The Feasibility of an Educational Course for General Practitioners on Otolaryngologic Morbidity.

Objective To test feasibility by enhancing the knowledge and skills of general practitioners (GPs) in managing ear, nose, and throat (ENT) morbidity within primary care settings through a three-hour educational course. Methods A structured course focused on common ENT disorders was conducted. Case morbidity was selected based on appropriate criteria.

Features of ENT Cases in the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Greece: A Prospectively Driven Data Collection Study.

Primary healthcare is the pillar of a well-functioning healthcare system. General practitioners (GPs) should have a broad skillset to cope with the various conditions they encounter in everyday practice. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cases are some of the most common reasons for seeking care.

Review of Rhinitis: Classification, Types, Pathophysiology.

Rhinitis describes a pattern of symptoms as a result of nasal inflammation and/or dysfunction of the nasal mucosa. It is an umbrella entity that includes many different subtypes, several of which escape of complete characterization. Rhinitis is considered as a pathologic condition with considerable morbidity and financial burden on health care systems worldwide.

Recurrent Desmoid Tumor of the Neck: A Case Report of a Benign Disease with Aggressive Behavior.

We present a case of a desmoid tumor recurrence in a patient with a history of a resected desmoid tumor of the right neck area with free surgical margins six months earlier. The neoplasm was found to invade the parapharyngeal space, and wide excision was performed including most of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), the thrombosed internal jugular vein (IJV), and the infiltrated spinal accessory nerve (SAN). The histopathologic findings displayed free microscopic margins, with close margins at the site of the parapharyngeal space extension.

Postoperative day 1 levels of parathyroid as predictor of occurrence and severity of hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

Background: Hypocalcaemia is a common and serious complication after thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of first postoperative day parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement in order to predict the presence and severity of postthyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

Methods: One hundred consecutive cases undergoing total thyroidectomy in a tertiary referral center were prospectively assessed.

Pediatric Severe Chronic Upper Airway Disease (P-SCUAD).

The term SCUAD (severe chronic upper airway disease) has been previously introduced to describe cases with upper airway disorders and symptoms not adequately controlled despite correct diagnosis and management. It has been so far applied mainly in adults and no specific focus has been given on the pediatric population. When the term SCUAD is considered for children specifically, a series of issues may arise.

Management of locally advanced laryngeal cancer.

Background: Management of advanced laryngeal cancer is complex and ideal strategy is yet to be defined. This study evaluates the experience of a single head and neck oncologic centre in the management of T4 laryngeal cancer.

Methods: Retrospective assessment of cases primarily treated for T4a squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, between 1980 and 2007, at a tertiary referral center.

Excessive noise levels are noted in kindergarten classrooms in the island of Crete.

Ambient noise in classrooms may present a serious obstacle to the academic achievement of children. There is relatively little information on noise levels in teaching facilities in Greece and particularly in the island of Crete. The purpose of this study was to provide objective data on the internal noise levels inside kindergartens in Crete.

Management of advanced carcinoma of the base of tongue.

Background And Objective: Base-of-tongue carcinoma is a relatively rare disease with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Up to date no consensus exists regarding the ideal management strategy for each stage of the disease. This study aims to evaluate the experience of a single head and neck oncology center in the management of advanced stage base-of-tongue cancer.

Potential impact of the financial crisis on outpatient hospital visits due to otorhinolaryngologic disorders in Crete, Greece.

The public health effect of financial crises has been emphasized in previous studies. In addition, a series of otorhinolaryngologic disorders and manifestations has been related to psychological factors in the literature. Such conditions include temporomandibular joint disorders, laryngopharyngeal reflux, chronic tinnitus, and vertigo.

Surgical management of T1 oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of primary transoral surgery in the management of T1 oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on the files of all patients treated with primary surgery for pT1 oropharyngeal carcinoma at a tertiary referral center between 1976 and 2005.

Results: A total of 223 cases were assessed.

T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal cancer treatment with laser microsurgery.

Background And Objective: To assess the oncologic results and functional outcomes of CO(2) laser microsurgery in T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: The files of 119 T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal carcinoma cases primarily managed with laser surgery were reviewed. Cases were assessed for 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) as well as local control (LC) rates, with respect to T and N classification, status of surgical margins, and decision on neck management and adjuvant therapy.

Resection margins and other prognostic factors regarding surgically treated glottic carcinomas.

Background And Objectives: This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of free histopathologic margins in the surgical treatment of glottic cancer. Furthermore, it evaluates other prognostic factors regarding cases that receive surgical management for glottic lesions.

