rhinitis (IR). Methods A total of 15 patients with AR and 15 patients with IR with the indication for inferior turbinectomy (associated or not with septoplasty) were selected. The patients received a score according to their signs and symptoms. After the surgery, we quantified eosinophils, mast cells, NGF, and nerve fibers in the nasal turbinate. Results The score of the signs and symptoms was higher in the AR group. Nerve growth factor was found in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells in the submucosa in greater quantity in the AR group. The nerve fibers were distributed throughout the tissue, mainly in the subepithelial, glandular, and vascular regions, and there was no difference between the groups. Greater perivascular innervation was associated with a higher signs and symptoms score. Conclusions We concluded that these findings suggest that the NGF produced by submucosal inflammatory cells stimulates increased perivascular innervation in rhinitis, thus directly reflecting in more intense clinical conditions, especially in AR.
Introduction Changes in breathing patterns affect the harmonious development of the structures of the craniofacial system, leading to changes in posture, occlusion, and facial growth patterns. However, little is known about how these changes influence the muscle contraction patterns, either at rest or while functioning, and either in a normal or unbalanced condition. Objective To study the masseter and anterior temporal muscles fatigue during mastication in nasal- and mouth-breathing children, also considering their facial growth patterns. Methods: A total of 70 children aged 6 to 12 years old who met the study criteria were assessed. Speech-language-hearing, otorhinolaryngologic, and cephalometric assessments were performed to divide them into groups. In the electromyographic assessment, the children were asked to chew gum following a metronome until they felt fatigued. The median frequency of the muscles was analyzed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds of mastication. The reported time of fatigue perception was recorded. The data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests. Results There were no median frequency decrease patterns nor differences in the myoelectric manifestations and reported time of fatigue between the groups. Conclusion The masticatory muscles did not reveal fatigue in the electromyographic analysis; however, the fatigue time was reported, despite the absence of physiological fatigue. The breathing mode, the facial growth pattern, and the association between them did not interfere with the behavior of the median frequency of the electromyographic signal and the fatigue time perception.