Faculty Bibliography

Flexible endoscopy is assuming a role of increasing importance in the evaluation and diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract disorders. With improved fiberoptic capabilities and miniaturization, these techniques are gaining in applicability to the pediatric population. At Children's Hospital, Boston, a newly designed Machida 1.9-mm bronchoscope has been employed in the evaluation of the upper airway. The use of this small caliber instrument has been investigated in 1) evaluation of endotracheal or tracheotomy tube position, thus decreasing the need for repeated chest radiographs to confirm location; 2) bedside evaluation of possible tracheal disease (eg, mucous plug, granuloma, tracheitis) in the intensive care unit patient to determine treatment plans and/or need for further rigid bronchoscopy, and 3) evaluation of airway dynamics in the awake patient. Our experience with the flexible fiberoptic minibronchoscope is reviewed, with a discussion of indications for its use, as well as possible limitations. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the instrument

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC) classically present as midline neck masses in close relation to the hyoid bone; yet--not uncommonly--their locations may be varied from the midline and from the hyoid. By means of the diagnostic modality of computed tomography (CT), high-resolution images of several cases of alternate presentations and locations of the TDC are examined. Included are examples of TDC in the suprahyoid, transhyoid, infrahyoid, and lateral positions. The potential value of CT in the diagnosis of the unusual cyst will be demonstrated and discussed

This is a retrospective study of the results of various types of surgical treatment of early breast cancer staged histologically using the following characteristics: (1) poor cytologic differentiation, (2) lymphatic permeation, (3) blood vessel invasion, or (4) invasion of the tumor into the surrounding soft tissue. Four hundred and three patients who had early tumors of the breast--228 T1N0M0 (tumor 2 cm or less in diameter, no nodal involvement, and no metastasis) and 175 T2N0M0 (tumor 2 to 5 cm in diameter, no nodal involvement, and no metastasis)--were treated at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center between January 1, 1965, and December 31 1976. Eighty-three were classified as being at low risk 190 at intermediate risk, and 130 at high risk. At 10 years, 100% of the low-risk group were alive; 99% were free of disease, and any type of mastectomy performed--radical, modified radical, or total--was adequate. At 10 years, 44% of those at high risk were alive, and 30% were free of disease. Radiotherapy improved life expectancy when added to radical mastectomy in the high-risk group. We recommend a prior excisional biopsy for proper histologic evaluation to allow a more appropriate choice of surgical procedure.