Wiktor Rybicki

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and long-term disability worldwide. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and preliminary clinical effects of phonotherapy (PHT) as an adjunct to standard care in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This prospective observational study enrolled 140 patients, who were assigned to receive either phonotherapy in addition to standard care (PHT group, n = 70) or standard care alone (control group, n = 70). Phonotherapy consisted of twice-daily 528 Hz sound stimulation administered for 3 months. Neurological (NIHSS), functional (mRS), and cognitive (MoCA) outcomes were assessed at days 10 and 90. At day 10, patients receiving PHT showed significantly better neurological, functional, and cognitive outcomes compared to the controls. However, these differences were not sustained at 90 days. Phonotherapy was not an independent predictor of favorable functional outcome at 90 days. Recurrent stroke occurred in three patients (4.3%) in the PHT group and nine (12.9%) in the control group (p = 0.07). No intervention-related adverse events were observed. Phonotherapy appears to be a safe adjunct intervention in acute ischemic stroke and may be associated with short-term improvements in selected outcomes. Overall, phonotherapy appeared safe as an adjunctive intervention in patients with acute ischemic stroke and showed possible short-term associations with improvements in selected outcomes, although these preliminary findings require confirmation in randomized controlled trials.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the relevance of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) CT features to the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This study included 311 patients qualified for MT in whom the CRS features were assessed based on a CT scan, according to the Lund-Mackay (L-M) score. Clinical, inflammatory parameters, patients neurological (NIHSS) and functional status (mRS), and recanalisation efficacy (TICI) were compared between patients with mild lesions (L-M score 0–3 points)-group 1, and patients with more severe lesions (L–M score 4–24)-group 2. Results: There was a significant difference in the NIHSS on day seven after stroke onset-10 points in group 1 and 14 points in group 2, p = 0.02. NIHSS ≤ 6 points on day seven was found in 41.9% of patients in group 1, and in 27.5% in group 2, p = 0.042. There were no significant differences in mRS score and in the TICI score. L-M score, lipid abnormalities and CRP were factors associated with NIHSS ≥ 7 points on day 7. Conclusions: The CT features of CRS may be used as a prognostic tool for early prognosis assessment in stroke patients.