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Background: Peritonsillar infection (PTI) is a reason for urgent consultation due to intense throat discomfort. A delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can jeopardize the upper aerodigestive tract and be fatal in its evolution. Our objective was to develop a predictive model for the presence of IPA helping in its rapid detection., Patients and Methods: A 66-month retrospective observational study from 2017 was carried out in a county and tertiary referral hospitals, registering data from all patients diagnosed with PTI and a proportional volume of subjects with pharyngeal symptoms without PTI. Collection of clinical, exploratory and demographic data among participants. Their higher relative risk of PTI presence allowed them to be considered as variables to be tested. Development of a scoring scale for the probability of suffering from it and logistic regression analysis, obtaining the ROC curve with the best diagnostic correlation. Internal validation and estimation of the predictive values of the model., Results: On 348 cases of PTI, the assessment scale scored the presence of six variables: trismus (3), unilateral dysphagia-odynophagia (2), velar bulging (2), reflex otalgia (1), pharyngolalia (1) and age between 16 and 46 years (1). With a range of 0-10, a cut-off ≥6 offered a sensitivity of 96.1%, a specificity of 93.9%, and an efficiency of 94.9%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.979., Conclusions: The internal validation of this model based on signs and symptoms makes it a very useful tool for early detection of PTI in otorhinolaryngology and primary care., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: This study assessed if the healthcare system overload and the organizational changes made in response to COVID-19 may be having an impact on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the peritonsillar infection (PTI)., Materials and Methods: In a retrospective longitudinal and descriptive follow-up, we reviewed the circumstances of the patients attended during 5 years, from 2017 to 2021, in two hospitals, one regional and other tertiary. Variables related to underlying pathology, history of tonsillitis, time of evolution, previous visits to Primary Care, diagnostic findings, abscess/phlegmon ratio, and length of hospital stay were recorded., Results: From 2017 to 2019, the incidence of the disease ranged between 14 and 16 cases/100,000 inhabitants-year, and decreased to 9.3 in 2020, a 43% less. Patients with PTI consulting in pandemic time were visited much less often in Primary Care services. They showed a greater severity of symptoms and the period of time between their appearance and diagnosis was longer. Additionally, there were more abscesses and the need for hospital admission greater than 24 h was 66%. There was hardly a causal relationship with acute tonsillitis, although 66% of the patients evidenced history of recurrent tonsillitis, and 71% concomitant pathology. All these findings showed statistically significant differences with the pre-pandemic cases., Conclusions: The protection of airborne transmission, the social distancing and the lockdown adopted in our country are measures that seem having been able to modify the evolution of PTI, with a much lower incidence, a longer recovery period and a minimal relationship with acute tonsillitis., (© 2022 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Changes in blood viscoelastic properties have been proposed previosuly as etiopathogenesis for severe complications in COVID-19 and some cases of Sudden Deafness (SD). This is an attempt to verify if SD cases in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection can be correlated., Patients and Methods: A prospective follow-up was carried out with COVID-19 patients, monitoring their blood viscosity (BV) at high shear rate (300 sec -1 ) and inquiring them periodically for eventual hearing loss. This measurement was extended to cases bearing of SD in 2019 and 2020 without infection and a control group of healthy normoacoustic subjects., Results: The normality range was 4,16±0,62 cps. 330 cases admitted for COVID-19 were evaluated from February 24th, 2020 to March 24th, 2021, 85 of them attended in ICU. After anamnesis and Audiometric Tone Thresholds developed as soon as possible, 9 SD were detected, all belonging to ICU group. The mean BV was 4,38±0,43 cps in the ward group, 4,53±0,39 cps in the ICU patients without SD, and 4,85±0,52 cps in the cases with SD, with statistically significant differences. Highest BV elevations in the SD cases were detected between days 6 and 10 of hospital admission. In 2019 four cases consulted with SD, and another two did it in 2020 without a diagnosis of COVID-19, with normal BV values., Conclusions: During SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients may show high BV and SS, although an inpatients control group and a larger sample volume are necessary to confirm the predisposition to hyperviscosity. The incidence of hearing damage is considerable if its possible appearance is taken into account, within the limitations of critical patients with COVID-19., (© 2021 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Chronic dacryocystitis is the condition secondary to permanent lacrimonasal duct stenosis (LNDS) that generates epiphora and recurrent conjunctivitis. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) is a more natural route than the external route and offers higher success rates than the laser technique. We value this centre's experience in this procedure., Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was carried out in our centre of the medical records of adult patients undergoing EDCR due to LNDS between 1995 and 2019. The minimum follow-up period required after surgery was 6 months., Results: Over 297 months, 167 EDCR procedures were performed on 156 patients, with an average age of 65.7 ± 11.6 years and a male/female ratio of 1/1.98. The functional improvement was 86%, with an anatomical success rate of 87%. Lack of clinical improvement statistically significantly correlated with the age of the patient and the time since onset of the LNDS, the presence of concomitant systemic (especially diabetes mellitus) or ophthalmological disease, the intraoperative finding of a thickened tear sac and absence of drainage of the tear sac when marsupialised. Longer-term stent carriers in the rhinostomy had poorer outcomes. There were no postoperative complications of interest., Conclusions: EDCR is an effective and safe technique, based on stable anatomical references. Failure rate seems to be multifactorial and should be considered in older, multipathological patients, with a long duration of the condition., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Chronic dacryocystitis is the condition secondary to permanent lacrimonasal duct stenosis (LNDS) that generates epiphora and recurrent conjunctivitis. