Myxoid Liposarcoma of the Parotid Gland.

Liposarcoma is extremely rare in the parotid gland. In this article, we report the case of an 87-year-old man who presented to our department with swelling in the left parotid region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. Total parotidectomy and ipsilateral lymph node dissection were performed. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma of the parotid gland. On imaging, there was no evidence of nodal or distant metastasis. Radiation therapy was planned, but the patient refused to receive treatment. After a follow-up of 3 years, MRI showed no sign of tumor recurrence and the patient remained symptom-free. The case is original by the tumor's location. Only 8 cases of primary parotid liposarcoma have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this article was to discuss, through our case, clinical and anatomopathological features of parotid gland liposarcomas as well as its treatment options and prognosis.

Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm Arising From Proximal Facial Artery: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Pseudoaneurysms of facial artery usually arise from the distal part of the vessel. Only 4 cases were described in the literature involving the proximal part of facial artery. We present a case of a traumatic pseudoaneurysm involving the proximal part of facial artery. A 50-year-old man was referred to our department for a progressively growing submandibular mass. He was injured by a sharp object during a car crash 30 days ago. After 3 weeks, the patient noted the appearance of a subcutaneous mass in the left submandibular area. Physical examination revealed a freely movable, painful, and pulsatile swelling. Ultrasound and computerized tomography scan showed a nodular lesion in the left submandibular area in continuity with the facial artery. The diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of facial artery was suspected. The patient was treated by surgery. The pseudoaneurysm was resected with ligation of the proximal and distal ends of the facial artery.

The Effect of Topical Tranexamic Acid in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Triple Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to evaluate the effect of topical tranexamic acid (TA) on bleeding and surgical quality field in the functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). METHODS: A total of 74 patients who underwent FESS due to chronic rhinosinusitis were included. The patients were randomized into 2 groups. TA group (n = 37) received a topical cotton pledget soaked with TA and placebo (PL) group (n = 37) received a pledget soaked with saline solution. RESULTS: A significant effect was noted for the TA group versus the PL group in the grade 1 of the Boezaart scale at 35 minutes (4 for TA group and no case for PL group). This effect was absent for higher grades. We did not notice a significant effect between the 2 groups at 5 minutes. Blood loss was 359 ml in the TA group versus 441 ml in the PL group. No significant change was observed between the 2 groups concerning the blood parameters. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Despite its safety when administrated locally and its low cost, TA provides limited effect on quality of surgical field after 35 minutes of the start of FESS in the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. This effect was absent at the start of the intervention and when analyzing the blood loss and hematologic parameters.

Apocrine Hidrocystoma of the Parotid Gland.

Apocrine hidrocystoma is a cystic tumor originating from apocrine sweat glands. It is predominantly located in the eyelid margins. Here, we report a case of apocrine hidrocystoma of the parotid gland in a 19-year-old man who was referred to our outpatient clinic with a 5-year history of a gradual swelling in the left parotid region. The patient underwent left superficial parotidectomy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of apocrine hidrocystoma. The case is original by the tumor's location: to the best of our knowledge, this could be the first case in English and French literature reporting an apocrine hidrocystoma affecting the parotid gland. The purpose of this article is to report our case and discuss its clinical and anatomopathological features as well as its differential diagnoses.

Red blood cell distribution width in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and its association with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is reported as a novel marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aimed to investigate the correlation of RDW level with the severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) defined with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and to study the relationship between RDW and CVD in OSAS. METHODS: From retrospective analyses of patients admitted to our department for polygraphy between January 2018 and January 2020, OSAS patients with complete medical records and hemogram analyses were evaluated. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 160 patients (101 females/59 males). The mean age was 52.32 ± 10.83 years. RDW correlated positively with the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.392; p < 0.0001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.3, p < 0.001). RDW and CRP were significantly higher in patients with CVD than whom without CVD (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of CVD in OSAS were RDW (p < 0.0001; OR=3.095; CI: 1.69-5.66), CRP (p=0.046; OR=1.136; CI: 1.002-1.287) and age (p=0.013; OR=1.085; CI: 1.017- 1.157). The cut-off level for RDW with optimal sensitivity and specificity was calculated as 14.45 with sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that RDW, a simple, relatively inexpensive and universally available marker could have the ability to predict CVD in OSAS.

Tracheocele: A Rare Entity.

Introduction: Tracheocele or tracheal diverticulum is an uncommon benign entity that can be congenital or acquired. It is usually diagnosed incidentally on cervicothoracic imaging. Our aim is to describe the etiopathogenic, clinical and paraclinical features of the tracheocele as well as its therapeutic modalities. Case Report: We report 2 cases of asymptomatic congenital tracheocele occurred in a boy and a woman, incidentally found on cervical CT scan done for accidental ingestion of chicken bone and infected thyroid hematocele respectively. The tracheocele, in our 2 cases, was probably congenital: no risk factors were noted and the opening of the tracheocele was narrow. The tracheocele was located in the right posterolateral tracheal wall in the 2 cases. It communicated with the tracheal lumen in one case. The female patient underwent a right lobectomy and resection of the tracheocele. For the boy, our attitude was conservative. The evolution was uneventful in the 2 cases. Conclusions: The presence or absence of risk factors, CT scan, bronchoscopy and histologic exam may distinguish between congenital and acquired forms. Asymptomatic patients are managed conservatively. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for symptomatic patients.

