Human Extrafollicular CD4+ Th Cells Help Memory B Cells Produce Igs.

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are necessary for germinal center B cell maturation during primary immune responses; however, the T cells that promote humoral recall responses via memory B cells are less well defined. In this article, we characterize a human tonsillar CD4+ T cell subset with this function. These cells are similar to Tfh cells in terms of expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR5 and the inhibitory receptor PD-1, IL-21 secretion, and expression of the transcription factor BCL6; however, unlike Tfh cells that are located within the B cell follicle and germinal center, they reside at the border of the T cell zone and the B cell follicle in proximity to memory B cells, a position dictated by their unique chemokine receptor expression. They promote memory B cells to produce Abs via CD40L, IL-10, and IL-21. Our results reveal a unique extrafollicular CD4+ T cell subset in human tonsils, which specialize in promoting T cell-dependent humoral recall responses.

Improvement in asthma control and inflammation in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that asthma control improves after adenotonsillectomy, but longitudinal studies that correlate the effect of the procedure on the levels of biomarkers associated with airway inflammation are limited. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, observational study on pediatric patients, both with and without asthma, undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Asthma control test (ACT) scores and chitinase activity in the circulation were measured at time of surgery and at 6-mo follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-six children with asthma and 64 control subjects were enrolled. Mean ACT scores improved by three points (P < 0.001) after 6 mo. 85% of children with poorly controlled asthma demonstrated an increase in ACT score of at least three points or a decrease in emergency department/urgent care visits, oral corticosteroid courses, or rescue short acting bronchodilator usage. Chitinase activity decreased significantly in asthmatics who improved (P < 0.01). Higher chitinase activity levels at baseline were associated with improved asthma control following surgery (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In children with high preoperative circulating chitinase activity levels, asthma control and healthcare utilization were significantly improved after adenotonsillecotmy. Chitinase activity decreased after surgery in children with improved control. This suggests that adenotonsillectomy modulates chitinase activity, affecting airway inflammation and improving airway disease.

A case of Michelin tire baby syndrome with a thickened epiglottis.

Multiple circumferential skin folds have been reported as part of the Michelin tire baby syndrome (MTBS). There has been a wide spectrum of associated clinical findings reported in children with MTBS. We report a case of MTBS associated with a thickened epiglottis.

Management of hypopharyngeal and esophageal perforations in children: three case reports and a review of the literature.

We report 2 cases of pediatric hypopharyngeal perforation that occurred during endoscopy and 1 case of esophageal perforation that developed during nasogastric tube insertion at a tertiary care academic medical center. These cases were identified during a retrospective chart review. All 3 patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics and nasogastric tube feedings, and none experienced further sequelae. Perforations of the hypopharynx and esophagus in children during endoscopy or insertion of endotracheal and nasogastric tubes are not uncommon. Many affected children can be managed conservatively without surgical drainage, depending on the cause and specific location of the perforation and the timing of the diagnosis. We discuss the clinical criteria for various management options, and we offer an algorithm that outlines important clinical considerations in the decision-making process. Our aim in presenting these cases is to increase awa reness of the management options for children with hypopharyngeal and esophageal perforations and to demonstrate the effectiveness of nonsurgical management in selected cases.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Intracapsular Tonsillectomy and Total Tonsillectomy for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PURPOSE: We performed an economic evaluation using a decision-tree model to analyze the relative cost effectiveness from the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) perspective of two different methods of tonsillectomy (traditional total tonsillectomy and partial intracapsular) for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedural costs were drawn from published literature and Medicare values. Effectiveness and probabilities were drawn from medical literature. Primary intervention was monopolar-technique total tonsillectomy or microdebrider-assisted partial intracapsular tonsillectomy. Secondary interventions included operative control of hemorrhage, treatment of severe dehydration, or revision tonsillectomy. The decision model starts with pediatric patients with OSA, choosing between total and partial tonsillectomy. Outcomes were measured by costs (US dollars), effectiveness [quality-adjusted life year (QALY)], and a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000/QALY. Base case analysis, probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed. Primary outcome was incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for each of the two tonsillectomy techniques. RESULTS: Base case analysis demonstrated that total tonsillectomy was more cost effective at US$12,453.40 per QALY gained. In PSA, 82.84% of the simulations show total tonsillectomy to be the more cost-effective strategy. Deterministic sensitivity analyses showed that when the rate of OSA recurrence is lower than 3.12%, partial tonsillectomy would be more cost effective. When the failure rate of partial tonsillectomy is below 1.0%, it is more cost effective even when total tonsillectomy is 100% successful. CONCLUSION: Study results suggest that overall monopolar-technique total tonsillectomy is more cost effective. However, with varying adjustments for disutility caused by procedural complications, intracapsular tonsillectomy could become a more cost-effective technique for treating pediatric OSA.

