Revision endoscopic stapler Zenker's diverticulotomy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic stapler diverticulotomy (ESD) has become an accepted primary treatment for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). Recurrence of symptoms after surgical treatment of ZD is not uncommon, and traditionally patients with recurrent symptomatic ZD were referred to revision surgery by the transcervical Zenker's diverticulectomy approach. Our objective was to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety and effectiveness of revision endoscopic stapler diverticulotomy (RESD) for recurrent ZD. METHODS: A case series with chart review study conducted in a tertiary referral center. The records of all patients who underwent ESD at our institute between 2002 and 2013 were retrieved and those who underwent RESD were identified and screened for primary surgical history, symptoms of recurrent ZD, time to recurrence, intraoperative and postoperative RESD course, complications and symptom resolution. The surgical history and outcome results of RESD and primary ESD (PESD) patients were compared. RESULTS: Eighty-nine ESDs were performed. Twenty were RESDs for recurrent ZD, and 69 were PESDs. Nine RESDs were performed for recurrent ZD after transcervical Zenker's diverticulectomy, 10 RESDs for recurrent ZD after ESD, and one initial surgical approach was unknown. The mean time from first operation for ZD to RESD was 4.7 years. The average RESD surgery time and hospital stay were 21.4 min and 2.8 days, respectively. Endoscopic stapling of the ZD was feasible in 19 of 20 RESDs. Relief of symptoms without recurrence was achieved after 18 RESDs. Four RESD patients experienced minor postoperative complications. There were no significant differences in operative time, technical feasibility, hospital stay and complication rate between the RESD and PESD groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: RESD for ZD is technically feasible, safe and effective. The results are comparable to those of PESD.

Growth inhibition of human thyroid carcinoma and goiter cells in vitro by the isoflavone derivative 7-(O)-carboxymethyl daidzein conjugated to N-t-boc-hexylenediamine.

BACKGROUND: Estrogens may enhance thyroid cancer cell growth. We have recently reported that a novel isoflavone-derived anti-estrogenic compound developed in our laboratory, the N-t-boc-hexylenediamine derivative of 7-(O)-carboxymethyl daidzein (cD-tboc), can induce apoptosis and retard growth in human thyroid carcinoma cell lines through inhibitory interaction on estrogen receptor ß. Here we tested the hypothesis that cD-tboc can likewise retard cell growth in cultured human thyroid papillary carcinoma cells, normal thyroid cells, and goiter cells removed during thyroidectomy. METHODS: In vitro experiments in cultured human thyroid normal, goiter, and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells were performed. Estrogen receptors α and ß (ERα and ERß), DNA synthesis and creatine kinase (a marker of estrogenic genomic response), and the effects of cD-tboc on DNA synthesis in cultured human PTC cells were assessed. RESULTS: First, all cell types thus harvested and grown in culture expressed both ERα and ERß, with a variably higher abundance of ERß over ERα seen in the goiter and PTC cells, but not in the normal thyroid cells. Second, DNA synthesis and creatine kinase were increased in response to estradiol-17ß (E2), the ERα agonist propyl-pyrazole-trisphenol as well as the ERß agonist diarylpropionitrile. Third, cD-tboc dose-dependently inhibited DNA synthesis in cultured human PTC cells (-65%) and to a lesser extent in goiter cells (∼-30%). CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that cD-tboc can act to inhibit growth in primary cultures of human PTC cells and goiter cells removed during thyroidectomy. Whether this can be utilized for the treatment of human thyroid cancer and/or goiter remains to be explored.

Blast injury of the ear in a confined space explosion: auditory and vestibular evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The ear is the most frequent organ affected during an explosion. Recognition of possible damage to its auditory and vestibular components, and particularly the recovery time of the incurred damage, may help in planning the optimal treatment strategies for the otologic manifestations of blast injury and preventing deleterious consequences. OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the oto-vestibular initial evaluation and follow-up of 17 survivors of a suicide terrorist attack on a municipal bus. METHODS: These 17 patients underwent periodic ear inspections and pure tone audiometry for 6 months. Balance studies, consisting of electronystagmography and computerized dynamic posturography were performed at the first time possible. RESULTS: Complaints of earache, aural fullness and tinnitus resolved, whereas dizziness persisted in most of the patients. By the end of the follow-up, 15 (55.6%) of the eardrum perforations had healed spontaneously. Hearing impairment was detected in 33 of the 34 tested ears. Recovery of hearing was complete in 6 ears and partial in another 11. ENG and CDP were performed in 13 patients: 5 had abnormal results on CDP while the ENG was normal in all the patients. Of the seven patients who complained of vertigo, only one improved and was free of symptoms 1 month after the explosion. CONCLUSION: Exposure to a high powered explosion in a confined space may result in severe auditory and vestibular damage. Awareness of these possible ear injuries may prevent many of the deleterious consequences of such injuries.