Background: Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) is frequently encountered in ENT practice; however, there are no guidelines regarding its management. This study aims to analyse the results of endoscopic sinus surgery versus dental treatment in ODS. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate the benefit of associating endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to surgical closure of chronic oroantral fistulas (OAF) by comparing mean time to healing in patients who opted or not for concurrent ESS. Methods: Records of patients with ODS were reviewed. Group one consisted of patients with ODS caused by periapical pathology undergoing either endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) or dental treatment. Resolution of ODS was considered treatment success and was compared between the two treatment strategies. Group two included patients with ODS and associated chronic oroantral communication. Time to healing was compared between patients undergoing OAF closure alone versus patients receiving associated ESS, using the Log-Rank test to correlate Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: 25 patients from a total of 45 in group one underwent dental treatment alone, and 20 opted for exclusive ESS treatment. The failure rate was 40% for patients treated with ESS compared to 4% (one patient) for dental treatment. ODS resolved in all patients in the second group, but the mean time to healing was half (10 days) when ESS was complementary to OAF closure. Conclusion: The present study represents the first estimator of the role ESS plays in OAF treatment. Nonetheless, it provides proof of the importance of first addressing dental problems in odontogenic sinusitis.

Background: Cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid leaks with associated pneumocephalus (PNC) represent a condition bearing serious risks for the patient, with little data available in the literature. Reported success rates of endoscopic skull base repair are lower when PNC is associated than in the case of simple CSF leaks. The present study represents an analysis of our experience with endoscopic management of this condition. Methods: Records of patients with pneumocephalus and associated CSF leaks, who underwent endoscopic skull base repair, were reviewed. Demographics, history, etiology of PNC, size of defect, surgical approach, reconstruction technique and complications were evaluated. Results: Twenty patients with CSF leaks and PNC underwent endonasal repair by the senior author between 2005 and 2019. Defect size was larger than 15 mm in all cases. All patients presented either worsening of PNC under conservative treatment or tension PNC. First-attempt closure of the defect was successful in all patients (100%), with resolution of the pneumocephalus. One patient developed a synechia in the proximity of the frontal ostium, as a postoperative complication. The mean follow-up was 39 months (range: 15–94 months). Conclusion: The present study represents a proposed argument for earlier endoscopic endonasal treatment in patients presenting CSF leaks and pneumocephalus.

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent administration in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients divided into two groups, with and without neuroprotective treatment with Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, pyritinol, L-phosphothreonine, L-glutamine, hydroxocobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotene, DL-α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, Q 10 coenzyme, and L-carnitine alongside standard treatment. Main outcome measures: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after TBI, Extended Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS E), Disability Rankin Scale (DRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), all assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI. Results: Patients receiving neuroprotective treatment recovered more rapidly from UWS than controls (p = 0.007) passing through a state of minimal consciousness and gradually progressing until the final evaluation (p = 0.000), towards a high cognitive level MOCA = 22 ± 6 points, upper moderate disability GOS-E = 6 ± 1, DRS = 6 ± 4, and an assisted gait, FIM =101 ± 25. The improvement in cognitive and physical functioning was strongly correlated with lower UWS duration (−0.8532) and higher GCS score (0.9803). Conclusion: Modulated long-term neuroprotection may be the therapeutic key for patients to overcome UWS after severe TBI.

Lumbar herniated disc is the most frequent cause for lumbar pain. It is caused by degenerative, macroscopic and microscopic changes of the intervertebral discs. It is a chronic disease, with periods of exacerbation and remission under drug and physiotherapeutic treatment. When the disc lesions are large, with intense symptoms, reduced or impossible movements, with pain radiating to the sciatic nerve trajectory, a surgical treatment is required, to remove the herniated nucleus pulposus and decompress the nerve roots. Patients who present high inflammatory signs, high inflammatory serous markers, may have a longer postoperative recovery period, while the motor recovery may be late and incomplete. We analyzed a group of 24 patients with lumbar herniated disc that required discectomy, with clear inflammatory signs, together with histopathological and immunohistochemical changes present in the herniated disc.

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shockwave and ultrasound therapies in adult patients with idiopathic scoliosis in terms of pain, disability, and quality of life. Methods: Forty-eight patients with idiopathic scoliosis were randomly divided into three groups of 16: shockwave, ultrasound, and control. The patients were evaluated at admission (day one) and at discharge (day 14) for pain, by using the visual analogue scale; for disability, by using the Oswestry disability index; and for the quality of life, with short form-36. Results: Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy was more effective than ultrasound in reducing pain (p = 0.004) and increasing quality of life, bringing extra vitality (p = 0.003) and emotional comfort (p = 0.007) to the patient. Both shockwave therapy (p = 0.001) and ultrasound therapy (p = 0.003) were effective in reducing pain. In terms of disability, both treatments had similar effects (p = 0.439). Conclusion: Radial shockwave was significantly more effective than ultrasound in reducing pain and increasing the quality of life, bringing additional vitality and emotional comfort to the patient with idiopathic scoliosis. In terms of disability, both treatments had similar effects when associated with kinesitherapy.

Răzvan Costin Tudose, Corneliu Toader, Mugurel Constantin Rusu. Anat Cell Biol -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.24.257