Rhabdomyoma of the true vocal fold.

Rhabdomyomas of the larynx are exceedingly rare. The incidence, sites of occurrence in the larynx, and treatment of these benign striated muscle tumors are reviewed. A case of rhabdomyoma involving the vocalis muscle is presented with magnetic resonance imaging and video-stroboscopic documentation.

A review of absorbable suture materials in head & neck surgery and introduction of monocryl: a new absorbable suture.

Absorbable sutures are used frequently in the practice of surgery yet there have been no studies in the literature that review the currently available sutures. A newly released suture was used in a series of 80 head and neck patients and the results compared to the surgeon's experience with other absorbable suture materials. The literature regarding absorbable sutures is reviewed and background information on currently available sutures is provided. The tensile strength and absorption of various materials are compared. Degree of tissue reactivity in animals is presented. Results of the evaluation of Monocryl in 80 cases suggest that it has many preferable qualities including ease of handling, low tissue reactivity, superior tensile strength, and lower cost.

MRI findings in two cases of acute facial paralysis.

This article describes the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of the facial nerve paralysis of Bell's palsy and herpes zoster oticus. Identification of the nature of inflammatory facial nerve paralysis often presents a diagnostic dilemma. The site of involvement along the course of the nerve may have importance when treatment options are being considered. We have found MRI to be a unique method for localizing the site of nerve injury in both Bell's palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome.