Faculty Bibliography

Facial nerve paralysis is an unusual manifestation of sarcoidosis and is frequently associated with parotitis and uveitis. This triad of symptoms constitutes uveoparotid fever (Heerfordt's disease). Until recently, diagnosis was primarily clinical, aided by histologic confirmation of sarcoidosis (sarcoid of Boeck). An enzymatic assay has now been developed that seems to be specific for sarcoidosis. A case is reported herein, in which the origin of the facial paralysis was confirmed by this serum angiotensin-converting enzyme assay

Severe pathological changes were observed in the inner ear tissues of a 2-month-old patient who died of Reye's syndrome after 5 days of hospitalization. In the organ of Corti, the inner hair cells appeared to be more severely damaged than the outer hair cells. Various degrees of degeneration were observed in all non-sensory epithelial cells lining the cochlear duct. In most turns of the cochlear duct, Reissner's membrane was ruptured and/or collapsed onto the organ of Corti. Likewise, both sensory and non-sensory cells of the vestibular end organs were markedly degenerated. These observations suggest that the inner ear tissues are acutely affected in patients with Reye's syndrome, and that the changes may cause impairment of hearing and/or equilibrium in patients who recover.

In a study of the MMPI personality types of hospitalized men and women alcoholics, the Neurotic and Classic types had the characteristics of reactive alcoholism, and the Psychopathic, Schizoform A and Schizoform B types had the characteristics of essential alcoholism. Demographic variables and treatment prognosis also varied according to MMPI personality types.

A sublabial approach to the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and the nasopharynx degloving the middle third of the face has been described. Its major advantages over the other approaches have been compared and the usefulness of this approach has been stressed. The incidence of complications from this approach has been described and found to be acceptable.

The diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx was made in 15 patients over a 7 year period (nasopharynx, 9; nasal cavity, 3; maxillary sinus, 2; frontal sinus, 1). A wide variety of head and neck symptoms, often characteristic of benign disease, was reported ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months prior to presentation. Of the 15 cases, the original diagnosis was inconclusive in 6; 4 of the 6 required rebiopsy, while the diagnosis in the other 2 was confirmed on further pathologic consultation. Tissue marker studies, which have recently become available, were performed in 7 cases and were crucial in the diagnosis of 2. B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed in the 7 patients who had tissue marker studies. Five patients had palpable cervical nodes, and none had distant adenopathy or masses. With further staging, 4 of the 15 patients were found to have disseminated disease. The paper emphasizes the need for early biopsy of suspicious lesions presenting in areas in which physical examination is limited. Recommendations are made for handling the biopsy specimen when malignant lymphoma is suspected, as well as for the evaluation of local and distant sites. The role of surgery is primarily diagnostic in patients with malignant lymphoma

When a laryngologist treats a patient with a voice disorder it is often important to evaluate the sound of the voice over a long period of time and to demonstrate to the patient changes due to therapy. This may be vital to patient management especially when the results fail to correspond with the patient's expectations or when the voice is used professionally. Visualization of the vocal folds by the use of a mirror may be adequate for the diagnostic needs of the laryngologist, but a permanent record of laryngological features permits the sharing of objective information with referring physician, consultant, therapist, and, most importantly, with the patient. The illustrations can also be extremely useful in teaching.

A retrospective analysis of direct laryngoscopies performed at our institution in 1978 was undertaken utilizing computer technology. The population which consisted of 54% males and 46% females had an average age of 50.4 years. The most common symptom was hoarseness (83.6%). The most frequent benign and malignant diagnoses were vocal cord polyp and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Males predominated in all disease entities except vocal cord polyps. Benign disease entities presented most frequently with one or two symptoms, while malignant pathology presented with a varied array and number of symptoms. The indications: 'tumor' seen on indirect laryngoscopy, sore throat, dysphagia, otalgia, upper respiratory tract obstruction, hemoptysis, cough and leukoplakia were most frequently associated with malignancy. Voice abuse occupations were most commonly associated with vocal cord polyps and tobacco and alcohol use was most frequently associated with laryngeal cancer. Eighty-five percent of direct laryngoscopies were done under general anesthesia with two-thirds utilizing direct suspension microlaryngoscopy

Neonatal mice were reared in an acoustic environment that repetitively entrained activity in a large proportion of primary auditory afferents during the period when the frequency tuning of auditory neurons normally develops. The tuning curves obtained from these mice were significantly broader than those of normally reared mice of the same age. This suggests that the normal frequency tuning of neurons was prevented or delayed by synchronizing the pattern of activity imposed on the auditory pathway

CSF rhinorrhea can have many causes: traumatic, neoplastic, and iatrogenic origins are common. Most traumatic rhinorrhea ceases after a trial of conservative management. While obvious erosion or traumatic destruction of vital structures may be the underlying cause, other pathophysiologic mechanisms may be working in the formation of CSF rhinorrhea, which may require the combined skills of the otolaryngologist and the neurosurgeon. Leakage of CSF is seen in 'high-pressure rhinorrhea,' a pathophysiologic state wherein the underlying problem is poor CSF resorption. The result is increased intracranial pressure and eventual rhinorrhea or otorrhea. Areas of CSF leakage correspond to sites of congenital weakness in the cribriform plate region, the parasellar region, or the temporal bone. Weak areas in old base-of-skull fracture sites may leak with increased intracranial pressure. The initial management should stress correction of the deranged pathophysiology, namely shunting. Surgical repair is secondary to controlling the abnormal CSF dynamics

Vertical hemilaryngectomy (VHL) is an effective treatment for localized true-vocal-cord carcinoma. Single- and double-contrast barium pharyngoesophagrams in 13 post-VHL patients (11 with dysphagia or suspected tumor recurrence, and two asymptomatic volunteers) were reviewed retrospectively. The two asymptomatic volunteers illustrated the normal postoperative appearance, demonstrating an unaltered pharynx, with no barium aspiration. Barium aspiration into the laryngeal vestibule or trachea was seen in 10 cases and was the only abnormal radiographic finding in four such patients. Three instances of tumor recurrence were identified. In two such cases, aspirated barium revealed a narrowed, irregular lumen of the residual laryngeal vestibule with a mass protruding into the subglottic part of the airway. The third example of recurrent malignancy was manifested by a tracheoesophageal fistula. Findings on the barium examination mimicked recurrent tumor in four cases. In one instance, a mound of granulation tissue protruding into the subglottic airway was confused with tumor recurrence. In three cases, the radiographs demonstrated apparent narrowing and mucosal irregularity of the residual laryngeal vestibule. This appearance was due to early postoperative edema or to transient deformity of the pliable residual hemilarynx during deglutition, as shown by videotaped fluoroscopy