Ectopic parathyroid adenoma presenting as facial expansile growths.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell reparative granuloma of the facial skeleton is a rare presentation of hyperparathyroidism. METHODOLOGY: A 17-year-old girl presented with progressive expansile bony growths of the mandible and maxilla. The case was investigated using biopsies, blood tests, imaging, and surgery. RESULTS: Biopsies confirmed giant cell reparative granuloma. Blood testing revealed very high parathyroid hormone levels, and brown tumours due to primary hyperparathyroidism weresuspected. Surgical removal of an ectopic adenoma led to correction of the endocrine condition. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple brown tumours of the facial skeleton due to an ectopic parathyroid adenoma. Diagnostic pitfalls and therapeutic challenges are described.

Single cannula versus double cannula tracheostomy tubes in major oral and oropharyngeal resections.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of two types of tracheostomy tubes used in major head and neck surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of prospectively collected data. The post-operative safety and adequacy of a single cannula tracheostomy tube was compared to a double cannula tracheostomy tube in patients undergoing tracheostomy during major oral and oropharyngeal resections. RESULTS: Out of 46 patients with the single cannula tube, 7 (15 per cent) experienced significant obstruction warranting immediate tube removal, while another 9 (20 per cent) needed a change of tube or tube re-insertion for continued airway protection. In contrast, out of 50 patients with the double cannula tube, the corresponding numbers were 0 (p = 0.004) and 1 (2 per cent; p = 0.007) respectively. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a double cannula (instead of a single cannula) tracheostomy tube in the course of major oral and oropharyngeal resections offers better airway protection during the post-operative period.

Retrograde vascularisation of fibula free flap in composite oro-mandibular reconstruction.

We present a case of composite oromandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap in which the vascularity to the flap was established in a retrograde direction through the distal end of the peroneal pedicle vessels. The flap was initially designed in such a way so as to anastomose with superior thyroid artery. However after initial good flow, the superior thyroid artery flow became insufficient. Therefore, an attempt was made to vascularise the flap by anastomosing the distal end of peroneal vessels with the facial artery and a tributary of the internal jugular vein so that the flap was perfused in a retrograde direction. This was successful and the retrograde flow was adequate to ensure flap survival. We believe this to be the first successful case of reverse vascular flow reported for composite oromandibular reconstruction with the fibula free flap.

Incidentaloma at radial artery forearm free flap harvest: an occult volar wrist ganglion.

Occult volar wrist ganglion originating from radioscaphoid interval and having adherence to flexor carpi radialis tendon [Fcr] and radial artery is an uncommon occurrence. We report such a case which was occult and asymptomatic during pre-operative assessment and presented as an incidentaloma during radial artery forearm free flap harvest for oral cancer reconstruction.

Optic nerve compression in allergic fungal sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the syndrome of optic nerve involvement in cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. SETTING: Academic tertiary care centre. METHODS: Analysis of prospectively accrued data for 10 consecutive cases (three bilateral, giving 13 eyes) with visual loss secondary to optic nerve compression, from a total of 70 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis undergoing surgical treatment between June 1997 and May 2007. RESULTS: The mean duration of rhinological symptoms prior to the onset of visual loss was 22 months. At presentation, visual loss ranged from a visual acuity of 6/12 to complete loss of light perception. Bilateral involvement was noted in three of the 10 cases. Urgent surgical decompression with removal of all fungal debris and decompression of the optic nerve resulted in visual recovery in seven of the 13 eyes. On univariate analysis, recovery was less likely in cases with long standing visual loss, and in cases with complete visual loss. CONCLUSION: Long standing allergic fungal sinusitis may be complicated by visual loss due to compression of the optic nerve. Urgent surgery to clear the sinuses and decompress the optic nerve is successful in reversing visual loss in cases with partial visual loss.

Antibiotics to reduce post-tonsillectomy morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy continues to be one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children and adults. Despite improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques, postoperative morbidity, mainly in the form of pain, remains a significant clinical problem. Postoperative bacterial infection of the tonsillar fossa has been proposed as an important factor causing pain and associated morbidity, and some studies have found a reduction in morbid outcomes following the administration of perioperative antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether perioperative antibiotics reduce pain and other morbid outcomes following tonsillectomy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Cochrane ENT Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1 2007), MEDLINE (1950 to 2007) and EMBASE (1974 to 2007) were searched. The date of the last search was March 2007. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials examining the impact of perioperative administration of systemic antibiotics on post-tonsillectomy morbidity in children or adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently collected data. Primary outcomes were pain, consumption of analgesia and secondary haemorrhage (defined as significant if patient re-admitted, transfused blood products or returned to theatre, and total if any documented haemorrhage). Secondary outcomes were fever, time taken to resume normal diet and activities and adverse events. Where possible, summary measures were generated using random-effects models. MAIN RESULTS: Nine trials met the eligibility criteria. Most did not find a significant reduction in pain with antibiotics. Similarly, antibiotics were not shown to be effective in reducing the need for analgesics. Antibiotics were not associated with a reduction in significant secondary haemorrhage rates (Relative Risk (RR) 0.49, 95% CI 0.08 to 3.11, P = 0.45) or total secondary haemorrhage rates (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.87, P = 0.81). With regard to secondary outcomes, antibiotics reduced the proportion of subjects with fever (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.85, P = 0.002). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The present review suggests that there is little or no evidence that antibiotics reduce the main morbid outcomes following tonsillectomy (i.e. pain, the need for analgesia or secondary haemorrhage rates). They do however appear to reduce fever. Some important methodological shortcomings exist in the included trials which are likely to have produced bias favouring antibiotics. We therefore advocate caution when prescribing antibiotics routinely to all patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Whether a subgroup of patients who might benefit from selective administration of antibiotics exists is unknown and needs to be explored in future trials.