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) is a more natural route than the external route and offers higher success rates than the laser technique. We value this centre's experience in this procedure., Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was carried out in our centre of the medical records of adult patients undergoing EDCR due to LNDS between 1995 and 2019. The minimum follow-up period required after surgery was 6 months., Results: Over 297 months, 167 EDCR procedures were performed on 156 patients, with an average age of 65.7 ± 11.6 years and a male/female ratio of 1/1.98. The functional improvement was 86%, with an anatomical success rate of 87%. Lack of clinical improvement statistically significantly correlated with the age of the patient and the time since onset of the LNDS, the presence of concomitant systemic (especially diabetes mellitus) or ophthalmological disease, the intraoperative finding of a thickened tear sac and absence of drainage of the tear sac when marsupialised. Longer-term stent carriers in the rhinostomy had poorer outcomes. There were no postoperative complications of interest., Conclusions: EDCR is an effective and safe technique, based on stable anatomical references. Failure rate seems to be multifactorial and should be considered in older, multipathological patients, with a long duration of the condition., (Copyright © 2020. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Leishmaniasis comprises a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania that are transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine mosquitoes from animal reservoirs. Three different clinical forms are generated: cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. We present the findings in the head and neck of this disease observed in our health area., Patients and Methods: A review of the last 26 years in our hospital, noting the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of the cases detected., Results: Thirteen cases were identified, 7 cutaneous, 4 mucocutaneous and 2 visceral or kala-azar. The mean age was 53.7±10.8 years. Immunodeficiency was identified in 61% of the cases. The incidence of the disease was 1.5:100,000 inhabitants/year, with a prevalence of 2%. Of those infected, 69% had involvement of the ear-nose-throat area. In 12 cases the diagnosis was established by biopsy of the lesions. The time from clinical debut to diagnosis ranged from 3 to 10 months. Antimony compounds were used as treatment in 11 patients and amphotericin B in 3, alone or combined with the former. One cutaneous form resolved with excision of the lesion. Ninety-two percent healed clinically and parasitologically., Conclusions: Leishmaniasis in Spain frequently entails cutaneous and mucocutaneous involvement, often of the skin of the head, face and neck or upper-airway mucosa. Its clinical presentation varies greatly, and it should be suspected if there is no response to conventional therapies and in conditions of immunodeficiency., (Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the results of preoperative evaluations prior to pediatric surgery., Materials and Methods: We reviewed a total of 99 patients, with mean age of 6.53 + 2.39 years, an average of 11.04 months after their inclusion on the surgical treatment list. These patients were obtained from General University Hospital of Valencia surgery waiting list between October 2015 and July 2016. We have reassessed all the patients before their surgery date and analyzed the results: the indication had changed or not. In the case of indication changed, the outcome was subdivided into: extension, reduction, or surgery no indicated because a clinical resolution., Results: After waiting on the list for surgery for an average of 11 months, the initial surgical indication had changed in 52 patients (52%), this groups was subdivided into: 33 patients (33%) had spontaneously resolved by the time of their reassessment and their clinical symptoms no longer met the criteria for surgery, the indication for surgery was extended in 10 patients (10%) and was reduced another 9 patients (9%). We found a statistically significantrelationship (p = 0.034) between the age of the patients at the time of the preoperative re- evaluation and modifications made to the initial surgery indication., Conclusions: Our results show the dynamic evolution of benign Waldeyer-ring related pathologies in the pediatric population due to physical growth and immune development. The clinical evaluation prior to benign pediatric surgery is recommended In specially in the group over 5 years., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To relate symptoms of dysphagia to Forestier-Rotes Querol disease or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a disorder due to ossification in the anterior longitudinal ligament and calcifications in other entheses., Patients and Methods: Review of clinical and radiological findings in 455 outpatients attended at our Centre with dysphagia, for 5years, referred from dental, trauma, neurological or primary health care. A diagnosis of DISH was established using Resnick's criteria., Results: We detected 51 cases with dysphagia consistent with DISH diagnostic criteria - 11.2% of subjects suffering this symptom- out of 32544 outpatients attended. An incidence of 7:100000 inhabitants per year was observed. Two cases showed significant improvement after removing the new bone in the spine., Conclusions: DISH is an ankylosing ossification between the joints, frequently systemic but showing no clinical symptoms. When symptoms manifest, neck movements and upper airways are involved, mainly dysphagia. A few cases need surgery to relieve the calcification processes., (Copyright © 2019 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Ocular perforations require an action depending on the findings observed. Additionally, the closeness of the orbit to the nasal cavity and the anterior cranial fossa requires any collateral damage in these spaces to be ruled out. The presence of a penetrating ocular injury associated with ipsilateral rhinorrhoea in which the presence of β2-transferrin -a highly specific and sensitive marker to identify cerebrospinal fluid- is detected, obliges to suspect and locate any possible leakage. A case is presented in which this unbound protein is detected in post-traumatic rhinorrhoea with an origin in the eyeball, making the diagnosis of a CSF leak into a false positive., (Copyright © 2019. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

