Myrtol standardized affects mucociliary clearance.

Background: Myrtol standardized (Gelomyrtol forte) has been shown to be effective in controlling nasal symptoms of rhinosinusitis by promoting mucociliary clearance. Our aim was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of myrtol on ciliated columnar cells and goblet cells in an in-vitro setting.

Methods: Nasal epithelial cells were harvested (42 days) from an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture of human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (hNESPCs), which was derived from biopsies of nasal inferior turbinate mucosa.

Comparison of the distribution of intranasal steroid spray using different application techniques.

Background: Optimizing the intranasal distribution of nasal steroid spray (NS) is important in managing patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Using a 3-dimensional computational model of the human nose, we found that inspiratory airflow improved particle distribution by 86%. We hence designed a study to determine if the intranasal distribution of NS is improved by (1) simultaneous gentle inspiration or (2) nasal decongestion.

Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare entity, for which surgical resection is the treatment of choice. The open technique is considered the standard approach, but this often results in significant morbidities such as trismus, dysphagia, and neurologic deficits. The advent of endoscopic endonasal techniques has made endoscopic resection a viable alternative to the open approach in terms of access, adequacy of resection, and lesser surgical morbidity.

Relapse status as a prognostic factor in patients receiving salvage surgery for recurrent or residual nasopharyngeal cancer after definitive treatment.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of relapse status (recurrent vs residual disease) in patients receiving surgical salvage for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Retrospective review was conducted on 52 patients who underwent salvage surgery for locoregional relapse of NPC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the prognostic value of relapse status.

Clinical Outcome among Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients in a Multi-Ethnic Society in Singapore.

Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is endemic among Chinese populations in Southeast Asia. However, the outcomes of non-Chinese NPC patients in Singapore are not well reported.

Aim: To determine if non-Chinese NPC patients have a different prognosis and examine the clinical outcomes of NPC patients in a multi-ethnic society.

Impairment of cilia architecture and ciliogenesis in hyperplastic nasal epithelium from nasal polyps.

Background: Aberrant airway epithelial remodeling is one of the cardinal histopathologic features of inflammatory airway diseases, but whether it alters the mucociliary apparatus remains unknown.

Objective: We sought to investigate the morphologic pattern of motile cilia and ciliogenesis-associated makers in hyperplastic nasal epithelium from nasal polyps (NPs) both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: Biopsy specimens obtained from patients with NPs (n = 44) and inferior turbinate from healthy control subjects (n = 38) were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, single-cell (cytospin) staining, quantitative real-time PCR, and human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cell culture and differentiation.

En bloc resection concept for endoscopic endonasal nasopharyngectomy: surgical anatomy and outcome.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients have a 19%-56% locoregional recurrence rate after primary therapy. For those recurrent NPC (rNPC) patients, re-irradiation may cause some complications. In recent years, endoscopic endonasal nasopharyngectomy (EEN) has become a surgical option for rNPC patients.

Assessment of bony nasolacrimal parameters among Asians.

Purpose: A case series evaluating racial differences in the nasolacrimal region and quantifying the anterior lacrimal crest thickness and minimum nasolacrimal duct diameter in Asians.

Methods: Facial or orbital CT scans of 90 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. Evidence of lacrimal fossa tumor or trauma excluded a patient.

Reduced growth and proliferation dynamics of nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells in nasal polyps in vitro.

Basal cells in nasal epithelium have stemness/progenitor characters and play essential roles in the epithelial remodeling in nasal polyps (NP). We investigate whether the human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (hNESPCs) from patients with NP are inherently distinct from those obtained from healthy controls. Epithelial basal cells were isolated and cultured for four passages from NP tissues and control nasal mucosa.

Live human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) on chip for in vitro testing of gaseous formaldehyde toxicity via airway delivery.

Cell models based on human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (hNESPCs) are developed to obtain functional ciliated cells on modified Transwell inserts. The live hNECs are integrated into microfluidic platforms to mimic the 3D features of the human upper airway for in vitro testing of gaseous formaldehyde toxicity via airway delivery.

Efficacy of computed tomographic scans in the evaluation of patients with esophageal foreign bodies.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether computed tomographic (CT) scans on which foreign body impaction cannot be detected can be relied upon to decide whether a patient requires further investigation by esophagoscopy. This information might minimize unnecessary esophagoscopy without incurring the risk of a missed impacted foreign body.

