Update on Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Background and Objectives: The Cochlear implant is the first approved cranial nerve stimulator that works by directly stimulating the cochlear nerve. Various attempts have been made to evaluate the dimensions of the cochlea related to cochlear implantation. The preoperative computed tomographic examination is essential not only in assessing the anatomical aspect of the cochlea, but also in determining its dimensions to choose an appropriate electrode and obtain the best possible audiological performance. Materials and Methods: In the present paper, we aimed to carry out an observational study regarding the role of cochlear measurements in the preoperative evaluation of patients proposed for cochlear implants. The purpose of the study was to measure the cochlea and establish the existence of a correlation between the size of the cochlea and the age and gender of the patients. Results: From the group of 35 examined patients, 54% (n = 19) were male and 46% (n = 16) were female. The average length of the cochlea in the age group 0–4 years is 7.82 mm in the left ear and 7.86 mm in the right ear; in the age group 4–7 years, it is 7.82 mm and 7.94 mm, respectively; for the age group 7–14 years, the dimensions increase to 8.48 mm and 8.77 mm, respectively; and after 14 years, these dimensions reach 9.12 mm and 9.18 mm, respectively. Comparative measurements of the length of the cochlea by age groups show an increase in length with the patient’s age, but this increase does not exceed 1.5 mm for both the right and left ears. The measurements of the width of the cochlea, by age group, start from 6.84 mm in the left ear and 6.81 mm in the right ear at 0–4 years, 6.94 mm and 6.97 mm, respectively, in the group 4–7 years, 7.71 mm and 7.55 mm at 7–14 years, and reaching 8.19 mm and 8.12 mm at the age of 14 years and over. Conclusions: From the study carried out, it can be concluded that the evaluation of the dimensions of the cochlea is important for cochlear implantation. The size variables, although small, are still an element to be considered in correlation with the age of the patient and the implanted ear. This increase is statistically insignificant, but it still exists, even if, from a theoretical point of view, it is considered that the dimensions of the cochlea remain constant. Full article

Background and Objectives: Total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy is traditionally the principal curative treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer; however, conservative surgical approaches that minimize functional disability are attracting increasing interest. Thus, we evaluated the appropriateness and oncological outcomes of open conservation surgery for such patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 49 patients who underwent vertical hemipharyngolaryngectomy from 1998 to 2018 at a single institution. Results: Locoregional recurrences developed in 19 patients (38.8%) and distant metastases in 6 (12.2%). Histopathologically, paraglottic space invasion was apparent in 13 patients (26.5%), pre-epiglottic space invasion in 4 (8.2%), thyroid cartilage invasion in 9 (18.4%), thyroid gland invasion in 2, perineural invasion in 11 (22.4%), and lymphovascular invasion in 35 (71.4%). The 5-year overall survival of patients who underwent open conservation surgery was comparable to that of patients who underwent total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy (68.7% vs. 48.4%, p = 0.14). Pre-epiglottic space invasion significantly decreased the 5-year disease-free survival rate after open conservation surgery (69.7% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: We found that pre-epiglottic space invasion negatively impacted disease control after open conservation surgery, emphasizing the crucial role played by a preoperative evaluation during patient selection. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) presently remains a difficult disease to manage. Antimicrobial and defense proteins are important factors that could help characterize the role of microorganisms in CRSwNP pathogenesis, as the concept of microbial dysbiosis in CRS is still being considered. Our aim is to investigate the complex appearance, relative distribution and interlinks of human β defensin 2 (HBD-2), human β defensin 3 (HBD-3), human β defensin 4 (HBD-4), and cathelicidin LL 37 (LL 37) in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)-affected human nasal mucosa. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 48 samples from patients with CRSwNP. Samples were collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The control group consisted of 17 normal healthy nasal mucosa samples gathered during routine septoplasty. β-defensin-2, β-defensin-3, β-defensin-4 and cathelicidin LL 37 in tissue were detected via immunohistochemical analysis. Results: HBD-2, HBD-3 and LL 37 were significantly decreased in epithelial cells in both primary and recurrent nasal polyp samples (p < 0.001) in comparison to control samples. HBD-2 was decreased in the subepithelial connective tissue of primary nasal polyp samples when compared to both recurrent polyp (p = 0.050) and control (p = 0.033) samples. In subepithelial connective tissue, significantly more HBD-3-positive structures were observed in primary nasal polyp samples (p = 0.049) than in control samples. In primary polyp samples, moderate correlations between connective tissue HBD-3 and connective (R = 0.584, p = 0.001) and epithelial tissue LL 37 (R = 0.556, p = 0.002) were observed. Conclusions: Decreased HBD-2, HBD-3 and LL 37 concentrations in the epithelium suggest a dysfunction of the epithelial barrier in patients with nasal polyps. Decreased subepithelial connective tissue HBD-2 suggests different responses to nasal microbiota in patients with primary nasal polyps compared to recurrent nasal polyps. Increased HBD-3 in subepithelial connective tissue suggests a possible role of this antimicrobial peptide in the pathogenesis of primary nasal polyps. Full article