Methods: A retrospective case-series study was conducted at an academic tertiary referral center.

Evaluation of available surgical management options for early supraglottic cancer.

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the oncologic results of endoscopic and open surgical techniques in early supraglottic cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 101 patients surgically treated for stage I or II supraglottic carcinomas. Laser surgery, horizontal laryngectomy, and total laryngectomy were compared for disease-specific survival and local control rates.

Septoplasty outcome in patients with and without allergic rhinitis.

Objective: To assess the effect of allergic rhinitis (AR) on septoplasty outcome in terms of subjective and objective measurements and clarify whether patients with nasal septum deviation (NSD) and allergic rhinitis (AR) benefit from septoplasty to the same extent as patients who do not have allergic rhinitis.

Study Design: A prospective study, with consecutive sampling of all patients undergoing septoplasty from June 2005 to February 2007, conducted in a tertiary care otorhinolaryngologic clinic.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-six patients underwent septoplasty over the study period.

Effect of repeated laser microsurgical operations on laryngeal cancer prognosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether repeated sessions of transoral CO(2) laser microsurgery (TLM) aiming to achieve clear histologic margins carry a negative effect on the prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of 763 cases that underwent primary TLM treatment for laryngeal cancer. Cases were compared for overall survival and local control rates with respect to status of surgical margins and number of procedures necessary to achieve these margins.

Comparison among different available surgical approaches in T1 glottic cancer.

Objectives/hypothesis: This study aims to assess the oncologic results of open and transoral surgical techniques in T1a and T1b category glottic carcinomas.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Methods: The files of 438 T1a and T1b glottic cancer cases managed with primary surgery were reviewed.

Long-term results of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.

The aim of this study is to review the long-term results of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) according to our experience as well as to evaluate potential prognostic factors for long-term outcomes. The files of 165 patients who underwent endonasal DCR at a tertiary referral centre between 1991 and 2001 were retrospectively assessed. Furthermore, these cases were clinically evaluated at least 5 years after surgery and completed a subjective result evaluation questionnaire.

Molecular pathways and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

The prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been constantly rising in the western world and affects today an alarmingly high percentage of the general population. Even though LPR and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both the product of gastroesophageal reflux and seem to be sibling disorders, they constitute largely different pathological entities. While GERD has been for a long time identified as a source of esophageal disease, LPR has only recently been associated with head and neck disorders.

Anaphylactic reactions on the beach: a cause for concern?

Background: The commonest causes of anaphylaxis include hymenoptera bites, high-risk food, exercise, and jellyfish bites and may often be encountered on the beach. Therefore, millions of visitors at popular touristic locations are exposed to increased risk of anaphylactic reactions every year. At least 35 cases of acute allergic reactions requiring medical attention took place on the beaches of Crete, Greece during the previous summer.

Microsatellite DNA instability in nasal polyposis.

Objective: Genetic alterations, such as microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), have been detected in various inflammatory diseases, providing evidence that acquired somatic mutations might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the presence of MSI and/or LOH in nasal cytology of patients with nasal polyps.

Study Design: Prospective case-controlled basic science experiment utilizing human blood and human nasal brush samples.

The cochlear implant programme in Crete: a nine year experience.

The aim of this study was to present data of the cochlear implant programme in Crete. Our series consists of 51 patients, 35 adults and 16 children, in a nine year period. The average age of our patients was 31 years (range from three to 68).

Non-Candida albicans Candida mediastinitis of odontogenic origin in a diabetic patient.

Descending mediastinitis occurs as a complication of oropharyngeal or cervical infections and its delayed diagnosis and treatment are associated with high mortality. A rare case of an odontogenic infection in a diabetic patient, complicated by Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei parapharyngeal space infection, descending mediastinitis and aspiration pneumonia is described. Isolate identification was based on colonial and microscopic morphological characteristics and carbohydrate assimilation test results.

Microscopic endonasal surgery of nasal and paranasal cavities.

Objective: To present the experience of our department on microscopic surgery of the nose and sinuses and compare our results with those of other standard approaches. Furthermore we attempt to specify the main indications for the use of the method.

Methods: During the period between January 1990 and December 2002, the prementioned technique was performed in a total of 250 patients.

Assessment for microsatellite DNA instability in nasal cytology samples of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Background: Genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), have been described in both malignant and benign diseases. Previous studies have successfully detected such alterations in sputum samples of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). The aim of this study was to assess the presence of MSI and/or LOH in nasal cytology samples of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).