We describe a minimally invasive transoral approach to the infratemporal fossa, by means of endoscopy, which facilitates examination and resection of lesions in this area. Furthermore, we outline the technique employed and a case treated with this approach, which permits a rapid access with very low patient morbidity, due to the use of endoscopy and of transoral access, instead of traditional transfacial approaches., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

We included 9 patients implanted with Baha ® Attract. All our patients were evaluated by free field tonal audiometry, free field verbal audiometry and free field verbal audiometry with background noise, all the tests were performed with and without the device. To evaluate the subjective component of the implantation, we used the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB). The auditive assessment with the device showed average auditive thresholds of 35.8dB with improvements of 25.8dB over the previous situation. Speech reception thresholds were 37dB with Baha ® Attract, showing improvements of 23dB. Maximum discrimination thresholds showed an average gain of 60dB with the device. Baha ® Attract achieves auditive improvements in patients for whom it is correctly indicated, with a consequent positive subjective evaluation. This study shows the attenuation effect in transcutaneous transmission, that prevents the device achieving greater improvements., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: The caloric test is the gold standard for the loss of vestibular function diagnosis. The Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) assesses the same reflex by using a video- assisted examination of the impulsive maneuver. We intend to compare the variation of results of the vHIT and the caloric test in patients with vestibular neuritis with respect to their initial condition at two different moments of their evolution and to check the level of correlation between them and with that of the DHI test, Methods: We explored 20 patients with neuritis by using both vHIT and the caloric test on the same day. We assessed the correlation between these two tests and with the DHI test for each patient at two different moments of their evolution., Results: We calculated gain asymmetry and compared it with the canal paresis, but we found neither a linear correlation between them, nor a correlation between the DHI test or improvement of these two other tests. We conclude that the covert saccades maintain a similar speed whilst present in the VHIT, but the overts diminish their speed over time., Conclusions: The VHIT and the caloric test show different responses of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, because they stimulate different frequencies of this reflex. No correlation was found between the VHIT, the caloric test and the DHI test. The tests appear to complement one another., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Assessment of factors related to pharyngeal anatomy and surgical technique as possible causes of post-tonsillectomy pain., Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study that included 42 patients undergoing tonsillectomy with cold and monopolar electric device dissection. We recorded duration of the entire operation, duration of electrocautery use, tonsil size and postoperative pain and discomfort assessed using a visual analogue scale (VS) and a 40-item questionnaire (QoR-40, Quality of Recovery), along with sequelae on returning to normal diet, weight loss and hospital stay. Correlations among quantitative variables were obtained by mean of lineal regression coefficients., Results: Duration of surgery was 22.66 ± 7.07 minutes, removing tonsils with a volume of 6046.07 ± 3866.20 mm(3) and an electrocautery use time of 66.14 ± 37.77 seconds, applying 1984.24 ± 1133.32 joules per patient. The most frequently observed Mallampati classification and tonsil size scores were stages II and III. The VS score increased and QoR-40 decreased at 24 hours and 7 days, but differences were statistically non-significant. Joule amount used for electrocautery was the parameter that correlated the best with discomfort status as measured via assessment scores, analgesic and corticosteroid requirements, weight loss and hospital stay. Pain was higher in subjects submitted to peritonsillar surgical aggression., Conclusions: Improved use of electrodissection techniques, limiting and focusing the application of its energy, and preservation of peritonsillar mucosa are factors that may lower post-tonsillectomy pain levels., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Dabigatran is a new non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) anticoagulant with anti-thrombin action, with supposedly fewer haemorrhagic complications. However, there are actually no established agents to reverse its effect, nor specific coagulation time tests for monitoring it., Materials and Methods: An observational prospective study was developed, noting epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features