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Previously described as inflammatory pseudotumor, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) are now considered as distinct tumors of specific histopathologic features. This rare mesenchymal tumor consists of spindle shaped fibroblasts associated with various amounts of inflammatory cells. Head and neck region, is an unusual site of involvement. In this article, we will introduce two separate cases with the diagnosis of IMT involving the nasopharynx and the temporal bone which are both rare locations of presentation. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis list of every mass in head and neck region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) has been known as one of the most severe post-COVID morbidities. Objectives: To describe CAM cases, identify possible risk factors, and report outcomes of patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed in Amir-Alam Hospital, Tehran, Iran between February 2020 and September 2021. Patients with mucormycosis who had an active or previous diagnosis of COVID-19 have been included. Results: Of 94 patients with mucormycosis, 52 (33 men and 19 women; mean age: 57.0 ± 11.82 years) were identified with an active or history of COVID-19. Rhino-orbital, rhino maxillary, rhino-orbito cerebral subtypes of mucormycosis were detected in 6 (11.5%), 18(34.6%), and 28(53.8%) patients. As a control group, 130 (69 men and 61 women; mean age: 53.10 ± 14.49 years) random RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients without mucormycosis have been included. The mean interval between COVID-19 diagnosis and initial mucormycosis symptoms was 16.63 ± 8.4 days (range 0–51). Those in the CAM group had a significantly more severe course of COVID-19 (OR = 3.60, P-value < 0.01). Known history of previous diabetes mellitus (OR = 7.37, P-value < 0.01), smoking (OR = 4.55, P-value < 0.01), and history of receiving high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy because of more severe COVID-19 (P-value = 0.022) were found as risk factors. New-onset post-COVID hyperglycemia was lower in the CAM group (46.2% vs. 63.8%; OR = 0.485, P-value = 0.028). After treatment of the CAM group, 41(78.8%) of patients recovered from mucormycosis. The mean ages of the expired patients in the CAM group were significantly higher than those who recovered from mucormycosis (66.18 ± 9.56 vs. 54.56 ± 11.22 years; P < 0.01); and COVID-19 disease was more severe (P = 0.046). Conclusion: Either active or history of COVID-19 can cause an increase in the risk of mucormycosis development. Some of the most important risk factors are the medical history of diabetes mellitus, smoking, and high-dose corticosteroid therapy. CAM is important possible comorbidity related to COVID-19, which could make the post-COVID conditions more complicated. More research and studies with greater sample sizes among different ethnicities are needed to explore the association between COVID-19 and mucormycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, high-resolution, multislice computed tomography findings are compared with surgical findings in terms of the fracture location in patients with traumatic facial paralysis. Patients with traumatic facial paralysis with grade VI House-Brackmann scale who met the criteria for surgical decompression between 2008 and 2012 were included in this study. All the patients underwent a multislice high-resolution, multislice computed tomography (HRCT) using 1-mm-thick slices with a bone window algorithm. The anatomical areas of the temporal bone (including the Fallopian canal) were assessed by CT and during the surgery (separately by the radiologist and the surgeon), and fracture line involvement was recorded. Forty-one patients entered this study. The perigeniculate area was the most commonly involved region (46.34 %) of the facial nerve. The sensitivity and specificity of HRCT to detect a fracture line seems to be different in various sites, but the overall sensitivity and specificity were 77.5 and 77.7 %, respectively. Although HRCT is the modality of choice in traumatic facial paralysis, the diagnostic value may differ according to the fracture location. The results of HRCT should be considered with caution in certain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents our surgical technique and the results of using bipedicled superior chest flaps for head and neck reconstructions. The study design consisted of a case series of surgical technique. The study was conducted at tertiary referral centers with otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery departments. In seven patients, we used bipedicled superior chest flaps for reconstruction of anterior cutaneous neck defects due to surgery for the recurrence of laryngopharyngeal carcinoma. The largest flap size was 45 × 14 cm. All donor sites were closed primarily with advancement in the lateral part and split thickness skin grafts in the superior midline of chest. The highest point of reconstruction was in the hypopharynx internally and hyoid externally. All flaps survived without major complications. A bipedicled upper chest flap can reliably cover the skin defects that create following salvage total laryngectomies in patients with advanced stage tumors with skin involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]