Thunderstorm phobia in dogs: an Internet survey of 69 cases.

To learn more about predispositions for, signs, and progression of canine thunderstorm phobia, a survey for owners was posted on the Internet. Questions addressed signalment, age of onset, behavior during storms, and treatments tried. Sixty-nine responses were received. Herding dogs and herding crossbreeds accounted for the majority of dogs. Seventeen of 41 dogs with a known age of onset began exhibiting thunderstorm phobia <1 year of age. Various characteristic responses of dogs to storms were described. Improved knowledge of the demographics of thunderstorm phobia, its development, and presentation will assist in understanding the genesis and progression of the condition.

Chondroma of the larynx. Surgical technique.

More than 200 cases of chondroma of the larynx, a rare benign tumor, have been reported in the literature. The majority of these tumors arise from the cricoid cartilage on the anterior surface of the posterior lamina. Treatment consists of total excision. If the removal requires resection of a portion of the cricoid ring, leaving the larynx unstable and prone to collapse, then total laryngectomy is usually performed. A new method of reconstruction was used in two additional cases of chondroma of the larynx after removal of half of the cricoid ring, without the need for total laryngectomy, Large chondromas originated from the anterior surface of the posterior cricoid lamina in both of these cases. Treatment consisted of total removal of the tumor, after which only the anterior and lateral cricoid lamina remained. Follow-up at 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 years, respectively, has not shown any evidence of tumor recurrence, airway compromise, or laryngeal collapse. This new reconstructive procedure may obviate the need for total laryngectomy when the integrity of the cricoid ring must be violated for benign tumor.

Mucoepidermoid-adenosquamous carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx: a report of 21 cases and a review of the literature.

Twenty-one cases of mucoepidermoid-adenosquamous carcinoma (MEC/ASC) of the larynx and hypopharynx were collected and reviewed from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology tumor registry from 1945 to 1979. This is the largest series of such lesions in this location reported to date. In addition, the literature was reviewed and 32 previous cases noted. The overall five-year survival was 77%, although low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma had a better survival than did adenosquamous-high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Aural cholesteatoma presenting as a large neck mass.

Aural cholesteatoma occurring as a mass in the neck, reported only twice before, follows the same spreading pattern as pus in Bezold's mastoiditis. Our patient became aware of the mass only when his previously exteriorized cavity became infected. We believe that the deep dependent mastoid tip and infection enhanced the spread of cholesteatoma into the neck, but that penetration of the mastoid cortex and initial silent accumulation of debris began years before. Recent evidence suggests that such erosion of bone may result from enzymatic degradation even in a so-called dry ear. This unusual case of massive swelling in the neck as a result of aural cholesteatoma exemplifies the need for careful preoperative assessment and operative management of any patient with a neck mass.

Malignant external otitis with multiple cranial nerve involvement.

A case of bilateral malignment external otitis with multiple cranial nerve deficits is presented. Thirty-five similar cases reported in the world literature are reviewed. All cranial nerves have been involved with the exception of the first and fourth. The resultant pseudomonas ostemyelitis may be spread extensively in these elderly diabetic patients to involve the entire base of the skull as well as other structures. The preferred treatment is long term systemic antibiotics followed by surgical intervention for plateau or further progression of disease. The overall mortality is 61 percent (22/36), a lower figure than previously reported.