Sort by
Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated With Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma: A Rare Tumor of the Larynx.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx is a rare tumor, as this histological entity is mostly diagnosed in nasopharynx. However, it may be present in other non-nasopharyngeal sites and it is extremely rare in the larynx. The authors present a case of a 59-year-old man who presented to the Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Department complaining of a long-standing dysphonia, odynophagia, and dysphagia. The clinical examination revealed a laryngeal tumor involving the right epiglottis, right aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral false vocal fold. It presented with ispilateral neck lymph node extension. Multiple biopsies of the laryngeal lesion were performed under local anesthesia and the histological examination showed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. After discussing the case in a multidisciplinary tumor board, a total laryngectomy with a bilateral neck dissection was performed and the histological specimen showed a lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Although immunostaining with LMP-1 antibody was negative, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus was positive. He underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. He is now at 9-months follow-up period, with no evidence of disease. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx is an extremely rare disease, with an aggressive pattern. Epstein-Barr virus–associated lymphoepithelial carcinoma has been exceptionally reported. A correct diagnosis and close collaboration with pathologist is crucial to achieve the best treatment strategy. We present this case to discuss the clinical and histology findings and the different therapeutic aspects of this uncommon histological subtype carcinoma.

Open Access
Relevant
Depression, Hematologic Parameters, and Blood Levels of Vitamin B12 in Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Under Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors.

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate hematologic indices, vitamin B12 levels, and depression in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) treated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI).Methods:This was a prospective study with a population (n = 23) consisted of patients with suspected LPR and treated with 2 daily doses of Omeprazole 40 mg (80 mg or full dose). The study volunteers performed a complete blood count and vitamin B12 dosage before and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, as well as depression screening using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) questionnaire before and after 6 months of treatment. Scores greater than 16 were considered as suggestive of depression.Results:The mean score on the CES-D scale of study participants at baseline significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment. A significant decrease was observed in the red blood cells count (RBC) after 6 months in relation to 3 months. Significant increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were observed from 3 months to 6 months in this study. Vitamin B12 levels increased significantly between baseline and after 6 months of treatment.Conclusion:Decreased scores on the CES-D scale were associated with increased MCV values, with no association with vitamin B12 levels. However, vitamin B12 levels also increased significantly after 6 months of treatment with PPI.

Open Access
Relevant
Deep Neck Space Infections: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Deep neck spaces are regions of loose connective tissue filling areas between the 3 layers of deep cervical fascia, namely, superficial, middle, and deep layers. The superficial layer is the investing layer, The pretracheal layer is the intermediate layer and the prevertebral layer is the deepest layer. Deep neck space infection (DNI) is defined as an infection in the potential spaces and actual fascial planes of the neck. Once the natural resistance of fascial planes is overcome, spread of infection occurs along communicating fascial boundaries. More recent trends include the increasing prevalence of resistant bacterial strains, a decline in DNIs caused by pharyngitis or tonsillitis, and a relative increase in DNIs of odontogenic origin. Most DNIs are polymicrobial. Only 5% are purely aerobic and 25% with isolated anaerobes. The epidemiology of DNIs needs to be monitored for changing trends and the impact of underlying host immunity and developing microbial multidrug resistance is established. Surveillance at laboratory level should include mandatory susceptibility testing of all empiric antibiotics against microbes commonly identified in adult DNI microscopy, culture, and sensitivity (MC&S) specimens. The role of susceptibility testing of microbes not commonly identified in adult DNI MC&S specimens needs further review, on a clinical case-by-case basis.

Open Access
Relevant
Low Incidence of Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Japanese Patients.

