Usefulness of endoscopic endonasal underwater surgery using a combination of coblation and a lens-cleaning system for hemostasis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hemostatic procedures for controlling nasal bleeding in refractory diseases such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) can be challenging. In this report, we present a novel technique for underwater endoscopic endonasal hemostatic surgery, which was performed on a 69-year-old man with HHT. The patient had been experiencing frequent episodes of nasal bleeding and had many telangiectasias in the nasal cavity, which were the cause of the bleeding. These telangiectasias were effectively treated using a coblation device in combination with an endoscope lens-cleaning system that supplied saline to create stable underwater conditions. There are several advantages to this technique, including provision of a stable and clear endoscopic field of view, allowing for better visualization of the surgical site. This makes it easier to identify bleeding points and ensure accurate hemostasis. Additionally, the hydrostatic pressure created by the underwater environment helps to reduce bleeding during the procedure. However, it is important to take careful precautions to prevent water from entering the lower airway. With this precautionary measure, this technique is particularly useful in managing bleeding in patients with HHT.

Practical guide for the diagnosis and management of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

OBJECTIVE: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a relatively rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 20,000 people. Approximately 50 genes are currently known to cause PCD. In light of differences in causative genes and the medical system in Japan compared with other countries, a practical guide was needed for the diagnosis and management of Japanese PCD patients. METHODS: An ad hoc academic committee was organized under the Japanese Rhinologic Society to produce a practical guide, with participation by committee members from several academic societies in Japan. The practical guide including diagnostic criteria for PCD was approved by the Japanese Rhinologic Society, Japanese Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Japanese Society of Pediatric Pulmonology. RESULTS: The diagnostic criteria for PCD consist of six clinical features, six laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and genetic testing. The diagnosis of PCD is categorized as definite, probable, or possible PCD based on a combination of the four items above. Diagnosis of definite PCD requires exclusion of cystic fibrosis and primary immunodeficiency, at least one of the six clinical features, and a positive result for at least one of the following: (1) Class 1 defect on electron microscopy of cilia, (2) pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in a PCD-related gene, or (3) impairment of ciliary motility that can be repaired by correcting the causative gene variants in iPS cells established from the patient's peripheral blood cells. CONCLUSION: This practical guide provides clinicians with useful information for the diagnosis and management of PCD in Japan.

Quantification of Mastoid Air Cells and Opacification of the Middle Ear in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pneumatization and opacification of the temporal bone on computed tomography (CT) images in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients with PCD (30 ears) and 45 age-matched individuals without PCD (90 ears) as controls. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantification of mastoid air cells in the PCD and control groups and comparison between them. Degree of middle ear opacification on CT images of the temporal bone in the PCD group. RESULTS: The volume of the mastoid air cells was 30% smaller in the PCD group than in the control group ( p < 0.05). The suppression ratio, which is defined to indicate how much the average volume of mastoid air cells in the PCD group is suppressed relative to the control group, was 64% lower in the PCD group ( p < 0.05). Opacification was noted in 47% of the mastoid air cells and 63% of the tympanic cavity on CT images of the temporal bone in the PCD group, which were significantly higher frequencies than in the control group (1.1% and 1.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with individuals without PCD, those with PCD showed a significantly smaller volume of mastoid air cells and a significantly higher frequency of opacification of mastoid air cells and tympanic cavity on temporal bone CT. Otitis media raises suspicion for PCD, and the otological manifestations of PCD reported here could help to narrow the differential diagnosis and facilitate early treatment.

Allergic Fungal Otomastoiditis: A Case Report.

Otomastoiditis caused by an allergic reaction to fungi in the middle ear is rare, with only four cases reported in the English literature. We report the case of a patient with allergic fungal otomastoiditis. A 28-year-old man presented with otalgia, hearing loss, and vertigo. Exploratory tympanotomy revealed mucin with a peanut butter-like consistency and containing eosinophils and Candida parapsilosis, but no evidence of direct tissue invasion by fungi. The patient was treated with a combination of surgery and medication. Subtotal petrosectomy was finally performed to remove the middle ear mucosa and separate the middle ear from the external environment. Short-term prednisolone and long-term fluconazole were administered without satisfactory therapeutic results. The inflammatory condition has improved but continues without complete remission. Allergic fungal otomastoiditis is an extremely rare condition that may share pathophysiological features with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, so a thorough examination combining bacterial cultures, histopathological examination with fungal staining, and serum antigen-specific immunoglobulin E against multiple fungi is essential. Optimal treatment probably comprises appropriate surgery and long-term administration of systemic corticosteroids. Definitive diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies need to be established, based on the accumulation of similar cases.

