Successful use of self-expandable metal stents in a case of iatrogenic tracheal rupture.

As an alternative treatment to immediate surgical repair, endotracheal stent placement has been recently proposed in cases of iatrogenic tracheal damages. We report a case of a 91-year-old male who developed sudden subcutaneous emphysema during a total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. A tracheal tear at the distal third of the posterior tracheal wall was endoscopically assessed about 2 cm above the carina; CT confirmed the breach approximately 4 cm in length with associated pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothorax. Two covered self-expandable metal stents were then coaxially released under fluoroscopic control to cover the defect, restoring the tracheal integrity and leading to a normal thoracic appearance at CT and X-ray after 72 hours.

Surgical management of primary and recurrent carcinoma showing thymous-like elements (CASTLE).

INTRODUCTION: Carcinoma showing thymous-like elements (CASTLE) is a rare tumor with only a few cases described in the scientific literature. The aim of the present review is to analyze the data available on the therapeutic options employed in CASTLE tumors and to outline the best surgical management to adopt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: English-language articles published from 1985 through November 2016, and related to CASTLE cases were retrieved using the Pubmed database and specific key-words. RESULTS: Eighty seven cases included in 23 papers, published in the period under investigation, were analyzed in detail. The mean age of the patients was 50.2 years and the male to female ratio 1:1.2. There were performed 31 (35.6%) lobectomies, 29 (33.3%) total thyroidectomies, 15 (17.2%) subtotal thyroidectomies, 4 (4.6%) excisions, 3 (3.4%) partial thyroidectomies, 1 (1.1%) hemithyroidectomy, and 8 (9.2%) additional procedures including tracheal, pharyngeal, and esophageal resections. Lymph node dissection and radiotherapy were associated in 59 (67.8%) and 44 (50.6%) cases respectively. Among the patients with available data 62 (75.6%) were free of disease, 16 (19.5%) were alive with disease, 3 (3.7%) died for the disease, and 1 (1.2%) died for cerebrovascular complications at the time of follow-up. Globally 20 (24.4%) cases of local or distant recurrence were reported. Surgery and radiotherapy, alone or in combination were the treatments most frequently used for recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: CASTLE is a rare tumor which generally respond well to complete surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. These treatments can be further employed for the recurrences, which occur in 24.4% of the cases, along with specific chemotherapy regimens and palliative procedures. KEY WORDS: Cancer, CASTLE, Excision, Lobectomy, Thymous-like elements, Thyroidectomy.

Influence of metals on rhinosinusal polyposis in Sardinian population (Italy).

Metals have strong toxic effects in humans and can act as immunoregulatory factors. The purpose of our study was to determine whether the concentrations of metals are associated with the clinical course of nasal polyposis (NP). We measured the concentrations of 10 metals and non-metal (Zn, Mn, Se, Fe, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, Cd, and Cu) in 58 patients with NP, and 29 controls with a healthy nasal mucosa. We used electron microscopy to compare the ultrastructural features of the nasal mucosa between NP patients and healthy controls. Concentrations of metals in nasal polyps and healthy mucosa were determined by mass spectrometry. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the nasal mucosa were obtained. The mean tissue concentrations of all 10 metals and non-metal were significantly lower in NP patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05).TEM and SEM revealed changes in the mucosal ultrastructure in NP with progressive fibrosis, devascularisation, and inflammation. Tissue concentrations of metals were lower in NP patients than in healthy controls, and this was particularly evident in massive polyposis.

Comparison of three different polyvinyl alcohol packs following functional endoscopic Nasal surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare the extent of bleeding and patient discomfort during packing removal of three different polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) packs: 1) a standard PVA sponge (s-PVA) (Mondocel Standard 10 cm; Mondomed NV, Hamont-Achel, Belgium); 2) a PVA sponge with oxidized cellulose (oc-PVA) (Merocel Hemox 10 cm; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products, Jacksonville, FL); and 3) a PVA sponge with polyethylene film (pf-PVA) (Merocel 2000 8 cm; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products, Jacksonville, FL), after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and inferior turbinoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients were enrolled and randomized to receive in each side one pack in the middle meatus and another pack of the same material in the nasal fossa. The patients were equally divided in three groups of 30 patients each. Group A received the pf-PVA; group B received oc-PVA; and group C received s-PVA. Postoperatively, bleeding after removal of the entire nasal packing was evaluated by an observer, whereas the severity of pain was rated by patients with visual analog scales. RESULTS: Our study evaluated three nasal packing materials, demonstrating that the pf-PVA is less painful than the others but with intermediate bleeding ratio. However, the oc-PVA has an intermediate pain score but minimum bleeding. The s-PVA showed the worst pain and bleeding results. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that removal of the second pack (middle meatus) is more painful than the first (nasal fossa), our results suggest that a pf-PVA can be placed in the middle meatus and a oc-PVA in the nasal fossa in order to reduce patient's discomfort in terms of pain and bleeding. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