Prediction of difficulty in direct laryngoscopy.

To establish easily measurable and reproducible preoperative parameters predicting difficult laryngeal exposure in direct laryngoscopy. A prospective study including 71 patients who underwent transoral microsurgery for benign or malignant lesions of the larynx was performed in our department from January 2021 to November 2021. Physical assessment included the Mallampati score, weight, height, body mass index and measurements of seven parameters in the cervical region. Eleven parameters were measured on the cervical radiography film. Among our patients, 19 were included in the difficult laryngeal exposure (DLE) group. High Mallampati and Cormack scores were significantly associated with DLE (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001). Limited mouth opening, direct thyromental distance (DTMD) < 67 mm in neutral position, DTMD < 82 mm and sternomental distance < 157 mm at full head extension were statistically related to DLE. For radiological assessment, the effective length of the maxilla and the atlanto-occipital distance were related to DLE. Using stepwise logistic regression, only the effective length of the maxilla and atlanto-occipital distance were selected as independent predictors for DLE (p: 0.015 and 0.001). Preoperative prediction of DLE is useful for both surgeons and patients. The length of the maxilla and the atlanto-occipital distance were found to be independent risk factors for DLE. This highlights the effect of overgrowth of the maxilla, protrusion of the upper teeth and limited extension of the cervical spine as the major risk factors for difficult laryngeal exposure.

Ectopic Cervical Thymic Hyperplasia In A Patient Treated For Hodgkin Lymphoma.

True thymic hyperplasia results from stressful situations such as chemotherapy. It commonly presents as an anterior mediastinal mass; cervical location is exceptional. Here we report a case of a cervical true thymic hyperplasia in a 12-year-old girl who had a Hodgkin lymphoma treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She was referred to our department for a left cervical mass. The PET scan showed a hypermetabolic adenopathy. Mediastinal MRI was unremarkable. The patient underwent resection of the cervical mass under general anesthesia. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a true thymic hyperplasia. The aim of this paper is to illustrate a case of an incidental ectopic cervical thymic hyperplasia in a patient treated for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Laryngeal Myxoma: A rare localization.

INTRODUCTION: Myxomas are benign mesenchymal neoplasms which arise mainly in the heart. The laryngeal localization is very rare. We aim to describe the clinical, histological and therapeutic features of this condition. CASE REPORT: We report two cases of laryngeal myxomas occurred in male and female patients, presenting with a history of prolonged hoarseness. Laryngoscopy revealed a polypoid mass on the true vocal folds. The lesions were excised with cold instruments. One patient presented a recurrence 4 years after the first surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal myxoma should be considered in case of a benign looking vocal fold lesion, especially a vocal cord polyp. Histologic exam is the only tool to confirm the diagnosis. It is treated by surgical resection. In the literature, recurrence is rare in laryngeal site, but patients need to be kept on close follow-up.

Isolated frontal sinus fungus ball: Diagnostic and therapeutic features and the role of endonasal endoscopic approach.

Fungus ball (FB) is a non invasive form of fungal sinusitis that generally affects immunocompetent subjects. Isolated involvement of the frontal sinus is extremely rare. The treatment is surgical. Previously, it was based on the external approach. Recently, the endoscopic approach has been increasingly employed. We report three cases of frontal sinus fungus ball. Two patients underwent endoscopic endonasal frontal Draf type IIb sinusotomy with complete removal of the pathologic material. The third patient had an external approach due to the extensive pneumatisation of the frontal sinus, the defect in its floor and the orbital involvement. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No recurrence of the disease was observed during the three, two and twelve months' follow up period, respectively. Correct clinical and radiological diagnosis of isolated frontal sinus FB still remains a challenge. Endoscopic sinus surgery with endonasal Draf type IIb or type III frontal sinusotomy is effective for the treatment of frontal sinus FB. It is the treatment of choice and replaces the traditional external approaches.

Predictive factors for hypothyroidy after hemithyroidectomy.

