Swallowing function after chemoradiation for advanced stage oropharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer may be treated either surgically or nonsurgically. We reported previously functional outcomes after surgical resection with free-tissue transfer. In the present study, we evaluated swallowing function after combined chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of 30 patients treated at a tertiary academic center for Stage III/IV oropharyngeal cancer with sequential or concurrent chemoradiation from 1994 to 2003. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 27 of 30 (90%) patients. Most patients had base of tongue lesions (67%) and Stage IV disease (93%). Gastrostomy was carried out in 22 (82%) patients either before or during treatment. Three months after chemoradiation, 33% (9/27) were consuming all nutrition orally, 22% (6 of 27) were NPO, and 45% (12 of 27) had some oral intake but still required tube feeds. One year after treatment, 53% (10 of 19) had an exclusively oral diet whereas 47% still required tube feeds including 1 patient (5%) who was NPO. In patients without recurrence and follow-up length >1 year, 69% (9 of 13) were consuming all nutrition orally whereas 31% still required gastrostomy tube (G-tube) support. A higher rate of G-tube dependence was observed in patients treated for base of tongue lesions vs tonsil lesions (67% vs 25%, P = 0.049, chi(2) analysis). CONCLUSIONS: At this institution, the short-term (3-4 months) rate of G-tube dependence was similar after surgical and non-surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. One year after chemoradiation, 31% of patients without recurrence still required tube feeds. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that organ-preservation protocols do not reduce the prevalence of chronic dysphagia and G-tube dependence after management of oropharyngeal cancer. EBM RATING: C-4.

Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma.

OBJECTIVES: Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that arise from nerves. Those originating from the sympathetic cervical chain are rare. We describe our experience with the clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes of patients with this pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of a case series in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Four cases of cervical sympathetic chain schwannomas were reviewed. Patients presented with either an asymptomatic neck mass discovered on routine physical examination (1 patient), an enlarging neck mass (2), or an acute onset of a Horner's syndrome (1). All patients underwent preoperative imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or both). RESULTS: The location and soft-tissue characteristics of the mass, along with displacement of the carotid sheath vessels, were typical of a cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma. All patients underwent surgical excision of the mass. Postoperative Horner's syndrome was encountered in all patients. First bite syndrome was encountered in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical sympathetic chain schwannomas are rare tumors. Preoperative imaging characteristics facilitate the diagnosis. First bite syndrome can occur and may be debilitating postoperatively. Long-term prognosis is excellent.

Incidence, etiology, and management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks following trans-sphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following trans-sphenoidal surgery ranges from 0.5% to 15.0%. Factors predicting which patients are likely to develop postoperative leaks and optimal management of these patients are poorly defined. The objective was to determine 1) the incidence of CSF leak following trans-sphenoidal surgery; 2) demographic or intraoperative factors associated with postoperative leaks; 3) techniques and efficacy of postoperative leak management at Oregon Health and Science University, (Portland, OR). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-five trans-sphenoidal surgeries were performed on 216 patients between 1994 and 2001. Follow-up data were available for 217 operations (92.3%) performed on 202 patients (93.5%). RESULTS: Postoperative CSF leaks occurred in 6.0% (13 of 217) of patients. Leaks were more common in the setting of revision surgery versus primary surgery (14.6% vs. 4.0%, P =.0096), nonadenomatous disease versus pituitary adenoma (15.8% vs. 5.1%, P =.059), or if an intraoperative leak occurred (12.7% vs. 2.7%, P =.004). However, on multivariate analysis, only the presence of intraoperative leak (P =.008) and nonadenomatous disease (P =.047) were found to be independently associated with postoperative CSF leak. Size of adenoma was not associated with occurrence of postoperative CSF leak (6.4% for microadenoma vs. 4.2% for macroadenoma) on both univariate and multivariate analysis. There were 13 postoperative CSF leaks: 2 resolved with lumbar drainage and 11 required operative management (three required multiple procedures). Of the three patients who required multiple operations, two had hospital courses complicated by meningitis and postinfectious hydrocephalus and ultimately required ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Endoscopic re-exploration was successful in 87.5% (7 of 8) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrospinal fluid leaks following trans-sphenoidal surgery occurred in 6.0% of cases. Nonadenomatous disease and presence of an intraoperative leak were independent predictors of a postoperative leak. Endoscopic re-exploration combined with packing was an effective technique in managing uncomplicated postoperative leaks. In the setting of meningitis and postinfectious hydrocephalus, more invasive techniques such as ventriculoperitoneal shunt may be necessary.

Intravenous sedation vs general anesthesia for pediatric otolaryngology procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy, safety, and hospital charges for common pediatric otolaryngology procedures with the use of intravenous sedation (IVS) vs general anesthesia (GA). DESIGN: Retrospective chart study. SETTING: Hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice. PATIENTS: Patients younger than 18 years who underwent tympanostomy tube removal and/or patch myringoplasty with absorbable gelatin sponge, nasal ciliary biopsy, fine-needle aspiration, or other minor procedures between September 1, 1998, and August 31, 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Procedures performed in 2 settings: outpatient clinic with IVS or operating room with GA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Procedure completion rate, tympanic membrane perforation rate after ear procedures, complications, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Of 103 procedures, 54 were performed with IVS and 49 with GA. Within the GA group, 32 of 49 patients had additional operations performed and were excluded from analysis of safety and hospital charges. Procedure completion rate was 100% in both groups. The most common procedure was tympanostomy tube removal with patch myringoplasty (IVS, 52 ears; GA, 42 ears). The rate of persistent tympanic membrane perforation was similar between these groups (IVS, 7 [16%] of 45 ears; GA, 5 [15%] of 33; P =.96). All complications were minor and occurred at similar rates (IVS, 10 [19%] of 54 ears; GA, 3 [18%] of 17; P =.94). These events included hypoxia, airway obstruction, and bradycardia, all of which resolved spontaneously or responded to noninvasive interventions such as oxygen or repositioning. Average hospital charges were significantly higher for the GA group (IVS, $356.22; GA, $1516.55; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Various procedures can be performed safely, effectively, and with decreased hospital charges with the use of IVS administered by a pediatric sedation service.