HPV Type 6 and 18 Coinfection in a Case of Adult-Onset Laryngeal Papillomatosis: Immunization with Gardasil.

Laryngeal papillomatosis (LP) is a rare human papillomavirus (HPV) related disease that often requires multiple surgical interventions and residual impairment of voice is almost inevitable. We report the case of a patient with adult onset recurrent LP, showing moderate dysplasia and coinfection with HPV types 6 and 18. The tetravalent HPV vaccine Gardasil was prescribed off label, with the aim of triggering an immunogenic response and consequently reducing the probability of further recurrences. The patient was followed for 9 months with no sign of relapse of his LP. The postexposure use of the anti-HPV vaccine could represent a promising therapeutic agent in established LP. Unfortunately, the potential efficacy of this new therapeutic option in this situation has been suggested only by isolated case reports. Further controlled studies, with a longer follow-up and a larger sample size, are needed to assess efficacy of Gardasil in LP.

Mediastinal abscess and esophageal stricture following voice prosthesis insertion.

The use of a tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis is a well-established procedure to restore the voice in total laryngectomees. The insertion of the prosthesis is not a risk-free procedure, various complications having been reported especially in irradiated patients. Here described is a case of an esophageal rupture after secondary tracheo-esophageal puncture with mediastinal abscess in a patient previously treated with pharyngo-laryngectomy and subsequent radiotherapy for a left pyriform sinus carcinoma, which required immediate surgical drainage through a left cervical approach. Few weeks after surgical drainage an esophageal stricture at the site of the rupture developed, which was only temporarily resolved after the insertion of biodegradable esophageal stents, followed by re-stenosis once the reabsorption of the stent took place.

Laryngeal true malignant mixed tumor.

BACKGROUND: True malignant mixed tumor, also known as carcinosarcoma, is a salivary gland type malignant neoplasm, which is extremely rare, and only a few cases arising in the larynx have been previously reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of true malignant mixed tumor arising in the larynx of a 65-year-old woman successfully treated with surgery. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of variably mixed, neoplastic glandular, spindle, and chondroid tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses showed a peculiar expression of myoepithelial markers such as p63 and calponin in the glandular epithelial component, whereas malignant spindle cell proliferation was immunoreactive for calponin and actin. CONCLUSION: These results strengthen the hypothesis that these neoplasms may develop from a divergent differentiation of a totipotent, myoepithelial precursor cell. Despite the unfavorable prognosis that has always been described for these neoplasms, the patient is alive with no evidence of recurrences 5 years after surgery.

Laryngeal solitary fibrous tumour.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFT) are rare neoplasms, with an uncommon laryngeal involvement. Only five cases of laryngeal localization have been described in literature. The following is a case of a 75-year-old man with a supraglottic neoplasm of the larynx; after the biopsy immunohistochemical study demonstrated a strong positivity for vimentin, CD34 and Bcl-2. The neoplasm was consequently classified as a SFT. CO(2) laser surgery of the supraglottic larynx, with a wide excision of the neoplasm, was performed. Twenty-four months on, the patient is alive, well and free of disease. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for laryngeal SFT, but tumour-free resection margins must be achieved to prevent the possibility of local recurrence. Endoscopic resection by means of the CO(2) laser must be accurately planned with MRI or CT imaging to confirm of this kind of surgery.

Endoscopic treatment of antrochoanal polyps.

