Predictive factors of severity and persistence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in sub-acute stroke.

PURPOSE: This study aims to understand the factors contributing to the severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia and its persistence in the sub-acute phase of stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of all the patients suffering from a stroke in the last year. The severity of stroke was reported according to the NIHSS score. All the patients were evaluated with the Dysphagia Risk Score and with a FEES. We classified the Dysphagia Risk Score and FEES results using the PAS score and ASHA-NOMS levels. The data were analysed statistically with ANOVA test, Student's t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A series of 54 patients were evaluated. The ANOVA test did not find any difference in the mean score of Dysphagia Risk Score, PAS and ASHA-NOMS when compared with the brain area of stroke. An NIHSS at hospital admission (stroke unit) of more than 12 was predictive of ASHA-NOMS score 1-4 after 60 days (p < 0.05). A PAS score between 6 and 8 at first FEES evaluation was predictive of poor (1-4) ASHA-NOMS score after 60 days (p < 0.01). A moderate positive linear correlation was found between NIHSS score and both PAS (r 0.65) and Dysphagia Risk Score (r 0.50); a moderate negative linear correlation was recorded between NIHSS and ASHA-NOMS (r - 0.66) scores. CONCLUSION: In the sub-acute phase of stroke, the predictive factors of persistent dysphagia are not linked to the damaged neuroanatomical region and others factors such as NIHSS value and high PAS score seem more useful.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in elderly population suffering from mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia: Understanding the link.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in elderly patients suffering from minimal or mild cognitive decline. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and were undergoing management for suspected oropharyngeal dysphagia, in our department. All our patients were subjected to Mini Mental State Examination test, MD Anderson dysphagia inventory and caregiver mealtime and dysphagia questionnaire. We performed a mealtime observation study and endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in all our patients. Following evaluation, we then analysed the data statistically. RESULTS: Out of 708 patients who visited us for cognitive decline and suspected oropharyngeal dysphagia in the last two years, 52 patients were confirming to the inclusion criteria of this study. Classification of oropharyngeal dysphagia patients according to ASHA-NOMS scale showed that 32.7% of patients presented with grade 4 of dysphagia followed by another 32.7% with grade 5 and 30.8% presented with grade 6. Only 3.8% of our patients were considered normal (grade 7 of ASHA-NOMS scale). MD Anderson dysphagia inventory could collected swallowing alterations in only 23.1% of the cases. The caregiver mealtime and dysphagia questionnaire showed acceptable caregivers patient management in 53.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: Our study underscores the fact that oropharyngeal dysphagia is present in many cases of mild cognitive decline. While patients understate their swallowing problems, the caregivers are not competent enough to manage this situation in a great percentage of cases. Only a mealtime observation by a speech-language pathologist along with FEES is able to identify the true prevalence of the condition.

Comparison of repositioning maneuvers for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of posterior semicircular canal: advantages of hybrid maneuver.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is becoming more frequent in elderly population. The presence of comorbid factors has to be considered before assessment as well as before commencing any repositioning treatment. Our aims were evaluation of the maneuvers efficacy and evaluation of the applicability of hybrid maneuver (HM) in patients with physical limitation. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a randomized study in 2 tertiary referral centers. INTERVENTION: This is a therapeutic intervention. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients with diagnosis of BPPV of posterior canal matching the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients underwent treatment soon after the initial diagnosis in all cases with a repositioning maneuver. The maneuver was casually selected among Semont, Epley, and hybrid. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the maneuver adopted. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with posterior canal BPPV were enrolled for treatment. Fisher exact test showed that no statistical differences exist between HM and other maneuvers in terms of efficacy. Latency of repositioning nystagmus appeared longer in HM in comparison with other maneuvers (P < .05). Efficacy of maneuvers used for BPPV decreases in case of cupulolithiasis (P < .0001). We found no relationship between age, sex, and length of disturbance on response to maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS: All maneuvers evaluated demonstrated similar efficacy. The HM, as our data showed, allows us to obtain a good percentage of success similar to most maneuvers used. It is also more comfortable for the patients with hip or neck functional limitation allowing an effective treatment of the posterior canal BPPV.

Treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis following permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a serious illness requiring emergency intervention to resolve the potentially life-threatening respiratory distress. Several surgical procedures were proposed to help improve the airway and to eliminate the tracheostoma in those patients with permanent paralysis. All the procedures have their own advantages and disadvantages. We conducted a retrospective study of 30 patients affected by bilateral vocal cord paralysis following total thyroidectomy. All the patients underwent total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid pathology. In 26 patients (86.6%), cord paralysis occurred during the perioperative stage; and in the remaining 4 cases (13.3%), it occurred within the following 6 months. We treated all these bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis patients with arytenoidectomy alone in 5 patients and arytenoidectomy with concomitant true and false posterior cordectomy in the remaining 25 patients. Twenty-four of the 25 patients who underwent the combined procedures (96%) reported subjective respiratory improvement and were decannulated within 60 days, being able to return to their normal daily activities. This study demonstrates that arytenoidectomy associated with posterior cordectomy is a satisfactory surgical treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis because it leads to a considerable and stable enlargement of the breathing space.

