Needle core biopsy in the diagnosis of pediatric thyroid neoplasms: a single institution retrospective review.

PURPOSE: Our institution routinely utilizes needle core biopsy (NCB), instead of fine needle aspiration, in the evaluation of pediatric thyroid nodules. This practice initially arose from limited cytopathology services in our hospital. Given the lack of information regarding the utility of NCB in diagnosing pediatric thyroid neoplasms, we set out to review our institution's experience with this technique. METHODS: We performed a single institution retrospective chart review of all children who underwent thyroidectomy for primary thyroid pathology. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients, with a mean age of 12.9 ± 4.5 (SD) years, underwent partial or total thyroidectomy between 2002 and 2010. Seven of these patients had medically refractive hyperthyroidism. The remaining 67 patients had one or more thyroid nodules as identified by ultrasound. 24 (36 %) of these cases were malignant on final pathology. 14 (58 %) of the malignant cases were papillary thyroid carcinoma. 46 of the thyroid nodule cases underwent pre-operative NCB. Biopsy results for these patients were non-diagnostic in 6 (13 %), benign in 11 (24 %), atypical in 17 (37 %), and malignant in 12 (26 %). There were no complications arising from NCB. Sensitivity of NCB for diagnosing papillary carcinoma (PC) and follicular neoplasm was calculated at 0.88 (0.47-1.0, 95 % CI) and 0.84 (0.60-0.97, 95 % CI), respectively. Of the 28 patients not undergoing preoperative NCB, 12 underwent hemithyroidectomy, with one patient (8 %) requiring completion thyroidectomy for PC. Overall, the sensitivity of NCB in diagnosing PC and follicular thyroid neoplasms was 0.85 (0.55-0.99, 95 % CI), while the specificity was 0.63 (0.42-0.82, 95 % CI). CONCLUSIONS: Needle core biopsy appears to have a low rate of associated complications, and its sensitivity for diagnosing PC and follicular neoplasm is comparable to what has been reported for fine needle aspiration biopsy in a similar patient population.

Intracranial complications of sinusitis.

Intracranial suppurative complications of sinusitis remain a challenging and contemporary topic. To determine the prevalence of sinogenic sources in intracranial infectious complications, we reviewed the records at a large public hospital between 1985 and 1995. There were 203 patients with 212 suppurative intracranial infections. Sinogenic sources were identified in 12 patients with 19 infections. Most patients had ethmoid or frontal sinusitis. We discuss the presentation, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course of these 12 cases. The diagnosis of intracranial complications of sinusitis requires a high index of suspicion and radiographic imaging of the head and paranasal sinuses. The mean hospital stay was 31.4 days and all 12 patients survived, although three patients had significant neurologic sequelae.

Ropivacaine with or without clonidine improves pediatric tonsillectomy pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if preemptive analgesia with ropivacaine hydrochloride with or without clonidine hydrochloride decreases pain and hastens recovery after tonsillectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, triple-blinded trial. SETTING: University referral center; pediatric ambulatory practice. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four children, aged 3 to 15 years, undergoing tonsillectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received injections in the tonsillar fossae of isotonic sodium chloride, ropivacaine, or ropivacaine plus clonidine prior to tonsil excision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analogue (pain) scale scores at rest and when drinking, opioid use, recovery time to normal activity, and incidence of symptoms such as otalgia. RESULTS: Pain was reduced on postoperative day 0 in the ropivacaine-treated and ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated groups as compared with the isotonic sodium chloride-treated group (P<.05). Pain was also decreased in the ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated group on postoperative days 3 and 5 (P<.05). Intravenous narcotic use was decreased on day 0 in the ropivacaine-treated and ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated groups (P<.05). Cumulative codeine use was similar at day 3 for all patients, but was decreased at day 5 in the ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated group (P<.05). The incidence of otalgia decreased from 89% (16/18) in the isotonic sodium chloride-treated group to 63% (12/19) in the ropivacaine-treated and 61%(11/18) in the ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated groups (P<.01). Recovery to normal activity was shortened from 8.1 +/- 1.6 days to 5.8 +/- 2.9 days (mean +/- SD) in the isotonic sodium chloride-treated and ropivacaine plus clonidine-treated groups, respectively (P =.03). CONCLUSION: Preincisional injection of ropivacaine with clonidine prior to tonsillectomy has a preemptive analgesic effect that outlasts the local anesthetic and decreases pain, opioid use, and the time to return to normal activity.

Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis: a warning and review.

