Surgical treatment for the aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear with pulsatile tinnitus.

Many previous reports have indicated that pulsatile tinnitus caused by an aberrant internal carotid artery (ICA) should not be treated surgically because of the risk of infection or aneurysm formation. We herein describe a case of aberrant ICA treated by middle ear surgery for which we introduced a novel approach. An 84-year-old man was presented with a one-year history of tinnitus in his right ear. Otoscopic examination demonstrated a whitish mass in the antero-inferior quadrant of the tympanic membrane associated with rhythmic pulsation. Images obtained by CT, MRI and MRA revealed protrusion of the ICA into the tympanic cavity, making contact with the tympanic membrane. Surgery to separate the tympanic membrane from the ICA was performed in order to relieve the pulsatile tinnitus. After the operation, the patient's aural activity was preserved and the tinnitus did not recur within a follow-up period of one year. In the present case, delicate middle ear surgery was effective for relief of the tinnitus. When treating patients with aberrant IAC showing features similar to the present case, the surgical approach we have described is worth attempting.

Middle ear myoclonus cured by selective tenotomy of the tensor tympani: strategies for targeted intervention for middle ear muscles.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of middle ear myoclonus that was successfully cured by selective transection of the tensor tympani (TT) without sectioning the stapedius tendon (ST) and to review previously reported cases, elucidating precipitating factors for interventions targeting middle ear muscles. DATA SOURCES: One case we encountered and a recent systematic review published in 2012. STUDY SELECTIONS: In addition to our case, 23 cases identified by the previous systematic review regarding middle ear myoclonus in which surgical interventions were conducted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Outcomes for selective tenotomy of TT or ST were analyzed focusing on the following 6 preoperative factors: 1) history of facial palsy, 2) provoking factors for tinnitus, 3) auscultation of the ear, 4) movement of the ear drum, 5) complication with palatal myoclonus, and 6) confirmation of myoclonus during surgery. Among these, the first 2 factors represented significant factors for selective tenotomy of ST (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, no auscultation of the ear was significant for selective tenotomy (p < 0.01), specifically for ST. Confirmation of muscle contraction during surgery contributed significantly (p < 0.01) to targeted intervention, but selective tenotomy of TT was successfully performed in 3 cases without such confirmation by confirming variations in compliance with tympanometry CONCLUSION: Assessment of the history of facial palsy, provoking factor of tinnitus, auscultation of the ear, and confirmation of myoclonus during surgery appear helpful in predicting which middle ear muscle is undergoing myoclonus. Furthermore, long-time-based tympanometry offers objective information for planning targeted intervention for middle ear muscles and clarifying clinical outcomes.

Upper airway obstruction by epiglottis and arytenoids hematoma in a patient treated with warfarin sodium.

With the increase in the number of patients undergoing warfarin therapy, reports of complications due to such therapy have become frequent. Although upper airway obstruction secondary to bleeding resulting from warfarin therapy is rare, it is a life-threatening complication because of the risk of airway obstruction. Only one previous case of hematoma of the epiglottis and arytenoids has been reported. We here in report a case of an 83-year-old woman on warfarin therapy who presented with a sore throat. On flexible nasoendoscopy, edema of the epiglottis and bilateral arytenoids with a red and purple hue were observed. The left true vocal cord was erythematous, but the airway was adequately maintained. The PT-INR of the patient was 10. She was managed conservatively and had a good course.

Malignant lymphoma arising from heterotopic Warthin's tumor in the neck: case report and review of the literature.

Warthin's tumor (WT), so-called adenolymphoma, is a benign salivary gland tumor with both epithelial and lymphoid histological characteristics, so the histogenesis remains unclear. Treatment consists primarily of tumor removal or conservative follow up. Here we present a rare case of malignant lymphoma arising from heterotopic (ectopic) WT. A 102-year-old man presented with a mass in the left side of the neck which was painless but gradually enlarged over 1 month. The mass was 2-3 cm in diameter, and freely moveable below the angle of the mandible. The mass was totally removed. The histological diagnosis was malignant lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type, arising from heterotopic WT. Postoperative staging examination including chest radiography, bone scan, and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed no evidence of dissemination of malignant lymphoma. Malignant transformation within WT is rarer in the lymphoid component than in the epithelial component. Only 16 cases of malignant transformation arising from WT have been reported, including only three cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma apparently arising from heterotopic WT. Tumor removal or careful follow up is recommended in patients with WT because of the potential risk posed by such malignant transformation.

State of mastication affects quality of life in patients with maxillary sinus cancer.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The quality of life of head and neck cancer patients after treatment is poor compared with a typical population sample. However, little is known about patients with maxillary sinus cancer. The identification of symptoms that are most troublesome for these patients and the development of strategies to minimize these negative sequelae should be matters of high priority. STUDY DESIGN: A restrospective study of patients with maxillary sinus cancer who underwent maxillary bone resection. METHODS: Thirty patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma participated in the study. The relationships among the degree of masticatory ability, the extent of the surgically resected area, and quality of life after combined treatment of maxillary cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: Scores of all physical and mental factors as assessed by the Short Form-36 questionnaire decreased as the masticatory ability of patients worsened. In edentulous cases, the masticatory ability was higher in the reduced operation group than in the extensive operation group. CONCLUSION: Maintaining adaptability to a denture is essential to preserve quality of life, particularly in patients with anodontia.