Doppler sonography in diagnosis of Bow Hunter's syndrome.

Bow Hunter's syndrome is a rare condition in which vertebrobasilar circulatory insufficiency develops because of neck rotation. We report a patient with Bow Hunter's syndrome diagnosed by Doppler sonography. This report demonstrates the important role of Doppler sonography in diagnosis of Bow Hunter's syndrome.

Retrospective study of cochlear implantations at a single facility focusing on postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: Although cochlear implantation (CI) is a relatively safe operation, postoperative complications sometimes occur. We reviewed the frequency and severity of complications of CI at our hospital. We compared our results with previously reported complications and considered measures to improve patient outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study examined the medical records of 70 patients who received CI between March 2005 and December 2018. We collected the following data: age at the time of the first surgery, etiology of hearing impairment, date of implantation, type of implanted devices, and complications. Surgical complications were divided by time into perioperative, early, and late, and by severity into major or minor. RESULTS: Records of 38 adults and 32 children were analyzed. Bilateral CI was performed in 16 patients, 8 of whom were sequential, and unilateral CI was performed in 54 patients. The total number of operations was 78 for 86 CI. Complications were observed in 15 of 78 operations (19%), and the rates of minor and major complications were 15% and 4%, respectively. Complication rates were 21% (8/39) for children and 10% (4/39) for adults. All of the perioperative and early complications were minor. There were three major complications, all of which were infections presenting with mastoiditis and subcutaneous or subperiosteal abscesses. One case required reimplantation twice because of recurrent mastoiditis and temporal abscess. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between children and adults, but all major complications were infection in pediatric cases. Careful attention is needed to prevent postoperative infection.

Initial Result of Stroke Care at the Stroke Center in a New Hospital Opened by the Merger of Three Facilities with Different Management Bases: Effect of Stroke Center on Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Objective: The most important function required for the stroke center is prompt treatment for acute stroke. We report the initial results of stroke care under the new medical care system of stroke center in a new hospital that merges three hospitals with different management bases to verify the effect of stroke center on mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: We investigated changes in the number of inpatients and surgical treatments compared with the past 3 years (Stages I, II, and III) with stage IV one year after the new hospital was opened, and examined the effect of establishing a stroke center on mechanical thrombectomy for acute main cerebral artery occlusion. Results: From stage I to stage IV, the number of hospitalized patients increased from 396, 485, 482 to 630, respectively, and the proportion of patients with cerebrovascular disease increased from 57.6%, 55.7%, 60.4% to 68.3%, respectively. Total surgical treatment increased from 137, 195, 224 to 297, respectively, especially endovascular therapy increased markedly from 22, 36, 68 to 118, respectively. The main treatment contents of endovascular treatment in stage IV were ruptured cerebral aneurysm embolization 22 cases, unruptured cerebral aneurysm embolization 13 cases, carotid artery stenting 23 cases, other intracranial or extracranial artery angioplasty/stenting 9 cases, and mechanical thrombectomy 34 cases. In particular, mechanical thrombectomy was significantly increased to 34 in stage IV, compared to 4 in stage I, 4 in stage II, and 17 in stage III (degree of contribution [DC] 25.0%, contribution ratio [CR] 34.0%). Conclusion: With the establishment of the stroke center, the number of cases of acute cerebral infarction within the adaptation time who received mechanical thrombectomy remarkably increased. It is considered that the effect and validity of function aggregation by establishing stroke center are shown.

Machine Learning Classification of Cerebral Aneurysm Rupture Status with Morphologic Variables and Hemodynamic Parameters.

