An extensive posterior circulation infarction secondary to primary hyperthyroidism accompanied with superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A case report and description of patho-physiological association.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperthyroidism-related anterior circulation ischemic events have been well documented; however, posterior circulation infarction is rarely reported, not to mention with superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), which has never been reported concurrently. We describe, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of hyperthyroidism-related cerebellar infarction accompanied with SMAS. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 22-year-old women presented with palpitation, postprandial vomiting, and acute body weight loss. Enlarged thyroid gland was discovered in physical examination and Graves disease was diagnosed by blood test; therefore, Propylthiouracil and ß-blocker were prescribed. Sudden onset conscious disturbance accompanied with apnea was noted during hospitalization. DIAGNOSIS: Computed tomography (CT) revealed cerebellar infarction with severe cerebellar swelling and tonsil herniation; hence, emergent suboccipital craniotomy and bilateral tonsillectomy were performed. INTERVENTIONS: Nevertheless, persisted poor passage of liquid diet during nasogastric tube feeding was noted after operation. CT of abdomen showed a sharp aorta-SMA angle (15°) and a short distance between aorta and SMA (6 mm) indicating a diagnosis of SMAS. OUTCOMES: After parental nutrition supplement and progressive rehabilitation program, she recovered to a modified Rankin Scale of 3. CONCLUSION: Although rarely reported, hyperthyroidism-related sympathetic hyperstimulation, vasculopathy could result in potentially deadly posterior circulation infarction. Furthermore, SMAS should be considered in the cases of hyperthyroidism with prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms even after treatment and should be treated simultaneously, since SMAS exacerbates depletion of intravascular volume. Further study to clarify the relation between hyperthyroidism and posterior circulation hemodynamic status is suggested.

Hipertrofia adenoamigdalar y alteraciones maxilofaciales en niños con trastornos respiratorios asociados al sueño / Adenoid Tonsillar Hypertrophy and Maxillofacial Alterations in Children with Sleep-Related Respiratory Disorders

Introducción: la asociación entre hipertrofia de la adenoides y de la amígdala, las alteraciones maxilofaciales y de la oclusión dentaria en los niños con trastornos respiratorios asociados al sueño es documentada ampliamente por varios autores. Para muchos se estable un círculo vicioso, donde la hipertrofia adenoamigdalar constituye el detonante para el resto de las alteraciones del víscero-cráneo y de la oclusión dentaria.Objetivo: caracterizar los escolares de Moa que roncan según grado de hipertrofia adeno-amigdalar, tipo de oclusión dentaria y severidad de las alteraciones maxilofaciales.Métodos: estudio de corte transversal en el periodo comprendido entre enero-julio de 2012. La muestra se conformó con 797 niños diagnosticados con trastornos respiratorios asociados al sueño. Para la operacionalización de las variables se utilizó el Score de Brouillette, la escala de Weir, el índice de Fujioka, la clasificación de Angle y el sistema de puntuación de Guilleminault.Resultados: el 34,51 por ciento de los pacientes tenían hipertrofia adenoamigdalar, en el 61,76 por ciento de los roncadores sintomáticos secundarios a hipertrofia adenoidea se observó aumento de volumen grado III y en el 56,52 por ciento de los secundarios a hipertrofia amigdalar el aumento de tamaño era grado IV. La oclusión dentaria clase III se observó en el 38,33 por ciento de los roncadores sintomáticos, mientras que el 12,50 por ciento tenían alteraciones severas del desarrollo maxilofacial.Conclusiones: la mayoría de los escolares de Moa, con trastornos respiratorios asociados al sueño tenían hipertrofia de las estructuras que forman el anillo linfoide de Waldeyer, principalmente hipertrofia adenoamigdalar. Los niños roncadores sintomáticos expresaron mayor grado de hipertrofia del adenoides, de amígdala o adenoamigdalar, así como, alteraciones del desarrollo maxilofacial más severas(AU)

