Management of complex pediatric burn scars in a humanitarian collaboration.

Burn scars still represent a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Their management requires a specific expertise and set up involving the possibility of long term rehabilitation and follow up. Cases encountered in humanitarian missions present additional issues. Often the local environment is not suitable for an appropriate treatment plan, requiring the case to be transferred to a foreign country for surgical care as part of an integrated international and multidisciplinary management. We present the case of a three year-old patient injured in a bomb explosion during the Arab Spring and suffering from severe scar contracture limiting thoracic and upper limb movement. After initial consultation at distance, transfer to our country was organized and an intensive surgical and rehabilitative program was carried out over three months. After five months, the patient returned to his home country where a supportive network had been set up for continued rehabilitation, ensuring follow up for over a year and ultimate success.

Les cicatrices de brûlures représentent toujours un défi pour le chirurgien de reconstruction. Leur gestion nécessite une expertise spécifique et la possibilité de réhabilitation à long terme, y compris le suivi. Les cas rencontrés dans les missions humanitaires présentent des problèmes supplémentaires. Souvent l'environnement local n'est pas adapté pour un plan de traitement approprié, et donc il faut transféré le patient dans un pays étranger pour des soins chirurgicaux dans le cadre d'une gestion internationale et multidisciplinaire intégrée. Nous présentons le cas d'un patient de trois ans blessé à cause de l'explosion d'une bombe pendant le printemps arabe. Ce patient souffrait de contractures graves qui limitaient le mouvement du membre thoracique et supérieure. Après une consultation initiale à distance, il a été transferé à notre pays où il a subi un programme de chirurgie et de réadaptation intensive qui a duré trois mois. Après cinq mois, le patient est retourné à son pays d'origine où un réseau de soutien a été mis en place pour continuer la réhabilitation, assurer un suivi de plus d'un an et le succès final.

The eminent anatomists who discovered the upper oesophageal sphincter.

OBJECTIVE: To discover the anatomist who first identified the upper oesophageal sphincter. METHOD: The authors searched dozens of antique anatomy textbooks kept in the old section of the 'Vincenzo Pinali' Medical Library of Padua University, looking for descriptions of the upper oesophageal sphincter. RESULTS: The oesophageal sphincter was drawn correctly only in 1601, by Julius Casserius, in the book De vocis auditusque organis historia anatomica… (which translates as 'An Anatomical History on the Organs of Voice and Hearing …'), and was properly described by Antonio Maria Valsalva in 1704 in the book De aure humana tractatus… ('Treatise on the Human Ear …'). CONCLUSION: Anatomists Casserius and Valsalva can be considered the discoverers of the 'oesophageal sphincter'.

N-butanol olfactory threshold and nasal patency before and after palatal expansion in children. A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: Olfaction is based on the function of the nasal olfactory receptors. Children can well detect and respond to odors in order to have information about food and environment. Rapid maxillary expansion seems to improve dental class and increase nasal patency correcting oral respiration in children. Nevertheless, there are no studies demonstrating that expansion in pediatric patients could influence olfactory sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate olfactory threshold and nasal patency in children aged from 6 to 12 years before and after rapid maxillary expansion. METHOD: N-butanol olfactory thresholds, anterior active rhinomanometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flow were measured in 12 children (6-12 years) before (T0), 20 days (T1), and 6 months after rapid maxillary expansion application (T2). RESULTS: A significant lower olfactory threshold was found comparing T2 and T0 N-butanol olfactory threshold values (p=0.038). Peak nasal inspiratory flow showed a significant improvement both at T1 and T2, with respect to T0 values (p=0.043 and p=0.0001, respectively). T2 nasal resistances showed a trend towards a significant reduction when compared with T1 values (p=0.15). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggested that rapid maxillary expansion may lead to improved N-butanol olfactory thresholds, at least 6 months after palatal expansion. Furthermore, rapid maxillary expansion seems to improve peak nasal inspiratory flow values, and finally although with lower sensitivity, reduce nasal resistances as measured by rhinomanometry.

Temporal bone carcinoma. Current diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic concepts.

