Modified two flap palatoplasty in asymptomatic transsphenoidal encephalocele: a case report

About one-third of patients with transsphenoidal basal encephaloceles have associated congenital anomalies, including cleft palate. Moreover, they are often plagued by symptomatic exacerbations in the form of upper respiratory obstructions, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, meningitis, etc., with few patients being asymptomatic. We herein present a rare asymptomatic case of transsphenoidal basal encephalocele in an 18-month-old child with cleft palate and highlight a modified version of two-flap palatoplasty.

Use of repeat anterior maxillary distraction to correct residual midface hypoplasia in cleft patients

OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of performing a second, repeat anterior maxillary distraction (AMD) to treat residual cleft maxillary hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients between the ages of 12 to 15 years with a history of AMD and with residual cleft maxillary hypoplasia were included in the study. Inclusion was irrespective of gender, type of cleft lip and palate, and the amount of advancement needed. Repeat AMD was executed in these patients 4 to 5 years after the primary AMD procedure to correct the cleft maxillary hypoplasia that had developed since the initial procedure. Orthopantomogram (OPG) and lateral cephalograms were taken for evaluation preoperatively, immediately after distraction, after consolidation, and one year postoperatively. The data obtained was tabulated and a Mann Whitney U-test was used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: At the time of presentation, a residual maxillary hypoplasia was observed with a well maintained distraction gap on the OPG which ruled out the occurrence of a relapse. Favorable movement of the segments without any resistance was seen in all patients. Mean maxillary advancement of 10.56 mm was achieved at repeat AMD. Statistically significant increases in midfacial length, SNA angle, and nasion perpendicular to point A distance was achieved (P=0.012, P=0.011, and P=0.012, respectively). Good profile was achieved for all patients. Minimal transient complications, for example anterior open bite and bleeding episodes, were managed. CONCLUSION: Addressing the problem of cleft maxillary hypoplasia at an early age (12–15 years) is beneficial for the child. Residual hypoplasia may develop in some patients, which may require additional corrective procedures. The results of our study show that AMD can be repeated when residual deformity develops with the previous procedure having no negative impact on the results of the repeat procedure.

A large osteoid osteoma of the mandibular condyle causing conductive hearing loss: a case report and review of literature

Osteoid osteomas are benign skeletal neoplasms that are commonly encountered in the bones of the lower extremities, but are exceedingly rare in jaw bones with a prevalence of less than 1%. This unique clinical entity is usually seen in younger individuals, with nocturnal pain and swelling as its characteristic clinical manifestations. The size of the lesion is rarely found to be more than 2 cm. We hereby report a rare case of osteoid osteoma originating from the neck of the mandibular condyle that grew to large enough proportions to result in conductive hearing loss in addition to pain, swelling and restricted mouth opening. In addition, an effort has been made to review all the documented cases of osteoid osteomas of the jaws that have been published in the literature thus far.

Van der Woude syndrome presenting as a single median lower lip pit with associated dental, orofacial and limb deformities: a rare case report

Although it is a rare developmental malformation, van der Woude syndrome is the most common form of syndromic orofacial clefting, accounting for approximately 2% of all cleft cases. The lower lip pits with or without a cleft lip or palate is characteristic of the syndrome. Findings, such as hypodontia, limb deformities, popliteal webs, ankylogossia, ankyloblepheron, and genitourinary and cardiovascular abnormalities, are rarely associated with the syndrome. This paper reports a rare case of van der Woude syndrome in a 10-year-old male patient with a single median lower lip pit and a repaired bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate that were associated with microstomia, hypodontia, and clubbing of the left foot with syndactyly of the second to fifth lesser toes of the same foot.

Amniotic constriction band: a report of two cases with unique clinical presentations

Amniotic constriction band is a rare clinical entity with varied manifestations that range from a combination of congenital malformations to isolated malformations that are unique to each patient. The etiology of this entity remains unknown. Herein, we highlight two cases of amniotic constriction band that presented to our unit with unique clinical characteristics. To the best of our knowledge, an isolated circumferential band of scarring on the face with ocular involvement, as demonstrated by the first case, and a combination of bilateral complete cleft lip and palate with bilateral microphthalmia, auto-amputation of the right thumb, and a constriction band on the left thumb, as demonstrated by the second case, are extremely rare presentations of amniotic constriction band that were not previously reported in the literature and therefore necessitate a special mention. We discuss potential etiologies for these cases and review the existing literature on this entity.

Use of regenerative tissue matrix as an oral layer for the closure of recalcitrant anterior palatal fistulae: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of regenerative tissue matrix (Alloderm) as an oral layer for difficult anterior palatal fistula closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have tested the feasibility of a novel surgical technique of adding a regenerative tissue matrix (Alloderm) as an oral layer for closure of recalcitrant large anterior palatal fistulae and report the outcome of the first 12 patients in this pilot study. Patients with recurrent large fistula who otherwise would require either a local pedicled flap, free flap, or an obturator were treated with this technique and followed up for at least 6 months to monitor the progress of healing. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients, 8 patients (66.7%) had complete closure of the fistula, and 2 patients (16.7%) showed reduction in size of the fistula to the extent that symptoms were eliminated, for an overall success rate of 83.3% (10/12 patients). Premature graft loss and recurrence of the fistula were noted in 2 patients (16.7%). CONCLUSION: Alloderm provided an adequate barrier allowing healing to occur unimpeded and allowed closure of the palatal fistula. In our experience, this new technique using regenerative tissue matrix as an adjunct to the oral layer in large anterior palatal fistula has an advantage compared to other more invasive complex procedures and has been shown to provide satisfactory results.

Management of human bite injury of the upper and lower eyelids: a rare case report

Human bite injury to the eyelid is extremely rare and poses a significant challenge in surgical reconstruction. We report an extremely rare case of human bite injury to the eyelid in a 43-year-old male with approximately 60% full thickness loss of the upper eyelid and 80% to 90% full thickness loss of the lower eyelid and its successful reconstruction using the local advancement cheek flap.