Objective: Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are the second most encountered congenital lesions of the neck. Clinical evaluation and radiological assessment are essential in establishing the diagnosis of these anomalies, and surgical management remains the standard therapeutic approach. In this current study, we sought to contribute updated knowledge to the existing literature by evaluating branchial cleft cyst cases within our patient population.Material and Methods: Medical records of individuals who underwent surgical treatment for branchial cleft anomalies at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, were reviewed. Patients with incomplete preoperative information and/or postoperative follow-up data were excluded from the study. A total of 152 patients were enrolled to the study. Age, sex, clinical presentation, lesion site, subtype of branchial anomaly, history of prior surgical procedures, postoperative complications, and recurrence was assessed.Results: In our cohort, 124 patients (81.57%) presented with second branchial cleft anomalies, whereas 19 (12.5%) exhibited first, 8 (5.26%) third, and one patient (0.6%) fourth branchial cleft cysts. The mean age was 28.51 years. The mean age of patients with third branchial cleft anomalies was 18 years, whereas those with first branchial cleft anomalies had a mean age of 23.61 years. Five individuals (3.9%) required revision surgery due to recurrence. In two patients, histopathological evaluation demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma (branchioma) arising within a branchial cleft cyst (1.3%). Postoperative marginal mandibular nerve paresis occurred in two patients (1.3%), while permanent paralysis was not encountered.Conclusion: Surgical management remains the primary therapeutic approach for BCCs. Surgery is an effective approach with low incidence of recurrence and favorable postoperative complication rates.
Objective: Cochlear implant (CI) users are typically assessed using behavioral psychoacoustic measures. However, these evaluations may not adequately reflect real-world listening experiences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between psychoacoustic performance and self-reported hearing abilities in daily life among CI users.Material and Methods: Twenty-four adult unilateral CI recipients (mean age=34.98±8.85 years; range: 19–50 years) were included in the study. The study utilized behavioral measures [Spectral-Temporally Modulated Ripple Test (SMRT), and Temporal Modulation Transfer Function (TMTF), Turkish Matrix Test (Matrix)], self-reported questionnaires [Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) and the hearing handicap inventory for adults (HHI-A). The TMTF evaluation was performed at a modulation frequency of 10 Hz, and the Matrix test was applied in adaptive mode.Results: No significant overall correlation was observed between TMTF, SMRT, Matrix, self-reported assessments (p>.05). Although no significant differences (p>.05) were observed, weak positive correlations were found between the Matrix test and the HHI-A Emotional (r=.318) and Social (r=.385) subdomains, as well as between the TMTF and the SSQ Hearing Qualities subdomain (r=.295). SMRT and Matrix scores moderate correlated significantly (r=–.492, p=.015); HHI-A Emotional scores were moderate correlated with SSQ Hearing Qualities (r=–.420, p=.041); HHI-A Social scores moderate correlated with SSQ Hearing Qualities (r=–.447, p=.029).Conclusions: Although behavioral assessments hold a primary place within test protocols, self-report questionnaires provide important complementary information by reflecting the impact of hearing loss on daily life from the individual’s perspectives. Therefore, incorporating self-report scales into test batteries designed for the evaluation of cochlear implant users offers substantial value, as it allows auditory performance to be approached comprehensively from both behavior-based measurements and subjective dimensions.
Objective: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an acute otologic emergency that can profoundly affect quality of life. Although various mechanisms, including viral, vascular, and immune-mediated pathways, have been proposed, most cases remain idiopathic. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a potential contributor by disrupting the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defences within the cochlea. This study aimed to investigate serum oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with idiopathic SSNHL compared with healthy controls.Materials and methods: This case–control study included 30 patients diagnosed with idiopathic SSNHL and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. SSNHL was defined as a ≥30 dB loss over at least three contiguous frequencies within 72 hours, with secondary causes excluded. Blood samples were collected at presentation before treatment initiation. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH), were measured using commercial spectrophotometric assay kits. Between-group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Patients with SSNHL exhibited significantly elevated oxidative stress. Mean serum MDA levels were 1.66±0.29 μmol/L in the SSNHL group versus 0.69±0.09 μmol/L in controls (p<0.001). Antioxidant enzyme activities were markedly reduced in patients with SSNHL: SOD (1.63±0.73 vs. 6.85±0.85 U/mL), Gpx (0.06±0.04 vs. 0.21±0.006 U/mL), CAT (0.09±0.13 vs. 0.29±0.09 U/L), and GSH (2×10⁻⁵±1×10⁻⁵ vs. 1×10⁻⁴±5×10⁻⁶ U/L) were all significantly lower (p<0.001 for all comparisons).Conclusion: Idiopathic SSNHL is associated with heightened oxidative stress and a significant reduction in key antioxidant defences. These findings support the role of oxidative injury in SSNHL pathogenesis and suggest that therapies targeting redox imbalance, such as antioxidant adjunctive treatments, may offer potential benefits alongside standard management.
Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism, most commonly occurs following thyroid surgery, and presents with hypocalcemia and low/low-normal parathyroid hormone levels. Biochemical control is often inadequate with conventional treatment and mainly depends on the patient's compliance. This study was conducted to evaluate medication adherence in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) and to assess its relationship with biochemical control and clinical outcomes.Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2023. Forty-one adult patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism were included. Medication adherence was assessed using the MARS-5 and EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaires. The relationship between medication adherence and clinical findings and outcomes was examined.Results: The mean age was 44±10.6 years, and 87.8% of patients were female. The most common etiology was postoperative hypoparathyroidism (92.7%) Only 29.3% had target calcium levels. Within the last two years, 56.1% had visited the emergency department, and 24.4% had been hospitalised. Median MARS-5 scores were 16 (12-21) for calcium and 23 (15-25) for active vitamin D. Adherence to calcium therapy was markedly low. Target calcium levels were achieved more frequently in calcium adherent patients (71.4% vs. 20.5%, p=0.016). Main reasons for non-adherence were forgetfulness (80.5%), reluctance (31.7%), and lack of understanding of the importance of treatment (24.4%).Conclusion: Medication adherence in chronic hypoparathyroidism, particularly for calcium therapy, is quite low and is closely associated with inadequate biochemical control. Improving adherence through patient education, simplified treatment regimens, and regular follow-up is essential for optimal disease management.
Objective: In this study, our aim was to evaluate the relationship between COM, pyroptosis, and oxidative stress.Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 60 patients who underwent surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) and 28 patients as a control group. Pathological tissue was taken from the middle ear in the study group, whereas healthy tissue was taken from the middle ear of patients who underwent cochlear implant surgery and had no signs of infection in the middle ear in the control group. Preoperative serum samples were obtained from all patients. Pyroptosis parameters, Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 (NLRP3) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were investigated. The oxidative stress parameters, including the total antioxidant status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), were also examined.Results: Of the 88 patients included in the study, 52 were men and 36 were women. The patients’ ages ranged from 18 to 59 years, with a mean of 31.07±11.45years. In our study, there was a significant difference in NLRP3, IL-1β, TAS, TOS and OSI values in all case groups compared with the control group in both tissue and serum samples (p<0.001).Conclusion: The significant variation in NLRP3, IL-1β, TAS, TOS and OSI values in tissue and serum compared with the control group indicates that pyroptosis and oxidative stress may play an important role in the presence of COM and cholesteatoma. Understanding the role of pyroptosis in the developmental stages of COM is very important, and elucidation of this relationship may lead to the development of a new treatment method.