Temporal bone carcinoma is an uncommon aggressive malignancy. Its low incidence and the absence of a globally accepted staging system still make it difficult to compare different centers' approaches and results. In this review of the main available studies dealing with temporal bone carcinoma since 1995, we consider its rational preoperative staging and assessment, compare the effectiveness of different treatments by tumor stage, and outline the main actuarial prognostic factors.

Sudden hearing loss followed by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in a patient with factor V Leiden mutation.

OBJECTIVE: Factor V Leiden (FVL) is by far the most prevalent inherited thrombophilic abnormality in Western countries, and this genetic condition has been associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). Audiologists should be aware that SSHL may be the precursor of life-threatening thromboembolic events, especially in Caucasians who are more likely to be FVL carriers. DESIGN: Case report. STUDY SAMPLE: A 41-year-old male patient. RESULTS: Although this is not the first report of SSHL in a FVL carrier, it is the first to describe SSHL occurring in a heterozygous FVL carrier who--within a month--was also diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis of the left common femoral, saphenous, and popliteal veins, and pulmonary embolism of the left pulmonary artery branch serving the posterior basal segment of the inferior lobe. CONCLUSIONS: SSHL is an emergency condition that warrants prompt medical examination and treatment. Hematological investigations should be considered in SSHL patients at least for those with a family history of thrombotic events, and for women on estrogen-progestin therapy or during pregnancy, with a view to providing adequate antithrombotic prophylaxis and reducing the risk of other thromboembolic events.

Comparison between unilateral PNIF and rhinomanometry in healthy and obstructed noses.

AIMS: Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) is an easy method to assess nasal patency. Normative unilateral PNIF data in adults have been proposed. The study purpose was to compare PNIF and unilateral PNIF values to total and unilateral nasal resistances measured by anterior active rhinomanometry (AAR) in subjects with and without nasal obstruction to see whether unilateral PNIFis sensitive to detect nasal obstruction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Measurements of PNIF, unilateral PNIF and AAR were performed in 125 volunteers. Seventy of them were healthy subjects not complaining of nasal symptoms and entered into the study as the'normal' group. The other group consisted of fifty-five symptomatic subjects.Data were analysed to show the correlation between PNIF, unilateral PNIF and nasal resistances. The ability of PNIF and AAR in predicting pathologies were compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicating that PNIF and AAR have a similar and significant power to discriminate pathologic from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The measurement of unilateral PNIF could be a helpful method to support the diagnosis of nasal blockage also in those cases with single nostril obstruction, but, in cases of doubt, AAR should also be performed to improve diagnostic accuracy.

The EGFR-mTOR pathway and laryngeal cancer angiogenesis.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a trans-membrane tyrosine kinase taking part in cell transformation and tumor progression. One of the downstream pathways controlled by EGFR involves the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a proto-oncogene activated in several cell functions. Recent evidence seems to confirm that both EGFR and mTOR regulate angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of EGFR and mTOR in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells in a retrospective clinical setting and their correlation with tumor neo-angiogenesis, judged on the grounds of CD105-assessed microvascular density (MVD), and prognosis. We considered 76 consecutive patients with LSCC treated with surgery alone. Immunohistochemical expressions of EGFR, mTOR, and CD105 were measured using image analysis and findings underwent statistical analysis using univariate and multivariate models. We found that nodal status correlated significantly with patient prognosis in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.01). There was a strong direct correlation between mTOR and EGFR expression (p = 0.0003), and between mTOR and CD105-assessed MVD (p = 0.0025). Patients with a CD105-assessed MVD >5.28 % had a significantly higher recurrence rate (RR) (p = 0.026), and a significantly shorter DFS (p = 0.025). On multivariate analysis, only N stage [hazard ratio (HR) 3.54, p = 0.009] and CD105-assessed MVD (HR 2.87, p = 0.027) maintained their independent prognostic significance in terms of DFS. Judging from our promising findings, the EGFR-mTOR pathway should be investigated further to understand its role in LSCC neo-angiogenesis.

Case report of cholesteatoma recurrence with Bezold's abscess presenting as a deep neck infection.