among subjects with epistaxis treated with dabigatran. Results were compared with a group of epistaxis cases of individuals under anticoagulant therapy with VKA (acenocoumarol) and a control group without anticoagulation., Results: Since its inclusion in our health system almost 3 years ago, 19 patients with epistaxis and concomitant use of dabigatran have been attended at the Emergency Unit in our hospital, as against 59 under VKA therapy and 144 without anticoagulation, with a mean admittance rate of 26%, 28% and 14%, respectively. In 3 out of 5 individuals admitted due to dabigatran treatment, previously unobserved renal failure was detected. Blood transfusion was needed in 80% of patients using dabigatran, 58% using VKA and 23% without anticoagulation. Invasive procedures to control nosebleed were required in 80%, 35% and 21%, respectively. Although haemorrhagic risk was lower in dabigatran cases, they showed the longest stay in the hospital when compared to the other groups., Conclusions: With dabigatran, there are fewer cases of severe epistaxis than with acenocoumarol, but controlling them is more difficult., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: A foreign body reaction due to silicone where it is infiltrated or at the places to which it can migrate is known as siliconoma. The use of silicone in breast augmentation procedures can provoke this reaction at the neck level in cases of leakage from mammary implants., Methods: We reviewed the cases of patients with increased size neck lymph nodes who had previously undergone plastic surgery of the breast with highly cohesive silicone gel implants., Results: In a 10-year period, we identified 12 cases with silicone-infiltrated neck lymphadenopathies, histologically confirmed by fine needle aspiration. They represented 3.5% of patients attended for neck lymph node study. We removed those detected by physical examination and CT in 5 cases, due to pathological characteristics of the node or a previous malignant history. In 2 of these nodes recurred, and node size also increased in 2 of the other 7 non-operated cases. After implant removal, silicone leakage was observed in only 7 cases., Conclusions: Cohesive gel silicone used for mammary implants can generate increased neck lymphadenopathies as a secondary effect due to systemic reactions against the silicone when it migrates in cases of implant failure. Surgical options for involved nodes usually do not offer good long-term results., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective tinnitus can have many different etiologies, palatal myoclonus being one of the less frequent. This type of tinnitus is generated by involuntary rhythmic contraction of the soft palate, which generates an audible click for the patient and for the explorer. Botulinum toxin achieves temporary muscle paralysis through presynaptic inhibition of the acetylcholine level at the neuromuscular union. We present a patient with long-term objective tinnitus, along with this patient's response to botulinum toxin injection., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate if viscoelastic properties of blood influence suffering sudden sensorineural hearing loss and the capacity to respond after a specific therapy., Patients and Methods: A longitudinal prospective study included 85 ears bearing sudden deafness. In them, the mean hearing loss compared to the healthy ear and the recovery ratio were measured at the onset and 6 months after a treatment with corticoids and piracetam. In addition, tinnitus or vestibular symptoms, whole blood filterability (WBF) and erythrocyte deformability -by means of the erythrocyte rigidity index (ERI)- were determined and noted at the beginning and the end of the study., Results: Mean hearing loss was 30.3±19.7% at the onset, and 25.8±39% at the end. Forty-one ears showed a recovery of more than 75%. In these (48% of the entire study group), an increase in WBF and a decrease in ERI were observed (P<.001). Ears without tinnitus or vestibular crisis recovered more hearing at 6 months and showed a significant improvement in WBF and ERI, not detected among patients with these clinical findings. There were good correlations between mean hearing loss at onset and WBF, and between recovery and ERI at 6 months, but without statistical significance. Patients with arterial hypertension, cardiopathy and hypercholesterolemia were the most frequently detected, while hypertension and hyperuricaemia showed a better hearing recovery ratio., Conclusions: The blood viscosity parameters WBF and ERI offer useful information about the risk of suffering sudden deafness and the capacity to recover hearing with reactive therapies., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Inflammatory pseudotumor is an unusual benign but potentially invasive lesion. In the head and neck area, it mainly involves the orbit and paranasal sinuses. We present a case in tonsil and neck. After tonsillectomy and steroid therapy, there has been no recurrence., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

