Endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy of the sphenoid and clival mass.

Abnormalities of the clivus/skull base occur most commonly as a result of disease spread from adjacent structures, but can also occur from primary involvement of the clivus. Traditionally, definitive diagnosis was made by CT guided biopsy or craniotomy. However, lesions can occur in this area that are not amenable to CT guided biopsy or craniotomy. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can provide a safe method for obtaining a clival biopsy, debulking of tumor tissue, or definitive treatment without the morbidity and mortality of a craniotomy. This study was designed to describe our experience with the endoscopic approach to the skull base and clivus via the sphenoid sinus. A series of seven patients underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy of a sphenoid clival lesion. All patients avoided anticipated craniotomy, and definitive pathology was obtained in five of six patients. In two cases, excisional biopsy proved to be therapeutic. There were no deaths, and major complications included one CSF leak and one intraoperative hemorrhage, both of which were controlled immediately. The experience gained with these patients demonstrates the feasibility and safety of this new application of endoscopic sinus surgery for the diagnosis and possible treatment of lesions of the sphenoid and clivus.

The use of 3-dimensional models in auricular reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the microtic auricle is a difficult process requiring considerable experience and dedication to detail. It is a multistage proposition requiring the talents of both the reconstructive surgeon and the otologic surgeon. Reconstruction of the external ear usually precedes the reconstruction of the middle ear. Often, a template is used by the reconstructive surgeon to aid in this complicated process. Traditionally, templates used by the reconstructive surgeon have been 2 dimensional (usually x-ray paper) and made from the opposite normal ear or another normal ear in cases of bilateral microtia. Use of a 2-dimensional model only provides a rough estimate of the cartilage framework needed. Considerable experience is therefore needed to get this cartilage framework "just right." We have developed a number of 3-dimensional synthetic templates to aid in the creation of an accurate cartilage framework implant. These templates serve as a more accurate guide in the complex cartilage carving and assembly process. The use of 3-dimensional templates has improved our technical reconstructive results in a small number of patients. We present these results and propose future application of these ideas.

Endoscopic closure of postsurgical anterior cranial fossa cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to present an alternative technique to closure of anterior cranial fossa cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. This study also serves to review our experience with our technique and presents some technical "tricks" we have learned through experience. METHODS: The design of this study is a clinical chart review. The setting is an academic medical center. RESULTS: Eight patients were referred for closure of postsurgical CSF leaks. Seven of eight patients underwent closure with one attempt and closure was achieved after a second attempt in one patient. Follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 4.0 years. There were no complications. No patient developed an acute or delayed episode of meningitis. CONCLUSION: The technique of endoscopic closure of a CSF leak is a safe and effective means for closure of a postsurgical anterior cranial fossa CSF fistula when performed by an experienced operator.

Parathyroid autotransplantation in patients undergoing a total thyroidectomy: a review of 261 patients.

Parathyroid autotransplantation was first described in 1907 by Halsted. However, this simple and effective method of preserving parathyroid function has been used with increasing frequency only during the past 25 years. Beginning in the late 1960s, our group has transplanted normal parathyroid tissue into the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle whenever these glands could not be preserved in situ with adequate blood supply. In addition, if the blood supply of all four parathyroid glands appeared compromised, cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue was performed in case the autotransplanted tissue did not function after surgery. Since 1970, 393 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy. Parathyroid glands that could not be saved in situ were biopsied to confirm their identity by frozen section and then autotransplanted. Of the 393 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy, 261 patients required transplantation of one or more glands. Among those 261 patients who underwent selective parathyroid autotransplantation, 33 (13%) required temporary calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Of these 33 patients, 2 (less than 1%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism and are receiving long-term vitamin D therapy.

Management of the jugular bulb during lateral skull base surgery.

The intraoperative management of a patent jugular bulb presents a formidable challenge during the treatment of lateral skull base lesions. Whether to preserve, partially occlude, or completely sacrifice this critical structure is a decision best made following a multifactorial analysis of preoperative clinicoradiographic data, tumor histopathology, and intraoperative findings. Twenty-six patients with tumors requiring dissection near a patent jugular bulb were reviewed. Ten patients had superior neck tumors, nine had primary temporal bone lesions, and seven presented with recurrent parotid malignancies. The most common clinical manifestations were headache and vocal cord paralysis and the most significant radiographic finding was the presence of a mass at the styloid base. Jugular bulb patency was preserved in six patients, partially maintained in seven, and was sacrificed in 13 individuals. This article focuses on the clinicoradiographic findings in patients with neoplastic jugular foramen encroachment, but preserved jugular blood flow. Surgical technique will be detailed through selected case presentations and the management of lower cranial nerve injuries will be reviewed.

Use of a marshmallow bolus for evaluating lower esophageal mucosal rings.

