Piezosurgery in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

2009

Piezosurgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations. The equipment consists of two hand pieces, two inserts, and two peristaltic pumps connected to the control unit. The device is endowed with an irrigation system of high-flow saline solution that breaks up into very small particles, with a “bloodless” effect on the surgical site and a low indirect thermal damage to the bone surfaces and adjacent structures. 4,5 The touch screen of the main unit permits selection of the specific insert, and modulation of the irrigation and the power according to the bone density. The device uses low-frequency ultrasonic waves (24.7-29.5 kHz), the applied power can be modulated …

Piezosurgery® in Bone Surgery: Five Years of Experience

2009

Nasal tactile sensitivity in elderly

2010

Conclusion: Although older people varied widely in tactile sensitivity, our results show that tactile thresholds increased with age. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on nasal tactile sensitivity. Methods: A total of 160 healthy patients aged between 50 and 90 years were included. According to their age, patients were divided into groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H). From the age of 50, each group included subjects with an age range of 5 years (i.e. group A, 50-55 years; group B, 56-60 years, etc.). Each patient's outcome was assessed through the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for …

Electronystagmography in the diagnosis of central vertigo.

2011

Objective: Determine the efficacy and applicability of electronystagmography (ENG) testing in the differential diagnosis between peripheral and central vertigo, through the visual-vestibular interaction test, in patients with vertigo.Method: Patients were submitted to ENG recording. Patients sat on a rotatory chair, which was placed in the middle of a rotary rotatory cylindrical chamber. The rotatory chamber was driven by a direct current engine, which turned it clockwise and counterclockwise, and its internal area was covered with 32 black vertical contrast.Results: All patients underwent rotatory vestibular stimulation by Stop test (VOR), optokinetic stimulation (OKN), and contemporary ro…

CO(2)-laser treatment of laryngeal amyloidosis.

2003

Four consecutive female patients (age: 14–47 years) with laryngeal amyloidosis, treated with endoscopic CO2-laser surgery, entered the study. All patients underwent periodic microlaryngoscopies following surgery to confirm the adequacy of the surgical resection. Recurrences or suspected lesions were resected and fibrin deposits were removed to prevent the formation of synechiae or healing adhesions. After two negative microlaryngoscopies, performed two months apart, the patients were followed-up approximately every six months over a period from six months to 18 years, with no evidence of recurrences. The endoscopic CO2-laser technique is highly effective in the treatment of localized laryng…

Nasal tactile sensitivity in allergic rhinitis

2011

These preliminary data show a decrease in nasal tactile sensitivity and point out interesting aspects of the nasal chronic inflammatory condition in allergic rhinitis.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of allergic rhinitis on nasal tactile sensitivity during the intercritical period.A total of 70 patients aged between 18 and 67 years (average 42 years), with a positive history of allergy caused by seasonal outdoor allergens, were included (group A). Patient outcome was assessed by the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for both nasal cavities. The sensitivity threshold was recorded as the minimum monofilame…

Outcomes of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with harmonic scalpel after failure of continuous positive airway pressure in sleep apnea syndrome.

2012

Our data highlight that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with harmonic scalpel (HS) is a reliable treatment in selected patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).The aim of this paper was to verify the efficacy and applicability of UPPP with HS in the treatment of patients affected by OSA and users of CPAP.A total of 21 patients with a retropalatal obstruction and users of CPAP underwent UPPP with HS and were evaluated (before and 6 months after surgery) using the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI); oxygen desaturation index ≥4% (ODI(4)); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS); snoring level (SL); subjective assessment of the postoperative pa…

Frontal sinus osteoma and palpebral abscess: Case report

2005

Osteomas of the paranasal sinuses are slow-growing, benign tumours most frequently found in the frontal sinus with an incidence that varies from 47% to 80% of the cases; there are often no symptoms and they are diagnosed by chance during an x-ray examination. The symptoms are usually headaches and those secondary to ocular or neurological complications. The therapy to be preferred is surgery. The authors describe a case of frontal osteoma complicated by frontal sinusitis and palpebral abscess.

Surgical management of pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland in elderly patients: Role of morphological features

2014

AbstractThe neoplasms of the salivary glands account for 2% of head and neck tumors and the most common form is the Pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Parotid gland is affected from 80% to 90% of cases. In elderly these tumors occur mostly in females. These benign tumors are composed of epithelial and myoepithelial cells that are arranged with various morphological patterns and subtypes. The classification of these tumors is also based on the amount and nature of the stroma. In literature there is an almost complete consensus that, in the major salivary glands, PAs are enclosed by a layer of fibrous tissue often called “capsule” but there is disagreement about the form, extension and thickness of th…

Learning curve for piezosurgery in well-trained otological surgeons

2009

Abstract Objective Piezosurgery is an ultrasound instrument (24.7-29.5 kHz) capable of cutting bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissue damage. The aim of this work has been to determine the time required for a well-trained surgeon to perform otological surgery with the piezoelectric device. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Sixty-three patients affected by otosclerosis and 63 by chronic otitis media were enrolled. For each disease, patients were divided into three numerically equal groups, with each group assigned to a well-trained otological surgeon. Patients underwent stapedotomy (n = 63) and intact canal wall tympanoplasty (n = 63) with the piezoelectric devi…

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the base of tongue [Carcinoma mucoepidermoide della base della lingua]

2015

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant, locally-invasive tumour of the salivary glands, and accounts for approximately 35% of all malignancies of the major and minor salivary gland. Minor salivary glands are scattered in different areas of the oral cavity such as palate, retromolar area, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, lips and tongue. MECs of tongue base are not common. We present a rare case of MEC localised at the tongue base in a 42-year-old Caucasian woman and discuss the histopathological types, management and review the literature. Adequate intra-oral excision was the treatment of choice in this case and in low-grade MEC. Prognosis of MEC is a function of the …

Trattamento delle linforragie del dotto toracico negli svuotamenti radicali del collo

2005

Management of nasal septal abscess in childhood: our experience.

