Katarzyna Smółka

Publications of Katarzyna Smółka

• [Head and neck tuberculosis - still current problem in ENT practice].

  Authors: Jarosław Markowski, Małgorzata Witkowska, Tatiana Gierek, Katarzyna Pasternak, Monika Ciupińska-Kajor, Maciej Kajor, Jarosław Paluch, Katarzyna Smółka

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 65(4):272-5.

  It is estimated that between XVI and XIX century one fourth of European population died of tuberculosis. Nowadays tuberculosis is still one of the most important infectious diseases. In 2009It is estimated that between XVI and XIX century one fourth of European population died of tuberculosis. Nowadays tuberculosis is still one of the most important infectious diseases. In 2009 estimately 9 million new cases were registered worldwide, mortality due tuberculosis reached 1.5 million. In Poland extrapulmonary tuberculosis is rare (7% of overall morbidity) and most commonly affects pleura, lymph nodes, bones, joints and genitourinary system. Head and neck tuberculosis is rare and causes many diagnostics problems. Retrospective analysis of case histories of patients admitted to ENT Department of Silesian Medical University in Katowice. Between 1993 and 2010 four cases of head and neck tuberculosis were diagnosed in our Clinic. Two of patients were admitted to the hospital with symptoms of laryngeal tumor such as difficulty in swallowing. During direct laryngoscopy tissue specimens were taken. Examination of the third patient showed tumor located below left angle of mandibule. During superficial parotidectomy tumor was removed. In the fourth registered case tuberculosis manifested as tumor of nasopharynx. In every case which is mentioned above pathology reports revealed epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis typical for tuberculosis. Patients underwent tuberculostatic treatment. Rare occurrence and lack of characteristic symptoms of head and neck tuberculosis often lead to misdiagnosis. Histopathological examination is the most important diagnostic procedure. Microbiological examination is difficult in extrapulmonary tuberculosis, because of low concentration of pathogens in specimens. Tuberculostatic therapy is the leading method of treatment in every case of tuberculosis.

• [Küttner's tumor (chronic sclerosing sialadenitis) - a rare cause of submandibular gland enlargement].

  Authors: Jarosław Markowski, Tatiana Gierek, Małgorzata Witkowska, Jarosław Paluch, Monika Swiderek, Ewa Zielińska-Pająk, Jacek Pająk, Lucyna Klimczak-Gołąb, Katarzyna Smółka

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 65(4):289-92.

  Küttner's tumor is a benign tumour-like lesion of the salivary glands. Predominantly affects the submandibular gland. It is also known as chronic sclerosing sialoadenitis or cirrhosis ofKüttner's tumor is a benign tumour-like lesion of the salivary glands. Predominantly affects the submandibular gland. It is also known as chronic sclerosing sialoadenitis or cirrhosis of submandibular gland. This is an underrecognized entity in the surgical pathology and cytology literature. Most patients experience recurrent pain, discharge and swelling that is often associated with eating, but others only have asymptomatic hard swelling of the submandibular gland. Histologic examination of the excised submandibular glands revealed preserved lobular architecture, thickening of interlobular septa by sclerotic tissue, dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, preservation of ducts with periductal fibrosis, and variable loss of acini. The morphologic appearance, in conjunction with the elevated IgG4 expression, distinguishes chronic sclerosing sialadenitis from other inflammatory diseases of the salivary glands. Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis belongs to the spectrum of IgG4-related diseases. We present a case of Küttner's tumor in a 62-year-old female treated by surgery. Although this disease was first described by Küttner in 1896, this clinical entity which masquerades as carcinoma is underdiagnosed by many surgeons. There is not enough evidence to support any diagnostic means that could help in the differential diagnosis of this benign condition. Given the high rate of malignancy in firm, painless lesions of the submandibular gland, surgical excision is often advocated and Küttner's tumor is usually diagnosed by the histopathologist.