OBJECTIVES: To present and discuss the clinical presentation and treatment planning in children with acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Nine children identified over 2 years (1995-1996) with newly diagnosed NPS were evaluated. Seven of these children underwent adenoidectomy using a potassium titanyl phosphate laser technique at a neighboring facility. These children were aged 15.6 to 62.1 months at the time of original surgery, and all presented with nasal obstruction and mouth breathing beginning within 10 weeks after surgery. In addition, 5 had newly documented obstructive sleep apnea. RESULTS: Of the 9 children, 1 required a tracheotomy. After undergoing an adenoidectomy, chronic rhinosinusitis developed and aggressive medical treatment failed in 4 children. Time from symptom onset to diagnosis of NPS ranged from 2 to 34 months. The diagnosis of NPS depends on obtaining a thorough medical history and conducting a physical examination that includes nasopharyngoscopy. Most children underwent a computed tomographic scan prior to repair. The scarring encountered in these patients involved the soft palate and the posterior pharyngeal wall and/or choanae bilaterally. Five children had no identifiable eustachian tube opening into the nasopharynx, and all 5 children had chronic otitis media with effusion or persistent otorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal stenosis following adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy is difficult to correct. Multiple surgeries may be required to relieve the obstruction. Standard operative techniques using the lateral pharyngeal flap and transpalatal or endoscopic intranasal approaches were adapted to the clinical situation. Prolonged use of nasal stents is mandatory to produce a nasopharyngeal opening. Adjunctive treatment may include pressure equalization tubes. However, the best treatment remains prevention.

Impact of resistant pneumococcus on rates of acute mastoiditis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the rate of acute mastoiditis is rising, specifically as a result of antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute mastoiditis between July 1, 1987, and June 30, 1997, was performed at our academic, tertiary-care medical center. There were no interventions, and the main outcome measures included the number of cases of acute or coalescent mastoiditis, stratified by pathogen, per year. RESULTS: The rate of acute mastoiditis as a proportion of yearly otorhinolaryngology admissions increased linearly over time (P = 0. 024). Pneumococcal-related rates of acute mastoiditis, expressed as a proportion of yearly hospital and otorhinolaryngology admissions, increased linearly over time (P = 0.002, P = 0.002). All but 1 case of pneumococcal mastoiditis during the past 3 years were caused by penicillin-resistant strains. CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant S pneumoniae may be responsible for an increasing rate of acute mastoiditis.

Ocular motility complications after endoscopic sinus surgery with powered cutting instruments.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe 2 unique cases of ocular motility dysfunction after powered endoscopic sinus surgery and identify potential risk factors for extraocular muscle injury. STUDY DESIGN: Interventional case series. RESULTS: Patient 1 developed a restrictive global ophthalmoplegia after inadvertent entry into the medial orbit during powered endoscopic sinus surgery. Patient 2 had complete loss of adduction of the left eye as a result of transection of the medial rectus muscle by a powered cutting instrument. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in endoscopic sinus surgery technique and instrumentation, serious ophthalmic complications may still occur. Inadvertent entry into the medial orbital wall can result in ocular motility complications. Furthermore, it is possible that attraction of orbital contents into the tip of a powered cutting instrument may occur without significant entry into the orbital cavity. SIGNIFICANCE: It is important for endoscopic sinus surgeons to be aware of the intimate anatomical relationship between the orbit and sinuses, as well as the potential risks of the current instruments used in endoscopic sinus surgery.

c-erbB-2/neu oncogene and Ki-67 analysis in the assessment of palatal salivary gland neoplasms.

To evaluate the role of the Ki-67 proliferation antigen and c-erbB-2/neu oncogene expression in the clinical assessment of salivary gland tumors, we followed up 71 patients with minor salivary tumors of the palate. All benign neoplasms (n = 18) showed low Ki-67 scores (< 12%), whereas 26% (14 of 53) of malignant neoplasms manifested high Ki-67 scores (> 12%). A significant statistical difference between Ki-67 scores for benign and malignant neoplasms was observed (p < 0.001). Ki-67 index also correlated significantly with malignant tumor grade (p = 0.04) and patient survival (p = 0.02). Only 1 of the 18 benign tumors had c-erbB-2/neu oncogene overexpression. A significant difference between c-erbB-2/neu overexpression in benign and malignant tumors was observed (p = 0.01). Overexpression of c-erbB-2/neu oncogene was noted in 38% (16 of 42) of malignant tumors and was significantly associated with aggressive tumor behavior (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of significant factors revealed that gender, tumor stage, and c-erbB-2/neu oncogene overexpression were jointly predictive of survival. Our data indicate that although the Ki-67 proliferating antigen and c-erbB-2/neu oncogene expression may reflect certain intrinsic biologic properties of these neoplasms, only c-erbB-2/neu overexpression is significantly associated with their biologic aggression.

