The palatine aponeurosis is a thin, fibrous lamella comprising the extended tendons of the tensor veli palatini muscles, attached to the posterior border and inferior surface of the palatine bone. In ...dentistry, the relationship between the “vibrating line” and the border of the hard and soft palate has long been discussed. However, to our knowledge, there has been no discussion of the relationship between the palatine aponeurosis and the vibrating line(s). Twenty sides from ten fresh frozen White cadaveric heads (seven males and three females) whose mean age at death was 79 years) were used in this study. The thickness of the mucosa including the submucosal tissue was measured. The maximum length of the palatine aponeurosis on each side and the distance from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior border of the palatine aponeurosis in the midline were also measured. The relationship between the marked borderlines and the posterior border of the palatine bone was observed. The thickness of the mucosa and submucosal tissue on the posterior nasal spine and the maximum length of the palatine aponeurosis were 3.4 mm, and 12.2 mm on right side and 12.8 mm on left, respectively. The length of the palatine aponeurosis in the midline was 4.9 mm. In all specimens, the borderline between the compressible and incompressible parts corresponded to the posterior border of the palatine bone.
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients on the clinical outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This was a ...prospective, double-blind study. Patients undergoing ESS, because of CRS, were recruited. Overall 80 patients were qualified. For each of these demographic, clinical and radiologic characteristics were recorded. During surgery each patient had at least 7 mucosal specimens taken to assess, using scanning electron microscopy, the possible presence of bacterial biofilms. Prior to mucosa specimen excision, swabs for bacteriological and fungal analyses were taken. Each patient underwent perioperative and follow-up assessment at 3 and 6 months post-ESS. Biofilms were found in 33 (41.3 %) patients (study group). From among the 47 patients without the presence of biofilms, 33 (control group) were taken to match the study group in age, gender and clinical characteristics. The intensity of subjective and objective CRS symptoms, as well as patient quality-of-life, did not correlate with the Lund and Mackay score (
p
> 0.05). Analysis of variance showed that, in the control group or the group as a whole, the intensity of subjective and objective symptoms decreased (
p
< 0.05), and the quality-of-life increased with time (
p
< 0.05). In conclusion, biofilm-positive patients tend to have a greater severity of disease preoperatively and continue to have persistent and more severe symptoms post-ESS. This study supports the role of biofilms in maintaining the chronic and recalcitrant nature of CRS. The lack of planktonic bacteria in post-operative sinus swabs does not rule out the presence of bacterial biofilms.
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires have become the standard measure for treatment effectiveness after spinal surgery. One of the most widely used generic PROs is the SF-36 Health Survey. ...The aim of this study was to specifically focus on validating the SF-36 Health Survey to confirm that the tool is an acceptable and psychometrically robust measure to collect HRQoL data in Polish patients with spinal stenosis.
Patients were eligible if they were above 18 years of age and had been qualified for spine surgery of the lumbar region due to either discopathy or non-traumatic spinal stenosis. All patients filled-in the Polish version of the SF-36 and a demographic questionnaire. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed.
192 patients (83 women--43.2%) agreed to take part in the study (mean age: 57.5±11.4 years). In 47 patients (24.5%), using MRI, ossification of the ligamenta flava were found. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed positive internal consistency (0.70-0.92). Interclass correlations for the SF-36 ranged from 0.72-0.86 and proved appropriate test-retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen.
The Polish version of the SF-36 is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in patients with spinal stenosis. It can be recommended for use in clinical and epidemiological settings in the Polish population. However, caution is warranted when interpreting the results of the 'role limitations due to physical health problems' and the 'role limitations due to emotional problems' scales because of floor and ceiling effects.
Purpose The aim of our study was to undertake a prospective validation study of the Polish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) bone metastases (QLQ-BM22) ...module used alongside the EORTC core measure. Methods The translated module was pilot-tested according to the established EORTC guidelines. Patients with histological confirmation of malignancy and bone metastases, diagnosed by imaging studies, were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the QLQ-BM22 module in addition to QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. Results One hundred and fifty-five patients were enrolled into the study, including 94 women (60.7 %) and 61 men (mean age ± SD; 59.1 ± 12.1). Cronbach's alpha coefficients, range 0.68–0.93, showed positive internal consistency. Re-test was undertaken with fifty patients (32.3 %). Interclass correlations for the EORTC QLQ-BM22 ranged from 0.91 to 0.93 and proved sufficient test–retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. Conclusions Our study provides new and robust evidence which shows that the Polish version of the QLQ-BM22 module is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with bone metastases. It is suitable for use in clinical trials and in research.
Abstract Purpose Regardless of cancer type, the skeleton is one of the most common sites for cancer spread. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) can be considered a primary endpoint in clinical ...trials concerning cancer patients with palliative disease. The proper measurement of this endpoint requires valid and reliable instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRQoL and its main influencing factors using validated EORTC tools - the QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-BM22 in Polish population of patients with skeletal metastases. Methods Patients with bone metastases and histologically confirmed malignancy were qualified for the study. They filled out a personal questionnaire, the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and its supplementary module QLQ-BM22. The influence of numerous socio-clinical factors such as age, gender, working status, level of education, performance status, primary location, and previous treatment received was assessed. Results One hundred and ten patients (65 women) were enrolled into this study (mean age ±SD; 57.8±13.8). The most significant HRQoL issues were fatigue (59.29/100); pain (56.97/100) and insomnia (56.36/100). Men coped worse with pain ( p =0.013), fatigue ( p =0.050), nausea and vomiting ( p =0.024) and financial difficulties ( p =0.016) than women. Conclusions The main factors influencing HRQoL in Polish patients with bone metastases are fatigue, pain and insomnia, and as such should be a primary focus of patient-centered care in this group.