Are postural restrictions necessary for management of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

OBJECTIVES: An important component of management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has been the application of postural restrictions after use of a canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) to prevent the return of otolithic debris into the posterior semicircular canal (PSC). This study was designed to explore the effectiveness of postural restrictions in patients with BPPV caused by otolithic debris in the PSC. METHODS: Seventy-four adult patients with unilateral PSC BPPV were enrolled into this study. All patients were managed with a CRM--either the modified Epley maneuver or the Semont maneuver. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups: group A, with postural restrictions, and group B, without postural restrictions. The statistical analysis was performed with X2 tests and t-tests. RESULTS: No patients in either group showed positional nystagmus in the posttreatment evaluation under infrared videonystagmoscopy. No patients had symptoms of vertigo after the therapy. The results of follow-up vestibular tests were normal in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, postural restrictions do not enhance the beneficial effect of the CRMs. They do not seem to have any protective role and therefore should not be recommended as an adjunct to the treatment of PSC BPPV.

Spontaneous nystagmus in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and eventually to study the features of spontaneous nystagmus (Ny) in our patients with diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients who presented with vertigo spells and were managed at our tertiary care referral center. Patients with only idiopathic BPPV presenting with typical vertigo spells and positioning Ny characteristic of the disease were included in this study. To investigate the positioning Ny, we studied the patients in the sitting position, during the head shaking test, and during the Dix-Hallpike test and the McClure-Pagnini test (Ny provoked by rotation of the head in a supine patient). Ny responses in all patients were observed using infrared videoscopy. RESULTS: We managed 412 patients affected by BPPV. Of the 412 patients, 292 (70.87%) were diagnosed to be having posterior canal-BPPV and 110 (26.99%) patients had horizontal canal-BPPV (HC-BPPV). The remaining 10 patients (2.44%) were identified to have anterior canal-BPPV. Spontaneous Ny in sitting position was observed, by infrared videoscopy, only in the patients affected by HC-BPPV. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous Ny in BPPV can be observed with infrared videoscopy in patients affected by HC-BPPV. The origin of this Ny is most likely due to a natural inclination of horizontal semicircular canal with respect to the horizontal plane. This Ny stops after flexion of the head in neutral position, and for this reason, it should be considered as a seemingly spontaneous Ny. This Ny, in our experience, is observed in most HC-BPPV patients but does not indicate the need for a different management protocol or any different prognostic value of HC-BPPV.

Changes in Speech Range Profile Are Associated with Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the variations in the speech range profile (SRP) of patients affected by cognitive decline. METHODS: We collected the data of patients managed for suspected voice and speech disorders, and suspected cognitive impairment. Patients underwent an Ear Nose and Throat evaluation and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To obtain SRP, we asked the patients to read 18 sentences twice, at their most comfortable pitch and loudness as they would do in daily conversation, and recorded their voice on to computer software. RESULTS: The study included 61 patients. The relationship between the MMSE score and SRP parameters was established. Increased severity of the MMSE score resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the average values of the semitones to the phonetogram, and the medium and maximum sound pressure levels (p<0.001). The maximum predictivity of MMSE was based on the highly significant values of semitones (p<0.001) and the maximum sound pressure levels (p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The differences in SRP between the various groups were analyzed. Specifically, the SRP value decreased with increasing severity of cognitive decline. SRP was useful in highlighting the relationship between all cognitive declines tested and speech.

Management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of lateral semicircular canal by Gufoni's manoeuvre.

UNLABELLED: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of lateral semicircular canal (LSC) is one of the rarer forms of BPPV as compared to posterior semicircular canal BPPV. Various particle repositioning manoeuvres have been described in the literature as a mode of treating this condition. PURPOSE: Evaluation and discussion of the procedure of the Gufoni's manoeuvre and its advantages in the treatment of BPPV of LSC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of 58 patients affected by LSC BPPV who were office-treated with Gufoni's manoeuvre. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of the patients so treated had complete resolution of symptoms, and 6.9% did not show any improvement in their symptoms. The remaining 13.8% had a conversion into posterior semicircular canal BPPV during treatment and were successfully treated with Epley's or Semont's manoeuvre. CONCLUSIONS: Gufoni's manoeuvre is effective in treating patients suffering from BPPV of LSC; it is simple to perform; there are not many movements to execute, it needs low time of positioning, and positions are comfortable to the patient.