Introduction: the association between the adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillar hypertrophy maxillofacial alterations and the teeth occlusion, have been widely documented by several authors in children with sleep-disordered breathing. For most of them there is a vicious cycle established, where the adenoid-tonsillar hypertrophy constitutes the main item for the rest of the visceral-cranial alterations and the teeth occlusion.Objective: to characterize the snoring scholars of Moa according to the degree of the adenoidal-tonsillar hyperplasia, kina of teeth occlusion and severity of the maxillofacial alterations.Methods: a cross- sectional study from January to July 2012 was done. The sample comprised 797 children for sleep-disordered breathing. Store the Brouillette, Weir scale, Fujioka index, Angle classification, and Guilleminault punctuation were the variables used.Results: 34.51 percent of patients were diagnosed with adenoid tonsillar hyperplasia, 61.76 percent of the secondary symptomatic snorers to adenoid hyperplasia showed a volume increase of grade III and the 56.52 percent of the secondary to tonsillar hyperplasia showed a size increase of grade IV. The type II teeth occlusion was showed in 38.33 percent of the symptomatic snorers, while the 12.50 percent showed severe alterations of the maxillofacial development.Conclusions: most of the scholars in the city of Moa suffer from the structures forming the ring lymphoid of Waldeyer, mainly adenoid tonsillar hyperplasia. The symptomatic snoring children expressed greater grade of adenoid hyperplasia, tonsillar or adenoid tonsillar hyperplasia, as well as more severe alterations of the maxillofacial development(AU)

Correlations between Apnea/Hypopnea Index and selected morphological and clinical parameters in patients with unilateral or bilateral impairment of nasal patency.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to evaluate the correlation between Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) and selected parameters of morphological and clinical character in the patients with a unilateral or bilateral impairment of nasal patency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered 60 adults, including 37 male and 23 female subjects, 19-69 years of age. In the Department, these subjects were divided into 3 groups: I - 20 patients with unilateral impairment of nasal patency, II - 20 patients with bilateral impairment of nasal patency, III - controls with normal nasal patency. METHODOLOGY: A subjective examination (questionnaire with a sleepiness scale), an objective examination (general examination of the neck and waist diameter, body weight, height, length of the uvula), otorhinolaryngological examination (Pirquet test of the palatine tonsils), X-ray and CT of the head and paranasal sinuses) to determine the cause and location of the obturation of air passages, physiological tests and polysomnography. The correlations between the neck circumferenceheight ratio (NHR) and AHI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and AHI. The statistical analysis of the study results was conducted in Stata®/Special Edition Program, 14.1 version (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas, USA). RESULTS: Clinically, the study group revealed: shallow breathing in 47.5% and apnea in 52.5% of the studied patients whereas the control group did not show any sleep disorders. Statistical fluctuations between controls and the study groups were noticed (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: By the Epworth scale, moderate and severe sleepiness was found in merely 12.5% of the patients. The differences in the length of the uvula and the size of the pharyngeal tonsils between the studied groups were not statistically significant. No statistical significance was found between NHR and AHI, BMI and AHI, WHR and AHI in the studied group.

Caracterización terapéutica de pacientes con malformaciones labiopalatinas / Therapeutic characterization of patients with lip and palate malformations

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 98 pacientes con malformaciones labiopalatinas, atendidos por el equipo multidisciplinario del Hospital Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2000 hasta igual mes del 2009, a fin de caracterizarles desde el punto de vista terapéutico. En la casuística prevalecieron las bandas elásticas como terapéutica ortopédica prequirúrgica (43,4 por ciento). Asimismo, las palatorrafias seguidas de las queilonasorrafias estuvieron en correspondencia con el tipo de malformación y el tiempo establecido. La maloclusión posoperatoria predominó en los tipos de moderado (53,4 por ciento) a severo (28,6 por ciento), asociada a una mayor cantidad de estructuras anatómicas involucradas. El tratamiento ortodóncico posquirúrgico fue a expensa, mayoritariamente, de la aparatología removible (81,9 por ciento) y estuvo relacionado con la edad de los pacientes tratados(AU)

An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 98 patients with lip and palate malformations, attended by the multidisciplinary team of Southern Children Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January 2000 to the same month of 2009, in order to characterize them from the therapeutic point of view. Elastic bandages as presurgical orthopedic therapy (43.4 percent) prevailed in the case material. Likewise, palatorrhaphies followed by cheilonasorraphies were in correspondence with the type of malformation and the set time. The postoperative malocclusion prevailed in moderate (53.4 percent) to severe (28.6 percent) forms, associated with a greater number of anatomical structures involved. In the postoperative orthodontic treatment removable appliances (81.9 percent) were mainly used and it was related to the age of patients treated(AU)

Vaporización láser CO2 de amígdalas en niños: una técnica segura y eficaz / CO2 laser vaporization of tonsils in children: a safe and effective technique

