Bloodstream Infections in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: 2010-2019.

Background: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for bloodstream infections (BSIs), mainly because of functional asplenia. Immunizations and antibiotic prophylaxis have reduced the prevalence of invasive bacterial infections, but contemporary analysis of BSI in children with SCD is limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged <18 years with SCD who had blood cultures collected at our institution from 2010 to 2019 to identify BSI.

Chronic rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a rare case report and review of the literature.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an invasive infection caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucoraceae family. The rhinocerebral form of the disease represents the most common form and has two distinct clinical entities. The common presentation consists of a rapidly progressive infection with high mortality rate, while the other presentation is that of a chronic infection with lower mortality.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula complicating laryngectomy: can metronidazole help?

Aim: To evaluate the use of metronidazole as a prophylactic agent against pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation.

Patients And Methods: Seventy patients who underwent total laryngectomy between 2000 and 2008 in our department were divided into two groups. The first group (M+ group) was placed on a 10-day metronidazole regimen (2 days prior to surgery and 7 days following).

Factors influencing quality of life after total laryngectomy: a study of 92 patients.

Background And Objectives: Total laryngectomy is a radical surgery for advanced laryngeal cancer. In the present study we evaluate the influencing factors for long term quality of life of 92 laryngectomees.

Patients And Methods: 92 patients who underwent laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer in the University Hospital of Patras, Greece were evaluated using a modified version of the EORTC-QOL-C30 questionnaire.

MMP-2 expression in 102 patients with glottic laryngeal cancer.

In order to evaluate the potential of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) as a prognostic factor for glottic laryngeal cancer. One hundred and two surgical specimens from patients with glottic laryngeal cancer who underwent laryngectomy for their disease in the University Hospital of Patras, Greece from 1998 to 2005 were reviewed retrospectively regarding MMP-2 expression via immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining was performed using a streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique (LSAB).

Sinonasal sarcoidosis. A case report.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, which in the majority of cases affects the lower respiratory tract. Although neck mass, parotid swelling and facial nerve palsy are considered the primary complaints in cases of head and neck sarcoidosis, sinonasal localization of the disease is also uncommonly reported.

Case: A 46 year old woman presented in our clinic with complaints of nasal congestion over a six month period.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: an update.

Background And Objectives: Mucormycoses are a group of invasive infections caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucoraceae family, with the rhinocerebral form of the disease being the most common in large case series. In the present paper we review the characteristics of the rhinocerebral form of the disease.

Evidence And Information Sources: The present review is based on the analysis of the current literature on rhinocerebral mucormycosis.

Laryngeal cancer and passive smoking: the neglected factor?

In the present paper we investigate the relationship of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure to laryngeal cancer. 209 patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer from 2000 to 2009 at the University Hospital of Patras, Western Greece, were reviewed with regard to patient age, disease stage at presentation, tumor differentiation, tobacco product use, alcohol consumption, occupation, and ETS exposure in the working environment. Pearson Chi-square method was used to determine the effect of ETS exposure on cancer stage, TNM classification and tumor differentiation in the dichotomized population (exposed vs.

Behavioral trends in young children with conductive hearing loss: a case-control study.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common condition affecting children and a well-known cause of conductive hearing loss that can potentially lead to speech development disorders. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated the influence of OME on development of attention disorders or social adaptation and acceptance. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the behavioral trends of children with OME based on the Achenbach test.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck: report of 5 cases and review of the literature.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe, rapidly spreading soft tissue infection of polymicrobial origin. This condition most frequently affects thorax, abdominal wall, extremities, perineum and groin, but according to recent literature the head and neck area is also involved with increasing frequency.

Patients And Methods: Five cases of head and neck NF were detected among patients who were admitted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece, over a 5-years period.

Taste function evaluation after tonsillectomy: a prospective study of 60 patients.

Tonsillectomy is regarded as a safe procedure, with post-operative taste disturbances rarely reported. The aim of this study was to access taste function after tonsillectomy in a series of 60 patients. Sixty patients (age range 14-40 years; mean 24.

Survival after laryngectomy: a review of 133 patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Survival trends in survival for laryngeal cancer in Europe are varied. Five-year survival varied around 60-64% but numbers below 50% have been commonly reported. The aim of this study was to assess the factors influencing survival in patients with laryngeal cancer in our region.