Polish Journal of Otolaryngology最新文献

Understanding the appropriate use of diagnostics and treatment in acute rhinosinusitis is of immense importance given the high prevalence of this disease in the general population. The ability to differentiate between the principal phenotypes of acute sinusitis, namely acute viral infection (cold), acute post-viral sinusitis and acute bacterial sinusitis, determines the future management and is fundamental to providing rational therapeutic recommendations - especially as regards antibiotic treatment, which is very often overused in acute sinusitis even though bacterial phenotypes only account for 0.5-2% of all cases of the disease. The latest therapeutic recommendations contained in the EPOS2020 position paper introduce a system based on integrated care pathways (ICPs), which comprise pharmacy-supported self-care and e-health as the first level, followed by primary care as the second, with specialist care being reserved for patients who develop a more severe course of the disease, have suspected complications or suffer from recurrent acute sinusitis. Management of acute sinusitis is primarily based on symptomatic treatment modalities, with phytotherapeutic support, as well as on antiinflammatory treatment, while antibiotic therapy is used in very specific and limited indications. Complications are relatively rare in acute sinusitis and they are not considered to be associated with antibiotic intake. Considering the high prevalence of acute forms of sinusitis, their significant impact on quality of life and high direct and indirect costs of treatment, the right diagnosis and management, without unnecessary escalation of therapy, can substantially translate into a number of public health benefits.

The analysis of the study group of 124 patients revealed a statistically significant shortening of mechanical ventilation requirement period in patients in whom tracheotomy had been performed before hospitalization day 10 (G1). The average length of mechanical ventilation was shorter by 20.3 days in G1 as compared to G2. On average, the duration of ICU stay was shorter by 39.4 days in G1 as compared to G2. Total hospitalization time was also significantly shorter in this group of patients (G1). The overall length of hospital stay for patients in whom tracheotomy had been performed prior to hospitalization day 10 was on average 43.1 days shorter as compared to patients in whom the procedure had been performed at a later date. Tab. I. provides the comparison of the results obtained in both study groups. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were demonstrated between G1 and G2 regarding the length of the mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, and length of hospitalization. null null No statistically significant differences were observed in mortality rates between the study groups (Fig. 1.) (P = 0.256). The mortality rate in early tracheotomy group (G1) was lower and amounted to 2%. In patients in whom tracheotomy was performed on day 10 or later (G2), the mortality rate was slightly higher and amounted to 9%. In some patients, initiation of treatment was required due to pneumonia developing as a complication in mechanically ventilated patients and referred to as ventilator-associated pneumonia. This complication developed in 6 patients in G1 and 26 patients in G2. The study assessed the relationship between the occurrence of this complication and the timing of tracheotomy. Pneumonia was significantly more frequent in patients in whom tracheotomy had been performed on hospitalization day 10 or later (P = 0.011). null null The comparison of results is presented in Tab. II.</br> </br>Another analyzed aspect of the study consisted in the results obtained by the patients in the baseline evaluation of the level of consciousness as assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Data were checked for potential correlation between the GCS scores and the timing of the tracheotomy and the lengths of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and hospitalization. Correlation between GCS scores and the duration of stay within the ICU was demonstrated with a statistically significant correlation coefficient (Spearman's rank coefficient in the range of -0.4 to -0.2). </br> </br>ICU stay and total hospitalization lengths were shorter in patients with higher baseline GCS scores compared to patients with lower baseline GCS scores. The results are illustrated graphically (Fig. 2., 3.).

Background A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigated the use of bacteriophages in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Materials and Methods 40 adult patients with сhronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps were examined. All patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. After the surgery, 20 patients got the intranasal gel with a bacteriophages mixture (Otofag, Micromir, Russia) twice a day for ten weeks, and 20 patients got a placebo. Results On the 10th day, IL-1β secretion diminished (63 mg/ml versus 440 mg/ml in control). There was a decrease in the total number of microorganisms and Enterobacteriaceae (5.7 x 106 CFU/ml versus 1.2 x 109 CFU/ml in control), and the absence of Streptococci (versus 2.1 x 109 CFU/ml in control) on the 30th day of the treatment in the group with the bacteriophages. On the 10th day, a decrease in the activity of secretory IL-1β and IL-8 strongly and very strongly correlated with a total number of microorganisms (r = 0.7; r = 0.9 respectively), as well as secretory IL-8 with Enterobacteriaceae (r = 0.72) and Staphylococci (r = 0.65) in the active group treated with the bacteriophages. On the 30th day, the decrease in serum IL-1β significantly correlated with the total number of microorganisms (r = 0.80) and enterobacteria (r = 0.90) in the active group. Conclusions The administration of bacteriophages restored the balance of microorganisms in the nasal cavity and decreased the inflammatory response in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. These changes, such as an inflammation dampening, could theoretically reduce the recurrent growth of polyp tissue in the future.

