Mucocele formation after surgical treatment of inverted papilloma of the frontal sinus drainage pathway.

BACKGROUND: Inverted papillomas (IP) inserted in the frontal sinus and/or recess may be treated by using an endoscopic endonasal or an external approach. There are still few data available on this uncommon localization of IPs. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the management of IP of the frontal drainage pathway, to describe a previously unreported specific complication of this surgery, and to discuss the optimal surgical strategy. METHODS: A retrospective study of the patients at a tertiary care center between 2004 and 2014 who were operated on for an IP with an insertion in the frontal recess and/or the frontal sinus. Clinical charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included. Patients were operated on by using a purely endoscopic approach (Draf procedure; n = 14 [51.9%]) when the IP was inserted in the frontal recess and/or the frontal sinus infundibulum (with a nasoseptal-septoturbinal flap placed on the exposed bone in four patients), or by using a combined endoscopic and open approach (osteoplastic flap procedure; n = 13 [48.1%]) when the IP invaded the frontal sinus beyond the infundibulum. There were two recurrences (7.4%), with a mean follow-up of 40 months (range, 9-123 months). During follow-up, single or multiple iatrogenic frontal mucoceles were observed in 10 patients (37%), with a mean delay of 60 months (range, 27-89 months). These mucoceles occurred both after using endoscopic (n = 3) or combined (n = 7) approaches, and required a surgical treatment in eight patients. No postoperative mucocele was observed in the four patients who had had a septal flap. CONCLUSION: In our experience, an approach based on the localization of the IP insertion provided acceptable results in terms of the local control rate (92.6%). However, the significant rate of postoperative mucoceles indicated that specific strategies (such as local flaps) still need to be developed to avoid this iatrogenic complication.

Value of systematic analysis of the olfactory cleft in case of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea: incidence of olfactory arachnoid dilatation.

To report on the presence of olfactory arachnoid dilatations (OAD), a previously undescribed radiologic feature of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea originating from the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. The medical records of all patients treated between 2001 and 2011 at a tertiary care center for a spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea originating from the cribriform plate were retrospectively reviewed. The radiological work-up included high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with at least the following sequences: T1, T2, and T2 with fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA). Thirty cases were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 49. Fourteen patients (47 %) had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more and 3 patients (10 %) had a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Five patients had a history of meningitis. The imaging work-up revealed a bone defect of the cribriform plate in 6 cases (20 %), associated to a typical meningocele in 14 cases (47 %). In ten patients (33 %), there was no defect of the cribriform plate, but ultrathin coronal T2-FIESTA sequences revealed an OAD, i.e. a dilatation of the arachnoid sheath of the olfactory fibers, in nine cases (30 %), or a "pseudo-polyp" outlined by a thin layer of arachnoid (1 patient, 3 %). Preoperative imaging should be carefully analyzed for the presence of OAD or "pseudo-polyp" in patients presenting with a CSF rhinorrhea without bony defect of the cribriform plate.

Thoraco dorsal artery perforator flap for trismus release in a young girl.

Trismus is a frequent complication occurring after treatment of tumors of the pterygomaxillary fossa. Local flaps and full-thickness skin grafts fail to release it because they usually lead to scar contracture in previously irradiated tissues. We propose to release it with a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, which is feasible in children like other perforator flaps. It is interesting because it is thinner than the anterolateral thigh flap and its scar may be less disgraceful and easier to hide.

Clinical and imaging factors associated with severe complications of cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

