Factors affecting polysomnography compliance and delays to surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adherence to polysomnography in pediatric patients and determine if demographics, socioeconomic status, polysomnography indication, or prior otolaryngology intervention are associated with polysomnography adherence and time to definitive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review study. SETTING: Tertiary-care children's hospital. METHODS: Electronic medical record was queried to identify patients ordered for a sleep study between January and May 2019. Demographic information, time to sleep study, and time to surgery were collected and calculated. RESULTS: 304 patients were recommended to obtain polysomnography, with adherence rate of 65.4%. There was no significant difference in adherence or loss to follow-up rates based on patient sex, age, language, socioeconomic status, state of residence, single-parent status, or polysomnography indication. There was no difference between time to surgery for patients who did or did not obtain polysomnography (181 vs. 161 days, P = .51). Patients with prior otolaryngology intervention were more likely to obtain polysomnography and less likely to be lost to follow-up (P < .05). Median household income demonstrated a significant inverse relationship with time to polysomnography (P < .05) as well as time to surgery (P < .05). Medically complex patients tended to experience longer time to surgery compared with non-complex patients. CONCLUSION: Families with lower socioeconomic status or medically complex children may require assistance to obtain polysomnography and pursue surgery for sleep-disordered breathing. Patients without prior otolaryngology intervention may be less likely to follow up and may need assistance with navigating the polysomnography process.

Common Pediatric Otolaryngology Procedures: Ergonomic Considerations.

Background Otolaryngologists in high-volume children's hospitals developed their operating room workflow practices based on the factors of safety, efficiency, and surgeon preference. Recent data show important benefits and potential reduced risks of proper ergonomic positioning for surgeons to prevent injury. These data suggest that the current operating room workflow practices, in addition to prior training, should be monitored and hopefully improved for surgeons' health. Surprisingly, recent studies have suggested the benefits of standing versus sitting on cognitive function. Objective This study reports the workflow norms for seven operating procedures in pediatric otolaryngology. We seek to identify 1) surgeon preferences, 2) when practices become norms, and 3) whether procedure positions are associated with surgeon discomfort or injury. Methods The Otolaryngology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics was queried employing a 23-question survey. We included demographic information, reasons for preferences, and surgeon-reported pain. We focused on three workflow issues: 1) length of procedures, 2) site selection (operating room bed vs. transport stretcher), and 3) position of the surgeon (sitting vs. standing). Results Sixty-nine American Academy of Pediatrics members completed the survey. The length of the procedure had minimal effect, with 90% sitting for short procedures such as bilateral myringotomy with tubes, myringoplasty, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy. All sit for direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Most stand for the removal of nasal foreign bodies, drainage of neck abscess procedures, and thyroglossal duct cyst excision. Residency training (75%) and personal comfort (81%) were the more frequently cited reasons for preference. Fewer than one in five (16%) reported preexisting neck or back pain, but this doubled (35%) throughout their otolaryngology practice. Conditional distributions of pain showed reports of pain were greater for individuals in practice for over 20 years. Conclusions Pediatric otolaryngologists develop their operating room preferences early during residency training. High rates of neck and back pain (35%) may develop during a surgeon's career. We suggest improved understanding of ergonomics in concert with operating room workflow should be considered during otolaryngology residency training since recent data suggest potential benefits of standing on cognitive function.