<b>Introduction:</b> Nowadays, there are many options to treat hearing-impaired patients: tympanoplastic surgery, hearing aids and a wide range of implantable devices.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of this study is to present the mid-term audiological and quality of life benefits after the implantation of Osia®, an active piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant. </br></br> <b>Material and methods:</b> The state of the tissues in the implanted area, as well as audiological and quality of life results were analyzed at six, nine and twelve months after implantation in a group of four adult patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss (1 after bilateral canal-wall-down mastoidectomy, 2 with chronic simple otitis media and after myringoplasty in the opposite ear, 1 with bilateral otosclerosis and after stapedotomy in the opposite ear). </br></br> <b>Results:</b> No postoperative complications were found in any of the cases. One year after surgery the mean audiological gain in FF PTA4 (pure tone average for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) was 52.2 ± 3.5 dB in comparison to the unaided situation, the mean speech understanding with Osia® in quiet was 90 ± 8.2% for 50 dB SPL, 98.8 ± 2.5% for 65 dB SPL and 100 ± 0% for 80 dB SPL, and the mean speech understanding with Osia® in noise was 37.5% ± 23.6 for 50 dB SPL, 93.8 ± 4.8% for 65 dB SPL and 98.8 ± 2.5% for 80 dB SPL. There was also an evident improvement in the quality of hearing as well as in the quality of life, measured by APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit) and SSQ (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale). </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The Osia® is an effective treatment option for patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. The mid-term audiological and quality of life results are excellent, but further observations including bigger groups of patients and a longer follow- -up are required.

<b>Introduction:</b> Recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst after surgery is not a rare condition and first-line treatment has not been established yet.<br/><br/> <b>Aim:</b> Evaluation of outcomes and complications of OK-432 treatment in patients with recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst after surgery. <br/><br/> <b>Material and methods:</b> This study is designed as a case series with planned data collection at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Fukase Clinic. Five patients with recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst after surgery received this therapy between January 2014 and February 2020 on an outpatient basis, without hospitalization. OK-432 solution was injected into the lesion using an 18- or 27-gauge needle, depending on the location and size of the lesion, as well as on possible complications.<br/> <br/> <b>Results:</b> Lesions showed marked reduction or total shrinkage in all patients, with no local scarring or deformity at the injection site. Side effects manifested as local pain at the site of injection and fever (37.5-38.5°C) observed in three patients, but the symptoms resolved within a few days.<br/> <br/> <b>Conclusions:</b> Since OK-432 therapy is simple, easy, safe and effective, it can be used as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst after surgery.

Radiotherapy (RT) for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) affects vital functions related to the irradiation volume of the head and neck region and, in addition, has a negative impact on social functioning, thereby significantly impairing patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess changes in the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer treated with curative RT at 12 months after completion of RT. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between the baseline QoL of patients with early clinical stage HNSCC and at 12 months after curative/radical RT. The prospective clinical study included 92 patients in good general condition (ECOG 0-1 - Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status), without regional or distant metastases, diagnosed with pathomorphologically confirmed early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive RT. All patients participating in the study signed an informed consent form. QoL was assessed using the standard EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQH&N35 questionnaires. In addition, information on clinical aspects and data relating to socio-demographic factors were obtained from each patient. Statistical analysis was performed using a statistical package (SPSS 17.0). T-test was used for dependent and independent samples. A general linear model was used for repeated measures. Patients' QoL deteriorated significantly after definitive RT. Worse QoL Core-30 scores in patients 12 months after the end of RT, compared with baseline QoL, before the start of RT, were observed in domains such as physical performance, fulfillment of life roles, cognitive functioning, loss of appetite, fatigue and constipation. For the QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires, patients 12 months after the end of RT reported problems in relation to aspects of life such as senses, mouth opening, dry mouth, thick saliva, pain, and weight loss. RT, even in early clinical stage head and neck cancer, has a negative impact on QoL, despite modern treatment techniques.

Voice dysfunction is the most common complication of thyroid surgery. The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is to protect the recurrent laryngeal nerves, the damage of which causes voice dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate voice quality in patients who underwent complete thyroidectomy operated on with the application of IONM as well as a group of patients operated on with only macroscopic nerve visualization. In the analysis, clinical voice assessment was performed with particular focus on voice efficiency using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) and GRBAS scale. The study group consisted of 205 patients operated on with IONM. The control group consisted of 162 patients subjected to surgery only with macroscopic visualization of recurrent laryngeal nerves, without IONM. During the follow-up period from 2 to 10 years after surgery, checkups were performed. Each patient who came for a checkup was subjected to perceptual voice evaluation with the use of the GRBAS scale, indirect laryngoscopy procedure and voice selfevaluation with two questionnaires (VHI and VTD). The frequency of vocal fold palsy did not differ significantly statistically in the study group and the control group. Both in the study group and in the control group, patients with vocal fold paralysis had statistically significantly higher results in the VHI and VTD questionnaires as well as in the GRBAS study. Patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury show significant differences in the scope of voice handicap, both in the voice quality assessment with the use of the GRBAS scale, and self-evaluation questionnaires: VHI and VTD. All voice disorders evaluated with self-assessment are medium voice disability.