Faculty Bibliography

Anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) ligation may be necessary in cases of severe epistaxis not controllable with traditional therapy. Endoscopic endonasal ligation of the AEA is not used frequently; there are few studies in the literature for standardization of the endoscopic technique for this vessel. Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility of periorbital AEA ligation in a transethmoidal endoscopic approach. Methods: A prospective study where 50 nasal cavities were dissected. After anterior ethmoidectomy and partial removal of lamina papyracea, the periorbital area was carefully dissected along a subperiosteal plane to identify the AEA. The vessel was exposed within the orbit and dissected. Results: Data on technical difficulties, complications, the learning curve and anatomical variations were gathered. Conclusion: An endonasal endoscopic approach to the AEA within the orbit was shown to be feasible. Identifying the artery is not difficult, and this technique avoids external incisions. This approach appears to be an excellent alternative for approaching the AEA. Further clinical studies are needed to demonstarte the benefits of this technique.

UNLABELLED:The productive work between otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons has resulted in the emergence of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. The goal of the present study is to describe the endoscopic anatomy of the endonasal approach to the sellar region and planum sphenoidale, highlighting the key points of the surgical approach and the neurovascular landmarks. METHOD/METHODS:Descriptive study of the endoscopic endonasal dissection of 9 fresh cadavers with exposure of the anatomic structures. RESULTS:The endoscopic endonasal ethmoidectomy and sphenoidotomy allows an expanded access to the sellar area and planum sphenoidale. The surface anatomy of the sphenoid sinus is easily identifiable and provides safe landmarks, guiding the intracranial dissection. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The endoscopic endonasal approach to the skull base by the ENT and neurosurgeon is feasible, but it requires adequate anatomical knowledge and endoscopic skills for its realization, which can be obtained by practicing in cadavers.

UNLABELLED:In the last decades, medical care has been increasingly permeated by the concept of evidence-based-medicine, in which clinical research plays a crucial role in establishing diagnostic and treatment. Following the improvements in clinical research, we have a growing concern and understanding that some ethical issues must be respected when the subjects are human beings. Research with human subjects relies on the principles of autonomy, beneficence, no maleficence and justice. Ordinance 196/96 from the National Health Board adds to the Brazilian legislation such renowned bioethical principles. AIM/OBJECTIVE:Discuss the main ethical aspects involved in research with human subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Critical analysis of Ordinance 196/96 and related literature. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Ordinance 196/96 rules research with human subjects; nevertheless, it requires more in-depth discussions regarding the informed consent, use of placebo, research with vulnerable populations and research in developing countries.

Midline congenital lesions are rare and commonly comprise nasal dermoids (NDs), encephaloceles, and gliomas. This article discusses the epidemiology of NDs. Management is also discussed, as well as prognosis.

We report a technical variation of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the sellar and suprasellar regions which relies on the use of a 45-degree angled endoscope. The so-called "infrasellar approach" aims at excising lesions situated within the intermediate and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland without damaging the anterior lobe, thus potentially minimizing endocrinological morbidity. In this regard the endoscopic infrasellar approach might be advantageous in selected cases when compared with the traditional transsphenoidal approach with the microscope. We describe the technique and illustrate it with representative clinical cases.

BACKGROUND:The vidian nerve is a landmark for safe identification of the petrous internal carotid artery during endonasal endoscopic approaches (EEAs) to the skull base. The surgical technique classically described involves sacrifice of the nerve. OBJECTIVE:To demonstrate the feasibility of vidian nerve transposition during EEA. METHODS:After exposure of the vidian canal aperture, the bone is removed along its inferior and medial aspect. Once the depth is understood, determining the position of the internal carotid artery, the bone superior to the vidian nerve is drilled. The vidian nerve can then be transposed from its canal and retracted superiorly, allowing the drill to come inferiorly and to remove the bone lateral to the nerve, finalizing freedom around the vidian nerve. RESULTS:Four patients underwent EEA with vidian transposition. CASE ILLUSTRATION/METHODS:a 20-year-old woman presented with partial numbness on the left side of the face and some tingling in the face, particularly inside her mouth. Magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated a Meckel cave tumor compatible with a left-side trigeminal schwannoma. EEA to the Meckel cave was performed and the vidian nerve was transposed. The tumor was totally resected and the vidian nerve preserved. The patient was discharged home in 2 days, stating improvement in facial sensation without new neurological deficits and denying dry eye. The patient was asymptomatic at the 9-month follow-up. None of the 4 patients who underwent this procedure complained of dry eye during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The vidian nerve transposition for EEAs to the skull base is an alternative technique that is feasible and conservative. It seems to be a good option that could prove beneficial to the quality of life of patients after surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE:Blood supply to the Hadad-Bassagasteguy pedicled nasoseptal flap may be interrupted by surgery of the pterygopalatine fossa, posterior septectomy, or large sphenoidotomies. This would preclude its use for reconstruction of skull base defects after expanded endonasal approaches (EEA). We present a novel method to ascertain the patency of the nasoseptal artery after prior surgery, and consequently the availability of the nasoseptal flap, using acoustic Doppler sonography. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective clinical review. METHODS:Four patients who underwent EEAs were evaluated intraoperatively with acoustic Doppler sonography. The mucosa that covers the inferior aspect of the rostrum of the sphenoid sinus was scanned with the tip of the probe. Reflection of sound waves representing intravascular blood flow was assessed. RESULTS:In three patients, the artery was identified in at least one side. One remaining patient showed no acoustic signal suggesting loss of the nasoseptal artery bilaterally, therefore necessitating the use of a fat graft for the reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS:Acoustic Doppler sonography seems to be a feasible and effective way to ascertain the availability of the nasoseptal artery. It is a relatively inexpensive and simple technique that can be performed by any endoscopic surgeon.

