Radiological examinations of the anatomy of the inferior turbinate using digital volume tomography (DVT).

BACKGROUND: Since the last 120 years there were only few descriptions of the anatomical sizes of the inferior turbinate in the literature. On this background the current study should evaluate the radiological dimensions of the inferior turbinate and the septum using DVT. METHODS: The latest generation of the Accu-I-tomo was used. The data of 100 adult patients have been evaluated. RESULTS: The bony length was found to be 38.9 mm, the mucosal length 51.0 mm. The findings of the total mucosal thickness at different measuring points were between 8.1 mm and 10.9 mm, those of the bony thickness were between 0.9 mm and 2.3 mm and those of the bony height were between 3.9 mm and 20.8 mm. CONCLUSION: The results of this radiological study are able to point out the importance of preoperative anatomical evaluation of radiological images. The preoperative focus on the individual anatomy is very important because of the choice of an adequate surgical treatment. Today new radiological techniques can help to find out whether the reason for hypertrophied turbinates is caused by bone, mucosa or both. This knowledge enables a concerted treatment concept.

[Digital volume tomography in ENT medicine]. / Die digitale Volumentomographie in der HNO-Heilkunde.

Digital volume tomography (DVT) is an advancement of panoramic tomography used in dentistry. DVT enables precise display of fine osseous structures without any disturbing artefacts. This makes its application interesting in the field of the lateral, anterior skull base and paranasal sinuses, as well as for the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures. The tomograms can be completed according to need by volume rendering or panoramic slices within a short time. Assuming they have the appropriate technical qualifications in radiation protection, ENT specialists are even able to perform tomography independently using DVT.

Digital volume tomography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures.

Digital volume tomography (DVT) is a kind of cone beam computed tomography and enables high quality 3D images of osseous structures. It is a well-established diagnostic tool in dentistry. High detail resolution is reached with a reduced exposition of radiation dose in comparison to conventional computed tomography. The data volume can be analysed in three orthogonal plains, which can be changed in angle arbitrarily. The aim of the study was to evaluate, if and in which performance DVT is able to detect discrete nasal bone fractures that cannot be seen in conventional radiography occasionally. DVT was performed in sixty-five patients with suspected nasal bone fracture. Five of these patients underwent lateral radiographs of the nasal bones in other departments which failed to show any radiologic signs of a nasal bone fracture, whereas DVT showed clear fracture lines. DVT-findings were also used to classify fractures according to their dimensions. Additionally DVT enabled the reconstruction of three-dimensional volume images. With this technique it is possible to get an image of the extent of the nasal bone fracture and the dislocation of the fragments. Because of these facts as well as its high resolution and low radiation dose, DVT can be recommended as the routine radiological examination in suspected nasal bone fractures.

Prospective study on neck dissection after primary chemoradiation therapy in stage IV pharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Definitive chemoradiation is a well-established option in the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The intention of this study was to evaluate its efficacy on cervical lymph node metastases in a prospective study after a standardized protocol for chemoradiation (CRT) and histopathological evaluation, respectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 25 patients (10 oropharynx, 15 hypopharynx) who received planned neck dissection after definitive chemoradiation for UICC stage IV carcinomas of the pharynx were analyzed. All patients were sonomorphologically staged positive for lymph nodes (3 patients: N1; 2 patients N2a; 7 patients N2b; 9 patients N2c and 4 patients N3). A neck dissection was carried out 8.9+/-1.5 weeks (range 6-13) post treatment. The specimens obtained from the different neck levels were histologically examined for viable tumour cells. RESULTS: Local control was achieved in 100% of all patients on endoscopy 9 weeks after the chemoradiation. In 14/25 patients (56%), still viable tumour tissue was found in the neck dissection (ND) specimen. Only one of these 14 patients (7%) was deemed suspicious for residual lymphadenopathy from clinical and diagnostic findings at re-staging after chemoradiation, the others were staged yN0. Postsurgical complications occurred in six patients (24%) such as bleeding and prolonged wound healing in one patient each and functional deficits in an additional four patients. One patient developed a scar recurrence seven months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, the ultimate efficacy of primary CRT should not be judged 8-10 weeks after the treatment. Therefore planned neck dissection should be performed no earlier than 12 weeks after primary CRT.