Cervical masses are a common clinical finding, but differential diagnosis is often challenging. Acute neck swellings are often due to deep cervical space infections that have originated at oral or oropharyngeal sites. Deep neck infections originating elsewhere are not rare; however, they are difficult to diagnose, and their origins remain obscure in 20% of cases. Neck swellings that originate in the middle ear are very rare, with only a few reported in the scientific literature. Here we report an atypical case of Bezold's abscess caused by the recurrence of a middle ear cholesteatoma. In patients with neck swelling and a history of primary cholesteatoma of the middle ear, otolaryngologists should consider regional recurrence of disease a possibility even several years after the primary surgery.

The superior laryngeal nerve injury of a famous soprano, Amelita Galli-Curci.

The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) has been attributed much less clinical significance than the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It has sometimes been described as the 'neglected' nerve in thyroid surgery, although injury to this nerve can cause significant disability. The external branch of the SLN is the only motor supply to the cricothyroid muscle, which increases the tension of the ipsilateral vocal fold during highfrequency phonation, particularly in women and voice professionals. Damage to this nerve can manifest as ipsilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis, and clinical symptoms may include a hoarse, breathy voice, frequent throat clearing, vocal fatigue or diminished vocal frequency range, especially when rising pitch. SLN paralysis can be a significant issue for those whose careers depend largely on a full range of voice. The famous opera soprano, Amelita Galli-Curci, suffered SLN injury during thyroid surgery with distressing consequences.

Human olfactory sensitivity for bourgeonal and male infertility: a preliminary investigation.

Olfactory receptor (OR) expression is also present in the sperm cells and could mediate sperm chemotaxis. OR1D2 was the first OR expressed in the testis demonstrated to be involved in chemotaxis and to be expressed also in the nose with a similar behavior. Bourgeonal is the OR1D2 most potent known agonist. Infertility affects ~15 % of couples in western countries and sometimes it is unexplained. This pilot study compared the bourgeonal olfactory thresholds, the ability of sperm to sense the bourgeonal and the frequency of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OR1D2 gene in nine males suffering of unexplained infertility with a control group of 15 healthy males. The mean olfactory threshold for bourgeonal was statistically different between the study group (10.5 ± 3.7; median 12.3) and the control group (14.0 ± 2.8; median 15.5) (p = 0.006). Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa that migrated toward the capillaries filled with bourgeonal in the control group compared to the study group (p < 0.0001). Sperm migration was equally inhibited in both groups of subjects when, together with bourgeonal, capillaries were filled with undecanal, a strong bourgeonal inhibitor (p = 0.42). The 13 SNPs of OR1D2 revealed a statistically significant difference for allele and genotype frequency of rs769423 in study group versus control group (p = 0.02). The present preliminary study seems to confirm the important role of OR1D2 both in nose and spermatozoa and may explain the idiopathic infertility of the study group. Further studies on larger series are mandatory to confirm our preliminary evidence.

Nasal dysfunction induced by chlorinate water in competitive swimmers.

AIMS: Swimmers commonly complain of nasal symptoms probably due to mucosal irritation caused by chlorinated water. The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate changes in nasal function and cytology in a cohort of 15 volunteer competitive swimmers, as compared with a control group of 15 competitive athletes practicing other sports. METHODS: Olfactory threshold for n-butanol was measured in a population of competitive swimmers. Changes in nasal function and cytology were compared between the two groups of volunteer competitive athletes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores, peak nasal inspiratory flow, pulmonary peak expiratory flow, or total nasal resistance on anterior active rhinomanometry. Nasal mucociliary transport time (MCTt) was significantly shorter for the non-swimmers than for the swimmers. The mean olfactory threshold for n-butanol in the swimmers was significantly lower than in the other group of athletes. CONCLUSIONS: Data seem to confirm the utility of MCTt in studying nasal mucosa damage caused by chlorinated water. The present results also support the hypothesis of a role for the olfactory threshold in evaluating damage to the olfactory mucosa exposed to chlorinated water.

