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To assess the incidence and severity of 12 systemic side effects of serial intralesional steroid injections (SILSI) in patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). This retrospective study included patients with iSGS who underwent SILSI with Triamcinolone 40 mg/dL. After SILSI, the patients were asked to answer 12 questions regarding frequently encountered systemic side effects of steroids. Each answer was rated as mild, moderate, or severe. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present the findings. The study included 49 patients (42 female and 7 male) with a mean age of 59.1 years (range 21–83 years). Post-SILSI treatment, 27 (55%) reported experiencing side effects while 22 (45%) patients reported no side effects. The most frequent side effect reported in women of reproductive age (n: 8) was menstrual irregularities (3/8, 37%). Other frequently reported side effects were feeling joyful and sleeping difficulties, each reported by 30% of the patients. All side effects resolved after the completion of SILSI. SILSI can be administered with minimal tolerable side effects. Clinicians should make their patients aware of the most frequent side effects. Special attention should be given to women of reproductive age to inform them of the possibility of menstrual irregularities during SILSI.

Validation of the translations of questionnaires from foreign languages is important. Failure to validate surveys can lead to misapplication.A total of 64 patients who presented with nasal obstruction due to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and 64 control subjects were included in this prospective instrument validation study. Translation and back-translation method was used to adapt the Rhinosinusitis quality of life (RhinoQOL) into Turkish. The test and retest reliability, internal consistency, reproducibility, construct validity, and sensitivity to change were assessed.The mean±SD test and retest scores were similar in the control group. Cronbach correlation coefficients were 0.872, 0.873, and 0.959 for the test and were 0.799, 0.725, and 0.885 for the retest scores for the frequency, bothersomeness, and impact domains. Post-operative scores were significantly higher than pre-operative scores obtained for each domain of the RhinoQOL questionnaire in the patient group (p0.001). Pre-operative scores for frequency, bothersomeness, and impact domains were significantly lower than the corresponding average test and retest scores for each domain in the control group (p0.001), whereas other than significantly higher bothersomeness scores in patient versus controls (p=0.018), no significant difference was noted between post-operative scores and average test and retest scores.These results demonstrated that the Turkish translation is equivalent to the English version of RhinoQOL in terms of internal consistency, test and retest reliability, and construct validity, with good responsiveness to change and thus potential utility in the assessment of post-operative outcome.

To determine the short-term effect of topically administered ocular moxifloxacin on conjunctival and nasal bacterial mucosal flora. The study included 20 patients with newly diagnosed age-related macular degeneration. Each patient’s diseased eye was selected as the treatment eye and the fellow eye was selected as the control eye. All treatment eyes constituted the treatment group and all controls eyes constituted the control group. All patients received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Cultures were obtained from the inferior conjunctival fornix and the nostrils in all patients. Patients were instructed to administer moxifloxacin eye drops to the treatment eye 4 times daily for 1 week. The patients were instructed to come for a follow-up exam 1 week post intravitreal injection. The bacterial culture positivity rate and the bacteria isolated from the conjunctiva and nostrils were recorded in the 2 groups before and after use of topical ocular moxifloxacin. Mean age of the patients (12 female and 8 male) was 64.9 years. Before use of topical ocular moxifloxacin the conjunctival and nasal culture positivity rates in the treatment group were both 100%, versus 90% and 95%, respectively, in the control group. At the follow-up exam the conjunctival and nasal mucosa culture positivity rates in the treatment group decreased to 20% (4/20) and 30% (6/20), respectively (P

The nasal cavity is a part of the respiratory tract which humidifies, filters, and warms the air we breathe, as well as being the organ of olfaction. It is easily accessible in terms of morphologic...