Diagnosing Midline Neck Masses: Comparing Clinical Exam, the SIST Score, and the 4S Algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: To validate and compare novel ultrasound scoring systems for dermoid cysts and thyroglossal duct cysts among pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. METHODS: An electronic medical record query of patients younger than 18 years old who underwent primary excision of a neck mass between January 2005 and February 2022, who underwent preoperative ultrasound, and had final histopathologic diagnosis of either thyroglossal duct cysts or dermoid cysts. This generated 260 results, of which 134 patients met the inclusion criteria. Charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical impressions, and radiographic studies. Radiologists blindly reviewed ultrasound for SIST score (septae + irregular walls + solid components = thyroglossal), and 4S algorithm (Septations, depth relative to Strap muscles, Shape, Solid parts). Statistical analyses were performed to determine the accuracy of each diagnostic modality. RESULTS: Of 134 patients, 90 (67%) had a final histopathologic diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cysts, and 44 (33%) were dermoid cysts. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis was 52%, and preoperative ultrasound report accuracy was 31%. The 4S and SIST accuracies were each 84%. CONCLUSION: Both the 4S algorithm and SIST score provide increased accuracy of diagnosis relative to standard preoperative ultrasound assessment. Neither scoring modality was determined to be superior. Further research is warranted in improving the accuracy of preoperative assessments for pediatric congenital neck masses.

Pediatric Dysphagia.

Feeding difficulty is common in the pediatric population, particularly in at-risk infants, such as those born prematurely. Appropriate work-up should involve a multidisciplinary team and may commonly use modified barium swallow and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow, in addition to history and physical examination. Structural causes of dysphagia may involve surgical management, whereas nonstructural causes may invoke medical therapies. If symptoms do not resolve following intervention, it is important to revisit the interdisciplinary team, because dysphagia is commonly multifactorial in origin. Appropriate identification and early intervention are necessary for successful outcomes in growth and development for children.

Atypical Nodular Hidradenoma Versus Low-Grade Hidradenocarcinoma in a Young Female Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

The objective of this study was to discuss an unusual postauricular mass in a pediatric patient. This mass had a broad differential including congenital anomaly, neoplasm, infection, and lymphovascular malformation. Atypical nodular hidradenoma is a rare adnexal tumor that is difficult to differentiate from hidradenocarcinoma. It is a rare entity, but especially rare in the pediatric population. This study aims to provide guidance on diagnosing hidradenoma and distinguishing it from hidradenocarcinoma through case presentation with a review of the literature. The patient in this report underwent wide location resection with close surveillance and has been disease-free during follow-up.

Does perioperative ketorolac increase bleeding risk after intracapsular tonsillectomy?

IMPORTANCE: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the post-tonsillectomy bleed risk associated with perioperative ketorolac use in the pediatric population. Surgical technique for tonsillectomy can further confound this risk. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to retrospectively quantify the post-tonsillectomy bleed rate after single-dose administration of ketorolac in pediatric patients following intracapsular tonsillectomy. The secondary objective was to determine if age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and indication for surgery increased post-tonsillectomy bleed risk. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018. SETTING: This study was completed at a tertiary-care pediatric referral center. PARTICIPANTS: 1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018 at a single tertiary-care children's hospital. EXPOSURES: Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1458 patients (75.9%) received ketorolac (K+), and 462 (24.1%) did not (NK). Age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and indication for surgery also were evaluated for association with post-tonsillectomy bleed risk. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): Primary study outcome for both cohorts was post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring operative intervention. RESULTS: 1920 study participants were included with an average age of 6.5 years; 51.5% of participants were males; and, 63.9% were white. Overall, the postoperative bleeding rate was 1.5%. However, there was no significant difference when comparing bleeding rates for the ketorolac group and the non-keterolac group (1.4%-1.7%; P = .82) Age, chronic tonsillitis, higher body mass index Z-scores, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and behavioral diagnoses were statistically significant risk factors for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Single-dose postoperative ketorolac does not appear to be associated with increased risk of post-tonsillectomy bleed in pediatric patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy. Providers should not avoid using ketorolac in patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy due to concerns over bleeding risk.

