Sheep's Head as an Anatomic Model for Basic Training in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

: This study aims to establish the sheep head as a viable anatomical model for training in functional endoscopic sinus surgery through comprehensive anatomical examination and training-based assessment of participants' satisfaction. : Participants were divided into three groups according to their prior experience in endoscopic sinus surgery; in total, 24 participants were included. Each participant in the study was assigned to perform the designated procedures on a single sheep's head.

Vertigo Associated with Otosclerosis and Stapes Surgery-A Narrative Review.

Otosclerosis is a pathological condition affecting the temporal bone, and is characterized by remodelling of the labyrinthine bone tissue through a dynamic process of osteolysis and osteogenesis. This condition progressively leads to hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Stapedotomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of the stapes superstructure and its replacement with a prosthesis, is the treatment of choice to improve hearing in individuals with otosclerosis.

Laser nasal surgery (Review).

Laser nasal surgery has been an elusive subject in the last 10 to 15 years It was considered as a potential surgical staple for nasal surgery in the 1980s; however, it did not become one due to technical difficulties. Laser therapy has reemerged as an alternative to classical endoscopic surgery, and otorhinolaryngology surgeons are considering the benefits that it can offer. The advantages of this procedure are shorter hospitalization time, lack of nasal packing, high procedural precision with tissue sparing, and the unique capability of reducing both bacterial and fungal colonization at the level of the paranasal sinus.

Analysis of TERT Rs2736100 genotype distribution in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

The applicability of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene Rs2736100 polymorphism in cancer research has been well documented for various malignancies except for head and neck cancers, where data is sparse. This study aimed to analyze this polymorphism with the pathological characterizers of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. Genetic testing was performed using the Real-time PCR technique on 56 paired samples of biological material (blood and tissue).

The Effect of Pluronic-Coated Gold Nanoparticles in Hearing Preservation Following Cochlear Implantation-Pilot Study.

Introduction: During cochlear implantation, electrode insertion can cause cochlear damage, inflammation, and apoptosis, which can affect the residual hearing. Nanoparticles are increasingly studied as a way to increase the availability of inner ear protective factors. We studied the effect on rats of Pluronic-coated gold nanoparticles (Plu-AuNPs) containing dexamethasone, which were applied locally in the rat’s middle ear following the implant procedure.

Do Polymorphisms of the TERT, GSTM1, and GSTT1 Genes Increase Laryngeal Cancer Susceptibility in Smokers of Romanian Descent?

: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between smoking status and single-nucleotide polymorphism in candidate genes that had a known association with smoking-related tumors in previous studies and to explore their link to laryngeal cancer risk in a population of northern Romanian descent. The genes selected have key functions in xenobiotic metabolism (GSTs: the glutathione S-transferases family: GSTM1 and GSTT1) and chromosomal management (TERT). : The genotype frequencies of TERT and the GST subfamilies (GSTM1 and GSTT1) were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

Biopolymer Lipid Hybrid Microcarrier for Transmembrane Inner Ear Delivery of Dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone is one of the most often used corticosteroid drugs for sensorineural hearing loss treatment, and is used either by intratympanic injection or through systemic delivery. In this study, a biopolymer lipid hybrid microcarrier was investigated for enhanced local drug delivery and sustained release at the round window membrane level of the middle ear for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Dexamethasone-loaded and dexamethasone-free microparticles were prepared using biopolymers (polysaccharide and protein, pectin and bovine serum albumin, respectively) combined with lipid components (phosphatidylcholine and Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide) in order to obtain a biopolymer-liposome hybrid system, with a complex structure combining to enhance performance in terms of physical and chemical stability.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection on Short Term Vocal Outcomes Following Phonosurgery-A Pilot Study.

The efficiency and optimal voice rest period following phonosurgery remains debatable. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and cheap alternative to many bioactive agents being studied on animal models, and is already in use in many medical areas. We investigate the short-term effects of PRP and voice rest on voice outcomes following phonosurgery as an alternative to voice rest alone.

Current Concepts and Future Trends in Increasing the Benefits of Cochlear Implantation: A Narrative Review.

Hearing loss is the most common neurosensory disorder, and with the constant increase in etiological factors, combined with early detection protocols, numbers will continue to rise. Cochlear implantation has become the gold standard for patients with severe hearing loss, and interest has shifted from implantation principles to the preservation of residual hearing following the procedure itself. As the audiological criteria for cochlear implant eligibility have expanded to include patients with good residual hearing, more attention is focused on complementary development of otoprotective agents, electrode design, and surgical approaches.

Vocal fold injury models in rats: a literature review on techniques and methodology.

This study reviewed the current literature on technical aspects regarding controlled vocal fold injuries in the rat model. Data from PubMed, Embase, and Scopus database for English language literature was collected to identify methodological steps leading to a controlled surgical injury of the rat vocal fold. Inclusion criteria: full disclosure of anesthesia protocol, positioning of the rat for surgery, vocal fold visualization method, instrumentation for vocal fold injury, vocal fold injury type.

Latest advances in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps endotyping and biomarkers, and their significance for daily practice.

The term chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) comprises of an assortment of diseases that share a common feature: inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa. The phenotype classification of CRS, based on the presence of polyps, has failed to offer a curative treatment for the disease, particularly in refractory cases. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains a challenging entity.

The role of HPV infection in oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been recognized as a distinct disease entity associated with oral HPV infection with high-risk serotypes, mainly among white man at younger age. Lifetime number of oral sex partners of HPV-positive OPSCC patients is the strongest risk factor associated. HPV type 16 is now established as oncogenic and it is the main cause (over the 80%) of this type of OPSCC, followed by HPV 18 (3%).

Do we know enough about the genetic involvement in laryngeal cancer susceptibility and prognostic outcome?

Introduction: Advances in molecular biology have opened the door to a wide range of research material through the usage of genetic testing on certain variables within the human genome known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).The purpose of this article is to present a review on the influence variants within SNPs have on the outcome of laryngeal cancer when associated with different variables, such as external toxins or survival rate. Amongst these toxins, the most frequent and most studied have been alcohol and tobacco consumption, with a proven increased rate of overall cancer risk within the aero-digestive tract.

Tracheal enlargement or Mounier-Kuhn syndrome in giant cell arteritis: a possible causal association with therapeutic implications.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis with rarely described respiratory initial manifestations. We report such a case presenting with hoarseness, stridor, cough and dyspnea, in which a tracheomegaly with tracheomalacia was found. No signs of relapsing polychondritis were present.

Effects of family environment features on cochlear-implanted children.

Purpose: The role of cochlear implant in deaf children development is well-known. However, the results are highly variable and depend on several factors. The most important role belongs to the family, family environment in which the child develops.

Keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor expression in chronic otitis media with and without cholesteatoma.

Introduction: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with and without cholesteatoma is regarded as chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid mucosa that can be associated with the presence of granulation tissue and infection, which can lead to ossicular damage and hearing loss, but it is commonly known that cholesteatoma behaves aggressively. Both lesions appear to contain a predominant population of inflammatory cells, among which proinflammatory cytokines secreting keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and its receptor (KGFR). No clear difference was demonstrated between these entities.

Mastoiditis and facial paralysis as initial manifestations of temporal bone systemic diseases - the significance of the histopathological examination.

Unlabelled: Several systemic diseases, including granulomatous and infectious processes, tumors, bone disorders, collagen-vascular and other autoimmune diseases may involve the middle ear and temporal bone. These diseases are difficult to diagnose when symptoms mimic acute otomastoiditis.

Case Reports: The present report describes our experience with three such cases initially misdiagnosed.