Novel use of precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) in pre-operative angioembolisation of a large posterior auricular arteriovenous malformation.

BACKGROUND: Large arteriovenous malformations are often managed via endovascular embolisation followed by surgical resection. We describe the use of a new liquid embolic agent (LEA) - precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) and its advantages over existing LEAs. CASE: A 60-year-old male presented with a progressively enlarging right post-auricular arteriovenous malformation. He underwent successive angioembolisation with PHIL and subsequent surgical resection on post-embolisation day 1. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PHIL being used in pre-operative embolization of a large extra-cranial head and neck AVM. Its excellent penetration into small calibre vessels, decreased glare artefact on imaging and decreased skin pigmentation render it a compelling alternative to existing LEAs.

Spontaneous Osteogenesis of Dehiscent Frontal Sinus Wall After Endoscopic Removal of Mucocele.

ABSTRACT: Paranasal sinus mucoceles commonly cause erosions of the bony walls. Currently, such defects can be managed conservatively with promising short-term outcomes. Long-term outcomes of these defects have not been described. The authors describe a 28-year-old patient with complete spontaneous osteogenesis of the large dehiscent frontal sinus posterior wall, secondary to a large mucocele, 9 years from functional endoscopic sinus surgery with the defect managed conservatively. Owing to the osteogenic potential of the dura, the authors postulate that the presence of dura beneath the bony deformity of the posterior frontal sinus wall had likely initiated the osteogenesis and restored the defect. This report substantiates studies demonstrating the osteogenic potential of an intact dura. Conservative management is an option for selected large defects of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus.

Randomized controlled study comparing tonsillectomy safety and patient satisfaction outcomes between HARMONIC ACE® + shears and monopolar diathermy in an adult population - A pilot study.

PURPOSE: Various types of the harmonic scalpel blades have been used for tonsillectomy since the early 2000s with varying successes. The HARMONIC ACE® + 23 cm shears is a relatively new blade which has not been studied in an adult population yet. METHODOLOGY: A randomized controlled pilot study was performed comparing the HARMONIC ACE® + 23 cm shears (HS) and monopolar electrocautery (EC) tonsillectomy in 20 patients. Intraoperative blood loss, pain control, return to normal diet and activity as well as patient satisfaction outcomes were compared between these two arms. RESULTS: The operative time was comparable. Compared to the EC arm, there was less intraoperative bleeding, lower risks of delayed haemorrhage and readmission in the HS arm. Post-operative pain scores and use of analgesia were similar. There was earlier return to normal diet and activity in the HS arm compared to the EC arm. More patients in the HS arm recommended using HARMONIC ACE® + 23 cm shears compared to those in the EC arm. This is a non-inferiority study which suggests that the HARMONIC ACE® + 23 cm shears is comparable to monopolar electrocautery in terms of efficacy and post-operative complication rates with better patient satisfaction outcomes. The main weakness of the study is a small study population. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported study comparing the use of the HARMONIC ACE® + 23 cm shears with monopolar cautery in tonsillectomy. A prospective adequately powered study validated by objective outcome measures would be useful to verify the findings from this pilot study.

When the simple migrated hair results in distressing ear symptoms.

We present 3 patients who complained of distorted hearing, tinnitus and otalgia resulting from scalp and facial hair impacting against the tympanic membrane. Removal of the migrated hair with microsuction relieved symptoms immediately. In 2 cases, the patients had presented to the primary care physician earlier, shortly after a haircut. The family physicians had correctly detected the migrated hair but failed to identify this as the cause of the patient's symptoms. Increased awareness of this potentially common complication will enable the family physician to identify and treat these patients in a primary care setting.

