Managing massive palatial defect secondary to palatoplasty failures: an in-depth analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Massive palatal defects resulting from palatoplasty failures arising from cleft palate repair complications present ongoing challenges in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date insights into aetiology, risk factors, surgical techniques, and adjunctive therapies, aiming to enhance the understanding of such complex cases, and optimize patient outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Primary palatoplasty has fistula recurrence rates ranging from 2.4% to 55%. Factors such as cleft width, surgical repair method, and patient characteristics, influence the likelihood of failure. Classifications such as the Pakistan Comprehensive Classification and Richardson's criteria aid in assessing defects. Surgical options range from local flaps and revision palatoplasty to regional flaps (e.g., buccinator myomucosal, facial artery-based flaps, tongue flaps, nasal septal flaps) to free microvascular flaps. Alternative approaches include obturator prostheses, and acellular dermal matrix has been used as an adjuvant to multiple repair techniques. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has emerged as an adjunctive therapy to enhance tissue healing. SUMMARY: This comprehensive review underscores the intricate challenges associated with massive palatal defects resulting from palatoplasty failures. The diverse range of surgical and nonsurgical options emphasizes the importance of patient-centric, individualized approaches. Practitioners, armed with evidence-based insights, can navigate these complexities, offering tailored interventions for improved patient outcomes.

Diagnosis and management of bilateral lipoma of the middle ear.

INTRODUCTION: Middle ear lipomas are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all middle ear tumours. To our knowledge there have been only 16 reported patients with middle ear lipoma. Only one of these had bilateral congenital middle ear lipomas. The aim of this review is to comprehensive overview the diagnosis and management of congenital lipomas of the middle ear. METHODS: A literature review was performed searching multiple data bases, using the key words "middle ear", AND "lipoma", AND "congenital". A total of 116 articles were identified. One hundred were excluded on various criteria, leaving 16 articles for detailed review. Additionally, we report the second case of bilateral congenital middle ear lipoma. RESULTS: Based on this case report and literature review, the incidence of middle ear lipomas is greater in paediatric patients than in adult patients. Middle ear lipomas are distributed evenly between males and females. Three patients had recognised genetic syndromes, while five had prior ventilation tube placement. Clinically patients present with conductive hearing loss and middle ear effusions. In some cases, presence of a white or yellow mass behind the anterior aspect of the tympanic membrane is recognised. The most common location of the masses is in the anterosuperior quadrant of the middle ear, the site of predilection for small congenital cholesteatomas. An MRI scan is most useful in distinguishing between lipoma and cholesteatoma. All cases reported surgical excision of the middle ear lipoma. There was no evidence of recurrence noted up to 4 years follow up. CONCLUSION: Though rare, congenital lipomas of the middle ear should be a differential diagnosis of a middle ear masses. Early identification can allow surgical lipoma resection with minimal disruption to the ossicular chain. Though there is currently no consensus regarding management, surgical removal and appropriate reconstruction of the ossicular chain if needed, is appropriate.

The diagnosis and management of pulmonary actinomycosis.

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by the bacterial species actinomyces. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of pulmonary actinomycosis to improve awareness and knowledge. The literature was analysed using databases including Pubmed, Medline and Embase from 1974 to 2021. After inclusion and exclusion, a total of 142 papers were reviewed. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease occurring in approximately 1 per 3,000,000 people annually. Historically, pulmonary actinomycosis was a common infection with high mortality; however, the infection has become rarer since the widespread use of penicillins. Actinomycosis is known as "the great masquerade"; however, it can be differentiated from other diseases with acid-fast negative ray-like bacilli and sulphur granules being pathognomonic. Complications of the infection include empyema, endocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and sepsis. The mainstay of treatment is prolonged antibiotic therapy, with adjuvant surgery in severe cases. Future research should focus on multiple areas, including the potential risk secondary to immunosuppression from newer immunotherapies, the utility of newer diagnostic techniques and ongoing surveillance post-therapy.

Hypopharyngeal perforation caused by blunt trauma in buffalo attack.

