Evaluation of patient satisfaction with different hearing aids: A study of 107 patients.

We retrospectively investigated patient satisfaction with different types of hearing aids in 107 patients-60 males and 47 females, aged 8 to 84 years (mean: 53.8)-with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, each of whom used two different hearing devices for at least 3 years per device. The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids, Turkish edition (IOI-HA-TR) was used to evaluate satisfaction levels; we also calculated our own total individual subjective satisfaction (TISS) scores.

Evaluation of the efficacy of curcumin in experimentally induced acute sinusitis in rats.

We investigated the possible beneficial effects of curcumin (CMN) in the treatment of sinusitis. An experimentally induced sinusitis model was created in rats, and the results were evaluated histologically. Thirty-two healthy, female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 270 to 310 g each, were randomly divided into four groups.

Bilateral triple concha bullosa: a very rare anatomical variation of intranasal turbinates.

Pneumatization of the intranasal turbinates or concha bullosa is an anatomic variation of the lateral nasal wall. Concha bullosa is defined as the presence of air cells in turbinates. It can be best diagnosed with paranasal sinus computed tomography.

Bilateral superior concha bullosa: a rare case overlooked.

Concha bullosa is generally defined as the pneumatization of the middle turbinate and, rarely, of the superior or the inferior turbinates. A symptomatic pneumatization of the superior turbinate is extremely rare. When symptomatic, concha bullosa may cause various problems.

Microbial biofilm formation on silicone nasal splints: optimal time for splint removal.

Objectives: Biofilms are sessile communities associated with persistent infections and are resistant to conventional therapeutic strategies. They survive on the surface of various inorganic medical devices and cause serious medical problems.

Methods: We recruited 25 patients who underwent nasal surgery between January and May 2013.

Epistaxis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the nasal vestibule: is it a cause or consequence?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between epistaxis and nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in a population of patients with recurrent epistaxis. A total of 361 men and women were recruited, 245 patients with epistaxis (114 had crusting in the nasal vestibule; 131 did not) and 116 control subjects. A microbiology swab was taken from the anterior nasal cavity of each subject.

The relationship between AHI, Epworth scores and sleep endoscopy in patients with OSAS.

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep endoscopy findings, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or the Epworth sleepiness scale in patients and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Patients with symptoms of OSAS were searched, and their polysomnography findings, Epworth sleepiness scales and sleep endoscopy findings were recorded. Those who were diagnosed with mild, moderate or heavy OSAS were included in the study.

The role of septated concha bullosa on sinonasal pathologies.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine the possible role of septated concha bullosa on sinonasal pathologies. Paranasal sinus computerized tomography scans of patients with symptoms of headache, postnasal drip, nasal obstruction and smell disorders were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty-eight subjects with unilateral septated concha bullosa and 13 subjects with unilateral concha bullosa without septation were selected as the study and control groups, respectively.

Comparison of the effects of mandibular protruding devices on obstructive sleep apnoea patients and healthy volunteers.

Purpose: To evaluate upper airway diameter differences before and after placement of custom made mandible protruding devices (MPD) in OSAS group and to compare with control group using computerized tomography.

Methods: The OSAS group was composed of 15 patients aged from 25 to 45 years with mild-moderate OSAS and the control group included 15 healthy volunteers, aged from 25 years to 44 years. On coronal and sagittal reformated CT images, anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) diameters at three levels (passing through soft palate [level 1], 5 mm above uvula [level 2] and 1 cm above the tip of epiglottis [level 3]) were measured before and after MPD placement in both groups.

Cultural adaptation of an olfactory test: the odour in bottle test. [corrected].

Objectives: To compare the size of the nasal septal body (SB) and inferior turbinate (IT) of subjects grouped by sex and age.

Method: We measured SB and IT areas (in cm2) bilaterally in computed tomography (CT) sections of 150 paranasal sinuses from 72 males and 78 females.

Results: The right and left SB areas were smaller in females than in males.

An unusual anatomical variation of the superior turbinate: a case report.

Introduction: The only anatomical variation of the superior turbinate defined in the literature is concha bullosa. Determination of anatomical variations of the intranasal structures is important to perform safe endoscopic sinus surgery and avoid complications.

Case Presentation: We report a case of an unusual anatomical variation of the superior turbinate in a 55-year-old Turkish man with nasal obstruction and headache.