Comparing telehealth with office-based visits for common pediatric otolaryngology complaints.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of telehealth visits and compare office-based visits for pediatric patients undergoing evaluation of recurrent acute otitis media or sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared telehealth patients with matched controls seen in the office. The feasibility of a thorough patient evaluation in a single telehealth visit without a follow-up office visit was assessed. Both groups were also compared for completeness of physical exam, management, follow-up recommendations, and correlation of physical exam findings with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: 100 children [mean age (SD) = 20.7 (15.6) months] with a chief complaint of recurrent acute otitis media and 128 children [5.4 (3.2) years] with a chief complaint of sleep-disordered breathing were evaluated. Recommendations for surgery, additional studies, or routine follow-up were similar between telehealth and office-based groups. Physical exam feasibility was significantly different for the nasal cavity, oropharynx, and middle ear (P < .001). Patients who underwent office-based consultation were much more likely to have findings of middle ear fluid at the time of tympanostomy tube placement (79.3% vs 39.3%, P = .002). There was no significant difference between preoperative and intraoperative tonsil size discrepancies (P = .749). CONCLUSION: Telehealth can be used successfully for the evaluation of pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing; however, reliance on history alone may result in unnecessary tympanostomy tube placement in patients with recurrent acute otitis media. Physical examination of the oropharynx, nasal cavity, and middle ear via telehealth presents a unique challenge in pediatric otolaryngology.

Comparative evaluation of one-handed versus two-handed mask holding techniques in children during inhalational induction of anesthesia: A randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate if two-handed mask airway is superior to one-handed mask airway during inhalational induction of anesthesia in children. METHODS: A randomized, two period, crossover study was performed on 60 children aged 1-8 years, with obstructive sleep apnea due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, scheduled for adenotonsillectomy. Children were assigned to two study sequences and one control sequence of 20 subjects each. A control sequence was added to evaluate the effect of anesthetic depth. Sequence 1: One-handed followed by two-handed airway, 30 seconds each; Sequence 2: two-handed followed by one-handed airway, 30 seconds each and Sequence 3: two-handed airway, for 60 seconds. The work of breathing indices, phase angle, and labored breathing index were recorded using respiratory inductance plethysmography. Additional outcome measures were tidal volume, minute ventilation, and respiratory rate. A straight comparison and a crossover analysis was performed. RESULTS: The initial comparison revealed that one-handed airway had greater phase angle (mean diff. 17.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-33.68; P = .034), greater labored breathing index (mean diff. 0.56; 95% CI 0.16-1.04; P = .004),lower minute ventilation (mean diff. -1567; 95% CI -2695 to -5.4; P = .004),and lower tidal volume (mean diff. -39; 95% CI -2.7 to -5.4; P = .02) than two-handed airway. On crossover analysis, within-subject difference in the phase angle was greater during one-handed than two-handed airway (34.3; 95% CI 8.46-60.14; P = .01) as was labored breathing index (mean diff. 1.2; 95% CI 0.39-2.00; P < .0046).Minute ventilation was lower during one-handed than two-handed airway (mean diff. -3359; 95% CI -4363 to -2355, P < 0.0001) as was tidal volume(mean diff. -78; 95% CI -110.4 to -45.8; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: In children with obstructive sleep apnea due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, two-handed airway provides superior airway patency that was not influenced by the anesthetic depth.

Interstate variation within a five-state health system: Polysomnography prior to tonsillectomy in trisomy 21 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2011, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines have recommended polysomnography (PSG) prior to tonsillectomy in children with Down syndrome (DS). The purpose of this study was to determine adherence to guidelines recommending polysomnography before tonsillectomy for children with DS and sleep-disordered breathing among pediatric otolaryngologists. METHODS: A one-year quality assurance retrospective review was conducted at four hospitals within one pediatric health system to identify children with a diagnosis of DS who underwent a tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. De-identified data related to age, sex, BMI, procedure type, and preoperative PSG were collected and examined. RESULTS: The rate of PSG prior to tonsillectomy was 90.4% (66 of 73) among patients with DS. 51.6% of PSG studies were performed within 90 days before surgery, and 92.2% (59 of 64) of PSG studies were performed within one year before surgery. 33% of patients who did not undergo PSG also were obese or under age two years. The most common reason for not obtaining a PSG prior to tonsillectomy was that either the provider or parent felt the patient would not tolerate it. There was no variance from guidelines by age, sex, and procedure type. CONCLUSIONS: Polysomnography for children with DS prior to tonsillectomy is achieved greater than 90% of the time in a multistate pediatric health system. Broader assessment across the nation and future studies regarding the timing of PSG before tonsillectomy are warranted.

