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Aims The present study aimed to investigate the effects of oral steroids on olfactory disturbances in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Material and methods This is a prospective randomized non-blinded study. Selected CRSwNP patients (n = 140), with hyposmia, were devided into two groups; group A received a 7-day course of oral steroids with a 12-weeks course of nasal steroids and douching; group B received a 12-weeks course of nasal steroids and douching. Assessment included Sniffin’ Sticks scores, visual analogue scale score for olfaction and discomfort (VASsmell, VASdis), the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22, Greek-version (SNOT22-Gr) and the endoscopic appearance (EAS). Objectives The main objective was to compare the olfactory effect of the different therapy in group A and group B, at 2, 12 and 24 weeks. Accessory objectives included the comparison of EAS, VASdis and SNOT22-Gr between groups, the evaluation of the therapeutic outcome duration, and, the investigation of potential correlation between the evaluated parameters. Results The 2-weeks evaluation showed a significant statistical difference (P 0.05). Sniffin’ Sticks score was strongly correlated at 12-weeks evaluation with EAS (rho = 0.58, P Conclusion Our results suggest that a combination treatment of oral and nasal steroids in well-selected patients with CRSwNP may result in early olfaction restoration with a possible long-term effect.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of oral steroids on olfactory disturbances in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).This is a prospective randomized non-blinded study. Selected CRSwNP patients (n=140), with hyposmia, were devided into two groups; group A received a 7-day course of oral steroids with a 12-weeks course of nasal steroids and douching; group B received a 12-weeks course of nasal steroids and douching. Assessment included Sniffin' Sticks scores, visual analogue scale score for olfaction and discomfort (VASsmell, VASdis), the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22, Greek-version (SNOT22-Gr) and the endoscopic appearance (EAS).The main objective was to compare the olfactory effect of the different therapy in group A and group B, at 2, 12 and 24 weeks. Accessory objectives included the comparison of EAS, VASdis and SNOT22-Gr between groups, the evaluation of the therapeutic outcome duration, and, the investigation of potential correlation between the evaluated parameters.The 2-weeks evaluation showed a significant statistical difference (P0.001) for all parameters except VASdis. Olfactory outcomes (Sniffin' Sticks and VASsmell scale scores) were found significantly better in group A at the 24-weeks evaluation (P0.001). Within groups, the therapeutic result remained stable between the 12-weeks and 24-weeks evaluation (P0.05). Sniffin' Sticks score was strongly correlated at 12-weeks evaluation with EAS (rho=0.58, P0.001).Our results suggest that a combination treatment of oral and nasal steroids in well-selected patients with CRSwNP may result in early olfaction restoration with a possible long-term effect.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptom severity above a certain level, measured by a validated questionnaire, improve after adenotonsillectomy (AT) compared to no intervention. METHODS Children with snoring and tonsillar hypertrophy (4 to 10-years old), who were candidates for AT, were randomly assigned to two evaluation sequences (baseline and 3-month follow-up): (a) evaluation immediately before AT and at 3 months postoperatively (AT group); or (b) evaluation at the initial visit and at the end of the usual 3-month waiting period for surgery (control group). Outcomes were (a) Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire sleep-related breathing disorder scale (PSQ-SRBD); (b) modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (mESS); and (c) proportion of subjects achieving PSQ-SRBD

Objective: Report a rare case of a thyroid papillary carcinoma situated within a branchial cleft cyst. Case presentation: A 40-year-old male was referred to our department for a lateral neck mass assessment. Physical examination revealed a solitary palpable, painless, moveable neck mass. Assessment included complete nasal, pharynx and larynx endoscopy, neck computed tomography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Treatment was surgical excision of the neck mass. Histopathology confirmed a branchial cleft cyst with papillary thyroid carcinoma growth at a site. A neck and thyroid ultrasound showed presence of thyroid gland nodules (one of which with micro calcifications). Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy performed, was high suspicious for malignancy (BETHESDA V). Patient underwent total thyroidectomy and histopathology revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion: Although rarely, it is possible to face an unexpected malignancy within a clinically benign neck lesion. A thorough diagnostic work-up enables early identification of aforementioned potential malignancy. A diagnostic dilemma that arises in such cases is between primary or metastatic disease and a thyroid carcinoma arising from ectopic thyroid tissue.

