Patients with Lemierre syndrome have a high risk of new thromboembolic complications, clinical sequelae and death: an analysis of 712 cases.

BACKGROUND: Lemierre syndrome is characterized by head/neck vein thrombosis and septic embolism usually complicating an acute oropharyngeal bacterial infection in adolescents and young adults. We described the course of Lemierre syndrome in the contemporary era. METHODS: In our individual-level analysis of 712 patients (2000-2017), we included cases described as Lemierre syndrome if these criteria were met: (i) primary site of bacterial infection in the head/neck; (ii) objectively confirmed local thrombotic complications or septic embolism. The study outcomes were new or recurrent venous thromboembolism or peripheral septic lesions, major bleeding, all-cause death and clinical sequelae. RESULTS: The median age was 21 (Q1-Q3: 17-33) years, and 295 (41%) were female. At diagnosis, acute thrombosis of head/neck veins was detected in 597 (84%) patients, septic embolism in 582 (82%) and both in 468 (80%). After diagnosis and during in-hospital follow-up, new venous thromboembolism occurred in 34 (5.2%, 95% CI 3.8-7.2%) patients, new peripheral septic lesions became evident in 76 (11.7%; 9.4-14.3%). The rate of either was lower in patients who received anticoagulation (OR: 0.59; 0.36-0.94), higher in those with initial intracranial involvement (OR: 2.35; 1.45-3.80). Major bleeding occurred in 19 patients (2.9%; 1.9-4.5%), and 26 died (4.0%; 2.7-5.8%). Clinical sequelae were reported in 65 (10.4%, 8.2-13.0%) individuals, often consisting of cranial nerve palsy (n = 24) and orthopaedic limitations (n = 19). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Lemierre syndrome were characterized by a substantial risk of new thromboembolic complications and death. This risk was higher in the presence of initial intracranial involvement. One-tenth of survivors suffered major clinical sequelae.

Endoscopic management of paediatric meningoencephaloceles: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital meningoencephaloceles represent a rare clinical entity, with its frequency being around 1 out of 4000-5000 live births. They usually present as a midline mass and the differential diagnosis includes dermoids, encephaloceles, and gliomas. Although the standard coronal approach with frontal craniotomy and pericranial flap has been considered the preferred method for several years, it is associated with risks and prolonged hospitalization. The endoscopic procedure is gaining ground and we are aiming to present our experience from five cases that were treated endoscopically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cases of paediatric meningoencephaloceles (age ranging from 2.5 to 10 years) were treated in our department between the years 2007-2017. Four children had a congenital and one child a post-traumatic meningoencephalocele. The presenting symptoms included nasal obstruction, meningitis and CSF leak. All patients had pre-operative imaging with CT and MRI scans and the preferred method of repair was multi-layered closure. RESULTS: All our patients had uneventful recovery, without any post-operative complications. The follow-up period ranges from 39 to 98 months. All five patients remain asymptomatic and recurrence-free. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic management of paediatric meningoencephaloceles is a reliable and safe approach and it is known to have no adverse effects on facial growth. It carries a satisfactory success rate, reduces the in-hospital stay with lower cost of treatment, better cosmesis and lower morbidity than external procedures. It requires multidisciplinary team setting in a tertiary centre with experienced endoscopic anterior skull base surgeons. Pre-operative assessment and post-operative care are of paramount importance and larger series need to be studied to reach safe conclusions and establish management guidelines.

Reconstruction of frontal defects with calvarial grafts.