An Unusual Morphology of a Pleomorphic Adenoma.

We present a case of a deep lobe parotid pleomorphic adenoma extending into the parapharyngeal space via an unusual morphology. This is a single patient case report of an unusual morphology with an associated review of the literature. The patient successfully underwent right parotidectomy during which it was seen that the tumor was extending above rather than through the stylomandibular tunnel, an unusual morphology for a pleomorphic adenoma. Despite the classic teaching that deep lobe parotid tumors reach the parapharyngeal space by traveling through, or below, the stylomandibular tunnel, it is possible for tumors to occur outside this tunnel. Recognition that this unusual growth path, although rare, can occur is important when designing an appropriate surgical resection.

Carotid stent extrusion following carotid blowout.

OBJECTIVE: We describe an unusual foreign body, a carotid stent extruded into the upper airway, and discuss the predisposing factors. METHODS: This is a single patient case report with review of the literature. RESULTS: Our patient is a 59 year old female treated for T3N2aM0 (stage IVa) left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma who experienced a carotid blowout treated by carotid stent placement with subsequent carotid coiling and vessel takedown. Approximately ten months later, she coughed and expelled approximately 3cm of tubular stent-appearing material into her airway causing acute stridor and dysphagia. CT angiography (CTA) showed the distal and proximal stent in proper position without evidence of extravasation. The stent was extracted transorally showing the distal end of the carotid to be patent and covered by fibrin within its lumen. Review of the literature shows that such stent extrusions, although rare, do occur. CONCLUSION: Carotid stents are a valuable tool in cases of carotid blowout. However, long-term data on patient prognosis is lacking. The foreign body response triggered by stent placement can cause dislodgement. The potential for stent extrusion is greatest in patients who have preexisting ulceration or who have undergone radiation, both common in head and neck cancer patients.

Correction of the deviated septum: from ancient Egypt to the endoscopic era.

BACKGROUND: Obstructed nasal breathing can occur due to deviation of the nasal septum. When the external nose appears grossly normal and cosmesis is not the focus, septoplasty has been the procedure used to straighten the septum with the goal of improving nasal airflow. Septoplasty has evolved over time. METHODS: A historical literature review was conducted to look for primary source journal articles and medical conferences proccedings addressing the evolution of the septoplasty procedure. RESULTS: Early techniques involved forcible fractures and splinting. Submucous resection was the first major advancement in surgical technique. Once the complications resulting from this technique were observed, it was subsequently revised with attempts to better address the caudal septal deviation. Attention was then turned to better incorporating the role surrounding support structures, such as the upper lateral cartilages. The premaxilla-maxilla approach attempted to address the overall nasal structure to best improve nasal breathing. The advent of endoscopic technique has been the most recent shift in surgical technique with improved visualization allowing for targeted septoplasty and reoperation on complicated cases including pituitary and skull base surgery. CONCLUSION: This paper discusses the evolution of septoplasty techniques over time from the initial undertakings of the ancient Egyptians to the modern-day septoplasty. While the principles behind septoplasty have remained much the same, experience has allowed for refinement of surgical technique. No doubt new instrumentations and innovations will further help to tailor the practice of septoplasty to the anatomy and functional needs of each individual patient.

Warthin's tumor with superimposed mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

We report a case of atypical mycobacterium infection in a Warthin's tumor which occurred in a 79-year-old man. The patient had along history of a left parotid mass that underwent rapid growth, became painful, and fistulized. The patient underwent left parotidectomy and neck dissection which showed a Warthin's tumor with areas of necrotizing granulomas. Subsequent culture showed the growth of acid fast bacilli. Consideration of an underlying mycobacterium infection, although rare, is important due to the public health concerns and other treatment needs that such a diagnosis raises.