Feasibility of an interval, inspiration-triggered nocturnal odorant application by a novel device: a patient-blinded, randomised crossover, pilot trial on mood and sleep quality of depressed female inpatients.

It has been suggested that certain odorants positively affect mood, but this has not yet been scientifically tested in humans. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a new odorant applicator and to assess the effects of nocturnal intermittent rose odorant application on mood, and quality of sleep and dreams in depressed female inpatients. We hypothesised that mood as primary outcome will improve.

Occurrence of lymph node metastasis in early-stage parotid gland cancer.

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors in therapy and prognosis for patients with parotid gland cancer. Nevertheless, the extent of the primary tumor resection and the necessity of a neck dissection still is a common issue. Since little is known about lymph node metastasis in early-stage parotid gland cancer, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of lymph node metastases in T1 and T2 carcinomas and its impact on local control and survival.

Impact of recurrent head trauma on olfactory function in boxers: a matched pairs analysis.

Recently, interest in the health of boxers has been raised by a petition of the British Medical Association to restrict boxing. However, scientific data on permanent damage are rare and typical localisations of injuries were yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are changes in the sense of smell in people undergoing recurrent head traumas.

Cervical hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of the superior thyroid artery: Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Beneath the different reasons for cervical masses, a spontaneous hemorrhage presents a rare and life-threatening condition.

Methods And Results: We present the rare case of a 62-year-old man who was presented with a dramatically enlarging cervical mass causing respiratory distress because of upper airway compression. An endotracheal intubation was lifesaving and avoided tracheotomy.

A new crimping device for stapedectomy prostheses.

Objective: To describe a newly designed microforceps for easy and stable crimping of a prosthesis loop to the incus' long process in stapes surgery

Results: We developed a crimping tool with two innovative improvements. First, the tip of the crimping device is arcuated and thus able to span the loop of the prosthesis entirely around the incus long process. Second, a retaining spring is implemented into the handle.

Thresholds in nasal histamine challenge in patients with allergic rhinitis, patients with hyperreflectory rhinopathy, and healthy volunteers.

Background: Characteristic symptoms of hyperreflectory rhinopathy include recurrent sneezing, nasal obstruction, and nasal secretion without an allergic background. The diagnosis can only be made if all differential diagnoses have been excluded. So far no clinical test has been established to reliably diagnose hyperreactivity of the nasal mucosa.

Local and systemic administration of corticosteroids in the treatment of olfactory loss.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of patients with olfactory dysfunction from local (group A) or systemic (group B) administration of corticosteroids.

Methods: This unblinded study was conducted at a smell and taste outpatient clinic of an institutional referral center. Patients with olfactory loss after infections of the upper respiratory tract, patients with apparent sinonasal disease, and patients suffering from "idiopathic" smell loss were included.