A multicenter observational study on the role of comorbidities in the recurrent episodes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: Primary objective of this study was to find a statistical link between the most worldwide comorbidities affecting the elderly population (hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthrosis, osteoporosis and depression) and recurrent episodes of BPPV. Secondary objective was defining possible "groups of risk" for people suffering recurrent positional vertigo related to the presence of a well documented comorbidity. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter, spontaneous, non-pharmacological study. The data of 1092 patients suffering BPPV evaluated in 11 different Departments of Otolaryngology, Otoneurology and Neurology, referring Centers for positional vertigo evaluation, were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Regarding evaluated comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthrosis, osteoporosis and depression), data analysis showed the presence of at least one comorbid disorder in 216 subjects (19.8%) and 2 or more in 408 subjects (37.4%). Moreover there was a statistical significant difference between the number of comorbidities and the number of recurrences, otherwise said as comorbidity disorders increased the number of relapses increased too. CONCLUSION: The presence of a systemic disease may worsen the status of the posterior labyrinth causing a more frequent otolith detachment. This condition increases the risk for patients suffering BPPV to have recurrent episodes, even if correctly managed by repositioning maneuvers. The combination of two or more of aforementioned comorbidities further increases the risk of relapsing BPPV, worsened by the presence of osteoporosis. On the basis of this results it was possible to define "groups of risk" useful for predicting BPPV recurrence in patients with one or more comorbidity.

Malignant paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: An insidious percentage of paroxysmal positional vertigo appears to be intractable with canalith repositioning maneuver and also is not self-limiting. This type of positional vertigo is sustained by the action of intracranial tumors that mimics the clinical aspects of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Aim of this study is to clarify the features of these forms of positional vertigo, which we indicate as malignant paroxysmal positional vertigo. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of all the patients who presented with vertigo spells and were managed at our tertiary care referral centre over a three years period. Two hundred and eleven patients with diagnosis of positional paroxysmal vertigo were included in the final study. RESULTS: Seven patients were affected by intracranial tumors causing a positional vertigo and were classified as malignant paroxysmal positional vertigo patients after radiological and histological diagnosis. These patients were affected by an internal auditory canal mass alone or with extension in the cerebello pontine angle that mimicked a benign positional vertigo. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the clinician should keep in mind the differentiation between benign positional vertigo and malignant positional vertigo. When the patients with positional vertigo presents a strange behaviour of symptoms, nystagmus or response to the canalith repositioning maneuver a radiological investigation must be undertaken in every doubtful case.

Facial nerve schwannoma involving middle cranial fossa: when the unilateral sensorineural hearing loss guide to the correct diagnosis.

The Facial Nerve Schwannoma is a rare tumor and it seldom involved the middle cranial fossa. Facial nerve schwannoma has various manifestations, including facial palsy but unfortunately facial nerve is very resistant to compression and often facial nerve paralysis or a facial weakness are not present. We present a case of giant facial nerve schwannoma involved the middle cranial fossa without facial nerve paralysis. In these cases the unilateral hearing loss (if present) guide to a correct diagnosis.

Primary non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the parotid gland.

UNLABELLED: Primary malignant lymphomas in the salivary glands are relatively rare. Clinical presentation is not characteristic and the disease is often overlooked resulting in diagnosis and treatment delays. AIM: To stress the importance of the diagnostic process and combined management, we present a series of eight patients with malignant lymphoma of the parotid who were diagnosed only after surgery and managed with radiation and chemotherapy. METHODS: Retrospective series of patients with primary malignant lymphoma of the parotid gland managed with radiotherapy and diagnostic surgical partial resection. RESULTS: After treatment completion we achieved a loco-regional control rate of 87.5%. Toxicity was charted according to the Common Toxicity Criteria and it was seen in six patients (75%). Six patients are still alive without evidence of recurrent disease in their last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that primary early stage Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the parotid gland is a disease with an excellent prognosis and a good local control rate, with minimal morbidity.

Wegener's Granulomatosis presenting with an abscess in the parotid gland: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Wegener's Granulomatosis is a vasculitis of uncertain aetiology. Affected patients usually present with disease of the respiratory and renal tracts. Classic symptoms and clinical findings, together with serology titres positive for anti-neutrophil cytolplasmic antibody against proteinase 3 confirm the diagnosis. Wegener's Granulomatosis can occasionally involve other organs, but solitary parotid gland disease is uncommon; patients generally also have systemic disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of Wegener's Granulomatosis in a 69-year-old Caucasian female presenting initially with an isolated parotid abscess and only subsequently developing nasal, paranasal sinus and respiratory symptoms. We describe the clinical course, diagnostic difficulties, imaging and histopathology of this case. CONCLUSION: Major salivary gland infection is not an uncommon ENT disorder, but the clinician should be wary of the patient who fails to respond appropriately to adequate therapy. In such cases a differential diagnosis of Wegener's Granulomatosis should be considered, as early recognition and treatment of this potentially fatal disease is paramount.