Convulsive Syncope From Carotid Sinus Syndrome as a Manifestation of Laryngeal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid sinus syndrome (CSS) is a rare yet serious presentation of head and neck malignancy. To our knowledge, syncope and seizure-like episodes as a manifestation of carotid sinus syndrome secondary to laryngeal cancer has not been reported to date. We report a case of laryngeal cancer causing convulsive syncope masquerading as seizures due to CSS. METHODS: Case report. The patient's medical record was reviewed for demographic and clinical information. RESULTS: A 62-year-old male presented with multiple episodes of syncope and hoarseness of voice. On nasoendoscopic examination, left vocal cord palsy and left aryepiglottic fold tumor were visualized. Computerized tomography (CT) neck showed a large 2.4 × 3.6 cm left supraglottic tumor with local invasion and extensive cervical lymphadenopathy compressing the carotid sinus. CT guided biopsy of the tumor revealed invasive squamous cell carcinoma. While undergoing evaluation, the patient developed seizure-like episodes. Inpatient telemetry monitoring revealed significant bradycardia and hypotension during these episodes. A permanent pacemaker was inserted which resulted in resolution of the syncopal and seizure-like episodes. CONCLUSION: In patients with unexplained syncope or seizure-like episodes and a background of head and neck cancer, clinicians should consider the diagnosis of CSS. CSS is a poor prognostic factor due to the associated higher stage of disease.

Lupus Erythematous Profundus: An Unusual Manifestation in the Otolaryngological Setting.

Lupus erythematous profoundus (LEP) is an uncommon manifestation of chronic lupus erythematous (CLE) involving inflammation of the subcutaneous fat and deep dermis. It is rarely seen in the otolaryngological practice. We describe a case of a 33-year-old female who presented with bilateral acute onset cheek swelling, which led to the unexpected diagnosis of LEP. We describe the diagnostic pitfalls that may potentially bias the surgeon towards the management of such patients.

Double thumb sign in a case of epiglottitis.

Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires quick and accurate diagnoses. The gold standard for diagnosis is for laryngoscopic visualisation of the epiglottis. However, this may not be well-tolerated in a patient with impending airway collapse, and lateral neck radiographs may support the diagnosis. The thumb sign is a recognized radiological feature of epiglottitis. We present a case of a 57-year-old gentleman with epiglottitis, whose lateral neck radiograph had the interesting feature of a double thumb sign. In spite of the significant airway oedema, he was conservatively managed with subsequent full recovery. The objective of this case report is to highlight the severity of airway narrowing with this radiological finding of double thumb sign, to alert the clinician to have closer monitoring or to consider artificial airway support.

Treatment of periocular and temporal reticular veins with 1064-nm Nd:YAG Laser.

BACKGROUND: The periocular and temporal regions are important aspects of beauty. The presence of reticular veins in these areas is undesirable and can also interfere with injection of neurotoxins to treat squint lines. 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser shows promise as an effective treatment modality with long-lasting effects. AIM: The aim of the study is to show that the long-pulsed, contact-cooled, variable spot-sized 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe, with good patient satisfaction and tolerability, and is able to achieve long-term results. METHODS: A retrospective study of 35 consecutive patients seen over a 3-year period in a private cosmetic clinic affiliated to the University of Toronto for periocular and temporal reticular veins was conducted. They were all treated with 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with an average age of 45.8 years old received treatment. 13 had lower eyelids treated, 9 had temples treated, 12 had both lower eyelids and temples treated, and 1 had both upper and lower eyelids treated. The first case of upper eyelid vein being treated with the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser with great success after only 1 treatment is reported. 80% of the patients required only 1-2 treatment sessions. The average satisfaction score was 7.9 out of 10. The average pain score was 5.0 out of 10. 91% perceived the treatment outcome as excellent or good with the longest result lasting 33 months. There were 4 complications: 1 scabbing, 1 small burn, 1 skin darkening, and 1 teary eye. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the use of the long-pulsed, contact-cooled, variable spot-sized 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe, with good patient satisfaction and tolerability, and is able to achieve long-term results.

Thoracic ranula: an extremely rare case.

We present the first case of a thoracic ranula which originated from the left submandibular area extending into the subcutaneous tissue planes of the anterior chest wall. The patient had a history of surgery for a previous benign left salivary gland cyst, and presented with an enlarging mass in the anterior chest wall. This was a recurrence of a ranula, with an extension into the anterior thoracic wall. The thoracic ranula was excised, together with ipsilateral sublingual and submandibular glands, via a transcervical approach. No recurrence was detected over a 3-year post-operative follow up.