Hearing Loss in Newborns with Cleft Lip and/or Palate

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aims to review the results of hearing screens in newborns with cleft deformities.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A retrospective audit of 123 newborns with cleft deformities, born between 1 April 2002 and 1 December 2008, was conducted. Data on the results of universal newborn hearing screens (UNHS) and high-risk hearing screens, age at diagnosis, severity/type of hearing loss and mode of intervention were obtained from a prospectively maintained hearing database.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-one of 123 newborns (25.2%) failed the first automated auditory brainstem response (AABR). Seventy percent of infants (56 out of 80) who passed the UNHS failed the high-risk hearing screens which was conducted at 3 to 6 months of age. Otolaryngology referral rate was 67.5% (83/123); 90.3% of 31 newborns who failed the first AABR eventually required otolaryngology referrals. Incidence of hearing loss was 24.4% (30/123; 25 conductive, 2 mixed and 3 sensorineural), significantly higher than the hospital incidence of 0.3% (OR: 124.9, 95% CI, 81.1 to 192.4, P <0.01). In terms of severity, 8 were mild, 15 moderate, 5 severe, 2 profound. Eighteen out of 30 infants (60%) were detected from the high-risk hearing screens after passing the first AABR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These newborns had a higher risk of failing the UNHS and high-risk hearing screen. There was a higher incidence of hearing loss which was mainly conductive. Failure of the first AABR was an accurate predictor of an eventual otolaryngology referral, suggesting that a second AABR may be unnecessary. High-risk hearing screens helped to identify hearing loss which might have been missed out early on in life or which might have evolved later in infancy.</p>

Avanço frontofacial em monobloco com distração osteogênica para tratamento das craniofaciossinostoses

Introdução: O alongamento ósseo gradual da mandíbula foi inicialmente descrito por McCarthy et al., que utilizaram conceitos previamente desenvolvidos por Illizarov para a aplicação clínica em pacientes com microssomia hemifacial. Molina e Monastério comprovaram em número consistente de pacientes portadores de micrognatia a aplicabilidade clínica da distração osteogênica (DOG) para a região mandibular. O tratamento das craniofaciossinostoses por via intracraniana foi proposto por Tessier na década de 60. Na década de 70, Ortiz-Monastério et al. descreveram o avanço frontofacial em monobloco para tratamento das craniossinostoses sindrômicas. Em 1994, Raposo do Amaral et al. inciaram o tratamento das craniofaciossinostoses com a cirurgia de avanço frontofacial em monobloco utilizando a distração osteogênica do terço médio da face. Bradley et al. comprovaram que a distração osteogênica para os pacientes portadores de craniofaciossinostoses diminui a recidiva da face e a morbidade da cirurgia intracraniana. Subseqüente aos trabalhos pioneiros, inúmeros autores publicaram modificações pessoais da técnica inicial, bem como a evolução do distratores ósseos. Lima et al., em 2008 demostraram sua experiência no tratamento das craniofaciossinostoses com o distrator RED (rig external device). O grupo da Universidade de São Paulo, assim como o grupo da NYU (New York University), acredita que a distração osteogênica externa oferece adequada estabilidade óssea no processo de alongamento facial. Cirurgiões plásticos que trabalham na área craniofacial apresentam contraponto sobre qual o aparelho de distração osteogênica pode oferecer maior estabilidade óssea no processo de alongamento gradual do esqueleto facial. Kawamoto et al. desenvolveram o aparelho de distração interna de Kawamoto, que além de ser bastante conveniente ao paciente, apresenta grande estabilidade óssea no processo de distração e consolidação de oito semanas...

Avanço fronto facial em monobloco com distração osteogência para tratamento das craniofaciossinostoses: comparação entre 2 distratores / Monobloc fronto facial advancement with distraction osteogenesis for craniofaciosynostosis: comparison between 2 distractors

