Accurate measurement of trunk angular sway during stance and gait tasks provides a simple way of reliably measuring changes in balance stability with age and could prove useful when screening for balance disorders of those prone to fall.

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The aim of the study was to define the characteristic changes revealed by computed tomography (CT) examination of the paranasal sinuses in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The group of 30 CF patients was evaluated in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw, from 1996 to 1998. The control group consisted of 30 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CT scans were obtained from both groups of patients, and findings revealed more advanced pathological changes in the CF than CRS group. The extensive inflammatory process observed in CT scans of CF patients resulted in the impairment of frontal and maxillary sinus development, destruction of bony structures, and medial projection of the lateral nasal wall.

ObjectivesDraf IIb approach provides wide, unilateral access to the frontal sinus. This approach can be extended without destruction of the contralateral frontal sinus drainage pathway, performed during Draf III (modified Lothrop) procedure. There is limited data in the literature regarding the use of modified Draf IIb procedures.MethodsPatients treated with extended Draf IIb procedures in a single center were retrospectively assessed.ResultsTen patients were identified, including 2 cases of osteoma, 1 inverted papilloma, 1 carcinoma, 5 mucoceles, and 1 chronic rhinosinusitis patient. Six patients had undergone prior surgery, including external procedures in 3 cases. Modifications of Draf IIb were classified as the following: removal of the anterosuperior nasal septum adjacent to the nasal beak, removal of the intersinus septum, and a combination of the above-mentioned methods (upper nasal septum and intersinus septum removal). There were 3 patients operated on with type 1 modification, one patient with type 2 modification, and 6 patients with type 3 modification. There were no perioperative complications.ConclusionIn selected cases, extended Draf IIb procedures are safe and effective in the treatment of frontal sinus disease.

IntroductionMalignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses are traditionally managed through external approaches. Advances in endoscopic transnasal surgery have allowed for the endoscopic treatment of some of these tumors.AimTo present the results of treatment of a series of patients with paranasal sinus malignancies treated with an endoscopic approach at a single institution.Material and methodsThe data on tumor type, operative technique, perioperative complications and postoperative course were analyzed.ResultsEleven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The histopathology was as follows: malignant melanoma in 3 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 2, adenocarcinoma in 2, poorly differentiated carcinoma in 1, hemangiopericytoma in 1, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 1 and fibrosarcoma in 1. There were no severe perioperative complications with the exception of 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leak, which was successfully closed. The mean observation period was 13.5 months. One of the patients died of disease, another was lost to follow-up, and one was reoperated on due to recurrence. The remaining 8 patients are alive with no signs of recurrence.ConclusionsOur initial experience seems to confirm results obtained by other authors indicating that in selected cases endoscopic surgery of sinonasal malignancies is similarly effective as external approach surgery.