[Nasal bone fracture: etiology, diagnostics, treatment and complications]. / Die Fraktur des Os nasale: Unfallmechanismen, Diagnostik, Therapie und Komplikationen.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present evaluation was to analyse a large patient population with nasal bone fractures leading to surgical reposition of the nasal bone. Special attention was paid to age summit, the distribution of the seasons, the rate of open compared to closed nasal bone fractures, accompanying injuries, diagnosis and therapy as well as to the postoperative course. METHODS: A total of 300 patients was evaluated retrospectively. All patients had been treated between 1999 and 2004 regarding simple and complex nasal bone fractures. Data were analysed with regard to history, age, gender, diagnosis, therapy, results, and complications. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 29.6+/-15.6 years at the time of fracture with clear predominance of the male gender (77%). Another age summit could be observed in patients of >60 years. The main reasons for nasal bone fracture were falls (30%), in elderly patients often caused by cardiac syncopes, and rows (28%). The most frequent findings were deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nose (59%) and traumatic deviation of the nasal septum (50%). 65 patients (22%) had open nasal bone fractures, in 5% of the cases septal hematoma could be observed. CONCLUSION: Closed reposition of the nasal bone is the therapy of choice in uncomplicated nasal bone fractures. Special attention has to be paid to the group of patients aged 60 years and older who often suffer from treatment requiring comorbidities. In these cases inpatient treatment must be considered.

[Chronic aspiration secondary to a Staffieri fistula: successful therapy with Provox voice prosthesis]. / Chronische Aspiration infolge einer tracheo-ösophagealen Fistel nach Staffieri: Erfolgreiche Therapie mittels einer Provox-Stimmprothese.

BACKGROUND: The Staffieri technique is a method for surgical rehabilitation of the voice after laryngectomy. A fistula between trachea and esophagus is created to achieve a so-called "Neoglottis phonatoria". The assignment of the neoglottis is to protect the airways during ingestion and to give the patient a chance to phonate during expiration. PATIENT: The case of a 71-year-old man with aspiration via his Staffieri fistula is presented. The fistula was created in 1979 after laryngectomy because of a laryngeal carcinoma. He also suffered from a metastasized gastric carcinoma which was cured by a 2/3 resection of the stomach in 1970. He is free of recurrence with regard to his oncologic diseases. Until 2003 the patient had no problems with the fistula and was able to phonate well. In 2003 the patient had progressive aspiration via the fistula and the Staffieri fistula was therefore reduced in diameter by surgery. In 2005 the patient presented himself again because of a recurrence of the aspiration. Endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract showed healthy mucosa, contrast imaging of the esophagus showed a significant aspiration of the contrast medium into the trachea. Due to these findings a voice prosthesis was inserted into the fistula. This therapy cured the patient from aspiration. He is able to phonate well and has no further complaints. CONCLUSION: Aspiration via a Staffieri fistula is described in about 25 % of cases and therapy is sometimes difficult. Surgical narrowing of the diameter of the fistula is inadequate in most cases and many patients would lose their restored voice if the fistula was closed permanently. Through the insertion of a voice prosthesis aspiration could be stopped and voice was immediately restored.

[Dysphagia caused by neurogenic deglutition disorders and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)]. / Dysphagie in Folge einer neurogenen Schluckstörung und einer diffusen idiopathischen Skeletthyperostose (DISH).

BACKGROUND: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) may lead to dysphagia caused by osteophytes of the cervical spine. Osteophytes can be resected transorally or transcervically, but operative ablation should not be indicated generously because of the threat of severe complications. PATIENT: A fifty-year-old man with dysphagia and loss of weight of 15 kg in the last three months is presented. He also suffered from a brain damage during infancy which caused grand-mal-seizures. One seizure lead to cardiac arrest which required cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and subsequent tracheostomy. A spheric tumor of the posterior pharyngeal wall could be seen endoscopically, it appeared radiologically as an osteophytic formation of the segments C (3) - C (5). Ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament was also seen. Diagnosis of DISH was made on the basis of these results. Contrast imaging of the esophagus and videofluoroscopy showed aspiration in terms of neurogenic disorders. The patient received a percutaneous gastrostomy after his case was discussed with neurologic and orthopaedic colleagues, because a causal therapy of the combined disease seemed to be impossible. CONCLUSION: Dysphagia in the presented case was caused by a combination of neurogenic deglutition disorders and oropharyngeal obstruction through osteophytes. Surgical removal of the osteophytes was not indicated because it would have put the patient at a certain risk, but only a part of the underlying problem would have been removed. Symptomatic therapy with a gastrostomy secures normocaloric diet. The patient's weight remained stable and he can follow his habitual daily routine.