Background and Objectives: Clinical management of vagal schwannoma is a real diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because the medical history and clinical examination are often non-specific and vagal nerve injury following surgical resection still represents an unsolved problem. The aim of this paper is to provide a case series along with a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for vagal schwannoma of the head and neck, combining our experience with clinical evidence available in the literature. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients affected by vagal schwannoma who were treated between 2000 and 2020. In addition, a review of the literature on vagal schwannoma management was conducted. Based on the cases described and the literature review, we made a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for the management of vagal schwannoma. Results: We were able to identify 10 patients affected by vagal schwannoma and treated between 2000 and 2020. All patients presented with a painless, mobile, slow-growing lateral neck mass with onset varying from a few months to years. The preoperative diagnostic workup included ultrasound (US) in nine cases, computed tomography (CT) with contrast in six patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck in seven cases. All patients included in this study were surgically treated. Conclusions: Vagal schwannoma management represents a true challenge for clinicians and surgery is currently the most effective therapeutic strategy. A multidisciplinary approach through the collaboration of otolaryngologist with other specialists is desirable to develop a tailored treatment plan for the patient. Full article

Background and Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of proliferation markers (Ki-67, NF-κβ), tissue-remodeling factors (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukins (IL-1 and IL-10), human beta defensins (HβD-2 and HβD-4) and Sonic hedgehog gene protein in cholesteatoma and control skin. Methods. Nineteen patient cholesteatoma tissues and seven control skin materials from cadavers were included in the study and stained immunohistochemically. Results. Statistically discernible differences were found between the following: the Ki-67 in the matrix and the Ki-67 in the skin epithelium (p = 0.000); the Ki-67 in the perimatrix and the Ki-67 in the connective tissue (p = 0.010); the NF-κβ in the cholesteatoma matrix and the NF-κβ in the epithelium (p = 0.001); the MMP-9 in the matrix and the MMP-9 in the epithelium (p = 0.008); the HβD-2 in the perimatrix and the HβD-2 in the connective tissue (p = 0.004); and the Shh in the cholesteatoma’s perimatrix and the Shh in the skin’s connective tissue (p = 0.000). Conclusion. The elevation of Ki-67 and NF-κβ suggests the induction of cellular proliferation in the cholesteatoma. Intercorrelations between VEGF, NF-κβ and TIMP-2 induce neo-angiogenesis in adult cholesteatoma. The similarity in the expression of IL-1 and IL-10 suggests the dysregulation of the local immune status in cholesteatoma. The overexpression of the Sonic hedgehog gene protein in the cholesteatoma proves the selective local stimulation of perimatrix development. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the utility of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for the initial localization of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Methods: HRCT data regarding the point of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (as confirmed in the operating room), collected up to December 2022, were extracted from five databases. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Results: The search revealed eight relevant studies with a total of 254 patients. The diagnostic odds ratio of the imaging studies was 10.0729 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4486; 41.4376; I² = 54.1%). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8. Sensitivity, specificity, the negative predictive value, and the positive predictive value were 0.7550 (95% CI: 0.6163; 0.8553; I² = 69.8%), 0.8502 (95% CI: 0.5986; 0.9557, I² = 49.3%), 0.4106 (95% CI: 0.2418; 0.6035; I² = 59.0%), and 0.9575 (95% CI: 0.8955; 0.9834; I² = 27.7%), respectively. Conclusions: HRCT can be used to accurately localize cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea because it shows bony defects in high detail. However, it has limited utility for the evaluation of active leakage, and localization is difficult in the presence of coexisting lesions. Full article

Objective: To assess the prognostic utilities of various risk factors for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Six databases were searched to January 2022. Hazard ratios for overall survival and disease-free survival were collected and study characteristics were recorded. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Results: Twenty-eight studies involving 32,128 patients were finally included. In terms of overall survival, older age, a history of alcohol consumption, a high Charlson comorbidity index score, a high TNM stage (III and IV), a high tumor stage (III and IV), nodal involvement, poor pathological differentiation, primary chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy were associated with increased risks of death. In terms of disease-free survival, older age (≥60 years), TNM stages III and IV, tumor stages III and IV, supraglottic tumors, and nodal involvement all increased the risk of death. Conclusions: The TNM stage importantly predicts overall survival, and tumor location predicts the disease-free survival of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Of patients with risk factors, the Charlson comorbidity index usefully predicts overall survival. Full article

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an uncommon type of malignancy/cancer worldwide. However, NPC is an endemic disease in southeast Asia and southern China and the reasons behind the underlying for such changes are unclear. Even though the Epstein–Barr infection (EBV) has been suggested as an important reason for undistinguishable NPC, the EBV itself is not adequate to source this type of cancer. The risk factors, for example, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors might be associated with EBV to undertake a part in the NPC carcinogenesis. Normal healthy people have a memory B cell pool where the EBV persists, and any disturbance of this connection leads to virus-associated B cell malignancies. Less is known about the relationship between EBV and epithelial cell tumors, especially the EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (EBVaNPC) and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). Currently, it is believed that premalignant genetic changes in epithelial cells contribute to the aberrant establishment of viral latency in these tumors. The early and late phases of NPC patients’ survival rates vary significantly. The presence of EBV in all tumor cells presents prospects for the development of innovative therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, despite the fact that the virus’s exact involvement in the carcinogenic process is presently not very well known. EBV research continues to shed light on the carcinogenic process, which is important for a more comprehensive knowledge of tumor etiology and the development of targeted cancer therapeutics. In order to screen for NPC, EBV-related biomarkers have been widely used in a few high-incidence locations because of their close associations with the risks of NPC. The current review highlights the scientific importance of EBV and its possible association with NPC. Full article