Introducción: La hipertrofia amigdalina es una de las principales causas de ronquido infantil, tiene una prevalencia que oscila entre el 9 y el 10% y alcanza hasta el 30% en niños de 3-6 años. Se debe nombrar que solo el 3% de ese 30% tienen OSA, pues esa es la verdadera indicación de la cirugía. El objetivo fue evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la vaporización de amígdalas con láser CO2 en pacientes pediátricos con OSA, del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología de la Clínica Carlos Ardila Lülle - Bucaramanga. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de 47 niños entre 3 y 11 años, sometidos al procedimiento entre enero del 2011 y febrero del 2012, por obstrucción ventilatoria alta con pausas respiratorias mayores de 10 segundos durante el sueño, secundaria a hipertrofia del tejido amigdalino. Resultados: 97,8% de los niños estudiados tenían amígdalas grado IV y 2,1% grado III. Se debe exponer por qué existe tan alto porcentaje en el grado IV, pues la diferencia es muy grande, y eso puede ser objeto de censura. El tiempo quirúrgico fue, en promedio, de 25 minutos. En el 100% el procedimiento fue ambulatorio. Hay que tener cuidado con esto, porque los niños que van a cirugía por OSA como indicación deben someterse a hospitalización posterior en la UCI, pues corren el riesgo de presentar apneas, puesto que sus receptores de CO2 disminuyen la sensibilidad de hipoxia, pues al quitar el tejido no hay obstrucción; entonces, sus niveles de CO2 se reducen mucho, y esto es lo único que estimula en los centros respiratorios de ellos, y así se produce la apnea. 24 niños no registraron dolor (51%), y dos presentaron emesis (0,94%). La evolución postintervención fue satisfactoria en la mayoría, y ninguno de los pacientes presentó cuadros de sangrado o infección. Un mes después del procedimiento, 98% de los padres referían una notable mejoría de la respiración oral (ronquido), del sueño y los síntomas diurnos, o episodios de apnea. De lo contrario, sería una cirugía sin criterios adecuados, según lo relatado en la literatura. En ninguno de los pacientes que cumplieron un año de evolución se evidenció hipertrofia del tejido residual...

Introduction: Tonsillar hypertrophy is one of main causes of child snoring, having a prevalence ranging between 9 and 10% and reaching until 30% in children between 3 to 6 years old. The aim of our study was to determinate the efficacy and safety of tonsil laser vaporization with CO2 in the Otorrinolaryngology Service at the Clínica Carlos Ardila Lülle, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methods: Descriptive study on 47 children between 3 and 11 years old, who underwent tonsil laser vaporization with CO2 in the last year by presented high ventilatory obstruction secondary to tonsillar hypertrophy tissue. Results: 97.8% had Grade IV tonsils and 2.1% were grade III. The operating time averaged 25 minutes. The 100% of the procedures were ambulatory. 24 children no reported pain (51%), 2 patients experienced emesis (0.94%). The evolution was satisfactory in more of them and not body presented bleeding or infection. After one month, 98% of parents reported a significant improvement in mouth breathing, snoring, sleep, and daily symptoms. Between children with one year evolution nobody of them presented residual tissue hypertrophy...

Significación clínica de la asimetría amigdalina / Clinical significance of unilateral tonsillar enlargement

Introducción: El aumento unilateral asintomático de una amígdala palatina suele tratarse con amigdalectomía sistemática por sospecha de malignidad. Ante la mayor frecuencia de procesos benignos, se estudian datos clínicos que puedan servir como factores de riesgo para evitar amigdalectomías innecesarias. Material y métodos: Se revisan 267 amigdalectomías realizadas entre 1996 y 2006, de las cuales 30 se indicaron por asimetría. Se valoran factores de riesgo, como adenopatías, ser varón, mayor de 45 años, detección por el mismo paciente, aspecto sospechoso, clínica sistémica, historia de malignidad e inmunodeficiencia. Resultados: El resultado anatomopatológico fue de proceso benigno en el 80 % de los casos y maligno, en el 20 %. Los factores de riesgo que muestran mayor relación con malignidad son las adenopatías y el aspecto sospechoso.C onclusiones: Se puede realizar control estricto ante una asimetría amigdalina, aunque cuando hay factores de riesgo debemos indicar amigdalectomía (AU)

Introduction: Asymptomatic unilateral tonsillar enlargement is usually treated with systematic tonsillectomy under suspicion of malignancy. Due to the fact that most of the cases are benign pathologies, we set out to study the clinical signs that would help us in the diagnosis in order to avoid unnecessary tonsillectomies. Material and methods: We reviewed 267 tonsillectomies performed from 1996 to 2006 and 30 of these were indicated because of asymmetry. We evaluated risk factors for malignancy: cervical lymphatic node enlargement, sex, age, tonsillar enlargement noticed by the patient, suspicious appearance, systemic symptoms, history of malignancy and immune compromise. Results: Histopathologic study revealed 80 % to be benign and 20 % malignant. The risk factors with the strongest association were enlargement of cervical lymphatic nodes and suspicious appearance of the tonsil. Conclusions: Strict control of a unilateral tonsillar enlargement is possible, but it is mandatory to perform a tonsillectomy when the appearance of the tonsil raises suspicions or there are enlarged lymphatic nodes (AU)

[Occult peritonsillar abscess: an unusual cause of unilateral tonsillar enlargement].

