Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 single nucleotide polymorphism Gly388Arg in head and neck carcinomas.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is considered to be a progressive disease resulting from alterations in multiple genes regulating cell proliferation and differentiation like receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and members of the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR)-family. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Arg388 of the FGFR4 is associated with a reduced overall survival in patients with cancers of various types. We speculate that FGFR4 expression and SNP is associated with worse survival in patients with HSNCC.

Cervicofacial Surgical Emphysema following Tonsillectomy.

We report the case of a patient who developed cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema following a routine tonsillectomy. An 18-year-old male with swallowing difficulties underwent a tonsillectomy and developed swelling of the right side of his neck and face 36 hours after surgery. A neck X-ray revealed subcutaneous emphysema.

Hearing benefit in allograft tympanoplasty using tutoplast processed malleus.

Objectives. Tutoplast processed human cadaveric ossicular allografts are a safe alternative for ossicular reconstruction where there is insufficient material suitable for autograft ossiculoplasty. We present a series of 7 consecutive cases showing excellent air-bone gap closure following canal-wall-down mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma and reconstruction of the middle ear using Tutoplast processed malleus.

Management of globus pharyngeus.

Globus pharyngeus is a common ENT condition. This paper reviews the current evidence on globus and gives a rational guide to the management of patients with globus. The aetiology of globus is still unclear though most ENT surgeons believe that reflux whether acidic or not plays a significant role.

Kikuchi-fujimoto disease: a case report and literature review.

Case. 38-year-old lady was referred to the ENT clinic with history of right-sided facial pain, otalgia, and odynophagia. Clinical examination revealed enlarged right-sided lymph nodes in the neck.

Plasma cell mucositis of Oro- and hypopharynx: a case report.

Objective. To raise awareness of plasma cell mucositis as a rare differential diagnosis for oral mucosal ulceration and its macroscopic similarity to malignancy. Method.

Laryngeal schwannoma: case report and literature review.

Neurogenic tumours of the larynx, particularly schwannomas are rare. We report a case report of a schwannoma in a 30-year-old woman which was excised endoscopically. The aim of this paper is to highlight this rare condition and management options to the otolaryngological community.

Orbital cellulitis: a rare presentation of metastatic bronchial carcinoma.

Objective. We report a rare and unusual case of bronchial carcinoma presenting with symptoms of complications of sinonasal disease. Case Report.

Sandwich technique in nasal dorsal augmentation.

Tutoplast fascia lata (TFL) has been used as an onlay graft for nasal dorsal augmentation in open approach rhinoplasty; however, insertion of layers of moist TFL in the closed approach is technically challenging. We have presented a "sandwich" technique which facilitates graft insertion in a closed approach rhinoplasty. The available autologous graft (cartilage or perpendicular plate of ethmoid) is sandwiched and secured between layers of TFL (sandwich technique) prior to insertion of the graft for nasal dorsal augmentation in a closed rhinoplasty approach.

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.

Reflux and sleeping disorders: a systematic review.

Introduction: Laryngopharyngeal reflux is perhaps the most extensively researched laryngology topic of the last decade. It has been suggested that some supraoesophageal symptoms, most notably asthma and laryngospasm, may be associated with night-time, or supine, reflux. The aim of this review was to assess the levels of evidence regarding a correlation between night-time reflux, snoring and apnoea.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with esomeprazole for symptoms and signs associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy with esomeprazole on symptoms and signs associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design And Methods: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Sixty-two patients with a reflux finding score (RFS)>7 and a reflux symptom index (RSI)>13 were enrolled and received either esomeprazole 20 mg twice daily or placebo for three months.

HER3 expression in cutaneous tumors.

Background: In order to elucidate the role of the receptor tyrosine kinase HER3, the expression characteristics in different tissues of cutaneous malignancies and in normal skin were compared.

Materials And Methods: In this study HER3 expression was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry from different tissue specimens of cutaneous tumors like nevi, primary malignant melanomas, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma metastases and normal skin samples and graded into weak, moderate and strong expression. Associations of tumor thickness in these specimens with HER3 expressions were also analyzed.

Should patients with pH-documented laryngopharyngeal reflux routinely undergo oesophagogastroduodenoscopy? A retrospective analysis.

Objectives: Patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux uncommonly suffer from conditions associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, in some laryngopharyngeal reflux patients, oesophagitis and Barrett's metaplasia can be diagnosed by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. However, it is unclear which patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux would benefit from routine oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Complications of acute frontal sinusitis: a retrospective study.

Even though being a rare condition in the era of antibiotic treatment, complications of acute frontal sinusitis still pose a potentially life-threatening problem. We present a clinical case series using a combined surgical approach. Within a 7 year period, all patients with a suppurative complication of an acute frontal sinusitis were included into this retrospective study and evaluated concerning histories, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and achieved outcomes.

Impact of different pH thresholds for 24-hour dual probe pH monitoring in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objectives: The gold standard test for laryngopharyngeal reflux is 24-hour pH monitoring, which determines the reflux area index with a pH threshold of less than four (i.e. the reflux area index four).

Trends in laryngopharyngeal reflux: a British ENT survey.

There is a lot of scepticism surrounding laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Symptoms such as globus pharyngeus, constant throat clearing, chronic cough, idiopathic hoarseness, catarrh and choking episodes may be reflux-related. The aim of this survey was to highlight current treatment trends in LPR.

[Deafness at Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome].

Introduction: The Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome belongs to the phakomatoses. The hereditary transmission happens x-chromosomal recessive in the domain of Xp 11.3-Xp 11.

'Complementary ENT': a systematic review of commonly used supplements.

Objective: To assess the evidence surrounding the use of certain complementary supplements in otolaryngology. We specifically focussed on four commonly used supplements: spirulina, Ginkgo biloba, Vertigoheel and nutritional supplements (cod liver oil, multivitamins and pineapple enzyme).

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of the English and foreign language literature.

Fibrous dysplasia of the frontal bone.

Fibrous dysplasia typically occurs in patients between the ages of 5 and 15 years. We report the case of a middle-aged woman with longstanding monostotic fibrous dysplasia who responded well to conservative treatment. She had presented with a very long (15 yr) history of frontal headache and pressure over the frontal sinus.

Awareness of general practitioners towards treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux: a British survey.

Objective: Patients with acid reflux can occasionally present with atypical symptoms such as globus pharyngeus, constant throat clearing, chronic cough, hoarseness, catarrh, choking episodes or asthma-like symptoms. The aim of this survey was to determine whether general practitioners are aware of the atypical manifestations of reflux and the differences in treatment between laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux.

Design: Questionnaire Survey.