Yazıcı, Haşmet (Balikesir Author), Object: To prepare a national guideline for Oto-rhinolaryngologist who treat allergic rhinitis patients Methods: The study was conducted by three authors, namely the writing support team. The support team made the study plan, determined the writing instructions, chose the subgroups including the advisory committee, the advisors for authors and the authors. A workshop was organized at the very beginning to explain the details of the study to the team. Advisors took the chance to meet their coworkers in their subgroups and determined the main headings and subheadings of the guideline, together with the authors. After key words were determined by the authors, literature search was done in various databases. The authors keep in touch with the advisors and the advisors with the advisory committee and the support group at every stage of the study. National and International published articles as well as the abstracts of unpublished studies, imperatively presented in National Congresses, were included in this guideline. Only Guideline and meta-analyses published in last seven years (2013- 2017) and randomized controlled studies published in last two years (2015- 2017) were included. After all work was completed by the subgroups, support team brought all work together and edited the article. Results: A detailed guideline about all aspects of allergic rhinitis was created. Conclusion: The authors believe that this guideline will enable a compact and up-to-date information on allergic rhinitis to healthcare professionals. This guideline is the first in the field of Otolaryngology in Turkey. It should be updated at regular intervals.

International audience; Background: It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to detail the international impact of COVID-19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases.Methods: Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists-International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO-IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels. Nationwide surveys were distributed in 19 countries. The gray literature and social media channels were searched to identify reported deaths of otolaryngologists from COVID-19.Results: A total of 361 otolaryngologists were identified to have had COVID-19, and data for 325 surgeons was available for analysis. The age range was 25 to 84 years, with one-half under the age of 44 years. There were 24 deaths in the study period, with 83% over age 55 years. Source of infection was likely clinical activity in 175 (54%) cases. Prolonged exposure to a colleague was the source for 37 (11%) surgeons. Six instructional cases were identified where infections occurred during the performance of aerosol-generating operations (tracheostomy, mastoidectomy, epistaxis control, dacryocystorhinostomy, and translabyrinthine resection). In 3 of these cases, multiple operating room attendees were infected, and in 2, the surgeon succumbed to complications of COVID-19.Conclusion: The etiology of reported cases within the otolaryngology community appear to stem equally from clinical activity and community spread. Multiple procedures performed by otolaryngologists are aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) and great care should be taken to protect the surgical team before, during, and after these operations.

To assess the incidence and severity of 12 systemic side effects of serial intralesional steroid injections (SILSI) in patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS).This retrospective study included patients with iSGS who underwent SILSI with Triamcinolone 40 mg/dL. After SILSI, the patients were asked to answer 12 questions regarding frequently encountered systemic side effects of steroids. Each answer was rated as mild, moderate, or severe. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present the findings.The study included 49 patients (42 female and 7 male) with a mean age of 59.1 years (range 21-83 years). Post-SILSI treatment, 27 (55%) reported experiencing side effects while 22 (45%) patients reported no side effects. The most frequent side effect reported in women of reproductive age (n: 8) was menstrual irregularities (3/8, 37%). Other frequently reported side effects were feeling joyful and sleeping difficulties, each reported by 30% of the patients. All side effects resolved after the completion of SILSI.SILSI can be administered with minimal tolerable side effects. Clinicians should make their patients aware of the most frequent side effects. Special attention should be given to women of reproductive age to inform them of the possibility of menstrual irregularities during SILSI.

Introduction: Nasal schirmer test which is a modified schirmer test can be used in evaluating the amount of nasal secretion. However, we do not know the normalized values of nasal shirmer test on Turkish population. The aim of the study is investigation of applicabilitiy and normal range values of nasal schirmer test on Turkish population.Methods: 200 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Standard schirmer test filter papers located adjacent to seromucinous glands of anterior septum, protruding from nostril anteriorly. Strip was removed by a forceps after 10 minutes of insertion. Moisted area on the strip was measured by milimeters.Results: Out of 200 subjectsbetween 18-45 years of age, 105 (52.5%) were female, 95 (47.5%) were male and mean age was 32.0±7.2. No voluntary complaints of irritation among all subjects. Mean schirmer value of all voluntary was 19±7. Mean schirmer value of females was 19.1±6.6 whereas it was 20.3±7.2 for males. No significance was detected in terms of gender.Conclusions: Nasal dryness and runny nose, which are commonly seen symptoms of many diseases, could be investigated by Schirmer test and the average value for the Turkish population is 19±7.