BACKGROUND: There are many options for the reconstruction of frontal sinus wall defect resulting from injury, neoplastic lesions and aesthetic deformities. These mainly include autogenous grafts, allogenous grafts, and alloplastic materials. The aim of the present study is to report the advantages of using autogenous calvarial bone grafts over other reconstruction techniques, in the reconstruction of frontal defects. METHODS: We describe 16 consecutive cases of anterior frontal sinus defects between 2004 and 2015, in which calvarial bone grafts were used. Medical records were retrospectively analysed to evaluate graft survival. RESULTS: Bone defects were caused by injury (3), aesthetic deformities (2), external frontal sinus surgeries (2), tumours (6: three osteomas, two fibrous dysplasias, one squamous cell carcinoma), and osteomyelitis (3). There were no significant complications during harvesting, and morbidity was minimal. Furthermore, at one and five-year follow-up, no graft resorption or rejection was noted, and cosmetic results were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that calvarial bone graft is an appropriate material to use in anterior frontal sinus reconstruction.

Spirulina in clinical practice: evidence-based human applications.

Spirulina or Arthrospira is a blue-green alga that became famous after it was successfully used by NASA as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. It has the ability to modulate immune functions and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the release of histamine by mast cells. Multiple studies investigating the efficacy and the potential clinical applications of Spirulina in treating several diseases have been performed and a few randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews suggest that this alga may improve several symptoms and may even have an anticancer, antiviral and antiallergic effects. Current and potential clinical applications, issues of safety, indications, side-effects and levels of evidence are addressed in this review. Areas of ongoing and future research are also discussed.

Objective structured assessment of technical skill in temporal bone dissection: validation of a novel tool.

OBJECTIVE: This study developed an assessment tool that was based on the objective structured assessment for technical skills principles, to be used for evaluation of surgical skills in cortical mastoidectomy. The objective structured assessment of technical skill is a well-established tool for evaluation of surgical ability. This study also aimed to identify the best material and printing method to make a three-dimensional printed temporal bone model. METHODS: Twenty-four otolaryngologists in training were asked to perform a cortical mastoidectomy on a three-dimensional printed temporal bone (selective laser sintering resin). They were scored according to the objective structured assessment of technical skill in temporal bone dissection tool developed in this study and an already validated global rating scale. RESULTS: Two external assessors scored the candidates, and it was concluded that the objective structured assessment of technical skill in temporal bone dissection tool demonstrated some main aspects of validity and reliability that can be used in training and performance evaluation of technical skills in mastoid surgery. CONCLUSION: Apart from validating the new tool for temporal bone dissection training, the study showed that evolving three-dimensional printing technologies is of high value in simulation training with several advantages over traditional teaching methods.

Grisel's syndrome in otolaryngology: a systematic review.

AIMS: to assess etiology, treatment and outcome of Grisel's syndrome. METHODS: A Medline search was performed using the terms Grisel's syndrome, spontaneous atlantoaxial subluxation, head, neck, ear, nose and throat. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Case series of both adult and pediatric cases were included. Only papers focusing on true non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation were included. RESULTS: Seventy-one papers have been published from 1950 to 2006. Forty-eight of these fulfilled our inclusion criteria, totaling 103 patients for review. The main causes of Grisel's syndrome were infection (48%) and post-adenotonsillectomy (31%). Less common causes included other postoperative cases such as pharyngoplasty and ear operations. Neurosurgical consultation was paramount in all cases. In the majority of cases conservative management in the form of bedrest, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, traction and collar was effective; in a few cases only surgery in the form of arthrodesis was deemed necessary. Morbidity was significant in those cases where diagnosis was delayed, with the most devastating consequence a permanent neurological deficit in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Grisel's syndrome is a rare but dangerous complication that can go unnoticed in its early phase and can be a major cause of morbidity and mortality following infection or head and neck procedures/interventions. Early recognition of any cervical complication following routine otolaryngological operations together with early neurosurgical consultation is mandatory to prevent devastating consequences.

Is there a role for the otolaryngologist in PFAPA syndrome? A systematic review.

