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Objective:To examine the histological effects of radiofrequency thermal ablation on the inferior concha epithelium and subepithelium, over five years post-treatment.Method:Inferior nasal concha epithelial biopsy specimens were examined histologically before and four, 30, 48 and 60 months after radiofrequency treatment, in six patients with inferior nasal concha hypertrophy.Results:At four months post-treatment, there was proliferation of blood vessels, increased inflammatory cells and a slightly decreased number of glands. At 30 months post-treatment, the number of inflammatory cells and glands had decreased, but signs of increased vascular proliferation, fibrosis and granulation were seen. At 48 and 60 months post-treatment, the number of inflammatory cells and blood vessels had decreased significantly, the number of glands had increased, and lobulation was observed.Conclusion:Radiofrequency thermal ablation does not cause carbonisation or osteitis in the inferior concha. The resultant fibrosis causes contraction of the concha and only minor tissue destruction (as shown by the persistence of submucosal glands). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and morbidity of immediate tonsillectomy used to treat peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) and parapharyngeal abscess. Subjects and method: This four-year, retrospective study was based on 31 patients hospitalised in a university hospital ENT and head and neck surgery department for peritonsillar and/or parapharyngeal abscess. All patients underwent immediate, bilateral tonsillectomy. The length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, microbiological findings, complications, and the time to complete recovery and oropharyngeal healing were recorded. Results: The patients' mean post-tonsillectomy hospital stay was 2.84 days (median: 3 days). No post- operative haemorrhage was observed. All patients were considered to be cured at the day 10 follow-up visit, and complete oropharyngeal healing was observed at the day 21 visit. The duration of antibiotic therapy ranged from 10 to 15 days (mean: 11.5 days; median: 10 days). Discussion and conclusion: Immediate tonsillectomy appears to be a safe and effective surgical technique for the management of peritonsillar and parapharyngeal abscess; in particular, it markedly reduces patients' hospital stay (when performed early in the course of the disease) and duration of antibiotic therapy. Immediate tonsillectomy has become the first-line treatment for parapharyngeal abscess and several types of peritonsillar abscess in our department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adenotonsillectomy is successful at eliminating airway obstruction in the majority of otherwise normal children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Children with this condition are at significantly higher risk of post-operative respiratory complications. Identifying children at risk of post-operative respiratory complications after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome remains a challenge for clinicians, especially those at district general hospitals.Aim: To review the evidence and to proffer a pragmatic approach to diagnosis and management, by classifying those at risk of post-operative respiratory complications into different risk subsets, with guidelines for management.Conclusion: Patients in the high risk group should be operated upon at paediatric specialist centres with intensive care facilities. Those in the moderate risk group may undergo adenotonsillectomy at their district general hospital, provided facilities for administering continuous positive airway pressure are available on-site. Most children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome may be classified as low risk candidates and may safely be operated upon at their local district general hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:We report a rare case of fibro-hyaline anterior extensions of the bony nasal pyramid.Method:The clinical, radiological, intra-operative and histological findings are presented.Results:A 34-year-old man presented with bilateral nasal obstruction due to enlarged lateral walls of the nasal vestibule. Radiology showed normal bony structures. Surgery revealed three histologically identical, non-malignant, fibrous masses, one in the nasal septum and one in each of the vestibular walls. The latter were attached to the bony pyramid, protruding anteriorly and converging medially.Conclusion:The location and symmetry of the fibro-hyaline projections indicated that they constituted a malformation mimicking congenital bony nasal pyriform aperture stenosis. Histological analysis showed that the masses were not neoplastic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]