Surgical treatment of cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistula by hydrodissection.

Middle ear cholesteatoma is a destructive lesion that can potentially erode the bone. Cholesteatoma is a clinical diagnosis in the vast majority of cases. Patients must be systematically investigated for the presence of signs suggestive of complications, the most common of which is labyrinthine fistula. However, the clinical features of labyrinthine fistula are inconstant and the fistula sign may sometimes be negative. CT scan of the petrous temporal bone is performed systematically to specify the site and extension of the cholesteatoma, and to assess the extent of osteolysis that can result in exposure of the membranous labyrinth. Surgical treatment has three main objectives: complete resection of the cholesteatoma, which is the only way to avoid residual cholesteatoma, prevention of recurrence by an adapted, preferably one-step, technique, and restoration of good quality hearing. Hydrodissection of the cholesteatoma matrix in the presence of labyrinthine fistula is a simple technique that can achieve the three main general objectives of cholesteatoma surgery.

Glial heterotopia of the middle ear.

INTRODUCTION: Glial heterotopia is defined as the presence of normal glial tissue in an abnormal site. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 63-year-old man who presented with right hearing loss and tinnitus. ENT examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed signs of chronic otitis media. Right mastoidectomy demonstrated a solid mass of the right mastoid and middle ear with no associated dehiscence of the tegmen tympani. Histological examination of the mass revealed normal glial tissue. DISCUSSION: Glial heterotopia is a rare entity, which must be distinguished from encephalocele. It is usually an incidental surgical finding when the surgeon observes a mass of the mastoid and middle ear not communicating with the central nervous system. Histological examination confirms the diagnosis by revealing normal glial tissue in the ear.

Endoscopic pharyngolaryngoplasty: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Any technique that allows decannulation of tracheostomy-dependent patients relieves their discomfort and reduces health costs. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 70-year-old tracheostomy-dependent patient with pharyngolaryngeal stenosis and a history of radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer in remission for 13years and multiple decannulation failures. Endoscopic pharyngolaryngoplasty was performed using reconstructive transoral laser microsurgery techniques, allowing permanent decannulation. Endoscopic sutures secured by clips were performed to remodel the pharyngolarynx and prevent recurrence of synechiae. DISCUSSION: Endoscopic surgery of the pharynx and larynx was initially developed for resection of small tumours. Reconstructive transoral laser microsurgery has been developed more recently. One of the objectives of this surgery is to reconstruct the pharyngolarynx to treat functional sequelae following surgery and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. It allows reconstruction of the upper airways to restore mouth breathing in tracheostomy-dependent patients, thereby facilitating permanent decannulation.