Association between pterygoid hamulus length and apnea hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a combined three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography and polysomnographic study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among the pterygoid hamulus (PH), the maxillo-mandibular complex to the pharynx, the upper airway, and the soft palate and a possible connection to sleep apnea severity as assessed by polysomnography.

Study Design: A total of 100 left and right sides of the PH were retrospectively measured by two observers from 50 cone beam computed tomography images by using three-dimensional rendering program in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (33 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 56.8 years; range 32-82 years).

A new horizon in the treatment of biofilm-associated tonsillitis.

Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of tonsil brushing in patients with chronic tonsillitis to remove the microbial biofilm on the tonsil surface using an in vitro model.

Design: Specimens from patients undergoing tonsillectomy were evaluated prior to and following surface cleaning methods, including rinsing and brushing, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Patients: The study population consisted of 25 randomly selected patients with chronic tonsillitis.

The burden of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are common health problems that cause major illness and disability worldwide. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is estimated to range from 10% to 20% in the USA and Europe. Multiple factors contribute to the wide range of reported prevalence rates.

Quality of life in allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem that causes major illness and disability worldwide. Although nasal and nonnasal symptoms are directly attributable to inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, individuals also experience generalized symptoms that include fatigue, mood changes, depression, anxiety and impairments of work and school performance, and cognitive function. Health-related quality of life focuses on patients' perceptions of their disease and measures impairments that have a significant impact on the patient.

Nasal obstruction as a drug side effect.

Nasal obstruction is a common symptom of various diseases, allergies, and structural deformities and a 'stuffy nose' is one of the most common reasons that patients seek a physician's aid. Drugs that affect the autonomic nervous system are also expected to have a vasoactive effect on the nose. Nasal obstruction in the absence of infectious rhinitis or allergic symptoms may be due to drug use.