Acute laryngeal trauma in the pediatric patient.

We reviewed the evaluation and management of pediatric laryngeal trauma, focusing on the unique characteristics of the immature airway as they affect functional results. The study was based on 91 cases of acute laryngeal trauma managed by the senior author (E.S.P.) from 1973 to 1996. Patients over 15 years old were considered physically mature and excluded. The remaining 10 cases (mean age 9.7) were reviewed in detail and compared to the adult series. Intervention ranged from level I (observation) to level III (open repair with stent placement). Outcome measure was by functional evaluation of swallowing, voice, and airway. Injuries were rated from group 1 (minor trauma) to group 4 (massive laryngeal injury with multiple fractures). Sixty percent fell into group 1 or 2. Conservative management in these patients produced excellent results as measured by decannulation (100%), functional speech (100%), and normal deglutition (100%). Conversely, 2 of the 4 patients with group 3 or 4 injuries had persistent airway and/or voice complications despite more aggressive intervention. As the pediatric larynx is protected by pliable cartilage and a more craniad location in the neck, traumatic laryngeal injuries in children tend to be less severe than those in the adult population. Group 1 or 2 injuries respond well to conservative treatment. However, children with extensive laryngeal injuries may have more long-term sequelae.

Cervical spine injury complicating facial trauma: incidence and management.

PURPOSE: To review the impact of concomitant cervical spine injury on the management of facial fractures in a tertiary care institution via a retrospective chart review. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Within the past 10 years, 1,750 consecutive patients presented to our institution with facial fractures. Thirty-two had concomitant cervical spine injury. Five were transferred or died before treatment. The remaining 27 charts were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: The incidence of cervical spine injury among patients with facial fractures in our study was 1.8%. There were no treatment delays attributed to these injuries. Of note was the inaccuracy of lateral cervical spine films in 9 of 27 cases (33%). CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, cervical spine injury must be thoroughly ruled out before evaluation and management of facial trauma. Concomitant cervical spine injury should not delay appropriate and timely treatment of facial fractures because adequate means of intraoperative stabilization are readily available.

Suprastomal granulation tissue and pediatric tracheotomy decannulation.

Although numerous decannulation techniques have been reported, often involving costly sleep studies, repetitive laser procedures, and tracheotomy tube "downsizing," no established standard of care exists. We advocate the following simple, minimally invasive decannulation protocol. After excluding concomitant airway lesions, suprastomal granulation is removed transtomally by an endoscopically guided rongeur. A tracheotomy tube is then fashioned with a fenestration centered in the tracheal lumen. Decannulation occurs if the patient maintains adequate ventilation over a 12- to 24-hour observation period with the fenestrated tracheotomy capped. Over 18 months we prospectively followed 10 consecutive children presenting as potential decannulation candidates. Using the aforementioned technique, nine of 10 patients were successfully decannulated (average follow-up, 11.5 months). The postoperative capped fenestrated tracheotomy trial provides a realistic assessment of preparedness for decannulation. We recommend this protocol as a rapid, efficient, and cost-effective means of achieving decannulation.

Detection of cervical metastasis. A meta-analysis comparing computed tomography with physical examination.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive coverage in recent literature, controversy continues with regard to the relative sensitivities of computed tomography (CT) and physical examination (PE). OBJECTIVE: To identify a statistically significant consensus. DATA SOURCES: Initially, data were reviewed on 47 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer on whom a total of 53 neck dissections were performed. These data were combined with findings from a 15-year MEDLINE review of the English-language literature, including references. STUDY SELECTION: All publications that contained a direct comparison of CT with PE, with appropriate data availability, were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Multiple-observer independent extraction was used. A total of 647 neck dissections were included in the meta-analysis. The definition of metastasis varied minimally among studies as follows: (1) nodal size, greater than 10 to 15 mm; (2) multiplicity of 8- to 10-mm nodes; or (3) evidence of necrosis. Necks were compared for positivity or negativity rather than for the actual nodal staging. In all cases, a final determination was made by results of histopathologic examination of surgical specimens. DATA SYNTHESES: The results in this review favored CT over PE but were not statistically significant by use of the Fisher exact test. A combination of the present study's data with those of the literature review yielded the following meta-analysis results: sensitivity, 83% (CT) vs 74% (PE) (P = .002); specificity, 83% (CT) vs 81% (PE) (P = .7); and accuracy, 83% (CT) vs 77% (PE) (P = .006). Overall, PE identified 75% of pathologic cervical adenopathy; this detection rate increased to 91% with the addition of CT. The results of sensitivity analysis confirmed homogeneity across study designs. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography is a more sensitive indicator of cervical metastasis than PE. More importantly, these diagnostic modalities were additive, with CT significantly enhancing the detection rates of PE alone. All patients who are at risk for cervical metastasis should have CT or equivalent radiographic imaging performed prior to therapeutic intervention. Future studies correlating CT detection rates to the primary site and staging are needed before more specific conclusions can be drawn.

Management of subglottic foreign bodies.

Foreign body aspiration is not an infrequent encounter in the practice of otolaryngology and requires immediate attention. The vast majority of foreign body aspirations occur in children less than 3 years of age, and the actual event of aspiration is frequently not witnessed. Although inhaled foreign bodies most often lodge in the bronchi, laryngotracheal foreign bodies also occur and are potentially more dangerous. Specifically, subglottic foreign bodies present unique clinical challenges. The diagnosis of subglottic foreign bodies is often difficult and they are commonly confused with other causes of upper airway obstruction. We present our experience with the diagnosis and management of seven patients with subglottic foreign bodies, who presented with an abnormal airway and whose problems were initially misdiagnosed. The radiographic and clinical features are discussed with a review of our surgical management.

Temporomandibular joint dehiscence after mastoid surgery: a case report.

This article reminds the otolaryngologist of a rare but real complication of mastoid surgery. Additionally, we have offered a straightforward method to repair the resulting defect.

Asymptomatic and normocalcemic parathyroid adenoma: detection by preoperative ultrasound.

Hyperparathyroidism is often detected in the asymptomatic stage at the present time with the advent of mass screening for hypercalcemia. There may be patients with parathyroid disease who are asymptomatic and who do not have detectable elevations of their serum calcium. Many patients who undergo surgery for thyroid conditions may have synchronous parathyroid disease which is asymptomatic and not detectable by routine laboratory screening. Preoperative ultrasound scans may be of utility in identifying coexistent disease in those patients scheduled for thyroid surgery so that both disease entities may be treated at the same operation.