Neoplastic transformation is a multistep process that results in a continuous spectrum from the normal (physiological) state to a fully established neoplasm. The gold standard for diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is conventional histology, the essential element being the characteristic nuclear features, regardless of whether papillary structures are present or not. However, other criteria are being used increasingly in the diagnosis of neoplasms, including immunohistochemical staining and molecular profile. The RET/PTC gene rearrangement is highly specific for papillary thyroid carcinoma and is associated with the characteristic nuclear features seen in papillary thyroid carcinoma. There is an overlap in the morphological features, immunohistochemical staining pattern, and most importantly, molecular profile between papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Although considered a 'benign' condition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis almost always harbours a genetic rearrangement that is strongly associated with and is highly specific for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Submicroscopic foci of papillary thyroid carcinoma must be present in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, although the clinical behaviour is still benign. Further studies are required to predict which foci will progress to papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Cisplatin ototoxicity is a major dose-limiting factor in the treatment of several neoplasms. Dexamethasone and vitamin E are two slow-acting free radical cleaners, and they have been shown to ameliorate nephrotoxicity and endothelial cell damage in animals receiving cisplatin. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of vitamin E and dexamethasone as an otoprotectant intratympanically. Prospective, randomized controlled trial in the rat model. Wistar rats were sedated using 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal ketamine and 7.5 mg/kg xylazine. Baseline auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was performed in response to clicks and 4.8-, 12-, 16-kHz tone bursts. After auditory thresholds were determined, the animals received intraperitoneal drug administration according to one of the four groups. The rat groups received (group I) % 09 NaCl solution intratympanically (IT), (group II) cisplatin (20 mg/kg) only intraperitoneally (IP), (group III) dexamethasone (0.1-0.3 ml) IT and (group IV) vitamin E solution (0.1-0.3 ml) IT followed after 30 min by 20 mg/kg cisplatin. After the 3-day follow-up, ABR testing was performed and threshold changes were recorded. Group II animals showed marked hearing loss with average threshold shifts of 39.7 ± 1.4 dB for clicks, 7.3 ± 2.6 dB at 4 kHz, 8.4 ± 1.6 dB at 8 kHz, 71.1 ± 4.2 dB at 12 kHz and 71.9 ± 5.9 dB at 16 kHz. No significant loss was observed in group III with shifts of 1.60 ± 1.3 dB, 4.75 ± 2.4 dB, 8.7 ± 3.4 dB, and 4.3 ± 2.1 dB for clicks and tone bursts at 4.8, 12, and 16 kHz, respectively. And similar findings were observed in group IV with shifts of 3.3 ± 1.4 dB, 7.2 ± 2.1 dB, 10.8 ± 2 dB, and 13.3 ± 3.1 dB for clicks and tone bursts at 4.8, 12, and 16 kHz, respectively. Significant protection was seen in group III and IV animals compared with group II animals. There is no side effect in IT administration of vitamin E and dexamethasone for hearing functions and two of them appear to have a easier, safer, usable protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity.

A prevalence study was carried out in order to look into the etiopathogenic relation of otitis media with effusion (OME) in primary school-age children. The study included ENT examination and a questionnaire that was carried out in 4 randomly selected schools on 1,165 children. 143 of the cases (12.2%) had OME. A significant relation between OME and adenoid vegetation was found (P<0.01) while no significant relation between EOM and recurrent tonsillitis and allergic rhinitis was found (P>0.05). As a result, OME is a common disease that can lead to other hard-to-cure health problems and be costly if etiopathogenic factors are not resolved on time.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of desloratadine monotherapy and desloratadine plus montelukast combination therapy on quality of life in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Patients and Methods:This study consists of 40 patients (28 females, 12 males, mean age 29.8 years; range 17 to 44 years) referred to ear, nose, and throat outpatient clinic between May 2010 and September 2010. A six-week randomized, doubleblind, cross-sectional study was performed in two arms: In group 1, 20 patients received desloratadine (5 mg/d) alone; in group 2, 20 patients received desloratadine (5 mg) plus montelukast (10 mg) combination therapy. Quality of life was assessed on the day before starting treatment and on the last day of each treatment period using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and Nighttime Symptom Scores. Results:In group 1, the mean quality of life scores before and after treatment were 3.17 and 2.43, respectively. In group 2, the mean quality of life scores before and after treatment were 2.94 and 1.73, respectively. Conclusion:Desloratadine plus montelukast combination therapy may have a positive impact on quality of life, sleep symptoms in particular.Keywords: Desloratadine; montelukast; persistent allergic rhinitis; quality of life.Amaç: Bu çalışmada inatçı alerjik rinit hastalarında desloratadin monoterapisi ve desloratadin artı montelukast kombinasyon tedavisinin yaşam kalitesi üzerine etkinliği karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Grup 1'de tedavi öncesi ve sonrası ortalama yaşam kalitesi skoru, sırasıyla 3.17 ve 2.43 idi. Grup 2'de ise, tedavi öncesi ve sonrası ortalama yaşam kalitesi skoru, sırasıyla 2.94 ve 1.73 idi.Sonuç: Desloratadin artı montelukast kombinasyon tedavisinin, özellikle uyku semptomları olmak üzere, yaşam kalitesi üzerine olumlu bir etkisi olabilir.Anahtar Sözcükler: Desloratadin; montelukast; inatçı allerjik rinit; yaşam kalitesi.

26) Prague Medical Report / Vol. 118 (2017) Key words: Tonsillectomy -Thermal welding -Cold technique -Postoperative painAbstract: The aim of this study is to compare objectively advantages and disadvantages of cold technique tonsillectomy and thermal welding tonsillectomy at the same case. A total of 100 patients, 53 patients younger than 12 years of age and 47 patients elder than 12 years of age, were included in this study. Tonsillectomy was performed by using cold technique on the right side of the palatine tonsils and thermal welding on the left side. Right and left sides were compared regarding perioperative bleeding, surgical dissection time, postoperative pain scale at the 1 st and 7 th day and postoperative bleeding parameters. Perioperative bleeding was found to be higher in cold technique side in patients younger than 12 years of age (p<0.001). Postoperative pain score on the day 1 was significantly higher in cold technique side, whereas it was found to be higher in thermal welding side at postoperative day 7 (p<0.001). Perioperative bleeding was found to be significantly higher in cold technique side (p<0.001) and surgical dissection time of thermal welding was found to be longer (p<0.001) in patients elder than 12 years of age. Postoperative pain score at the day 1 and day 7 was found to be higher in thermal welding side (p<0.001). Postoperative pain score at the day 1 and day 7 were statistically significantly higher in patients elder than 12 years of age. As a result, both techniques have its unique superior aspects and both can be applied as a routine tonsillectomy technique.