Peritonsillar abscess is a suppurative infection of the tissues adjacent to the palatine tonsil and is regarded in otolarygologic practice as a complication of pharyngotonsillitis. The most common presentation is gradually increasing pain, fever, trismus, drooling and a muffled voice. Asymmetric tonsils are common in clinical practice. Differential diagnosis includes infectious, granulomatous, congenital and neoplastic lesions. This is a case study of two patients evaluated for unilateral tonsillar enlargement who were found to have a previously unexpected peritonsillar abscess at tonsillectomy. The patients had no other signs or symptoms of acute pharyngotonsillar or peritonsillar infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an occult peritonsillar infection causing unilateral tonsillar enlargement.

Influência do tipo facial no tamanho do espaço aéreo nasofaríngeo / Influence of facial type on the size of nasopharnyx space

A variação no tamanho do espaço aéreo nasofaríngeo ocorre devido a fatores genéticos e/ou ambientais. A diminuição no tamanho do espaço aéreo nasofaríngeo, causada principalmente pela hipertrofia da tonsila faríngea, tem sido associada a alterações posturais e no padrão normal de crescimento craniofacial. Entre as alterações musculares e craniofaciais estariam a rotação horária da mandíbula, aumento da altura facial ântero-inferior (Afai) e a retrusão de maxila e mandíbula. As alterações musculares e posturais que ocorreriam logo após a obstrução do espaço aéreo nasofaríngeo atuariam ao longo do tempo, causando a instalação de alterações craniofaciais predisponentes ou o agravamento de alterações já existentes.

The variation in size of the nasopharnyx space occurs due to genetic and/or enviromental factors. The reduction in size of the nasopharnyx space caused. primarily, by the hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil, has been associated to alterations in posture and in the facial growth pattern. Among the muscular and craniofacial alterations would be the clockwise rotation of the mandible,increase in antero-inferior facial hight and maxillary and mandibular retrusion. The muscular and postura1 alterations that occur just after the nasophamyx obstruction act for a long time, causing the installation of predisposed craniofacial alterations or the aggravation of those pre-existant.

Cervical diastematomyelia in cervico-oculo-acoustic (Wildervanck) syndrome: MRI findings.

Cervico-oculo-acoustic (COA) or Wildervanck syndrome is characterized by the triad of Klippel-Feil anomaly, bilateral abducens palsy with retracted bulbs (Duane 'syndrome') and hearing loss. The clinical findings of this syndrome have been well documented. A few case reports with MRI findings have appeared in the literature showing brainstem and cerebellar hypoplasia and vertebral segmentation anomalies. Our case is unique in that diastematomyelia of the lower medulla and cervical cord was accompanied by vermian hypoplasia, tonsillar herniation and resulting triventricular hydrocephalus in a child with Wildervanck syndrome. This case is presented with MR images. Children with Wildervanck syndrome should be investigated for craniospinal abnormalities with MR imaging.

Roncopatia cronica en la infancia / Chronic rhoncopsthy in the childhood

Se hace un estudio de la roncopatía crónica, así como del Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño en la infancia, considerando los aspectos epidemiológicos, etiopatogénicos, sintomatología, complicaciones, diagnóstico y tratamiento tanto médico, como instrumental y quirúrgico (AU)

Physical findings and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea. The importance of oropharyngeal structures.

In this study, we hypothesized that anatomic abnormalities of the oropharynx, particularly narrowing of the airway by the lateral pharyngeal walls, tonsils, and tongue, would be associated with an increased likelihood for obstructive apnea among patients presenting to a sleep disorders center. To test this hypothesis, we used data from a cohort of 420 patients presenting to the Penn Center for Sleep Disorders. Associations between individual variables in the clinical evaluation model and sleep apnea as defined by a respiratory disturbance index greater than or equal to 15 events per hour were characterized by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multivariable logistic regression was used to simultaneously estimate ORs for multiple variables and to control for other relevant patient characteristics. Results showed that narrowing of the airway by the lateral pharyngeal walls (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6-3.9) had the highest association with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) followed by tonsillar enlargement (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.8), enlargement of the uvula (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9), and tongue enlargement (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0-3.1). Low-lying palate, retrognathia, and overjet were not found to be significantly associated with OSA. Controlling for BMI and neck circumference, only lateral narrowing and enlargement of the tonsils maintained their significant (OR = 2.0 and 2.6, respectively). A subgroup analysis examining differences between male and female subjects showed that no oropharyngeal risk factor achieved significance in women while lateral narrowing was the sole independent risk factor in men. These findings suggest that enlargement of the oropharyngeal soft tissue structures, particularly the lateral pharyngeal walls, is associated with an increased likelihood of OSA among patients presenting to sleep disorders centers.

