Resección de paraganglioma carotídeo / Carotid paraganglioma resection

Los autores del presente artículo, con base en su experiencia personal, que supera las tres décadas (1991-2021) y el medio centenar de pacientes (53 con 58 paragangliomas carotídeos y 5 casos bilaterales), explican cómo realizan la resección quirúrgica del paraganglioma carotídeo. Aunque siguen patrones estándares, los autores muestran aspectos personales de la técnica quirúrgica que actualmente implementan. En una segunda parte, menos frecuente, se exponen los aspectos técnicos (y tácticos) de la resección-reparación arterial (eje carotídeo) como parte de la resección de ciertos paragangliomas carotídeos.

The authors of this article, based on their personal experience that exceeds three decades (1991-2021) and fifty patients (53 with 58 carotid paragangliomas and 5 bilateral cases), indicate how they perform surgical resection. Although they follow standard patterns, the authors show personal aspects of the surgical technique that they currently implement. In a second, less frequent part, the technical (and tactical) aspects of arterial resection-repair (carotid axis) are discussed as part of the resection of certain carotid paragangliomas.(AU)

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Stabilization after Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: A Story Told by Saccades.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vestibular compensation via measurement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) following vestibular schwannoma surgery and its relationship with changes in saccades strategy after surgery. PATIENTS: Thirty-six consecutive patients with vestibular schwannomas, without brainstem compression, underwent surgical resection. Patients were recruited from University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain. METHODS: We assessed the age, sex, tumor size, degree of canalicular weakness, and preoperative video head impulse test (gain and saccade organization measured with PR score). Gain and saccade organization were compared with postoperative values at discharge and also at 1, 3, and 6 months. PR scores are a measure of the scatter of refixation saccades. RESULTS: Patients with normal preoperative caloric function had higher PR scores (saccades were scattered) following surgery compared to patients with significant preoperative canal paresis (p < 0.05). VOR gain and the presence of covert/overt saccades preoperatively did not influence the PR score (p > 0.05), but a group of patients with very low VOR gain (<0.45) and covert/overt saccades before surgery had lower PR scores after surgery. The differences after 6 months were not significant. CONCLUSION: Patients with more severe vestibular dysfunction before vestibular schwannoma surgery show significantly faster vestibular compensation following surgery, manifested by changes in VOR gain and PR score. The scatter of compensatory saccades (as measured by the PR score) may be a surrogate early marker of clinical recovery, given its relationship to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Mediastinal paraganglioma fed by the left circumflex artery.

A 60-year-old male patient who previously underwent carotid and jugular paraganglioma resections was referred because of a mediastinal recurrence at the root of the great vessels. Coronary angiography confirmed the circumflex artery of the left coronary artery as the feeding artery of the tumour. The patient underwent surgery due to the tumour's location and malignant potential. Upon mass resection, histopathological examination characterized the tumour as a secondary paraganglioma. Neuroendocrine tumours arising from chromaffin tissues at the extra-adrenal paraganglions of the autonomic nervous system are termed paragangliomas. Clinically, they are divided into functional and non-functional types, depending on their catecholamine secretion. The mediastinal location is exceptional and its treatment is challenging.

Hendidura laríngea: diagnóstico y tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico. Presentación de 2 casos / Laryngeal cleft: Diagnosis and endoscopic surgical treatment. Report of 2 cases

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The map of dizziness in vestibular schwannoma.

INTRODUCTION: Dizziness is a frequent complaint in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). An abnormal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) can explain this dizziness in patients with VS. The video Head impulse test (vHIT) offers a chance to describe specifically the VOR findings in such patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cases series study in a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with VS were classified in accordance with the morphology of the VOR; gain, covert saccade, and overt saccade were analyzed both in the affected side and in the healthy side. For all patients, caloric tests were performed. All patients were tested before surgery. RESULTS: Caloric response was normal in 31 of 50 patients. The video Head impulse test was abnormal in 45 of 50 patients. For the affected side, low horizontal VOR gain was found in 27 of 50 patients, covert saccade was observed in 37 of 50, and overt saccade was observed in 26 of 50. In the healthy side, vHIT was abnormal in 29 of 50 patients, with a low gain in four of 50, covert saccade in seven of 50, and overt saccade in 23 of 50. In VS, gain for the affected side is not associated with caloric response, but gain for the affected side is associated with gain in the healthy side. Covert and overt saccade for the affected side is associated with gain for the affected side. In the healthy side, overt saccade is associated with low gain for the affected side. CONCLUSIONS: Video head impulse test improves the vestibular testing before surgery in patients with VS and should be included in the usual clinical tests for these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Is there a case for selective, rather than routine, preoperative laryngoscopy in thyroid surgery?