PURPOSE: To construct a classification model of rupture status and to clarify the importance of morphologic variables and hemodynamic parameters on rupture status by applying a machine learning (ML) algorithm to morphologic and hemodynamic data of cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2019, 226 (112 ruptured and 114 unruptured) cerebral aneurysms in 188 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A random forest ML algorithm was applied to the results to create three classification models consisting of only morphologic variables (model 1), only hemodynamic parameters (model 2), and both morphologic variables and hemodynamic parameters (model 3). The accuracy of rupture status classification and the importance of each variable or parameter in the models were computed. RESULTS: The accuracy was 77.0% in model 1, 71.2% in model 2, and 78.3% in model 3. The three most important features were projection ratio, size ratio, and aspect ratio in model 1; low shear area ratio, oscillatory shear index, and oscillatory velocity index in model 2; and projection ratio, irregular shape, and size ratio in model 3. CONCLUSION: Classification models of rupture status of cerebral aneurysms were constructed by applying an ML algorithm to morphologic variables and hemodynamic parameters. The model worked with relatively high accuracy, in which projection ratio, irregular shape, and size ratio were important for the discrimination of ruptured aneurysms.Supplemental material is available for this article.© RSNA, 2020.

Successful Balloon-assisted Coil Embolization of Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

Objective: Subclavian artery aneurysms are relatively rare, and have been treated by open surgery and/or endovascular treatment using a stent graft. In this article, we report a case of unruptured right subclavian artery aneurysm successfully treated using balloon-assisted coil embolization. Case Presentation: A 77-year-old man was diagnosed with an asymptomatic unruptured right subclavian artery aneurysm of 8 mm in diameter by follow-up CTA after surgery for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. He also had a history of cerebral infarction and clipping of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. The subclavian artery aneurysm was treated by balloon-assisted coil embolization because its diameter increased to 17.6 mm in 2 years. Balloon assistance was mainly used to prevent protrusion of the framing coil into the parent artery, and satisfactory framing was achieved. Subsequently, the aneurysm was obliterated using filling and finishing coils. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the follow-up MRI at 18 months after treatment revealed no recanalization of the aneurysm. Conclusion: Balloon-assisted coil embolization may be an effective treatment for subclavian artery aneurysms, but further long-term follow-up and case accumulation are needed.

Analysis of factors associated with cedar pollen sensitization and development of pollinosis in a young Japanese adult population.

BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental factors are proposed to be involved in cedar pollen allergy sensitization and onset. The impact of these factors will provide key information for the prevention of cedar pollen sensitization and allergy onset, which we investigated in this cross-sectional study. METHODS: Subjects were 382 young adult volunteers who completed a self-administered questionnaire on self-reported subjective symptoms of pollinosis, physician-diagnosed pollinosis, and background factors. We also measured their serum IgE antibody titers specific for cedar, cypress, and mites. Factors associated with subjective symptoms, physician diagnosis, and the three specific antigens were determined using both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Sensitization to cedar, cypress, and mites, defined as specific IgE levels of class 1 or above, was found in 78.8%, 64.4%, and 56.0% of subjects, respectively. The prevalence of cedar pollinosis was 41.2% based on subjective symptoms and 22.2% based on physician diagnosis. Factors associated with increased cedar pollen sensitization were mite sensitization, comorbid allergic rhinitis, and family history of cedar pollinosis. Risk-reducing factors for cedar pollen sensitization were keeping a cat, number of common colds, and hours of sleep. Risk-increasing factors for both subjective pollinosis symptoms and physician-diagnosed pollinosis were comorbid allergic rhinitis and family history of cedar pollinosis. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to cedar pollen in this population was extremely high. Both common and distinct factors were associated with sensitization to pollen and with the development of pollinosis. The distinct factors were associated with sensitization to cedar and cypress antigens.

Significance of novel subcortical low intensity score on transient neurological events after revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease.

OBJECTIVES: Transient neurological events (TNEs) are frequently observed after revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease (MMD). Recently, two signs on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images, a cortical hyperintensity belt (CHB) sign possibly reflecting vasogenic edema and a transient subcortical low intensity (SCLI) sign possibly reflecting cytotoxic edema, were reported associated with TNEs. The purpose of this study was to create a SCLI score and to investigate the significance of the score in TNEs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 18 cerebral hemispheres in 16 consecutive patients with revascularization surgery for MMD. The SCLI sign was defined as a transient SCLI in surgically treated hemispheres, and blindly graded as the SCLI score (0-4) based on the extent. The relationships among SCLI, CHB signs and TNEs were evaluated. RESULTS: Postoperative TNEs, SCLI and CHB signs were detected in 8 (44.4%), 9 (50.0%) and 12 (66.7%) hemispheres, respectively. Patients with SCLI and CHB signs had a significantly higher TNE occurrence rate than those without these signs (p = 0.015, and p = 0.013, respectively). Patients with TNEs showed significantly higher SCLI scores than those without TNEs (p = 0.009), while the difference of CHB scores did not reach significance between patients with and without TNEs. For the occurrence of postoperative TNEs, SCLI score with a cut-off value of 1.0 resulted in a specificity of 80.0% and a sensitivity of 87.5%. CONCLUSION: The novel SCLI score may be useful for diagnosing TNEs after revascularization surgery for MMD, although both vasogenic and cytotoxic edema may be involved in postoperative TNEs.

