C-MAC® video-laryngoscope assisted removal of pediatric upper airway foreign body via apneic technique: Two case reports.

C-MAC® video-laryngoscope is often used by anesthetists in difficult intubation scenarios primarily in adults. Using this C-MAC® device in two of our pediatric cases, we successfully removed the laryngeal foreign body, while the anesthetist provided the apneic technique. A systematic review of PubMed and Google Scholar for similar cases was conducted. We found only one such case report of pediatric airway foreign body removal via video-laryngoscope in the English literature. The use of this high-quality, magnified video-laryngoscope in children in an emergency scenario is often not adequately applied. This procedure provides continuous real-time visualization to both the operating surgeon as well as the anesthetist in respect to the airway and thereby reduces the chance of any untoward complications. Here, we present two interesting case reports of C-MAC® video-laryngoscope assisted removal of laryngeal foreign body via apneic technique with spontaneous ventilation performed on two different children in our facility. Both these children had clinical symptoms of upper airway obstruction with fluctuating stridor simulating croup or asthma.

A comparison of microdebrider assisted endoscopic sinus surgery and conventional endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polypi.

Nasal polyposis is often encountered in rhinology practice. Those who fail conservative management, a definitive surgery is essential to achieve sufficient ventilation and drainage of the affected sinuses by using either microdebrider or conventional instruments for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). A prospective study was conducted on 40 cases of nasal polypi in a tertiary care hospital. 20 cases were operated by conventional endoscopic instruments and 20 using the microdebrider. The study aimed at comparing the intra operative (blood loss, duration of surgery) and post operative results (crusting, scarring, discharge, symptoms, recurrence) between the two groups using Lund-Mackay scoring system and the data was statistically analysed. There was no statistically significant difference in surgical outcome for patients when either conventional endoscopic instruments or microdebrider was used. However, there was a significant symptomatic improvement in cases undergoing microdebrider FESS. Microdebrider assisted polypectomy is precise, relatively bloodless surgery though the precision depends on the surgeon's anatomical knowledge and operative skills. Study substantiates that these instruments are helpful but not a prerequisite for successful outcomes in FESS. The study re-emphasises the utility of the microdebrider to young learning FESS surgeons.

Deep and unusual sialolithiasis of submandibular duct and gland: a surgical dilemma.

Giant solitary submandibular duct calculus and multiple calculi of the gland are extremely rare. This occurrence along with more deep and proximally placed common calculi in submandibular gland may occasionally cause a dilemma in selection of the appropriate surgical approach in the present era of sialoendoscopic surgery. There is a high chance of fracture of the stone in a proximally placed stone in the gland followed by likely dissemination of fragments of the stone into the gland parenchyma during the procedure of sialoendoscopy which is a matter of grave concern. We authors believe that excision of the submandibular gland with the stone in such a situation should still be preferred as the gold standard of treatment leaving the ductal stone for endoscopic removal.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the sinonasal region.

Less than 10% of the patients with plasma cell neoplasms present with a solitary plasmacytoma. Though the nasal cavity is a common extramedullary site, the occurrence is extremely rare. Two cases of solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the sinonasal region are reported. The first of which is sinonasal plasmacytoma with concomitant HIV, an association that has been reported rarely in literature to date and is matter of much debate. In the second case report, we present an instance of surgical excision of the tumor using KTP 532 laser. The diagnosis was established using immunohistochemical techniques and multiple myeloma workups were negative in all cases.

Frontal sinus osteoma: a difficult surgical decision in the era of endoscopic sinus surgery.

A slow-growing frontal sinus osteoma has been followed up since the year 2001 by clinical, endoscopic, and radiological examination in the Department of Otolaryngology, New Medical Centre Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, for 10 years until the year 2010. The last computed tomography scan of paranasal sinuses was done on April 5, 2010, which revealed increasing size of the osteoma by 38.1 mm; and it has become symptomatic. No specific cause of the sudden change of growth of the osteoma could be evaluated from the history and clinical examination. There was an increase in the frequency of headache and feeling of pressure in the forehead. Choice of surgical approach was difficult in this popular era of endonasal endoscopic sinus approach. A great deal of effort was made after reviewing the literature and consultation with the radiologist and neurosurgeon to accept the bicoronal osteoplastic flap approach. A broad-based posterior frontal sinus is found to be ideal for external approach.

Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea - Manipal experience.