BACKGROUND: According to some authors, routine preoperative laryngoscopy should be the standard of care in all patients undergoing thyroid surgery. The rationale for this approach is (I) the risk that a patient has a preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP) without symptoms; (II) the presence of VCP preoperatively is suggestive of invasive malignancy; (III) it is relevant for the use of intraoperative nerve monitoring; and (IV) surgical strategy may be better defined if a paralysed vocal cord is detected preoperatively. METHODS: This is a review of studies of patients who underwent routine preoperative laryngoscopy to anticipate preoperative VCP and that evaluated related risk factors, including previous surgery, voice function complaints, and a diagnosis of malignancy. The estimated risk of sustaining preoperative VCF in the absence of these factors was determined. The relevant current guidelines from different professional bodies are also addressed. RESULTS: The level of evidence that supports routine preoperative laryngoscopy is weak. The risk of harboring preoperative VCP in the absence of previous neck or other risk-related surgery, advanced malignancy or voice symptoms is very low (0.5% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: Selective rather than routine use of preoperative laryngoscopy may be acceptable provided that the risk of undetected paralysis is as low as can be reasonably ascertained from the available literature.

Use of a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sheet (Collatamp(®)) in the management of major soft tissue complications in pediatric cochlear implants.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The objective was to report the effectiveness of salvage treatment in soft tissue infection around cochlear implants with an absorbable gentamicin collagen sheet and a periosteum and skin rotation flaps. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Three patients with cochlear implant and persistent surrounding soft tissue infection are included. All of them underwent antibiotic treatment prior to surgery without any response. INTERVENTION: In this study preoperative and postoperative audiograms were practiced. Surgical excision of infectious skin and a periosteum and skin rotation flaps were performed. The cochlear implant was refixed in the temporal bone and a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sheet was located covering the cochlear implant. CONCLUSION: headings In all patients with soft tissue infection around the cochlear implant, infection was completely resolved. It was not necessary to remove the device in any case. The use of an absorbable gentamicin-impregnated collagen sheet is not described for the management of soft tissue complications in pediatric cochlear implant patients. The local application of high concentrations of antibiotic administered by this sheet may be effective against resistant bacteria and, in conjunction with surgery, may resolve this type of complications.

Germinoma in the internal auditory canal mimicking a vestibular schwannoma.

The appearance of a primary germinoma in the central nervous system but not on or near the midline or within the brain is exceptional. It may occur at any age; however, it is rare in patients over 50 years old. Only a handful of cases of germinomas located in the cerebellopontine angle were presented, but to our knowledge, there has been no description of an isolated germinoma in the internal auditory canal. We report a case of germinoma in the internal auditory canal in a 51-year-old man simulating the clinical and radiological characteristics of a vestibular schwannoma.

