Tobacco abuse relates to significantly reduced survival of patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas.

This study represents an in-depth evaluation of the impact of smoking and alcohol consumption on patients' outcome in 809 cases of oropharyngeal carcinoma. Prognostic parameters and additional information such as smoking and drinking habits were evaluated referring to the patients' case notes at the time point of first diagnosis. The overall 10-year survival rate was 45.

Mediators and cytokines in allergic and viral-triggered rhinitis.

Intermittent allergic rhinitis and common cold constitute frequent conditions and show similar clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of cytokines in the nasal fluid of patients with acute symptoms caused by allergic and viral rhinitis. Nasal secretions were analyzed by immunosorbent assay techniques using a cytokine panel assay and routine ELISA.

Latex allergy, a special risk for patients of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery?

A total of 206 patients of the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) department and 204 of the visceral surgery department of the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich were preoperatively evaluated for latex-specific sensitization. A prick test, a questionnaire, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoprecipitation for IgE antibodies were performed. Latex is a widely spread allergen, and it does not only concern healthcare populations.

Factors contributing to nasal allergic late phase eosinophilia.

Objective: This study focused on factors contributing to eosinophilia after intranasal allergen challenge.

Methods: Nasal secretions of 13 allergic individuals were gained over a period of 8 hours after nasal allergen challenge. Early and late phase reactions were determined by acoustic rhinometry and changes of volume and total protein in nasal secretions.