Background:Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a noninvasive fungal disease of the sinuses with a very high recurrence rate. A very small number of Japanese cases have been reported.Material and methods:The subjects were 6 patients with AFRS out of 429 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at Kagawa Rosai Hospital between December 2011 and November 2017. We retrospectively examined the clinical features and outcomes of these 6 patients.Results:The incidence of AFRS was 1.4% (6/429). Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis was unilateral in 5 cases and bilateral in 1. Computed tomography revealed hyperdense areas representing allergic mucin, but no patient exhibited bone erosion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hypointense or no signal regions at the locations of allergic mucin. Postoperatively, 1 patient developed recurrence. Because the recurrent patient had no significant symptoms, he refused further surgery and received drug therapy. Preoperative eosinophil counts and total IgE levels were elevated in all patients; postoperatively, both remained high in the patient who developed recurrence. Postoperative treatments included steroid therapy and nasal irrigation.Conclusions:Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is less prevalent in Japan than in Western nations. Peripheral blood eosinophil and serum IgE values may be used as the biomarkers.Significance:Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is prone to recurrence. Postoperative treatment including steroid therapy is important in the management of AFRS.

Relevant
Maxillary Pneumosinus Dilatans Presenting With Proptosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background:Pneumosinus dilatans (PSD) is a rare pathological paranasal sinus expansion. This condition is usually symptomatic or cosmetically apparent, requiring surgical intervention. Multiple hypotheses have been postulated as to the cause of this condition; however, the precise cause and pathogenesis remain obscure.Case report and Methods:An 11-year-old boy presented with right eye bulging and was subsequently found to have PSD of the maxillary sinus. A search was conducted of the PubMed electronic database, using the keywords “pneumosinus dilatans,” “pneum(oco)ele,” “pneum(oc)ele,” “pneum(atoco)ele,” and “air cyst.” Articles published in English were reviewed.Results:The literature review identified 29 cases of PSD involving the maxillary sinus. The mean age of presentation was 25 years old. Only the right maxillary sinus was affected in 16 cases, followed by the bilateral sinuses in 7 cases and the left sinus in 6 cases. In 5 cases, all paranasal sinuses, along with the maxillary sinus, were expanded. The most common presenting symptom was facial swelling, which was found in 55% of the cases, followed by proptosis and pain. Computed tomography is the gold standard radiological method for diagnosing PSD.Conclusions:Pneumosinus dilatans is a rare condition that is usually symptomatic and requires surgical intervention. The etiology of the disease is attributed to multiple hypotheses, but more studies are needed to explore this condition further.

Relevant
The Correlation Between Preoperative Findings of High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) and Intraoperative Findings of Chronic Otitis Media (COM)

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the preoperative findings of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of temporal bone in chronic otitis media (COM) and the intraoperative findings.Methods:This retrospective study was conducted in the ORL-HNS Unit at Ohud Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia, during the period from January to September 2018. We included all patients with COM, and an informed consent was obtained from all participants. The HRCT images were studied in comparison with the intraoperative findings. The parameters of comparison were tympanic membrane, middle ear structures, and the status of cholesteatoma.Results:A total of 39 patients were included in the analysis: 14 male and 25 female patients. The age range was 9 to 50 years. As a result of the comparison between HRCT findings and intraoperative observations, we found that incus erosion through computed tomography (CT) was the same as during surgical observation in 12 cases (30.8%). Malleus appeared eroded on CT in 1 case (2.6%); however, 5 cases were seen with that observation during operation (12.8%). Cholesteatoma was similarly seen in the CT scan and during surgery with a significant relation between intraoperative cholesteatoma extending and HRCT findings of the disease (95% confidence level, P-value = 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100% for detecting sigmoid plate erosion, dura exposure, incus erosion, stapes erosion, and malleus-incus joint discontinuity through preoperative CT.Conclusions:Intraoperative findings and HRCT have shown better results with good correlation of diagnostic value regarding the comparisons between recorded observations, especially in detecting sigmoidal plate erosion, dural exposure, incus and stapes erosion, and malleus-incus joint discontinuity. Preoperative CT scan is beneficial and contributory in the decision of indicating surgery to patients.

Open Access
Relevant