Gastroesophageal reflux association with laryngomalacia: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence and clinical role of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with laryngomalacia. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of consecutive infants with a new diagnosis of laryngomalacia with an initial questionnaire, a barium esophagram or 24 h pH probe and record of their subsequent clinical course. SETTING: A large, tertiary pediatric referral center and its associated outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: New diagnosis of laryngomalacia in 33 consecutive infants were evaluated by questionnaire and 27 of these were evaluated for GER. RESULTS: GER was observed in 64% of patients and was significantly associated with severe symptoms and complicated clinical course (P = 0.0163). The presence of smokers in the infant's household negatively impacted his or her clinical course and symptomatology (P = 0.013) as did the presence of other major, concurrent medical problems (P = 0.065). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with laryngomalacia, GER was significantly associated with severe symptoms (a complicated clinical course), as was smoking in an infant's household and other significant medical problems.

Recurrent meningitis in the pediatric patient--the otolaryngologist's role.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the etiology of recurrent meningitis in the pediatric patient. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and literature review. SETTING: Tertiary-care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Children (< 17-years-old) with recurrent meningitis, treated at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) between 1984 and 1995. RESULTS: A review of 463 cases of bacterial meningitis over an 11 year period revealed six children aged 3 months to 15 years with the diagnosis of recurrent meningitis. The patient's age, number of episodes of meningitis, diagnostic investigations performed and etiologies of recurrent meningitis were recorded. Fifteen episodes of meningitis were identified in these six patients; Streptococcus pneumoniae represented the bacteriology in 73% of the cases. Two patients were diagnosed with temporal bone abnormalities, two children with immunological deficiencies and no underlying etiology for the recurrent meningitis was identified in the remaining two patients. In this series, one-third of patients had an otolaryngologic etiology for their recurrent meningitis. These six patients, along with a review of the recent literature, will highlight the need for otolaryngological assessment and the importance of considering immunological investigations when managing recurrent meningitis in the pediatric patient. CONCLUSION: We propose that children with recurrent meningitis of unknown etiology undergo: (1) an audiological evaluation; (2) a CT scan of the temporal bones, skull base and paranasal sinuses; and (3) an immunological evaluation.

Evaluation of selected cardiopulmonary and cerebral responses during medetomidine, propofol, and halothane anesthesia for laparoscopy in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the dose-sparing effect of medetomidine on the propofol induction dose and concentration of halothane for maintenance of anesthesia during laparoscopy and to provide guidelines for effective and safe use of these anesthetics in dogs to ensure desirable perioperative analgesia. ANIMALS: 14 purpose-bred dogs. PROCEDURE: Cardiopulmonary and electroencephalographic responses were determined during 2 anesthesia protocols in dogs scheduled for laparoscopy. Fifteen minutes before anesthesia induction, all dogs received atropine sulfate (0.02 mg/kg of body weight, i.m.). Seven dogs were then given propofol (6.6 mg/kg, i.v.); anesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen. The other dogs were given medetomidine hydrochloride (10 micrograms/kg, i.m.) 5 minutes after administration of atropine sulfate; anesthesia was then induced by administration of propofol (2.8 mg/kg, i.v.) and was maintained with halothane in oxygen. RESULTS: The halothane concentration required for laparoscopy was lower in dogs given medetomidine. Anesthetic requirements were significantly increased during abdominal manipulation in both groups. Total amplitude of the electroencephalograph in medetomidine-treated dogs was not significantly lower than that in dogs not given medetomidine. Pulmonary responses were stable throughout all procedures. The primary cardiovascular response was an increase in blood pressure associated with the medetomidine-atropine preanesthetic combination. Significant differences in total amplitude or frequency shifts (spectral edge) of brain wave activity were not associated with surgical stimulation. CONCLUSION: Lack of neurologic changes during laparoscopy supports the efficacy of either medetomidine-propofol-halothane or propofol-halothane combinations at higher concentrations to provide desirable analgesia and anesthesia in this group of dogs.

[Carotid vessels studied by Doppler color echography and digital angiography. Results of meta analysis]. / Studio dei vasi carotidei mediante eco color-Doppler ed angiografia digitale. Risultati di una meta-analisi.

Twenty patients were studied by color Doppler flow imaging and digital angiography. According to the literature the results support necessity of color flow in the study of the patients with plaque. The authors emphasize the role of angiography only in the surgical patients for the anatomic evaluation of the carotid territory.