Nasal functional modifications after physical exercise: olfactory threshold and peak nasal inspiratory flow.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The respiratory nasal effects of physical exercise have been extensively investigated; on the other hand there are no data regarding olfactory threshold modification after aerobic physical exercise. METHODS: The present prospective study investigated the modifications in nasal respiratory flows and olfactory thresholds after controlled aerobic physical exercise in a cohort of 15 adult, healthy volunteers. The Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), and the Sniffin' Sticks olfactory threshold test were used for our determinations. MAIN RESULTS: The mean PNIF after physical exercise was significantly higher than the mean PNIF value found before physical exercise. Statistical analysis ruled out any significant difference between mean olfactory thresholds pre vs post physical exercise. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: These outcomes confirmed PNIF sensitivity and reliability also in determining the changes in nasal patency occurring after physical exercise. The active vasoconstriction of nasal mucosa associated with the reduction of blood flow to the olfactory epithelium due to physical exercise may be compensated for by the increase of olfactory molecules that reach the olfactory mucosa because of nasal mucosal shrinkage: this mechanism could explain the stability of mean olfactory threshold after physical exercise.

Anosmia associated with hearing loss and benign positional vertigo after head trauma.

It is well known that head trauma may cause hearing loss, which can be either conductive or sensorineural. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and olfactory dysfunction due to head trauma are also well known. The association between sensorineural hearing loss and anosmia, following head trauma, is extremely rare. Two rare cases of post-traumatic occurrence of hearing loss, olfactory dysfunction and benign positional vertigo are reported and the pathophysiology of the association between sensorineural hearing loss, anosmia and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, after head injury, are briefly discussed. ENT specialists should, in the authors' opinion, be aware of the possible association between anosmia, sensorineural hearing loss and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo after head injury, even in the absence of skull fracture.

The role of survivin expression in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal (glottic) verrucous squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Laryngeal verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a highly differentiated carcinoma (SCC) whose histological diagnosis has many pitfalls in particular considering small biopsies: multiple glottic biopsies may be necessary to conclude for a malignant or benign lesion (papillary hyperplasia). Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. Survivin over-expression has been demonstrated in laryngeal SCCs. The aims of the present study have been to evaluate for the first time survivin expression in glottic VSCC and investigate the potential role of survivin expression in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal VSCC. METHODS: Survivin expression was determined in 11 consecutive cases of glottic VSCC, in 24 cases of glottic papillary hyperplasia, and in 23 cases of SCC. RESULTS: Nuclear survivin reaction predominated in laryngeal VSCCs, papillary hyperplasias, and SCCs. Mean survivin expressions in the VSCC basal layer, hyper-proliferative areas of laryngeal papillary hyperplasia, and SCC were 62.7%, 68.3%, and 70.0%, respectively. Mean survivin expression was 15.6% in VSCC parakeratosis and 1.5% in papillary hyperplasia parakeratosis (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Survivin expression was significantly higher in parakeratosis areas of laryngeal VSCC than in parakeratosis areas of laryngeal papillary hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical determination of survivin expression in parakeratosis areas may be a promising tool to substantiate differential diagnosis between glottic VSCC and papillary hyperplasia.

CD105-assessed micro-vessel density is associated with malignancy recurrence in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Angiogenesis is essential for malignancies growth. CD105 is a proliferation-associated protein abundantly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study has been to determine the expression of CD105 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to investigate the role of CD105-assessed mean vascular density (MVD) in predicting patients' prognosis. METHODS: The sections of 43 consecutive cases of laryngeal SCC were stained with mouse monoclonal antibody CD105. All the measures were performed by a computer-based image analysis system. The percentage of the fields occupied by CD105-assessed micro-vessels was determined. RESULTS: The mean CD105-assessed MVD were 11% and 6% in laryngeal SCC with and without malignancy recurrence, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression stated that CD105-assessed MVD was significantly related to disease recurrence (p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that CD105-assessed MVD may be a valuable parameter for predicting patients having an increased risk of developing laryngeal carcinoma loco-regional recurrence.

Difficulties in the fixation of prostheses for voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy.

