Complications Associated with Medical Tourism for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Medical tourism for cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years. The existing literature has identified poor outcomes associated with general cosmetic tourism; however, the complications associated with cosmetic tourism for facial rejuvenation remain poorly understood. The aims of this study are to delineate the risk profile associated with medical tourism for facial rejuvenation. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was performed through January 2019 using the PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included combinations of keywords including medical tourism and plastic surgery and other related nomenclature. Articles published in English relevant to medical tourism for facial rejuvenation and its associated complications were examined. RESULTS: We identified six retrospective studies including 31 patients who had obtained facial rejuvenation procedures abroad and experienced treatment-associated complications. Twenty-five of 26 listed patients (96%) were female (age range 33-62 years). Departure nations included the USA, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Australia, and Thailand. Destination nations included the Dominican Republic, Cyprus, the USA, Colombia, Thailand, India, and China. Procedures included blepharoplasty, facelift, rhinoplasty, chin lift, and injections with botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. Complications included abscess, poor cosmesis, facial nerve palsy, and death. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first study to systematically review the complications associated with medical tourism for facial rejuvenation. No definitive conclusions can be made given the paucity of relevant data, its clinical and statistical heterogeneity, and small sample size. Additional research is warranted to help inform patients who seek facial rejuvenation procedures abroad and to better understand the health system implications associated with cosmetic tourism for facial rejuvenation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Temporal Bone.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the temporal bone is an uncommon disease that primarily affects the pediatric population; fewer than 40 adult cases have been reported in the literature. We present a rare case of LCH of the temporal bone in an adult patient and describe its clinical presentation, histopathologic findings, and management. Case Report: A 21-year-old male presented to the emergency department with progressively worsening right-sided ear pain refractory to outpatient oral antibiotics. Physical examination revealed mastoid tenderness and decreased right-sided hearing. Computed tomography (CT) scan suggested coalescent mastoiditis; the patient responded to inpatient antibiotics and was discharged. He returned 9 days later with persistent symptoms. Repeat CT scan revealed an osteolytic lesion on the temporal bone, and the patient was indicated for surgery. Intraoperative histology was consistent with LCH. Subsequent surveillance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested persistence of disease, and the patient responded to a course of radiation. Three months following radiotherapy, surveillance MRI and positron emission tomography scans revealed no evidence of recurrent disease. Conclusion: Diagnosis of LCH of the temporal bone is frequently delayed because of misdiagnosis of more common otologic diseases, including otitis media, otitis externa, and mastoiditis. The clinician's index of suspicion for LCH should be high if imaging reveals an osteolytic defect of the temporal bone; confirmation is via immunohistostaining of biopsy samples. The majority of cases respond to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or combination therapy, but delays in diagnosis and treatment may increase morbidity. Increased physician awareness of LCH of the temporal bone, particularly among adults, may help to improve patient outcomes.

Role of Steroids in Preventing Osteoradionecrosis of the Head and Neck: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to summarize the effectiveness of steroids in the prevention of osteoradionecrosis of the head and neck. DATA SOURCES: PubMED, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane trial registries. METHODS: A systematic review of these data sources was performed through September 2018 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included were English-language studies evaluating patients of all age groups diagnosed with head and neck cancer who underwent radiation therapy while receiving peritreatment steroids compared with those who did not receive steroids. RESULTS: Two retrospective cohort studies were identified for qualitative review. On the basis of analysis of 25 328 participants (36-82 years of age) with head and neck cancer who underwent radiation therapy, the use of peritreatment steroids was associated with a significantly lower risk for osteoradionecrosis in both studies, with a hazard ratio of 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.94; P = .012) and a relative risk of 0.04 (95% confidence interval, 0.003-0.560; P = .017). Meta-analysis was precluded by clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Overall, the studies were of limited quality with high risk for bias and poor methodology. CONCLUSIONS: Limited retrospective data suggest that steroids are predictive of a reduced risk for osteoradionecrosis; however, no definitive conclusions can be made given the poor quality of the available literature. Well-designed, comparison-controlled trials are needed to clarify the promising role of steroids in the prevention of osteoradionecrosis of the head and neck.

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid.

