Recurrent laryngeal nerve landmarks during thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to describe the various anatomical relations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroid surgery in a Central African population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2012 in 5 otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery departments in Cameroon and Gabon. All patients undergoing total or subtotal thyroidectomy or loboisthmectomy with recurrent laryngeal nerve dissection, with no history of previous thyroid surgery, RLN dissection or tumour infiltration of the RLN, were included. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included, corresponding to 36 loboisthmectomies and 20 total or subtotal thyroidectomies. A total of 62 recurrent laryngeal nerves were identified: 32 on the right and 30 on the left. The course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in relation to branches of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) was retrovascular in 53.1% of cases on the right and 76.6% of cases on the left; transvascular in 15.6% of cases on the right and 13.4% of cases on the left. The course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was modified by thyroid disease in 12.9% of cases. Six cases (9.7%) of extralaryngeal division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve were observed. No case of non-recurrent nerve was observed in this series. CONCLUSION: The anatomical relations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the inferior thyroid artery were very inconstant in this series and were predominantly retrovascular or transvascular in relation to the branches of the artery. The presence of extralaryngeal branches and modification of the course of the nerve by thyroid disease also introduced additional difficulties during recurrent laryngeal nerve dissection. The anatomical relations of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in this African population differ from the classically described prevascular course.

Les lymphomes malins non hodgkiniens cervico-faciaux de l'enfant a Libreville

Nous avions comme objectif presenter les aspects epidemiologiques ; anatomopathologiques et therapeutiques des lymphomes malins non hodgkiniens (LMNH )cervico-faciaux de l'enfant a Libreville. Aussi avons-nous mene une etude retrospective de janvier 1991 a decembre 2004. Elle a concerne des enfants de moins de 16 ans ayant souffert d'un LMNH histologiquement confirme et ayant beneficie d'une prise en charge therapeutique. Nous avons trouve 17 garcons et 6 filles dont l'age moyen etait de 7;7 ans. La localisation tumorale cervico-faciale la plus frequente etait maxillaire. Le type histologique le plus rencontre a ete le lymphome de. Burkitt soit 17cas sur 23. Tous les patients ont ete traites par chimiotherapie et 6 patients ont survecu apres 3 ans; 5 apres 5. Nos resultats n'ont pas ete differents de ceux publies dans la sous-region. La constance a ete la non accessibilite des medicaments specifiques a cause de leur cout eleve

[Cystic cervicofacial lymphangioma in children in Gabon]. / Lymphangiomes kystiques cervicofaciaux de l'enfant au Gabon.

OBJECTIVES: To review the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and the role of surgery in the management of childhood cystic cervicofacial lymphangioma in Gabon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our retrospective study concerned 16 cases of childhood cystic cervicofacial lymphangioma treated surgically between 1990 and 2004. RESULTS: The sample included ten girls and six boys whose average age was 30.2 months. The cystic lymphangioma was seen at birth in seven cases. It was discovered before 2 years in eight cases and after 2 years in eight cases. Two of these latter eight cases were a recurrence after previous surgery. The tumor was localized in the cervical are in ten cases, the jugal area in three cases, one of which was extended to the parotidis, the submandibular area in two cases, and the lower labial area in one case. The surgical indication was based on the clinical examination in six cases and on imaging in ten cases. The resection was considered complete in 14 cases and incomplete in two cases. In two cases, the resection was difficult, because the lymphangioma adhered to the internal jugular vein and rolled the higher laryngeal nerve and the carotid junction. The early complications were lymphoedema associated with facial paralysis (one case) and respiratory distress (one case), hematoma associated with facial paralysis (one case), lymphorrhea (one case), and a paralysis of the chin branch of the facial nerve (one case). The functional and aesthetic after-effects were marked by the persistence of facial paralysis and the existence of jugal bud flesh. The jugal (one case) and labial (one case) recurrence were discovered within 6 and 9 months after the surgery. In these two cases, there were capillary lymphangiomas. None of the patients died. CONCLUSION: Cystic cervicofacial lymphangioma is a particular aspect of surgical pathology in children in Africa. Despite the advent of sclerosing products, surgery remains the treatment of choice in this context.

[Differenciated thyroid carcinomas with laryngo-tracheal invasion]. / Carcinomes différenciés de la thyroïde avec envahissement laryngo-trachéal.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinomas with laryngo-tracheal invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 117 patients operated for a differentiated thyroid carcinoma in the ENT department of Tours Hospital (France) between January 1990 and December 2003, seven presented laryngo-tracheal invasion and were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Laryngo-tracheal resection resulted in a thyroid cartilage-shaving in two patients. We performed a resection of one side of the thyroid cartilage in one patient, a thyro-tracheal resection-anastomosis with a partial cricoidectomy in one patient, a partial vertical laryngectomy extended to the first tracheal ring in one patient and a total laryngectomy in one patient. No laryngo-tracheal resection was done in one patient. Early complications were swallowing disorders (n = 2), transitory hypoparathyroidism (n = 1), definitive recurrent nerve paralysis (n = 2), subcutaneous emphysema and hematoma (n = 1) and Claude Bernard-Horner's syndrome (n = 1). Locoregional recurrences (n = 2) and distant metastasis (n = 2) were discovered six months to four years after the laryngo-tracheal resection. With a mean follow-up of 40 month, four patients were alive (two disease free) two patients had died and one was lost of follow-up at three months. CONCLUSION: The frequency of locoregional recurrences and distant metastasis is higher for the differentiated thyroid carcinomas with laryngo-tracheal invasion than the others. In these cases, we performed macroscopic carcinological surgery preserving laryngeal functions as much as possible.

[Chondrosarcoma of the cricoid]. / Chondrosarcome du cricoïde.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare neoplasm generally observed on the cricoid. The purpose of this study was to define the most appropriate surgical management depending on tumor extension and histological grade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three males and one female were treated for chondrosarcoma of the cricoid between 1990 and 2003 in the Ear, Nose and Throat department in Tours, France. There were three grade I tumors and one grade II tumor. Tumor resection by thyrotomy was performed in two patients, total laryngectomy in one and laser desobstruction in one. RESULTS: The patient who underwent total laryngectomy remained in complete remission at five years. Among the two patients who had thyrotomy, one remained in remission at three years and the other experienced recurrence at four years and underwent a second operation. He died five years later due to another disease. Total follow-up was nine years. The patient treated by laser therapy achieved stabilization at twelve months. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and histological grading enable choosing the best surgical procedure. Partial laryngeal surgery is indicated for small or low-grade chondrosarcomas. For large or high-grade tumors, total laryngectomy must be performed. In the event of patient refusal, laser desobstruction can provide clinical stabilization.

[Esophageal foreign bodies at the Universitary Hospital in Dakar]. / Les corps etrangers de l' oesophage au CHU de Dakar.

The diagnosis and the management of the foreign bodies of the oesophagus in the children have benefited from the digestive endoscopy and the anaesthesia progresses the last ten years. A 120 files review concerning children who suffered from foreign bodies of the oesophagus is reported. The average age was 4 years. The sex repartition showed that the boys where prevailing (62 %). The interrogation revealed a caustic old stenosis of the oesophagus among 4 children. In 91% of cases, the diagnosis was obvious on the X-ray prints. The endoscopy assessment found 124 foreign bodies mostly represented by coins (81,4 %). We recorded 2 oesophagus perforation cases and to deaths. The foreign body of the oesophagus is not always harmless. It can determine complications often revealing ones. It seems necessary to us to stress the prevention of that accident by a vast sensitising compaign of the parents.