ABSTRACT
Deformed cartilage remodeling appears to be a challenge, as cartilage tends to keep its initial shape because of internal stresses. Cartilage can be remodeled with heat, and this report describes the use of a CO2 laser beam for in vitro cartilaginous tissue remodeling. Straight cartilage samples were removed from the ears of 21 rabbits deprived of perichondrium and remodeled with the CO2 laser at an output power of 3 W, a spot diameter of 2 mm, and an exposure time of 0.5 second. The remodeled cartilages and control samples were implanted into the rabbits' backs and retrieved 6 to 12 months later. Histologic and morphological analysis showed that the irradiated cartilages retained both their shape and their viability. This may be a useful clinical technique for in situ remodeling of a deformed cartilage in operations such as septoplasty.
Subject(s)
Ear Cartilage/surgery , Ear Cartilage/transplantation , Laser Therapy/methods , Animals , Chondrocytes/physiology , Chondrocytes/ultrastructure , Ear Cartilage/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron , Models, Animal , Rabbits , Regeneration/physiology , Transplantation, Autologous/methodsSubject(s)
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Plasmacytoma/diagnostic imaging , Plasmacytoma/pathology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use , Cortisone/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Melphalan/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Plasmacytoma/drug therapy , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon benign disorder of unknown etiology. It represents a disturbance of normal bone development--specifically a defect in osteoblastic differentiation and maturation that originates in the mesenchymal precursor of the bone. Because fibrous dysplasia shows a predilection for the facial and cranial bones, where it causes deformity and dysfunction, the disease is of particular interest to the otolaryngologist. In this paper, we report a case of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone, the first symptom of which was a mixed hearing loss. We discuss the characteristic features of this specific location of the disease, the differential diagnosis, and the treatment policy. We also address the issue of secondary sensorineural hearing loss.
Subject(s)
Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/diagnosis , Temporal Bone , Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/surgery , Hearing Disorders/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Temporal Bone/surgeryABSTRACT
Operations for the correction of septal deviations are among the most common in otorhinolaryngology. Several approaches and techniques have been proposed, for securing the mucoperichondrial flap back in place. A new method of stabilizing the septum by applying a negative pressure suction tube, without the insertion of any kind of packing, is described. The advantages of the negative pressure suction are that the patient can breathe through the nose immediately after the operation, there is no pressure sensation and the pain, if any, is reduced, there is no epiphora, no skin edema and the patient feels very comfortable. Risks for complications are minimal.
Subject(s)
Nasal Septum/surgery , Pressure , Rhinoplasty/methods , Suction/methods , Equipment Design , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Nasal Septum/abnormalities , Rhinoplasty/instrumentation , Suction/instrumentation , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The hypertrophied inferior turbinates are responsible for nasal obstruction in patients with chronic rhinitis. Several methods have been applied to solve this problem. Recently, laser methods have produced good results. We present the management of 387 patients with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates mucosa, using CO2 laser in combination with the Swiftlase apparatus. CO2 laser energy delivered through the Swiftlase apparatus provides a char-free ablation of a superficial tissue layer. Swiftlase is easily installed onto the existing CO2 laser units and provides a high-power density. The 1-year postoperative follow-up revealed good results in 261 (81%) of 321 patients, thus establishing CO2 laser in combination with the Swiftlase apparatus as a promising new approach for the management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. CO2 laser energy delivered through the Swiftlase apparatus offers a treatment modality capable of achieving excellent results in hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates with minimal morbidity.
Subject(s)
Laser Therapy/instrumentation , Rhinitis/surgery , Turbinates/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Chronic Disease , Equipment Design , Equipment Safety , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Laser Therapy/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Nasal Obstruction/diagnosis , Nasal Obstruction/etiology , Nasal Obstruction/surgery , Patient Satisfaction , Rhinitis/complications , Rhinitis/diagnosis , Rhinoplasty/methods , Treatment Outcome , Turbinates/pathologyABSTRACT
Adenotonsillar surgery remains among the most commonly-performed pediatric surgical procedures. The complication rate of tonsillectomy is generally considered to be in a range of 1-5%. Bacterial meningitis following adenotonsillectomy is a rarely reported complication. Bacterial meningitis is a potentially fatal acute infectious disease caused by a variety of micro-organisms. Current case fatality rates associated with this entity can be as low as 2% in infants and children and as high as 30% in neonates. The successful management of meningitis depends on early clinical suspicion and diagnosis, with prompt medical treatment using high-dose, broad-spectrum antibiotics that adequately cross the blood-brain barrier. We present a case of meningitis complicating a tonsillectomy procedure, in a 7-year-old girl. The diagnosis and treatment of this rare complication is illustrated, and the possible etiology is discussed.