Aims: To assess whether children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptom severity above a certain level, measured by validated questionnaire, improve after adenotonsillectomy (AT) compared to no intervention. Methods: Children with snoring and tonsillar hypertrophy (4–10 years old) who were candidates for AT were randomly assigned to 2 evaluation sequences (baseline and 3-month follow-up): (1) evaluation immediately before AT and at 3 months post-AT (AT group); or (2) evaluation at initial visit and at the end of the usual 3-month waiting period for surgery (control group). Outcomes were: (1) Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire sleep-related breathing disorder scale (PSQ-SRBD); (2) modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (mESS); and (3) proportion of subjects achieving PSQ-SRBD Results: 68 children were assigned to the AT and 72 to the control group and 2/3 of them had PSQ-SRBD≥0.33. The AT group showed greater improvement between follow-up and baseline than controls (between-group difference [95% CI] for PSQ-SRBD: -0.31 [-0.35 to -0.27]; mESS: -2.76 [-3.63 to -1.90]; P Conclusion: Among children with snoring, tonsillar hypertrophy and clinical indications for AT, those with preoperative PSQ-SRBD score ≥0.33 show measurable clinical benefit post-AT.

The objective of the analytic observational study was to present air-pollen counting program results for a 5-year period. Airborne pollens and fungi collection, from both urban and sub-urban areas, were obtained using a special Burkard pollen trap installed on the roof of Chania General Hospital. Aeroallergen concentration measurement was made in a standardized way with fixation of the material collected and then counting using an optical microscope. Annual and total circulating pollen and fungi counts for the study period are presented. In the year 2014, the highest total annual count was recorded, while 2013 was the year with the lowest one. Months with the highest average concentrations were June for the years 2010 and 2011 (1291 and 1114.6 grains/m(3), respectively) and May for the consecutive 3 years 2012-2014 (1120, 890 and 1353.1 g/m(3), respectively). Peak periods for circulating aeroallergens were April-June. Trees pollen accounted for the majority of circulating aeroallergens (615.9 and 677.1 g/m(3) during peak periods in the years 2012 and 2014), while fungi accounted for the majority of circulating aeroallergens (818.5, 729.4, 890.7 spores/m(3)), during the peak periods in the years 2010, 2011 and 2013. Variability in peak airborne allergen periods could be partly explained by the differences in climatic conditions during the study period.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (T/A) in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in a controlled study using oximetry. We hypothesized that children with SDB and abnormal nocturnal oximetry in a community setting will have improved hypoxemia indices after T/A. METHODS: Children with snoring and tonsillar hypertrophy (4–10 years old) who were candidates for T/A were randomly assigned to 2 oximetry sequences (baseline and 3-month follow-up): (1) oximetry immediately before T/A and at the 3-month follow-up, which occurred postoperatively (T/A group); or (2) oximetry at the initial visit and at the end of the usual 3-month waiting period for surgery (control group). Outcomes were (1) proportion of subjects with McGill oximetry score (MOS) >1 at baseline acquiring MOS of 1 at follow-up and (2) proportion of subjects achieving oxygen desaturation (≥3%) of hemoglobin index (ODI3) RESULTS: One hundred and forty children had quality oximetry tracings. Twelve of 17 (70.6%) children with MOS >1 in the T/A group and 10 of 21 (47.6%) children with MOS >1 in the control group had MOS of 1 at follow-up (P = .14). More subjects in the T/A than in the control group achieved ODI3 CONCLUSIONS: An ODI3 ≥3.5 episodes per hour in nocturnal oximetry is related to increased resolution rate of nocturnal hypoxemia after T/A for SDB compared with no intervention.