We present five cases of tonsillitis secondary to Yersinia enterocolitica. No response to commonly-used antibiotics and continuous professional contact with pigs were common. The definitive diagnosis was established by bacteriological isolation on tonsil tissue samples., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the implication of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in Otorhinolaryngology., Patients and Methods: A longitudinal retrospective study on patients with HL diagnosed, treated and followed-up in our Centre from 1996 to 2010., Results: From 413 individuals having lymphoma, 120 were labelled as HL (29%). Patients were males in 76% and greater incidence was observed in ages between 15 and 30 years old, as well as between 45 and 60. Samples for biopsy from adenopathies were obtained in 84 cases (61 from the neck), and in 15 its origin was extranodal. The most usual finding at physical exploration was the presence of cervical (86%) and axillary nodes (68%), followed by B symptoms (37%). Waldeyer's ring was affected in 4%. The most frequent histopathological variety was classic HL with nodular sclerosis (50%) and mixed cellularity (28%). Patients were usually diagnosed at stages I (28%) and II (47%). Recurrence of disease in the neck after conventional oncologic therapies was detected in 17 patients, in 7 of which the pathologic study had varied. Mortality was 8%. The main unfavourable prognostic factors for neoplasm recurrence were lymphocyte depletion variety, lymphadenopathy larger than 10 cm and B symptoms., Conclusions: Clinical HL findings are strongly associated with the head and neck area, making its suspicion obligatory in differential diagnosis on cervical nodes., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate tolerance and efficiency of two nasal blocking systems for posterior refractory epistaxis., Patients and Methods: A five year comparative and longitudinal prospective study was developed in patients with epistaxis who attended our Emergency Unit and who required posterior nasal packing. Two groups were considered: one group was treated with a bi-chamber pneumatic inflation system (n=105). In other one, posterior occlusion was carried out with gauze, accessing through the mouth and using nasal reinforcement (n=47). The tolerance was measured by means of an analogue scale of pain intensity during the placement and maintenance of the packing, as well as for the need of analgesia. The efficiency was evaluated by episodes of re-bleeding, need for other concomitant measures, blood transfusion and side effects., Results: In patients with inflatable nasal packing its placement was significantly faster (36+/-19s vs. 228+/-102 s; p<0.001) and less painful (6.7+/-1.7 vs. 8.3+/-1.5; p<0.001), requiring less analgesia until its removal. Patients with pack of gauze showed a lower average incidence of re-bleeding (17% vs. 26 %; p<0.001), fewer cases of blood transfusion (15% vs. 18%; p<0.001) or of other procedures (4% vs. 11 %; p<0.001). The sanitary cost of the latter was also lower (1327+/-202 euro vs. 1648+/-318 euro; p<0.001) and it generated less short and long-term complications, Conclusions: The classical posterior packing with gauze is less rapid and comfortable to adapt, but it ensures a higher success rate in the control of epistaxis, produces fewer local injuries and reduces sanitary costs in comparison with inflatable balloon packing., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: To evaluate the optimal treatment for diffuse acute otitis externa (DAOE) by means of a new staging system based on clinical and otoscopic findings., Methods: Monitoring of otitis cases diagnosed at our Centre over the last 21 months (n=1,026), taking into account those who returned for a second visit, either via the emergency service or with a prior appointment. Staging of otitis externa by degree of obstruction of the external auditory canal (EAC): under 25% (type I, n=174); between 25% and 75% (type II; n=277); over 75% (type III; n=359); total obstruction due to organized oedema (type IV; n=216)., Results: In most cases at an advanced stage, the canal was cleared by aspiration and placement of gauze or cellulose sponges. Ototopical drops were chosen in more than 95% of cases in every group, but anti-inflammatory and systemic antibiotic agents were administered in significantly larger amounts to patients in stages III and IV. Stage IV showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of second visits. These manoeuvres improved pain, fullness and otorrhea significantly faster in stages I and II., Conclusions: Staging of otitis allows comparisons of the level of involvement and treatment recommendations: aspiration is advisable in stages II, III and IV; placement of a wick inside the canal is necessary in stages III and IV. Ototopical drops seem to be needed in every case and systemic antibiotics almost only in stage IV. Acidifying agents and topic glycerine vehicles access the canal better than aqueous solutions and would be the first choice in advanced stages.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic certainty of CT images to identify regional spread of head and neck tumours., Patients and Method: A CT study was performed on 86 patients with neoplasms in the larynx and/or pharynx. After this, surgical dissection was performed for 142 neck sides. In the imaging study the following parameters were considered for all patients before suspecting malignant nodes: size of adenopathy bigger than 10-11 mm, irregular borders, central necrosis, spherical shape, capsular enhancement and presence of groups with three or more lymphadenopathies., Results: 48.5 % of dissections were N+. Sensitivity and specificity for physical examination were 59 % and 82 %, respectively, against 73 % and 86 % for CT. Lymph node necrosis was the pattern with the greatest sensitivity and specificity (35.8 % and 100 %, respectively) and its accuracy was 69.7 %. Accuracy was 60.5 % for spherical shape, 59.8 % for node size, and between 54 % and 58 % for the other three criteria. In the histopathological findings, 25 % of neck dissections were N+ when only one pattern had been detected on CT, whereas those neck sides in which four patterns were identified simultaneously showed regional spread in 100 %., Conclusions: The presence of specific morphological imaging criteria for head and neck tumours in cervical lymph nodes and their concomitance increase the accuracy of imaging to predict regional spread.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of hearing loss (HL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Material and Method: A comparative case-control study was performed with 194 patients and 107 healthy subjects. All of them were submitted to pure-tone audiometry and detection of inflammatory parameters and Western blot for anticochlear antibodies., Results: HL was detected in 42.7 % of patients with RA (15.9 % in controls; P.001). This was sensorineural in 38.6 %. Three or more altered blood parameters appeared in 28.9 % of patients with RA (17.6 % in controls; P<.01). We observed positive Western blot in 12 % of patients with RA and HL and none among healthy controls., Conclusions: There is a predisposition to HL, mainly sensorineural, in RA. In view of this prevalence, audiologic reviews must be performed to try to determine if this disorder shows an immunomediated aspect so that a therapeutic alternative could modify the course of HL.

