Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid encompass a wide differential diagnosis. The most common is medullary thyroid carcinoma. One must consider other possibilities when a neuroendocrine thyroid tumor is calcitonin negative. We report 2 cases of Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid and discuss the differential diagnosis and workup of a calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid. METHODS/RESULTS: This is a retrospective review of 2 patients diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid and a review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid is an exceedingly rare diagnosis, but should be included in the differential diagnosis for a thyroidal neuroendocrine lesion (especially in the absence of calcitonin). The use and interpretation of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization are essential in making the correct diagnosis.

Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the sphenoid sinus.

BACKGROUND: Multiple reports have demonstrated the efficacy of the transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the anterior cranial base. The literature, however, lacks a comprehensive clinical study specifically addressing the transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the factors that significantly affect the surgical outcome after transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent an endoscopic transnasal repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus at our teaching hospitals. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinuses that were repaired by the transnasal endoscopic approach were included in our study. Causes of the CSF leaks included trauma, surgery, neoplasms, and idiopathic causes. Obliteration was the most common technique used to repair the CSF fistulas (used in 15 [58%] of 26 procedures). Grafting materials included banked pericardium, mucosa, turbinate bone, and mucoperichondrium placed by underlay or onlay grafting or abdominal fat used to obliterate the sphenoid sinus. Twenty-two patients were successfully treated on the first attempt. A persistent leak in 2 patients with previously unrecognized high-pressure hydrocephalus was repaired during a second endoscopic surgery, quickly followed by ventriculoperitoneal shunting. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming an adequate repair, other factors such as the cause, the size of the defect, the technique and material used to repair the defect, and perioperative management do not affect the surgical outcome significantly. Untreated high-pressure hydrocephalus can lead to a recurrence or persistence of the leaks and should be suspected in patients with posttraumatic, idiopathic, or recurrent CSF leaks.

Endoscopic repair of acquired encephaloceles, meningoceles, and meningo-encephaloceles: predictors of success.

Meningoceles, encephaloceles, and meningo-encephaloceles may develop through defects associated with congenital anomalies or through defects produced by tumor, trauma, or surgery. Their initial management, surgical indications, and repair techniques are not universally accepted. We undertook this study to compare the contributions of different surgical techniques and materials to the success of endoscopic repairs of acquired meningo-encephaloceles. We also examined whether characteristics of the patient, the meningo-encephalocele, or the adjunctive treatment influenced the outcome of the repair.We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of all patients undergoing transnasal endoscopic repair of acquired meningo-encephaloceles at our academic hospitals. We encountered 17 patients with meningo-encephaloceles of the anterior fossa and parasellar area; 15 were repaired immediately using transnasal endoscopic techniques. Two persistent leaks associated with hydrocephalus were repaired during a second endoscopic attempt, which was rapidly followed by ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Location and size of the skull base defect, its etiology, and the technique and choice of material used for repair did not significantly affect surgical outcomes. However, the presence of hydrocephalus was significantly related to poor surgical outcomes.

Experiences in cochlear implantation

Os autores relatam a experiência com implantes cocleares no "Eye and Ear Hospital" de Pittsburgh (USA), nos últimos cinco anos. Dezoito pacientes foram operados. Os implantes utilizados foram o "House - 3M single channel" e o "Melbourne-Nucleous multichannel". Os critérios para a seleçäo dos pacientes, a técnica cirúrgica e os resultados pós-operatórios säo apresentados em detalhe