Otolaryngologists play a major role in the management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. A thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and the various treatment options available is essential to achieve the best possible results.In this paper, we are highlighting the pathophysiology, diagnosis and surgical technique involved in the repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. A retrospective study conducted in the department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal is presented to highlight our experience with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.Eleven patients were managed in the department of otolaryngology between 1999 and 2005. Seven had spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea, three were due to trauma and one iatrogenic, following surgery. Commonest anatomic site of leak was the cribriform plate in 4 cases. Other sites included sphenoid [2], lateral lamella [2], fovea ethmoidalis [2] and olfactory groove [1]. Onlay technique was performed in 10 out of 11 patients. Closure was successful in 10 out of 11 cases in the first attempt. One patient underwent revision surgery. Patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 months to 3 years.CSF rhinorrhea is a potentially fatal condition which requires precise and urgent treatment. The transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leak has a high success rate with low morbidity when performed by experienced endoscopic sinus surgeons. Our experience in managing this condition is presented.

Application of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser in the excision of pyriform fossa hemangioma.

Pyriform fossa hemangioma, especially of the cavernous type, is a rare case and very few such lesions have been encountered in general otolaryngological practice. We report such a lesion in a 36-year-old, middle-aged woman presenting with complaint of foreign body sensation in the throat. Examination revealed a hemangioma in the right pyriform fossa that was successfully managed using KTP-532 laser and bipolar cautery.

Solitary malignant schwanoma of para pharyngeal space-a case report and review of literature.

Malignnant Schwannom is an aggressive tissue tumor that is more cnmitutnh found m assoiiatiun with Ion Recklinghausens disease. The solitary tumors although rarer have a better prognosis when compared to those associated witk tan Recklinghausens disease. Parupharyngeui tumors are rare and a majority af these are benign salivary or neurogenie tumors, A malignant Schwannoma at this site is very infrequent with only four earn reported so far. The tase of a 16 year old girl with a parapharynccal malignant Schwnnaomu is presented Jor its rarity and our experience in dealing with it. .A combined modallty oftretument with surttery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy Was used. Pertinent literature h revlewed.

Endoscopic and KTP laser-assisted surgery for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a highly vascular tumor arising from the area around the sphenopalatine foramen. Various radical and extended radical surgeries have been advocated to surgically excise both extranasopharyngeal and nasopharyngeal juvenile angiofibromas. However angiofibromas involving the nasopharynx, nose, and sphenoid with minimal lateral extension via the sphenopalatine foramen can also be adequately managed endoscopically either alone or with 1 of the traditional approaches. Nine cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were successfully managed between January, 1999, and March, 2001, by preoperative selective embolization of the internal maxillary artery with or without external carotid artery clamping, followed by endoscopic excision. Two of the 9 cases underwent KTP/532 laser-assisted endoscopic excision, whereas the transpalatal approach was used along with the endoscope in another 2 cases. The patients remained free of disease after a median follow-up period of 17 months. We report our preliminary experience in endoscopic and KTP laser-assisted excision of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula: a rare complication in a laryngectomized patient.

A tracheo-innominate artery fistula is an uncommon but frequently fatal complication of tracheostomy. Rarely, it can also occur in laryngectomized patients. We report a post-laryngectomy, post-radiotherapy patient using a metal tracheostomy tube, who developed a tracheo-innominate artery fistula about two months after radiotherapy. To our knowledge this is only the second reported case in a laryngectomized patient. The computed tomography (CT) angiography findings helped confirm the diagnosis and the patient was successfully managed by surgical exploration and ligation of the innominate artery. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from a tracheal swab. The clinical features, CT angiography findings, management protocols and possible aetiological factors are discussed.

Endoscopic septoturbinoplasty: Our update series.

Decades have passed since septoplasty was first introduced for the management of the nasal airway. Various modifications of the technique have been made to deal with the pathology of the nasal septum. The authors have used the nasal endoscope successfully for the ultraconservative management of the deviated nasal septum and turbinoplasty [inferolateral partial resection of the turbinate/s]. The present study is an update series of the previously published preliminary series, and comprises of 480 cases of deviated nasal septum who underwent endoscope aided septo-turbinoplasty [EAS] to improve the nasal airway. The subjective assessment of the efficacy of this procedure was done by visual analogue scoring system and the objective assessment was done by endoscopy. This study demonstrates significant improvement in relieving nasal obstruction and the contact areas. The authors advocate a combined approach-an endoscopic approach for inaccessible posterior deviation and a conservative traditional technique for accessible anterior segment [caudal septum].

KTP-532 laser cordotomy for bilateral abductor paralysis.

Various lateralization procedures have been described in the past to treat bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Though endoscopie lateralization gives good results in terms ofdecannulation rates, the postoperative voice quality is often poor. KTP-532 laser assisted posterior cordotomy was done in 3 cases. This preliminary study showd 100% decannulation rate and good post-operative voice quality. The latter was assessed both subjectively and objectively on VAGMI scales.