Erdoğan Özgür

Incremental Value of Multimodality Imaging for Preoperative Localization in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Stepwise Strategy for Focused Parathyroidectomy - Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology

Background: Alternative immune checkpoints such as lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain-containing-3 (TIM-3), and V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) have emerged as potential modulators of tumor immune escape. However, their expression patterns and prognostic significance in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), examine their association with CD8+ TIL density and clinicopathological features, and determine their impact on survival outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, 132 patients who underwent total or partial laryngectomy for stage III–IV LSCC were included. Tissue microarrays were constructed using three 2 mm cores per case. Immunohistochemical expression of LAG-3, TIM-3, VISTA, and CD8 was assessed exclusively on TILs. Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA positivity rates were 26.5%, 51.5%, and 53.8%, respectively. High CD8+ TIL density was observed in 69.7% of cases. Significant positive correlations were identified among checkpoint markers (all p < 0.05); VISTA positivity did not significantly correlate with CD8 infiltration (r = 0.149, p = 0.088). LAG-3 positivity was associated with lower thyroid cartilage invasion (p = 0.006). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated no significant differences in overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) according to checkpoint expression or CD8 status. In multivariable analysis, extranodal extension (HR = 2.719, p = 0.005) and thyroid cartilage invasion (HR = 1.970, p = 0.043) were independent predictors of worse OS. CD8 negativity showed a trend toward adverse OS (HR = 1.825, p = 0.084). None of the immune markers independently predicted DFS. Conclusions: In advanced surgically treated LSCC, LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA expression correlate with CD8+ TIL density but do not independently predict survival outcomes. These findings suggest that alternative immune checkpoint expression reflects immune engagement rather than intrinsic tumor aggressiveness and may hold greater predictive than prognostic relevance in LSCC.

It's a well-established fact that Fusobacterium nucleatum has been implicated in the pathogenesis and prognosis of several malignancies, but its role i

Labyrinthine fistulas are a common complication of cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (COM), with the lateral semicircular canal (LSCC) being the most frequently affected site. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the clinical management of cases with LSSC fistula secondary to cholesteatomatous COM in a tertiary care hospital and analyze the obtained results along with the literature. Between January 2009 and June 2024, patients who developed LSSC fistula due to cholesteatomatous COM and underwent surgical treatment at our center were retrospectively analyzed. The study evaluated patients’ demographic data, presenting symptoms, radiological findings, preoperative and postoperative audiological assessments, surgical approaches applied, and postoperative follow-up processes. A total of 36 patients were included in the study. Of these, 21 (58.3%) were male and 15 (41.7%) were female, with a mean age of 49.2 years. Postoperatively, patients were followed up for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 1 year. LSCC fistulas were classified based on Durko labyrinthine fistula classification, revealing Type I in 31 cases (86%), Type II in 3 cases (8%), and Type III in 2 cases (6%). Canal wall-down mastoidectomy was performed in all patients, transtemporal in 33 (92%) and inside-out mastoidectomy in 3 patients (8%). In 11 patients (31%), the fistula was covered with a temporalis muscle fascia graft, whereas in 25 patients (69%), a combination of bone dust and temporalis fascia was used for repair. No cases of recurrent cholesteatoma were detected during postoperative follow-up. The bone conduction thresholds were preserved in all patients, highlighting the positive postoperative hearing outcomes and the potential for a successful recovery. LSCC fistula is a common complication in COM with cholesteatoma patients. Early diagnosis and complete, atraumatic removal of the cholesteatoma matrix with closure using temporalis fascia and/or bone dust is a safe and effective treatment approach.

INPLASY2025110054 Prognostic impact of fusobacterium nucleatum in head and neck cancers: a meta-analysis of critical oncological outcomes Keywords: Fusobacterium nucleatum; head and neck cancer; pr…

Background. Evidence suggests a role for oxytocin in language development and cognitive functions in humans. However, there is a lack of research investigating the role of oxytocin in childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering). The aim of this study is to compare blood oxytocin levels between children diagnosed with stuttering and healthy controls. Methods. Nineteen male children diagnosed with stuttering, aged between 6 and 11 years, and 27 typically fluent male children as a control group were included. All participants underwent psychiatric screening using the semi-structured interview The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version, and an ear, nose, throat examination. Serum oxytocin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The median (Q1-Q3) blood oxytocin levels in the case group were 113.4 (90.19-136.3) pg/mL, while in the control group were 136.7 (105.4-203.7) pg/mL. A statistically significant lower level of oxytocin was observed in the case group compared to the control group (U=162, p=0.03). Conclusions. We speculate a potential role of oxytocin in the etiology of developmental stuttering under the umbrella of neurodevelopmental disorders. The investigation of oxytocin, which plays a role in socialization and speech, in future studies on speech fluency disorders is intriguing in terms of its implications for clinical applications, including treatment.