Background: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCT) is a rare malignancy of the head and neck, with fewer than 60 cases reported in the literature. We report a case of PSCCT and provide a brief review of the literature. Case Report: A 66-year-old female with a history of a hemithyroidectomy for a benign thyroid lesion presented with 3 months of progressively worsening compressive symptoms and shortness of breath. Physical examination revealed right-sided thyromegaly and right-sided true vocal fold immobility. Preoperative imaging with ultrasound and computed tomography scan confirmed an enlarged right thyroid, as well as right anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, subglottic stenosis, and bilateral pulmonary nodules. Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid was suggestive of carcinoma. Intraoperative findings of gross tracheal invasion during a planned completion thyroidectomy prompted limited resection and impromptu tracheotomy. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation confirmed a squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid origin. Further oncologic workup with core lung biopsy and positron emission tomography scan demonstrated metastasis to the lung and cervical spine. Palliative chemotherapy was begun, but the patient died 1 week into therapy. Conclusion: PSCCT is a rare but aggressive malignancy of the head and neck. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations are essential for diagnosis. While locoregional surgery and radiation therapy may improve the length of survival, the prognosis of patients with PSCCT is poor. Physicians should be mindful of this unique but deadly disease process, as early diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation are essential to optimize treatment outcomes.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the epiglottis excised with a carbon dioxide laser: Case report and literature review.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a benign neoplasm of intermediate biologic potential. It rarely occurs in the larynx, and it has not been previously reported in the epiglottis. We treated a 66-year-old woman who presented with progressive dysphonia and a mass on her suprahyoid epiglottis. The tumor was completely excised with a CO2 laser; no adjuvant therapy was administered. Histopathology revealed that the mass was an IMT. No evidence of recurrence was noted after 6 months of follow-up. We present what we believe is the first case of an epiglottic IMT to be reported in the literature, and we propose CO2 laser excision without adjuvant therapy as an acceptable treatment.

Modern management of osteoradionecrosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite recent advances in radiotherapy, osteoradionecrosis (ORN) remains a common and difficult complication of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients. Available treatment options are complementary to its complex pathophysiology and the currently available theories of ORN development. The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy has recently been questioned, and therapies targeting the fibroatrophic process have become a focus of ORN treatment. The objective of this review is to evaluate the literature regarding ORN of the mandible, with a focus on available treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS: The recently proposed fibroatrophic theory has challenged the traditional hypovascular-hypoxic-hypocellular theory as the mechanism of ORN. Medical management targeting this fibroatrophic process offers promising results, but has yet to be confirmed with robust clinical trials. The routine use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not substantiated in the literature, but may be justified for select patients. Systemic steroids may also have a role, though data are limited. SUMMARY: The fibroatrophic process has gained acceptance as a main mechanism of ORN. No gold standard treatment or consensus guidelines exist, though a combination of therapeutic strategies should be considered, taking into account the severity of disease and individual patient characteristics.

Acute Calcific Tendonitis of the Longus Colli.

BACKGROUND: Acute calcific tendonitis of the longus colli (ACTLC) is an aseptic inflammatory response to deposition of calcium in the longus colli muscle tendons. Although reports in the literature are scarce, ACTLC likely represents an underreported disease process that routinely goes misdiagnosed. We report a case of ACTLC and provide a brief review of the literature. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old otherwise healthy female presented with a 3-day history of progressive neck pain, decreased neck mobility, and odynophagia. She exhibited tenderness over the right posterolateral neck with limited neck flexion and rotation. Flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy revealed moderate posterior pharyngeal wall edema extending from the palatal-pharyngeal sphincter down to the level of the epiglottis. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck with contrast revealed an amorphous calcification in the longus colli muscle and a prevertebral fluid collection without rim enhancement. A diagnosis of ACTLC was presumed. The patient was successfully managed with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and antibiotics and reported complete resolution of symptoms on follow-up. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation and laboratory findings of ACTLC are nonspecific; however, a CT scan revealing a calcific deposition in the retropharyngeal space confirms the diagnosis. Spontaneous resolution during the course of several weeks warrants conservative treatment with analgesia and antiinflammatory medications. Awareness of ACTLC must be increased to avoid diagnostic errors and prevent unnecessary medical interventions.

Neonatal Lemierre Syndrome: Youngest Reported Case and Literature Review.

A previously healthy 5-week-old female was admitted for sepsis secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. After several days of hospitalization, she experienced acute decompensation in mental status despite having received targeted antibiotic therapy. Imaging revealed left peritonsillar/parapharyngeal space abscess, left venous thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, and septic emboli of the lungs and brain consistent with Lemierre syndrome. Bedside needle aspiration of the parapharyngeal abscess confirmed MRSA involvement. Unfortunately, the patient continued to deteriorate over the next several days and life support was withdrawn on hospital day 16. We present the youngest reported case of Lemierre syndrome and review the literature.

Osteochondroma of the Hyoid: First Pediatric Case and Literature Review.

Osteochondromas, the most common benign bone tumors, are cartilaginous neoplasms of unknown origin with rare malignant potential. Osteochondromas rarely occur in the head and neck, and diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, radiological, and histological criteria. Excision is often curative. We describe the first reported case of hyoid osteochondroma in an adolescent male with multiple osteochondroma, discuss its surgical management, and perform a review of the salient literature. Osteochondroma represents a rare diagnosis to include in the differential of any midline neck mass.

Establishing the Need for an Evidence-Based Treatment Algorithm for Peritonsillar Abscess in Children.

In this retrospective case series, we report clinical factors associated with pediatric peritonsillar abscess (PTA), with hopes of contributing to the design of an evidenced-based, economic treatment approach. Charts were examined for presenting symptoms and signs. Each of these were analyzed for association with the presence of PTA and for association with treatment. We found that, with the exception of leukocytosis, the signs/symptoms that prompted treatment correlate with those that indicate the presence of PTA. However, there are several signs/symptoms, namely, referred otalgia, cervical lymphadenopathy, and decreased oral intake, that were associated with PTA but unassociated with treatment. Treatment can be aided by establishing an algorithm that accounts for the symptoms/signs most correlated with true, drainable abscess.

