The Journal of International Advanced Otology (J Int Adv Otol) is an international, peer reviewed, open access publication that is fully sponsored and owned by the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Politzer Society. The journal is published triannually in April, August, and December and its publication language is English. The scope of the Journal is limited with otology, neurotology, audiology (excluding linguistics) and skull base medicine. The Journal of International Advanced Otology aims to publish manuscripts at the highest clinical and scientific level. J Int Adv Otol publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research, review articles, short reports and a limited number of case reports. Controversial patient discussions, communications on emerging technology, and historical issues will also be considered for publication. Target audience of J Int Adv Otol includes physicians and academics who work in the fields of otology, neurotology, audiology and skull base medicine.

Nasal nitric oxide measurement is a useful and reliable clinical tool for diagnosing allergic rhinitis in patients without asthma in an out-patient setting.

Tuberculous otitis media should be considered in patients with serious otogenic complications and with shorter duration of ear discharge, and in association with diagnosed miliary pulmonary tuberculosis and extensive temporal bone destruction. Polymerase chain reaction still is not reliable for diagnosis.

The majority of studies have shown that the use of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) leads to symptomatic improvement in 73-98.4 % of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis (NP). The aim of the study is to evaluate clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in patients with NP after FESS. The prospective study included 85 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) with NP who were operated on using FESS after failure of the medicamentous treatment and in certain cases of surgical treatment. QoL was assessed by Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and the symptom intensity was presented using visual analogue scale (VAS). The objective finding was presented as endoscopic and computerized tomography (CT) score. The intensity of each symptom, the values of symptom scores (major, minor and total), the values of dimension scales and summary scales of the QoL, as well as the values of endoscopic score through three periods of time (pre-surgery, 6 and 12 months after the surgery) were analyzed. Following the FESS, mean intensity values of all individual symptoms and symptom scores were significantly lower and the values of all dimension scales and summary scales of QoL were significantly higher (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in symptom intensity and QoL after 6 and 12 months of surgical treatment (p > 0.05). Endoscopic score was on average significantly lower after 6 and 12 months of FESS (p < 0.05), but the mean score value after 12 months of operation was significantly higher in relation to that after 6 months of surgery (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the recurrence of NP was observed in 28 patients (32.9 %) in the follow-up period. In conclusion, FESS in NP patients results in significant improvement of symptom intensity, QoL and endoscopic score. While the intensity of symptoms and QoL showed a tendency to maintain between 6 and 12 months after surgery, endoscopic score showed a tendency of exacerbation in the same period.

Computerized rhinomanomatry with the practical software programmes is used widely as a research tool to evaluate objectively nasal air flow and resistance parametres, while the increase of its clinical application may be facilitated by further standardization of the method. The aim of the study was to determine the total nasal resistance normal values in healthy adult population using a method of computerized rhinomanometry. A randomized sample of 108 white healthy adults (216 nasal cavities), both sexs with a mean age of 32 (20 -45) years comprised the test group. Nasal patency was measured by active anterior rhinomanometry in non-decongested mucosa ("at rest") during 10 repetitive measurements at inspiratory and expiratory reference pressure of 150 Pa. Nasal resistance was measured and calculated accoding to the recommendations of the Committee on objective assessment of the nasal airway, International Rhinologic Society.

The objective of our study was to analyze the intensity of subjective symptoms and objective findings of endoscopy and CT scanning in chronic rhinosinusitis, in the groups with and without nasal polyps. To evaluate the intensity of subjective symptoms visual analogue scale (VAS) was used, while scores were obtained by adding grades. Endoscopic finding was given in scores recommended by Lanza and Kennedy and CT results were presented by Lund-Mackay scoring system. The study included 90 consecutive adult patients, 47 males (52%) and 43 females (48%), mean age 45 years. The group with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (uncomplicated form) consisted of 30 patients, while the group with polyps (complicated form) included 60 patients. Comparing mean intensity values of all subjective symptoms between these two groups we found out that nasal obstruction, nasal secretion and hyposmia were significantly more manifested in the polyp group (P<0.01). Facial congestion was also more manifested in the polyp group (P<0.05). Mean score value of major symptoms was 35.55 in the polyp group, and 23.13 in the group without polyps (P<0.01). Mean value of total symptom scores was 48.68 in the polyp group, and 35.00 in the group without polyps (P<0.01). Endoscopic score was approximately 9.03 in the polyp group, and 2.43 in the group without polyps (P<0.01). CT score was 16.05 on an average in the polyp group, and 4.37 in the group without polyps (P<0.01). Chronic rhinosinusitis complicated by nasal polyposis is characterized by higher degree of nasal obstruction, nasal secretion, hyposmia and facial congestion, which results in higher score of major and total score of symptoms, respectively. This form is also characterized by worse objective findings, which is reflected in higher endoscopic and CT scores.

Foreign bodies of the nose are relatively frequent in pediatric population, while in the adults, they are usually seen in disturbed persons. Overlooked nasal foreign bodies may be singled out as a special entity. They become rhinolites over time with latent period of several decades. Our paper illustrates an overlooked foreign body in the nose--i.e. encrusted plastic bead which, after the asymptomatic period of 48 years, induced the unilateral mucopurulent and ichorous secretion from the nose. Rhinolite should be suspected if radiological diagnostics detected calcified mass in the nose together with unilateral nasal symptomatology. Surgical removal of rhinolite results in complete management of such problem. This case indicates the significance of medical history data and examination of nasal cavity in any adult patient with unilateral nasal symptomatology which is refractory to conservative treatment. Computerized tomography of paranasal sinuses is an important adjunct diagnostic tool in indefinite cases. Nevertheless, it often happens that only the extraction of rhinolite indicates the diagnosis that is not usually suspected in adult persons.

Modern therapeutical protocols for treatment of T3 and T4 malignomas of the larynx are not adjusted, because there are attempts to treat these diseases with non-operative methods (such as chemo- and radiotherapy) in order to preserve the organ. The aim of the study was to establish today's results of the surgical treatement of patients with T3 and T4 laryngeal malignoma. We studied the group of patients with laryngeal carcinoma, who had undergone total laryngectomy, during the period of eight years (1990-1997). The patients' data was submitted from medical documentation, it was filled in specially designed questionnaries and was statistically reviewed. During this eight-year-period, 1054 total laryngectomies were done. The five-years survival rate, established in the group of patients who had undergone total laryngectomiy is 308/794 (39%). In the patient group where total laryngectomy was salvage surgery after radiotherapy, the five-years survival rate is 47/172 (27%). In the patient group where total laryngectomy was salvage surgery after conservative or reconstructive surgery, the five-years survival rate is 28/84 (33%). Despite diagnostical and therapeutical achievements, prognosis for T3 and T4 malygnoma of the larynx was not significantly approved in the last few decades.