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Biomedical subjects

Eleftherios Ferekidis

Publications and source records attributed to Eleftherios Ferekidis.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A rare location of bilateral inverted papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Inverted papilloma is a rare benign sinonasal tumour, characterized by a potentially invasive nature. The lateral nasal wall represents the most common site of origin, whereas paranasal sinuses are involved by extension quite frequently. In contrast, primary sinus inverted papillomas have rarely been reported. Although the midfacial degloving approach has historically been the procedure of choice, recent technological advances have rendered endoscopic sinus surgery a safe procedure with equivalent success rates and low probability of papilloma recurrence. We present a rare case of bilateral inverted papilloma arising from the sphenoid septum and extending towards both the sphenoid and posterior ethmoid sinuses and the posterior section of both nasal cavities, while it slenderizes the sella turcica by compression and elevates the pituitary gland. The bilateral inverted papilloma was successfully removed with a transnasal endoscopic procedure. There is no evidence of recurrence for a follow up period of 1.5 years postoperatively. We conclude that it is a rare entity, which can be treated successfully with endoscopic sinus surgery in the hands of an experienced otorhinolaryngologist.

Endoscopy↗

Rhinology resources on the Internet.

During recent years medical information through Internet is increasingly available to both patients and professionals and ever more biomedical resources become available on line to assist in clinical medicine, education and research. The purpose of this article is to present a detailed list of all the worldwide web sites of rhinology that are accessible through the Internet.

Humans↗

Blood group in otitis media with effusion.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether blood group ABO is a risk factor for otitis media with effusion (OME). In a screening program 889 children were studied with pneumatic otoscopy, tuning fork tests, audiometry, impedance measures and blood group tests. Among these children, there were 51 children with OME at the time of examination (5.7%), and 838 healthy children. Multivariate logistic regression risk for OME was compared between children with different blood groups, taking sociodemographic and history-related risk factors into account. Blood group and OME were found to be statistically related. Considering children of blood group A as a reference, children with blood group O had a statistically significant lower risk of OME. Children with blood group B did not have lower risk. Children with blood group AB had lower relative risk for OME, but not significantly so. Examining Rhesus factor as a predictor for OME, no relationship was found. It is concluded that blood group O (and possibly AB) plays a preventive role, while blood group A or B are burdensome for OME.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Otoacoustic emissions in universal hearing screening: which day after birth should we examine the newborns?

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) have been widely used in universal newborn hearing screening programs. Although there is consensus with regard to the avoidance of early screening, especially during the first hours after birth, the optimum testing day is not yet unanimously accepted. The aim of the present study was to compare the 'pass-refer' results between 4 groups of newborns tested during the 4 postbirth days and determine the most appropriate day for assessing newborn hearing. Our results suggest that, although TEOAEs can be recorded in very high rates from the first 24 h of life, 'refer' scores are lower on the third and fourth days after birth. It may be thus concluded that the optimum time of assessing newborn hearing in universal hearing screening programs seems to be the third or fourth postbirth day, provided that other social or financial reasons do not suggest an earlier discharge from the hospital.

Female↗

Extensive primary Ewings' sarcoma in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

We describe a rare case of an extensive primary cranial Ewing's sarcoma located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone with extension to the orbit, the endocranium, the parapharyngeal and infratemporal space. The patient presented with diplopia, anosmia and prolapse of the left eye. He was given chemo- and radiotherapy and was free of symptoms on re-examination 1.5 years later. The prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma in the absence of surgery is uncertain, but prompt treatment appears to have a satisfactory therapeutic outcome. In the future, more cases should be studied in order to investigate the biological behaviour of a primary cranial Ewing's sarcoma.

Adult↗

The effect of different 'pass-fail' criteria on the results of a newborn hearing screening program.

'Pass' criteria in newborn hearing screening programs are important, since they affect the operating characteristics of the programs. In the present study, we intended to compare the results of two screening procedures, using different 'pass' criteria, in two samples from the same pool of screened newborns. The subjects were divided into two study groups, screened consecutively during 6 months. Testing and all procedures were exactly the same in both groups, differing only in the 'pass' criteria. In the first group a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 3 dB in the frequency bands of 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 kHz was considered necessary for a 'pass', whereas a signal-to-noise ratio > or =6 dB was used in the second group, at the same frequency bands. During the period of the study, no other minor or major modification of the protocol was applied. The comparison of the screening predischarge results between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in the 'pass-refer' results. Thus, it appears that the 3-dB signal-to-noise ratio is as valid as the 6-dB criterion, and it may be confidently used, especially in settings where rescreening is not available.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory↗

Overcoming difficulties in implementing a universal newborn hearing screening program.

The aim of this paper was to present our experience with a universal newborn hearing screening program, including the specific problems and difficulties faced since its beginning, along with the measures used to overcome them and to improve its efficiency. We analyzed data from 22,195 newborns screened by transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) performed during the first days after birth. 84.8% of the newborns passed on the first test and another 12.15% passed on rescreening before hospital discharge. This produced a "not pass" rate (false-positive and true positive) of 3.05%. The rate of newborns who did not undergo screening and the rate of "lost to follow-up" newborns were reduced in time, due to various applied modifications to the protocol. It may be thus concluded that our protocol proved to be successful in attaining low refer rates for follow-up screening. A major problem that remains unresolved is the absence of effective follow-up.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗

Association between squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and serum folate and homocysteine.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of folate and homocysteine in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and to correlate them with the clinical stage. An attempt was made to associate the results with the effects of smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of folate and homocysteine were measured in 150 patients with histologically-proven SCCHN before any treatment and in 150 healthy volunteers (77 smokers and 73 nonsmokers). RESULTS: The study indicated a positive correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and hypofolatemia and the presence of SCCHN. Folate deficiency and high levels of homocysteine were noted in a large number of healthy smokers. CONCLUSION: If metabolic disorders of the methionine cycle are confirmed as risk factors for SCCHN, folate as a dietary supplement might play a role in chemoprevention and the posttreatment care of SCCHN patients.

Aged↗

Clinical effectiveness of tumor markers in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine and compare the value of the serum tumor markers CYFRA 21-1, TPA-M, SCCA and CEA in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. Moreover, their possible clinical applications were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum levels of CYFRA 21-1, TPA-M, SCCA and CEA were measured in 79 patients with histologically-proven squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx before and after treatment and in 77 healthy volunteers. The association of the results with the clinicopathological characteristics was investigated. RESULTS: The study showed that none of the markers revealed a significant sensitivity; TPA-M indicated a positive correlation with the grade of differentiation. CEA indicated a positive correlation only with distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Among the four markers, only TPA-M may play a role in monitoring the success of therapy and follow-up in patients with SCC of the larynx.

Adult↗