Effects of surfactant on biofilm formation on silicone nasal splints.

Biofilms are sessile communities of bacteria embedded in self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix and are considered to be responsible for bacterial infections in humans. Topical surfactant use on silicone nasal splints may have a preventive effect on biofilm formation. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of surfactant-containing nasal solutions on biofilm formation over the surface of silicone nasal splints.

An unusual cause of hemoptysis: leech in the supraglottic region of the larynx.

Leeches live in fresh water and moist terrestrial environments. Most infestations are cutaneous. However, internal infestation occurs principally in the rural parts of the Mediterranean countries as well as in Africa and Asia.

Fat-plug myringoplasty of ear lobule vs abdominal donor sites.

The purpose of this study is to compare the success rates of fat-graft myringoplasties harvesting adipose grafts from different donor sites (ear lobule vs abdomen). The clinical records of 61 patients (24 males and 37 females) who underwent fat-plug myringoplasty (FPM) were reviewed retrospectively. Fat from ear lobule (FEL) and abdominal fat were used as graft materials.

Efficacy of Curcumin in the healing of paracentesis in rats.

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the possible beneficial effect of Curcumin (CMN) in healing of paracentesis in terms of wound thickness, sclerosis and closure by histological evaluation. To evaluate the efficacy of CMN, paracentesis was performed experimentally in the rats; and the results were presented histologically.

Methods: Sixteen, each 270-310g weighted, healthy Sprague-Dawley female rats were included into the study.

Effects of body mass index and adenotonsillar size on snoring sound intensity levels at highest power.

Objectives: Snoring during sleep is a major clinical symptom of adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adenoid and tonsil size on snoring sound frequency and intensity in children.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy were included the study.

Triple-divided concha bullosa: a new anatomic variation.

In recent years, with the widespread use of imaging techniques such as paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT), many variations of nasal turbinates have been described. One of these variations known as concha bullosa (CB) is pneumatization of nasal turbinates. CB is the most frequently encountered anatomical variations of the middle turbinate.

Influence of surface properties of Merocel® (polyvinyl acetal) and silicone nasal splints on biofilm formation.

The objective of the study was to investigate biofilm formation on Merocel(®) and silicone nasal splint after nasal septal surgery. 50 patients who were scheduled to undergo nasal septal surgery were included in this study. The patients were randomized into receiving an insert of Merocel(®) or silicone splint after septoplasty.

Is there a relationship between cribriform plate dimensions and septal deviation angle?

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationship between cribriform plate (CP) dimensions and septal deviation degree. Coronal paranasal CT scans of 99 patients were reviewed. We measured depth and width of cribriform plate on both sides and compared with septal deviation side and septal deviation degree.

Effect of combination of montelukast and levocetirizine on otitis media with effusion: a prospective, placebo-controlled trial.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that treatment with montelukast in combination with levocetirizine may have a beneficial effect on clinical improvement of middle ear fluid in children with otitis media with effusion (OME).

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the combination of montelukast and levocetirizine on shortening the duration of effusion in successfully treated OME in children.

Methods: This was a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

The effects of mometasone furoate and desloratadine in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients with allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are worldwide prevalent diseases. These diseases impair patient quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of treatment of AR on OSAS by objective and subjective methods.

1,25(OH)₂D₃ and specific IgE levels in children with recurrent tonsillitis, and allergic rhinitis.

Objectives: We investigated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)₂D₃] and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in children with recurrent tonsillitis (RT) plus allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods: Thirty children with RT+AR were included in the study group, and 30 healthy children comprised the control group. AR-related symptoms were determined using a symptom scale.

The effects of air pollutants on nasal functions of outdoor runners.

Nowadays road running is becoming more and more popular in our country. Road running is mostly done under improper conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of running on nasal response combined with the effects of air pollutants.

Effects of high altitude on sleep and respiratory system and theirs adaptations.

High-altitude (HA) environments have adverse effects on the normal functioning body of people accustomed to living at low altitudes because of the change in barometric pressure which causes decrease in the amount of oxygen leading to hypobaric hypoxia. Sustained exposure to hypoxia has adverse effects on body weight, muscle structure and exercise capacity, mental functioning, and sleep quality. The most important step of acclimatization is the hyperventilation which is achieved by hypoxic ventilatory response of the peripheral chemoreceptors.