PURPOSE: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a severe and debilitating disease that requires intensive care unit (ICU) management and prompt surgical treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and factors associated with severe complications of CNF. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients hospitalized in an ICU from 2007 to 2012. The data were collected retrospectively; initial cervical and thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans, performed on admission, were reviewed by an experienced and blinded radiologist to determine CNF complications. RESULTS: A cohort of 160 patients admitted for CNF was included. The following complications of CNF were found: bilateral extension of CNF (28%), internal jugular vein thrombosis (21%), descending necrotic effusion (14%), mediastinitis (24%), and mortality (4%); 53% had at least one complication, and 48% had at least one cervical complication. On the basis of a univariate analysis, the significant independent factors are odynophagia, dyspnea, oral glucocorticoids intake before admission, and pharyngeal source. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake before admission does not have any impact. The initial CNF complications increased both the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in the ICU. On the basis of a multivariate analysis, the independent factors for severe complications are pharyngeal CNF and oral glucocorticoid intake before admission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that an initial cervico-thoracic CT scan revealed a high incidence of cervical and mediastinal CNF complications that all needed immediate management. Those severe complications might be avoidable as they were associated, at least partially, with prehospital oral glucocorticoid intake.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis secondary to acute bacterial sinusitis: a retrospective study of seven cases.

BACKGROUND: Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (SCST) is a rare but severe complication of acute bacterial sinusitis. Evaluations of advances in imaging techniques as well as in medical and surgical treatment are hampered by the lack of recent studies. OBJECTIVE: We aim to report our experience in the management of SCST in patients with acute bacterial sphenoid sinusitis over the past 10 years and to discuss the initial work-up and treatment strategies. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted for SCST related to acute sinusitis at a tertiary care center between 2003 and 2013. Clinical charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentations, imaging and microbiologic findings, medical and surgical treatments, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seven patients were treated for SCST. Sphenoid sinus was involved in all cases. The most frequent presenting signs included headache (100%), cranial nerve impairment (86%), fever (71%), and orbital symptoms (71%). Diagnosis was confirmed by a cerebral contrast-enhanced CT scan in all cases. Four patients (57%) had an additional intracranial complication. The average time between clinical onset and diagnosis was 13.7 days. All patients were treated by high-dose i.v. antibiotics, anticoagulation therapy, and surgical endoscopic drainage of the infected sinuses. This treatment strategy resulted in a mortality rate of 0%, but four out of the seven patients developed transient or permanent neurologic deficits, including one with permanent unilateral visual loss. CONCLUSION: The combination of high-dose i.v. antibiotics, anticoagulation therapy, and endoscopic drainage of the infected paranasal sinus is an effective strategy for the treatment of SCST, but long-term sequelae remain frequent.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: tips and pearls for the surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were first to show principles of the minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), based on a video highlighting critical steps, and second to discuss tips and pearls to assist surgical teams that would like to start using this technique. METHODS: Based on a video, we described tips and pearls of a MIVAT. RESULTS: MIVAT includes 5 main steps: (1) skin incision and identification of the common carotid artery, (2) dissection and ligation of the upper pedicle, (3) identification of the inferior laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands, (4) isthmectomy and lobe extraction, and (5) closure. DISCUSSION: Coordination between the surgeon and the 2 assistants is of paramount importance for the performance of MIVAT. Appropriate material is also required. The magnification and tissue contrast emphasizes the identification of the vessels, the superior and inferior laryngeal nerves, and parathyroid glands, on a large-view screen.

