Radiofrequency tonsillotomy versus bipolar scissors tonsillectomy for the treatment of OSAS in children: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Tonsillotomy is an effective treatment for the management of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in children with tonsillar hypertrophy and appears to be associated with less pain and postoperative morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative morbidity and short-term and intermediate-term efficacy of radiofrequency tonsillotomy (TT) and bipolar scissors tonsillectomy (TE) in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with OSAS due to tonsillar hypertrophy were included in a prospective, non-randomized study between February 4, 2008 and March 20, 2010. Exclusion criteria were recurrent tonsillitis (≥ 3 episodes per year), clotting disorders and age less than 2 years. Postoperative complications, efficacy on OSAS, and operating times were evaluated. Pain was evaluated by the Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents score on D0, D1, D7 and D30. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-three children were included: 105 in the TE group (age: 4.75 ± 2.37 years) and 88 in the TT group (age: 4.88 ± 2.6 years). The pain score was significantly lower in the TT group than in the TE group during the first postoperative week (P<0.05). A significant difference was observed for the secondary postoperative bleeding rate (1 after TT versus 8 after TE). No significant difference was observed between the two techniques in terms of the efficacy on OSAS. At 1 year, the tonsil regrowth rate in the TT group was 4.5%. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency tonsillotomy is a safe technique for the treatment of obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy in children with good results on OSAS and a reduction of postoperative pain.

Lipoleiomyosarcoma of the larynx.

BACKGROUND: Lipoleiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor consisting of well-differentiated liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. The ear-nose-throat location of lipoleiomyosarcoma has not been previously described. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 37-year-old man with a dysphagia had a dyspnea after an endoscopy. A large tumor was exteriorized from the man's mouth. The lesion was pedicled to the epiglottis. A histologic examination determined that the tumor was a lipoleiomyosarcoma. MDM2 and CDK4 gene amplification were positive. Due to the risk of recurrence, a second intervention was performed to complete the excision. CONCLUSION: These tumors develop in cavities slowly and gradually. The treatment of this lesion is surgical with a sufficient resection margin.

Cemento-ossifying fibroma of the mandible.

INTRODUCTION: Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a rare benign tumor most often discovered incidentally. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old patient was referred for a subclinical lesion of the mandible. The orthopantomogram showed a well-circumscribed radiolucent osteolytic image, 1 cm in diameter, on the mandibular angle. On CT, the single lesion had a tissue aspect with a peripheral halo without enhancement after contrast injection. A cortical lacuna on the lingual side was noted. Surgical enucleation of the lesion was performed. The pathological examination confirmed the ossifying fibroma. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Slow and progressive, cemento-ossifying fibroma is a rare benign tumor that reaches the maxilla and more frequently the mandible. The ossifying and cementifying fibromas are differentiated by their clinical, radiological, and histological findings. The authors discuss the pathogenesis and radiological signs guiding the choice of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The treatment is surgical with an enucleation or wider resection with bone reconstruction for large fibromas.

[Acute mastoiditis in children: can mastoidectomy be avoided?]. / Mastoïdite aiguë extériorisée chez l'enfant: la mastoïdectomie peut-elle être évitée?

OBJECTIVE: Mastoidectomy is the standard management for exteriorized mastoiditis. The objective of this study was to assess the results of conservative management of acute mastoiditis and to study the types of bacteria isolated and their sensitivity to antibiotics. METHODS: A retrospective study including children admitted with acute mastoiditis was conducted between 1994 and 2007. Intravenous antibiotics were systematic. Since 2002, mastoidectomy has been replaced by retroauricular puncture and grommet tube insertion. RESULTS: Forty-four children had acute mastoiditis. All but one (temporozygomatic swelling) had postauricular swelling. The culture was positive in 78% of cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common bacteria identified. Twenty-six subperiosteal abscesses were found on the CT scan. Mastoidectomy was performed in 17 cases, 16 of which took place before 2002. The hospital stay has been decreased by six days with retroauricular puncture and grommet tube insertion management. CONCLUSION: In the absence of intracranial complications and suspicion of Fusobacterium necrophorum, a retroauricular puncture and grommet tube insertion associated with antibiotic therapy is an effective alternative to mastoidectomy in the treatment of acute mastoiditis with subperiosteal abscess.

[Epidermoid cysts of the fourth ventricle mimicking benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]. / Vertige positionnel paroxystique découvrant un kyste épidermoïde du quatrième ventricule.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of atypical positional vertigo revealing a fourth ventricle epidermoid cyst. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report a case of a thirty-year-old woman suffering from positional vertigo with downbeat nystagmus. Except for these symptoms, the physical examination was normal, apart from intermittent headaches. On videonystagmography, a decrease in the average speed of beats and lowered benefits obtained by slow motion were noted. MRI revealed a fourth ventricle epidermoid cyst. RESULTS: Physical examination may provide several signs that are likely to enable the examiner to distinguish between central nervous system or peripheral vertigos. Atypical symptoms such as a downbeat nystagmus, a lack of reversal in nystagmus beats when returning to the sitting position and a lack of a latency period in vertigo and nystagmus occurrence during the Dix-Hallpike maneuver suggest a central nervous system etiology. CONCLUSION: With atypical symptoms noted when questioning the patient or during physical examination, a central nervous system etiology should be mentioned and explored with cerebral MRI.