O tratamentodas deformidades craniofaciais foi revolucionado com o advento da técnica do alongamento ósseo gradual denominada distração osteogênica. Oito pacientes com diagnóstico de craniofaciossinostose foram submetidos a avanço fronto facial em monobloco com distração osteogência. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos de 4 pacientes. No grupo 1 (n=4), o avanço fronto facial foi realizado utilizado os distratores externos fabricados na SOBRAPAR. A idade média do grupo 1 foi de 10,5 anos. O tempo de seguimento do grupo 1 foi de 11 anos. No grupo 2 (n=4), o avanço fronto facial foi realizado utilizando os distratores internos fabricados nos USA pela KLS Martin - USA. A idade média do grupo 2 foi de 8,7 anos. O tempo de seguimento do grupo 2 foi de 1,5 anos. Traçados cefalométricos utilizando o padrão Ricketts foram utilizados para comparação de resultados. O índice de avanço médio do grupo foi 18,3 mm. As variações cefalométricas do grupo 1 foram: SNA: 7º, SNB: -3º. O índice de avanço médio do grupo 2 foi 10,7 mm. As variações cefalométricas do grupo 2 foram: SNA: 8.1º, SNB: -3,4º. Em ambos os grupos, os pacientes ficaram com enoftalmia temporária e com oclusão classe 2. No caso do grupo 1, a classe 2 envoluiu para classe 1 com o passar do tempo. No grupo 2, os pacientes permanecem em classe 2. Os pacientes dos 2 grupos tiveram boa evolução. A retrusão do terço médio, o exorbitismo, bem como o déficit respirat´roio foi tratado satisfatoriamente em ambos os grupos. Maior avanço ósseo do terço médio foi necessário no grupo 1, provavelmente decorrente de uma menor estabilidade óssea durante o processo de alongamento ósseo gradual.

Successful rehabilitation with cochlear implant in post-irradiation induced hearing loss in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>We report a case of successful rehabilitation of hearing with a cochlear implant in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who developed post-irradiation hearing loss following treatment.</p><p><b>CLINICAL PICTURE</b>A 55-year-old Chinese lady suffered from radiation-induced sensorineural hearing loss due to treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Audiological tests and imaging studies showed an intact retrocochlear pathway.</p><p><b>TREATMENT</b>Cochlear implantation.</p><p><b>OUTCOME</b>Cochlear implant was done with successful rehabilitation of hearing until the time of this report.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>If functionally active auditory fibres survive with no recurrent tumour, successful rehabilitation of post-irradiation induced sensorineural hearing loss is possible with a cochlear implant in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p>

A new radiological classification for ameloblastoma based on analysis of 19 cases / Nueva Clasificación Radiológica del Ameloblastoma Basada en el Análisis de 19 Casos

OBJECTIVE: To describe ameloblastoma of the jawbone in young Jamaicans, with special emphasis on radiological findings, and to introduce a radiological classification which could assist in the categorization of these cases according to their biological behaviour and hence their subsequent surgical and medical management. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The series comprised all the 18 cases of ameloblastoma of the jaw seen in patients under the age of 20 years in the two major hospitals in Jamaica with an oral and maxillofacial surgery department from 1980 to 1995. Radiological and histological diagnosis was confirmed in all. A case of maxillary ameloblastoma in a 13-year old girl seen in the year 2000 was also included in this study. This last case had special attributes. RESULTS: All 19 patients had primary lesions of ameloblastoma. The mean age was 16.1 years with a mode of 18 years and a range of 13 to 19 years. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Eighteen cases were seen in the mandible and one case in the maxilla. Of these, 42were unilocular and 58were multilocular radiologically. Thirty-two per cent of cases had unerupted teeth associated with the lesions and 32had root resorption. Based on our new radiological classification, the most predominant radiological type was IIb2 with root resorption (42). There was no radiological type classically simulating dentigerous cyst (Ia2). CONCLUSION: Ameloblastoma in young Jamaicans presented more in the adolescent period and are predominantly unicystic and rare in the maxilla. A new classification for ameloblastoma based solely on radiological presentation is adopted.

Postirradiation sarcoma of the sphenoid bone--a case report

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The development of secondary tumours as a result of radiation therapy is a rare but serious complication.</p><p><b>CLINICAL PICTURE</b>This is a case report of a 45-year-old Chinese male who developed postirradiation sarcoma of the sphenoid bone in less than 5 years after radiation therapy for Stage T3N1M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION</b>In the literature, the only case of postirradiation osteosarcoma of the sphenoid bone was after radiation therapy for craniopharyngioma. There was no previously reported case of postirradiation sarcoma of the sphenoid bone after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first case of postirradiation malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the sphenoid to be reported. Of about 3000 patients treated with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma over a 10-year period in Singapore, only 1 patient developed postirradiation tumour of the sphenoid bone.</p>

A Pilot Study of Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) and Steroid Avoidance Immunosuppressive Protocol among Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients

Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) and Corticosteroids have been the main immunosuppressive agents in solid organ transplantation. Many studies have confirmed the positive impacts of withdrawal/avoidance of these agents, separately, on their side effect profiles. A pilot study was performed avoiding both agents among low-immunological-risk living donor kidney transplant recipients at a single center. Seventeen recipients were maintained on the double avoidance protocol during the study period beginning July 2002 through December 2003. Three rejection episodes occurred (out of ten) among related donor kidney recipients and six episodes (out of seven) among unrelated donor kidney recipients. Although most of the rejections were reversed with a short course of corticosteroids, the protocol was revised to exclude the unrelated donor kidney recipients. There were higher incidences of wound complications among recipients who received the initial loading dose of Sirolimus. Double avoidance of CNIs and corticosteroids is possible in living donor kidney transplant recipients with an acceptable incidence of rejection. Proper management of the side effects of Sirolimus could further minimize the incidence of rejection. A multi-center randomized study is recommended in order to recognize the benefits of avoiding CNIs and corticosteroids in renal transplant recipients.

Tratamento cirúrgico dos carcinomas glóticos invasivos iniciais (T1 e T2) / Early glottic carcinoma (T1 e T2): surgical approach

Introduçäo: O tratamento dos carcinomas glóticos iniciais invasivos e ainda muito discutido. A opçäo pela abordagem cirúrgica apresenta vantagens, mas muitos preferem a radioterapia, por oferecer melhor qualidade vocal. Material e métodos: Os autores apresentam a análise retrospectiva dos resultados cirúrgicos de 31 pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma glótico invasivo inicial submetidos a diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas, na Divisäo de Clínica Otorrinolaringológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Säo Paulo, com pelo menos dois anos de seguimento. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes apresentava mais de 60 anos (52 por cento), e apenas dois eram do sexo feminino. O tabagismo foi relatado por 59 por cento dos casos, muitas vezes associado ao etilismo (26 por cento). Doze (39 por cento) pacientes foram classificados como Tla, sendo submetidos à cordectomia (oito por laringofissura e quatro por endoscopia com laser de CO2). Doze classificados como Tlb, submetidos à laringectomia frontolateral, e sete como T2, submetidos a hemilaringectomia. No seguimento pós-operatório todos referiram piora da qualidade vocal. No período pós-operatório, três apresentaram aspiraçäo transitória e três evoluíram com granuloma e dois com sinéquia de comissura anterior. Houve um caso (T2) de recidiva local tratado com radioterapia. Conclusäo: O tratamento cirúrgico empregado teve relaçäo direta com o estadiamento do tumor, näo sendo observadas complicaçöes maiores. Os autores acreditam que a classificaçäo TNM pode ser um guia para escolha do tipo de cirurgia a ser utilizada nos casos de tumores glóticos iniciais

Midazolam for prolonged intravenous sedation in patients with tetanus

Midazolam was used for prolonged sedation in ten adult patients with severe tetanus in the Intensive Care Unit for periods ranging from 10 to 50 days. An infusion was started soon after induction and adjusted according to clinical needs. All the patients were intubated and ventilated and in addition received morphine 1-2 mg/hr and alcuronium or pancuronium infusion. Two patients died from complications of tetanus. Six patients recovered from the effects of midazolam within 24 hrs of the cessation of infusion. Recovery took 48 and 72 hrs respectively in the other two patients. Midazolam is a suitable drug for long-term sedation in patients with tetanus. However, dose requirements are variable and recovery may be delayed in some patients

Plasma cholinesterase in pregnancy: effect of enzyme activity on the duration of action of succinylcholine

The duration of action of succinylcholine, 1 mg/kg and plasma cholinesterase activity were compared in 25 pregnant women undergoing cesarean section and 25 non-pregnant women undergoing elective surgery. Neuromuscular activity was assessed by observation of thumb adduction, following stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. The duration of action of succinylcholine was significantly longer and enzyme levels significantly lower in the pregnant women. Monitoring of neuromuscular function is recommended when succinylcholine is used in pregnant women

Xeroderma pigmentosum: two cases

Two sisters with xeroderma pigmentosum [XP] and squamous carcinoma of the skin are presented. Both patients had typical clinical features of XP on the exposed areas. The diagnosis was made by histopathological examination of the affected skin. The tumours were excised and prophylactic methods were applied and recommended