Management specificities of congenital laryngeal stenosis: external and endoscopic approaches.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to report our experience in the management of congenital laryngeal stenosis and to compare our series and results to published data in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Tertiary referral center for rare pediatric head and neck malformations. METHODS: Medical charts of patients diagnosed with congenital laryngeal stenosis in our institution were reviewed over a 15-year period, from 1996 to 2011. Surgical treatment consisted of an endoscopic procedure, open laryngeal surgery (OLS), or a combination of both. RESULTS: Sixteen patients met the inclusion criteria for the study and were divided in two groups: the endoscopic laryngoplasty (EL) group, with patients who underwent the endoscopic procedure as first-line treatment, and the OLS group, whose patients underwent open laryngoplasty with cartilage graft as first-line treatment. Each group contained eight patients with grade II to IV congenital stenosis. All patients, except one in the EL group, achieved a good result (<50% residual stenosis) at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case series suggests that EL, with incision of the subglottic laryngeal cartilages with cold steel instruments and balloon dilation, is a safe and effective treatment for congenital laryngeal stenosis grade II to IV. This procedure could be considered as an alternative option to OLS, even as a first-line procedure. An endoscopic procedure does not preclude the possibility for an open laryngeal procedure in case of failure. A prolonged follow-up is mandatory. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, surgical treatment, state of the art]. / Mucormycoses rhino-orbito-cérébrales - Traitement chirurgical, état de l'art.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycoses constitute a severe fungal infection. These infections mostly arise in immunosuppressed patients. The surgery aiming at resecting necrosed hurts showed its interest in term of survival for lung and cutaneous mucormycosis. However, treatment of rhino-orbito-cerebral location of mucormycosis is not well defined. Transnasal endoscopic surgery allows local control of the disease, better post-operative outcomes than transfacial approaches and less sequelae. However, transfacial approaches are sometimes necessary to allow cutaneous resection or exenteration, the indications of which still remain controversial. The retrospective study of 22 patients with mucormycosis allowed to show that radical surgical treatment allowed local control of the disease with an improved survival. Further prospective studies (PHRC MICCA, current) are required to standardize the management of this rare but potentially lethal pathology.

Surgical management of inverted papilloma: approaching a new standard for surgery.

BACKGROUND: Inverted papilloma surgery is currently performed primarily with an endoscopic approach, a technique that has a recurrence rate of 12%. However, a recent study reported a recurrence rate of 5% with a strategy based on subperiosteal dissection of the tumor, with limited indications for using an external approach. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether different teams using the same surgical concepts could reproduce the excellent results that were recently reported. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of 71 consecutive patients with inverted papilloma who were treated during the last 10 years. RESULTS: In all, 80% of the patients were treated using a purely endoscopic approach. The mean follow-up period was 31.6 months. The recurrence rate was 3.3% for cases with at least a 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This work confirms the results described in recent literature and further supports transnasal endoscopic surgery to manage inverted papilloma.

Ethmoid sinus osteoma: diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Ethmoid sinus osteomas are uncommon, benign, osteogenic tumors. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe their usual clinical presentation and to discuss their surgical management. METHODS: The medical records of 25 patients treated for ethmoid osteoma between March 2001 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The average tumor size was 18.5 ± 14 mm. Only 3 patients were asymptomatic, 14 had a history of frontal sinusitis (complicated with orbital cellulitis in 4 cases), and 4 patients presented with diplopia. An endoscopic approach was performed in 19 cases, a coronal approach in 4 cases, and a combined approach (endoscopic + coronal) in 2 cases. No recurrence was reported. CONCLUSION: Ethmoid sinus osteoma can be asymptomatic and detected incidentally on CT scans, but often causes frontal sinusitis and orbital complications. The endoscopic approach offers the possibility of safe removal with cosmetic advantages compared to coronal approach.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: Learning curve in terms of mean operative time and conversion and complication rates.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the learning curve for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT). METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients were prospectively included in groups corresponding to their surgical order (10 patients in each group). RESULTS: The mean operation times between 2 neighboring groups were 33.9 minutes longer in group 1 than in group 2 (p = .01) and 25.8 minutes longer in group 3 than in group 4 (p = .002). The conversion rate for technical difficulties in group 1 was 6% (3 of 50). The definitive complication rate was 2% (1 of 50). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of operative time, 10 patients represented the early stage of the learning curve, and 30 patients represented the number of procedures required to reach an advanced level of skill. Considering the low conversion and complication rates, improved aesthetic results and postoperative course, MIVAT should become a tool in the repertoire of high-volume thyroid surgeons.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: does the external approach still make sense?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review recent management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) in our institution during the past 10 years and to analyze the shift in surgical paradigm based on the rate of endoscopic approach and Radkowski staging. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: The study was conducted from April 2000 to August 2010 in a tertiary care university hospital (Lariboisière, Paris, France). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients referred for a JNA were included in the study. Medical files and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. Surgical management was then evaluated for 2 different periods (group 1, n = 31, consecutive patients operated on from April 2000 to June 2005, and group 2, n = 41, from July 2005 to August 2010). RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were operated on, with a mean age of 16.25 years (range, 9-33 years). The rate of the endoscopic approach was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (82.9% vs 45%). Rates of recurrence and complications were similar. Recurrences (ie, residual disease growing and treated by redo) were noted in 6 cases or 8.3% (group 1, n = 3; group 2, n = 3; P > .05). CONCLUSION: Progress in skull base anatomy, instrumentation, cameras, and surgical strategy allows for expansion of the indications for endoscopic removal of JNA. This approach may have a better outcome in terms of blood loss, hospital stay, and local sequelae. Still, an external approach should be considered only for selected cases due to massive intracranial extension or optic nerve or internal carotid artery entrapment by the tumor.

