No abstract

AIT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe intermittent or persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis. AIT can be administered to those >5 years of age and has been shown to be safe in children as young as 3 years of age. In this article, AIT and other types of immunotherapies were discussed as well as the indications for immunotherapy.

Objective: Snoring occurs as a result of soft tissue vibration caused by a partial upper airway collapse during sleep. This study evaluated the effectiveness and potential adverse side effects associated with the use of a nonsurgical, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment for patients with snoring conditions. Materials and Methods: In total, 33 patients with different degrees of snoring were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received three NightLase™ Er:YAG laser treatments. Results were measured using a follow-up questionnaire and then statistically analyzed. Any effects that occurred during the first year after treatment (i.e., short-term effects) were followed up with interviews. Results: Laser treatment effectively reduced patients' snoring and achieved a 65% satisfaction rate after three treatments. The greatest improvement and satisfaction were experienced by patients aged ≥50 years. Patients reported additional benefits from this treatment including easier breathing, higher alertness, and increased focus. Conclusion: Nonsurgical Er:YAG laser treatment is an effective and minimally invasive procedure to reduce patient snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing symptoms. Patients reported minimal disadvantages including minor discomfort and a low risk of side effects.

Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction is an effective procedure for inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The clinical benefit of this procedure persisted 60 months after the procedure.

Many reports by physicians and patients during the 2019 to 2020 pandemic indicate that COVID-19 is associated with elevated levels of odor and taste perception disorders (anosmia, hyposmia, ageusia, and/or dysgeusia). Recent increase in olfactory dysfunction in patients referred to ear nose and throat clinics and COVID-19 infection at the same time encouraged us to examine anosmic/hyposmic patients to establish any association between these signs. It has been shown that the COVID-19 virus exploits the uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to obtain cell entry. This result increases the interest to examine the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in neurological tissue, and to assess the possible contribution of damage. This mini review provides fundamental knowledge on coincidence of COVID-19 infection and smell-taste perception disorders from an objective perspective.

Currently, transnasal approaches are preferred widely for treating chronic dacryocystitis. Restenosis which count for the most common causes of failure in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) reduces the success rate. We intended to make a large fistula, potentially minimizing granulation tissue, and synechiae by means of creating a large bony ostium and preserving mucosal flaps and intubation with silicone tube (STI). In this study, long-term follow-up results of EDCR with mucosa preservation were discussed. 126 patients underwent endonasal DCRs from January 2004 to March 2009. A large ostium was created preserving mucosa; nasal and lacrimal flaps were approximated and the new ostium was stented with silicone tube. Surgical success rate was 93 % with STI and with preservation of nasal and lacrimal flaps. In conclusion, EDCR is an easy surgical procedure with low complication rates. Intranasal pathologies can also be corrected in the meantime. Success depends on creating a large bony ostium and preventing restenosis. EDCR preserving nasal and lacrimal flaps with STI is recommended as an alternative procedure in chronic dacryocystitis with high success rates.

Widespread use of endoscope in sinus surgery have made us more familiar with the anatomy of the sinuses as well as the skull base. In this paper, we will describe our experience of CSF repair by suturing dura under endoscopic guidance for the repair of small ethmoid roof (<1.2cm) defects.

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).