OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used in cancer treatment. Numerous side effects have been detected, one of which is ototoxicity. Melatonin, a product of the pineal gland, has a neuroendocrinoimmunological role in vertebrates. In the present study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was administered both intraperitoneal and transtympanic saline; Group 2, 12 mg/kg of intraperitoneal single-dose cisplatin and transtympanic saline; and Group 3, 12 mg/kg of intraperitoneal single-dose cisplatin and 0.1 mg/mL of transtympanic melatonin for 5 days. Before and after the procedure, distortion product otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses of all the rats were measured. At the end of the procedure, the cochleas of the rats were investigated at the microscopic level. RESULTS: Group 3 had lesser threshold shift in otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses at all frequencies than Group 2 (p<0.005). The difference was not significant between Group 1 and Group 3. On the microscopic level, more epithelial loss and less TNF staining were detected in Group 2 than in Group 3. CONCLUSION: As an antioxidant and immune modulator, melatonin is effective against cisplatin ototoxicity. Both hearing thresholds and tissue investigations supported this conclusion. Melatonin can also be used to treat cisplatin ototoxicity using transtympanic local application in lower doses.

Dermoid and epidermoid cysts are rare cysts of the head and neck region, which should be considered in differential diagnosis of sublingual mass, constituting 0.01 % of all oral cavity cysts. There are suspected theories regarding the basis of the pathology. 30-year-old male referred to our clinic with a chief complaint of sublingual mass which had been present for many years but the lesion enlarged over the past 3 years. MRI examination revealed a giant cystic mass which was 3.6 × 3.9 mm in diameter and medially located at sublingual region. Intraoral approach was preferred for surgery and no recurrence or complaints were detected during follow-up period. When a cystic mass is detected on the floor of oral cavity, we must consider dermoid cysts for differential diagnosis. Surgery is the only treatment. If possible, intraoral approach should be preferred because of its perfect cosmetic results.

Myopericytoma is a rare benign tumour composed of pericytic cells that show myoid differentiation and have a tendency for concentric perivascular growth. It belongs to a spectrum of perivascular myoid cell neoplasms. To date, only a small number of cases of myopericytoma involving the oral cavity have been reported. We describe a case of myopericytoma presenting as a slowly growing tongue nodule in a 61-year-old woman. A diagnosis of myopericytoma was established with the histopathological findings combined with immunohistochemical staining. Myopericytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of well-circumscribed, slow-growing lesions of the oral cavity.

To compare patients’ complaints, clinician’s examination findings, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings by considering gender.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, difficulty in mouth openin...