AIMS: To define the role of medical or surgical treatment in patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA syndrome). METHODS: A Medline search was performed using the terms PFAPA, periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis, treatment. A systematic review of the English literature was performed. Papers on pyrexia of unknown origin in the pediatric population were excluded; this was because the clinical entities included in the differential diagnosis of pyrexia of unknown origin share many clinical characteristics with PFAPA, and may be ill defined. RESULTS: Twenty-seven papers have been published since 1989, of which 20 were in English language. There were five single case reports and two papers involving two patients each. There were 6 retrospective reviews of case notes, involving 5-94 patients over a 3-10 year review period. Given that current evidence on the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in PFAPA is extremely weak (level of evidence V), tonsillectomy should not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: PFAPA usually resolves without any long-term adverse effect, and as such, there is no role for tonsillectomy in these patients.

Aspiration of peritonsillar abscess in severe trismus.

We present a novel method of aspirating a peritonsillar abscess in a patient with severe trismus. In our experience, this method is efficient, allows good access to the peritonsillar area and facilitates rapid resolution of the trismus before definitive drainage can be performed.

Platelet-rich plasma in otolaryngology.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma is a novel material that is being used more frequently in many surgical specialties. METHODS: A literature review on the current and potential uses of platelet-rich plasma in otolaryngology was performed. RESULTS: There is limited evidence on the use of platelet-rich plasma in otolaryngology compared with other specialties: only 11 studies on various subspecialties (otology, rhinology and laryngology) were included in the final review. CONCLUSION: Based on the limited number of studies, we cannot draw safe conclusions about the value of platelet-rich plasma in otolaryngology. Nevertheless, the available literature suggests that platelet-rich plasma holds promise for future research and may have a number of clinical applications.

Double primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated with laser laryngeal conservation surgery.

ΒACKGROUND: Synchronous multiple malignancies of the larynx are rare. We present a case here of synchronous primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in a patient with hoarseness though with no history of exposure to radiation. Clinical, intraoperative, and histopathological findings in this patient are discussed. METHODS: Wide laser excision of the left supraglottic lesion and laser cordectomy of the right true vocal cord were performed. RESULTS: The patient presented with a recurrence of the ΜFH alone (with no recurrence of the SCC) two months after the first operation and was managed with an extended second look laser cordectomy. The patient is under regular follow-up and remained disease-free nine months from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that early-stage simultaneous tumours of the larynx and particularly MFH and SCC can be treated efficiently with endoscopic laryngeal surgery alone. Close follow-up is of paramount importance because of the aggressive nature of MFH.

Awareness of general practitioners towards treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux: a British survey.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acid reflux can occasionally present with atypical symptoms such as globus pharyngeus, constant throat clearing, chronic cough, hoarseness, catarrh, choking episodes or asthma-like symptoms. The aim of this survey was to determine whether general practitioners are aware of the atypical manifestations of reflux and the differences in treatment between laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux. DESIGN: Questionnaire Survey. SETTING: Primary Care RESULTS: One hundred and sixty general practitioners who routinely refer patients to our Department of Otolaryngology were selected and a postal survey was conducted. One hundred and fifty of these responded (94% response rate). The commonest symptoms for which proton pump inhibitors are prescribed are heartburn (65%), followed by a combination of heartburn and other symptoms (15%), chronic cough (4%), choking episodes (4%), asthma-like symptoms (3%), hoarseness (2%), globus (2%), catarrh (1%), dysphagia (1.5%), frequent throat clearing (1.5%), halitosis and/or bitter taste (1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the majority of the general practitioners surveyed are unaware of the entity laryngopharyngeal reflux or reflux symptom index. More awareness is required in the primary care setting for early recognition of patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux.

A simple method for preparing an ear wick.

We present a simple method for preparing an ear wick for treating otitis externa in ENT outpatient clinics. In our experience, this method is efficient, economical and clean, and ensures an equal distribution of the medication along the wick.

Cervical cystic hygroma/lymphangioma: an acquired idiopathic late presentation.

Lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas are relatively uncommon congenital malformations of the lymphatic system which usually present in the first years of childhood. Presentation in adult life is rare. We present a case of cervical adult cystic hygroma and discuss radiological and histopathological features as well as the management of these neck masses.