The vestibulo-ocular reflex and subjective balance after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the vestibulo-ocular reflex and its relationship with subjective balance in a long-term follow-up after vestibular schwannoma surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohorts study in a tertiary referral hospital. Forty-nine consecutive patients on which vestibular schwannoma surgery was performed at least 1 year before. METHODS: Patients are classified in accordance with the morphology of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) into two groups: Group A, in which covert and overt saccades always occur in an organized fashion; and group B, in which covert and overt saccades randomly occur during head impulse and once finished. We evaluate the presence of covert and overt saccades and the morphology of the VOR measured by the video head impulse test (vHIT) and its relationship with subjective balance measured by Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). RESULTS: The group B patients returned a higher score in total DHI and all three subscales without any predominant subscale (P = 0,0002; t test). Group B patients were older than those in group A (P = 0,024; t test). No differences were found in sex distribution, tumor size, or side or time interval after surgery. Regarding the unaffected side, overt saccades were found to be more frequent in group B patients (P = 0.05; X(2)). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up after vestibular schwannoma surgery has shown that 22% of the patients display a particular abnormality in the VOR because refixation saccades occur in a random fashion after elicitation of the reflex in the HIT test. These patients report the higher level of vestibular disability and handicap. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Leiomiosarcoma radioinducido de la región posterior del cuello / Radiation-induced leiomyosarcoma of the posterior neck region

Los leiomiosarcomas son tumores mesenquimales malignos, que se originan en las células del músculo liso. Las localizaciones de aparición más frecuentes son el miometrio y el tracto gastrointestinal. En la región de cabeza y cuello los leiomiosarcomas aparecen de forma excepcional. Presentamos el caso de un leiomiosarcoma en la región posterior del cuello, en un paciente radiado 20 años antes por un tumor de nasofaringe. La incidencia de este tipo de tumores que cumple los criterios de tumor radioinducido se sitúa entre el 0,035 y el 0,2%. Los sarcomas radioinducidos son difíciles de diagnosticar en estadios tempranos, debido a la induración y la fibrosis de la zona radiada y a la sintomatología inespecífica que presentan. Su pronóstico es malo (AU)

Leiomyosarcomas are mesenchymal malignant tumours that appear in smooth muscle cells. Their most frequent locations are the uterus and gastrointestinal tract. Their occurrence in head and neck is considered exceptional. We present a patient with a posterior neck region leiomyosarcoma who had received radiation for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma 20 years earlier. The incidence ratio of these tumours in radiated patients (therefore considered radiation-induced) ranges from 0,035 to 0,2%. Radiation-induced sarcomas are difficult to diagnose due to the induration and fibrosis in the radiated area and the non-specific symptoms that they present. Their prognosis is very poor (AU)

Vestibular compensation after vestibular schwannoma surgery: normalization of the subjective visual vertical and disability.

CONCLUSIONS: The degree of caloric weakness before surgery influences faster or slower recovery of patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma surgery. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a good index to show the recovery of patients as it relates directly to an improvement or not of the subjective visual vertical (SVV). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the process of recovery of patients as measured by the SVV and the DHI after surgical removal of vestibular schwannoma. METHODS: We studied 24 consecutive patients of the University Hospital of Salamanca who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery. We assessed age, tumour size, degree of canalicular weakness and preoperative SVV, and their relationship with DHI and SVV at discharge and also at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients with lesser degrees of caloric weakness took longer to normalize SVV than those with a higher caloric weakness before surgery (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between DHI and improvements in SVV with time. The differences disappeared in 6 months where all patients, with greater or lesser degree of caloric weakness, had the same results.

Radiation-induced leiomyosarcoma of the posterior neck region.

INTRODUCTION: Leiomyosarcomas are mesenchymal malignant tumours that appear in smooth muscle cells. Their most frequent locations are the uterus and gastrointestinal tract. Their occurrence in head and neck is considered exceptional. We present a patient with a posterior neck region leiomyosarcoma who had received radiation for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma 20 years earlier. The incidence ratio of these tumours in radiated patients (therefore considered radiation-induced) ranges from 0,035 to 0,2%. Radiation-induced sarcomas are difficult to diagnose due to the induration and fibrosis in the radiated area and the non-specific symptoms that they present. Their prognosis is very poor.