A case of arteriovenous fistula of the cauda equina fed by the proximal radicular artery: anatomical features and treatment precautions.

PURPOSE: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of the cauda equina (CE) fed by the proximal radicular artery (PRA) is very rare, and the differentiation from that of the filum terminale (FT) is important to avoid treatment-related injury to the CE when endovascular treatment is selected. The authors describe a case of AVF of the CE fed by the PRA, demonstrate the anatomical features and discuss the treatment precautions. METHODS: A 69-year-old man presented with a transient weakness of lower limbs. Spinal angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed AVF, of which the feeding artery arose from the anterior spinal artery (ASA), forming the fistula at L2 level to be drained into the longitudinal venous trunk. Under a tentative diagnosis of AVF of the FT, endovascular treatment was attempted but failed due to impossible catheterization into the ASA. Therefore, surgery was performed. RESULTS: Intraoperative finding revealed that the feeding artery and draining vein were not on the FT but on the CE, resulting in the proper diagnosis of AVF of the CE. Surgical clips were applied to the draining vein closest to the fistula, and postoperatively the symptom improved gradually. Although we thoroughly reevaluated spinal angiography and MR images postoperatively, AVF of the CE fed by the PRA and that of the FT were not distinguishable. CONCLUSIONS: The authors described a case of AVF of the CE fed by the PRA and demonstrated the difficulty of the differentiation from that of the FT. The utmost precautions are necessary when endovascular treatment is selected.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using porous media modeling predicts recurrence after coiling of cerebral aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict recurrence after coil embolization of unruptured cerebral aneurysms with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using porous media modeling (porous media CFD). METHOD: A total of 37 unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated with coiling were analyzed using follow-up angiograms, simulated CFD prior to coiling (control CFD), and porous media CFD. Coiled aneurysms were classified into stable or recurrence groups according to follow-up angiogram findings. Morphological parameters, coil packing density, and hemodynamic variables were evaluated for their correlations with aneurysmal recurrence. We also calculated residual flow volumes (RFVs), a novel hemodynamic parameter used to quantify the residual aneurysm volume after simulated coiling, which has a mean fluid domain > 1.0 cm/s. RESULT: Follow-up angiograms showed 24 aneurysms in the stable group and 13 in the recurrence group. Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated that maximum size, dome volume, neck width, neck area, and coil packing density were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Among the hemodynamic parameters, aneurysms in the recurrence group had significantly larger inflow and outflow areas in the control CFD and larger RFVs in the porous media CFD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that RFV was the only independently significant factor (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.11; P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that RFV collected under porous media modeling predicts the recurrence of coiled aneurysms.

Analysis of Otologic Features of Patients With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate otologic features of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), especially eardrum features, audiometric findings, and clinical course. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective patient review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients (mean age, 16.9 years [range, 1-32 yr]; 8 males and 7 females) diagnosed with PCD at our university hospital in the last 12 years. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electron microscopy of nasal cilia, gene mutation analysis, endoscopy of 30 eardrums, pure-tone audiometry, and tympanometry. RESULTS: All 15 patients showed ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities on electron microscopy and/or biallelic mutations in genes associated with ciliary function or structure. All 30 eardrums examined showed certain abnormalities. Fourteen patients had otitis media with effusion or its sequelae. The remaining patient had chronic otitis media. Pure-tone audiometry revealed the mean air conduction thresholds to be 25.0 and 26.4 dB in the right and left ears, respectively. In the ears with better hearing and worse hearing, the mean air conduction thresholds were 22.3 and 29.0 dB respectively. CONCLUSION: Otologic disease among patients with PCD essentially comprised otitis media with effusion, and the patients' eardrums showed a variety of findings. Knowledge of these otologic features may lead to the early detection of PCD.

Endoscopic electrocauterization of pyriform sinus fistula.

