Biomedical subjects

Michael Katotomichelakis

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Katotomichelakis.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Pneumatized superior turbinate as a cause of headache.

BACKGROUND: A pneumatized superior turbinate is a rare cause of headache. Nasal endoscopy alone, does not provide us with adequate information for this inaccessible area of the superior nasal cavity. A coronal computed tomography (CT) must be obtained to confirm the diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 40-year-old female with migraine-type headache and nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy revealed a mild septal deviation, a right middle concha bullosa and a paradoxically curved middle turbinate on the left side. Coronal CT-scan showed also the presence of a superior concha bullosa on the left, which was in close contact with the nasal septum. The patient underwent septoplasty and bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery, including partial removal of both the pneumatized middle turbinates in conjunction with gentle lateralization and resection of the lower half of the left superior turbinate. Prompt relief from headache and nasal symptoms was obtained. CONCLUSION: Pneumatized superior concha causing migrainous headache is a rare finding. Endoscopic surgery may provide permanent relief of symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed2007

Etiology of vertigo in children.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the most common causes of vertigo in children. METHODS: Fifty-four children (20 boys and 34 girls) aged 3-16 years, who presented with vertigo attacks during a 3-year period, were studied. A detailed medical history for vestibular symptoms and migraine was obtained from our patients or their parents. All patients underwent otolaryngologic, ophthalmologic and neurologic clinical evaluation. A detailed laboratory examination, including serologic tests for viral infections, was also obtained. Additionally, a complete audiological and neurotologic evaluation was performed. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained in selected cases. RESULTS: Viral infections, benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood and migraine were the most common causes of vertigo accounting for approximately 65% of our patients. Otitis media, head trauma, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease and brain tumor were less common causes of vertigo. CONCLUSIONS: A peripheral type of vertigo was found in most cases. Diagnostic approach in vertigo in children should include a detailed history and clinical examination in conjunction with a test battery of audiological and neurotologic tests. When a central cause of vertigo is suspected an MRI or CT scan should be ordered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Normative values of olfactory function testing using the 'sniffin' sticks'.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative olfactory assessment is often neglected in clinical practice, although olfactory loss can assist to diagnosis and may lead to significant morbidity. "Sniffin' Sticks" is a modern test of nasal chemosensory performance that is based on penlike odor-dispensing devices. It consists of three tests of olfactory function: odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification. The results of this test may be presented as a composite threshold-discrimination-identification (TDI) score. The aim of this study was first to develop normative data of olfactory function for the Greek population using this test and second to relate olfactory performance to age, sex, and side examined. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a prospective clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 93 healthy subjects were included in the study, 48 males and 45 females, mean age of 44.5 years (range, 6-84 years). RESULTS: A database of normal values for olfactory testing was established for the Greek population. Females performed better than males and older subjects performed less efficiently in all tests. We also found a right nostril advantage compared with the left. Additionally, scores obtained from bilateral presentation were similar with scores obtained from the nostril with the better performance. CONCLUSIONS: The "Sniffin' Sticks" can be used effectively in the Greek population to evaluate olfactory performance. Mean values of olfactory tests obtained were better in comparison with data from settings located in central and northern Europe.

Adolescent↗