UNLABELLED:The Pierre Robin sequence is characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis and upper airway obstruction. Symptom severity varies, and this makes the treatment of these patients a true challenge. AIM/OBJECTIVE:to identify the presence of sleep hypopnea-apnea in patients with Pierre-Robin sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:retrospective study in which we assessed 14 children with Pierre-Robin sequence, eight girls. The children were submitted to swallowing video-endoscopy study and polysomnography. RESULTS:eight patients were included in this study. Six had normal polysomnography and only one patient had mild central hypopnea-apnea. Swallowing video-endoscopy was normal in five patients and moderate dysphagia was detected in three patients, who were then submitted to gastrostomy. Mandible distraction was carried out in four patients who were also submitted to tracheostomy during the same procedure. CONCLUSIONS:dysphagia was more prevalent than sleep apnea. Swallowing video-endoscopy proved to be a dynamic test and one able to detect feeding disorders in patients with Pierre Robin sequence.

UNLABELLED:The association of protease inhibitors (PI) to antiretroviral therapy has generated sensible changes in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients. AIM/OBJECTIVE:Aims at evaluating the impact of this association on the prevalence of rhinosinusitis (RS) and CD4+ lymphocyte count in HIV-infected children. METHODS:Retrospective cross-sectional study of the medical charts of 471 HIV-infected children. In 1996, protease inhibitors were approved for use as an association drug in antiretroviral therapy. Children were divided into two groups: one which did not receive PI and another which received PI after 1996. The prevalence of RS and CD4+ lymphocyte counts were compared between these groups. RESULTS:14.4% of HIV-infected children had RS. Chronic RS was more prevalent the its acute counterpart. Children under 6 years old who were taking protease inhibitors presented with a significant higher prevalence of acute RS. The association of PI with the antiretroviral regimen was associated to higher mean CD4+ lymphocyte count and lower prevalence of chronic RS. CONCLUSIONS:The use of protease inhibitors was associated to higher mean CD4+ lymphocyte count. Children under 6 years of age in antiretroviral therapy associated with PI presented a lower likelihood of developing chronic RS.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the anatomic variations of neurovascular structures adjacent to the sphenoid sinus and their agreement between right and left sides as well as differences between sexes. METHODS:Forty-five cadavers were dissected (24 men, and differences between sexes and agreement of anatomic variations of the sphenoid sinus between sides were analyzed. RESULTS:The mean distance from the sphenoid sinus ostium to the anterior nasal spine was greater in males than in females by an average of 3.0 mm (p = 0.001) while the mean difference of distances between the right and left side was -1.1 +/- 3.1 mm. Female cadavers had a greater frequency of optic-carotid recess (p = 0.04) and dehiscence over the maxillary nerve (p = 0.02), as well as greater relative risk of optic nerve protrusion (p < 0.001), and dehiscence over the internal carotid artery (ICA) (p = 0.002). In male cadavers the intersinus septum was inserted on the course of the ICA 3.5 times more often than in female (p = 0.02). Agreement of anatomic variations between sides ranged from moderate to almost perfect depending on the structures evaluated. CONCLUSIONS:There are anatomic differences of the sphenoid sinus between sexes and between right and left sides, and these differences should be taken into consideration during surgery.