Body growth in relation to tonsillar enlargement.

Severe airway obstruction caused by tonsillar enlargement can result in disturbances in body growth. In this study, 1136 children between 7 and 12 years of age, were evaluated and the size of their tonsils was investigated with regard to height and weight. This study was performed in the course of school screening, and correlation between estimated tonsil size and height and weight of the children was sought. Statistically, no such correlation was found (P > 0.05).

Effect of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on obese children with sleep-associated breathing disorders.

In children and adolescents there have been only few reports dealing with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) associated with morbid obesity. We report here on sleep-associated breathing disorders in morbidly obese children and the effect of adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy on sleep-associated breathing disorders. The subjects were 31 children with morbid obesity. The mean patient age was 7.9 years ranging from 2 to 14 years. The percentage of expected body weight ranged from 130% to 260%. All of them had adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy. We undertook the study during the period of natural sleep. Percentage of sleeping period with irregular breathing was determined by means of respisomnogram and the percentage of sleeping period with SpO(2) > or = 90% with a pulse oximeter. The percentage of sleeping period with irregular breathing ranged from 10% to 85% before the operation. In all cases, the irregular breathing period decreased almost to zero after the adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. The percentage of sleeping period with SpO(2) > or = 90% ranged from 1.7% to 95%. The percentage was related to reduction of body weight and it increased gradually as a result of a diet given as therapy. Our studies reveal that weight control may result in partial cure of sleep-associated breathing disorders. Operations, such as adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, were remarkably effective in treating sleep-associated breathing disorders of severely obese children with large adenoids and tonsils, even if the severe obesity remained.

Hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils and sleep respiratory disorders.

A simplified method for the diagnosis of sleep respiratory disorders in children was explored on the basis of visual inspection. The subjects were 31 children suffering from symptoms of upper airway constriction. Polysomnography was carried out on all patients to measure the mesopharyngeal pressure amplitude (MPA). The patients were divided into the following four groups: Group A (degree I hypertrophy at rest), Group B (degree II hypertrophy both at rest and during pharyngeal reflex), Group C (degree II hypertrophy at rest and degree III hypertrophy during pharyngeal reflex), and Group D (degree II hypertrophy at rest, accompanied by forward protrusion from the anterior faucial pillar). The MPA values were 26.0 +/- 13.7, 39.2 +/- 18.3, 86.9 +/- 36.4 and 84.6 +/- 16.3 cmH(2)O in Groups A, B, C and D, respectively. The MPA values in Groups C and D were significantly higher than those in Groups A and B. The result of this study suggest that the MPA values are high and sleep respiratory disorders severe in cases from Groups C and D. The severity of sleep respiratory disorders in children was estimated to a considerable extent by checking these parameters.

Head and neck manifestations of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a congenital disorder manifested by organomegaly, omphalocele, hypoglycemia, and macroglossia. We have found a significant number of these children to be at risk for upper airway obstruction during infancy or childhood. In this review of 13 children, 2 required tracheotomy during infancy for cor pulmonale caused by macroglossia. Seven of nine children older than 1 year required tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to relieve upper airway obstruction. Although macroglossia can be a cause of airway obstruction in infants with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, we have found that airway obstruction during childhood is related to tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy and not to macroglossia. Anterior tongue reduction is reserved for the correction of malocclusion, articulation errors, or cosmesis, whereas tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be curative of obstructive symptoms.

Effects of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on snoring in children.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the effects of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on snoring in children. Thirty male patients were grouped with respect to the severity of snoring and were evaluated in terms of the noise level of the snoring sound, the lowest arterial oxygen saturation, degree of palatine tonsillar hypertrophy, body mass index and cephalometric findings that included the adenoidal-nasopharyngeal ratio, the angle between the lines sella turcica/nasion and most posterior point of anterior maxilla/nasion, the angle between the lines sella turcica/nasion and most posterior point of anterior mandible/nasion, the posterior airway space, the distance from the sella to the nasion, lower face height and the distance from the basion to the posterior nasal spine. The noise level of the snoring sound, the lowest arterial oxygen saturation and the adenoidal-nasopharyngeal ratio showed a significant correlation with the severity of snoring, but the degree of palatine tonsillar hypertrophy and the body mass index failed to disclose any significant relationship.