Este trabajo pretende introducir el área de la comunicación entre el paciente oncológico y los profesionales, y destacar el impacto que tiene en el paciente. Además, se presenta el cuestionario de ...comunicación de la EORTC. La comunicación entre el paciente y los profesionales es uno de los elementos claves del soporte que se ofrece a dichos pacientes. En dicha comunicación participan un rango importante de profesionales. Hay una necesidad de realizar más investigación sobre la comunicación. Se presentan dos modelos principales de atención al paciente: el Paternalista y el de Atención Centrada en el Paciente con cáncer. Este último lleva asociada la Comunicación Centrada en el Paciente - CCP. Se revisa la relación entre comunicación y otros PRO: Calidad de Vida, información, y Satisfacción con los Cuidados. Existen diferencias culturales en comunicación que pueden estar relacionadas con el modelo de atención al paciente. El Grupo de Calidad de Vida de la Organización Europea para la Investigación y Tratamiento del Cáncer-EORTC está desarrollando una escala de comunicación entre el paciente oncológico y los profesionales. La mayoría del contenido de dicho cuestionario se centra en las conductas de los profesionales. Los aspectos culturales tienen un papel fundamental en el desarrollo del instrumento. El cuestionario se basa en el modelo de Comunicación Centrada en el Paciente – CCP. Se presenta el cuestionario EORTC QLQ-COMU26, que consta de seis escalas y cuatro ítems individuales. Se describen las tres primeras fases que se han dado en su creación. En la actualidad su funcionamiento psicométrico se está valorando en un estudio internacional.
The aim of this study was to psychometrically validate the EORTC translated, Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire to support using it in the Polish clinical setting in patients with ...head and neck malignancies.
Patients with histologically confirmed head and neck malignancies were included in the study. All patients filled in the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 module, and a demographic questionnaire. Standardized validity and reliability analyses were performed.
During the recruitment period a total of 176 patients (82 females - 46.6%) were enrolled into the study, with a mean age of 54.3 ± 11.2 years. Cronbach alpha values ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen.
The Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 module is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in Polish patients with head and neck malignancies. It can be fully recommended for use in the Polish clinical setting.
The purpose of this study has been to describe the microanatomy of the recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) in detail, to deepen anatomical knowledge and aid neurosurgeons in their work.
The material ...was obtained from cadavers (ages 31–75 years) at routine autopsy. A total of 70 human brains (39 male and 31 female) were examined. People who died due to neurological disorders were not included in the study. Right after dissection, the arteries were perfused with acrylic paint emulsion, through the Circle of Willis or electively through the RAH. Brains were fixed in a 10% solution of formaldehyde, sectioned and placed in methyl salicylate for tissue transparency. To obtain corrosion-casts, the vessels were perfused with polyvinyl chloride or Mercox CL-2R resin and corroded using concentrated potassium chloride. The obtained material was analyzed using a stereoscopic light microscope.
The RAH was present in 138 hemispheres with a mean of 1.99 RAH per hemisphere (275 RAH in total). The mean RAH length was 25.2mm and the mean RAH diameter, in its place of origin, was 1mm. Two to 30 branches (mean=9.4) originated from the stem of the RAH. The number of RAHs showed a negative correlation to the number of arteries from the medial group of lenticulo-striate arteries (LSA) (R=−0.62; p<0.0001) which branch off the middle cerebral artery (MCA).
This study further supports the RAH embryologic theory by Abbie. The RAH, in its extra- and intracerebral course, may join with the middle group of the LSA or directly with the MCA.
The aim of this study was to assess the levels of empathy among Polish physicians and surgeons.
Ninety-two physicians took part in the study. The physicians were either employed in hospitals, ...outpatient clinics or university departments in Krakow. The participants were asked to fill out a personal questionnaire, the Emotional Empathy Scale (EES), as well as describe four chosen tables from the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
The study group consisted of 92 physicians, including 25 women (27.2%) and 67 men, in the mean age of 42 ± 16.3 years (age span: 27-68 years). The physicians have been divided into two subgroups - non-surgical specialists (52 people - 56.5%) and surgical specialists (40 people - 43.5%). There were no gender differences, as to the level of empathy, in the study group (p >0.05). Non-surgical specialists displayed a higher level of empathy (p=0.03) than their surgical counterparts. There was a positive correlation between age and the level of empathy. This was seen both among non-surgical (r = 0.41; p < 0.0001) and surgical specialists (r = 0.59; p < 0.0001). No correlation was seen between the number of years of experience working as a doctor and the level of empathy (p > 0.05).
Empathy is an essential element in the physician-patient relationship. This study has shown that non-surgical specialists display a higher level of empathy. We have also shown that years of experience working as a doctor do not influence the level of empathy, while age is a beneficial factor.
The aim of our study was to undertake a prospective validation study of the Polish version of the EORTC ovarian cancer (EORTC QLQ-OV28) module used together with the EORTC QLQ-C30. The translated ...module was pilot-tested according to the EORTC guidelines. Patients with histological confirmation of ovarian cancer were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. One-hundred and forty patients agreed to take part in the study (mean age ± standard deviation: 63.3 ± 10.2 years). Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed positive internal consistency (0.78-0.91). Interclass correlations for the EORTC QLQ-OV28 ranged from 0.77 to 0.93 and proved appropriate test-retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. The Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28 module proved to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer.
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