Introduction: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as a systemic inflammatory marker and the increased mean platelet volume (MPV) indicates that the inflammation is more intense. The aim of the study is to show the NLR and MPV values in chronic otitis media with or without ossicular/bony destruction or cholesteatoma and to investigate the predictive values of these parameters.Methods: Patients with chronic otitis media were retrospectively analyzed and divided into three groups: group 1 had only tympanic membrane perforation without any ossicular/bony erosion or cholesteatoma, group 2 had ossicular/bony erosion but no cholesteatoma, and group 3 had cholesteatoma. The control group (group 0) included subjects who were scheduled for septoplasty in our hospital, who did not have any otologic complaints, and who had normal otologic examination. Blood samples including complete blood count were obtained from all patients in their preoperative visit. The neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and MPV values were obtained. NLR was calculated by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes.Results: The study included 157 patients and 50 controls. There were 50 patients in groups 1 and 2 and 57 patients in group 3. The neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR, MPV, and red blood cell distribution width values showed no statistically significant difference between the groups.Conclusion: Although NLR is related to the prognosis and severity of several diseases, we found no association between NLR, MPV and chronic ear disease. NLR and MPV also have no value in predicting prognosis and the accompanying ossicular or bony erosion accompanying COM.

The effect of ocular artificial teardrop containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on nasal mucosa was investigated.There were two different treatment trial groups. Each dry eye syndrome (DES) patient received the ocular lubricant treatment four times a day in both groups (one group containing BAC, the other group was not). Moistened sterile cotton-tipped applicators were placed in both nostrils and were immediately cultured prior to ocular lubricant treatment and at the end of treatment trial. The bacterial culture-positivity rate, species of bacteria, and drug sensitivity were recorded in the two groups during pre-treatment and post-treatment.There were 20 patients in each group with a mean age of 53.14 years (36 female, 4 male). At the beginning of the treatment trial, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently isolated organism from the nasal cavity accounting in 24/40 patients (60%). Of the 40 organisms isolated from the nares prior to treatment trial, 37 (92.5%) were sensitive to gentamycin. At the end of 1 month of treatment trial in patients who were treated with ocular lubricants containing BAC, none of the nasal cultures showed growth of any organisms. However, patients who were treated with ocular lubricants not containing BAC demonstrated persistent positive nasal cultures with the same species and the same antibiotic susceptibility profile at the end of the treatment trial period.Topically applied ocular lubricants including BAC has an anti-bacterial activity on nasal flora in DES patients.

BACKGROUND The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale is a questionnaire used to assess the quality of life in patients with nasal obstruction. The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish translation of the NOSE questionnaire. METHODS The NOSE questionnaire was translated into Turkish and then back to English. Fifty patients with septal deviation leading to nasal obstruction and 50 healthy subjects without any nasal complaints and pathologies were recruited into the study. The Cronbach α was used to test internal consistency. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the NOSE scores of the 2 groups. Psychosomatic features (reliability, repeatability, validity, responding) were evaluated by concerning the criteria as test-retest procedure, self consistency, within-score and inter-score correlation and sensitivity of responding between the 2 groups. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between patients and healthy subjects in terms of age, gender, and body mass index. Test-retest results among control subjects also did not demonstrate significant difference and the Cronbach α value of the NOSE scale was found to be 0.966. There was a positive correlation among every question of the NOSE scale and it was statistically significantly different from the control group. Total scores of the NOSE scale were significantly higher than the control group. CONCLUSION The Turkish version of the NOSE scale is a valid tool for assessing patients with septal deviation and measuring the subjective severity of nasal obstruction.

