Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Effect of Antireflux PPI Therapy on Nasal Congestion and Olfaction.

Objective: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is responsible for many otorhinolaryngology manifestations. There is little evidence regarding the LPR impact on olfaction. No other study has investigated the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on olfaction.

Quality of Life in Patients With Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma After Total Thyroidectomy in Greece.

Introduction: Well-differentiated thyroid cancer is among the most common types of endocrine cancer. Despite its increasing prevalence, the prognosis of thyroid cancer is rather good, with a five-year survival rate ranging between 80% and 90%, depending on the histological type. Not only the post-treatment complications and the side effects of the lifelong medication but also the possibility of a recurrence may have a negative impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL).

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy as the Only Symptom of Thymoma Associated-Myasthenia Gravis.

Bilateral vocal cord paresis is a rare phenomenon caused by different underlying etiologies. Myasthenia gravis is included in this long differential diagnosis. Usually, it happens as part of a serious clinical state of a patient, that also suffers from generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, dysphagia, eyelid ptosis.

Vidian canal and sphenoid sinus: an MDCT and cadaveric study of useful landmarks in skull base surgery.

Purpose: To present the anatomical variations of vidian canal (VC) and sphenoid sinus (SS), relative to other anatomical landmarks of skull base area, which may be helpful for safer surgical approach to this area.

Materials: MDCT scans (128-row MDCT system) of 90 patients (mean age 62 years) and six cadaveric heads were studied, and the following parameters were evaluated: mean length and types of VC, distance between VC and foramen rotundum (FR) and optic canal (OC), position of the VC regarding the lateral pterygoid plate (MPTG) and petrous ICA, pneumatization of SS, position of intrasinus septum regarding ICA and OC, bone dehiscence and protrusion of ICA and OC into SS. Six cadaveric heads underwent MDCT and endoscopic dissection, and the type and length of VC were evaluated.

Electroacupuncture Could Reduce Motion Sickness Susceptibility in Healthy Male Adults: A Double-Blinded Study.

Motion sickness is the main cause of nausea-related symptoms during passive motion in transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) for the reduction of motion sickness symptoms. Study participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Group A, therapeutic EA; Group B, sham EA; and group C, a control group.

Brucella Melitensis As Causative Agent for Neck Abscess in an Endemic Area.

Background: Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease, is very common in the Mediterranean basin and a major concern in livestock areas. We present a rare case of a -caused abscess in the neck of a stock-breeder in an endemic Greek area.

Case Report: A 39-year-old male, living in the rural area of Thessaly, presented with a mass in the left area of his neck.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) in head and neck cancer: A systematic review.

Background: Multimodality therapy constitutes the standard treatment of advanced and recurrent head and neck cancer. Since locoregional recurrence comprises a major obstacle in attaining cure, the role of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) as an add-on in improving survival and local control of the disease has been investigated. IORT allows delivery of a single tumoricidal dose of radiation to areas of potential residual microscopic disease while minimizing doses to normal tissues.

Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the xerostomia questionnaire in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: Xerostomia after radiation therapy for head and neck (H&N) cancer has serious effects on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to validate the Greek version of the self-reported eight-item xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) in patients treated with radiotherapy for H&N cancer.

Methods: The XQ was translated into Greek and administered to 100 XQ patients.

MRI evaluation of lacrimal drainage after external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.

Purpose: External and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EX-DCR and EN-DCR, respectively) affect the tear drainage mechanism. This study evaluates the preservation of "lacrimal pump" function in both procedures.

Methods: Cases of successful EN-DCR (4 patients) and EX-DCR (4 patients) were included.

K-ras mutation, HPV infection and smoking or alcohol abuse positively correlate with esophageal squamous carcinoma.

The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signal transduction cascade is an important mediator of a number of cellular fates including growth, survival and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of B-raf, Kirsten-ras (K-ras) and Neuroblastoma-ras (N-ras) gene mutations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Greek population. DNA was extracted from 30 ESCC and 32 normal esophageal specimens and screened for V600E B-raf, and K-ras/N-ras codon 12 mutations, by PCR-RFLP based analysis.

Allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopy among grape farmers in a rural population in Crete, Greece.

Study Objective: To measure the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, atopy, and asthma among grape farmers, and to compare the respiratory and atopic status in grape farmers with those of nonexposed control subjects.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Malevisi region in northern Crete, Greece.