Mnogie sialocele przyusznicy w przebiegu przewlekłego zapalenia – opis przypadku

Wstęp: Przewlekłe zapalenie ślinianki przyusznej jest chorobą o etiologii wieloczynnikowej. Przyczyną jest najczęściej zwężenie światła przewodów wyprowadzających przez zalegający złóg. Na tle zmian obturacyjnych oraz toczącego się procesu zapalnego może dochodzić do powstawania torbieli retencyjnych. Opis przypadku: W opisanym przypadku u 56-letniego pacjenta doszło do masywnego wielotorbielowatego rozrostu ślinianki na tle kamiczego przewlekłego zapalenia, w którym jedyną skuteczną metodą leczenia była parotidektomia całkowita. Omówiono metody leczenia i model postępowania w przewlekłym zapaleniu przyusznicy.

Manifestations of IgG4-related disease in the head and neck

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated disease condition that can affect almost any organ, including the head and neck. It is a chronic, systemic inflammation of unknown etiology. Tumor formation is the most common clinical symptom. Any tumor in the head and neck area is always a concern for an otorhinolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, that we are dealing with malignant neoplastic growth. Ultrasound imaging, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and even fine needle aspiration biopsy usually do not exclude neoplastic hyperplasia. Only open biopsy or excision biopsy followed by histopathological examination suggest the diagnosis of IgG4-RD, which requires further diagnosis, mainly serological. The authors present the most common IgG4-RD in the head and neck area, diagnostic criteria and their differentiation from apparently similar diseases.

Unusual case of medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary thyroid carcinomas make up 9,4% of all cancers of the thyroid gland [1]. We can divide them into sporadic and familial form. Sporadic forms are most common. The rest of medullary thyroid carcinomas are familial forms which in most cases are associated with MEN2a and MEN2b syndromes. If neoplasm is associated with MEN2a or MEN2b syndromes, other tumors can occur: pheochromocytoma or adenomas of parathyroids glands. Medullary thyroid carcinoma typically occurs as a solid tumor in the thyroid region of the neck. It can produce also: pain in thyroid region, dysphagia, hoarseness, cervical lymphadenopathy. These symptoms are caused by infiltration of adjacent tissues by neoplasm and by metastases to cervical lymph nodes. It is very rare that there is no tumor in the thyroid region, when a patient complains about signs associated with infiltration of the tumor, but in some cases lymphadenopathy can be the first sign of medullary thyroid carcinoma [2]. Rarer than that there is no tumor in thyroid gland visualized in CT scans when there are signs of cervical lymphadenopathy. In this case report we present the patient with metastases of the medullary thyroid carcinoma to the neck and no other findings in physical examination and additional testing.

Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of COVID-19

COVID-19 manifests itself in a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, both in terms of their variety and severity. It can be asymptomatic or abortive, mild, moderate, severe and lightning, as septic with multiple organ failure and shock Typical leading symptoms of COVID-19 are: high fever poorly responding to drugs, severe loss of strength, chest pain, dyspnoea, pain headaches, bone and joint pain and muscle pain, until the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, many publications mention among the possible symptoms also others, not related to the involvement of the lower respiratory tract. These are gastrointestinal disorders, damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and dysfunctions of the sensory organs. The aim of this literature review was to determine the frequency of various head and neck dysfunctions that are part of COVID-19. Symptoms of conjunctivitis, nasal mucosa, pharynx and larynx are reported by about of patients, but they do not always occur at the same time, as in infections caused, for example, by rhinoviruses. Anosmi / hyposmia or ageusia / hypogeusia occur with a similar frequency. Symptoms of damage to the equilibrium system, such as dizziness, are reported by approx. 1/3, vertigo and hearing loss approx. 5-6%, tinnitus approx. 10% of patients. Reports of coexistence with COVID-19 of peripheral paresis of the facial nerve are so far relatively few and often included in the neurological disorders, the frequency of which is also about 1/3 of COVID-19 cases. Importantly, both catarrhal symptoms and the others listed here may precede, co-occur or follow the appearance of the leading symptoms of COVID-19. They can also be the only symptoms of this disease. This should prompt otorhinolaryngologists to be particularly vigilant in this regard

Women in Polish otorhinolaryngology

The first woman with a doctor's degree to practice in Poland was Anna Tomaszewicz-Dobrska (1854-1918). In Polish literature it is difficult to establish which of the women was the first to deal with diseases in the field of otorhinolaryngology. Pioneers in the specialty of otorhinolaryngology could be women who graduated from medical studies and completed "specialization" in clinics outside Poland or in Krakow, where the first department was established in Poland, and women were the first to have the opportunity to study medicine. In Poland, in 1925, out of 738 female doctors, only 4 of them dealt with diseases in the area of the head and neck, in 1938 21 women out of 2018 female doctors, and in 2020 out of 90,435 women, 1991 out of 3,378 doctors practicing the otorhinolaryngology. In Poland, Aleksandra Salomea Mitrinowicz-Modrzejewska was probably the first female otorhinolaryngologist who obtained her habilitation in 1947 and riched the title of associate professor in 1954. Until now, it has been established that only 28 women in Poland associated with otorhinolaryngology who have obtained the full profesor title.

100 years of Otorhinolaryngology, Head Neck Surgery Department of Medical University of Warsaw

On January 15, 2021, one hundred years have passed since the establishment of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw. The authors representing the oldest generations of the current Team present the history of the Clinic from its establishment to the present day. The most important achievements throughout history and selected activities of the team currently working are described.

Principles of qualification and surgical treatment of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the era of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. Despite the implemented social and economic restrictions, the epidemiological situation is still dynamic. Otolaryngologists (especially rhinologists), are a group of doctors particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to limit the spread of the virus, it is necessary to implement procedures that minimize the risk of infection of medical personnel and patients. Due to the location of the virus, it is very important in relation to rhinological procedures and operations. The authors reviewed the literature on this topic and presented effective methods to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission during nasal and paranasal sinus surgery used in our center. It is important that pandemic limitations do not affect the duration of diagnosis and initiation of cancer treatment. Neoplasms of the nasal region and paranasal sinuses are detected relatively late due to the time of symptom onset, and further delays in the onset of the therapeutic process are extremely unfavorable. We are of the opinion that rhinological procedures, especially in patients with unknown epidemiological status, should be limited to the necessary minimum - life-threatening conditions and resection of malignant neoplasms. Even in these cases, however, strict adherence to procedures is necessary to reduce the risk of virus transmission. We hope that the implementation of the guidelines presented in the following paper will help in the fight against the current pandemic and its subsequent waves.

Inverted sinus papillary surgery

Inverted papilloma is a locally aggressive lesion most commonly oryginating from the maxillary sinus. Currently transnsal endoscopic surgery is a method of choice in majority of cases. The article presents evolution of endoscopic approaches and possibilities of miniinvasive treatment of this tumor with regard to location.

New directions in molecular diagnostics and therapy of Vestibular Schwannoma.

In recent years a significant progress has been made in the field of molecular background of vestibular schwannoma (VS) emergence and growth. Main genetic and epigenetic aberrations, as well as gene expression changes and specific signaling pathways have been described, that contribute to the development of sporadic VS, and these connected with type II neurofibromatosis (NF2). These findings led to search for potential prognostic markers and biological treatment. In this article we summarize main research directions in the field of molecular diagnostics and biological therapies for VS.

The role of speech language pathologist in rehabilitation after total laryngectomy

This paper presents the role of a clinical speech therapist in a team of specialists involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of people after total laryngectomy. Particular attention was paid to the necessity of cooperation in a group of specialists and the stages of the rehabilitation process of the substitute voice and smell were presented.