Objective: To evaluate the results and side effects obtained using radiosurgery to treat acoustic neuromas., Material and Method: Between 1999 and 2004 we treated 30 patients with unilateral acoustic neuromas with a mean age of 54 years old (31-76), a mean follow-up of 34 months (12-54), and tumour size between 4 and 38 millimetres (mean, 16.5). All of them were treated with radiosurgery (24 Gamma Knife and 6 LINAC) with doses of 1200-1300 cGy., Results: Tumour growth control rate (smaller or same size) was 93 % (28/30). In 11 patients there was a post-treatment hearing loss (36.6 %). Trigeminal (3/30) and facial (2/30) neuropathy was transient., Conclusions: Although microsurgery is the treatment of choice for acoustic neuromas, we consider radiosurgical treatment a valid alternative for selected patients (the elderly, co-morbid conditions, small size, contralateral hearing loss...).

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics in children with peritonsillar infections., Patients and Methods: A longitudinal retrospective study was performed through a review of the clinical histories of patients attending the emergency unit in the previous 6 years. The variables gathered were age, sex, recurrent tonsillitis, previous upper airway infection, antibiotic administration, and therapeutic approach., Results: Twenty-nine children were admitted, with a mean age of 7.4 +/- 1.6 years (boys 1.6:1). Twenty-seven percent had recurrent tonsillitis. At the visit, 57.8 % had an upper respiratory infection and 65 % were taking antibiotic treatment, especially macrolides. The treatment selected at our center consisted of the association of penicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate acid with clindamycin, including corticosteroids. Ten children underwent computed tomography and nine underwent fine-needle aspiration. Drainage was performed in 20.6 % of confirmed abscesses. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 +/- 1.6 days. Delayed tonsillectomy was performed in 31 %, except in one patient who developed a parapharyngeal abscess. Currently, 18.9 % of all peritonsillar infections occur in the pediatric population., Conclusions: The increase in these infections is probably related to inappropriate use of antibiotics in respiratory diseases. Diagnosis is clinical, and infections are often resolved by intravenous administration of beta-lactams with clindamycin and an expectant attitude. When an abscess is suspected or there is no clinical improvement, fine-needle aspiration or computed tomography is warranted and drainage should be performed if an abscess is confirmed. Tonsillectomy, usually delayed, is only indicated in patients with recurrent tonsillitis.