Objectives/Hypothesis Alternaria and Cladosporium are the most important outdoor moulds. The aim of this study was to present fungal spore monitoring data, investigate the relationship of fungal counts with climate conditions, and to explore the clinical significance of Alternaria and Cladosporium species monitoring in allergic rhinitis (AR). Study Design Analytic observational study. Methods A 7-day volumetric trap was used to collect circulating Alternaria and Cladosporium fungi. Sixty-nine AR patients were studied and recorded their symptoms by Total 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS). Sensitization prevalence to fungi species was detected by skin prick tests. Monitoring data were correlated to climate conditions and patients symptoms score. Results Alternaria and Cladosporium were detected throughout the calendar year in ranges of 0 to 217 spores/m3 and 6.5 to 1,600 spores/m3 per day, respectively. Highest daily concentrations of both fungi were detected during the summer (73.9 ± 34.4 spores/m3 for Alternaria and 595.8 ± 288.0 spores/m3 for Cladosporium) and lowest during the winter (2.4 ± 3.0 spores/m3 for Alternaria and 24.3 ± 15.7 spores/m3 for Cladosporium). Both were positively correlated to mean daily temperature and negatively to relative humidity (all P < 0.001). Clinically, a strong significant correlation between T5SS and airborne fungi levels, both for Alternaria (r = 0.822, P = 0.001) and Cladosporium (r = 0.787, P = 0.002) species was observed. Conclusions We found Cladosporium to be the most frequently detected airborne mould, whereas Alternaria was the most prevalent with regard to sensitization rate. Patients' symptoms score was significantly correlated to spore concentrations. Both fungi were clearly affected by climate factors, such as temperature and relative humidity. These findings are important in AR management. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 2015

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps is a frequent and significant health problem. The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a valid, disease-specific health status instrument translated into several languages. The translation into Greek has been considered essential for the individual assessment of the patients' symptoms and a reliable tool for quality of life evaluation. Methods: Our study included 40 patients with CRS without nasal polyps and 40 healthy individuals as control group recruited from the ENT Allergy and Endoscopy Clinic of Chania General Hospital. Assessment included full ENT examination and nasal endoscopy. In the study, we compared the patients' examination and reexamination results with the results of the control group, and thus estimated test-retest reliability, internal consistency (determined by Cronbach's alpha) and validity. Results: The statistical significance level calculated by the paired t test was p < 0.05 for all questions, which proves the questionnaire's consistency. The kappa value was estimated for each symptom, with an average value of 0.94. Cronbach's alpha was 0.934 in the test and 0.856 in the retest. The p value was Conclusion: Our study certifies the existence of a valid, reproducible Greek version of SNOT-22, which overcomes limitations of use, allows to answer the questionnaire in Greek, and thus makes it highly recommended for Greek clinicians.

Polysomnography is the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (AT) in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), but it is not available in all settings. We hypothesized that AT is associated with reduction in the proportion of children with oxygenation abnormalities in nocturnal oximetry (Ox). Methods: 4-10 year-old children with SDB (snoring >3 nights/week) and tonsillar size >2+ were randomized to AT immediately after recruitment (AT group) or to observation (no AT group). The AT group had Ox preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively; the no AT group had Ox upon recruitment and 3 months later. Main outcomes were: i) change in proportion of children with McGill oximetry score =1 (normal); ii) proportion of subjects who achieved a desaturation index-ODI (≥3% SpO 2 drop) of Results: Preliminary analysis of data from the first 161 participants is presented . Pairs of Ox with quality recordings were obtained in 114 subjects (AT group: n=57; no AT group: n=57). The frequency of normal McGill score increased from 68.4% in the first Ox (pre-op) to 89.5% in the second Ox (post-op) in the AT group and from 75.4% to 84.2% in the no AT group (P>0.05). In the initial Ox, 52.6% of children in the AT group (pre-op) and 49.1% in the no AT group had ODI ≥3.5/h. In the follow-up Ox, the abnormal ODI normalized ( Conclusion: ODI ≥3.5/h is a satisfactory measure of the efficacy of AT as treatment for SDB.

This study aims to investigate early voice changes after total thyroidectomy, to assess the improved parameters in intermediate postoperative intervals, to evaluate the effect of age on voice after thyroidectomy, and to determine the correlation between the objective and the subjective method outcomes.This is a prospective, nonrandomized study.One hundred ninety-one participants, divided into two age groups, underwent three full voice assessments (preoperatively and 1 and 8 weeks after thyroidectomy) by means of videostroboscopy, perceptual evaluation, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic evaluation, and a self-evaluation questionnaire. Two control groups enrolled in the study: (1) patients with an indication of neck surgery not related to laryngeal nerve injury risk or strap muscle dissection and (2) patients with an indication of a non-neck surgery.No statistically significant difference was found in any voice parameter, between preoperative and 1-week postoperative assessment regarding the control groups. A statistically significant difference was found between preoperative evaluation and 1 week after thyroidectomy for the total study population, as well as for the ≥40 years' age subgroup for all parameters evaluated except for shimmer. The40 years' age subgroup showed a statistically significant difference in pitch, maximum phonation time, and grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) score between preoperative evaluation and 1 week after thyroidectomy. None of the parameters showed a statistical significant difference in the40 years' age subgroup at 8 weeks' evaluation. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score correlated significantly with the GRBAS score preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 and 8 weeks' evaluations. Furthermore, VHI correlated significantly with pitch a week postoperatively. GRBAS scores showed significant correlation not only with VHI but also with acoustic parameters including pitch, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonic ratio 1 and 8 weeks after thyroidectomy.Objective voice changes are common in the majority of the thyroidectomized patients in the early postoperative period. Our results revealed that these changes are related to thyroidectomy per se. Older patients (≥40 years of age) show acoustic and aerodynamic changes 8 weeks postoperatively, although they report no voice abnormalities and their perceptual evaluation is similar to the preoperative one.