Intraoperative Cryoanalgesia for Reducing Post-Tonsillectomy Pain: A Systemic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Summarize the effectiveness of intraoperative cryoanalgesia in the management of postoperative pain among patients undergoing palatine tonsillectomy. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane trial registries was performed through January 2017 using the PRISMA standards. We included English-language randomized controlled trials evaluating patients of all age groups with benign pathology who underwent tonsillectomy with cryoanalgesia versus without. RESULTS: Three limited quality randomized controlled trials involving 153 participants (age range, 1-60 years) were included. Cryoanalgesia was performed with a cryotherapy probe (-56°C) in 1 trial and ice-water cooling (4°C to 10°C) in 2. In the 3 trials reviewed, patients who received cryoanalgesia reported 21.38%, 28.33%, and 31.53% less average relative postoperative pain than controls on the visual analog scale. Review of secondary outcomes suggested no significant difference in time to resume normal diet (2 studies) or postoperative bleeding (2 studies) between the 2 groups. Cryoanalgesia allowed patients to return to work 4 days earlier than controls in 1 study. Two studies reported a trend toward less postoperative analgesia use among the treatment group; however, no statistical conclusions could be drawn. CONCLUSION: The available evidence suggests that patients undergoing tonsillectomy with cryoanalgesia experience less average postoperative pain without additional complications.

Association of Continued Preoperative Aspirin Use and Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: No evidence exists to direct the management of preoperative aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) use in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Nevertheless, a considerable number of patients interrupt receiving aspirin therapy during the preoperative period to minimize bleeding complications despite the increased risk of experiencing major adverse cardiac events. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether aspirin therapy continued preoperatively increases bleeding complications in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive sample of 570 patients, aged 18 to 100 years, who underwent thyroid surgery for benign and malignant disease from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015, by a single surgeon at a tertiary referral hospital center in New Orleans, Louisiana. EXPOSURES: Patients receiving aspirin therapy and patients not receiving aspirin therapy (aspirin naive) preoperatively. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Comparison of estimated blood loss, substantial blood loss, operative hematoma, nonoperative hematoma, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. RESULTS: Of 570 patients who underwent thyroid surgery, 106 (18.6%) were performed in patients receiving aspirin; of these, 23 (21.7%) were men and 105 (99.1%) were older than 45 years. Those receiving aspirin therapy displayed a 14.4-year difference in age (95% CI, 11.6-17.1). The aspirin group displayed a 20.3% absolute increase (95% CI, 9.3-30.7) in African American patients. Aspirin therapy was not associated with a statistically significant or clinically meaningful increase in intraoperative blood loss (2.5 mL; 95% CI, -0.4 to 5.3). Aspirin therapy was associated with a statistically significant increase in total hematoma formation (3.3%; 95% CI, 0.4-9.0), but the results were inconclusive. Aspirin therapy was not associated with a statistically significant increase in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (2.6%; 95% CI, -1.1 to 8.6), but the results were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results suggest that aspirin therapy can be maintained prior to thyroid surgery without increased intraoperative bleeding. Further research with a larger sample size and more outcome events are required to make definitive conclusions regarding the association between aspirin use and complications, including hematoma and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Invasive Insular Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as Nonparalytic Dysphonia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with suspected thyroid malignancy often undergo preoperative laryngeal examination with a focus on vocal fold mobility. We present the unique case of a patient with invasive thyroid carcinoma who presented with dysphonia despite intact vocal fold motion. CASE REPORT: A 73-year-old female with a remote thyroid lobectomy presented with dysphonia. Thyroid ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration revealed a 1.1-cm nodule consistent with a colloid cyst. Videostroboscopy demonstrated mild laryngeal stenosis at the glottis and infraglottis with no evidence of paralysis. After failed medical therapy, the patient underwent microlaryngoscopy with biopsy of her infraglottic fullness, with histopathology reporting squamous epithelium without nucelar atypia. After several weeks of worsening dysphonia and persistent infraglottic fullness, she underwent repeat microlaryngoscopy with biopsy. On postoperative day 1, she developed dyspnea and stridor refractory to maximal medical management. To secure the airway, she underwent an awake tracheostomy, during which the thyroid isthmus was found to be densely adherent to the larynx. Histopathology identified insular thyroid carcinoma. Subsequent imaging confirmed a large, invasive thyroid tumor. Further workup revealed metastases to the bone and liver. The patient underwent a successful palliative resection of the thyroid followed by neck radiation and received palliative spinal surgery with adjuvant radiation. A clinical trial of vandetanib was initiated but withdrawn because of myelosuppression. She deferred any further treatment and was alive with few symptoms despite persistent disease 1.5 years after initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Physicians should consider the diagnosis of invasive thyroid carcinoma in a dysphonic patient with an infiltrative endolaryngeal process despite intact vocal fold mobility.