-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To report a rare case of severe laryngeal fracture treated by supracricoid laryngectomy. Previously, a few cases of major laryngeal trauma treated by reconstructive laryngectomy have been briefly described. This paper aims to comprehensively document a rare case of severe laryngeal fracture for which this difficult treatment choice represented an acceptable option.
A 33-year-old woman sustained very serious blunt laryngeal trauma. The complexity of the laryngeal injuries led us to opt for supracricoid laryngectomy, rather than to attempt laryngeal repair.
The post-operative course was normal. The patient's post-operative voice was breathy but functional. No airway stenoses occurred.
For severe laryngeal fractures, reparative procedures and stenting constitute the standard treatment. However, in selected and especially critical cases, a primary partial or reconstructive laryngectomy is justifiable.
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 11/2010; 124(11):1239-41. · 0.60 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Five children were diagnosed with congenital dacryocystocele; in all cases, the cystic lesion was unilateral; age ranged from 7 to 60 days (mean 29 days). The mean ultrasonography diameter of the cyst, at the time of the diagnosis, was 11.51 mm. Topical and systemic antibiotics and massage were prescribed. One patient had no recurrence of the dacryocystocele but 4 showed no improvement with medical treatment; they were submitted to successful probing in the first months of life under general anaesthesia. Nasal endoscopy revealed a nasolacrimal cyst in one patient. True dacryocystocele is relatively rare: ultrasound is a simple, non-invasive method that can reliably distinguish dacryocystocele from other pathological conditions. Several reports have described a variable natural course of these lesions but there are controversial opinions regarding their management. Initially, we treated this congenital anomaly with digital massage, and topical and systemic antibiotics. Probing under general anaesthesia was performed in the event of dacryocystitis or lack of resolution after a short trial period with digital massage. Particular attention was paid to nasal bilateral endoscopy to exclude a nasal obstruction caused by cystic swelling of the nasolacrimal duct. When performed, the probing procedure was successful in all patients.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 01/2009; 28(6):298-301. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Two Caucasian males (57 and 70 years old) were referred to our attention with parasinus mucoceles, maxillary and frontal mucocele, respectively, that had eroded the orbital rim and caused swelling of the eyelids and brow. Invasion of the orbital space caused several ophthalmic symptoms such as diplopia, proptosis, ptosis, and the formation of a palpable mass. Ophthalmic involvement was the first sign of the mucocele. The mucoceles were completely excised through a skin incision and the diseased mucosa of the sinuses was removed: endonasal fibre optic surgery and the Caldwell-Luc procedure were used in the patient with maxillary mucocele. The cases are described with retrospective review.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 09/2007; 27(4):208-11. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Grisel's syndrome, defined as subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint, not associated with trauma or bone disease, is found primarily in children. There are few references to this syndrome in the ENT literature but it may occur in association with any condition that results in hyperaemia and pathological relaxation of the transverse ligament of the atlanto-axial joint. Several common otolaryngeal conditions have been associated with the syndrome: pharyngitis, adenotonsillitis, tonsillar abscess, cervical abscess, and otitis media. Moreover, the syndrome has been observed after numerous otolaryngologic procedures such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and mastoidectomy. Non-traumatic subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint should be suspected in cases of persistent neck pain and stiffness. X-rays and computed tomography scans of the cervical spine can confirm the diagnosis. Early management, consisting of cervical immobilization and medical treatment, is considered the key factor for a satisfactory outcome. Inappropriate treatment may result in a permanent and painful neck deformity that may even require surgical fusion. Neurological complications have been reported in the literature, with outcome ranging from mild paresthesia, clonus, to quadriplegia or acute respiratory failure and death. The case is described of an 8-year-old boy who developed Grisel's syndrome following adenoidectomy. The pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition are discussed.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 09/2005; 25(4):245-9. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Schwannoma arising from the cervical sympathetic chain is an uncommon benign nerve tumour. This tumour most often presents as an asymptomatic solitary neck mass, with slow-growing and rare malignant degeneration. Definitive pre-operative diagnosis may be difficult and investigations are not usually helpful. The carotid artery and internal jugular vein may be displaced anterior-laterally. Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion and confirmation is often obtained by means of surgical pathology. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for this tumour, with recurrence being rare. Homer's syndrome is a common post-operative neurological consequence, but does not appear to cause problems to the patient. The case is described of a 42-year-old male who presented an asymptomatic left neck mass. Diagnostic studies included computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound which confirmed a circumscribed mass in the upper left portion of the neck next to the thyroid gland. The mass was excised through a transverse left cervical skin incision. Post-operatively the patient showed clinical findings of Horner's syndrome. The pathologic and radiological evaluations, treatment and postoperative complications of this neoplasm are discussed.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 07/2005; 25(3):191-4. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Several proliferation markers, such as DNA ploidy, Ki67, MiB1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen have been shown to correlate with clinical course and prognosis in several epithelial tumours and lymphomas. In the present study, the prognostic relevance of these markers was evaluated in major salivary gland carcinomas. A sample of 36 cases out of 85 patients submitted to surgery for major salivary gland carcinomas at our institution between 1987 and 1997 were studied. The sample comprised 8 adenoid-cystic carcinomas, 6 ductal carcinomas, 11 mucoepidermoid carcinomas and 11 acinic cell carcinomas. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 years (mean 6.2). In some patients, DNA ploidy (euploid or aneuploid) was studied by flow cytometry. In others, proliferation activity was studied by means of monoclonal antibody MiB1, identifying cells in the proliferative cycle. In some patients, both techniques were used. Follow-up was related to these indices, TNM and stage. Even if ploidy suggested a favourable outcome in diploid cancer (13 favourable vs. 2 unfavourable) and poor outcome in aneuploid cancer (4 favourable vs. 5 unfavourable), the difference was not statistically significant with p = 0.06 in Fisher's exact test. Instead, the proliferative tumour cell fraction, evaluated by MiB1, was statistically correlated with prognosis. Comparing survival curves by Log rank Test it yielded p = 0.007 using an MiB1 cut-off of 5. Applying a cut-off of 20 yielded p = 0.001. Of particular interest were MiB1 values in acinic cell carcinomas for which grading is challenging and lacks consensus. In our group of acinic cell carcinomas, survival correlated with values of MiB1 > or < 15 with p = 0.009 in Log rank test. In conclusion, despite a trend towards correlation between ploidy and prognosis, the present study yielded p = 0.06, whereas the proliferative fraction assessed by MiB1 was significantly correlated with outcomes. Indeed, "growth fraction" in acinic cell carcinomas may stratify different classes of risk.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 06/2005; 25(3):161-8. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Echo-Doppler and Color Flow Doppler examinations, are able to combine the advantages offered by echography with those had with the Doppler exam. In the presence of tumours of the carotid body, these exams can furnish morphological data with regard to tumor size, its precise location and its rapport with contiguous organ as well as data regarding blood flow in the mass itself. The color Flow Doppler exam, in particular, can reveal the echographic aspect and the flow toward and away from the sonde all on the same image. This enables a precise diagnosis of a tumor of the carotid body to be reached even without angiography. The personal experience here reported involves ten cases observed during the last seven years.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 05/1995; 15(2):107-11. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Thirty-six patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were treated with a regimen including cisplatinum (CP) 30 mg/m2 i.v., 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2 i.v. bolus, folinic acid (FA) 200 mg/m2 i.v. in a continuous one-hour infusion, and bleomycin (B) 15 mg i.m. on the first and second days and repeated every 28 days. Thirty-three patients (25 with recurrent disease and 8 untreated) are evaluable for objective response. Of these, 4 (12%) achieved CR and 15 (45%) PR. All of the untreated patients responded. The mean duration of response in the patients with recurrent or metastatic disease was 5.5 months (range 2-10+). Remission of symptoms, such as pain and dysphagia, was obtained in 58% and in 44%, respectively. Subjective remission occurred almost exclusively in objectively responsive patients. The major side effects were leukopenia (55%) and nausea/vomiting (58%). This regimen is active in the treatment of advanced SCCHN. The quality of life may be improved in responsive patients.
Annals of Oncology 06/1991; 2(5):379-81. · 6.43 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The use of intraoperative facial electromyography (EMG) during otoneurosurgery facilitates anatomic and functional preservation of the VII nerve recording neural activation evoked both mechanically and electrically. The present work presents a personal experience involving the use of this technique in 27 cases of otoneurosurgery (16 neuromas of the acoustic nerve, 4 tympano-jugular paragangliomas, 5 VII nerve decompressions, 1 vestibular neurectomy, and 1 VII nerve neuroma monitored intraoperatively with Nicolet Nerve Integrity Monitor-1 (NIM-2). The latter is a highly sensitive instrument for intraoperative electromyographic recording. It is equipped with a system for electric stimulation, a display and a speaker for the EMG signal and acoustic alarm. During monitoring basically 3 types of EMG responses can be recorded: "burst", "train" and "pulse". In the present work the various EMG patterns are analyzed in detail as well as the relationship between their emergence and the type of surgical procedure performed. Intraoperative interpretation of the EMG activity makes possible more precise, intricate surgical maneuvers. It is felt that intraoperative monitoring has made it possible to preserve the anatomy and functionality of the facial nerve more frequently than is possible with other unmonitored cases. This becomes most evident when evaluating the long-term results.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 10(6):593-606. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Thirty-six patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were treated with a regimen including cisplatinum (CP) 30 mg/m2 i.v., 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2 i.v. bolus, folinic acid (FA) 200 mg/m2 i.v. in a continuous one-hour infusion, and bleomyein (B) 15 mg i.m. on the first and second days and repeated every 28 days. Thirty-three patients (25 with recurrent disease and 8 untreated) are evaluable for objective response. Of these, 4 (12%) achieved CR and 15 (45%) PR. All of the untreated patients responded. The mean duration of response in the patients with recurrent or metastatic disease was 5.5 months (range 2–10+). Remission of symptoms, such as pain and dysphagia, was obtained in 58% and in 44%, respectively. Subjective remission occurred almost exclusively in objectively responsive patients. The major side effects were leukopenia (55%) and nausea/vomiting (58%). This regimen is active in the treatment of advanced SCCHN. The quality of life may be improved in responsive patients.
-
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 4(1):93-103. · 0.86 Impact Factor
-
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale 4(4):423-33. · 0.86 Impact Factor