Introduction: To evaluate the therapeutic response and the rheologic and immunological characteristics in subjects bearing of rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss (RPSHL)., Patients and Methods: A comparative prospective study on three groups of damaged ears treated with piracetam (n=29), corticosteroids (n=32) and plabcebo (n=25). Hearing loss and recovery level, whole blood filterability (WBF) and a Western-blot (WB) to anticochlear antibodies were evaluated., Results: Recovery average was 20,8 +/- 55,9% in the first group, with progressive of deafness in the rest (p<0,01). WB did not show differences among groups. The higher WBF at the end of therapy was detected on group 1 (20,36 +/- 2,54 Vs 18,42 +/- 3,42 microl/seg on group 3; p<0,05). Moreover, it impaired only on those treated with piracetam, with statistically significative differences over the other two groups., Conclusions: We detected alterations on WBF in patients with RPSHL that justify the use of rheoactive measures as a pathophysiological therapy.

Objective: To value a possible association between disorders in blood viscosity of patients with rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss (RPSHL) of autoimmune origin., Patients and Methods: We studied the viscoelastic properties of blood in 43 subjects bearing of RPSHL and a positive Western-blot for anticochlear antibodies: whole blood viscosity (WBV) at different shear rates and erythrocyte filterability (EF). These results were related to hearing loss initially detected and recovery average one year later from steroid therapy., Results: Just WBV at 230 sec(-1) shear rate was significatively higher in cases than in controls (p < 0.01). Hearing recovery degree correlated in an statistically way to increased values of EF (p < 0.01). There was no relation between initial hearing loss level and any rheology parameter., Conclusions: Autoimmune RPSHL does not show a pathophysiology mechanism associated to blood hyperviscosity. So, rheoactive therapies as plasmapheresis warrant no clinical improvement.

Objectives: To value if the sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) in several autoimmune diseases (AD) is also secondary to immunomediation., Patients and Methods: In 342 cases with SHL and any AD and 301 normoacoustic controls with AD a non-specific immunologic battery of tests and a Western-blot (WB) for anticochlear autoantibodies were developed, and cases with SHL were treated with deflazacort., Results: Alterations in non-specific battery were similar between cases and controls. But a 12,5% of cases with SHL and a 1,6% of normoacoustic showed a positive WB (p<0,001). Steroid therapy improved hearing in 14,3% of cases. In them, sensitivity and specificity of non-specific battery were 78,4% and 75,5%, respectively, to predict response to therapy. These were 98,9% and 81,6% for WB., Conclusions: The SHL in cases with AD can be considered immunomediated in a discrete average, but the diagnostic efficiency of WB to predict an improvement after steroid therapy is high.

Objective: To investigate the oncological efficiency, voice and complications of Pearson's near-total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancers (T3, T4)., Material and Methods: A retrospective review of 23 cases of near-total laryngectomy (carried out in our Hospital in the last nine years) was undertaken., Results: None of the cases developed laryngeal mucosal recurrences. The overall three and five years disease free survival were 91,3% and 86,9%. Mean phonation time was 51 days. A statistically significant results were observed in our voice analysis (words/minute, taking as a reference healthy people (Medivoz). The pharyngeal fistula was the most frequent complication (60,86%)., Conclusions: The local control of cancer was similar to that expected with total laryngectomy. Near-total laryngectomy is a valid alternative for extended laryngeal and neighbouring cancers with an acceptable morbidity and success rate for voice preservation.

Introduction: Hearing loss level admitted for acquisition of Group 2 driving licences is actually 35%, but this measurement is not standarized., Methods: In 35 drivers with Group 2 licence bearing of hearing loss, it was measured in the usual way -considering threshold as an average-, and also in accordance with valid legislation, which considers deafness when hearing thresholds are under 25 dB in each tone., Results: Binaural hearing loss average was 41.3+/-6.3% for the first model, and 30.7+/-10.2% for the second. There was a good correlation between the two models by mean of lineal regression (y=1.4785x-30.382; R2=0.8467)., Conclusions: In Group 2 licences, hearing loss average must be standarized in its quantifyng technique, because there is a wide difference in the results, depending on the model used to measure. In our country there are rules and regulations about quantifying for disable people, valid for establishing deafness measurement patterns in vehicle driving too.