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis The objective was to study the role of the Greek version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI) in comparison with Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) in terms of measuring voice surgery outcome in patients with benign laryngeal lesions. Study Design Nonrandomized prospective. Methods Forty-six patients operated for benign laryngeal lesions were enrolled in the present study. All patients were assessed according to the European Laryngological Society guidelines. In terms of self-evaluation, patients answered the Greek versions of both VHI and VoiSS, preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results The strongest correlation was observed between the functional subscale of VHI and the impairment subscale of VoiSS, as well as, between the emotional subscales of both VHI and VoiSS, pre- and postoperatively. A statistically significant change in subscale and total scores was found. VHI and VoiSS subscales and total scores correlated with the stroboscopic and aerodynamic measurements in a variable manner. Perceptual measurements, as well as shimmer and harmonic-to-noise ratio showed significant correlation with both VHI and VoiSS subscale and total scores postoperatively. Conclusion VHI and VoiSS are considered useful tools in evaluating voice surgery outcome, in the Greek language.

Background: Brushing cytology is a well established diagnostic procedure used by gynaecologists, physicians and surgeons to obtain representative samples from lesions. Our aim was to evaluate its reliability in ulcerative and tumour-like conditions arising in the skin of the head and neck.Methods: Over 28 months, 86 patients with suspected cutaneous malignant lesions underwent a cytological examination with a cytobrush within the otolaryngology department.Results: Cytological analysis identified 63 out of 64 histologically documented malignant tumours (60 primary basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and three metastatic adenocarcinomas), and 21 out of 22 benign lesions. There was one false positive and one false negative result.Conclusions: Brushing cytology of suspected cutaneous malignant lesions is a rapid and reliable diagnostic method which helps the clinician to decide on appropriate planning and treatment. The technique can be performed as an out-patient procedure, and smear preparation can be done in the laboratory, even at a peripheral hospital.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease with increasing incidence, characterized by persistent symptoms and negative impact on patient`s quality of life. Nasal inspiratory peak flow (NIPF) and acoustic rhinometry (AR) were studied and compared as assessment tools for CRS with or without nasal polyps (NP), as well as, in follow up monitoring of conservative medical treatment. Objectives: Seventy-eight patients were prospectively studied. Objective assessment included NIPF and AR at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after onset medical treatment. Measurements were studied in correlation with Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and endoscopic appearance score (EAS). Results: Both NIPF and AR improved significantly, after medical treatment. NIPF score reflected CRS symptoms` improvement according to SNOT-22 total score at the end of treatment protocol, showing moderate to strong correlation with nasal obstruction VAS grading during the treatment period. AR measures were associated with EAS in all sets of examinations and correlated moderately with VAS scoring at 8 weeks. Conclusion: NIPF and AR were proven to be promising methods for objective evaluation and monitoring of nasal obstruction based on different aspects of nasal physiology in patients with CRS.

Objective: A foreign body aspiration in the tracheobronchial tree is a dangerous and common medical emergency in childhood, with serious and potentially lethal consequences. It must be suspected in children with a suggestive history, even though the clinical symptoms or radiographic findings are not pathognomonic for foreign body aspiration. Methods: In this study 210 pediatric cases, with a suggestive history of foreign body aspiration undergoing bronchoscopy in the last 8 years in the department, were reviewed. In all cases bronchoscopy was performed under general anesthesia using a Storz ventilation bronchoscope with distal cold light illumination. Results: In 130 patients a foreign body was discovered, in 17 cases pus was aspirated and in 63 cases there were no findings. Seventy-eight (60%) foreign bodies were found in the right main bronchus, 43 (33.1%) in left main bronchus, seven (5.4%) in both bronchi and two (1.5%) were found in the subglottic area. The incidence of bronchoscopy during the last 8 years was 28 procedures per 100 000 children population per year in the island of Crete. Conclusion: More attention should be given to the need for a careful history and the use of radiographs as supplemental information to make the decision to perform a bronchoscopy. The parents, also, should pay attention not to allow children dry fruits and small toys, as well as, teaching their children to avoid any physical or emotional activity while having a full mouth.