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the effect of radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment on the nasal mucosa and nasal functions. Study Design Prospective clinical study. Methods This study included 41 patients (31 female and 10 male) who were treated with RAI for papillary thyroid carcinoma. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for subjective evaluation of nasal symptoms. The saccharine test, nasal Schirmer test, and acoustic rhinometry were used for objective evaluation of nasal functions. All tests were administered at baseline (before RAI treatment), and then 1 month and 1 year post-RAI treatment. Only 21 of the patients could be evaluated after 1 year of treatment and were included in the study's analysis. Results VAS obstruction and dryness scores 1 month and 1 year post-RAI were significantly higher than the baseline scores (P .05 and P > .05, respectively). Schirmer test results 1 month and 1 year post-RAI treatment were significantly lower than at baseline (P < .05 and P < .05, respectively). Saccharine test results 1 month and 1 year post-RAI were significantly higher than at baseline (P < .05). Conclusions RAI treatment can adversely affect the nasal mucosa. Nasal dryness and obstruction can occur immediately after RAI treatment. Additional research is warranted to further elucidate the effects of RAI treatment on nasal function. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate serum and saliva fetuin-A, protein, and electrolyte levels in patients with sialolithiasis. Study Design Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting Tertiary center. Subjects and Methods Twenty patients with recurrent sialadenitis secondary to submandibular salivary gland stones and 20 asymptomatic healthy volunteers without salivary gland stones were included in the study. Bimanual palpation and ultrasonography were performed in the patient and control groups. The electrolyte, protein, and fetuin-A levels of the serum and saliva were measured. Results The serum calcium, phosphorus, and potassium levels of the patients were significantly lower than those of the control group (respectively, P = .04, P = .01, P = .04). There was no statistically significant difference between the serum fetuin-A levels of the 2 groups ( P = .06). The saliva phosphorus values of the patients were higher than those of the control group ( P = .05), as were their saliva fetuin-A and total protein values ( P = .001, P = .01). A positive correlation was determined between the saliva fetuin-A levels and the saliva phosphorus and potassium levels of the patients ( P = .04, P = .02). The magnesium level, which has been argued to be a factor in the prevention of calcification, showed an increased correlation with the total protein in the patient group ( P = .02). Conclusion It is possible that the high levels of saliva fetuin-A, total protein, and phosphorus with insufficient of saliva magnesium levels may make a contribution to the formation of sialoliths.

The most important anatomical and physiological part of the nose and sinuses is the sinonasal mucosa. The main goal of endoscopic sinus surgery is to remove the disease in the nose and sinuses, with preservation of mucosa and improvement of mucociliary transport. The idea of minimally invasive surgery is to perform surgery only to relieve the obstruction in the osteomeatal complex (OMC) area, with minimal damage to normal tissue. This is of utmost importance because of preservation of the nasal mucosa, and thus the sinonasal physiology. Besides, less destructive surgery minimizes complications such as scarring while maintaining important anatomic landmarks that could be needed in any possible future intervention.

To evaluate the functional integrity of the facial nerve and blink reflex (BR) pathways in asymptomatic patients who underwent cochlear implantation (CI).Case series with planned data collection.Tertiary referral center.Twenty-four deafened patients with unilateral CI who had no complications were enrolled. Bilateral compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) of the facial nerve were recorded over the nasalis and occipitalis muscles, whereas BR responses were recorded over the orbicularis oculi after supraorbital nerve stimulation. All recordings were performed when the external part of the implant was in place (CIp) and after its removal (CIr), except occipitalis recordings, which were performed only after removal. The amplitude and latency of CMAP were measured to evaluate the axonal integrity of the zygomatic and posterior branches of the facial nerve. Latency, amplitude, and duration of the BR were measured to investigate the integrity of trigeminofacial connections.The amplitude and latency of CMAP over the nasalis muscle were bilaterally normal, and the difference between CIp and CIr was not statistically significant. No CMAP of the occipitalis muscle was recorded in 4 (16.7%) patients, and low-amplitude responses were recorded on the implant side of 20 (83.3%). Amplitudes of the contralateral R2 response were higher in the CIp condition versus the CIr condition (P = .031). There were no differences among other BR components.During functioning of the CI system, excitability of the facial circuit may increase either through the facial motor nucleus or through removal of the inhibitory effect of the descending pathway.

