The Role of Modified Killian's Method in the Evaluation of Hypopharyngeal and Supraglottic Cancers.

Priyanka Schilling AmarObjectives Hypopharyngeal cancer is one of the upper aerodigestive tract malignancies with the poorest prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the role of modified Killian's (MK) method in routine, outpatient-based flexible laryngoscopy to improve visualization and assess the extent of supraglottic and hypopharyngeal cancers. Materials and Methods An observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in India where fifty consecutive patients who presented to the outpatient clinic with suspected hypopharyngeal and supraglottic malignancy underwent a conventional laryngoscopy as well as MK method. The site and extent of the tumor on endoscopy were recorded and the videos were graded independently by two investigators on Murono's scale from 1 to 5. A subset of these patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia was also scored with the above scale. The scores were compared to check the accuracy of flexible laryngoscopy with the MK method in staging cancer. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics were given using mean (standard deviation [SD]) for continuous variables and frequency (percentage) for categorical variables. The difference between the mean scores was analyzed using the paired-t test. The agreement between the scales and the observer, that is, the inter- and intraobserver agreement, was presented with concordance rate and Kappa weighted analysis. Results In this study, the mean scores of the Murono's scale grading of the conventional method, MK method, and direct laryngoscopy were 1.42 (SD: 0.64), 2.94 (SD: 0.95), and 4.30 (SD: 1.49), respectively, which showed significant improvement in scores with MK method. In addition, the subset analysis demonstrated a significant agreement between direct laryngoscopy and MK method. Conclusion The MK method is a good diagnostic test and a valuable adjunct to diagnostic flexible laryngoscopy in the evaluation and staging of hypopharyngeal and supraglottic cancers.

A Three Point Assessment Protocol for Tympanoplasty Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Introduction The surgical outcome of chronic otitis media (COM) of the mucosal type in the pediatric population with high rates of recurrent tympanic membrane perforation is indeed a concern for the attending surgeon. Objective The present study was done to evaluate the outcome of tympanoplasty in children with chronic otitis media mucosal type. Methods A retrospective analysis of the medical records of all children, aged < 16 years old, who underwent tympanoplasty for COM of the mucosal type was performed. These patients were addressed by a three-point assessment, for predicting outcome of tympanoplasty, which included the age of the patient, addressing the nasal/pharyngeal issues, and the status of the COM (discharging or dry). Surgical success was assessed in terms of graft uptake and improvement of hearing. Factors affecting the surgical outcome were also analyzed. Results A total of 90 children underwent type 1 tympanoplasty; 7 were lost to follow-up and 10 had incomplete audiometric results. In the 73 tympanoplasties analyzed, graft uptake was seen in 91.7% of the patients. Children with longer duration of ear discharge (> 8 years) had greater hearing loss. Children aged > 8 years old showed statistically significant higher chance of graft uptake (p = 0.021). Five of the six children who had graft rejection had bilateral disease. Conclusion A three-point assessment in the management of pediatric COM of the mucosal type offers good outcomes with post-tympanoplasty graft uptake rates > 90%.

A Case-Control Study on the Association Between Endoscopic ACE Grade of Adenoid Hypertrophy and Hearing Loss in Children and Its Impact on Speech and Language Development.

To establish an association between adenoid hypertrophy and hearing loss and its impact on speech and language in pediatric age group. A prospective case control study done in a tertiary hospital in South India. Twenty children with hearing loss were recruited in the study group and twenty-four children as controls. These groups underwent at detailed otorhinolaryngologic examination, hearing and speech evaluation. The size of the adenoids was graded endoscopically. Findings between the two groups were compared and analysed. Our study found statistically significant association between adenoid hypertrophy with choanal obstruction and abutment of eustachian tube opening seen on endoscopy with hearing loss (p = 0.025). The children with hearing loss also had speech and language delay (p = 0.004). Children with enlarged adenoids obstructing the > 50% of the choanae or abutting the eustachian tube opening are more likely to have hearing loss and may develop speech and language delay. The ACE endoscopic adenoid grading system is consistent and reliable in evaluation of adenoids.

Sublingual dermoid causing stertor in an infant.

Sublingual dermoids are uncommon lesions in the floor of mouth. The most common age of presentation is early adulthood, but presentation in infancy has also been reported. This report highlights the clinical presentation and treatment challenges in infants. An 8-month-old infant presented with inability to close mouth, intermittent stertor and snoring. MRI suggested a sublingual dermoid which was confirmed on histopathology of the surgically enucleated specimen. Sublingual dermoids are uncommon lesions of the floor of mouth. The age of presentation of a sublingual dermoid depends on the initial size of the lesion. Large sublingual dermoids in neonates can present with respiratory embarrassment and need early surgical intervention. Surgical enucleation via an intraoral approach is the treatment of choice with external approach reserved for very large cysts below the mylohyoid. Large sublingual cysts can present with anaesthetic challenges and may need fibreoptic intubation.

"Post intubation Laryngeal injuries in a pediatric intensive care unit of tertiary hospital in India: A Fibreoptic endoscopic study".

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To identify acute laryngeal injuries among pediatric patients intubated for more than 48hours, and to correlate these injuries with clinical variables. SETTING: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a tertiary level hospital in India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study. Thirty-four children meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent from the parents. A bedside, flexible, fiberoptic laryngoscopy was done within the first 24hours of extubation. Laryngeal injuries were documented and graded. Individual types of laryngeal injuries were correlated to the duration of intubation, size of the tube, the experience of the intubator and the patient's demographics. A repeat endoscopy was done in the outpatient department, 3-4 weeks after extubation, and findings noted. RESULTS: 97% had acute laryngeal injury, of which 88% were significant. Erythema was the most common form of injury. Duration of intubation, with a mean of 4.5 days, showed a trend towards significance (p=0.06) for association with subglottic narrowing. Laryngeal injuries were similar with both cuffed and uncuffed tubes. Age of the subject, size of the tube and skill level of the intubator did not correlate with the laryngeal injuries. 18% required intervention for post-extubation laryngeal lesions. Three (10%) children had post-extubation stridor, and of these, two needed surgical intervention (6%). CONCLUSION: Post-extubation laryngeal injuries are not uncommon. Fiberoptic endoscopy is an inexpensive and cost-effective tool for bedside evaluation of post-intubation status in pediatric larynx. Early diagnosis of post-intubation laryngeal injuries in children can prevent long term sequelae. Hence, post-extubation fiberoptic laryngoscopy should be done routinely in pediatric population.