Occult Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer in an Adolescent.

Background/Objective: Occult papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is PTC with metastasis but without identification of primary thyroid cancer on preoperative ultrasonography. Published reports on occult PTC in children are limited. Case Report: We describe a 16-year-old female with occult PTC who initially presented with a painless left sided cystic neck mass. Diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid cancer was found in the resected neck mass and thyroid ultrasound did not show any nodules or features of carcinoma. After total thyroidectomy, pathological examination of the thyroid revealed papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Discussion: We describe a rare case of occult diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid cancer presenting as a cystic neck mass mimicking a second branchial cleft cyst in an adolescent patient. When metastatic PTC is found without evidence of nodule on thyroid imaging, occult PTC of the thyroid is the likely diagnosis. Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy ± neck dissection followed by TSH suppression and radioactive iodine therapy remains the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Extensive Bilateral Cervicofacial Lymphadenitis Caused by Atypical Mycobacterium.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lymphadenitis typically presents as a unilateral, non-tender, slowly enlarging cervical, submandibular, or pre-auricular lymph node in children. Disseminated NTM infection is most often seen in immunocompromised children. Here, we present an unusual case of extensive bilateral cervical and retropharyngeal lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) in an ostensibly immunocompetent pediatric patient.

Applicant Perspectives on Virtual Otolaryngology Residency Interviews.

OBJECTIVE: Residency interviews serve as an opportunity for prospective applicants to evaluate programs and to determine their potential fit within them. The 2019 SARS-CoV2 pandemic mandated programs conduct interviews virtually for the first time. The purpose of this study was to assess applicant perspectives on the virtual interview. METHODS: A Qualtrics survey assessing applicant characteristics and attitudes toward the virtual interview was designed and disseminated to otorhinolaryngology applicants from 3 large academic institutions in the 2020 to 2021 application cycle. RESULTS: A total of 33% of survey applicants responded. Most applicants were satisfied with the virtual interview process. Applicants reported relatively poor quality of interactions with residents and an inability to assess the "feel" of a geographic area. Most applicants received at least 11 interviews with over a third of applicants receiving >16 interviews. Only 5% of applicants completed >20 interviews. Most applicants believed interviews should be capped between 15 and 20 interviews. Most applicants reported saving >$5000, with over a quarter of applicants saving >$8000, and roughly one-third of applicants saving at least 2 weeks of time with virtual versus in-person interviews. CONCLUSIONS: While virtual interviews have limitations, applicants are generally satisfied with the experience. Advantages include cost and time savings for both applicants and programs, as well as easy use of technology. Continuation of the virtual interview format could be considered in future application cycles; geographical limitations may be overcome with in-person second looks, and increased emphasis should be placed on resident interactions during and prior to interview day.

Surgical Treatment for Palatoglossal Arch Cicatrix and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency After Adenotonsillectomy.

Postadenotonsillectomy velopharyngeal incompetence/insufficiency/dysfunction (VPI) is an uncommon but potentially surgically challenging problem. We report a child without cleft palate who developed severe palatoglossal arch cicatrix and VPI after adenotonsillectomy, and describe bilateral palatoglossal arch z-plasty to restore palatal function and speech.

High rates of subglottic stenosis seen in African-American children admitted with severe croup to hospitals in the United States between 2003 and 2013.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether differences exist in the epidemiology and the treatment of croup with respect to gender, race, income and geographical location. METHODS: Retrospective weighted analysis of patients under 19 admitted with a diagnosis of croup with a subcohort of patients requiring intubation or diagnostic bronchoscopy from the National Inpatient Sample and Kids' Inpatient Database from 2003 to 2013. ICD-9 codes and demographics were analyzed; cross tabulations and linear regression modeling were performed. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2013, 202,188 pediatric patients were admitted with a diagnosis of croup, equivalent to 1-per-100 pediatric admissions. Males were more likely to be admitted for croup than females [OR 2.13 (2.08-2.17)]. Incidence of croup is highest in Caucasians and lowest in Asian and African-American patients. African-American children are more likely to undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy or require intubation [OR 1.23 (1.08-1.401)] than other races. A higher rate of subglottic stenosis was seen in African-American children who required bronchoscopy than expected (39.1% vs 26.7%). After controlling for subglottic stenosis, African-American patients were no longer more likely to undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy or require intubation than other races [OR 1.129 (0.959-1.33)]. CONCLUSION: African-American children admitted with a diagnosis of croup appear to have an increased rate of intubation or bronchoscopy. This may be related to the high incidence of subglottic stenosis in this population. After controlling for subglottic stenosis, no difference in intervention rates was seen.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer in a Child with Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers.