Objective: To compare fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and excisional biopsy results in the diagnosis of head and neck lymphomas and to evaluate the effectiveness of FNAB.Methods: The medical files of 52 patients diagnosed with lymphoma in our clinic between September 2011 and January 2015 were retrospectively examined. Demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, hematologic parameters, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results, and excisional biopsy results of the patients were recorded. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on their FNAB cytology results: i) malignant cytology, ii) suspicious for lymphoid neoplasia, iii) mixed lymphoid cell population, and iv) non-diagnostic cytology. FNAB was performed under ultrasound guidance.Results: The average age within our series, which consisted of 37 male and 15 female patients, was 46.37 (range 8–82 years). Neck mass was the presenting symptom in 30 patients (57.6%), while it was detected during examination of other symptoms in 22 patients (42.3%). Fever was not observed in any of the patients, whereas weight loss was present in 12 patients (23%), fatigue in 5 patients (9.6%), and night sweats in 5 patients (9.6%). Following excisional biopsy, Hodgkin lymphoma was diagnosed in 28 patients and non-Hodgkin lymphoma was diagnosed in 24 patients.Conclusion: The utility of FNAB in the diagnosis of lymphoma in the head and neck region is discussed. FNAB may not be sufficient unless immunofluorescence examination is also conducted. FNAB may lead to a considerable delay in establishing a definitive diagnosis. In the case of clinical suspicion, excisional biopsy is recommended without performing FNAB.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of topically applied ocular anesthetic proparacaine on conjunctival and nasal bacterial mucosal flora in patients with dry eye disease. A Schirmer test was done with (group 1) and without (group 2) topical anesthetic proparacaine to 40 patients in each group. Conjunctival and nasal cultures were obtained before and 10 min after performing the Schirmer test. The bacterial culture results and the isolated bacteria were recorded in two groups. Patients’ mean age was 62 years (70 female, 10 male). Before the application of topical anesthetic, 50 (62.5%) and 62 (77.5%) had positive conjunctival and nasal culture, respectively, with the most commonly isolated organism being coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in each group. In group 1 the conjunctival bacterial culture positivity rate decreased from 26 (65%) to six (15%) eyes (p < 0.001); however, this rate decreased slightly from 24 (60%) to 20 (50%) eyes in group 2 (p > 0.05). For the nasal cultures, the bacterial culture positivity rate decreased from 80% to 20% and from 75% to 65% in groups 1 (p < 0.001) and 2 (p > 0.05), respectively. Topical ocular anesthetic proparacaine has antibacterial activity in both conjunctival and nasal flora in patients with dry eye disease.

Objective Intranasal Schirmer test serves as an objective measurement for evaluation of nasal secretion and humidity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of septal deviation on nasal secretion and humidity by measuring the intranasal Schirmer test values in patients who had septal deviation and compare it to the values of our healthy volunteers. Methods The study included 52 patients with nasal septum deviation and 52 volunteers without any rhinologic complaints or deviated nasal septum. Intranasal Schirmer test was performed to all patients and volunteers for both nasal cavities. Results The intranasal Schirmer test values of the convex (deviated) side were lower than that of the concave (non-deviated) side (20.71 and 23.35 respectively); although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.054,). After excluding the four patients with equal Schirmer test results on both sides, 70% (34/48) of our patients had lower intranasal Schirmer test values on the deviated side. There was no statistically significant difference between the Schirmer test values of the patients with septal deviation and the volunteers without septal deviation (p>0.05). Conclusion The Schirmer test values of the deviated sides were less than the values of the contralateral side in majority of our patients. This finding supports the negative effect of nasal septum deviation on nasal humidification, although the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the hyoid-related cephalometric measurements and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods A total of 56 subjects were evaluated by lateral cephalometric radiography and polysomnography (PSG). The OSA diagnosis was made according to the patients' AHI. Included were 13 primary snoring, 16 mild OSA, 10 moderate OSA, and 17 severe OSA. C3-hyoid distance and mentum-hyoid distance were measured on lateral cephalogram. Cephalometric measurements and PSG parameters were compared among the different OSA groups. Results The distance between the mentum and hyoid was significantly longer in the severe OSA group than in the primary snoring, mild OSA, and moderate OSA groups (P = 0.029). There was a significant positive correlation between the AHI value and the distance of the mentum hyoid (r = 0.368, P = 0.005). The C3-hyoid distance among the groups was not statistically significant different (P = 0.889). Conclusion The mentum-hyoid distance of patients with severe OSA was longer compared to the other OSA groups. These patients might have more benefit from the surgeries that have an impact on the position of the hyoid bone compared to other patients with OSA.

