Removal of Intraorbital Foreign Body by Transnasal Endoscopic Approach Removal of Intraorbital Foreign Body by Transnasal Endoscopic Approach.

Foreign bodies in the intra-orbital area are a rare occurrence. It can be metallic or non-metallic. Intra-orbital foreign bodies can present with a variety of complications depending upon its size and location. We report a case of intra-orbital foreign body which was successfully removed by trans-nasal endoscopic approach.A 12 year old boy with an intra-orbital wooden foreign body in the medial extra-conal space was presented three days post trauma. He had normal visual acuity but there was painful restriction of eye movement. Foreign body was removed and pus drained by trans-nasal endoscopic approach. Post operatively he gradually regained his eye movements. Post operatively patient had complete recovery of eye movements. Traditionally intra-orbital foreign bodies were removed by external approach. With advancement in technology medial intra-orbital foreign bodies can be removed by trans-nasal endoscopic approaches.

Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression for Direct Traumatic Optic Neuropathy : Our 10 Years Experience.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) can be classified into direct or indirect types. Direct optic injury usually results from optic nerve avulsion ,laceration or compression by fracture, fracture segment impingement or a resultant hematoma. Indirect optic injury is caused by increased intracanalicular pressure resulting in ischemia and disruption of neurofeedback channels. The prognosis of TON is usually quite poor. To date, no standardized treatment protocol has been developed for TON. In this study we are assessing the visual improvement in patients with direct TON who underwent endoscopic optic nerve decompression in the last 10 years. A retrospective study of 32 cases of optic nerve decompression for direct TON in the last 10 years. Preoperative and postoperative visual assessment were done and followed up for 3 months. There was complete improvement in vision in 17% of patients when optic nerve decompression was done within 72 h of trauma; whereas 31% cases had only partial improvement when done between 3 and 7 days. And there was no improvement when done after 7 days. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is a minimally invasive surgery for direct traumatic optic neuropathy; with minimal or no complications when done by an experienced ENT surgeon. Other important prognostic factors include timing of surgery and preoperative visual status.

Role of Endoscopic Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation in Intractable Idiopathic Epistaxis.

The protocols for managing intractable idiopathic epistaxis have evolved with advances in endoscopic techniques. Transnasal endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation (TESPAL) has been the treatment of choice for idiopathic intractable epistaxis. If TESPAL fails, transantral ligation of internal maxillary artery (IMA) used to be the dictum along with radiological interventions. Here we discuss about the role of endoscopic IMA ligation in cases of failed TESPALs. Retrospective study at a tertiary hospital was performed. 28 cases of intractable idiopathic epistaxis underwent TESPAL in our institution of which 2 cases had rebleed. We also had two referred cases of failed TESPALS. Of this 4 patients, three patients underwent endoscopic IMA ligation and one patient underwent selective embolisation. All the patients who underwent endoscopic IMA ligation for failed TESPAL had no further episodes of epistaxis. One patient who underwent selective embolization also had no further episodes of bleed but had transient facial pain and trismus. When TESPAL fails, endoscopic IMA ligation can be considered as an alternative procedure before resorting to embolization.

Study of Pre and Post Operative Videostroboscopic Evaluation of Benign Vocal Cord Lesions.

