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The antrochoanal polyp (Killian polyp) is an infrequent, benign neoplasm, which arises from the maxillary sinus to reach the ipsilateral choana. The treatment of this disease is essentially surgical, by means of a wide antrostomy. The aim of the study was to compare the results obtained on 23 consecutive cases of antrochoanal polyps endoscopically treated between February 1997 and January 2000 with those reported in the literature, with particular regard to the surgical technique adopted, the histological features, the patterns of its development and the clinical outcomes. The histology revealed in most of the cases a cystic aspect surrounded by edematous stroma. In all cases the polyp emerged from the middle meatus, mostly starting from the upper-lateral (zygomatic) wall of the antrum. All patients were endoscopically followed-up for an average period of 39 months (17-61). We observed two recurrences, both in pediatric cases who evidently underwent an incomplete surgical removal of antral mucosa at its inferior aspect, probably due to the fear of damaging the teeth buds. We did not observe any postsurgical complication. Our data indicate the endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy as the optimal approach, also for the revision cases and in children.

We evaluated the effects of urban air pollutants on human nasal mucosa over an 8-month period on 102 subjects living in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. A group of subjects living in a city with a lower level of pollution (Sassari, Sardinia, Italy) was also analyzed. Nasal mucosa cells were harvested by brushing, a noninvasive procedure. Half of the cells were used for genotoxicity studies using the alkaline comet assay, and half for morphological studies. The levels of DNA damage in the nasal mucosa were considerably higher (+73%) in the subjects living in Florence than in Sassari. High levels of atmospheric ozone in Florence air correlated with DNA damage, and to the prevalence of inflammatory pathologies of the upper respiratory tract, although the ozone concentrations were below the Italian recommended attention level. Furthermore, higher levels of DNA damage were correlated with a dysfunction in the ability to maintain a normal epithelial cell structure. These data suggest an association between ozone air levels and damage in the upper respiratory tract. It remains unclear whether ozone itself or other associated pollutants are responsible for the observed alterations.

Oncocytic neoplasms are a group of rare tumours that mostly affect the parotid gland (80%), sometimes affect the submandibular gland (9%) and rarely affect the intraoral minor salivary glands. The incidence of oncocytic neoplasms represents approximately 1% of parotid neoplasms and bilateral presentation is very rare. Herein we describe a single case involving bilateral presentation of oncocytoma of the parotid glands.