Surgical management of troublesome mastoid cavities.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reasons for discharging mastoid cavities, the operative findings during revision surgery, and the medium-term outcome. PATIENTS: One hundred and forty revision mastoidectomies in 131 patients were studied. Post-operatively, patients were followed up at three, six and 12 months and then yearly. INTERVENTION: A variety of techniques were performed. Over 80 per cent of ears were treated with mastoid obliteration. Concomitant hearing restorative procedures were carried out in one-third of the ears. RESULTS: The mastoid cavities were troublesome because of large cavity size, bony overhang, residual infected mastoid cells, the presence of cholesteatoma or perforations, and/or inadequate meatoplasty. One year after revision mastoidectomy, over 95 per cent of the ears had become completely 'dry' and water-resistant. Overall, 50.9 per cent of the ears had a 12-month post-operative air-bone gap of 20 dB or less. CONCLUSION: Revision mastoidectomy has a high success rate in converting troublesome mastoid cavities into dry, water-resistant ears.

Haemostasis in head and neck surgical procedures: Valsalva manoeuvre versus Trendelenburg tilt.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to identify whether Trendelenburg position helps detect any further bleeding points following Valsalva manoeuvre in order to achieve adequate haemostasis in head and neck surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients undergoing major head and neck surgical procedures were included. The protocol consisted in performing Valsalva manoeuvre to check haemostasis and treated any bleeding points identified. The operating table was tilted 30 degrees and haemostasis was checked again and treated accordingly. The number of vessels identified and the treatment was recorded. RESULTS: Twelve male and 38 female patients were included. The median age was 53 years and 74% had an ASA of 1. Twelve patients had complicating features such as retrosternal extensions or raised T4 levels pre-operatively. Thyroid resections were the most common operations performed. The total number of bleeding vessels identified in Trendelenburg tilt was significantly greater than when using Valsalva manoeuvre (P < 0.0001). All bleeding points found on Valsalva manoeuvre were minor (< 2 mm) and dealt with using diathermy. In Trendelenburg position, 11% of bleeding vessels required ties or stitching. The time taken during Valsalva manoeuvre was 60 s on average and 360 s in Trendelenburg position. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the Trendelenburg position is vastly superior to the Valsalva manoeuvre in identifying bleeding vessels at haemostasis. It has become our practice to put patients in Trendelenburg tilt routinely (we have discontinued the Valsalva manoeuvre), to check its adequacy before closing the wound. We have not noticed any intracranial complications using a tilt angle of 30 degrees .

Severe laryngitis following chronic anabolic steroid abuse.

The effects of anabolic steroids on the quality of voice have been well documented; however, no study has established significant structural changes in the larynx as a direct result of anabolic steroid use. We report a unique case of a 47-year-old male smoker and professional body builder who presented with progressive stridor and hoarseness following abuse of anabolic steroids over a period of two years. Conservative management failed to resolve his symptoms and a planned tracheostomy was performed to secure his airway. Subsequently he was treated with multiple laser resections and eventually decannulated. No case of severe laryngitis in association with anabolic steroid usage has been reported previously in the literature.

A review on the genetics of otosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of otosclerosis is not fully understood despite intensive research. It is, however, certain that a genetic component plays a significant role in the manifestation of otosclerosis, although the precise mode of inheritance is still uncertain. OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW: To provide an up-to-date review for the genetics of otosclerosis. The mode of inheritance, chromosomal and linkage studies are presented. In addition, the possible genetic relationship between otosclerosis and osteogenesis imperfecta, and the association between otosclerosis and specific human leucocyte antigen types are described. TYPE OF REVIEW: Systematic analysis of the literature was focused on any information related to the genetics of otosclerosis. SEARCH STRATEGY: A MEDLINE search (1960-2007) was undertaken to perform a comprehensive review. Articles were also identified through searches of the files of authors. RESULTS: The majority of epidemiological studies on families with otosclerosis suggest an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with reduced penetrance of approximately 40%. Genetic linkage studies have demonstrated the presence of six loci (OTSC1, OTSC2, OTSC3, OTSC4, OTSC5 and OTSC7) located on chromosomes 15q, 7q, 6p, 16q, 3q and 6q respectively. Although these loci have been mapped, no causative genes have been identified, and we have little idea of the molecular process involved in this disease. While clinical similarities and some unreplicated genetic association studies suggest an aetiological relationship between otosclerosis and osteogenesis imperfecta-type I, there is no definite evidence of a common pathological process between the two diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Otosclerosis may be considered as a complex disease with relatively common monogenic forms. Knowledge of these genes could lead to substantial improvements in our ability to diagnose and possibly even prevent or treat this type of hearing deterioration.

An unusual neck lump: intramuscular haemangioma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Neck lumps can often present a diagnostic dilemma, with a wide pre-operative differential diagnosis. We present an unusual case of an intramuscular haemangioma arising in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Pre operative diagnosis is often difficult, as these lesions are extremely rare in the head and neck region and only few sporadic cases have been reported in the literature. We report the presentation diagnosis and management of intramuscular haemangiomas of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Unusual otological manifestations in Camurati-Engelmann's disease.

Camurati-Engelmann's disease (CED) is a rare hereditary disorder affecting mainly the diaphysis of long bones but multiple cranial nerve deficits may also develop secondary to bony sclerosis of their foramina, including visual loss, facial palsy, deafness, vestibular disturbances and sensory deficits along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Deafness has been reported in about 18 per cent of these cases due to narrowing of the internal auditory canals caused by bony encroachment on nerves and vessels. We report an extremely rare case of a patient with CED who presented with deafness due to gross abnormalities affecting both middle ear and cochlea. The issues relating to the management of these patients with temporal bone involvement are discussed.

Surgical management of trigeminal neuromas: a report of eight cases.

OBJECTIVE: Trigeminal neuromas are rare tumours that may involve any part of the Vth nerve complex, including extracranial peripheral divisions of the nerve. A series of eight patients with intracranial trigeminal neuromas who underwent surgical management are presented. METHODS: The hospital records and radiological images were reviewed with regard to clinical presentation, surgical approach, operative findings, peri-operative morbidity and neurological outcome, and percentage of tumour recurrence. RESULTS: The principal presenting symptoms were those of involvement of the trigeminal nerve with sensory impairment in one or more of the three divisions. Tumour location was the prime determinant of surgical approach. Lateral skull base approaches were used as they are considered to be superior for identifying tumour origin, extension, and relationship to surrounding structures. Total excision of the tumour was carried out in three of the eight patients. In the remaining five patients some tumour was left purposely in order to minimize neurological deficit and optimize post-operative quality of life. There was no peri-operative mortality or major morbidity in our series. Five patients experienced symptomatic tumour recurrence and revision surgery was performed. CONCLUSION: Management of trigeminal neuromas is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Pre-operative surgical planning allows tumour removal with preservation of important neural structures in the majority of cases. For large tumours occupying both the middle and posterior cranial fossae, the retrosigmoid/retrolabyrinthine/middle cranial fossa approach provides good exposure and results in minimal brain retraction. A Fisch type C approach is necessary for the largest tumours. Long-term follow up with interval imaging is mandatory to exclude long-term tumour recurrence.