Nasal Swell Body Characteristics in Patients With Septal Perforation.

Objective: To determine whether septal perforations have an effect on nasal swell body (NSB) size. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Two tertiary academic medical centers. Methods: Computed tomography maxillofacial scans of 126 patients with septal perforation and 140 control patients from November 2010 to December 2020 were evaluated. Perforation etiology was determined. Measurements included perforation length and height and swell body width, height, and length. Swell body volume was calculated. Results: The width and volume of the NSB are significantly smaller in perforation patients when compared to controls. The swell body is significantly smaller and thinner in perforations exceeding 14 mm in height compared to small perforations. Perforation etiology groupings into prior septal surgery, septal trauma, septal inflammatory, and mucosal vasoconstriction categories all demonstrated decreased swell body volume and width compared to controls. Inflammatory etiology had the greatest decrease in swell body size. The hemi-swell body on the contralateral side of a septal deviation is significantly thicker than the ipsilateral side. Conclusion: The NSB is smaller in patients with septal perforation regardless of perforation size or etiology.

Timing of perioperative transversus abdominis plane block at the time of radical cystectomy does not affect perioperative outcomes.

PURPOSE: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been effective in providing adequate pain control, limiting opioid use, and improving perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries. Little is known regarding the efficacy of preoperative (pre-incisional) versus postoperative TAP block in patients who undergo cystectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that reviewed all patients who underwent cystectomy between January 2011 and January 2020 at a single institution. Patients were stratified into three cohorts: preoperative TAP block, postoperative TAP block, no TAP block. A multivariable linear regression model was constructed that assessed factors associated with total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per hospital stay. RESULTS: In 463 patients, baseline characteristics were similar. There were 66(14.3%) patients who received a perioperative TAP block, 16 (24.2%) of whom received a preoperative TAP block. There were no significant differences in baseline factors. A TAP block was associated with lower MME used per day (41.8 mg vs 53.1 mg, p = 0.009) and per hospital stay (232 mg vs 320.5 mg, p = 0.001). The median MME per hospital stay and per day was lowest in the preoperative TAP cohort (194.0 mg, p = 0.011 and 38.0 mg, p = 0.042, respectively). On multivariable analysis of a subset of patients who received a TAP block, there was no significant difference in MME use in patients who received a preoperative vs postoperative TAP block (- 84.8, p = 0.339). CONCLUSION: The use of TAP blocks was associated with lower MME use in the entire population; however, there was no difference in MME use when comparing preoperative and postoperative TAP blocks.

A case of pediatric lymphomatoid papulosis treated with photodynamic therapy and narrowband ultraviolet B.

We report a case of a 13-year-old boy with extensive lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) involving his elbows, forearms, proximal thighs, and right hip, with treatment-resistant nodules on his right forearm. He was treated with full-body narrowband ultraviolet B and targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA). After two months, there was complete resolution of the right forearm nodules. Due to its minimal toxicity, PDT offers unique advantages and may be considered for pediatric LyP patients with symptomatic, localized disease resistant to conventional treatments.