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The best adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence after primary pterygium surgery is the association of conjunctival autograft and ciclosporin 0.05% eye drops. Bare sclera technique alone should be discontinued since it is associated with high recurrence rates.

Mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are the most frequently utilized adjuvant therapies in trabeculectomy (TRAB), but there is no general consensus as to the direct comparative efficacy and safety of these two adjuvants. In this study, the authors conducted a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of augmenting TRAB with MMC or 5-FU. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted and five randomized controlled clinical trials comparing MMC versus 5-FU as adjunctive therapies were identified, totaling 416 participants. A lower pooled mean IOP and higher complete and qualified success rates were observed in the MMC arm than in the 5-FU arm. Epithelial corneal defects were the unique complication reported more frequently with 5-FU compared to MMC treatment. Compared to TRAB with 5-FU, TRAB with MMC was associated with higher rates of complete and qualified surgical success and was not associated with increased incidences of postoperative complications.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the functionality of the auditory system in patients who underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment with cisplatin to treat head and neck tumors.Study DesignCase series with planned data collection.SettingFrom May 2007 to May 2008 by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Department of Oncology/Radiotherapy at Faculdade de Medicina de Marília.Subjects and MethodsAudiological evaluation (Pure Tone Audiometry (air and bone conduction), Speech Audiometry, Tympanometry, Acoustic Reflex testing and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions) was performed in 17 patients diagnosed with head and neck neoplasia and treated with chemotherapy, using cisplatin, and radiotherapy.Results12 left ears (70.5%) and 11 right ears (64.7%) presented bilateral decreased hearing soon after the treatment for the frequency 1 kHz (mild auditory damage) and for the frequency 8 kHz (more significant auditory damage).ConclusionPatients with head and neck cancer submitted to the conventional radiotherapy treatment, combined with the chemotherapy with cisplatin, presented a high incidence of decreased hearing by the end of treatment. Strong evidence was observed linking auditory alteration to the amount of radiotherapy treatment.

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Brai nstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) is an objective and non-invasive method of hearing assessment which detects electrical activity from the inner ear to the inferior colliculus. Aim: To assess the hearing pathway in normal hearing individuals and compare differences associated with gender, age and ear side (left and right). Study Design: A retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Sixty normal hearing individuals, aged between 09 and 66 years old, were subjected to clinical ENT examination and audiologic tests. Results: Wave latencies differed significantly between males and females, although there were no differences regarding right or left ear sides. Comparing latency averages regarding age and gender we noticed important differences. By the same token, significant differences were also seen comparing this study with the information present in the handbook of the BERA device used and results published by Fukuda, in another study. Conclusion: Knowing the great importance of BERA, it is crucial that each service develops its own standards in order to enhance the accuracy of the electrophysiological diagnosis of the hearing pathway.

Head and neck cancers are common in several regions of the world and the treatment usually includes radiotherapy. This treatment can generate adverse effects to the salivary flow, with a relationship between the dose and the damage caused. Salivary gland cells are highly permeable to water and therefore, they express aquaporins (AQPs). This study analyzed changes in the expression and location of these proteins and identified morphological changes induced by low radiation in rat submandibular gland. Female rats were divided into control and irradiated groups. Immunohistochemistry analysis allowed confirming the presence of AQP1 in the blood vessel endothelium. Intense and steady labelling granules were also observed in the cytoplasm of submandibular gland ductal cells. In addition, there was AQP5 positive labelling in ductal cells delimiting the lumen of intercalated duct, in the cytoplasm and membrane of acinar cells. Finally, the decrease of AQP labelling in irradiated animal glands validated their radiosensitivity. Thus, the decrease in AQP1 protein levels in the endothelium and AQP5 in gland ductal cells of irradiated animals may have hindered the removal of water from the lumen of ductal cells, inducing a delay in water absorption and triggering a slight lumen increase.

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