which approximately 50% originate from the carotid body [4]. The carotid body was first described by von Haller in 1743 [5]. It mainly regulates pH, pO 2 and pCO 2 levels in the blood by registering changes in those parameters and transmitting them though the glossopharyngeal nerve Paragangliomas, also known as chemodectomas or carotid body tumors, are rare neuroendocrine tumors. They represent about 0.03% of all neoplasms and appear more frequently in women than men (1. Objectives. The aim of the study was to carry out an epidemiological and clinical analysis of paraganglioma patients diagnosed and treated at the authors' clinics between 1985 and 2014. Material and Methods. The medical data of 47 patients were analyzed. All the patients were qualified for surgery. In 43 cases (88%), simple resection of the tumor was performed, including 11 cases (22%) that additionally required vascular suturing, and 5 (10%) that required reconstruction of the internal carotid artery. Carotid vessel repair was performed by shortening the internal carotid artery in 3 cases (6%), using a saphenous vein graft in 2 cases (4%), and by creating an anastomosis between the external carotid artery and the distal portion of the internal carotid artery in one case (2%). Results. In 40 cases (82%), the course of treatment was uneventful. Three patients (6%) were reoperated because of symptoms of cerebral stroke. Palsy of the hypoglossal nerve occurred in 3 cases (6%), and facial nerve palsy in 2 patients (4%). Six patients (12%) developed postoperative hematomas in the wound. In all the cases, histopathological examinations confirmed carotid paraganglioma. Conclusions. Cooperation with an otolaryngologist and vascular surgeon during surgery is recommended due to frequent damage to carotid vessels by carotid paragangliomas. Detection of the tumor in the early stages improves surgical treatment outcomes and reduces the number of complications. Regular postoperative check-ups are necessary due to possible occurrences of multiple tumors (Adv Clin Exp Med 2016, 25, 6, 1173-1177).

No abstract

Most of salivary gland neoplasms are benign. Pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor (93.3%) constituted the most common benign tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma (24.5%) and adenocarcinoma (22.5%) were the most frequent malignant tumors. Malignant tumor patients were avereage 12.5 years older than benign tumors persons. More than 1/3 of submandibular gland and minor salivary glands neoplasms were malignant. An increase of malignant lesions was noted--from 13.8% to 17.7% of the total number of salivary gland neoplasms.

Introduction: Proper development of postural control in children is connected with the maturation of the central nervous system, development of sensory organisation with appropriate use of proprioceptive, visual, vestibular information as well as reactions and postural strategy which allow the maintenance of balance in changeable environmental conditions. Developmental disturbances in this particular area is reflected in postural disfunctions and the assessment of these disfunctions and disturbances needs referring to normative values of the healthy population of children. Aim: Examination of postural control development in children aged 6–17 years. Material: 127 healthy children were tested (65 girls and 62 boys) aged 6–17 years. Method: Laryngological investigation, medical history interview, audiometry and tympanometry were conducted in all children. In the evaluation of postural control (mCTSIB-modified Clinical Test For The Sensory Interaction On Balance) a computer posturography system was used (Balance Master Neurocom). R esults: Further development of postural control was found in healthy children up to the age of 13 years of age. The development was not linear but showed transient characteristics with a faster development stage between the age of 6–7 and 8–9. Better postural control in girls, particularly the youngest, in comparison with boys was noticed. C onclusions: 1. The values of norm postural control in posturographic test mCTSIB in children aged 6–17 was established. In this test postural control development was completed in children before 13 year and it was not linear. 2. Due to gender differences it seems appropriate to use separate norms in order to evaluate the development of postural control in boys and girls.

Various forms of bony deformations and dysplasias are often present in the facial skeleton. Bone defects can be either localized or general. Quite often they are not only present in the skull but also can be found in other parts of the skeleton. In many cases the presence and levels of specific bone markers should be measured in order to fully describe their activity and presence in the skeleton. Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is the most common one in the facial skeleton; however, other bone deformations regarding bone growth and activity can also be present. Every clinician should be aware of all common, rare and uncommon bony diseases and conditions such as cherubism, Paget's disease, osteogenesis imperfecta and others related to genetic conditions. We present standard (calcium, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D) and specialized bone markers (pyridinium, deoxypyridinium, hydroxyproline, RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway, growth hormone, insulin-like growth hormone-1) that can be used to evaluate, measure or describe the processes occurring in craniofacial bones.