Hyaluronan synthases and hyaluronidases in nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps (NPs) are benign lesions of nasal and paranasal sinuses mucosa affecting 1-4 % of all adults. Nasal polyposis affects the quality of patient's life as it causes nasal obstruction, postnasal drainage, purulent nasal discharge, hyposmia or anosmia, chronic sinusitis, facial pain and snoring. Without treatment, the disease can alter the craniofacial skeleton in cases of extended growth of polyps.

Presence of hyaluronidase isoforms in nasal polyps.

Background: Nasal polyps are benign lesions originating from the nasal mucosa or paranasal sinuses. The most important etiological factor seems to be increased hydration of epithelium and hyperplasia of the extracellular matrix, which may involve hyaluronan, a high molecular mass extracellular glycosaminoglycan. Degradation of hyaluronan proceeds through the action of specific hyaluronidases.

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.

Impaired mucociliary clearance in allergic rhinitis patients is related to a predisposition to rhinosinusitis.

Although mucociliary clearance has been shown to be impaired in patients with allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, its exact role in relation to a predisposition to rhinosinusitis is unknown. To investigate this possible association, we conducted a prospective study of 125 patients with allergic rhinitis. Of this group, 23 patients were classified as being sinusitis-prone based on their history of antibiotic consumption for the treatment of rhinosinusitis; the remaining 102 patients were deemed to be not sinusitis-prone.