Purpose of the Study: To examine the clinical value of subjective evaluations of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in correlation with syndrome severity as diagnosed with polysomnography. Procedures: 210 patients with mild to severe OSAS were assessed. Objective evaluation included polysomnography. Subjective assessment included full ENT examination, neck circumference (NC) plus body mass index measurements, Mueller maneuver and Epworth Symptom Scale (ESS). Results: The presence of lateral pharyngeal wall movement, abnormal ESS scoring and male gender can be considered independent risk factors for the prediction of moderate/severe OSAS (p < 0.05). Increased NC can also be considered a clinical risk factor related to male gender and lateral pharyngeal wall movement (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Subjective OSAS assessment, including evaluation of lateral pharyngeal wall movement, ESS scoring and NC measurement can safely predict, mainly in males, OSAS severity, as diagnosed with polysomnography. Message of the Paper: Subjective assessment from the ENT point of view should raise high suspicion towards the early diagnosis of moderate/severe OSAS.

Touch imprint cytological diagnosis of nodal Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare neoplasm of the mononuclear phagocytic immunoregulatory system of unknown aetiology. Nodal involvement is uncommon. Cytological findings have seldom been described. A case study of LCH, arising in a submandibular node of a 42-year-old female, is reported. Fine needle aspiration smears were highly cellular and composed of a mixed cell population including eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. Imprint slides from the surgical specimen of the excised node exhibited Langerhans cells with nuclear grooves, leading to a diagnosis suggestive of LCH. Immunohistochemical staining of the node sections with CD1a and S-100 confirmed this diagnosis. In conclusion, cytology may favorably contribute to the diagnosis of LCH.

The accessory parotid gland is salivary tissue separated from the main parotid gland and lying on masseter muscle. It has secondary duct emptying into the Stensen's duct. The accessory parotid gland exists in 21-61% of individuals. However, the appearance of an accessory parotid tumor is rare, with a reported frequency of 1-7.7% of all parotid gland tumors. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma arises from a pre-existing benign mixed tumor. Most of these tumors will have malignant epithelial component, but not malignant stromal component. Reports of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytological (FNAC) diagnosis of malignant mixed tumor are uncommon and have been limited to cases arising in the parotid. We report a case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the accessory lobe of the parotid, and address the cytopathology features and pitfalls of this condition.A 73 aged female presented with a right nontender midcheek mass. The lesion had been present 18 months, with a recent increase in size. FNA was performed and the smears demonstrated features indicative of pleomorphic adenoma admixed with findings indicative of a poorly differentiated carcinoma.FNAC can accurately diagnose carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma when strongly fixed requirements are implemented.

Thyroglossal duct cysts are remnants of the embryonic thyroglossal duct that may occur anywhere from the base of the tongue to the thyroid gland. The majority, however, are found at the level of the thyrohyoid membrane, under the deep cervical fascia. They are midline or just off the midline, and move up and down upon swallowing. This paper presents five case reports of TDC seen in the Department of Ear-Nose-Throat Surgery Regional Hospital Of Chania, Crete, Greece. It also discusses the different diagnostic approaches and differential diagnoses of the lesion.The medical records of patients admitted from 1995-2006 were reviewed for patients treated for TDC. History and examination reports were studied. When possible, results and reports of special investigations were obtained and the investigations were re-evaluated. Surgical operation notes and histology reports were obtained and the histologic slides were re-examined as necessary.Five cases of thyroglossal duct cyst treated in our department are described with each having a different clinical picture.Although the clinical and histological presentations of these five cases are not rare, they do illustrate how varied thyroglossal duct cysts can be with respect to patient age, anatomic site, or associated signs and symptoms.