Objectives. To describe the presentation and management of a child with Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers (PTGC), an uncommon condition characterized by significant persistent lymphadenopathy, who developed papillary thyroid carcinoma and to explore and review potential links between PTGC and neoplastic processes in the head and neck. Methods. Case presentation and literature review are used. Results. A 10-year-old female presented with a right parotid mass and cervical lymphadenopathy. Multiple biopsies revealed PTGC without malignancy. Two years later, she developed fatigue and weight gain, and a thyroid nodule was found. Fine needle aspiration was strongly suggestive of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection without surgical management of the longstanding right lateral neck lymphadenopathy. Final pathology confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma. She was treated with radioactive iodine therapy postoperatively and remains free of disease at three years of follow-up. Conclusions. PTGC is considered a benign condition but has previously been associated with Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL). This is the first reported case of papillary thyroid cancer in a child with preexisting cervical PTGC and no defined risk factors for thyroid malignancy. No link has been established with thyroid carcinoma, but patients with PTGC may have a defect in immune surveillance that predisposes them to malignancy.

Management of subglottic cysts with Mitomycin-C-A case series and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the management and outcomes of seven infants with subglottic cysts. To assess the role of Mitomycin-C in the management of subglottic cysts. To discuss the relationship of subglottic cysts with gastro-esophageal reflux. To extensively review the literature on subglottic cysts. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and literature review. METHODS: Case series of seven children with subglottic cysts at a tertiary care hospital. Charts were reviewed to determine birth history, gender, intubation history, comorbidities, age at presentation, presenting symptoms, interventions and follow-up. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2009, seven patients aged 4-13 months were diagnosed with and treated for subglottic cysts. All children had a history of intubation and had evidence of gastro-esophageal reflux. All children were treated with endoscopic marsupialization (CO(2)-laser, cupped forceps) or bronchoscopic rupture; with or without concomitant topical Mitomycin-C therapy. Infants were followed clinically and with interval endoscopy with a minimum follow-up of 6 weeks. No patients receiving topical post-marsupialization Mitomycin-C (0/4) had cyst recurrence. Those patients who did not receive Mitomycin-C therapy recurred more frequently (66% - 2/3). Cysts ruptured with the bronchoscope tip recurred (66% - 2/3) more often than cysts undergoing endoscopic marsupialization (0/6). The one bronchoscopic rupture case that did not recur was the one in which Mitomycin-C was used concomitantly. Patient follow-up was at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-procedure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic marsupialization is the treatment of choice for subglottic cysts. Gastro-esophageal reflux has a strong association with subglottic cysts. The post-marsupialization application of Mitomycin-C may have a role in reducing the recurrence rate and scarring after surgical treatment of subglottic cysts.

Microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia.

OBJECTIVES: We describe our series in the surgical treatment of laryngomalacia using a microdebrider. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia between October 2004 and February 2008. Patients with neurologic conditions and secondary airway lesions were excluded. The main outcome measures included complications, pain, resolution of stridor, presence of aspiration, and need for revision surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients underwent microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty. The mean age at diagnosis was 109 days, and the mean age at the time of the procedure was 182 days. Nineteen patients (68%) had gastroesophageal reflux at diagnosis. The average operative time was 35.7 minutes (range, 11 to 65 minutes). No intraoperative complications or device problems occurred. Two patients remained intubated after the procedure. One patient required a tracheotomy, and 1 patient underwent revision supraglottoplasty. Three patients had aspiration that resolved. There was negligible pain from the procedure, as all patients immediately resumed a diet. All patients had immediate or eventual resolution of stridor. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series of patients who underwent microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia. This procedure is relatively safe, with minimal pain, and effective in patients with laryngomalacia. Microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty is the method of choice for supraglottoplasty in our institution.

Dexmedetomidine and proprofol in complex microlaryngeal surgery in infants.

We describe the case of an infant undergoing endoscopic repair of a laryngeal cleft where the combination of dexmedetomidine and propofol infusions was used as the anesthetic technique. With this regimen, endotracheal intubation was unnecessary during the perioperative period, the procedure lasted approximately 3h, and the child recovered uneventfully. Historically, the techniques used for microlaryngeal surgery involve the use of intermittent endotracheal intubation and insufflation of halogenated anesthetics to the oropharynx. Given the potential benefits of a technique that obviates the need for endotracheal intubation during microlaryngeal surgery and prevents insufflation of halogenated anesthetics in an open environment, the combination of propofol and dexmedetomidine should be considered as a viable and desirable anesthetic option for infants undergoing complex microlaryngeal surgery.

Secreting vagal paraganglioma.

Paragangliomas are rare tumors that derive from neural crest tissue. Vagal paragangliomas account for only 3% of all head and neck paragangliomas. Patients with vagal paragangliomas typically present with an asymptomatic neck mass and, less frequently, with cranial neuropathies. It is estimated that only 1% to 3% of all head and neck paragangliomas secrete catecholamines. The incidence of secreting vagal paragangliomas is even smaller. The diagnosis of a secreting paraganglioma involves the use of a screening test for serum catecholamines and a 24-hour urinary test for catecholamine metabolites. The identification and staging of these tumors can be performed through the use of MRI and/or CT scans and an octreotide scintigraphy. The mainstay treatment is surgical extirpation; however, preoperative medical blockade is critical to avoid a hypertensive crisis intra-operatively. We present two illustrative cases of secreting vagal paragangliomas involving a complex diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.