The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale is a questionnaire used to assess the quality of life in patients with nasal obstruction. The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish translation of the NOSE questionnaire.The NOSE questionnaire was translated into Turkish and then back to English. Fifty patients with septal deviation leading to nasal obstruction and 50 healthy subjects without any nasal complaints and pathologies were recruited into the study. The Cronbach α was used to test internal consistency. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the NOSE scores of the 2 groups. Psychosomatic features (reliability, repeatability, validity, responding) were evaluated by concerning the criteria as test-retest procedure, self consistency, within-score and inter-score correlation and sensitivity of responding between the 2 groups.There was no statistically significant difference between patients and healthy subjects in terms of age, gender, and body mass index. Test-retest results among control subjects also did not demonstrate significant difference and the Cronbach α value of the NOSE scale was found to be 0.966. There was a positive correlation among every question of the NOSE scale and it was statistically significantly different from the control group. Total scores of the NOSE scale were significantly higher than the control group.The Turkish version of the NOSE scale is a valid tool for assessing patients with septal deviation and measuring the subjective severity of nasal obstruction.

To determine the effect of radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment on the nasal mucosa and nasal functions.Prospective clinical study.This study included 41 patients (31 female and 10 male) who were treated with RAI for papillary thyroid carcinoma. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for subjective evaluation of nasal symptoms. The saccharine test, nasal Schirmer test, and acoustic rhinometry were used for objective evaluation of nasal functions. All tests were administered at baseline (before RAI treatment), and then 1 month and 1 year post-RAI treatment. Only 21 of the patients could be evaluated after 1 year of treatment and were included in the study's analysis.VAS obstruction and dryness scores 1 month and 1 year post-RAI were significantly higher than the baseline scores (P.05 and P.05, respectively). Mean cross-sectional area values 1 month and 1 year post-RAI did not differ significantly from baseline values (P.05 and P.05, respectively). Schirmer test results 1 month and 1 year post-RAI treatment were significantly lower than at baseline (P.05 and P.05, respectively). Saccharine test results 1 month and 1 year post-RAI were significantly higher than at baseline (P.05).RAI treatment can adversely affect the nasal mucosa. Nasal dryness and obstruction can occur immediately after RAI treatment. Additional research is warranted to further elucidate the effects of RAI treatment on nasal function.4. Laryngoscope, 127:2698-2702, 2017.

Objective The objective was to identify and evaluate factors that may influence the recovery rate in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Materials and methods A retrospective analysis was performed for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss between 2009 and 2013. Those with an identified etiology were excluded. The patients were divided into four treatment groups: (i) systemic corticosteroids (SC) only, (ii) SC+low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), (iii) SC+hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), and (iv) SC+LMWH+HBO. Recovery was evaluated according to Siegel's criteria. Age, initial hearing level, onset, treatment and audiogram types, comorbidities, and associated tinnitus and vestibular symptoms were investigated for their impact on prognosis. Results Two hundred five patients with ISSNHL were included. Recovery was seen in 59% of the patients. The complete recovery rate was significantly lower in patients older than 60 years and in patients presenting with profound hearing loss. Different audiogram curves had no significant effect on recovery. Sudden hearing loss was accompanied by tinnitus in 107 (52.1%) patients and vestibular symptoms in 55 (26.8%); however, neither was noted to affect prognosis. Different treatment combinations did not significantly affect prognosis. However, hypertension and a delay in treatment by more than 10 days from the onset of hearing loss were associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusion Profound hearing loss, older than 60 years, a delay in treatment by more than 10 days, and hypertension were negative prognostic factors in this study, whereas, the type of audiogram curve and addition of HBO to SC did not affect prognosis.

Introduction Worldwide, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus are major health problems. Healthcare workers are at risk of transmitting blood–borne viruses, and surgeons have a higher risk of exposure to blood and higher rates of percutaneous injury than other healthcare workers. Septoplasty is among the 3 most commonly performed otolaryngological surgeries worldwide. Objective To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis C virus antibody, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody in patients undergoing septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery under general anesthesia, and to determine if preoperative testing should be performed in such patients. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 3731 patients that underwent septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery between January 2005 and July 2015. HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV seropositivity in the patients was evaluated retrospectively. Results Mean age of the patients was 36 years (range: 11–81 years). In all, 117 (3.6%) patients were positive for HBsAg, 12 (0.3%) were positive for anti-HCV, and 7 (0.2%) were positive for anti-HIV. Conclusions Education of healthcare workers combined with routine preoperative serological testing in patients undergoing septoplasty under general and local anesthesia are needed to increase awareness of hepatitis B and C, and HIV infection among healthcare workers and patients in order to decrease the transmission rate.