Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks versus craniotomy: comparison of the outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks have been traditionally managed via craniotomy with an intradural repair. The endonasal endoscopic approach represents a minimally invasive alternative. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the two methods. CASE SERIES: This is a prospective case series of 18 consecutive patients who underwent endonasal repair of a CSF leak. Thirteen variables were evaluated during the study, including age, gender, body mass index, site of the defect, CSF leak etiology, days of hospitalization, use of lumbar drainage, the success of repair, complications, recurrence, duration, and cost of surgery as well as patient satisfaction. The outcomes were compared with a historical cohort of 25 patients treated for CSF leaks with a craniotomy. Though we found no significant difference in the success of the repair, the endoscopic group had a significantly shorter duration of the procedure and hospitalization, a lower rate of complications, lower cost, and higher patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The presented data further solidify the endoscopic approach as the preferred method to address CSF leaks located in the anterior and middle skull base in cases not associated with complex intracranial pathology. Hippokratia 2016, 20(4): 299-302.

Laryngeal cancer: epidemiological data from Νorthern Greece and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the larynx accounts for 1% to 2.5% of all human neoplasms and is the most common malignancy of the Head and Neck region. The purpose of this study is to analyze epidemiological data of patients with laryngeal cancer and to point out the geographical variations. METHODS: This is the first systematic recording of the laryngeal cancer epidemiological data in Northern Greece. During the period 1992-2010 1,638 patients were diagnosed with and treated for malignant head and neck tumors. One thousand one hundred and four cases (67.4%) were malignant laryngeal tumors, 98.4% of which (1,088 cases) were squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Only 16 patients (1.5%) presented with other types of malignancies. RESULTS: The average age of the SCC patients was 62.1 years. Only 35 patients were women (3.2%). More than 60% of the patients were farmers or labor workers, 86.9%, were smokers, 43.2% were consuming alcohol on a daily basis and 36.1% had a positive family history of malignancy. Concerning tumor location, 60.2% were glottic cancers. T staging revealed that 1.2% of the cases were carcinomas in situ, 28% T1 tumors, 19% T2, 32 % T3, and 20% T4. Tumor grading showed that 43% of the cases were G1, 42.1% were G2, and 11.8% were G3. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma is the result of the combined action of endogenous and environmental factors. The recording and analysis of the epidemiology of the disease is important for its better study and understanding.

The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The loco-regional recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma in patients who underwent total laryngectomy is related to numerous factors. Aim of the present study was to investigate the role of patient's age and tumor size in the recurrence rate of patients. Additional aim of the current study was to investigate the possible associations between the size of the tumor and other characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1st Department of Otorhinolaryngology of AHEPA University Hospital, from 1992 to 2007, 255 patients with laryngeal carcinoma underwent total laryngectomy. Accurate data regarding the size of the tumor were obtained. Total laryngectomy was the initial treatment in 212 patients, while in the remaining 43 patients was performed as salvage surgery after recurrence. RESULTS: The median tumor size was 2.74 cm (0.8-5.5 cm). There was no significant difference in the median tumor size between the patients who had recurrence (2.87 cm) and the disease free patients (2.69 cm). The median size of glottic tumors (2.47 cm) was smaller than that of supraglottic (2.95 cm) and of subglottic tumors (3.27 cm) (p<0.05). Among the 255 patients, recurrence of the tumor occurred in 73 (28.7%). Statistical analysis of the data showed that the tumor size was affecting the recurrence rate in a different manner, according the stage of the tumor. The recurrence rate in T3 neoplasms was higher in larger tumors than in smaller (13.2% for tumors<2cm, 62% for tumors>4cm), while T4 carcinomas appeared to have the opposite behavior (66.5% for tumors <2cm, 23% for tumors >4cm). The median tumor size in T4 patients that recurred was smaller than in those with no recurrence (2.8 cm Vs 3.3 cm). This behavior was observed in T4 tumors from all sites. Patients who experienced recurrence and had positive neck lymph nodes at the time of the initial diagnosis appeared to have smaller laryngeal tumors (2.7 cm), compared to with the same group of patients with no recurrence (3.5 cm). Supraglottic location and advanced T stage showed a statistically significant impact on disease free survival, based on Cox regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller sized tumors in patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer (T4) or regionally (N+) appear to have more aggressive behavior and higher recurrence rate. Thus, the small tumor size could be regarded as an unfavorable prognostic factor for those laryngeal cancer cases.

