The aim of this study was to identify the potential prognostic roles of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). 81 patients who underwent surgery for the larynx carcinoma were enrolled in the study. NLR, PLR and RDW were used as outcome measures. Local recurrence was detected in 30 (37.0 %) patients and neck lymph node metastasis was detected 6 (7.4 %) patients during follow-up period. Mortality was seen in 7 (8.6 %) patients. The mean PLR in the T1 and T2 stage tumors were significantly lower than the T4 stage. The mean RDW and PLR were significantly higher in the exitus group than the survivor group. The mean NLR in the patients with local recurrence was significantly higher than the non-recurrent patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) was lower in patients with high NLR. When analyzed by the Cox regression analysis of factors affecting the local recurrence, NLR was found to significantly affect the recurrence. According to ROC analysis for mortality, NLR was not found to be a prognostic factor, although the PLR and RDW were significant prognostic factors. According to Cox regression analysis, a high PLR increases mortality 4.2 times and a high RDW 4.6 times. Although in univariate analysis MCV, RDW and tumor grade were predictors of mortality, RDW and tumor grade independent predictors were found. Further studies involving large patient groups are required.

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Ascorbic acid treatment inhibited both lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of proteins in rabbits exposed to noise. The study data suggest, at least, that oxidative status should be included in the physiopathology of noise-induced hearing loss; in addition, a brief application of ascorbic acid before noise exposure appeared to play a protective role for cochlea.

In tonsillectomy patients, topically administered autologous serum contributed to throat pain relief and tonsillar fossa epithelisation during the post-operative period.

Background. Congenital absence of the submandibular gland (SMG) is a rare condition. Although complaints such as dry mouth, dental problems, or difficulty in swallowing may be seen, the subjects may also be asymptomatic. The absence of the SMG may be associated with hypertrophy of the contralateral SMG. Case Report. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with incidentally detected left SMG aplasia, with contralateral SMG hypertrophy mimicking a mass, and the case of a 46-year-old woman with incidentally detected bilateral SMG aplasia, demonstrated by computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conclusion. It is important for the clinician to know that this very rare abnormality may exist. When such a case is encountered, symptoms and findings should be reevaluated and, if necessary, conservative therapy should be initiated. The possibility of observing additional deformities should be kept in mind and an evaluation should be done for other cases in the family.