Partial middle turbinectomy during endoscopic sinus surgery for extended sinonasal polyposis: short- and mid-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: The 23 patients with extensive sinonasal polyposis who had undergone partial resection of the middle turbinate during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) showed no differences in nasal airway resistance and in postoperative complication rate (1-year follow-up period) in comparison with the 25 patients who had FESS with middle turbinate preservation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the outcomes of partial middle turbinectomy during FESS in patients with sinonasal polyposis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 48 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for extended sinonasal polyposis was performed. Twenty-three patients underwent FESS with middle turbinate head resection; 25 patients underwent FESS with preservation of middle turbinate. We endoscopically scored polyposis extension and evaluated nasal airflow resistance (NAR) preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: We found an improvement of endoscopic score (high to low grade of polyposis extension) and a statistically significant reduction of NAR after both surgical techniques. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean NAR values before and after the two techniques.

Deep neck infection in elderly patients. A single institution experience (2000-2004).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immunosenescence, the age-related decline in immunologic function in healthy individuals, seems to contribute to increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in the elderly population. The present study describes elderly patients' susceptibility to deep neck infection and prognosis. METHODS: Between January 2000 and March 2004, 103 patients were admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Padova for deep neck infection. Twenty-four patients (23%) were over 65 (elderly patients). The remaining 79 patients (77%) aged < or =65 years (adult non-elderly patients) were also studied. Presentation modalities, origin of infection, site of deep neck infection, radiological investigations, bacteriology, treatment and outcome were all studied. RESULTS: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most commonly associated systemic diseases in both elderly and non-elderly patients. The number of patients with associated systemic diseases was significantly higher in the elderly group. The most common cause of deep neck infection was dental infection in both age groups. In the elderly group, salivary gland origin had the same incidence as dental origin. Twenty-two patients (6 elderly patients) were treated only with intravenous antibiotic therapy and intravenous steroids. Overall, in 81 cases (78.6%) (18 elderly patients) medical plus surgical procedures were indicated. None of the treated patients died of deep neck infection or its complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of associated systemic diseases and complications of deep neck infections were higher in the elderly group, our medical or medical plus surgical approaches to deep neck infections, based on clinical and radiological evidence, were successful in all patients treated.

Craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis secondary to parotid gland abscess.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially fatal soft-tissue infection that predominantly affects the abdominal wall, perineum and extremities. It is an uncommon clinical entity in the head and neck region and an exhaustive review of the English language literature disclosed reports on approximately 160 cases. Dental pathology, post-traumatic or iatrogenic skin or mucosa injuries and parapharyngeal or peritonsillar infections were the most frequently described origins. We describe herein the first case of craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis (CCNF) due to a parotid gland abscess. The patient was successfully treated with i.v. broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and an aggressive surgical approach (drainage of the parotid abscess and exploration of the neck, with drainage and debridement of necrotic tissue). Effective management of CCNF depends on a prompt diagnosis. Intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy should be instituted immediately. Antibiotic coverage can be narrowed once the culture results are obtained. Aggressive surgical intervention is necessary, involving wide incision, adequate exploration of deep neck spaces and debridement of necrotic tissue until healthy bleeding tissue is encountered.