Castleman's disease of the neck: report of a case and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Castleman's disease is an uncommon disease of benign lymph node hyperplasia primarily affecting the mediastinum, with the head and neck region being the second most common site. CASE REPORT: A 27-year-old woman was admitted to our department due to a left lateral cervical mass. After a complete clinical and imaging examination, a neck dissection was performed, in which a mass, size 3.5 x 2.7 x 4.5 cm, was excised. The patient was diagnosed with Castleman's disease of the neck after histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of Castleman's disease is always a clinical challenge, as the patient commonly presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms resembling other lymphatic diseases. Consequently, Castleman's disease should be in the differential diagnosis of congenital, inflammatory, or neoplastic cervical alterations. A review of literature, including histopathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, and treatment options is also presented.

Middle ear adenoma/carcinoid tumour: a case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Middle ear adenoma, a rare benign tumour with glandular and neuroendocrine differentiation, originates from the epithelial lining of the middle ear. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 52-year-old woman, who presented with progressive hearing loss and fullness in the left ear for 3 months. Clinical examination revealed a mass in the left middle ear. Histological examination revealed tumour cells forming gland-like and cribriform structures, as well as compact groups. The nuclei were round and uniform, without atypia or mitotic activity. On immunohistochemical staining, the tumour cells were positive for epithelial (cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen) and neuroendocrine (neuron specific enolase, synaptophysin, chromogranin and pancreatic polypeptide) markers. CONCLUSION: Middle ear adenoma is a benign tumour that is treated by complete surgical removal. Follow-up of the patient is essential in order to detect possible recurrence. The immunohistochemical staining of the present case supports the suggestion that this tumour is best described by the term neuroendocrine adenoma of the middle ear.

Management of the clinically negative neck (N0) of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma: a systematic review.

AIM: The most effective therapeutic approach for patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (SGLC) and clinically negative neck (cN0) remains a subject of much debate. The purpose of this systematic review was to answer the following question: among patients with SGLC and cN0 neck, are the survival and occurrence of neck metastases significantly different between patients that received neck dissection and those that had another therapeutic treatment (radiotherapy, combined therapy, 'wait and see' policy)? MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CENTRAL databases, followed by extensive hand-searching for the identification of relevant studies. The following inclusion criteria were established: the study should (a) include a comparison of neck dissection with one of the other therapeutic procedures for cN0 of SGLC; (b) report the therapy for the initial supraglottic cancer; and (c) use time-to-event analysis of its results. Six studies were eventually identified and systematically reviewed. RESULTS: All studies included in the systematic review were retrospective (n=792 patients). The survival (overall, disease-specific and neck disease-free) and the site of neck recurrence of the patients with N0 supraglottic cancer were not significantly different between patients in the neck dissection treatment group and those of the rest of the therapeutic strategies examined (neck radiotherapy, combined therapy and 'wait and see' policy). CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review highlights the need for further well-designed prospective studies that will provide more reliable answers to the debatable issue of the management of cN0 of SGLC. Currently, based on the best available evidence, it seems that neck dissection is not superior to radiotherapy or combined therapy or a 'wait and see' policy in terms of survival and control of neck disease.

Ectopic Warthin's tumour presenting as a neck mass.

INTRODUCTION: Warthin's tumour usually involves the parotid gland. However, it can also arise from ectopic salivary tissue in the para-parotid and latero-cervical lymph nodes. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 60-year-old man with a 3-month history of a smooth, mobile mass on the right side of the neck. Computed tomography (CT) scanning (coronal, axial and sagittal sections) showed a cystic lesion in the right upper neck without connection to the major salivary glands (8 x 4 x 3 cm). Complete surgical excision with a transverse neck incision was performed. Histological findings of the specimen revealed Warthin's tumour. CONCLUSION: This neoplasm should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the neck. Although rare, it has potential for malignant transformation. Coronal and sagittal CT scans are necessary to accurately localize the tumour and to differentiate the diagnosis from earring lesions of the parotid tail.

Intra- and postoperative application of Mitomycin C in the middle meatus reduces adhesions and antrostomy stenosis after FESS.

AIM: Obstruction of the osteomeatal complex is the commonest anatomic finding in revision endoscopic sinus surgery. This study assesses the efficacy of topical mitomycin C in the middle meatus, intra- and postoperatively in the prevention of adhesion formation and restenosis of the maxillary sinus antrostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the end of endoscopic surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis and four weeks postoperatively 30 patients received a pledget soaked with 1 ml of mitomycin C (0.5 mg/ml) in the middle meatus for 5 minutes while a pledget soaked in saline was placed in the contralateral side. Patients were assessed at least 6 months postoperatively by a blinded observer for the presence of synechiae and antrostomy stenosis. Medical records were reviewed for episodes of recurrent sinusitis. RESULTS: Adhesions were observed in 8 patients. All adhesions rated as moderate to severe (4 patients) were observed in the control side (p = 0.043). Restenosis was observed in 2 sides treated with mitomycin C and in 9 control sides (p = 0.032). Recurrent symptoms of sinusitis occurred in three patients on the saline side. CONCLUSION: Mitomycin C is safe and effective in the prevention of severe adhesions and antrostomy stenosis when applied twice, during surgery and the early postoperative period.

