A validation study of an esophageal probe-based polygraph against polysomnography in obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the automatically scored results of an esophageal probe-based polygraph system (ApneaGraph® Spiro) against manually scored polysomnography (Nox A1, PSG) results. We compared the apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation index, and respiratory disturbance index of the devices.

Methods: Consenting patients, referred for obstructive sleep apnea workup, were tested simultaneously with the ApneaGraph® Spiro and Nox A1® polysomnograph.

Causes of higher symptomatic airway load in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis display a variety of different phenotypes. The symptoms of disease are characterised by various signs and symptoms such as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, pressure sensation in the face and reduced or complete loss of smell.In a patient population undergoing functional endoscopic sinonasal surgery (FESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis, we wanted to investigate the clinical features and explore if the presence of biofilm, nasal polyps or other disease characteristic could serve as predictor for the symptomatic load.

Bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis; distribution and prevalence.

Conclusion: Biofilms were more prevalent in patients with CRSwNP compared to both CRSsNP and controls, and also on the ethmoid bulla compared to the middle turbinate, supporting a biofilm-related pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compared to patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and controls. To examine the prevalence of biofilms in different anatomical localizations.

Beta-trace protein in pediatric otitis media with effusion.

Objectives: The middle ear cleft connects by membranes to the inner ear and the subarachnoid space particularly in infants. In order to gain more insight about the permeability between the two compartments we quantified the concentration of beta-trace protein - a highly specific marker for CSF and perilymph but not for serum and mucosal effusion - in middle ear secretions from children with otitis media with effusion.

Methods: One-hundred and three patients were included and 93 samples from secretory otitis media were collected during myringotomy or explorative tympanotomy.

Living with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: coping and psychological distress - a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coping strategies measured by Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Scale (COPE) and psychological distress measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Becks Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in individuals living with Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and to examine if coping strategies might have a mediating role between experienced illness and psychological distress. HHT is mainly caused by mutations in the ENG- or ALK1-genes and associated with a shorter life span. 90% of patients have recurrent nosebleeds.

Quality of life in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in Norway: a population based study.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare, autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of recurrent epistaxis and small characteristic malformations of the peripheral blood vessels near the surface of the skin or mucosal linings. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the lung, liver, and CNS are also known clinical findings. The purpose of this study was to examine quality of life (QoL) in patients with HHT in Norway.

The natural history of epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in the Norwegian population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Epistaxis is usually the first and most common symptom in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which is known also as Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome. The severity of HHT-associated epistaxis is highly variable and can affect the patient's quality of life. In the literature, the natural history of epistaxis in HHT patients has been described in a few countries but not from the Norwegian population.

β-trace protein as a diagnostic marker for perilymphatic fluid fistula: a prospective controlled pilot study to test a sample collection technique.

Objectives: The diagnosis of perilymphatic fluid (PLF) fistula is still challenging. Perilymphatic fluid fistula is one possible complication after stapedotomy or cochlear implant surgery. We have performed a prospective diagnostic pilot study to further investigate β-trace protein (β-TP) as a marker for PLF fistula.

[Surgery at the skull base with transnasal endoscopic control].

Introduction: Skull base surgery is targeted to diseases in the posterior, lateral or anterior skull base. Development of endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery has contributed to expand the indications for transnasal surgery at the anterior skull base. Patients do not have visible scars and have less postoperative pain after endoscopic surgery and a decreased postoperative morbidity in general results in a shorter hospital stay.

Diagnostic values of beta-2 transferrin and beta-trace protein as markers for cerebrospinal fluid fistula.

Introduction: During recent decades, beta2-transferrin and beta-trace protein (prostaglandin D synthase) have been used as immunological markers for the diagnosis of CSF fistula. A method for detecting CSF traces should be non invasive, reliable and cheap.

Methods: The characteristics of the two immunological markers are described based on own experience and a literature review.

Incidence of CSF fistula after paranasal sinus surgery: the Northern Norwegian experience.

Statement Of Problem: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula is a well-known complication of paranasal sinus surgery. Not only manifest, but also occult CSF fistulas occur. The incidence of occult CSF fistula has been described only once and has not been tested since.

Transpterygoid Trans-sphenoid Approach to the Lateral Extension of the Sphenoid Sinus to Repair a Spontaneous CSF Leak.

Objective And Importance: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula from the middle cranial fossa into the sphenoid sinus is a rare condition. In the past, the treatment of choice has been closure via a craniotomy. Only few geriatric cases are known, which were successfully operated by endoscopic surgery.

First clinical experience with beta-trace protein (prostaglandin D synthase) as a marker for perilymphatic fistula.

A diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula is still controversial. Recently, a case report indicated that beta-trace protein (prostaglandin D synthase) might be a potential marker for perilymphatic fluid. In this multicentre clinical case series study beta-trace protein was used as a marker for perilymphatic fluid fistula.

[Treatment of Frey's syndrome using botulinum toxin].

Background: Frey's syndrome, also known as gustatory sweating, has been known for 150 years. However, effective treatment was established only as recently as in 1994, with botulinum toxin used for the treatment of torticollis or other forms of spasticity.

Material And Methods: We present an overview over Frey's syndrome.