More than just tissue diagnosis in a patient with maxillofacial bony lesions and hypercalcemia.

Brown tumors are a definitive feature of hyperparathyroidism. They are well-demarcated osteolytic lesions commonly in the appendicular skeleton. Primary hyperparathyroidism is typically suggested by hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia on routine labs. Much more rarely do these cases present with a craniofacial mass. Here we investigate a unique presentation of terminal stage primary hyperparathyroidism with a growing maxillary mass emphasizing the importance of a broad differential diagnosis and key diagnostic studies. Hyperparathyroidism can present in very unique ways. As otolaryngologists in the frontline, we must think beyond just tissue diagnoses so that appropriate and expedited care may be implemented. Laryngoscope, 127:1318-1321, 2017.

Functional reinnervation of vocal folds after selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation surgery for spasmodic dysphonia.

Selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation surgery (SLAD-R) offers a viable surgical alternative for patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia refractory to botulinum toxin injections. SLAD-R selectively denervates the symptomatic thyroarytenoid muscle by dividing the distal adductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and preventing reinnervation, by the proximal RLN and maintaining vocal fold bulk and tone by reinnervating the distal RLN with the ansa cervicalis. We present a patient who had previously undergone successful SLAD-R but presented 10 years postoperatively with a new regional dystonia involving his strap muscles translocated to his reinnervated larynx by his previous ansa-RLN neurorraphy. The patient's symptomatic vocal fold adduction resolved completely on division of the ansa-RLN neurorraphy confirming successful selective functional reinnervation of vocal fold adductors by the ansa cervicalis.

Brachytherapy-mediated bone damage in a rat model investigating maxillary osteoradionecrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess clinical and radiologic findings from targeted radiotherapy to the rat maxilla and to compare findings with a recently developed rat model of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN). DESIGN: A prospective, controlled animal study. SUBJECTS: Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into an experimental group receiving catheter-assisted high-dose-rate brachytherapy (n = 6) and a control group with catheter-assisted sham therapy (n = 4). INTERVENTIONS: The second left maxillary molar was extracted 1 week after radiation, and the maxilla was harvested 3 weeks after dental extraction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We used a standardized method with micro-computed tomography to determine the ratio of bone volume to total volume of the dental extraction socket. RESULTS: On the gross clinical examination, all rats had mucosal coverage of the dental extraction site, whereas only the brachytherapy group demonstrated scarring of the mucosa. The median bone volume to total volume was 0.21 for the brachytherapy group and 0.49 for the control group (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the mandible, the maxilla is susceptible to radiogenic bone injury as demonstrated by the significant decrease in bone volume of the radiated dental extraction socket. Despite radiologic similarities to mandibular ORN in the rat model, the maxilla demonstrated a more benign clinical course with a complete absence of bone exposure. Differences in the maxillary bone and microenvironment of the maxilla compared with the mandible may explain the subclinical response to radiation and lower incidence of maxillary ORN seen in patients. This maxillary model can be combined with our high-dose-rate mandibular ORN model to investigate these differences and better understand ORN.

Partial auricular reconstruction.

The authors summarize current methods for reconstructing partial auricular defects resulting from trauma, neoplasm, or congenital defects. They also review the anatomy and embryology of the ear as this is critical for proper reconstruction. Defects of the auricle are divided into upper-third, middle-third, and lower-third defects. Methods of total auricular reconstruction are also briefly discussed as these methods can provide more superior reconstruction than partial techniques in select cases.

Useful landmarks in arytenoid adduction and laryngeal reinnervation surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of the location of the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage and the recurrent laryngeal nerve is essential to performing a successful arytenoid adduction and laryngeal reinnervation surgery. We describe external landmarks useful in locating these structures. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric laryngeal dissection. METHODS: Posterior laryngeal dissection was performed in 16 human larynges. The position of the muscular process of the arytenoid was measured bilaterally relative to the inferior and superior borders of the thyroid lamina. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was followed distally from slightly below the level of the cricothyroid joint to its genu where its vertical course changes to an oblique intralaryngeal course. RESULTS: The muscular process of the arytenoid was usually found halfway between the roots of the superior and inferior cornu of the thyroid lamina. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was found just deep to the cricothyroid joint and lateral to the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. There were no other nerves in this area. CONCLUSIONS: This study finds that the superior and inferior borders of the thyroid lamina are useful intraoperative landmarks to locate the muscular process of the arytenoid. The cricothyroid joint provides a good starting point to locate the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which can be identified slightly deeper between it and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.