An algorithm-for local non-surgical management of complicated wounds in head and neck cancer patients.

This review paper introduces an algorithm for non-surgical local wound care in head and neck cancer patients who have delayed and complicated wound healing. Wound complications are common in patients undergoing head and neck cancer treatment, regardless of whether their primary treatment modality is surgery or chemoradiation. The risk for complications is compounded by the vital structures in the regional anatomy of these tumors and by the toxicities and long-term consequences of the cancer treatments employed. There is limited empirical and clinical evidence to specifically guide and improve local wound healing outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. The algorithm, based on an analysis of the medical literature, begins with the assessment of five simple wound environment characteristics: exudate volume; slough and eschar; large vessel exposure; proliferation; and systemic nutrition and perfusion. Assessing these wound characteristics is the basis for planning local care. The wound characteristics are discussed in relation to the pertinent literature, product categories, and other known interventions presented herein.

The prevalence of major psychiatric pathologies in patients with voice disorders.

We conducted a study of 47 patients with various voice disorders to determine the prevalence of concomitant psychopathology. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms varied considerably among patients with the three most common voice disorders: 63.6% among patients with vocal fold paralysis, 29.4% among those with functional dysphonia, and 7.1% among those with spasmodic dysphonia. Levels of anxiety and depression correlated moderately with the severity of voice symptoms in patients with vocal fold paralysis, but not in those with functional or spasmodic dysphonia. Certain abnormal personality traits--including interpersonal sensitivity and distrust of others--were more common among patients with functional dysphonia. The low rate of psychopathology among patients with spasmodic dysphonia is consistent with rates reported in previous investigations. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of psychopathology in patients with voice disorders varies according to the specific voice diagnosis, as does the relationship between specific psychiatric and voice symptoms.

Case report: Treatment failure using propanolol for treatment of focal subglottic hemangioma.

Subglottic hemangioma is a rare, potentially life threatening tumor of infancy which poses serious treatment challenges. A number of medical and surgical therapies over the years have met with variable success, and are associated with numerous potential morbidities. A potential windfall in the management of infantile hemangiomas has arisen with the recent identification of propanolol as a highly efficacious and relatively safe new treatment modality. At least five reports in the literature have described the rapid, successful treatment of airway hemangiomas with oral propanolol. We describe the first reported treatment failure with propanolol for subglottic hemangioma in an infant who initially responded dramatically to the medication.

An Internet otolaryngology referral center: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to review our early experience with the UPenn Otolaryngology Referral Center Website, ENTConsult.org. METHODS: ENTConsult.org is an interactive website that allows a referring physician to select a University of Pennsylvania Health System otolaryngologist and share clinical information, including uploaded pictures, radiographs, and other images via the Internet. Traditional methods of long-distance consultation involve mailing clinical information, which often is slow and unwieldy, thus discouraging consultation. ENTConsult.org seeks to take advantage of Internet functionality to facilitate efficient and timely consultation regardless of any of the participants' locations. RESULTS: In this report we reviewed our initial experience with ENTConsult.org, including an overview of the website functionality and a detailed review of critical logistical considerations. CONCLUSION: The UPenn Otolaryngology Referral Center Website ENTConsult.org offers considerable promise as an avenue for long-distance referral and consultation.