General practitioners' referral pattern for children with acute facial paralysis.

INTRODUCTION: The relative incidence of paediatric Bell's palsy is two to four times less than the condition in adults. The number encountered in our otolaryngology department falls short of the above prediction. This could either reflect the general practitioners' (GPs) patterns of referral or a lower incidence in our locality. METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to our local GPs to determine their referral practice when managing children presenting with acute facial paralysis. RESULTS: Of 233 questionnaires, 172 (74 per cent) were returned and analysed. Fifty-four per cent of GPs referred their patients to the local paediatric services, 22 per cent to an otolaryngologist, and the remaining 24 per cent of GPs were confident in diagnosing and managing Bell's palsy in children themselves. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Of the GPs surveyed 78 per cent did not refer children presenting with acute facial paralysis to an otolaryngologist. We suggest minimum investigations for acute facial paralysis in children before diagnosing Bell's palsy and stipulate otolaryngology referral for all.

Are adjuvant therapies for tonsillectomy evidence based?

Our aim was to ascertain the current practice of adjuvant therapy for tonsillectomy and to determine whether it is evidence based. Anonymized postal questionnaires were sent to all UK otolaryngology consultants registered with the specialty association, and a literature search was performed using relevant search terms in all possible combinations. Among the responders there was little enthusiasm for routine intra-operative local anaesthesia, post-operative topical benzydamine hydrochloride (Difflam) spray or post-operative antibiotics. This is consistent with the lack of robust evidence to support any of these practices. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is prescribed by almost 90 per cent for post-operative analgesia, and the current literature supports its efficacy and safety. Further, most practitioners combine paracetamol with opioids and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Evidence to support the additional use of these agents is, however, non-existent or limited. Some aspects of tonsillectomy care are uniform and evidence based. Others are heterogeneous and suffer from lack of adequate data in the literature.

Neurolisteriosis causing hydrocephalus, trapped fourth ventricle, hindbrain herniation and syringomyelia.

Central nervous system infection by Listeria monocytogenes is relatively uncommon, but is known to be highly morbid and fatal. We describe a case of listeria meningoencephalitis, wherein the acute episode was followed by a hitherto unreported conglomeration of severe and progressive neurological sequelae, in the form of supratentorial hydrocephalus, aqueduct block, trapped fourth ventricle, hindbrain herniation and syringomyelia. Pertinent literature is reviewed and the pathogenesis of the observed sequelae is explored.

Improving outcomes in rhinocerebral mucormycosis--early diagnostic pointers and prognostic factors.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an uncommon, rapidly progressive, highly fatal sinus infection, usually occurring in immunocompromised hosts. We describe our clinical experience with nine such consecutive cases managed at our centre, with emphasis on identifying early diagnostic and prognostic features. Perinasal cellulitis/paraesthesia was the most frequent early clinical sign of disease, being evident in at least six cases. Periorbital oedema, mucopurulent rhinorrhoea and nasal crusting were the other early manifestations. Concurrent computed tomography (CT) scan at this initial stage however revealed only minimal mucosal thickening of the sinuses in all four cases wherein it was done. Intracranial extension as evident on CT was the only adverse prognostic sign (p<0.05). The present report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt institution of antifungal chemotherapy in ensuring a favourable outcome in rhinocerebral mucormycosis. However, initial CT is frequently near-normal and biopsy time-consuming and often not feasible. To optimize early diagnosis therefore, the clinician should be highly alert to certain subtle clinical signs, in the appropriate setting of an immunocompromised patient.

Invasive sino-orbital aspergillosis: surgical decisions and dilemmas.

Invasive aspergillosis, one of the common paranasal sinus fungal infections, often secondarily involves the orbit. We report six such cases with orbital extension, all occurring in apparently immunocompetent hosts, to specifically address the difficult diagnostic and therapeutic issues involved. Limited biopsy procedures were often inconclusive, necessitating wide surgical excision to establish the histopathological diagnosis. Conservative orbital debridement proved adequate for cases with disease limited to the infero-medial compartment of the orbit, but resulted in residual progressive disease in the two of the four cases with retro-orbital and apical extension. Orbital exenteration in this latter group, however, proved successful in controlling disease. The present report emphasizes the importance of near-complete extirpation and adjuvant chemotherapy in ensuring a favourable outcome in invasive Aspergillus infections. Orbital exenteration appears justified for posterior orbital disease, regardless of the functional status of the eye, but is inappropriate for anterior orbital disease.