Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: Tracheal stenosis can be a troubling consequence of laryngectomy. Some revision techniques disturb the posterior stoma site of a current or planned tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP). METHODS: A revision technique which advances the trachea out of the stoma, divides the anterior tracheal wall, and leaves the posterior tracheal wall undisturbed was designed. The paper describes the technique in detail. 'Success' was defined as producing a stable, trouble-free stoma requiring no stenting; 'partial success' as an improved stoma requiring some stenting; and 'failure' as no improvement and continuous stenting. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent the procedure. Median time from laryngectomy to revision was 10 months. Preoperative to postoperative median stoma size increased from 63 mm2 to 135 mm2. Seven patients were classified as successful, six patients were partially successful, and two patients had no improvement. CONCLUSION: The tracheal advancement flap is a safe technique for the laryngectomy patient who has undergone or might undergo voice restoration

The objective of this study was to determine whether insertion length and number of active channels remained the same after reimplantation of a cochlear implant. A retrospective case review of 170 consecutively implanted multichannedl cochlear implants was conducted. Seventeen of these devices had to be replaced. Data were analyzed for the Nucleus cochlear implant users who were reimplanted in the same ear. For most subjects, insertion length and number of channels remained unchanged, but a few subjects experienced substantial decreases. When the whole group was considered, a small but statistically significant drop was noted for both parameters. In conclusion, although reimplantation is technically possible, the first procedure provides the optimal surgical environment

Previous investigations of exfoliated oropharyngeal cells from individuals suffering from infectious mononucleosis (IM) suggested that the oropharyngeal epithelia are the primary target and also the site of life-long persistence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This concept was widely accepted. However, the investigation of histological sections with more sensitive EBV detection techniques has drawn this concept into doubt since EBV proved to be constantly absent in normal epithelial cells. To elucidate the discrepancy, throat washings and peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 16 patients suffering from IM were investigated for EBV-DNA and EBV gene products employing highly sensitive in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction. Although all patients exhibited latently infected B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, samples of exfoliated oropharyngeal cells were constantly EBV-negative with the exception of three cases. In these cases, the patients additionally suffered from purulent ulcerating tonsillitis, EBV-infected B cells, but no EBV-infected epithelial cells were detectable. These findings support the view that recirculating lymphocytes of B-cell origin, but not epithelial cells are the initial target of EBV during primary infection and that B cells also represent the site of life-long viral persistence

Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease, particularly in those with diabetes mellitus. Cardiac disease frequently presents itself atypically in diabetic patients. This awareness has led to earlier detection and treatment of cardiac disease in diabetic patients. Whether cerebrovascular disease may also present itself in a highly atypical fashion in the diabetic patient with end-stage renal disease has never been addressed. We report the case of a diabetic hemodialysis patient who had an extremely unusual manifestation of stroke. A 67-year-old diabetic hemodialysis patient had marked distress secondary to the sudden onset of a foreign body sensation in the oropharynx. Results of a laryngoscopy were negative; x-rays of the neck and computerized tomography of the head and neck showed no abnormalities. Neurologic evaluation revealed an inability to detect oropharyngeal stimuli and an absent gag reflex but no other deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an infarction in the left corona radiata that extended to the thalamocapsular region and external capsule, and a lacunar infarct in the right pons. Cerebrovascular disease in the diabetic patient with end-stage renal disease may present itself atypically, and we suggest that cerebrovascular disease in these patients merits the same level of suspicion as cardiac disease

Traditionally surgeons have avoided performing rhinoplasty in conjunction with sinus surgery for rhinosinusitis. With advances in rhinoplasty and endoscopic sinonasal surgery and its added benefits of precision, minimal trauma, and hemorrhage, the combined procedure is now feasible. The indications, management, and results are discussed in 40 patients who underwent the combined procedure. Patients were divided into three categories based on the location and severity of the sinus disease: mild, moderate, or severe. The majority of patients had mild or moderate sinus disease. The most common presenting symptoms were nasal obstruction and postnasal drip. All patients had a history of sinusitis recalcitrant to conservative medical management. Results demonstrate the combined treatment modality to be safe and effective in patients with mild to moderate sinus disease and in selected patients with severe sinus disease

The pathobiology of salivary neoplasms can best be studied in a model system that reflects the native state of the tumor. The present study describes the use of a three-dimensional collagen gel (organoid) system in which pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland were propagated in vitro. Five pleomorphic adenoma cultures were established as organoid gels and compared with touch-preparations or cryopreserved specimens of native tumor. The organoid cultures demonstrated normal DNA content, the expression of myoepithelial cell proteins, and the production of sulfated acid mucins; these cellular and secretory features mimicked those found in the archival specimens. Further, organoid cultures of pleomorphic adenoma could be initiated after monolayer culture, demonstrating that culture on a plastic support does not alter the nature of the cells. Development of an in vitro culture system that maintains the native state of pleomorphic adenoma is an important tool for studying the pathobiology of these tumors

The gamma band response (GBR) is a predominantly exogenous, sinusoidal evoked response that occurs usually between 20 and 130 msec following stimulus onset. This response is believed to represent the synchronization of neuronal assemblies that serve auditory feature integration. The objective of the present investigation was to describe the characteristics of the scalp-recorded auditory evoked gamma band potential (aeGBP) recorded from normal young adult subjects. Results showed the aeGBP to consist of up to four oscillations and were best recorded at the frontal-central midline. The aeGBP was present 80 percent to 100 percent of the time, appeared as onset responses, and was recorded at the shortest latency over the contralateral anterior temporal scalp