Comparative responses to propofol anaesthesia alone and with alpha 2-adrenergic medications in a canine model.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of propofol, a relatively new nonbarbiturate intravenous anaesthetic, were assessed and compared in 22 male and female dogs. Dogs in group 1 did not receive any premedication prior to 6.6 mg/kg IV propofol, group 2 was premedicated with atropine (0.02 mg/kg IM) and the alpha 2-agonist medetomidine (10 micrograms/kg IM), and group 3 received the same premedication agents as group 2, but the medetomidine effects were reversed by the alpha 2-antagonist atipamezole (30 micrograms/kg IV) after 30 min of anaesthesia. Each dog in groups 2 and 3 received a propofol induction dose of 2.2 mg/kg IV. The anaesthetic duration was shortest with propofol alone and prolonged with medetomidine as a premedication which was reversible with atipamezole. In group 1, the most prominent effects were a temporary drop in diastolic arterial blood pressure (26% and 24%) at 2 and 5 min post-propofol, respectively and a drop in respiratory frequency (41%) 2 min after propofol induction. Similar respiratory depression was observed in groups 2 and 3 (20% and 48%, respectively) at the same time. Apnea was not observed. An increase in systemic arterial blood pressure was observed throughout the trial in groups 2 and 3 until dogs recovered or were reversed with atipamezole. Medetomidine significantly reduces propofol dosage requirements. Safe and effective injectable anaesthesia was produced by propofol in this group of dogs. The frequency of respiratory depression would suggest in clinical usage, the practitioner should be aware oxygen supplementation is the treatment of choice should apnea occur.

[The effect of orthodontic magnets on the oral microbial flora]. / Influenza dei magneti ortodontici sulla flora microbica orale.

In this study we wanted to test the in vitro effects of orthodontic magnetic brackets, developing different magnetic fields, on the oral microbial flora. We noticed that a magnetic field has its most considerable influence on Candida albicans growth; the stimulating response depends on various factors: cell inoculum, exposure time and magnetic field frequency.

The risk of adenoid hypertrophy in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) may cause significant morbidity in children but its relationship to allergic rhinitis (AR) has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factor of AH in patients with AR. METHODS: We studied 315 children (ages 1 to 18 years) who had AH and AR. We compared them with 315 age-matched controls who had AR alone. To identify risk factors, they were divided into four groups according to age and clinical parameters, including the prevalence of otitis media, sinusitis, lower respiratory infection, exposure to smoking, sleep disorders, use of antihistamine/decongestants, and results of allergy skin testing. RESULTS: The prevalence of upper or lower respiratory infections was higher in the group with AR and AH, but not in all age groups. A high prevalence of exposure to smoking and skin test reactivity against house dust mites were found in both groups. However, the prevalence of positive reactivity to molds was significantly higher in the group with AH and AR (P ranged from 0.013 to <0.0001 and the relative risk ranged from 1.609 to 2.375). Further, the risk of AH was positively correlated with number of skin test reactivity to mold spores (P ranged from 0.0035 to 0.0001). Positive skin test reactivity to animal danders or seasonal allergens failed to predict the risk of AH. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity to mold allergens is an important risk factor for AH in children with AR; therefore, early prevention of exposure to molds may help reduce occurrence of AH.

Intracranial complications of sinusitis: a pediatric series.

Intracranial complications of sinusitis (ICS) (cerebral, epidural, and subdural abscesses, meningitis, and dural sinus thrombophlebitis) remain a challenging and contemporary topic. The progressive pneumatization and continued development of the sinuses after birth and the late appearance of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses imply that some infections would not appear until later childhood. We reviewed the records at a large pediatric hospital between 1986 and 1995 and found 10 children with 13 ICS (cerebral abscess, 5; extra-axial empyema, 5; and meningitis, 3). Of 43 children with cerebral abscess and 16 with extra-axial abscesses treated in this period, 12% of cerebral and 63% of extra axial abscesses were due to a sinogenic source. Multiple intracranial and extracranial complications of sinusitis in a single patient were common. The average age of children with ICS was 12.2 years old. We present these 10 cases and discuss their presentation, microbiology, and clinical course. Although the majority presented with a classic picture of headache, altered mental status, and fever, a few had symptoms that were more subtle. One child had recurrent meningitis, believed to be due to skull base dehiscence after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). He has required multiple otolaryngologic and neurosurgical procedures in an effort to prevent further episodes of meningitis. Ultimately, nine of 10 patients survived with an average hospital stay of 27.8 days (median of 17 days). The diagnosis of ICS requires a high index of suspicion, imaging of the brain and paranasal sinuses, and aggressive intervention.

The use of propofol as an induction agent for halothane and isoflurane anesthesia in dogs.

Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and quantitative electroencephalographic parameters were assessed in 12 anesthetized dogs to determine the compatibility of the injectable anesthetic propofol with halothane and isoflurane. No cases of apnea were observed during induction of anesthesia. An adequate level of anesthesia was established in each protocol as judged by both the lack of response to mechanical noxious stimuli (i.e., tail clamping) and evidence of reduction in total amplitude of brain wave activity. The initial propofol-mediated decrease in arterial blood pressure continued during either halothane (52.4%) or isoflurane (38%) anesthesia without a simultaneous increase in heart rate. The results of this study suggest that propofol, in combination with inhalant agents, can be used effectively and safely for canine anesthesia in veterinary practice.