The Laryngoscope
-
Trismus is a common adverse effect of tumor extension or treatment for those with head and neck malignancy. Physical therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but many patients still fail to maintain adequate mouth opening. Coronoidectomy is a treatment option for those with trismus, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of coronoidectomy in treating trismus refractory to physical therapy. ⋯ Coronoidectomy is effective at improving trismus refractory to physical therapy in head and neck cancer patients.
-
Case Reports
Cerebrospinal fluid leak after anterior cervical disc fusion: an unusual cause of dysphagia and neck mass.
Dysphagia after anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) is a common complaint. We present two cases of dysphagia caused by a rare complication after ACDF: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak into the neck. ⋯ CSF collection presenting as dysphagia and neck mass after ACDF must be included in the differential diagnosis because incision and drainage is contraindicated, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) must be performed under sterile conditions. Treatment including lumbar drain or re-exploration is appropriate.
-
Comparative Study
Adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in children: outcome evaluated by pre- and postoperative polysomnography.
To evaluate the outcome of adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children using objective data from polysomnography supplemented by subjective proxy reports from the OSA-18 quality of life instrument. ⋯ Adenotonsillectomy for OSA results in a dramatic improvement in respiratory parameters as measured by polysomnography in the majority of healthy children. Quality of life also improves significantly after adenotonsillectomy for OSA in children. However, the correlation between improvements in respiratory parameters and improvements in quality of life is poor. Severe preoperative OSA is associated with persistence of OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Postoperative reports of symptoms such as snoring and witnessed apneas correlate well with persistence of OSA after adenotonsillectomy.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Reliability of the Welling scale (WS1) for rating temporal bone dissection performance.
To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of using a new scale (Welling scale) for resident evaluation of temporal bone dissection performance. ⋯ The Welling scale can be used reliably to assess temporal bone dissection performance where performance is measured by assessment of end product (mastoidectomy with facial recess approach).
-
Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG, Aquamid) is widely used as permanent facial tissue filler during facial plastic surgery. In this study, we examined the long-term effects and safety aspects of PAAG as a vocal fold augmentation material for patients with permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis. ⋯ Based on the preliminary results of this trial, PAAG appears to be a long-lasting and safe injection material that is suitable for the treatment of glottal insufficiency caused by permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis.