Drug-induced sedation endoscopy versus clinical exploration for the diagnosis of severe upper airway obstruction in OSAHS patients.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the sites of obstruction of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is paramount for surgical planning. The aim of this study is to compare wake physical exam findings to the ones obtained during drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) in the diagnosis of severe collapse of the upper airway in OSAHS patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of OSAHS patients who underwent DISE at our institution during the 2006-2010 period was conducted. All the patients had previously undergone a physical examination that included modified Mallampati index (MMI), the Müller maneuver (MM), and the Friedman staging system. Level and severity of airway collapse were evaluated. A severe collapse was attributed to obstructions equal or greater than 75 % of the airway. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients were included in the study. The incidence of severe airway collapse was compared between DISE and MM; at retropalatal level, no significant difference was found. At retrolingual level, 69 % of patients had severe collapse with DISE in comparison to a 28 % with the MM (p < 0.05). No relationship was found either with the MMI or with the Friedman staging system when compared to the incidence of severe retrolingual collapse diagnosed by DISE. Concordance was low between awake and DISE exploration in both retropalatal and retroglossal level. CONCLUSION: The Müller maneuver underestimates tongue base severe obstruction diagnosis when compared to that obtained after DISE in OSAHS patients. The wake patient exploration does not accurately correlate to DISE exploration.

Precisión diagnóstica de la citología por punción aspiración con aguja fina en tumores de la glándula parótida / Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in parotid tumours

Introducción y objetivos: La citología por punción aspiración con aguja fina (PAAF) es un método globalmente aceptado en la evaluación preoperatoria de los tumores de cabeza y cuello, sin embargo, su efectividad en la interpretación de lesiones neoplásicas de las glándulas salivales es controvertida. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la eficacia de la PAAF en el diagnóstico preoperatorio en los tumores de glándula parótida. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de una muestra de 93 pacientes con enfermedad tumoral de la glándula parótida tratados en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología de nuestra institución durante el período 2007-2011, que fueron sometidos a PAAF diagnóstica preoperatoria y posteriormente a exéresis quirúrgica y estudio anatomopatológico. Los resultados de la citología fueron clasificados como negativo o positivo para enfermedad maligna, o muestra insuficiente. Posteriormente, los resultados fueron comparados con el diagnóstico anatomopatológico definitivo. Resultados: La edad media de la muestra fue de 52,9 años, con un rango comprendido entre los 11 y los 88 años; el 55,9% eran hombres. La PAAF presentó una sensibilidad para detectar malignidad en tumores de la glándula parótida del 57,1% y una especificidad de 95,1%, con valores predictivo positivo y predictivo negativo para malignidad de 50 y 96,3%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La PAAF es una prueba sencilla pero de utilidad limitada para la orientación diagnóstica en la enfermedad tumoral de la glándula parótida en nuestro medio, debido principalmente a su baja sensibilidad; sin embargo, su alta especificidad y elevado valor predictivo negativo hacen de la misma una prueba con mayor precisión frente a un resultado benigno o negativo de la misma (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a globally accepted technique in the preoperative evaluations of head and neck tumours; however, the effectiveness in the interpretation of salivary glands neoplastic lesions is still controversial. The objective of this study consisted of assessing the efficacy of FNAC in preoperative diagnosis of parotid tumours. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using 93 patient samples with parotid gland tumoral pathology, treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Department in our institution during the 2007-2011 period. Preoperative FNAC was employed and the patients subsequently submitted to surgical excision with histopathological diagnosis of the specimen. Cytology results were classified as negative for malignancy, positive for malignancy or insufficient sample, and later compared with the definitive histological diagnosis. Results: The mean age of the studied sample was 52.9 years (range: 11 to 88 years); 55.9% were men. The FNAC showed significant sensitivity of 57.1%, with a specificity of 95.1%, for detecting malignancy in parotid gland tumours. The positive and negative predictive values for malignancy were 50 and 96.3%, respectively. Conclusions: FNAC is considered a simple test but of limited use for diagnostic guidance in tumour pathology of the parotid gland in our environment, mainly because of its low sensitivity. However, the high specificity and high negative predictive value of FNAC makes it a more accurate test in benign or negative result cases (AU)

[Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in parotid tumours]. / Precisión diagnóstica de la citología por punción aspiración con aguja fina en tumores de la glándula parótida.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a globally accepted technique in the preoperative evaluations of head and neck tumours; however, the effectiveness in the interpretation of salivary glands neoplastic lesions is still controversial. The objective of this study consisted of assessing the efficacy of FNAC in preoperative diagnosis of parotid tumours. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using 93 patient samples with parotid gland tumoral pathology, treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Department in our institution during the 2007-2011 period. Preoperative FNAC was employed and the patients subsequently submitted to surgical excision with histopathological diagnosis of the specimen. Cytology results were classified as negative for malignancy, positive for malignancy or insufficient sample, and later compared with the definitive histological diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean age of the studied sample was 52.9 years (range: 11 to 88 years); 55.9% were men. The FNAC showed significant sensitivity of 57.1%, with a specificity of 95.1%, for detecting malignancy in parotid gland tumours. The positive and negative predictive values for malignancy were 50 and 96.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC is considered a simple test but of limited use for diagnostic guidance in tumour pathology of the parotid gland in our environment, mainly because of its low sensitivity. However, the high specificity and high negative predictive value of FNAC makes it a more accurate test in benign or negative result cases.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy: a two drug comparison and simultaneous polysomnography.