Neck nodal metastases from occult primary constitute about 5%-10% of all hosts harboring carcinoma of unknown primary site. Metastases in the upper and middle neck (levels I-II-III-IV-V) are generally attributed to head and neck cancers, whereas the lower neck (level IV) involvement is often associated with primaries below the clavicles. Diagnostic procedures include a careful clinical evaluation and a fiberoptic endoscopic examination of the head and neck mucosa, biopsies from all suspicious sites or blindly from the sites of possible origin of the primary, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance radiology (MRI). The most frequent histological finding is squamous cell carcinoma, particularly when the upper neck is involved.We report three cases of patients presented with nodal metastases of the neck from unknown primary site and we also describe the diagnostic and therapeutic approach employed in each one.One patient harbored a neuroendocrine metastatic deposit, the second patient a poorly differentiated carcinoma and the third one a malignant melanoma.Diagnostic procedures should be aimed at clarifying the histology of the nodal metastases and detecting the primary tumor site.

This is a prospective study evaluating certain intraoperative and postoperative parameters, comparing the relatively new technique of thermal welding tonsillectomy with cold knife tonsillectomy, and radiofrequency excision in pediatric population.Ninety children aged from 5 through 13 years were enrolled a randomized prospective trial comparing cold knife tonsillectomy, radiofrequency excision, and thermal welding tonsillectomy. Indications included recurrent acute tonsillitis and/or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. All techniques were compared by means of length of surgery time, blood loss, postoperative bleeding and postoperative pain.Sixty-eight patients underwent tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea, whereas 22 children underwent tonsillectomy due to recurrent acute tonsillitis. Median values of all variables tested, length of surgery time, blood loss, postoperative bleeding and postoperative pain, were found to differ significantly among the three surgical techniques (P0.001). Particularly, a statistically significant higher median duration (P0.001) and intraoperative blood loss (P0.001), as well as, a statistically significant lower median pain score in each day tested (P0.001) of the cold knife group, compared to each one of the other two groups, were found. Tissue welding and radiofrequency groups did not differ significantly in any aspect tested.Both thermal welding and radiofrequency excision techniques have shown comparable results regarding intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hemorrhage, and pain. Compared with cold knife tonsillectomy, welding and radiofrequency excision techniques were associated with less intraoperative blood loss and duration, though cold knife tonsillectomy seems to prevail over the two techniques in terms of the postoperative pain.

Branchial cleft anomalies are developmental disorders of the neck. Our aim is to report the diagnostic and treatment procedure followed in three cases of second branchial cleft abnormalities in adults.A patient aged over 40 underwent surgical excision of a well-encapsulated cystic neck structure and two further patients of a branchial sinus and branchial fistula respectively. Prior to surgery the patients were assessed by means of imaging techniques, FNA cytology and cytometric DNA analysis.Neutrophils, debris, mature squamous epithelial cells including degenerate forms and lymphoid cells were the key features in the cytological diagnosis. DNA analysis of the pre-operative cytological material in two cases revealed euploidy, thus indicating no malignancy. Histological examination of the lesions after excision established the diagnosis in all cases. No recurrences were reported.Although congenital lesions, the second branchial cleft abnormalities usually present in adulthood and have to be distinguished from benign and malignant lateral neck swellings. FNA cytology as well as DNA ploidy determination contributes to the establishment of the diagnosis of branchial cleft abnormalities and their differential diagnosis.

Purpose: To present the diagnostic approach and treatment of two rare neoplasms, hemangiopericytoma and hemangioleiomyoma, treated in the ENT Dept. of Chania General Hospital. description of the cases: A female, 65 years old, with severe nasal congestion, diplopia and exophthalmos and an 82 years old male with unilateral, recurrent, moderate epistaxis were admitted in the ENT Dept. In both cases assessment included full ENT examination, laboratory tests and imaging with CT and MRI scans. For the first patient, due to extension of the lesion in the right maxillary sinus and orbit, excision biopsy with combined Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic approach was decided. Five months after initial intervention she had local recurrence and distance metastasis and underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. She is on follow up without any indication of expansion of the preexisting disease. For the second patient, specimen from the lesion in the left nostril was sent for histology and he denied any further intervention. The patient is on regular follow up without any change from the initial diagnosis. Conclusion: While clinical examination raises the suspicion, diagnosis is confirmed by histology, and extent of disease is evaluated with CT-MRI scans. Imaging should precede biopsy because of high vascularity of these tumors. Appropriate treatment is extensive removal of the lesion. keywords: hemangiopericytoma, hemangioleiomyoma, nose-paranasal sinuses.