Volume 15 Issue 3 (2025)

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a complex chronic lung disorder that affects extremely premature infants, particularly those born before 30 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1500 g at birth. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions for BPD and to explore otolaryngologic manifestations and management strategies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, yielding five studies that met the inclusion criteria. The studies investigated the effects of corticosteroids (prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone), erythropoietin, and diuretics on BPD outcomes. Prednisolone showed minimal short-term benefits, whereas hydrocortisone did not significantly reduce the incidence of BPD. However, extended dexamethasone regimens have been shown to improve survival rates without increasing complications. Early erythropoietin treatment reduced the incidence of BPD but did not affect hospital readmission rates. Diuretic use varied widely across centers, without clear survival or discharge benefits. Preterm infants with severe BPD requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation are at a high risk of subglottic stenosis, tracheomalacia, and vocal cord paralysis. Early diagnosis through airway endoscopy and multidisciplinary management, including tracheostomy for severe cases, are crucial for optimizing outcomes. BPD survivors may experience long-term respiratory impairment, exercise intolerance, and developmental delays, necessitating close monitoring and intervention. Future research should focus on developing standardized, evidence-based management protocols and exploring novel therapies to improve long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes in this vulnerable population group.

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Topical drug applications to the external auditory canal (EAC) are one of the most important applications in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) practice. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological, biochemical, and microbiological effects of oxygen-boric acid drops in the EAC. Eighteen albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The left ear was designated as the drop-treated ear, and the right ear was the control ear in each rat.  Group 1 rats were treated with Oxygen-boric acid drops, group 2 with ciprofloxacin drops, and group 3 with hydrogen peroxide drops for two weeks. For biochemical evaluation, the pH of the EAC was measured. Microbiological analysis was performed by culturing samples from both EACs.  Finally, both EACs underwent histopathological examination. Histopathologically, oxygen-boric acid ear drops had no adverse effect on the EAC mucosa. There was also no statistically significant difference amongst the groups in histopathological findings and bacterial growth.  While there was a statistically significant difference in pH was observed between the groups during the first week of treatment, no significant difference was found between the groups during the second week of treatment. Topical oxygen-boric acid, ciprofloxacin, and hydrogen peroxide can be used safely for EAC diseases due to their topical efficacy and fewer side effects. Topical drops should be chosen according to the disease, the patient's comorbidities, and the cost-effectiveness of ear drops.

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Cuproptosis, a novel type of regulated cell death, is controlled through protein fatty acylation and has been linked to mitochondrial metabolic processes. Nonetheless, continued research efforts are essential to determine how CDKN2D (Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2D), a gene associated with cuproptosis, influences the tumor immune microenvironment and progression of esophageal cancer (EC). Gene expression levels of CDKN2D in EC and matched normal tissues were assessed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To confirm these findings, we conducted validation analyses utilizing datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). To ascertain if CDKN2D expression levels were associated with clinical outcomes, we conducted a multivariable regression analysis supplemented by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. The protein-protein interaction network related to CDKN2D was created using the STRING database (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins). To characterize the immunological relevance of CDKN2D in EC, we performed comprehensive bioinformatic analyses to assess its correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Three complementary computational approaches-Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation, conventional GSEA, and ssGSEA (single-sample GSEA) were integrated to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of CDKN2D in EC. Transcript abundance level of the CDKN2D in EC samples is considerably higher than in normal tissue samples. Analyses involving both single variables and multiple variables indicate that there is no significant statistical difference in overall survival (OS) between EC patients with high CDKN2D expression and those with low CDKN2D expression (p > 0.05). Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) is a critical protein that interacts with the CDKN2D gene, and ECs with high CDKN2D expression are bound to a considerable volume of infiltrating immunocytes. Elevated CDKN2D expression in EC correlated with disease progression and modified immune infiltration patterns.

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This study is part of the health project called "Health screening for the elderly in Ankara" for patients aged 65 and over, with 1200 participants. Patients with missing laboratory tests (n = 59), movement disorders and/or bedridden (n = 54) were excluded from the study. PE was performed by a geriatrician or an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, and ultrasonographic evaluation was performed by a radiologist. PE and USG findings were compared. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination (PE) of the thyroid gland (TG) in patients over 65 years of age and to assess the reliability by comparing PE with ultrasonographic (USG) examination. The median age of the patients participating in the study was 71.17. When the differences between thyroid nodules (TN), the number of TN size, and goiter detection were compared in terms of PE and USG, all values were statistically significant, and P values were <0.001. The sensitivity of PE of TG was calculated as 31.0%. In our study, the sensitivity of PE of TG in terms of TN and goiter was found to be low. The diagnostic accuracy of PE of TG is low, and therefore, its impact on clinical decision-making is limited. Furthermore, detected nodules rarely progress to clinically relevant disease, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Especially in groups at risk for nodules and malignancy, PE must be combined with imaging methods and, if necessary, pathological examination, even if nodules or goiter are not palpable in PE.

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Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is driven by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and shaped by mitochondrial metabolism. However, the role of BCL2L10 (B-cell lymphoma 2-like 10)—a gene previously implicated in ferroptosis—in affecting the immune microenvironment and clinical progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we compared BCL2L10 expression in HNSCC tumors and matched normal tissues and corroborated the results with immunohistochemistry images from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were then applied to assess the relationship between BCL2L10 levels and clinical outcomes. The protein–protein interaction network centered on BCL2L10 was constructed with the STRING database, and the immunological relevance of BCL2L10 was explored through three complementary approaches: Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA). BCL2L10 mRNA levels were markedly higher in HNSCC tumors than in adjacent normal tissues. Nevertheless, univariate survival analysis revealed no significant difference in overall survival between patients with high versus low BCL2L10 expression (p > 0.05). Mechanistically, BCL2L11 emerged as a key interactor of BCL2L10, and tumors overexpressing BCL2L10 exhibited reduced infiltration by immune cells. Overall, elevated BCL2L10 expression in HNSCC is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

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Erosive and ulcerative oral diseases, such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis and herpetiform ulcers, are common in children and significantly affect their quality of life. This observational study investigated the relationship between oral and intestinal microbiocenosis and the onset of these conditions in 648 children aged 1–16 years. Microbiological examination revealed dysbiotic changes in the oral and gut microbiota of affected children compared to controls, with a significant decrease in beneficial commensal bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, and an increase in opportunistic pathogens, such as Staphylococcus and Candida spp. The reduction in Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in both oral and stool samples supports the concept of a gut-oral microbial axis in the manifestation of these diseases. These findings suggest that systemic factors, such as intestinal microbial imbalance, may contribute to the development of recurrent oral lesions in children. Incorporating microbiota analysis into the diagnostic process and considering targeted treatments, such as probiotics and dietary adjustments, could improve clinical outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among ENT specialists, pediatric dentists, gastroenterologists, and microbiologists to comprehensively evaluate and manage these conditions in children. Further research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships between microbial shifts and disease flares and to develop personalized microbiota-based interventions for pediatric patients with erosive and ulcerative oral diseases.

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Ingesting caustic substances can cause severe esophageal strictures, particularly in young adults. Thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for complex strictures when conservative methods fail. However, dense fibrosis and altered anatomy pose challenges for conventional laparoscopic surgical systems. This prospective comparative study evaluated the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic visualization in TLE for post-burn esophageal strictures. Twenty-eight patients aged 18–40 years with caustic-induced strictures were divided into two groups: Full High-Definition (HD) laparoscopy (n = 14) and 3D laparoscopy (n = 14). Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. The 3D group had significantly shorter operative times (200 ± 10 min vs. 230 ± 20 min; p < 0.05), reduced blood loss (40 ± 8 ml vs. 60 ± 10 ml; p < 0.05), and lower anastomotic failure rates (7.1% vs. 21.4%; p < 0.05) than the Full HD group. Postoperative complications and hospital stay were lower in the 3D group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Surgeon feedback indicated better depth perception and precision with 3D systems. Macroscopic examination of the resected specimens confirmed severe fibrotic strictures, whereas postoperative imaging showed patent anastomoses. The results suggest that 3D laparoscopy enhances surgical efficiency and safety in TLE for post-caustic strictures by improving visualization of the fibrotic planes. Incorporating 3D systems into surgical practice and training can potentially improve outcomes and expand minimally invasive techniques for complex esophageal surgeries, particularly in resource-limited settings.

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