2004

Summary A nasal septal abscess is usually the result of an infected hematoma of the septum. A secondary septal abscess may be the result of infections extending from any of the neighbouring tissues. The necrosis of septal cartilage may lead to nasal deformities and severe impairment of nasal patency and growth. Objectives: Assess if the drainage of the abscess and the immediate reconstruction of the destroyed nasal septum in the acute phase is the best treatment to prevent short- and long-term effect on nasal and midface growth. Methods: Three pediatric patients treated with drainage and immediate implantation of homologous bank cartilage prior to 1990 and four treated with mosaic plastic u…

Acoustic Features of Voice in Patients with Snoring

2011

Objective: Determine whether the acoustic characteristics of snoring sounds differed between 30 simple male adult snorers (group A) and 30 healthy adult male subject (group B) by using a multidimensional voice program (MDVP), which is a commonly used computer program that analyzes various aspects of voice.Method: Group A patients presented a Friedman tongue position grade I, tonsil size 2 to 3, a body mass index of 15. Phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, and i were digitally recorded with the MDVP; evaluation of voice handicap index (VHI) was done too.Results: Compared with control group, in group A: the acoustic parameters presented a statistically significantly high…

A Multicenter Trial of Specific Local Nasal Immunotherapy

2000

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of specific local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) in powder form in patients with allergic rhinitis, using subjective and objective parameters. Study Design: A double-blind randomized multicenter trial of 102 patients with allergic rhinitis who were treated with specific LNIT for 8 consecutive months. Methods: After identifying allergens with the skin prick test and sensitization threshold dose with the specific nasal provocation test, 102 patients were selected, of whom 55 were allergic to mites and 47 were allergic to Graminaceae or Parietaria pollen. The specific treatments were self-administered using an insufflator in two phases (phase 1: increas…

Antioxidant effects of resveratrol in cardiovascular, cerebral and metabolic diseases.

2013

Resveratrol-a natural polyphenolic compound-was first discovered in the 1940s. Although initially used for cancer therapy, it has shown beneficial effects against most cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A large part of these effects are related to its antioxidant properties. Here we review: (a) the sources, the metabolism, and the bioavailability of resveratrol; (b) the ability of resveratrol to modulate redox signalling and to interact with multiple molecular targets of diverse intracellular pathways; (c) its protective effects against oxidative damage in cardio-cerebro-vascular districts and metabolic disorders such as diabetes; and (d) the evidence for its efficacy and toxicity…

Radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments vs partial inferior turbinotomy: microscopic and macroscopic effects on nasal mucosa.

2009

Objective To compare the microscopic and macroscopic effects of radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery therapies with partial inferior turbinotomy in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Design Nonrandomized controlled trial. Setting Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Genoa. Patients The study included 80 patients affected by nasal obstruction from hypertrophied inferior turbinates. Interventions Homogeneous patient groups A, B, C, and D underwent radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments and partial inferior turbinotomy, respectively, to surgically reduce hypertrophied inferior turbinates…

Inferior turbinate surgery.Proceedings in V European Congress of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Rodos 11-16 September 2004. pp. 197-199.

2004

Radio-high frequency and electrocautery vs turbinotomy

2009

Caratteristiche cliniche, ricerche e sperimentazioni

2005

Radiofrequency, High-frequency and electrocautery Treatments vs Partial Inferior Turbinotomy

2009

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the microscopic and macroscopic effects of radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery therapies with partial inferior turbinotomy in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Genoa. PATIENTS: The study included 80 patients affected by nasal obstruction from hypertrophied inferior turbinates. INTERVENTIONS: Homogeneous patient groups A, B, C, and D underwent radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments and partial inferior turbinotomy, respectively, to surgically reduce hypertrophied infer…

Piezosurgery in the excision of middle ear tumors: effects on mineralized and non mineralized tissues

2007

BACKGROUND: Piezosurgery is a new instrument able to cut bone without necrosis and non-mineralized tissue damage. The aim of this study was to test the Piezosurgery as a new and alternative method for the excision of middle-ear tumors and to analyze its effects on soft tissues. MATERIAL/METHODS: The Piezosurgery device was used to excise eight glomus tympanicum tumors and two primary B-cell lymphomas of the middle ear. The piezoelectric device uses low-frequency ultrasonic waves (24.7-29.5 kHz); the applied power can be modulated between 2.8 and 16 W and is programmed in accordance to the density of the bone. The equipment consists of two hand-pieces, two inserts, and two peristaltic pumps.…

Role of Formyl-Peptide Receptors in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

2010

Clinical evaluation of piezoelectric ear surgery

2008

We evaluated the use of piezoelectric surgery (Piezosurgery; Mectron Medical Technology; Carasco, Genoa, Italy) as a means of avoiding some complications of osteotomy and osteoplasty in otologic surgery, particularly in classic canal-wall-up mastoidectomy. Piezoelectric surgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations created by the piezoelectric effect. This effect occurs when an electric current is passed through certain ceramics and crystals, causing them to oscillate at ultrasonic frequencies. Our study population was made up of 20 adults with unilateral chronic otitis media. In all patients, piezoelectric surgery allowed for effective, precise, safe, easy, …

Etiopathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

2012

Soluble Coenzyme Q10 in Chronic Hearing Loss.

2011

Larynx Carcinoma epidemiology

2009

Inferior turbinate surgery

2004