Tratamiento de las hipoacusias mixtas severas a profundas con el BAHA Cordelle II / Treatment of severe to profound mixed hearing loss with the BAHA Cordelle II

Objetivo: Evaluar el rendimiento auditivo del BAHA Cordelle II en el tratamiento de pacientes afectados de hipoacusias mixtas de severas a profundas bilaterales. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 12 pacientes afectados de hipoacusia mixta de severa a profunda, con audiometría tonal liminar, logoaudiometría y encuesta subjetiva antes y después de la implantación de un BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear®).Resultados: La ganancia promedio con el BAHA en campo libre de todos los pacientes en las frecuencias conversacionales (0,5 a 4 khz) fue de 43, 51, 47 y 44 dB, respectivamente. Se obtuvo un sobre cierre del umbral diferencial auditivo (UDA) en todas las frecuencias en 10 de los 12 pacientes. La logoaudiometría pasó de un 85% de discriminación máxima promedio a 83 dB a un 96% a 62 dB. Los cuestionarios subjetivos mostraron un alto grado de satisfacción del uso del BAHA, si bien su rendimiento disminuyó en ambiente ruidoso y con el viento. La inmensa mayoría de usuarios utilizan el BAHA a lo largo de todo el día. Conclusiones: El BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear®).es una buena alternativa en el tratamiento de los pacientes afectados de una hipoacusia mixta de severa a profunda bilateral. Su mínimo riesgo de laberintización, su alta previsibilidad de resultados, su cirugía fácil y muy reglada, la anestesia habitualmente local y el cierre del UDA en casi todas frecuencias son sus mayores ventajas. Los dispositivos activos de oído medio representan otra alternativa más compleja, aunque sus indicaciones específicas no están aún bien definidas por la falta de experiencia mundial. Cuando la inteligibilidad del paciente es muy pobre se debe considerar, como mejor alternativa, la indicación de un implante coclear (AU)

Goals: Evaluation of the audiological outcome and subjective satisfaction of BAHA Cordelle II in the treatment of patients with severe to profound bilateral mixed hearing loss. Material and method: Retrospective study of 12 patients suffering a severe to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, using pure tone audiometry (PTA), speech audiometry and subjective evaluation before and after the implantation of a BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear®). Results: The average gain in conversational frequencies (0.5 to 4 kHz) with BAHA in free field was 43, 51, 47 and 44 dB, respectively. We observed a GAP over closure in 10 of the 12 patients. Speech audiometry improved from 85% at 83 dB of maximum discrimination to 96% at 62 dB. The subjective evaluation questionnaires showed great satisfaction with a slight decrease in noisy or windy environments. The great majority of our patients used the BAHA device throughout the entire day. Conclusions: The BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear®) is a good option in the treatment of severe to profound bilateral mixed hearing loss. Its best advantages are a low risk of labyrinthization, high result predictability, easy and step-by-step surgery, no need for general anaesthesia, and the GAP over closure in all frequencies. Active middle ear devices represent another alternative, but specific indications have not been defined yet because of low universal experience. When the intelligibility of the patient is poor, cochlear implantation should be considered (AU)

[Treatment of severe to profound mixed hearing loss with the BAHA Cordelle II]. / Tratamiento de las hipoacusias mixtas severas a profundas con el BAHA Cordelle II.

GOALS: Evaluation of the audiological outcome and subjective satisfaction of BAHA Cordelle II in the treatment of patients with severe to profound bilateral mixed hearing loss. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of 12 patients suffering a severe to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, using pure tone audiometry (PTA), speech audiometry and subjective evaluation before and after the implantation of a BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear(®)). RESULTS: The average gain in conversational frequencies (0.5 to 4kHz) with BAHA in free field was 43, 51, 47 and 44dB, respectively. We observed a GAP over closure in 10 of the 12 patients. Speech audiometry improved from 85% at 83dB of maximum discrimination to 96% at 62dB. The subjective evaluation questionnaires showed great satisfaction with a slight decrease in noisy or windy environments. The great majority of our patients used the BAHA device throughout the entire day. CONCLUSIONS: The BAHA Cordelle II (Cochlear(®)) is a good option in the treatment of severe to profound bilateral mixed hearing loss. Its best advantages are a low risk of labyrinthization, high result predictability, easy and step-by-step surgery, no need for general anaesthesia, and the GAP over closure in all frequencies. Active middle ear devices represent another alternative, but specific indications have not been defined yet because of low universal experience. When the intelligibility of the patient is poor, cochlear implantation should be considered.