To determine the efficacy of endoscopic electrocauterization for pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) using a flexible Bugbee cautery electrode. From 2009 to 2016, a total of eight patients with acute suppurative thyroiditis or cervical abscess secondary to PSF were retrospectively registered in our study (three males, five females; median age 6.5 years). All patients underwent endoscopic electrocauterization as treatment for PSF. Six of eight patients had no recurrence after the initial endoscopic electrocauterization of PSF. One patient with recurrence developed symptoms 9 days after cauterization and another experienced recurrence after 2 years. Mean follow-up for the eight patients was 50 months (range 5-96 months). No post-operative complication was reported. Endoscopic electrocauterization appears to be a less-invasive, safe, and effective method for the treatment of PSF.

Impact of Hypertriglyceridemia on Carotid Stenosis Progression under Normal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for carotid stenosis progression, but triglycerides have attracted little attention. The aim of this study was to assess if serum triglycerides affect progression of carotid stenosis in patients with well-controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. METHODS: This is a retrospective study in a single hospital consisting of 71 Japanese patients with internal carotid artery stenosis greater than or equal to 50% and normal serum LDL-C levels who underwent angiographic examination with or without the resultant carotid artery stenting or endarterectomy from 2007 to 2011, and were subsequently followed up for 4 years. Clinical factors including fasting serum triglyceride values were compared between the progression (≥10% increase in degree of carotid stenosis on ultrasonography) and the nonprogression groups. RESULTS: During 4 years, 15 patients (21.1%) had carotid stenosis progression on either side. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that symptomatic cases (hazard ratio [HR], 4.327; P = .019), coexisting intracranial arteriosclerotic stenosis (HR, 5.341; P = .005), and hypertriglyceridemia (HR, 6.228; P = .011) were associated with subsequent progression of carotid stenosis. Kaplan-Meier plots demonstrated that the progression-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients without hypertriglyceridemia and intracranial arteriosclerotic stenosis at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with moderate to severe carotid stenosis and well-controlled LDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia was an important risk factor for progression of carotid stenosis irrespective of surgical treatments. It would be worthwhile to test if triglyceride-lowering medications suppress carotid stenosis progression.

Sonographic diagnosis of acute mastoiditis and subsequent retroauricular abscess in a pediatric cochlear implant recipient: A case report.

When acute mastoiditis occurs in cochlear implant recipients, it can progress to subsequent retroauricular abscess due to the absence of the external mastoid cortex resulting from mastoidectomy performed for cochlear implantation. The management goal is to control infection while preserving the implanted device. A 2-year-old boy with cochlear implants developed acute mastoiditis and a subsequent retroauricular abscess. The patient underwent a surgical intervention based on the diagnosis made utilizing gray-scale and power Doppler sonography. This case illustrates the diagnostic usefulness of sonography in this rare situation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:515-519, 2017.

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation as a rare complication from head positioning in otologic surgery: Report of two cases in young children.

BACKGROUND: Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation is a condition in which the first and second vertebrae of the cervical spine become interlocked in a rotated position. This condition can result in serious consequences and thus have a significant impact on patients, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Some cases of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation have been described in association with otologic surgery or plastic surgery involving the ear. We present the cases of two pediatric patients who developed atlantoaxial rotatory fixation following otologic surgery and we review the relevant literature. CASE PRESENTATION: One patient was a 7-year-old boy who underwent tympanoplasty for cholesteatoma. The other patient was a 5-year-old girl with profound sensorineural hearing loss who underwent cochlear implantation. Both patients developed atlantoaxial rotatory fixation on the day after surgery, and they were treated conservatively. Our literature search using relevant terms identified 12 similar published cases. Thus, a total of 14 patients, including our 2 patients, were evaluated. Most of the patients were children and typically they complained of painful torticollis and exhibited a characteristic posture called the "cock-robin" position on the day after surgery. Mostly, the direction of torticollis was opposite to the side of surgery. Most of the patients received conservative treatment alone, but three underwent surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The correlation between the direction of torticollis and the side of surgery suggests that rotation of the head during surgery has an impact on development of postoperative atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. Thus, children undergoing otologic surgery are thought to be at a risk of postoperative atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. Although rare, the surgical team needs to be aware of this adverse event and pay close attention to this possibility throughout the perioperative period. Perioperative management should include informed consent, preoperative assessment of the range of head and neck motion, proper intraoperative positioning and monitoring of the position, and postoperative follow-up. Postoperative atlantoaxial rotatory fixation is not completely preventable, but good perioperative management can minimize the damage resulting from this condition.