Three spontaneous occurrences of nasal septal abscess in patients with chronic asymptomatic HIV-the need for early intervention and reconstruction.

We identified 3 patients with chronic, asymptomatic HIV who presented between 2001 and 2005 with spontaneous nasal septal abscesses in the absence of previous trauma, nasal surgery, sinusitis, infection, or immunodeficiency. A MEDLINE search revealed no other cases of spontaneous isolated nasal septal abscesses. Each of our patients presented to the emergency department with complaints of fever and headaches; 2 of them also had nasal obstruction, nasal and lip swelling, and pain. Clinical examinations and imaging studies revealed isolated anterior nasal septal abscesses. In each case, incision and drainage was performed immediately, and antibiotics started. One patient had an early loss of septal cartilage and nasal support, which developed into a crooked and saddle-nose deformity requiring reconstruction 7 months later. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in all 3 cases. To the best of our knowledge, these are the only 3 cases of spontaneous isolated nasal septal abscess reported in the literature. We discuss the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, as well as reconstructive techniques.

CO2 laser resurfacing: still a good treatment.

The authors recommend carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing as an excellent tool for treatment of aging skin, especially when used for moderate to severe facial rhytids, explaining that some of the commonly cited disadvantages of this modality can be avoided with proper patient selection and conservative treatment settings. They contend that the ability to control fluence, density, and pattern size provides an excellent benefit-risk ratio. In addition, using a combination of other resurfacing modalities, such as 35% trichloroacetic acid chemical peels, 88% phenol, and dermabrasion with the CO(2) laser produces outstanding results. They cite their experience in safely and effectively performing simultaneous rhytidectomy and CO(2) laser resurfacing. Although newer technologies exist with less potential complications and downtime than the CO(2) laser, the authors point out that these modalities require multiple treatments, each with its own downtime, at a higher overall cost and with results that are arguably inferior. Here, they discuss their experience and techniques using the CO(2) laser, considering efficacy when used alone and in combination resurfacing treatments, and discuss its histology, physics, and history.

Management of the short nose deformity in revision rhinoplasty.

The short nose is a complex and frustrating problem that many rhinoplasty surgeons face in their practice. It can be seen in both the hereditary nasal deformity patient as well as in patients having undergone previous nasal surgery. In the revision rhinoplasty patient, the short nose can result from overresection of the nasal dorsum, a deficiency in the middle third causing a saddle nose and tip retraction, and from structural loss in the lobule. Several methods have been described regarding the treatment of this deformity. They range from simple tip grafting in the mildly affected patient to complete nasal reconstruction in the patient with severe structural loss and skin retraction. We will discuss the anatomy of the short nose and describe our techniques for addressing specific deficiencies.

Microsurgical reconstruction for radiation necrosis: an evolving disease.

We performed a retrospective chart review of a tertiary care medical center. Our objective was to report our experience with microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck in patients who presented with radiation-induced tissue damage. We will discuss the effects of radiation to soft tissues and bone in the head and neck as well as the challenges it presents for later free tissue transfer. Patients were identified who underwent free tissue transfer to the head and neck for radiation-induced tissue injury by the senior author at our institution. Data were collected to include location of the primary disease, radiation amount and zone of radiation injury, initial surgical reconstruction, time to development of radiation necrosis, type of free flap selected, recipient vessel selection, the number of sequential free tissue transfers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, flap success rates, and minor complications. Patients were excluded if recurrent cancer was identified at any time following reconstruction. One hundred sixty-one free flaps were performed from 2000 to 2004 in the head and neck by the senior author at our tertiary care institution. Fourteen patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria and 16 (two lateral thigh, two iliac crest, one radial forearm, one transverse rectus abdominis, six fibula, two latissimus dorsi with associated rib, and two scapula) free flaps were performed for radiation-induced complications. Five patients required multiple sequential free flaps including the initial reconstruction. Anastomosis was performed within the radiation zone of injury in 14 cases (87.5%), whereas 2 (12.5%) were performed outside the zone of injury. Forty-three percent of patients ( N = 6) underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After initial reconstruction, the incidence of complications requiring surgical intervention included skin breakdown ( N = 1), fistula ( N = 2), and persistent osteoradionecrosis ( N = 2). The mean time to follow-up was 17.5 months (range 1 to 49). There was one partial flap failure that was salvaged by thrombectomy. There were no total flap failures. As primary treatment for head and neck cancer moves toward radiation therapy, microsurgical reconstruction is playing an increasing role for those patients developing radiation-related complications. Radionecrosis is a progressive disease where the incidence is increasing as patients are surviving longer. Understanding the effects of radiation on soft tissue and bone and the complexity of reconstruction in the zone of injury will greatly improve the success of reconstruction.

Merkel cell carcinoma: does tumor size or depth of invasion correlate with recurrence, metastasis, or patient survival?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this retrospective study and literature review was to compare the clinical and histologic criteria including tumor size and depth of invasion with outcomes in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS: The state cancer registry provided patients (n = 46) diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma from 1992 through 2002. Pathology slides were reviewed by the author for tumor size, depth of invasion, Clark level, and margin status. Further clinical information and survival data were gathered from patient records. Statistical analysis was performed using t tests and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Patients were excluded from specific analysis based on misdiagnosis, unavailability of pathology slides, absent medical records, or those lost to follow up. RESULTS: Disease-free survival rates were 52%, 39%, and 9% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. The average disease-free interval was 18.4 months (range, 1-80 months). No correlation was found between tumor size (P = .49), depth (P = .41), or Clark level (P = .82) to overall survival. A trend was found comparing tumor size or depth of invasion with local recurrence (P = .07) but with no correlation to regional recurrence (P = .93 and P = .60) or distant metastasis (P = .16 and P = .24). Overall recurrence was found in 60.7% of patients with local recurrence occurring in 18.1%, regional recurrence 40.9%, and distant recurrence 47.8%. Comparing patients with positive versus negative margins at initial excision, local recurrence was found in 33.3% versus 9.09% (P = .19), regional recurrence 66.6% versus 27.2% (P = .08), and distant metastasis 66.6% versus 45.4% (P = .36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was found between tumor size or depth of invasion to patient survival or metastasis. However, there was a trend toward increased local and regional recurrence rates when comparing size and depth and in specimens with positive tumor margins. These outcomes are consistent with those reported in recent literature and further characterize the unpredictable nature of this disease. An aggressive approach should be taken, including wide local excision with negative tumor margins and lymph node dissection; however, larger multistate reviews are needed for additional support.