Mucormicosis rinoorbitocerebral, un estudio retrospectivo de 7 casos / Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, a retrospective study of 7 cases

La mucormicosis es una infección oportunista, producida por los hongos del orden mucorales. Tiene una baja incidencia. Es potencialmente letal y afecta a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Presentamos 7 casos de mucormicosis rinocerebral en un estudio retrospectivo de 8 años (2000–2008) en pacientes hematológicos. Es preciso realizar un diagnóstico precoz, para lo cual se ha de mantener un alto índice de sospecha clínica en pacientes con factores predisponentes. El diagnóstico de certeza requiere la realización de cultivos o biopsias de las zonas afectadas que demuestren la invasión de los tejidos por las hifas características. La clave del tratamiento es el desbridamiento quirúrgico precoz y agresivo, junto con altas dosis de amfotericina B intravenosa. A pesar de este tratamiento, el pronóstico es desfavorable y la mortalidad es de un 70–80% (AU)

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of the Mucorales order. It has a low incidence and is a potentially lethal infection which generally affects patients who are immunocompromised due to systemic disease. We report 7 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a retrospective study of 8 years (2000–2008) in hematologyc patients. An early diagnosis is essential, and therefore there must be a high level of clinical suspicion in patients with predisposing factors. Certainty diagnosis requires fungal cultures or biopsies of the affected areas which prove an invasion of the tissues by the characteristic hyphae. The key to treatment is early and aggressive surgical treatment, together with high intravenous doses of B amphotericyn. Despite this, prognosis is poor and mortality is about 70–80% (AU)

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, a retrospective study of 7 cases.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of the Mucorales order. It has a low incidence and is a potentially lethal infection which generally affects patients who are immunocompromised due to systemic disease. We report 7 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a retrospective study of 8 years (2000-2008) in haematological patients. An early diagnosis is essential, and therefore there must be a high level of clinical suspicion in patients with predisposing factors. Certainty diagnosis requires fungal cultures or biopsies of the affected areas which prove an invasion of the tissues by the characteristic hyphae. The key to treatment is early and aggressive surgical treatment, together with high intravenous doses of amphotericin B. Despite this, prognosis is poor and mortality is about 70-80%.

[Diagnosis and evaluation of head and neck paragangliomas. Clinical and biological manifestations]. / Diagnóstico y control evolutivo de los paragangliomas cervicocefálicos. Manifestaciones clínicas y biológicas.

Head and neck paragangliomas are slow-growing tumors and the initial symptoms are sometimes non-specific, often hampering and delaying diagnosis. These tumors may be asymptomatic, even when they have reached a considerable size. Symptomatology is highly varied in terms of anatomical location, stage (degree of invasion, local involvement and the presence of metastasis) and catecholamine secretion (pheochromocytoma), which not only produces a series of systemic manifestations but also serves as a guide to the search for specific genetic diseases, of which these tumors may be a component. Thus, in addition to identifying their anatomical location, excess catecholamine production must be assessed and genetic diagnosis must be completed before surgery is performed.

[Diagnosis and follow-up of head and neck paragangliomas. Contributions of nuclear medicine]. / Diagnóstico y control evolutivo de los paragangliomas de cabeza y cuello. Aportaciones de la medicina nuclear.

Head and neck paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors that express somatostatin type 2 receptors and can consequently be visualized through nuclear imaging techniques, using radionuclide-labelled somatostatin analogs, specifically 111In-pentetreotide. 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy is a safe and non-invasive technique that can be used to explore the entire body; thus, multifocal paragangliomas as well as malignant paragangliomas with local and distant metastasis can be detected. Because this technique is functional, it is highly useful to confirm recurrence or residual tumors, as well as to follow-up patients undergoing surgery. Paragangliomas can be familial and consequently this technique can be used for screening of familial cases. Recently, other nuclear imaging techniques, based on positron emission tomography (PET) technology, have been developed for the diagnosis of these tumors. Appropriately radiolabeled somatostatin analogs could potentially be used for the treatment of paragangliomas.