No abstract

The purpose of our research is to prove that elastic biomechanical characteristics of the temporalis muscle fascia are comparable to those of the fascia lata, which makes the temporalis muscle fascia adequate material for dural reconstruction in the region of the anterior cranial fossa. Fifteen fresh human cadavers, with age range from 33 to 83 years (median age: 64 years; mean age: 64.28 years), were included in the biomechanical study. Biomechanical stretching test with the comparison of elasticity among the tissues of the temporalis muscle fascia, the fascia lata, and the dura was performed. The samples were stretched up to the value of 6% of the total sample length and subsequently were further stretched to the maximum value of force. The value of extension at its elastic limit for the each sample was extrapolated from the force–extension curve and was 6.3% of the total sample length for the fascia lata (stress value of 14.61 MPa), 7.4% for the dura (stress value of 6.91 MPa), and 8% for the temporalis muscle fascia (stress value of 2.09 MPa). The dura and temporalis muscle fascia shared the same biomechanical behavior pattern up to the value of their elastic limit, just opposite to that of the fascia lata, which proved to be the stiffest among the three investigated tissues. There was a statistically significant difference in the extension of the samples at the value of the elastic limit for the fascia lata in comparison to the temporalis muscle fascia and the dura (p = 0.002; Kruskal–Wallis test). Beyond the value of elastic limit, the temporalis muscle fascia proved to be by far the most elastic tissue in comparison to the fascia lata and the dura. The value of extension at its maximum value of force for the each sample was extrapolated from the force–extension curve and was 9.9% of the sample's total length for the dura (stress value of 10.02 MPa), 11.2% for the fascia lata (stress value of 23.03 MPa), and 18.5% (stress value of 3.88 MPa) for the temporalis muscle fascia. There was a statistically significant difference in stress values at the maximum value of force between the dura and the temporalis muscle fascia (p = 0.001; Mann–Whitney U test) and between the dura and the fascia lata (p < 0.001; Mann–Whitney U test). Because of its elasticity and similarity in its mechanical behavior to the dura, the temporalis muscle fascia can be considered the most suitable tissue for dural reconstruction.

A 54-year-old male patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine. He had a primary refractory disease and was treated according to HOVON71 and HAM protocol. Sixteen days after the start of the HAM protocol the patient developed palatal dark red/brownish lesion and maxillary vestibular exophytic lesion. Biopsy specimens from oral lesions were taken and microbiologic evaluation confirmed the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus genus. The treatment of the patient consisted of the inferior maxillectomy and intravenous posaconazole and amphotericine B for the following 28 days. Since the coinfection with Aspergillus and Rhizopus is extremely rarely seen in the oral cavity, a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma easily presents itself.

Nasal symptoms often are inconsistent with rhinoscopic findings. However, the proper diagnosis and treatment of nasal pathology requires an objective evaluation of the narrow segments of the anterior part of the nasal cavities (minimal cross-sectional area [MCSA]). The problem is that the value of MCSA is not a unique parameterfor the entire population, but rather it is a distinctive valuefor particular subject (or smaller groups of subjects). Consequently, there is a need for MCSA values to be standardized in a simple way that facilitates the comparison of results and the selection of our treatment regimens. We examined a group of 157 healthy subjects with normal nasal function. A statistically significant correlation was found between the body surface area and MCSA at the level of the nasal isthmus and the head of the inferior turbinate. The age of subjects was not found a statistically significant predictor for the value of MCSA. The results show that the expected value of MCSA can be calculated for every subject based on anthropometric data of height and weight.

Il fibroma ossificante è un tumore fibro-osseo benigno che solo raramente interessa il seno etmoidale e l’orbita. Viene classificato come una lesione fibro-ossea benigna, una dicitura che raggruppa una discreta varietà di lesioni riportate in letteratura. Una tendenza alla recidiva con importanti sequele ha rapresentato la spinta verso una resezione open en bloc nelle forme extramandibolari di questo tipo di lesione. La continua evoluzione delle tecniche di endoscopia endonasale ha reso possibile la resezione delle grandi lesioni benigne nasali e cefalo-nasali. Gli autori descrivono l’asportazione completa di un voluminoso fibroma ossificante interessante seno etmoidale, orbita e basicranio anteriore in una paziente di 65 anni in buone condizioni generali. La paziente non ha avuto complicanze postoperatorie ed è stata dimessa in sesta giornata. La paziente è al momento al quinto anno di follow-up e si presenta libera da malattia. L’asportazione endoscopica del fibroma ossificante endonasale è un’ottima scelta terapeutica nelle mani del chirurgo esperto. I vantaggi della tecnica includono la visualizzazione diretta della neoformazione e la sua maggiore magnificazione, che portano a una riduzione delle complicanze intra e postoperatorie. L’outcome estetico è ovviamente eccellente per l’assenza di cicatrici.

Paranasal sinus osteomas are mostly asymptomatic; however, secondary mucocele can develop if they impede the natural sinus drainage. Such a mucocele can destroy the bone and extend into the adjacent structures. We report on an unusual case of frontal sinus osteoma in a 27-year-old patient, complicated by large secondary mucocele that eroded the bone and extended into the frontal lobe of the brain. Unexpectedly, the patient did not report any visual or other symptoms attributable to central nervous system deficit. The mucocele was completely resected through bifrontobasal osteoplastic craniotomy, whereas osteoma was evacuated in its entirety by both drilling and mobilizing. Open surgical approach remains the main treatment for complicated paranasal sinus osteoma, and radical removal of intracranial mucocele is mandatory to prevent the development of life-threatening infections. Although intradural extension of a secondary mucocele is extremely unusual, head and neck surgery specialists should take this severe complication in consideration.

To our best knowledge, this is the first published report of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in a patient previously diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis. The difficulties in obtaining a proper diagnosis in such a case are discussed.

Objective To investigate possible metastasis predictors for neck sublevel IIb in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lateral neck metastasis and to determine the reliability of preoperative ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) as a method of detecting positive lymph nodes in sublevel IIa in comparison with the finding of definitive pathohistological analysis. Design Prospective study with patients with proven lateral neck metastases from PTC at the time of initial diagnosis. All patients had total thyroidectomy, central neck dissection (level VI) and selective neck dissection (levels II‐V). Potential predictive factors for the occurrence of metastasis in sublevel IIb were analysed. Sensitivity and specificity tests were used to determine the reliability of preoperative ultrasound‐guided FNAB. Patients were monitored for recurrence for at least ten years. Setting Single‐centre study. Participants Study included 53 patients with proven lateral neck metastases from PTC at the time of initial diagnosis. Results Predictive factors for the occurrence of metastasis in sublevel IIb that have reached statistical significance are positive sublevel IIa, number of positive lymph nodes and positive levels IIa + III + IV + V. None of the patients who fulfilled predefined criterion for minimum 10‐year follow‐up had local recurrence in operated lateral levels. Conclusion Highest clinical significance has positivity of sublevel IIa. Therefore, it is necessary to prove or exclude metastasis in sublevel IIa, preoperatively or intraoperatively, to decide whether to include sublevel IIb in dissection. Preoperative ultrasound‐guided FNAB is a reliable method for the detection of positive lymph nodes in sublevel IIa in comparison with the definitive histopathological analysis.