Minimizing the dead ear in otosclerosis surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of a specific surgical technique regarding the postoperative hearing results and the incidence of "dead ear" comparing local and general anesthesia. METHODS: We present a retrospective review of all stapedectomies performed by the same surgeon under general and local anesthesia during a 9-year period (1997-2006) in non-revision cases. The analysis of our data (268 operations, 160 under general and 108 under local anesthesia) included hearing results based on the guidelines from the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and complications recorded in the case notes. Excessive vertigo during stapedectomy under local anesthesia considered as a sign of possible profound sensorineural hearing loss. RESULTS: A postoperative air-bone gap up to 10dB (Grade A) was successfully obtained in 92.6% of operated ears. The mean postoperative air-bone gap in decibels was 6.8dB. There were no statistically significant differences between general and local anesthesia in hearing results. Excessive intraoperative dizziness occurred in five patients of local anesthesia group without postoperative sensorineural hearing loss. The incidence of dead ear was 1.8 % (three patients) under general and 0% under local anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Stapedectomy is a safe procedure in hands of an experienced otologist with minimum major complications especially when performed under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia offers the immediate evaluation of hearing restoration and the early recognition of possible dead ear. Training programs should consider stapedectomy under local anesthesia as a standard procedure for trainees in non-revision cases.

[Bilateral antrochoanal polyps originated from inferior meatal antrostomies]. / Beidseitige, von infraturbinalen Kieferhöhlenfenstern ausgehende Choanalpolypen.

We present the first reported case of simultaneously occurring bilateral antrochoanal polyps in a 49-year-old female patient, originated from previously performed inferior antrostomies as a treatment for chronic maxillary sinusitis. The antrochoanal polyps were removed by endoscopic surgery with combined approach through the inferior and middle meatal antrostomies. Microscopic analysis of the specimens showed benign inflammatory antrochoanal polyps. Follow-up appointment 6 months postoperatively showed patent antrostomies and no recurrence of the disease. Endoscopic treatment with middle meatal antrostomy is the recommended technique in most cases of antrochoanal polyps as the greater portion of the antral part of the polyp can be removed with the healthy antral mucosa left intact promoting epithelialization and mucociliary clearance of the antrum. Inferior antrostomy can be an additional part of the operation in selected cases.

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma: management options.

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma (FNS) is a very rare, benign tumour mimicking pleomorphic adenoma. Resection of this slow growing tumour may result in unnecessary facial nerve paralysis. The aim of this study is to present results of facial nerve schwannoma treatment at our institution and proposes a management plan. This is a retrospective case series of four patients, three male and one female with a mean age of 47.7 years who presented with a long-standing, asymptomatic parotid swelling. Two patients had facial weakness and underwent superficial parotidectomy, resection of tumour and facial nerve repair with a free graft from the greater auricular nerve. Two patients underwent biopsy without tumour resection. All tumours were confirmed histologically as facial nerve schwannomas. The mean follow up period was 3.5 years. Patients with resection of facial nerve schwannoma had a postoperative House Brackmann grade III and IV. Patients with biopsy had normal postoperative facial nerve function and the tumour did not grow significantly. No adverse effects or recurrence were reported. There is no preoperative diagnostic modality that can identify facial nerve schwannoma with certainty. Difficulty in locating the facial nerve intraoperatively raises suspicion of a neurogenous tumour of the facial nerve and this may prevent unnecessary damage to the nerve. Not every facial nerve schwannoma should be resected. This decision is based on (a) the extent of tumour (b) preoperative facial nerve function (c) best results achieved with nerve repair and (d) patient's preferences. Large tumours with extension into the mastoid cavity or encroachment of sensitive structures and preoperative facial weakness are indications for surgical intervention. In most other cases, biopsy and observation suffices.

Sinonasal hemangiopericytoma of the middle turbinate: a case report and brief review of the literature.

Hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare vascular neoplasms that arise from the pericytes of Zimmerman. They account for 2-3% of all soft tissue sarcomas in humans and they occur mainly in the musculoskeletal system. 15 to 30% of all HPCs occur in the head and neck region. Only 5% are located in the sinonasal region, where they display a more benign behaviour than in other parts of the body. We will describe a case of a right-sided HPC, in the posterior third of the middle turbinate. We will also discuss the epidemiology, the macro- and microscopical characteristics, the clinical and pathological findings and the treatment of this particular neoplasia.

Far-advanced otosclerosis and cochlear implantation.

