Transoral laser microsurgery for polydimethylsiloxane (VOX Implant®) explantation.

INTRODUCTION: Polydimethylsiloxane (VOX Implant®) injection into the larynx is a surgical technique used to restore volume to paralysed or atrophic vocal folds. We present a case series that demonstrates the feasibility of explantation of this non-resorbable material in the event of complications secondary to this injection. DESCRIPTION: We report four cases of VOX Implant® explantation. In every case, explantation was performed following complications such as dysphonia and/or dyspnoea secondary to injection of this material. VOX Implant® explantation was performed via cordotomy using transoral lasermicrosurgical techniques. DISCUSSION: VOX Implant® explantation improved voice and breathing parameters in all patients. Explantation can be performed by transoral microsurgery in the presence of complications related to polydimethylsiloxane injection.

[Kappa light chain deposition disease, presenting as Sjögren's syndrome, successfully treated by high-dose melphalan and autologous blood stem transplantation]. / Maladie de Randall, simulant une maladie de Gougerot-Sjögren, traitée avec succès par chimiothérapie et autogreffe de moelle osseuse.

INTRODUCTION: Light chain deposition disease is a systemic disorder characterised by tissue deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains without tinctorial properties. It has been exceptionally reported with salivary involvement mimicking Sjögren's syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. CASE REPORT: We report a case of light chain deposition disease associated with plasma cell dyscrasia presenting as sicca syndrome with salivary glands hypertrophy and polyneuropathy successfully treated by high dose melphalan and autologous blood stem transplantation. CONCLUSION: Light chain deposition disease should be recognized as an aetiology of sicca syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. Further studies should assess the prevalence of sicca syndrome in light chain deposition disease and better characterise the neurological manifestations.

Oncogenic osteomalacia: diagnostic importance of fibroblast growth factor 23 and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan for the diagnosis and follow-up in one case.

A case of oncogenic osteomalacia is reported in a 71-year-old man who presented with bone pain, muscle weakness, and severe hypophosphatemia. The tumor which was localized in the left lower mandible was not detected by tomodensitometry, resonance magnetic imaging, and (111)IN-octreotide scintigraphy, but was easily localized by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT SCAN (F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN). To our knowledge, the value of this technique for detecting tumors in oncogenic osteomalacia has never been reported. Secondly, this case provided an opportunity for confirming the usefulness of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) measurement for the diagnosis and follow-up. We conclude that FGF23 measurements combined with F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN were decisive tools in a case of oncogenic osteomalacia and are likely to be of considerable importance for facilitating early diagnosis and follow-up in the future.

[Oncogenic osteomalacia: the role of the phosphatonins. Diagnostic usefulness of the Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 measurement in one patient]. / L'ostéomalacie oncogène : rôle des phosphatonines. Intérêt du dosage du fibroblast growth factor 23 démontré chez un malade.

INTRODUCTION: Oncogenic osteomalacia (OO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by severe hypophosphatemia induced by phosphaturic factors which are secreted by some tumors of mesenchymal origin. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF-23) belongs to this family. Measurement of FGF-23 might improve the diagnosis of OO. EXEGESIS: We report the case of 71-year-old Caucasian man who had a history of severe osteomalacia with multiples fractures and extreme hypophosphatemia with hyperphosphaturia and normal serum calcium level. Serum FGF-23 was 199 RU/ml (N < 100 RU/ml). The tumor, detected by F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN was localized in the mandible. Surgical removal of the tumor relieved all symptoms with normalization of serum phosphate levels within 3 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: We conclude that FGF-23 measurement is likely to be of considerable importance for facilitating early diagnosis of OO.

Surface studies of albumin immobilized onto PE and PVC films.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the thrombogenic behaviour of the low density polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride) modified by radiation-grafting technique. After copolymerization with acrylic acid by gamma-rays from a 60Co source, BSA was immobilized onto functionalized graft copolymers. The biological interaction between these materials and blood was studies by in vitro methods. The BSA immobilization effectively suppressed the adhesion and activation of platelets when it contacted whole blood.