Methods: In a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to National University Hospital, Singapore, over the period 2004 to 2011 for an ingested foreign body, case files of patients who underwent preoperative CT scanning followed by esophagoscopy were identified and reviewed.

The use of nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells to produce functioning ciliated cells in vitro.

Background: Although epithelial stem/progenitor cells have been isolated from many parts of the human airway epithelium such as lung and trachea, there is limited information in regard to stem cells in nasal epithelium. The aim of this study was to determine if (1) human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (hNESPCs) can be isolated and propagated in vitro and (2) allogeneic adult primary human fibroblasts can serve as a feeder layer for hNESPCs expansion under serum-free conditions.

Methods: Primary cells taken from inferior turbinate biopsy specimens (n = 3) were enzymically dissociated and plated on either allogeneic human fibroblasts or murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, in a chemical-defined medium supplemented with growth factors.

Anaplastic myoepithelial carcinoma of the sinonasal tract: an underrecognized salivary-type tumor among the sinonasal small round blue cell malignancies? Report of one case and a review of the literature.

We present a 45 year old female patient with a nasal carcinoma showing high-grade/anaplastic histomorphological features and with a distinct myoepithelial immunohistochemical phenotype including positivity for smooth muscle actin, p63, S100 protein with no sustentacular pattern, calponin, cytokeratin 14, vimentin and cytokeratins (AE1-3 and CK5/6). A minority (<5%) of the cells showed focal and variable immunoreactivity for EMA with no cuticular/canalicular pattern. Bcl-2, CD99, CD117 and CD56 were variously positive, but chromogranin and synaptophysin were negative.

Role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of parotid tumours.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of parotid tumours.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to examine the preoperative cytological and final histological results of patients who underwent parotidectomies at our institution.

Results: Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing malignant and benign tumours were 80%, 100%, and 98.

Cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor expression in nasal polyps.

Objectives: The pathogenesis of nasal polyps, thought to involve complex interactions between different factors, is currently not fully understood. Recent studies have suggested the involvement of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in nasal polyp development. To further understand the role of CysLTs in polyp pathogenesis, we studied the expression of CysLT1 receptors in nasal polyps.

Pseudocyst of the auricle: a histologic perspective.

Objective: The aim of the study is to describe the histologic spectrum in the pseudocyst of the auricle and to identify any consistent histologic features of this condition.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed in which the tissue specimen from patients with pseudocyst of the auricle treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital during a 1-year period was sent for histology.

Methods: Consecutive patients with pseudocyst of the auricle who were treated had their tissue specimen sent for histology.

Management of pharyngoesophageal spasm with Botox.

Pharyngoesophageal spasm following laryngectomy can result in failure of tracheoesophageal (TE) speech and dysphagia. Chemical denervation with Clostridium botulinum toxin (Botox) is effective in relieving pharyngeal constrictor spasm, thereby facilitating TE speech production. This article reviews the technique, results,and complications regarding the use of Botox in the management of TE speech failure associated with pharyngoesophageal spasm.

Modalities of surveillance in treated nasopharyngeal cancer.

Objective: We sought to assess the efficacy of different modalities in the detection of disease during the early posttreatment period of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Study design and setting We prospectively evaluated 57 patients with NPC who were treated with radiation. A postnasal space (PNS) biopsy, an endoscopic examination, and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed 4 months after treatment.

Parotid gland surgery: 4-year review of 118 cases in an Asian population.

Background: To determine the presentation and management of parotid lesions requiring excision in a largely Chinese Asian population.

Methods: Retrospective study of 118 consecutive parotidectomies.

Results: Thirty-seven percent were Warthin's tumor (WT), 33% pleomorphic adenoma (PA), 21% other benign disease (OBD), and 9% malignant tumor (MT).

Tuberculous and nontuberculous cervical lymphadenitis: a clinical review.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify differences in clinical characteristics between patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis and those with nontuberculous cervical lymphadenitis and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

Study Design And Setting: Seventy-two patients with inflammatory cervical lymphadenitis were studied retrospectively. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 consisted of those with tuberculous lymphadenitis and group 2 consisted of those with non-tuberculous lymphadenitis.