In most patients with advanced or recurrent laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, total laryngectomy is indicated. This means the loss of three main functions: phonation; respiration; and the prevention of aspiration during deglutition. Laryngectomy patients have various options to restore phonation: an oesophageal voice; an electrolaryngeal voice; or a tracheo-oesophageal voice. In the last case a silicone rubber shunt valve is placed in the tracheo-oesophageal wall and phonation is generated when exhaled air is forced through the oesophagus and neopharynx. This method is widely applied in Western Europe. In this paper we review the literature on fixation problems with shunt valves, tracheostoma valves and heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters. Tracheo-oesophageal speech without a valve is not considered. Despite 22 years of experience with the implantation of tracheo-esophageal shunt valves and many improvements in the design, problems still remain, such as biofilm formation with subsequent leakage through the valve, the need for frequent and inconvenient replacements, fistula enlargement leading to leakage around the device and reduced fixation, and infections. The high cost of shunt valves is a drawback to their use worldwide. To enable hands-free speech, different types of tracheostoma valve have been developed. These valves are fixed to the skin or to the tracheostoma by means of an intra-tracheal device. An HME filter is used to protect the airway and maintain physiological balance. Such devices are only suitable for a selected group of patients as fixation to the skin or trachea can be a major problem. Speaking and coughing cause pressure increases, which often result in mucous leakage and disconnection of the valve and/or HME filter. Recommendations are made for future improvements in fixation techniques.

Nuclear expression of maspin is associated with a lower recurrence rate and a longer disease-free interval after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

AIMS: Maspin, a protein belonging to the serpin superfamily, is the product of a tumour suppressor gene. Tissue distribution studies have shown maspin expression in normal mammary epithelial cells, in the placenta, prostate, thymus, testis, oral cavity, small intestine, skin, and cornea. Maspin is expressed but down-regulated in human breast, prostatic, and colonic cancers but apparently up-regulated in pancreatic, ovarian, and gastric cancers. Only two studies concerning maspin expression in head and neck carcinomas are available. The present study is the first attempt to determine maspin expression in laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maspin expression was evaluated in 21 cases of laryngeal carcinoma consecutively treated with an exclusively surgical approach with a follow-up period longer than 24 months. The expression of p53, p27 and MIB-1 was also studied. Two patterns of distribution of maspin in laryngeal neoplastic cells were found. Cytoplasmic expression of maspin was identified in 47.6% of the cases. Nuclear maspin positivity was determined in 47.6% of the cases. A statistically significant difference in nuclear maspin expression between the group of patients without carcinoma recurrence and the group with evidence of recurrence was demonstrated (P = 0.039). Log rank test analysis showed a statistically significant direct correlation between nuclear maspin expression and disease-free intervals after surgical treatment calculated in months (P = 0.028). A significant inverse correlation was disclosed between nuclear maspin staining and MIB-1 (P = 0.028). A trend of increasing p27 expression was noted in cases with positive nuclear maspin expression. Nuclear maspin expression was not statistically correlated with p53 expression. A trend towards direct correlation between cytoplasmic maspin expression and squamous cell carcinoma histological grade (G) was apparent. Cytoplasmic maspin expression did not correlate with p53, MIB-1 or p27 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that nuclear location of maspin is a good prognostic factor in laryngeal carcinoma.

Current opinions in sialolithiasis diagnosis and treatment.

The introduction, 15 years ago, of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of salivary gland calculi, has changed the therapeutic approach in these patients. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithotripsy in sialolithiasis, after 10 years follow-up. A review has been made of the literature to establish current opinions in diagnosis and treatment of sialolithiasis. The role of ultrasonography, radiography and, in particular, of sialomagnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of salivary lithiasis has been evaluated. The greater efficiency of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment for parotid, compared to submandibular calculi, has been demonstrated (57% versus 33%). In 68% of our patients, lithotripsy was resolutive after 10 years. Ultrasonograpy should be considered first choice examination in diagnosis of salivary calculi. Sialo-magnetic resonance imaging is a recent, non-invasive diagnostic procedure with the advantage of no radiation exposure, and with better definition of anatomical and functional state of glandular parenchyma and duct, compared to other available techniques.

Treatment of complications of parotid gland surgery.

Although several reports in the literature have documented the surgical technique, and the oncological outcome achieved with parotidectomy, only a few articles have described the complications of parotid gland surgery and their management. Several complications have been reported in parotid surgery. We re-classified the complications of parotidectomy in intra-operative and post-operative (early and late). The commonest complications after parotidectomy are temporary or permanent facial palsy and Frey's syndrome.