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Objectives The main aim of the study was to examine the development and course of the facial nerve within fetal temporal bones from an anatomical and neuro-otological perspective. Methods The study was conducted on 32 temporal bones from obtained fetuses (7 females, 9 male), on a mean gestational age of 26.75 ± 4.36 (range, 20–34) weeks from the collection of the Anatomy Department of Medicine Faculty. All the measurements were collected with a digital image analysis software. Results Neither male/female nor right/left significant differences were observed in relation with the algebraic data of the segment lengths and angles of the facial nerve (p > 0.05). Linear functions for meatal, labyrinthine, tympanic, and mastoid segment lengths of the facial nerve were calculated as: y = −1.206 + 0.200 × Age (weeks), y = −1.868 + 0.153 × Age (weeks), y = −2.327 + 0.325 × Age (weeks), and y = −1.507 + 0.246 × Age (weeks), respectively. In addition, linear functions for first and second genu angles were calculated as: y = 105.475–0.117 × Age (weeks) and y = 140.446–0.042 × Age (weeks), respectively. Conclusion The regression equations and the scatter plot with increment curve, representing the growth dynamics of the facial nerve can be used for estimating its lengths and for understanding its development. The data suggest that there is a dramatic change transition from fetal life to the gathered data of adulthood in the length of meatal and mastoid segments as well as in the second genu angle; in addition, there is a partial change in the length of labyrinthine and tympanic segments as well as in the first genu angle.

This study investigates the deleterious effects of corticosteroids on tracheal anastomotic healing and the ability of vitamin A to reverse these effects in a rat model.Forty-two adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. The animals underwent tracheal transection and primary anastomoses. The groups were assigned as follows: Group I, sham (N=6); Group II, control (N=6); Group III, dexamethasone, 0.1 mg/kg/day intramuscularly (N=10); Group IV, dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg/day intramuscularly+vitamin A 10000 IU/kg/day by gavages (N=10); and Group V, vitamin A 10000 IU/kg/day by gavages for a week (N=10). After 7 days, anastomotic healing was assessed by measurement of bursting pressure, hydroxyproline content and subsequent histological grading using the modified Ehrlich/Hunt scale.Bursting pressures and hydroxyproline contents were as follows: Group I: 977+/-8 mmHg and 11.80+/-0.3 microg/mg (mean+/-standard error of the mean); Group II: 890+/-55 mmHg and 9.93+/-0.6 microg/mg; Group III: 555+/-26 mmHg and 11.90+/-1.3 microg/mg; Group IV: 873+/-73 mmHg and 10.24+/-2.2 microg/mg; Group V: 905+/-45 mmHg and 7.51+/-0.8 microg/mg, respectively. Bursting pressure of Group III was found to be significantly lower when compared to other groups (P0.0001). However, statistical significance was not found among the study groups for the hydroxyproline content. Except for inflammatory cell infiltration, histological parameters including epithelial regeneration, fibroblast proliferation, collagen content, and angiogenesis demonstrated significant differences among the groups.The present study demonstrates that dexamethasone significantly impairs the healing of tracheal anastomoses in rats and postoperative administration of vitamin A appreciably reverses this inhibitory effect. Patients receiving corticosteroids may benefit from vitamin A when undergoing prolonged intubation and laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Objective: Myringosclerosis often occurs in patients in whom ventilation tube insertion and tympanoplasty procedures are performed. Recent studies have revealed a relationship between the development of myringosclerosis and oxygen-derived free radicals, and some investigations have demonstrated that free radical scavengers prevent the development of myringosclerosis. N-acetylcysteine is a well-known anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine on myringosclerosis in myringotomized rat tympanic membranes. Methods: Twenty Sprague–Dawley rats were bilaterally myringotomized and divided into four groups. Group 1 received no treatment, group 2 was treated with topical saline solution in Spongostan, group 3 received topical 0.6 mg N-acetylcysteine in Spongostan and group 4 received 1.2 mg N-acetylcysteine in Spongostan daily for 12 days. Tympanic membranes were examined by otomicroscopy on day 12. Then, the membranes were harvested and evaluated histologically by light microscopy. Results: The tympanic membranes of groups 1 and 2 (saline and non-treated) showed extensive occurrence of myringosclerosis, whereas groups 3 and 4 (treated with N-acetylcysteine) showed lesser occurrence of myringosclerosis in otomicroscopic evaluation (P

Inverted papilloma (IP) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon pathology, especially in the pediatric population. We present a pediatric case of recurrent IP in the left nasal cavity. The physical examination of a 9-year-old girl revealed a polypoid mass filling the middle meatus in the left nasal cavity. Purulent secretion and adenoid vegetation obstructing the choanea were also noted. Coronal and axial maxillo-facial computed tomography demonstrated a mass in the nasal cavity, enlarging the left middle meatus. We discussed the imaging findings and treatment of IP and concluded that it should have been included in the differential diagnosis of nasal mass lesions in the pediatric population.

Summary Objective To assess the relation between mastoid size and attic blockage in COME patients treated with ventilation tube insertion and prognosis regarding tympanometric compliance and computed tomography findings of temporal bones. Material and methods Twenty-four ears of 15 patients with chronic otitis media with effusion were selected prospectively. The ages of patients were between 5 and 13 years old and eight of them were females. All patient received medical treatment for 10 days. Ventilation tubes were inserted with or without adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy to the unimproved patients. Postoperative compliances were measured on first day, first week, and first month and the tympanometric results were compared each one with others and with mastoid pneumatization degree using computerized tomographic findings. Results The hearing thresholds were between 23 and 43 dB in left ears and between 22 and 45 dB in right ears. Mastoid pneumatization and aditus were normal and open in three (12.6%); sclerotic and open in eight (33.3%); sclerotic and blocked in 13 patients (54.1%), when the temporal bones assessed by computerized tomography. The mean compliance values of patients elevated postoperatively in regard with time and this increase was significant. There was a significant statistical relation between mastoid pneumatization and compliance of the ears. Conclusion Tympanometric assessment may be considered as a valuable and cost-effective method rather than CT in the evaluation of aditus blockage and residual soft tissue of the tympanomastoid region.

Objective: This study investigates the effect of bronchoscopy on intestinal mucosal barrier function and its association with intestinal nitric oxide production. Methods: 30 rats were used. The study group (n=15) underwent rigid bronchoscopy. At 24 h following bronchoscopy, ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were evaluated. The ileum was also examined for mucosal damage, and graded according Chiu's histologic injury scale. Results: In the bronchoscopy group, the ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher than those of controls (398.5±85.1 and 44.5±6.6 nmol/g tissue, respectively, P=0.001). In the bronchoscopy group, the mucosal damage was significant, compared with those of controls (mean ranks, 22.8 and 8.2, P