Cell-mediated immunity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and allergic rhinitis: a controlled study.

We conducted a prospective study of 60 patients in a tertiary care referral center to ascertain the status of cell-mediated immunity as determined by delayed hypersensitivity reactions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) or allergic rhinitis. Delayed hypersensitivity as detected by Mantoux testing is generally accepted as a reflection of the level of cell-mediated immunoactivity-the less hypersensitivity reaction that occurs, the lower the level of immunoactivity is, and vice versa. Our study population was made up of three groups: 20 newly diagnosed patients with NPC (pretreatment), 20 age- and sex-matched patients with allergic rhinitis, and 20 matched controls without either disease.

Regression of a sphenochoanal polyp in a child.

Objectives: To present an unusual case of a sphenochoanal polyp that regressed and review the etiology of such polyps in comparison to the commoner antrochoanal polyp.

Study Design: Case study.

Methods: One was incidentally discovered in a girl aged 3 years, 8 months at postnasal mirror examination after adenotonsillectomy.

Incidental magnetic resonance image sinus abnormalities in asymptomatic Australian children.

Plain X-rays, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed for non-ENT reasons often reveal incidental sinus mucosal changes. These changes need to be correlated clinically before diagnosing rhinosinusitis. This study examined the prevalence of such changes in MRI scans in children up to age 16.

Laryngeal foreign bodies in children revisited.

To review our experience with inhaled laryngeal foreign bodies in children, we performed a retrospective review of all admissions to our institution between March 1989 and March 2002 with the diagnosis of an inhaled laryngeal foreign body. We included only cases in which the diagnosis was confirmed at endoscopy under general anesthesia. Two children were dead on arrival at our institution as a result of upper airway obstruction following a choking episode and did not undergo endoscopy; they were not included.