Background: Hemithyroidectomy is one of the most common procedures performed. It is used to treat patients with benign unilateral nodules. Hemithyroidectomy results in fewer risks of hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The present study was designed to identify potential clinicopathologic risk factors associated with the onset of biochemical hypothyroidism. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 2004 and 2019. Hypothyroidism was defined as a serum thyrotropin level greater than 5 mIU/L. The patients were analyzed for age, sex, preoperative and postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), state, side, and volume of the remaining lobe, and histologic diagnosis. Results: Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 30.8% of 214 patients. This complication appeared in the first year in 83.3% of the cases. A preoperative TSH level greater than 1.32 mIU/l, a remaining volume of the lobe less than 3 ml, and the presence of thyroiditis were associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing hypothyroidism (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in age, sex, state, and side of the remaining lobe. The mean thyroxine dose was 57 ± 26 micrograms. Conclusions: The risk of hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy should be assessed prior to surgery. Close monitoring is recommended in patients at high risk of developing this complication. However, all patients who undergo hemithyroidectomy should be monitored at least for the first year.

Basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland: A rare entity.

Basal cell adenoma (BCA) is a rare benign salivary gland tumor accounting for only 1-2% of all salivary gland tumors. We report a case of a 50-year-old man presenting a BCA of the parotid gland. A pleomorphic adenoma was initially suspected based on radiological features and fine needle aspiration cytology findings (FNAC).

Parapharyngeal Lymph Node Metastasis From Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Metastatic parapharyngeal lymph nodes (LNs) from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) are uncommon and can easily remain undetected. We describe a case that involves a 62-year-old woman treated for a PTC, who presented a rise in serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels. A computed tomography scan was performed, and revealed metastatic nodes in the left parapharyngeal space (PPS). A surgical resection of the nodes was performed with external cervical approach. A histological exam confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic LN of a PTC. The aim of this report is to emphasize on the possibility of parapharyngeal metastatic nodes in PTC and to describe the diagnosis methods, treatment options, and impact on the prognosis.

Bilateral multifocal nodular oncocytic hyperplasia of the parotid gland: a rare entity.

Multifocal nodular oncocytic hyperplasia is an uncommon oncocytic lesion that rarely occurs in the parotid gland. Here, we report a case of a 43-years-old woman who presented with isolated gradual swelling in the 2 parotid regions. She underwent exofacial right parotidectomy. Histologic exam confirmed the diagnosis of oncocytoma arising in a background of multifocal nodular oncocytic hyperplasia with a histological variant of clear cells. Since the lesion was diagnosed as a benign lesion, surgery of the left side was not done. Our case is characterized by: early onset, the histological variant of clear cells and the presence of synchronous oncocytoma. We describe the clinical, histological and therapeutic features of this entity.

Retropharyngeal edema secondary to superior vena cava syndrome revealing Behcet's disease.

Retropharyngeal edema, uncommon in superior vena cava syndrome, can exceptionally represent the first manifestation of Behcet's disease, which should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of this condition.

Noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis: a case series.

Introduction: Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) remains a rare disease. The noninvasive forms are hard to diagnose. The management protocols remain controversial. We aim to describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of noninvasive FRS and present our management protocol and follow-up results. Patients and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the ear-nose-throat department of the university hospital, Taher Sfar in Mahdia, Tunisia. All patients who responded to the definition of noninvasive FRS (fungal balls and allergic fungal sinusitis) were included. The study was conducted over a three year period (May 2017 - April 2021). Results: Eleven patients were included in this study: four cases of fungal balls and seven cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Patients presented with symptoms of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis with no response to conventional treatments. Computed tomodensitometry scan showed opacification of the paranasal sinuses in all patients. Other signs were heterogeneous opacities, local calcifications and thinning of the bony walls of the sinuses. Histopathological findings were inflammatory polyps in all cases of allergic FRS with the presence of fungal hyphae in 42.8% of the cases. All patients underwent surgery after a median delay of 12 [6-24] months of the symptom's onset. The used procedures were endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy for all patients, ethmoidectomy (81.8%) and sphenoidotomy (36.4%). None received systemic antifungals or corticosteroids with a favorable outcome in all cases. Conclusion: Symptoms of noninvasive FRS are nonspecific. The scan images contribute to the diagnosis, but the perioperative findings and the histopathological results remain crucial.  The management is mainly surgical.

Parathyroid cyst: A rare entity.

Parathyroid cysts are an uncommon entity. They are classified as functioning and nonfunctioning cysts. Cyst aspiration with detection of parathyroid hormone is a useful tool to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we report four cases of parathyroid cysts. One patient had a functioning cyst. Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a cystic lesion behind the left lobe of the thyroid gland in two cases and a right cystic thyroid nodule in two cases. The cysts exerted a mass effect on the adjacent structures in two cases without clinical compressive symptoms. Fine-needle aspiration with detection of parathyroid hormone in the cyst fluid was performed in one case (nonfunctioning cyst): intracystic parathyroid hormone level was high. Recurrence was noted 1 month after the cyst aspiration. All patients underwent surgical treatment. Our series is characterized by two cases of nonfunctioning intrathyroidal parathyroid cysts which are very uncommon. They are mistaken for thyroid cysts. After surgery, no recurrence was noted. We aim to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical features of this condition as well as its therapeutic modalities.