Factors associated with the mediastinal spread of cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to determine factors associated with the occurrence of mediastinitis in patients hospitalized for cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 130 consecutive patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of CNF. Two radiologists reviewed cervical and thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans to determine the source and extension of the infection in each patient. RESULTS: Among the cohort of 130 patients with CNF, 37 (28%) had mediastinitis at the time of their admission (which in 13 cases was superior, or above the aortic arch, and in 24 cases inferior). Cervical necrotizing fasciitis complicated by mediastinitis resulted in a longer stay in the ICU than did CNF without mediastinitis, of a mean of 29 days (range, 18 to 39 days) versus 14 days (range, 9 to 19) days, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of mediastinitis was associated with oral intake of glucocorticoids before admission (odds ratio [OR], 2.17; range, 0.99 to 4.76), a pharyngeal focus of CNF (OR, 2.17; range, 1.04 to 4.53), or gas seen on an initial CT scan (OR, 4.49; range, 2.15 to 9.38). Both a pharyngeal focus of fasciitis and the presence of gas were strong independent predictors of inferior mediastinitis (OR, 15.1; range, 4.9 to 46.4; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to describe three independent factors associated with extension of cervical fasciitis to the thoracic cavity, including glucocorticoid intake before admission, and confirms previous reports of a high incidence of mediastinitis in patients with CNF.

[Cervico-facial fascitiis. A major ENT emergency]. / Les cellulites cervico-faciales. Une grave urgence ORL.

Cervical fasciitis is one of the most severe ENT emergencies, requiring immediate management by a multidisciplinary team. Often due to a benign pharyngeal or dental infection, this life-threatening condition leads to extensive necrosis spreading along the fascia of the neck, possibly to the mediastinum. A retrospective analysis of 150 consecutive patients admitted to our institution between January 2001 and December 2006 showed:--a 7% mortality rate;--pulmonary involvement in one-third of cases and hemodynamic failure or mediastinitis in half the patients;--mechanical ventilation for an average of 10 days, intubation for 13 days, tracheostomy for 31 days, intensive care unit management for 17 days, and hospitalization for 26 days; and--functional and esthetic sequelae in about half the patients. These data underscore the extreme severity of cervicofacial fasciitis and the need to pay close attention to any general or functional signs of severe sepsis in patients with apparently mild head or neck infections. Such patients should be urgently referred to a tertiary center for immediate CT scan and surgical drainage of any cervical or thoracic abscesses. Intensive medical care is needed to manage the frequent cardio-hemodynamic failure and secondary pulmonary/mediastinal infections. The only possible predisposing factors so far identified are inadequate initial medical treatment and self-medication with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Severe snoring in a child with pycnodysostosis treated with a bilateral rib graft.

Pycnodysostosis is a rare osteopetrotic disorder. This report describes a case of a 3(1/2)-year-old boy with pycnodysostosis who presented with severe snoring. The snoring was the result of a pharyngeal narrowing due to a hypoplastic mandible. Surgery consisted of a bilateral rib graft, which allowed an enlargement of the pharynx by acting both on an anterior projection of the chin and a decrease of the glossoptosis. A significant reduction of the snoring and an excellent mouth aperture were obtained. This technique is ideal for such patients presenting a high risk of infection, nonunion, and secondary fracture.