Introduction: Wide studies and substantial controversies build on utilization of actual mobile phones and appearance of systemic disorders or even tumours, but there is no knowledge about an eventual involvement on early hearing loss., Patients and Methods: In a group of three hundred and twenty-three healthy and normoacoustic volunteers who were usual costumers of mobile phones an audiometric evaluation was made at the beginnig of its use and three years later, inquiring about the periods of time per day and year employed on direct contacts with phone. A healthy and normoacoustic control group of non users was studied too., Results: Cases carried out 24.3 +/- 8.2 active contacts, reaching 50.4 +/- 27.8 days of mobile phone employment in three years. Audiometric curve was similar in cases and controls at the beginning of the study. After this follow-up, cases showed an increase on hearing threshold between 1 and 5 dB HL more than controls in speech tones (p<0.001). Moreover, there was a trend to correlate time of phone use to hearing impairment, but this finding did not result statistically significative., Conclusions: Frequent management of mobile phones in a middle period of time allows to detect a mild hearing loss, but the cause of this disorder keeps unclear.

Objective: To value the eventual immunomediation in sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) on patients bearing of ulcerative colitis (UC)., Material and Methods: In a group of forty-nine cases with a mean age of 41.6+/-9.3 years old we studied the hearing loss level, the disease activity index, the peripheral blood inflammation markers and the anticochlear antibodies by mean of Western-blot technique (WB)., Results: The 26.5% knew about their deafness, although SHL was detected in 59.1% of cases. The mean age of onset was 40.3+/-9.8 years. 48.9% showed a positive WB, always in 68-70 kDa molecular weight blots. Moreover, patients with positive WB showed more severe deafness, higher disease activity and more altered parameters, especially erythrosedimentation rate., Conclusions: Audiologic and peripheral blood findings observed allow us to establish a reasonable suspicion of an autoimmune or immunomediated pathway of hearing loss on UC.

Objectives: Detection of antichoclear antibodies in patients with sudden deafness (SD) ranges from five to forty one percent depending on authors. We tried to correlate the level of antibodies measured by Western-blot (WB) and hearing loss., Patients and Methods: Forty nine subjects bearing of SD and a positive WB for bovine cochlear antigen. Hearing loss average was measured at the onset and after treatment with deflazacort 1 mg/kg per day by means of audiometry, and antibody titles were quantified in the diluted sera., Results: Initial loss was 49.4+/-20.6%, and after corticotherapy it was 15.9+/-18.0%. There was no statistically significative correlation titles-hearing loss (y=0.1122x+30.613; R2=0.7552) nor titles-recovery (y=-0.0818x+8.,65; R2=0.3229)., Conclusions: Although predictive capability for treatment response is accepted for WB, quantifying of the antibody titles in patients with SD does not allow to make a prognosis about the average hearing recovery.

Objective: [corrected] To evaluate the existence of blood viscosity alterations in presbyacusis as an eventual pathophysiological mechanism., Material and Methods: Nine 75 year-old subjects bearing of bilateral slowly progressive sensorineural deafness were considered to be studied on a yearly basis in a ten year folow-up period, evaluating the binaural hearing loss in speech tones (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz). Hemorheological profile on peripheral blood included total blood viscosity (BV) at different shear rates (SR), blood filterability (BF), erythrocyte deformability and aggregability (EA)., Results: There was a trend of all parameters towards hyperviscosity, with an increase at ten years of BV at high SR and EA at total stasis which were statistically significant. The level of deafness correlated significativelly to low values of BF and increases on BV at high SR., Conclusions: Presbyacustic patients do show hemorheological evidences that suggest a tendency towards hyperviscosity as a predisposing factor for hearing loss.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of different otoscopic findings on body thermometry in children using an infra-red tympanic thermometer., Patients and Methods: Body temperature was measured on healthy right and left ear canals with Thermoscan systems. Moreover, it was determined on children with altered otoscopy, companng to normal contralateral ear. To assess its diagnostic fiability, accuracy ratios were calculated in different temperatures., Results: Temperature measured bilaterally did not offer differences, and intra/interassay variation ratios were always less than 0.34%. Acute otitis externa increased tympanic thermometry a mean of 0.36 degrees C (p < 0.001), and cerumen and previously radical surgery decreased a mean of 0.62 and 0.53 degrees C, respectively (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The conditions mentioned before modify body thermometry if measured by infra-red tympanic thermometer. So, this system must be avoided in these circumstances. Otitis media, fluid in middle ear, tympanic perforation and ventilation tubes did not modify thermometric results.

We report the case of a seven year-old boy bearing of exudative acute tonsillitis after strawberry ingestion with no previous infectious history. After having diagnosed it as hypersensitivity type I, this patient began to suffer repetitive episodes of exudative and purulent tonsillitis, related to cool drinks and direct manipulation of tonsils. These were hyperplastic and Staphylococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. were isolated in them. The episodes were shortened by the use of corticosteroids. Tonsillectomy was the definitive therapy. Biopsy informed of mast cells infiltration in germinal centers of both palatine tonsils.