PROBLEMS/OBJECTIVES: To report the radiographic and surgical findings, speech perception performance, and complications of cochlear implantation for patients who were affected by far-advanced otosclerosis. METHODOLOGY: Five patients, 2 males and 3 females, with a family history of otosclerosis and who previously underwent stapedectomy to improve hearing were included in this study. CT scans of all ears were graded according to Rotteveel's grading system. All patients underwent cochlear implantation according to standard procedures. A control group of 10 non-otosclerotic postlingual implanted adults matched for age was used. RESULTS: On CT scanning, one patient had solely fenestral disease (type 1), 3 patients had localized retrofenestral disease (type 2), and 1 had diffuse retrofenestral disease with loss of the normal architecture of the cochlea (type 3). In all otosclerotic patients, the electrode array was fully inserted. However, in two patients (type 2 and 3) a thickened otic capsule was present and required more drilling than normal. One patient (type 3) experienced postoperatively facial nerve stimulation with normal fitting parameters. Otosclerotic patients showed excellent speech perception after implantation and obtained similar results to those achieved by the non-otosclerotic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients suffering from far-advanced otosclerosis may benefit from cochlear implantation and achieve speech performance scores comparable to non-otosclerotic implantees. Regarding surgery and facial nerve stimulation, attention should be taken to these cases in which the extension of otosclerosis is more severe on CT scanning (type 2 and mainly 3). Postoperative facial nerve stimulation can be managed successfully by resetting the current levels for comfort level.

[Estimating the prognosis of peripheral facial paralysis: is the minimal nerve excitability test still up to date?]. / Prognoseabschätzung der peripheren Fazialisparese: Ist der Minimal-Nerve-Excitability-Test noch zeitgemäss?

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study, we assessed the long-term prognostic value of the minimal nerve excitability test (NET) by comparing the results it yielded with the House-Brackmann (HB) index in patients with the most common types of facial paralysis, Bell's palsy and traumatic facial palsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and fifty patients aged 9-85 years (mean age 42.4 years; 156 male and 194 female), all of whom were treated initially with the same steroid therapy, entered on study. Patients in whom decompression surgery had been performed were excluded so as to avoid falsely optimistic prognoses. The 350 study patients were divided into two groups: group 1 was made up of 250 with Bell's palsy and group 2, of 100 with nonpenetrating traumatic facial palsy following temporal bone fracture. The NET was conducted repeatedly in all patients for 3 weeks from the start of day 3 of treatment, the value recorded on day 14 being used in the evaluation. For each patient, the result of the NET was recorded as 'normal', 'diminished' or 'without response' according to the difference between the two sides of the face. The final HB grading was determined after 1 year to check for the agreement between the electrical prognosis and the clinical outcome and thus the reliability of the prognosis indicated by the NET. RESULTS: The results indicate that a normal NET forecast a satisfactory outcome that could be classed as HB I-II in almost all the patients in both groups. Among patients who had no response on NET, 85% of those with Bell's palsy and 90% of those with traumatic facial palsy failed to recover nerve function. Diminished nerve excitability proved to be a sign of a relatively favourable prognosis: 74% of patients in each group recovered normal facial function. CONCLUSION: The NET is a method of investigation that is easily applied and can make a positive contribution to the assessment of prognosis in Bell's palsy and in traumatic facial palsy, reflecting the functional state of the facial nerve reliably in most of cases.

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx: a case presentation.

The chondrosarcoma of the larynx is an exceptionally rare tumour. It appears mainly in white men in their 7th decade. The most significant clinical manifestation is hoarseness accompanied at times by stridor. It involves mainly the cricoid cartilage and the treatment of choice is surgical excision. A case of a large tumour of the cricoid cartilage is described. The diagnostic work-up consisted of two minor operations for biopsies and an MRI scan prior to the patient being treated with total laryngectomy.

Morphological study of development and functional activity of palatine tonsils in embryonic age.

Palatine tonsils play an important role in the development of the immune system, being the first organ in the lymph system which analyses and reacts to antigenic stimulation. In this study, the peritonsillar area of Waldeyer's ring was investigated in 88 normal human embryos which were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. The progressive development of palatine tonsils during embryonic life is discussed. The first appearance of tonsils is in about the 14th-15th week followed by a parallel development of B- and T-cell regions which accounts for the high incidence of non mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas among all tonsillar lymphomas and the higher incidence of T-cell-lymphomas, in comparison to the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue of the digestive system. The way in which the human body develops the palatine tonsils quickly and prepares them to react to the first antigenic stimulation, are discussed.

[Mixed tumors of the nasal cavity. Report of 2 cases]. / Mischtumoren des Naseninneren. Bericht über zwei Fälle.

Two cases of pleomorphic adenomas of the interior of the nose (minor salivary glands) are described. In one case a cylindroma was found. The rareness of this tumour in the interior of the nose and its treatment by lateral rhinotomy are discussed.