A male in his 50s arrived by ambulance at a regional Australian hospital after being pinned by a buffalo against a fence by the chest and abdomen. Primary and secondary surveys identified an open fibula fracture and superficial abrasions. CT trauma series identified retropharyngeal free gas extending to the right carotid sheath. Flexible nasoendoscopy revealed a normal upper airway and no site of perforation. Oesophagoscopy and gastroscopy were completed to evaluate for a site of free gas leakage. A hypopharyngeal tear was identified 15 cm from the incisors at the cricopharyngeal sphincter. A gastrograffin swallow was completed which showed no leak. The decision was made to manage the patient conservatively with intravenous dexamethasone and intravenous ceftriaxone/metronidazole for antibiotic prophylaxis. The patient had his diet gradually upgraded and was discharged home 4 days later with oral amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Quincke's disease: an unusual pathology.

A 50-year-old male presents to the emergency department in rural Australia with a sore throat, globous sensation of his oropharynx and a swollen uvula. Within the previous 12 months, this was his third and most severe presentation of Quincke's disease. In all instances, it was aggravated by cold weather. His airway was not compromised. He was admitted under the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist and managed with 200 mg of intravenous hydrocortisone, followed by regular intravenous dexamethasone as well as paracetamol for analgesia. He improved over 12 h and was discharged with 1 week of steroids. He followed up with the ENT specialist in the community. A cause could not be found. He was subsequently consented and booked for a partial uvulectomy.

Iatrogenic duodenal diverticulum perforation: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal diverticulum occurs in approximately 20% of the population and can lead to life-threatening complications such as perforation. Most perforations are secondary to diverticulitis, with iatrogenic causes being exceptionally rare. This systematic review explores the aetiology, prevention and outcomes of iatrogenic perforation of duodenal diverticulum. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Four databases were searched, including Pubmed, Medline, Scopus and Embase. The primary data extracted were clinical findings, type of procedure, prevention and management of perforation and outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-six studies were identified, of which 14 articles met inclusion criteria and comprised 19 cases of iatrogenic duodenal diverticulum perforation. Four cases identified duodenal diverticulum pre-intervention, nine were identified peri-intervention, and the remainder were identified post-intervention. Perforation secondary to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (n = 8) was most common, followed by open and laparoscopic surgery (n = 5), gastroduodenoscopy (n = 4) and other (n = 2). Operative management with diverticulectomy was the most frequent treatment (63%). Iatrogenic perforation was associated with 50% morbidity and 10% mortality. CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic perforation of duodenal diverticulum is exceptionally rare and associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are limited guidelines surrounding standard perioperative steps to prevent iatrogenic perforations. A review of preoperative imaging helps identify potential aberrant anatomy, such as a duodenal diverticulum, to allow for recognition and prompt management initiation in the event of perforation. Intraoperative recognition and immediate surgical repair are safe options for this complication.

Disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae infection complicating rheumatoid arthritis: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may predispose patients to opportunistic infections-either from innate immune dysregulation, or as a result of immunosuppressant use to treat the RA. Particularly concerning opportunistic infections are those caused by non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) organisms, the incidence of which has been increasing in epidemiological studies. Despite this, guidelines on the management of patients with RA who develop NTM infections are scarce, particularly with respect to immunosuppressant regimen modulation and duration of antibiotic therapy. CASE REPORT: Herein, we present a case of disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae infection, manifesting as arthralgia and cutaneous nodules. DISCUSSION: In addition, a review of the literature was conducted to Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify similar cases in the literature-revealing that all RA-associated M. Chelonae infections occurred in immunosuppressed patients (the majority with corticosteroids or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors), and considerable heterogeneity in management approaches. Further research regarding risk factors, preventative approaches and best management of such NTM infections in vulnerable patients with RA is required in order to establish consensus guidelines and consistency.

Iatrogenic duodenal diverticular perforation during a right laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: a rare complication.

Duodenal diverticulum perforation is a rare and life-threatening pathology. Perforation secondary to iatrogenic causes is rare, with only 14 cases previously reported. This paper explores a world-first case report on iatrogenic duodenal diverticulum perforation during right laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and a systematic review of all reported cases of duodenal diverticulum perforation in the literature.

Management of urachal cancer in pregnancy: A systematic review.

Urachal cancer is a rare non-urothelial malignancy that involves the urachus, often occurring at the junction of the urachal ligament and the bladder dome. It accounts for less than 1% of all bladder tumours. Cancer during pregnancy is rare, with the incidence of all cancers in pregnancy estimated to be 25-27 per 100 000 pregnancies. Urachal cancer in pregnancy is an even rarer phenomenon, with only a handful of case reports published to date. After a systematic review, only five cases have been reported in the English literature. We aim to review the cases presented in the literature and to examine the outcomes of the management of urachal cancer in pregnancy to date.