Management of naso-septal deformity in childhood: long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: The classical teaching advocates a conservative approach for children presenting with various naso-septal deformities. It may not be appropriate especially when it causes nasal obstruction to the growing child. This study has two main purposes: to contribute in identifying the correct selection criteria for surgical management of pediatric patients and in selecting the most appropriate surgical technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed a series of 46 cases of post-traumatic septal and naso-septal deformity not managed promptly or with recurrence of nasal deviation, following bones fracture correction alone. The mean follow-up was 10 years. RESULTS: Patients with naso-septal deformity managed only by septoplasty had accentuation of nasal pyramid deformity; those treated by septorhinoplasty showed a good aesthetic and functional result after long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our series results demonstrated that the best results were obtained when we correct all evident alterations of nasal septum and pyramid at a single stage. Unsuccessful results seen in our first group suggest that immediate correction of septum alone with delayed management of nasal pyramid deformity leads to a poorer outcome.

Metastasising chordoma to the mandible from a rare vertebral site: the first reported case.

Chordoma is a rare tumor, arising from notochord remnants, which usually occurs in the axial skeleton and rarely metastasizes. Although there have been 3 previous reports of metastatic disease to the facial bones from sacrococcygeal chordoma, this is the first to describe spread to the mandible from a vertebral primary chordoma.

Prospective randomized clinical trial of the effect of needle size on pain, sample adequacy and accuracy in head and neck fine-needle aspiration cytology.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is useful in the diagnosis of many conditions of the head and neck. No reported studies have investigated the optimal needle gauge in the head and neck region. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized trial of 100 patients who required FNAC performed with either a 21G or 23G needle. Discomfort was scored by patients using a visual analogue scale. Sample accuracy was assessed in patients who subsequently had excision biopsy. RESULTS: FNAC performed with a 23G needle was less painful (mean +/- SE, 1.6 +/- 1.01) than FNAC with a 21G needle (3.3 +/- 1.94; p < .001). There was no difference in sample adequacy between the 2 needle sizes (p = .59). The sensitivities and specificities of both needles were similar. CONCLUSION: Head and neck FNAC should routinely be performed with a 23G needle, resulting in less patient discomfort, and giving sample adequacy comparable to a conventional 21G needle.

Primary Non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the parotid gland / Linfomas malignos primários nas glandulas salivares

Primary malignant lymphomas in the salivary glands are relatively rare. Clinical presentation is not characteristic and the disease is often overlooked resulting in diagnosis and treatment delays. AIM: To stress the importance of the diagnostic process and combined management, we present a series of eight patients with malignant lymphoma of the parotid who were diagnosed only after surgery and managed with radiation and chemotherapy. METHODS: Retrospective series of patients with primary malignant lymphoma of the parotid gland managed with radiotherapy and diagnostic surgical partial resection. RESULTS: After treatment completion we achieved a loco-regional control rate of 87.5 percent. Toxicity was charted according to the Common Toxicity Criteria and it was seen in six patients (75 percent). Six patients are still alive without evidence of recurrent disease in their last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that primary early stage Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the parotid gland is a disease with an excellent prognosis and a good local control rate, with minimal morbidity.

Linfomas primários das glândulas salivares são relativamente raros. Sua apresentação clínica não écaracterística e, frequentemente, a doença passa despercebida, resultando em atrasos no diagnóstico e tratamento. OBJETIVO: Enfatizar a importância do diagnóstico e tratamento combinado. Apresentamos uma casuística de oito pacientes com linfoma maligno da parótida, que foram diagnosticados somente após a cirurgia e tratados com radio e quimioterapia. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com linfoma maligno primário da glândula parótida, tratados com radioterapia e ressecção cirúrgica parcial diagnóstica. RESULTADOS: Após a conclusão do tratamento, atingimos uma taxa de controle loco-regional de 87,5 por cento. A toxicidade foi classificada de acordo com os Critérios Comuns de Toxicidade e afetou seis pacientes (75 por cento). Seis pacientes ainda estão vivos, sem evidência de doença na mais recente consulta de acompanhamento. CONCLUSÃO: Nosso estudo confirma que o Linfoma primário Não-Hodgkin em estágios iniciais da glândula parótida é uma doença com excelente prognóstico e boa taxa de controle local, com mínima morbidade.