The antrochoanal polyp (Killian polyp) is an infrequent, benign neoplasm, which arises from the maxillary sinus to reach the ipsilateral choana. The treatment of this disease is essentially surgical, by means of a wide antrostomy. The aim of the study was to compare the results obtained on 23 consecutive cases of antrochoanal polyps endoscopically treated between February 1997 and January 2000 with those reported in the literature, with particular regard to the surgical technique adopted, the histological features, the patterns of its development and the clinical outcomes. The histology revealed in most of the cases a cystic aspect surrounded by edematous stroma. In all cases the polyp emerged from the middle meatus, mostly starting from the upper-lateral (zygomatic) wall of the antrum. All patients were endoscopically followed-up for an average period of 39 months (17-61). We observed two recurrences, both in pediatric cases who evidently underwent an incomplete surgical removal of antral mucosa at its inferior aspect, probably due to the fear of damaging the teeth buds. We did not observe any postsurgical complication. Our data indicate the endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy as the optimal approach, also for the revision cases and in children.

Bilateral oncocytoma of the parotid gland.

Oncocytic neoplasms are a group of rare tumours that mostly affect the parotid gland (80%), sometimes affect the submandibular gland (9%) and rarely affect the intraoral minor salivary glands. The incidence of oncocytic neoplasms represents approximately 1% of parotid neoplasms and bilateral presentation is very rare. Herein we describe a single case involving bilateral presentation of oncocytoma of the parotid glands.

About an unique case of embryocarcinoma with nasal onset.

Primary extragonadal germ cell tumours (PEGCT) are rare neoplasms with generally poor prognosis, different behavior, and natural course compared to their gonadal counterparts. Both primary and salvage treatment of these tumours constitute a challenge. Embryocarcinoma (EC) constitutes one of the subtypes of germ cell tumours. Its site of primary onset can either be gonadal or extragonadal, more frequent in infancy and childhood, the sacral and cranial regions being the most affected, while gonadal sites (ovary and testis) are more frequently involved in childhood. The authors observed a case of EC with nasal onset in a young male, never reported before in the literature. The patient underwent 6 courses of chemotherapy and further surgery by means of an endoscopic approach, without postsurgical sequelae. A 5-years follow-up, with periodic controls, laboratory tests and imaging, all without signs of recurrence, confirmed that this unusual location of EC responded exclusively to primary chemotherapy, while earlier studies proved EC being responsive, in other sites of onset, to a combination of chemotherapy, radical surgical excision of the neoplasm, and radiotherapy.

Sinonasal haemangiopericytoma: a case report.

Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumour that is thought to originate from the vascular pericytes of Zimmerman. HPC may arise in any part of the body, and from 15 to 30% of these tumours are found in the head and neck, with a rare involvement of the sinonasal region The main symptoms of nasal HPC, epistaxis and nasal obstruction, are not typical. The final diagnosis is based on the histopathology and immunochemistry, and whether the tumour is benign or malignant is defined on the basis of the clinical history. HPC located in the sinonasal area is generally benign. We report the case of a young woman with a sinonasal mass histologically proven to be haemangiopericytoma. The patient underwent surgical treatment by means of mid-facial degloving after embolisation of the maxillary artery. After a careful 3-year follow-up, the patient is disease free and healthy.

Association between atmospheric ozone levels and damage to human nasal mucosa in Florence, Italy.

We evaluated the effects of urban air pollutants on human nasal mucosa over an 8-month period on 102 subjects living in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. A group of subjects living in a city with a lower level of pollution (Sassari, Sardinia, Italy) was also analyzed. Nasal mucosa cells were harvested by brushing, a noninvasive procedure. Half of the cells were used for genotoxicity studies using the alkaline comet assay, and half for morphological studies. The levels of DNA damage in the nasal mucosa were considerably higher (+73%) in the subjects living in Florence than in Sassari. High levels of atmospheric ozone in Florence air correlated with DNA damage, and to the prevalence of inflammatory pathologies of the upper respiratory tract, although the ozone concentrations were below the Italian recommended attention level. Furthermore, higher levels of DNA damage were correlated with a dysfunction in the ability to maintain a normal epithelial cell structure. These data suggest an association between ozone air levels and damage in the upper respiratory tract. It remains unclear whether ozone itself or other associated pollutants are responsible for the observed alterations.