Predictive Factors for Efficacious Oral Appliance Therapy in Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Oral appliances (OAs) are a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). The main objective of the study was to determine the predictive factors of OA efficacy. The secondary objective was to measure the efficacy rates and determine OAs' tolerance and dropout. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Efficacy results of the OAs based on the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) reduction, complications, and dropout rates were retrospectively collected from 347 patients with a moderate to severe OSAHS treated by a retention OA. The procedure was entirely performed by otolaryngologists. RESULTS: The AHI with OA was more significantly reduced in patients with a higher initial AHI and a higher initial body mass index but reduction was not related to age and not proportional to the degree of mandibular advancement. The 50% AHI reduction rate after OA was 65.2%, the AHI ≤5/hr rate after OA was 26.1%, and the <50% AHI reduction and residual AHI > 10/hr rate was 50.1%. The OA significantly reduced the mean AHI (-14.9/hr, P < .0001). In 7.8% of patients, the AHI increased with OA. Seven patients (1.5%) experienced adverse effects. Thirty-seven (7.8%) patients stopped using OA mainly because of its ineffectiveness. Advancement can be considered beyond the initial maximal advancement. It can be effective sometimes; however, increasing advancement did not significantly reduce AHI. CONCLUSIONS: OA is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate to severe OSAHS. This treatment was effective for reduction of the AHI ≥50% in two-thirds of cases studied and it should be considered in more cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2089-E2096, 2021.

Fusion of MRIs and CT scans for surgical treatment of cholesteatoma of the middle ear in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) scan coregistration in predicting and adequately locating primary or recurrent cholesteatoma in children. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients aged 2 to 17 years (mean age, 8.5 years) with cholesteatoma of the middle ear, some of which were previously treated, were included for follow-up with systematic CT scanning and MRI between 2007 and 2008. INTERVENTIONS: Computed tomographic scanning was performed on a Siemens Somaton 128 (0.5/0.2-mm slices reformatted in 0.5/0.3-mm images). Fine cuts were obtained parallel and perpendicular to the lateral semicircular canal in each ear (100 × 100-mm field of view). Magnetic resonance imaging was undertaken on a Siemens Avanto 1.5T unit, with a protocol adapted for young children. Diffusion-weighted imaging was acquired using a single-shot turbo spin-echo mode. To allow for diagnosis and localization of the cholesteatoma, CT and diffusion-weighted MRIs were fused for each case. RESULTS: In 10 children, fusion technique allowed for correct diagnosis and precise localization (hypotympanum, epitympanum, mastoid recess, and attical space) as confirmed by subsequent standard surgery (positive predictive value, 100%). In 3 cases, the surgical approach was adequately determined from the fusion results. Lesion sizes on the CT-MRI fusion corresponded with perioperative findings. CONCLUSIONS: Recent developments in imaging techniques have made diffusion-weighted MRI more effective for detecting recurrent cholesteatoma. The major drawback of this technique, however, has been its poor anatomical and spatial discrimination. Fusion imaging using high-resolution CT and diffusion-weighted MRI appears to be a promising technique for both the diagnosis and precise localization of cholesteatomas. It provides useful information for surgical planning and, furthermore, is easy to use in pediatric cases.

Pediatric sialendoscopy: a 5-year experience at a single institution.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of our experience in the treatment of salivary gland disorders in children undergoing sialendoscopy and to assess the evolution of the technique. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-eight children with salivary gland disorders undergoing diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy between January 1, 2003, and November 30, 2008. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy using general anesthesia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables, including age, sex, date of first symptoms, parotid or submandibular location of disease, preoperative ultrasonographic results, sialendoscopy technique, sialendoscopy observations, and complications. RESULTS: Pediatric sialendoscopy was performed on the parotid gland in 23 patients (61%) and on the submandibular gland in 15 patients (39%). The most frequent indication for sialendoscopy was recurrent salivary gland swelling. Thirty-two of 38 procedures (84%) were performed endoscopically, whereas a combined intervention was necessary for 3 patients and a submandibular gland excision for another 3 patients. Sialendoscopy allowed the diagnosis of 12 patients with salivary duct lithiasis, 21 with salivary duct stenosis, and 2 with both submandibular lithiasis and stenosis, and findings from 3 sialendoscopies were normal. Preoperative ultrasonographic results were confirmed by sialendoscopy in only 7 patients. Of the 10 patients with lithiasis found using sialendoscopy, only 4 had been detected using preoperative ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: Sialendoscopy is a pertinent technique for the diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland disorders in children. It also allows the most conservative treatment of sialolithiasis and juvenile recurrent parotitis.

Management of an arteriovenous fistula with two nidus between the inferior alveolar artery and the external jugular vein.

BACKGROUND: Cervical arteriovenous fistulas are rare forms of head and neck tumors. METHODS: We describe the case of a patient with an extensive fistula between the right inferior alveolar artery and the external jugular vein. The disorder had been diagnosed 30 years earlier and the patient had been followed clinically and radiologically ever since. The patient developed progressive cardiac failure and surgery was required when arteriovenous fistula expansion was found after 2 failed attempts at embolization. RESULTS: During resection of the arteriovenous fistula, a second nidus in contact with the mandible was discovered, which excision led to severe hemorrhage and mandibulectomy was performed to obtain hemostasis. DISCUSSION: This rare case was a true surgical challenge because the patient's life was at stake. In such difficult cases, preoperative assessment is essential because of the risk of major bleeding. Finally, CT angiogram reconstructions are undeniably helpful in elaborating the surgical treatment plan.

