Faculty Bibliography

Coronal computed tomography (CT) scans are currently the optimal study to display the normal and abnormal anatomy in children with chronic and recurrent acute sinusitis after failure of medical therapy. To assess the extent and distribution of disease as well as associated anatomic abnormalities in this pediatric population, 74 coronal CT scans of children with continued symptoms of sinusitis after failure of extensive medical therapy were reviewed retrospectively. Twelve children with cystic fibrosis showed the characteristic features of medial displacement of the lateral nasal wall in the middle meatus and uncinate process demineralization, creating the appearance of a maxillary sinus mucocele. Nine of these 12 children had increased attenuation in the maxillary sinus on soft-tissue windows. In the remaining 62 children, a significantly greater frequency of disease, when compared with that reported for adults, was seen in the maxillary, anterior ethmoid, posterior ethmoid, and frontal sinuses. Children with asthma (n = 33) had more extensive disease. Bony anatomic abnormalities were similar to those reported for adults, except for a lower incidence of septal deformity

Acute laryngeal trauma is a rare injury. In the past 18 years, 77 patients with acute laryngeal trauma have been evaluated at our institution. Each patient's care was overseen by the senior author (E.S.P.). The 61 patients who were seen within 48 hours of their accident are compared with those treated after 48 hours. All patients are classified by both injury (groups 1 through 5) and treatment (types I through III). Results are reported for voice, airway, and swallowing. Our methods of evaluation and treatment are outlined, and controversial aspects of patient management are addressed. We conclude that conservative treatment of group 1 and 2 injuries is 100% effective, expeditious repair of laryngeal injuries greatly reduces poor outcome, and the type of injury can be used to roughly predict patient outcome. Further, with use of current methods of diagnosis and management, almost all patients will be decannulated (98%) with functional speech (100%) and normal deglutition (100%)

Between 1974 and 1991, hearing preservation surgery was attempted on 161 of 476 patients with a variety of cerebellopontine (CPA) tumors, at New York University School of Medicine. This included 146 unilateral acoustic neuromas, seven meningiomas, and six cases of neurofibromatosis. The suboccipital/retrosigmoid approach was used almost exclusively. The cochlear nerve was anatomically preserved in 131 cases, 32 percent of whom had successful hearing preservation. In the most successful group, hearing was preserved in 9 of 12 patients (75%). Success was defined as a postoperative pure-tone average (PTA) or speech reception threshold (SRT) of no more than 50 dB, and a speech discrimination score (SDS) of at least 50 percent. In those patients whose preoperative hearing was worse that this, success was based on a loss of no more than 10 dB in PTA or SRT, and 10 percent in SDS. Success was dependent mostly on extracanalicular (EC) tumor size, with the smallest tumors yielding the best results. When controlled for EC size, intracanalicular size and preoperative hearing were statistically significant variables. Origin from the superior vestibular nerve was also a favorable prognostic indicator. The character and duration of hearing loss, the patient's age, and the histology of the tumor did not have prognostic value. Auditory monitoring with either auditory brainstem response (ABR) or direct eighth nerve electrodes did not have a significant impact on success. Complications were somewhat increased by attempted hearing preservation. Facial nerve function was type I or II in 93 percent of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred in 15 percent of cases, but only 4 percent required surgical repair. There was one death, a patient with a 2.5-cm tumor. Early in the series, when a classic long vertical nuchal incision was used, headache and neck pain were common

Squamous cell carcinoma originating in the middle ear cleft is a rare tumor that tends to be diagnosed late in its course. The presenting symptoms mimic inflammatory disease of the middle ear space, and hence biopsy is often delayed. Herein we present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone arising 43 years after fenestration procedure. Operative findings were significant for complete dissolution of the tegmen tympani, tegmen mastoideum, and posterior fossa dura plate with dural exposure and sigmoid sinus exposure. Tumor was noted to invade the labyrinth at the horizontal semicircular canal. This case report highlights the aggressiveness of this particular tumor in a previously exenterated mastoid cavity and its proclivity to penetrate the otic capsule via pre-formed pathways. The treatment of choice is aggressive surgical resection followed by radiotherapy.

Few reports address using selective arterial embolization for controlling posterior epistaxis. Internal maxillary artery ligation is an effective method of control but suffers from requiring an operation in an already traumatized field and may fail due to variations in arterial arborization and collateral circulation. Selective angiographic embolization can determine the site of bleeding and control it, obviating the need for surgery, continued packing, and its sequellae. Sixteen patients underwent embolization for uncontrollable epistaxis. One patient had transient diplopia during the angiogram. There were no permanent complications. Within hours of the procedure, 12.5% experienced transient neurologic symptoms that resolved. All patients were controlled. Within 24 hours of the embolization, 87.5% were unpacked. The average length of stay was 5 days. When corrected for days admitted because of posterior packing, the length of stay decreased to 3.9 days. It is concluded that embolization is a safe, efficacious, cost efficient method of controlling posterior epistaxis

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is the result of transdural communication between the subarachnoid space and the skull base. A transdural fistula may originate from the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial compartments. All skull-base sites of leakage potentially lead to the nasal cavity. Recurrent meningitis is commonly associated with such a direct source of bacterial contamination. Organisms associated with recurrent meningitis secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leaks are commonly found in the upper respiratory tract. We report a case of recurrent meningitis in a 5-year-old girl that highlights the problem of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and we discuss etiology, current diagnostic techniques, and surgical management

A new type of thyroplasty implant (prosthesis) has been designed to be used of a surgical operation that accomplishes medial displacement of a paralyzed vocal cord. The implant is inserted through a rectangular window fashioned in the thyroid lamina on the side of the vocal cord paralysis. Instruments for measuring the location and outline of the window in the thyroid lamina are presented. A thyroplasty saw blade is introduced. By using this blade, a window of precise measurement can be constructed without injury to the underlying perichondrium. The implant is constructed from a biocompatible, medical-grade polymer. Four sizes each are available for the male and female larynges. The proper-size implant can be selected with a measuring device. It is not necessary to alter the implant at the time of surgery; it snaps into place and suturing is not necessary. Once the implant is inserted, its medial or lateral displacement is not possible; on the other hand, the implant can be easily removed if vocal cord function returns, or if a change to a different-size implant is indicated. The design of the implant will close the posterior commissure

Surgery for correction of primary hyperparathyroidism utilizing a standard bilateral neck exploration has a success rate of approximately 90 to 95%. With the inception of pre-operative localization studies that were 90% accurate in localizing the diseased gland, the concept arose that a unilateral exploration could be as successful as a bilateral exploration. Bilateral exploration of the neck for hyperparathyroidism exposes the patient to a greater potential of morbidity for hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. It is our feeling based on personal experience that unilateral parathyroidectomy in selective cases can be as successful as the bilateral operation and be more cost effective, saving over $1,100 (U.S.) per case.