Present and future of the labyrinth imaging: Focus on the use of T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced delayed FLAIR (1 h) sequences.

OBJECTIVE: Part of the recent progress in the labyrinth imaging has been made possible by the rise of contrast-free T2-weighted and delayed (1h) FLAIR sequences. The aim of this article is to review evidence for the use of these two sequences to image the inner ear, especially the posterior membranous labyrinth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed MRI-based papers (2007-2020)using high-resolution T2-weighted or contrast-enhanced FLAIR (1h) sequences to image the inner ear. RESULTS: T2-weighted sequences (3T MRI)enabled the visualization of the posterior membranous labyrinth with good correlation when compared to corresponding histological slices.Significant progress has been made, especially in terms of scanning time, aiming at reducing it, in order to decrease motions artifacts. The saccule is visible on a 3T MRI without significant motion artifacts. Its shape is ovoid, with a maximum height and width of 1.6 and 1.4 mm, respectively. An enlarged saccule was observed in 84%of patients with unilateral Meniere's disease, in 28%of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS) and 47%of patients with intralabyrinthine schwannomas. VS obstructing the internal auditory canal caused a decrease of the perilymphatic signal (more moderate decrease in meningiomas) on T2 gradient-echo images. Contrast-enhanced FLAIR sequences are useful to image vestibular/facial neuritis and inflammatory inner ear diseases. CONCLUSION: Precise analysis of the posterior membranous labyrinth, in terms of size, shape and signal intensity, is possible on a 3T MRI using high-resolution gradient-echo T2-weighted sequences. Such sequences are an interesting add-on to delayed (4h30) FLAIR-based protocols for labyrinth imaging.

A 19-Year Record of Training Haitian Residents in Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Since 1996, 1 to 4 annual training missions have been carried out to train Haitian otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and cervicofacial surgery residents by the association Liens Otorhinolaryngology Ayti (LOA). Until 1996, ENT was practiced and taught by ophthalmologists. The aim of this article is to describe the contributions and limitations of LOA in training of Haitian resident physicians and the creation of the ENT specialty in Haiti. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical consultation and surgical interventions records and didactics carried out during missions from 1996 through 2014. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 37 missions were made during the 19-year period in which 29 senior ENT specialists participated, with an average of 3.37 missions per physician. RESULTS: A total of 10,300 consultations and 173 surgical procedures were made jointly by a senior LOA physician and a Haitian resident physician. Totally 16 Haitian ENT residents were trained, 81% of whom are still practicing in Haiti. ENT became a surgical specialty in 2001 after the nomination of a Haitian ENT specialist as Assistant Director of the ENT-Ophthalmology service. The latter benefitted from dual training by LOA in Haiti and abroad. CONCLUSION: The Haitian population experiences significant difficulties with access to medical care owing to very low number of resident medical personnel. LOA's work has contributed over 19 years to the training of ENT physicians now practicing in Haiti and to the creation of a local ENT specialty.

Laryngeal replacement with an artificial larynx after total laryngectomy: the possibility of restoring larynx functionality in the future.

BACKGROUND: Most patients perceive total laryngectomy as a mutilation carrying with it a loss of physical and psychological integrity. Thus, an artificial larynx system that can replace the laryngeal functions would significantly improve the quality of life for the afflicted patients. METHODS: This report, with accompanying video, presents the first case in an ongoing clinical trial of laryngeal rehabilitation using an artificial larynx after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma, for an 8-month follow-up period. We depict the prosthesis' features, our 2-step surgical procedure, and the outcome. The prosthesis is formed of 2 parts: (1) a tracheal prosthesis with a porous titanium junction with trachea, which was implanted in the first step to ensure its colonization, and (2) a removable part composed of concentric valves that enable inhalation and exhalation. The second part was implanted endoscopically. The implant was monitored with a retrograde nasofibroscopy of the tracheal prosthesis lumen and CT scans over a course of 8 months. RESULTS: The patient's functioning in the relevant postoperative problem areas, such as swallowing, breathing, and smelling, has significantly improved. The patient was able to talk in a whispering fashion while the tracheostomy was temporarily closed. The implant's porous part was in the process of being colonized by the surrounding tissue and no fistulas were observed as evidenced by barium swallow. CONCLUSION: As the current case shows, tracheotomy closure can be performed, and laryngeal functions are restored, by means of an implant. With further improvements, this system can alleviate the need for a permanent tracheostomy after total laryngectomy, while maintaining important larynx functions intact.

Randomized controlled trial on postoperative pulmonary humidification after total laryngectomy: external humidifier versus heat and moisture exchanger.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Assessment of immediate postoperative airway humidification after total laryngectomy (TLE), comparing the use of an external humidifier (EH) with humidification through a heat and moisture exchanger (HME). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: Fifty-three patients were randomized into the standard (control) EH (N = 26) or the experimental HME arm (N = 27). Compliance, pulmonary and sleeping problems, patients' and nursing staff satisfaction, nursing time, and cost-effectiveness were assessed with trial-specific structured questionnaires and tally sheets. RESULTS: In the EH arm data were available for all patients, whereas in the HME arm data were incomplete for four patients. The 24/7 compliance rate in the EH arm was 12% and in the HME arm 87% (77% if the four nonevaluable patients are considered noncompliant). Compliance and patients' satisfaction were significantly better, and the number of coughing episodes, mucus expectoration for clearing the trachea, and sleeping disturbances were significantly less in the HME arm (P < .001). This was also the case for nursing time and nursing staff satisfaction and preference. CONCLUSIONS: This RCT clearly shows the benefits of immediate postoperative airway humidification by means of an HME over the use of an EH after TLE. This study therefore underlines that HMEs presently can be considered the better option for early postoperative airway humidification after TLE.

Perioperative mortality in oncologic head and neck surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the causes of perioperative mortality after head and neck oncologic surgery, to improve operative strategies and surgery procedures, and to reduce postoperative complications. SETTING: University Hospitals of Strasbourg, Head and Neck Department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical files of patients who died within 30 days of presentation with epidermoid carcinoma of the head or neck were analyzed; criteria included age, sex, medical history, and the location and stage of development of the tumour. MEASUREMENT METHOD: The causes of death are discussed with reference to the pre- and postmortem observations. RESULTS: In this study, the perioperative mortality rate was 3.07%. It depended more on tumour stage and the medical history of the patient than on tumour location and the age of the patient. The responsibility of the medical team itself was involved in some cases. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study shows the difficulty of establishing the cause of death of weakened patients who have undergone a heavy surgical operation. Although the majority of deaths recorded are considered to have been unavoidable, for a small number of them, the absence of vital function monitoring over the first days after the operation was a contributory cause. Perioperative mortality has greatly decreased over the last 30 years and is, at present, almost nonexistent during anesthesia in head and neck surgery.