Sixty-three patients (35 women, 28 men; mean age 55 yr) with lower esophageal mucosal ring shown radiographically were examined with a semi-solid bolus consisting of a portion of a standard marshmallow. The most common symptom was dysphagia, present in 46 (73%) patients. Impaction of the marshmallow bolus by the ring occurred in 40 (63%) of the 63 patients, and produced symptoms in 27 (68%) of these 40 patients. Nine (14%) rings were detected radiographically only with a solid bolus; eight of these patients had dysphagia and seven rings were 20 mm or less in caliber. Impaction related to ring caliber, and was found in all 17 (100%) rings that were 13 mm or less in diameter, in 17/24 (71%) 14- to 19-mm rings, and in 6/22 (27%) rings 20 mm or more in caliber. Endoscopy in 23 patients detected 16 (70%) rings, and also depended on ring caliber: less than or equal to 13 mm, 6/6 (100%); 14-19 mm, 5/9 (56%); greater than or equal to 20 mm, 5/8 (63%). Marshmallow impaction occurred in 17 (74%) of 23 patients who had endoscopy; three of the 23 patients had normal endoscopy. In conclusion, radiographic examination supplemented by the use of a marshmallow bolus best detects lower esophageal mucosal ring.

Boehler's angle: a reappraisal.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To reappraise Boehler's angle and evaluate factors, including centering of the central beam, sex of subjects, and side of the body, that may affect angle measurement. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical review. SETTING: Emergency department, Level I trauma center. TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS: 120 consecutive patients radiographed for ankle injury who had normal bones on the ankle and/or foot radiographs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean and SD of Boehler's angle were 30 degrees C +/- 6 degrees (range, 14 degrees to 50 degrees). There was no difference in Boehler's angle between male and female subjects (P greater than .05) or between left and right feet (P greater than .05). Slight variations in central beam location for ankle and foot radiographs had no significant effect on Boehler's angle. CONCLUSION: If 28 degrees is taken as the lower limit of normal for Boehler's angle, 37 cases (31%) would be false-positive "abnormal." The use of 20 degrees as the lower limit may decrease the number of false-positive to three cases (2.5%); using 18 degrees (mean -2 SD) reduces the false-positive rate to less than 1% (one case).

Evaluation of the esophagus with a marshmallow bolus: clarifying the cause of dysphagia.

We reviewed the radiographic examinations of the esophagus and medical records in 117 patients (55 women and 62 men; mean age, 52 years) in which a marshmallow bolus was also given. A one-third to one-half piece of a standard marshmallow was used with a mean size of 23 mm (+/- 4.5 mm SD) measured in vivo. In 62 patients with no intrinsic structural narrowing of the esophagus, impaction occurred in only seven (11%). Four of these patients had an esophageal motility disorder, and three had a previous Nissen fundoplication. The remaining 55 patients had lower esophageal mucosal rings (47) or peptic strictures (8). Marshmallow impaction was seen in 27 of 47 rings (57%) and was inversely related to ring size, and in six of eight strictures (75%). Also, impaction was related to the ratio of bolus size to ring caliber, and invariably occurred when this ratio was greater than 1.5. Dysphagia was the presenting complaint in 76 (65%) patients, but was found equally in those without intrinsic narrowing and in those with ring or stricture. However, dysphagia was reproduced by the marshmallow bolus only in patients with esophageal narrowing or abnormal motility.

Impact of the small bowel study on patient management.

Medical records of 528 consecutive patients who had a peroral small bowel examination or enteroclysis were reviewed. Clinical indications, efficacy of the small bowel examinations, and patient outcome were correlated to determine the impact of the small bowel examination on patient management. The most frequent indications were abdominal pain (19%), diarrhea (15%), obstruction (12%), bleeding (11%), postsurgical evaluation (10%), and assessment of Crohn's disease (8%). Two thirds of the studies (67%) were normal, and 33% of the examinations were abnormal, with similar results in all age groups. Small bowel obstruction (13%), miscellaneous results primarily including diffuse small bowel diseases (7%), adhesions (6%), and Crohn's disease (5%) were the most common abnormalities detected. The effects of small bowel studies on patient management were exclusion of serious pathology (67%), diagnosis that changed therapy (32%), and incidental findings (1%). Small bowel enteroclysis had a higher yield of positive examinations than the peroral small bowel examination, most likely due to patient selection.

Rapid assay of labeled free fatty acids in mixtures of labeled lipids.

The fatty acids in lipid mixtures are adsorbed on dehydrated hydroxy-charged ion exchange resin, the other lipids are removed by washing with solvent, and the adsorbed fatty acids are released with quaternary ammonium base for counting. All manipulations are carried out directly in scintillation vials.