To determine pre and postoperative vocal fold vibratory changes using videostroboscopy (VS) and effect of surgery on functional, physical and emotional levels of voice using voice handicap index (VHI). To determine correlation between VHI and VS in patients with benign vocal fold pathology. This is a prospective study done at Pushpagiri Medical College. 40 patients in the age group of 14-75 years who presented with complaints of voice change were included. VS and VHI of patients done preoperatively in 40 patients. Patients were re-evaluated postoperatively at 1 month by VHI and VS. All patients underwent microlaryngoscopic excision of the benign vocal cord lesion with biopsy under GA in the conventional manner. One month postoperatively, these patients were evaluated by VS and VHI and the findings noted. There was statistically significant improvement in the stroboscopy ratings and VHI scores post operatively (p < 0.0001). The mucosal wave was diminished or absent in 100% of the studied TVC cysts and present in approximately 60% of vocal polyps. There was no significant correlation found between preoperative VHI scores and stroboscopy ratings except for mucosal waves. Whereas there was significant correlation noted between the VHI subscales and total scores with stroboscopic scores postoperatively except for symmetry. All but 6 patients in this study benefitted from surgery and 85% had a normal voice post-operatively. Pre and post operative assessment of patients with benign vocal fold lesions by stroboscopy and VHI is a useful way to determine the degree of improvement following surgery.

Necrotizing fasciitis: an unusual presentation.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is rare but life threatening multimicrobial soft tissue infection characterized by progressive, usually rapid, necrotizing process of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial planes, with resulting skin gangrene and systemic toxicity. The groin, abdomen and extremities are the most frequent sites involved by this disease and it is rarely seen in the head and neck region. NF of the head and neck region has a potentially high morbidity and mortality. Delay in diagnosis leads to poor outcome. Hence early recognition and aggressive management is imperative for successful outcome. Here we present a case of acute onset of cervical necrotizing fasciitis in a young male.

Management of penetrating zone II neck injuries.

The incidence of penetrating and lacerated neck injuries has been on the rise recently because of the increase in road traffic mishaps. Clothesline injuries are injuries caused by striking against a stationery object like a wire or tree limb. Most of the times these end up causing blunt injuries with associated fracture of the laryngeal framework. Here we report two cases of penetrating neck injuries with successful outcomes and also the problems encountered in the management of these cases. A proper evaluation, rapid airway intervention and proper surgical repair are essential for a successful outcome.

Orbital apex syndrome in a child.

A 8-year-old male presented with visual loss, diplopia, ptosis, pain behind the left eye, facial numbness and vomiting of one week duration. The ophthalmological, neurological and radiological examination showed a lesion of the left orbital apex with extension into the cavernous sinus. Examination of the nose and paranasal sinuses did not reveal any abnormality. Transnasal Endoscopic orbital decompression was performed and inflamed granulation tissue found in the orbital apex was removed. Microbiology showed fungal elements which on culture grew Aspergillosis flavus. Antifungal therapy with new generation oral drug (voriconazole) resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. Relevant literature is reviewed and discussed.

Giant tumour of the pterygopalatine fossa.

Neurilemmomas are benign and slow growing tumours. Neurilemmomas of the pterygopalatine fossa are rare. In this paper we present a case of schwannoma arising in the pterygopalatine fossa with extension into infratemporal fossa and floor of the orbit. A transantral approach was used for excision of the tumor following which the defect in the floor of the orbit was reconstructed with the help of a temporoparietal flap.

Atticoantral disease - revisited.

Atticoantral disease is very common in this part of the world. The clinical presentation and the otomicroscopic examination of the ear may just reveal the tip of the iceberg as to the extent of disease. Often we have found that minimal disease with good hearing have extensive mastoid involvement.

Inflammatory pseudotumours of the paranasal sinuses.

Inflammatory pseudotumors are clinocopathologically distinctive but biologically controversial entities. They have been described in the lungs, abdomen, retroperitoneum and extremities, but rarely affect the head and neck region. This report is of 2 cases of pseudo tumor of the paranasal sinuses with varied clinical presentation and successful outcome following treatment.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation syndrome - ENT surgeon's perspective.

ENT surgeon is seldom confronted with a systemic disease severe enough to progress to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation syndrome (DIC), where he has to undertake a definitive surgical procedure for malignancy or perform an emergency tracheostomy. This calls for a judicious calculation of the pros and cons with an element of risk that needs to be accepted. We report two such patients who have been treated in such a scenario where the outcome varied depending on the severity and time of onset of the underlying coagulation disorder.