Schwannoma of the epiglottis: case report focusing on clinico-pathological aspects.

Laryngeal schwannomas are uncommon lesions with only few cases reported. Herein we present a further case of a schwannoma of the epiglottis, occurring in a 62-year-old with a clinical history of a cutaneous malignant melanoma and laryngeal glottic keratosis. The schwannoma was incidentally discovered as a small polypoid lesion located on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and was removed endoscopically. The procedure was uneventful and the patient is well six months later. Authors focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic options for this unusual lesion and discuss the differential diagnosis of the spindle cell proliferation of the larynx.

[Comments on the possibility of the use of the ND-YAG laser in chronic hypertrophic rhinopathy]. / Observaciones sobre la posibilidad de aplicación del Nd:Yag láser en la rinopatía crónica hipertrófica.

Impediment of breath through the nose because of turbinal hypertrophy is an often repeated symptom in chronic rhinitis. In the course of years several procedures for clear the nasal congestion, with more or less satisfactory outcomes, has been tested. The introduction of Nd:Yag laser has allowed a new treatment of the hypertrophic turbinates, thanks to the advantage of its conduction through the flexible optical fibers of the traditional optical devices, even connected to the video system. Treatment can be achieved in the outpatients department with local anesthesia. Results are favorable and forebode new horizons in the surgery of chronic hypertrophic rhinopathies.

[Cebocephaly: a severe cerebro-craniofacial malformation. Description of a case]. / La cebocefalia: una grave malformazione cerebro-cranio-facciale. Descrizione di un caso.

The paper reports the case of a newborn affected by malformations of the middle parts of the face. The patient was described as cebophalus according to Kundrat's classification because he had a single nostril, hypotelorism and severe brain malformations. Prosencephalia is present in 0.5% of all aborted fetuses but is very rare in live births (0.006%). Survival is extremely short and in this case the patient lived for 12 months. A description of the malformations is given using CT scans.

Endoscopy of the eustachian tube: use of the fiberscope and the telescope.

The necessity for direct observation of the pharyngeal outlet of the normal or pathological eustachian tube has always stimulated research for suitable diagnostic instruments. As the result of various investigation procedures currently available, we performed a series of endoscopic screenings using both the Hopkins telescope and the fiberoptic rhinopharyngolaryngoscope. The present study aimed at evaluating and demonstrating the morphological and dynamic functional condition of the pharyngeal outlet of the tube. The present investigation was carried out on 60 males and females, ranging in age from 4 to 70 years. Inspection of the pharyngeal outlet of the tube and its adjoining region enabled us to document some of the various causes for tubal dysfunction. By visualizing tubal movements, endoscopy also made it possible to perform a dynamic study of tubal functions. However, the investigation procedure utilized did not allow us to record any significant differences between the two diagnostic instruments used, except that the fiberscope can be more easily handled, whereas the photographs taken with the telescope are of better quality.

Computed tomography in the study of the eustachian tube.

A CT study was made of the eustachian tube in normal subjects as a control group and patients with chronic pathological inflammation of the middle ear. CT made it possible to perform contiguous scans at homologous depths of 1.5 mm, showing the whole interior of the tube in clear detail: the protympanum, the bony and cartilaginous portions, and the nasopharyngeal orifice. In most of the cases of pathological middle ear inflammations, the eustachian tube lumen was seen to be constricted and obstructed with isodense matter. Our present results also show the importance of extending CT investigations beyond the tympanic cavity and the mastoid to the eustachian tube in order to have more clinical data on its condition.