The purpose of the present study was to compare pharyngeal and polysomnographical findings during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) performed with either propofol or midazolam as a single sedative agent. It is prospective, non-randomized, double-blinded case series study. Sixteen patients with sleep disordered breathing were sedated first with propofol and after full wake up with midazolam. Simultaneous polysomnography (PSG) was performed. We compared the zones of obstruction and vibration found with both drugs using the VOTE classification. Simultaneous PSG findings are also compared. There were 15 men and one woman; the mean age was 42.7 years old, mean body mass index 26.9 kg/m(2). Average DISE duration was 20 min with Propofol and 14.3 min with Midazolam. The induced sleep stage obtained was N2 with both drugs. Outpatient physical exam did not correlate with drug-induced sleep findings. There was a good correlation between DISE results with both drugs in all the areas of collapse except the velum (p < 0.005). Using a continuous perfusion, there is a good agreement in the findings observed in DISE performed with propofol and midazolam and PSG.

Autofonía de etiología infrecuente: síndrome de la trompa patulosa / Uncommon aetiology for autophony: patulous eustachian tube

Presentamos el caso de un paciente con autofonía, diagnosticado de síndrome de la trompa patulosa y tratado mediante cierre de la trompa con catéter según la técnica modificada de Bluestone y Cantekin en el que se obtuvieron buenos resultados tras un año de seguimiento (AU)

We report the case of a patient with autophony diagnosed with a patulous Eustachian tube. The patient was treated according to the technique described by Bluestone and Cantekin, inserting an indwelling catheter into the tube. Good results were obtained after one year of monitoring (AU)

Uncommon aetiology for autophony: patulous eustachian tube.

We report the case of a patient with autophony diagnosed with a patulous Eustachian tube. The patient was treated according to the technique described by Bluestone and Cantekin, inserting an indwelling catheter into the tube. Good results were obtained after one year of monitoring.

Miringoplastias. Un análisis retrospectivo de nuestros resultados / Myringoplasties. A retrospective analysis of our surgical outcomes

Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar, de forma detallada, nuestros resultados en la cirugía de la reconstrucción de la membrana timpánica y sobre todo los diferentes factores que influyen en los resultados con el fin de contrastar su valor pronóstico. Métodos: Hemos revisado un total de 126 miringoplastias desde 2006 hasta 2010, recopilando los datos del paciente, la descripción del defecto anatómico y los aspectos más relevantes de la propia intervención. Resultados: Las perforaciones subtotales (35,7%) fueron las más frecuentes. En el 89,7% se realizó el abordaje transcanal. La técnica medial (underlay) fue la más empleada (97,6%). Como injerto se utilizó principalmente el cartílago (82,5%). Se consiguió un cierre completo de la perforación en el 71,1% a los 6 meses de seguimiento. Las reperforaciones fueron de tipo puntiforme en el 11,9%, parcial en el 11,1% y dehiscencia de los fragmentos de cartílago en el 4,8%. El tiempo medio en el cual se registró el defecto de la cirugía fue a los 3,82 meses. La ganancia auditiva media fue de 12,8 dB a los 6 meses de la intervención. Conclusiones: La miringoplastia constituye una técnica adecuada para la restitución de la integridad timpánica y para la obtención de un beneficio funcional. Un estado de la caja seco y las perforaciones posteriores parecen relacionarse con un mejor pronóstico funcional (AU)

Objective: The aim of this study was to present, myringoplasty case results in our department. Different factors were studied to confirm their prognostic value. Materials and methods: A total of 126 myringoplasties from 2006 until 2010 were reviewed, collecting patient-related details, descriptions of the anatomical defect and the most interesting surgical aspects. Results: Subtotal perforations (35.7%) were the most frequently observed. In 89.7% of the operations, the transcanal approach was preferred. The medial technique (underlay) to the tympanic membrane was the most performed (97.6%). Cartilage was the principal graft used (82.5%). Complete closure of the perforation was obtained in 71.1% of the cases at 6 months follow-up. Recurrences of the perforations were of minimal size in 11.9% of the cases, partial in 11.1% and with a cartilage fragment gap in 4.8%. The mean time in which these defects were registered was 3.82 months. The mean post-operative auditory gain was 12.8 decibels at 6 months. Conclusions: Myringoplasty is an appropriate technique for restoring tympanic integrity and obtaining functional benefit. Dried middle ear mucosa and posterior perforations seem to be related with better functional results (AU)

[Myringoplasties. A retrospective analysis of our surgical outcomes]. / Miringoplastias. Un análisis retrospectivo de nuestros resultados.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present, myringoplasty case results in our department. Different factors were studied to confirm their prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 126 myringoplasties from 2006 until 2010 were reviewed, collecting patient-related details, descriptions of the anatomical defect and the most interesting surgical aspects. RESULTS: Subtotal perforations (35.7%) were the most frequently observed. In 89.7% of the operations, the transcanal approach was preferred. The medial technique (underlay) to the tympanic membrane was the most performed (97.6%). Cartilage was the principal graft used (82.5%). Complete closure of the perforation was obtained in 71.1% of the cases at 6 months follow-up. Recurrences of the perforations were of minimal size in 11.9% of the cases, partial in 11.1% and with a cartilage fragment gap in 4.8%. The mean time in which these defects were registered was 3.82 months. The mean post-operative auditory gain was 12.8 decibels at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Myringoplasty is an appropriate technique for restoring tympanic integrity and obtaining functional benefit. Dried middle ear mucosa and posterior perforations seem to be related with better functional results.