Our data provided both objective and subjective evidence that leukotriene receptor antagonist-antihistamine combination therapy is more effective than antihistamine alone in the control of allergic rhinitis symptoms.

To assess the ability of mitomycin C to prevent the recurrence of surgically excised keloid scars. Mitomycin C has been successfully used to prevent scar tissue formation at the site of subglottic stenosis in the field of pediatric otolaryngology. It appears that mitomycin C interferes with the ability of fibroblasts to produce a scar without causing changes in epithelialization. Design: We excised keloid scars from various sites in the head and neck and then applied mitomycin C to the resected bed prior to closure of the wound at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL for 5 minutes. All patients had multiple keloids and acted as their own control. At 1 month after the procedure both wounds were started on a regimen of triamcinolone acetonide, 40 mg/mL injections, repeated every month for 6 months. At the end of the study, photos and measurements were again taken. Results: Fifteen patients (13 female and 2 male) ranging in age from 10 to 55 years enrolled in the study. No infections or nonhealing wounds were seen. There was no difference in postoperative pain. Eight patients completed the triamcinolone injections, 5 had fewer than 6 injections, and 2 patients had no steroid injections. Twelve patients completed follow-up and were evaluated for surgical complications and recurrence of the keloids at either site. Two patients had partial postoperative follow-up in person and then completed follow-up via telephone. One patient could not be found for follow-up. Four patients had recurrence of both excised lesions. Ten patients had no recurrence of their keloids at either site. Conclusion: Mitomycin C made no difference in the prevention of keloid recurrence after excision when topically applied.

Two side effects which limit the use of cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy are severe nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The concurrent administration of sodium thiosulfate with cisplatin reportedly protects from cisplatin nephrotoxicity, however, protection from ototoxicity has not been documented. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of using thiosulfate to ameliorate the ototoxic effects of cisplatin. Toward this end, the effects of cisplatin alone, cisplatin administered concurrently with sodium thiosulfate (CIS/THIO), and sodium thiosulfate alone on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) of guinea pigs were compared. ABR waveforms, comparing latencies, amplitudes and response thresholds, were monitored before, immediately after, and 30 days post treatment. Sodium thiosulfate administered with cisplatin (CIS/THIO) consistently protected animals from hearing loss and surprisingly yielded significant increases in amplitude when compared to baseline and saline controls. However, ABRs of CIS/THIO animals returned toward baseline values after 30 days.

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Calcific tendinitis of the preve rtebral muscles is a rare clinical entity. Its nonspecific presenting symp toms (e.g., retrop haryngeal space inf ection) may mimic an inf ectious etiology. Treatment is based on the administration of a nonsteroidal anti-infla mmatory drug (NSAID) for 2 to 3 weeks and cessation of symptom-provo king activity. Most patients will improve greatly within the fi rst 48 to 72 hours aft er the initiation of an NSAID, and complete resolution generally occurs within 3 weeks. We describe a new case ofprevertebral calcific tendinitis, and we review the literature on this condition.