Voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy using the Newvox voice prosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the anatomy, as well as the probability of restoring voice (study of the methods of vocal recovery) with the Newvox voice prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study relates to 225 patients having undergone a total laryngectomy and a Newvox voice prosthesis (one or more prosthesis) between April 1979 and November 2003. All the cases were followed up for 2 years. During evolution the complications were noted. All the valves removed were sent for microbiological analysis, including culture. The Statistical Analysis were carried out on the cohort of patients defined as having benefited from one or more voice prostheses after undergoing total laryngectomy. The lifespan of the implants has been described by the median duration (corresponding to the duration above which 50% of the implants lasted) the first quartile (corresponding to the duration above which 75% of the implants lasted) and the third quartile (corresponding to the duration above which 25% of the implants lasted). RESULTS: No infection by candida albicans was found. Complete removal of the Newvox voice prosthesis for local problems was necessary only in 20 cases (8.9% of the cases). The general lifespan (on 225 patients) of the 1st implant corresponded to a median of 252 days (8.4 months) with a first quartile of 452 days (1.2 year). The statistical analysis of the lifespan of the Newvox voice prosthesis made it possible to study the impact of radiotherapy on the quality of the results. The time to onset of satisfactory phonation was studied: The general median (time above which includes 50% of the patients) was three weeks. After two weeks, 25% of the patients obtain a satisfactory voice. CONCLUSION: On the whole, out of 185 documented cases, a satisfactory voice was obtained in 84% of patients, either by the voice prosthesis or by oesophageal voice. The absence of infection by candida albicans of the Newvox voice prosthesis is one of the factors which probably account for it being so well tolerated and having a significantly longer lifespan compared with other prostheses.

[Cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma: report of 4 cases]. / Complications infectieuses cranio-encephaliques de l'otite moyenne chronique cholesteatomateuse. A propos de 4 observations.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial and intracranial complications can be observed during middle ear cholesteatoma's evolution. We report our experience of management of infectious cholesteatoma's cranioencephalic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a three year period, we had consecutively admitted 4 patients with cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma, in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department of the university teaching hospital of Dakar. After preoperative investigations with computed tomography scan (CT scan) of brain and temporal bone. The patients had been operated after paraclinic assessment. RESULTS: The finding showed one case of temporal bone otogenic extensive osteomyelitis with multifocal extradural empyema, 3 cases of brain abscess associated with subdural empyema and meningitis in 1 case. For 3 patients (75%), neurosurgical drainage and mastoidectomy were performed, associated with antibiotic treatment. The mastaidectomy was performed in the same time of the surgical procedure or delayed. One patient, with brain abscess, died before surgical intervention. With a follow up of 15 months, we have noticed stable mastoidectomies cavities and no neurological recurrence symptoms. CONCLUSION: These complications can be prevented by early treatment of chronic otitis media diseases. The appropriated management of these complications necessitate collaboration between otorhinolaryngologists and neuro surgeons.

[Head and neck paragangliomas in Senegal. About 8 cases]. / Paragangliomes de la tête et du cou au Sénégal.

UNLABELLED: Paragangliomas are uncommon neoplasms with rare occurrence in the head and neck area. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the experience of management of these rare tumors by a team of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons working in the context of a sub-Saharan country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in the Ear, Nose and throat Department of a Dakar university hospital. The study concerned 8 patients with a highly vascular tumor located in the neck and temporal bone. The preoperative investigations were computed tomography scanning (CT scan) using contrast injection in 88% and Doppler ultrasonography for the patients with a neck mass. All the patients underwent surgery except one. In 2 cases, the management with a team of vascular surgeons was necessary. Histological examination of the tumor was realized in all cases. RESULTS: The tumor was located in the neck in 5 cases (62,5%) with a carotid body tumor in three patients (37,5%) and vagal location in two (25%). The temporal bone was involved in three patients with a tympano-jugular location (37,5%). All the neck masses were operated on via a unique cervical approach. The tympano-jugular tumors were treated by radical mastoidectomy in two patients. In the third patient with a tympano-jugular tumor, with important involvement of the temporal bone, only the neck extension was operated. The histological diagnosis of paraganglioma was confirmed in all patients. Radiation therapy was delivered in two patients (25%), to complete surgery in the event of extensive temporal bone tumor and exclusive in one case of an inoperable vagal tumor. The outcomes, marked early death in one patient (14%), were good in the short and mid term for the others patients. CONCLUSION: With the improvement of technological infrastructures, particularly with developing modern imaging, we have better knowledge of paragangliomas in the head and neck area, in our experience in a developing country. However, therapeutic approaches are still limited by modest humans and material resources.

Squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx in children in Sénégal: between disarray and enigma.

INTRODUCTION: The squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx constitutes the first reason of hospitalization in our department. Different studies have been realized about it and showed an epidemiological profile characterized by the young age of the patients and the predominance of female. OBJECTIVES: To specify the place of the children in hypopharynx cancers. To evaluate the epidemiological criteria and the difficulties in the management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 11 years (1995-2005). Collection of the data concerning the epidemiology, clinical and paraclinical findings, the treatment, and the evolution was carried out at the University Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Dakar (Sénégal). RESULTS: 15 charts of children have been collected. They presented in the majority of the cases, an advanced cancer, with 93% of T3T4. The lesion was localized at the retro-cricoid area in 4 cases, the pyriform sinus in 3 cases, the oesophagus junction in 2 cases, and the posterior wall in 1 case. In 5 cases the lesion was spreading to the totality of the hypopharynx. No case of smoking or alcohol has been noted. The anemia has been noted in 86.7% of the cases. A case of papillomatosis of the mouth and lips has been noted. The treatment was for most of cases as symptomatic, like tracheotomy with or without gastrostomy. The evolution was fatal with 11 deaths (73.33%). DISCUSSION: Our set is the richest set through the world of hypopharyngeal cancers in children. The Plummer-Vinson syndrome noted in 86.7% of the cases and the viral infection by HPV could play a role in the genesis of this cancer. CONCLUSION: The cancer of the hypopharynx essentially affects the young women in Sénégal without alcohol or tobacco consumption. It does not save the children, with an awful prognosis, however. So, it is imperative to organize a vast campaign of information of the populations on the bad prognosis of this cancer and to lead a large-scale epidemiological investigation, to get a better understanding of this cancer in our country.