Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation presenting in the nasal dorsum.

We present the first bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) in the nasal dorsum. These lesions have been described since 1983; however, the vast majority of these lesions do not present in the head and neck, although five cases exist in the literature. An understanding of the potential sites for bizarre paraosteal osteochondromatous proliferations will help lead to successful diagnosis and proper treatment.

Comparison of carbon dioxide laser-assisted versus stapler-assisted endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy.

OBJECTIVES: We directly compared endoscopic carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and stapler treatment methods for both cricopharyngeal hypertrophy (CPH) and Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective chart review of 153 patients who underwent either CO2 laser-assisted or stapler-assisted endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM). RESULTS: Isolated CPH was more likely to be treated with the CO2 laser than by stapler techniques. The ZD pouch size decreased significantly after surgery in both laser (p = 0.04) and stapler (p = 0.008) groups. The average duration of the procedure for CPM was longer for the laser than for the stapler (p = 0.01). Both techniques were successful when used in revision procedures. The overall complication rates were not statistically significantly different. Laser surgery trended toward a higher rate of major complications (2.4% versus 0%). Symptomatic recurrence was more likely after stapler surgery (p = 0.002). The rates of revision surgery were similar in the two groups (3.3% for laser and 4.3% for stapler). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of isolated CPH or ZD, stapler-assisted endoscopic surgery results in a shorter operative time, whereas laser-assisted CPM results in a decreased incidence of symptomatic recurrence.

Diffusion tensor imaging of the perforant pathway zone and its relation to memory function in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Based on the importance of the perforant pathway (PP) for normal hippocampal function, the vulnerability of temporal structures, and significant memory impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), we investigated in vivo changes in the PP zone, hippocampus, and temporal lobe white and gray matter using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and volumetric analysis, and any specific relations with memory performance (Verbal Selective Reminding Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test), in 14 patients with severe TBI. Compared to a demographically-similar control group, our patients had significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for the PP zone bilaterally, and higher ADC bilaterally in the hippocampus. Volumetric analysis revealed significantly decreased volumes in both hippocampi and temporal gray matter bilaterally. Consistent long-term retrieval (CLTR) and delayed recall were significantly related to (1) right and left PP zone ADC, (2) left hippocampus ADC, and (3) left hippocampal volume. Nonverbal memory (immediate and delayed recall) was significantly associated with (1) right and left PP zone ADC, (2) left hippocampal volume, and (3) gray (immediate recall) and white (immediate recall, bilaterally; delayed recall, left) matter temporal volumes. Advanced neuroimaging analysis can detect in vivo changes in the PP zone and temporal structures in patients with severe TBI, with these changes being highly associated with memory impairment.