Juvenile recurrent parotitis: sialendoscopic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relevance of sialendoscopy as a diagnostic and interventional procedure in juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP). DESIGN: Prospective case series study. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Sialendoscopy was used to examine 10 children (age range, 1.8-13.0 years) with symptomatic JRP for recurrent swelling of the parotid glands between January 2003 and January 2005. Diagnostic sialendoscopy allowed classification of ductal lesions, and interventional sialendoscopy was used to treat the lesions. Initial data analyzed included the type of endoscope used as well as the size and form of the main duct of the parotid gland. Outcome variables were resolution of symptoms and endoscopic enlargement of the ductal tree. RESULTS: Initial ultrasound evaluation of the diseased gland revealed a white Stensen duct without the natural proliferation of blood vessels in all 10 cases. This finding was associated with a true stenosis of the Stensen duct. Two cases of suspected stones according to ultrasonography were subsequently diagnosed as localized stenoses. The sialendoscope was used to dilate the duct with pressurized saline solution in all cases as well as to dilate the 2 cases of stenoses. There were no major complications. The average length of follow-up was 11 months (range, 2-24 months). Seventeen parotid glands were dilated in all 10 patients, with a success rate of 89%. One patient needed repeated sialendoscopies for recurrent symptoms. Two patients presented with a second episode of JRP contralateral to the side initially treated. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic sialendoscopy is a new procedure that can be used in children for reliable evaluation of salivary ductal disorders, with low morbidity. Sialendoscopic dilation of the main parotid ducts appears to be a safe and effective method for treating JRP.

Prevalence of lymph nodes in the apex of level V: a plea against the necessity to dissect the apex of level V in mucosal head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the prevalence of histologically proven normal or invaded lymph nodes in the apex of level V. METHODS: Seventy neck dissections were performed in 41 patients with mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Fifty-one neck dissections were performed in 30 previously untreated patients (group 1); 19 neck dissections were carried out in 11 patients previously irradiated (group 2). RESULTS: Pathologic analysis was unable to identify any lymph node in 70% of the apex specimens. In group 1, no lymph nodes were detected in 63%, whereas one or more noninvaded lymph nodes were present in 37%; in group 2, no lymph nodes were identified in 89%, whereas one or more normal lymph nodes were found in 11% (p = .03). Metastatic lymph nodes were never identified. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lymph nodes in the apex was 30%. No invaded lymph nodes were identified. In addition to anatomic evidence, these results suggest that dissection of the apex is not necessary in mucosal head and neck SCC.

Subtotal carbon dioxide laser arytenoidectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility: long-term results.

Sixty-nine patients underwent subtotal carbon dioxide laser arytenoidectomy for treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility between 1985 and 2000. The population included 69 patients whose mean age was 56 years (SD, 16 years; range, 11 to 82 years). The mean follow-up was 50 months (SD, 44 months; range, 1 to 181 months). The overall postoperative peak expiratory/peak inspiratory flow ratio (normal value, 1) significantly improved (closer to 1; p = .0036). Voice analyses were also undertaken for 27 patients, almost exclusively after operation, given the context of initial emergency. The maximum phonation time averaged 6.57 seconds (median, 6 seconds). The phonation quotient remained high, with a mean of 503 (median, 440), and the mean conversational voice intensity remained around 59 dB. The median frequency analysis type was 3. The advantage of subtotal arytenoidectomy lies in the fact that it maintains a certain degree of rigidity along the posterior limit of the arytenoid frame, preventing inward collapse of the mucosa and thus lowering the risk of aspiration.

Bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy (rfitt) for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. A report of three cases.

The symptoms of adductor spasmodic dysphonia are most commonly palliated by periodic botulinum toxin injections. The need for repeated injections, difficulty in obtaining injections and cost make this form of treatment intolerable for some patients. To address these concerns, we propose a new treatment approach utilizing trans-oral recurrent nerve coagulation. The goal is to weaken the force of laryngeal closure during spasms by creating fibrosis of the terminal branches of one recurrent nerve through coagulation. Under general anesthesia without paralysis, an electrical stimulator is used to identify the region within the thyroarytenoid muscle that produces the greatest contraction with minimal stimulation. The radiofrequency laryngeal probe or electrocautery device is introduced into this position, and energy is delivered. The location of the region of maximal stimulation is usually just lateral and anterior to the vocal process of the arytenoids. Between 1989 and 2000, seven patients were treated with electrocautery. To achieve remission of spasms, three patients needed three sessions, four needed two sessions and one only one session. Since 2001, three patients have achieved remission of spasms with a single treatment with radiofrequency during which 80 J was delivered. Voice results are comparable to those obtained with botulinum toxin. Initially, the voice is breathy and laryngeal examination shows complete vocal fold immobility. After 1-2 months, the voice improves and examination reveals unilateral hypomobility. Trans-oral recurrent nerve coagulation is an effective alternative to botulinum toxin injections.

Perilymphatic pressure measurement in Meniere's disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perilymphatic pressure, by means of the MMS-10 Tympanic Displacement Analyzer (TDA), in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). Measurements were performed in 37 patients with MD and in 14 normal-hearing subjects. Data were collected from 3 groups: healthy ears of normal-hearing subjects, unaffected ears of patients with MD, and affected ears of patients with MD. Analysis of the results obtained with the TDA showed no significant differences between the 3 groups. Several hypotheses could explain this lack of difference: 1) perhaps indirect measurement of perilymphatic pressure with the TDA is not relevant; 2) perhaps hyperpressure of the inner ear is not the physiological basis for the clinical triad of MD; or 3) perhaps endolymphatic hydrops does not produce changes in perilymphatic pressure. The results of this series indicate that the TDA is not useful in the evaluation of patients with MD.