20 research outputs found
Canine fossa puncture in endoscopic sinus surgery: Report of two cases
No full textIntroduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis is a common chronic disease that often affects maxillary sinus. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the most common procedure for treating the majority of maxillary sinus lesions. Objective: To demonstrate the role of canine fossa puncture during endoscopic sinus surgery procedure in patients with severe maxillary sinus disease. Methods: We present 2 cases where canine fossa puncture has been performed as method to obtain a complete access to the maxillary antrum. Results: According our experience, 2 cases on 296 endoscopic sinus surgery (0.6%) where antrostomy and used of angled microdebrider were not sufficient, canine fossa puncture has been performed as an alternative method to obtain a complete access to the maxillary antrum. Conclusion: Although the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery, our cases support the fact that actually canine fossa puncture is a minimally invasive technique useful in selected cases
Pseudoaneurysm of superior thyroid artery following a transesophageal echocardiography: A case presentation
No full textThe pseudo-aneurysm is an encapsulated hematoma of post-traumatic origin which is in communication with the lumen of the artery of relevance. We present a rare case of pseudo-aneurysm occurring after superior thyroid trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) and external cardioversion. Singular occurrence in otolaryngology, if not recognized early a pseudo-aneurysm can result in dramatic events such cataclysmic bleeding or acute occlusion of the upper airway
Stability-Sparing Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy in a Malformative Craniovertebral Junction: Case Report and Biomechanical Considerations
No full textBackground: The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) is often involved in a wide range of congenital, developmental and acquired pathologies that can create bony and ligamentous instability or cause direct compression on the medulla and cervical spine cord, resulting in significant impairment. Atlas assimilation is the most common malformation in the CVJ and can be frequently associated with basilar invagination (BI) and Chiari malformation (CM) type I. Posterior atlas assimilation more frequently leads to BI type II with a mass effect on neural structures but usually no signs of biomechanical instability. Operative approaches to the CVJ have undergone a remarkable evolution and can be divided into ventral, lateral and dorsal ones. In this kind of surgery, it is vital to detect and eventually treat any CVJ instability. Case description: We present a case of CVJ malformation comprising assimilation of the posterior arch of the atlas, BI type II and CM, treated by endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy and partial clivus removal to spare CVJ stability. Conclusion: Neurological and biomechanical analysis of all CVJ malformations permits stratification and selection of those cases that can be managed by simple, direct, minimally invasive decompression with no need for surgical fusion
Impact of tDCS on persistent COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction: a double-blind sham-controlled study
No full textThe role of Leptin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
No full textLeptin is a peptide produced by peptidergic cells or those able to process and secrete peptides. Originally, this function was considered proper and exclusive of certain neurons of the magnocellular and parvicellular hypothalamus. These cells originated from a common precursor, namely neural crest cells, which have the ability to produce hormonal neuropeptides. From this primitive neuroectodermal site, cells migrate to other organs: the gastro-entero-pancreatic system (GEP), the lung, heart, reproductive and urinary systems. Leptin is considered the typical neuropeptide with an anorexic function, and is also called the âsatiety hormoneâ because it plays a key role in the control of energy expenditure and food intake. Leptin was identified for the first time in white and brown adipocytes. Although initially thought to be exclusively expressed and secreted by adipocytes, leptin has been identified in other tissues related with nutritional homeostasis, such as gastric and salivary glands. In addition, leptin or its receptors have been observed in gastric, colorectal and breast cancers. It is believed to have a role in stimulating cell proliferation, and is associated with a risk of developing cancer as well as progression and invasiveness. To date, the role of leptin in the development of the carcinoma of the larynx has been poorly investigated. The principal endpoint of this chapter was to evidence the peptidergic immunohistochemical expression of leptin in laryngeal SCCs, its possible role in cell proliferation and the prognostic factor and predictor of locoregional recurrences
Survey on Use of Local and Systemic Corticosteroids in the Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: Identification of Unmet Clinical Needs
No full textBackground: Local and systemic corticosteroids have long been the workhorse in management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), although there is no universally accepted modality of prescription. We carried out a survey in Italy to capture current trends in the use of topical and systemic corticosteroids in patients with CRSwNP. Methods: A survey was set up on Survey Monkey(®). Each author distributed the link to the survey in an ad hoc manner and a total of 437 participants filled out the survey. Results: Mometasone furoate (79.3%) was the most frequently prescribed, administered daily by 61.9% of participants; the remaining preferred to discontinue treatment for brief periods to reduce side effects or to modulate the therapy in mild cases. The majority believe that a short cycle of systemic steroids should be prescribed for re-exacerbation of symptoms and that the number of cycles in the previous year should be evaluated to define control of the disease even if international guidelines do not provide clear indications on this topic. A certain degree of divergence emerged from responses regarding how long and the maximal dose of systemic steroids which place patients at high risk for adverse events. Finally, systemic corticosteroids seem to offer only temporary benefit on recovery of smell without guaranteeing long-term control even if the patient is adherent to topical corticosteroids. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need for clear guidelines on oral steroids, which could help supporting the use of a precision medicine approach, including indications for new biological agents
Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Survey on Routine Management and Evaluation of Disease Control in Practice
No full textChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease with a significant impact on quality of life. The overall goal of CRSwNP management, as with other chronic conditions, is to achieve “disease control”, and for that reason, a definition of control of disease is pivotal in deciding the best treatment strategy. Although many staging systems have already been developed to evaluate
the disease, disease control is not yet to be standardized, and a specific tool that is consistently applied and accepted by all practitioners is still missing in daily clinical practice. To gain an overview of the implementation and limitations of existing guidelines and to shed light on real-life definitions of control and disease severity, we conducted a nationwide survey of otorhinolaryngologists routinely treating CRSwNP to identify unmet clinical needs in Italy. The results showed homogeneous responses regarding the knowledge contained in international guidelines while highlighting the difficulty of their implementation in day-to-day practice. Respondents called attention to the importance of clinical symptoms, giving more weight to the patient’s perspective. Among the symptoms to be considered, respondents emphasized nasal obstruction, followed by loss of sense of smell and rhinorrhea. Others also believe that the physician’s perspective should be considered, and the inclusion of endoscopy as a measure of control was warranted by many. The need for a specific tool that is able to unequivocally ascertain disease control is increasingly pivotal in this new era of
biologics for treating CRSwNP
Severe asthma: One disease and multiple definitions
No full textIntroduction: There is, so far, no universal definition of severe asthma. This definition usually relies on: number of exacerbations, inhaled therapy, need for oral corticosteroids, and respiratory function. The use of such parameters varies in the different definitions used.Thus, according to the parameters chosen, each patient may result in having severe asthma or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the choice of a specific definition of severe asthma can change the allocation of patients. Methods: Data collected from the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI) registry were analyzed. All the patients included were then reclassified according to the definitions of U-BIOPRED, NICE, WHO, ATS/ERS, GINA, ENFUMOSA, and TENOR. Results: 540 patients, were extracted from the SANI database. We observed that 462 (86%) met the ATS/ERS criteria as well as the GINA criteria, 259 (48%) the U-Biopred, 222 (41%) the NICE, 125 (23%) the WHO, 313 (58%) the Enfumosa, and 251 (46%) the TENOR criteria. The mean eosinophil value were similar in the ATS/ERS, U-Biopred, and Enfumosa (528, 532 and 516 cells/ mcl), higher in WHO and Tenor (567 and 570 cells/mcl) and much higher in the NICE classification (624 cells/mcl). Lung function tests resulted similarly in all groups, with WHO (67%) and ATS/ERSGINA (73%), respectively, showing the lower and upper mean FEV1 values. Conclusions: The present observations clearly evidence the heterogeneity in the distribution of patients when different definitions of severe asthma are used. However, the recent definition of severe asthma, provided by the GINA document, is similar to that indicated in 2014 by ATS/ERS, allowing mirror reclassification of the patients examined. This lack of homogeneity could complicate the access to biological therapies. The definition provided by the GINA document, which reflects what suggested by ATS/ERS, could partially overcome the problem
Multiple spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks: some insights from an international retrospective collaborative study
No full textPurpose: Spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurring without any apparent cause are rare. But those patients that present such leaks simultaneously, or successively, in multiple locations are even rarer. Given the rarity of this condition, we collected data from other groups in a multicentre study to reach an adequate number of patients and draw some preliminary considerations. Methods: We carried out a multicentre retrospective study on a cohort of patients treated at third level hospitals in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Greece for multiple spontaneous-CSF leaks and we compared them with a control group of patients treated for recurrent spontaneous-CSF leaks. Data regarding clinical aspects, radiological findings, surgical techniques and outcome were collected and preliminary considerations on the results were discussed. Results: A total of 25 patients presented multiple simultaneous spontaneous CSF leaks while 18 patients fit with the criteria of recurrent spontaneous CSF leaks. Data analysis was conducted separately. Conclusions: Our understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition is currently very limited. A causative role of IIH may be present but the differences that emerged from the comparison with patients with recurrent fistulas seem to promote the possible role of other cofactors. A longer follow-up period is needed, and, in our opinion, prospective and multicentre studies are the only solution to seriously deal with such a complex topic
Book review: Jesus' Emotions in the Fourth Gospel: Human or Divine? Voorwinde, Stephen London: T&T Clark, 2005 pp. xiii + 344. $140.00
No full textThis slightly revised doctoral thesis, completed in 2003 for the Australian College of Theology under Rikki Watts and Johan Ferreira, sets out to make a contribution to the discussion of Johannine Christology by examining the references to Jesus’ emotions in the Fourth Gospel. The thesis opens with a brie f description of “the current debate.” The author identifies three major positions: Jesus as “merely human,” attributed to Rudolf Bultmann (6–9); Jesus as “only divine,” attributed to Ernst Käsemann (9–11); and Jesus as “both human and divine,” represented by Rudolf Schnackenburg (11–13). The titles are unfortunately simplistic, but the actual discussion more differentiating. It is sufficient to establish the relevance of embarking on a study of the “emotions” of Jesus, but not for a more detailed engagement of the issues that the work promises..
