Discrepancy between clinical and pathological staging of laryngeal carcinoma: a dilemma to be solved

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of discrepancy between the clinical and pathological staging of laryngeal carcinoma, and the potential impact of this discrepancy on the outcomes and prognosis.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 127 patients who underwent total laryngectomy over five years (October 2016-October 2021). Data collected from pretherapeutic clinical staging regarding the extent of the tumor affection of different laryngeal subsites was compared to the postsurgical pathological assessment.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 out of 127 patients (9.4%) in the current study, were clinically over-staged from T3 to T4 due to radiological diagnosis of tumor infiltration of laryngeal cartilages that proved pathologically to be free of tumor. Additionally, discordance in the N stage was found in 12.6% (n = 16). However, stage discrepancy did not have a significant impact on the prognosis and survival.

CONCLUSION

Discordance between clinical and pathological TNM staging of laryngeal carcinoma may affect the decision making and the choice of the treatment options. Some improvement can be probably achieved with advancements and higher accuracy of the preoperative diagnostic tools.

Management of frontal sinus fungal osteomyelitis in the COVID 19 era: A case series

The aim of this study was to review different approaches and outcomes in the management of post-COVID-19 frontal sinus fungal osteomyelitis.

The study included 19 patients with frontal sinus fungal osteomyelitis. The main line of treatment was surgical debridement (sequestrectomy). Approaches included combined external and endoscopic approaches (n = 15) and pure endoscopic approaches (n = 4) according to the extent and accessibility of the sequestrum. Postoperative healing was satisfactory in all patients. All patients returned to their normal daily activity within 4–6 weeks, without residual or recurrent frontal sinus infection, osteomyelitis or need for revision procedures.

Within the limitation of this case series, it seems that there is no need to adopt a new therapy regimen for treatment of frontal sinus fungal osteomyelitis because the conventional and well-known treatment approach combining surgery and antifungal drugs seems to work well. However, early, and adequate debridement and sequestrectomy is crucial. Furthermore, an open approach may be required according to the extent of osteomyelitis.

Nasal Spine of the Frontal Bone: A Consistent Landmark for Safe Outside-In Frontal Drill-Out

BACKGROUND

Outside-in frontal drill out entails drilling the frontal sinus floor in the midline before identifying and dissecting the frontal recesses. It is a more direct approach, especially in revision surgery or cases with challenging anatomy.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to highlight the anatomical and surgical concepts for easy and safe outside-in frontal drill out by a preclinical anatomic study on cadaveric heads. In addition, to review our experience with this approach over a 5-year period for challenging frontal sinus pathologies.

METHODS

The study included 2 sectors; a preclinical study, in which 5 cadaveric heads were dissected and studied to identify and standardize the anatomical landmarks of this approach. This was followed by a clinical case series which included 22 patients with challenging frontal sinus pathologies that were treated with this proposed approach.

RESULTS

We concluded from the anatomic study that the nasal spine of the frontal bone (NSFB) and its anatomical orientation in relation to the nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal artery (NBAEA) is a consistent landmark that enables the surgeon to identify the correct coronal trajectory of drilling to avoid injury of the cribriform and the skull base. The clinical case series included 22 patients that were successfully treated with the proposed approach. No intraoperative nor postoperative complications were reported in this study. Long-term follow-up showed that the frontal neo-ostium was patent in all cases (n  =  22).

CONCLUSION

Outside-in frontal drill-out is a safe and easy approach; especially in challenging frontal sinus pathologies; using the NSFB and its anatomical coronal orientation to the NBAEA as a consistent landmark, anterior to the skull base. This approach offers early, safe, and direct bone removal without the need for initial identification and dissection of the frontal recess.

Endoscopic assisted transoral approach with palatal splitting for a giant retropharyngeal schwannoma: a challenging case

Retropharyngeal schwannoma is rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 18 cases have been published in the English literature. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for schwannomas. Transoral approaches have been applied for smaller lesions, and external cervical approaches are preferred for larger and more complex lesions. In this report, we present a case of large retropharyngeal schwannoma that was excised using an endoscopic-assisted transoral approach with palatal splitting. Postoperative functional and oncologic outcomes were satisfactory with no reported intraoperative/postoperative complications.

Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Post COVID-19 Patients: A New Clinical Entity

Objectives

Occurrence of invasive fungal respiratory superinfections in patients with COVID‐19 has gained increasing attention in the latest studies. Yet, description of acute invasive fungal sinusitis with its management in those patients is still scarce. This study aims to describe this recently increasing clinical entity in relation to COVID‐19 patients.

Study Design

Longitudinal prospective study.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study included patients diagnosed with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis after a recent COVID‐19 infection. Antifungal agents given included amphotericin B, voriconazole, and/or posaconazole. Surgical treatment was restricted to patients with PCR negative results for COVID‐19. Endoscopic, open, and combined approaches were utilized to eradicate infection. Follow‐up for survived patients was maintained regularly for the first postoperative month.

Results

A total of 36 patients with a mean age of 52.92 ± 11.30 years old were included. Most common associated disease was diabetes mellitus (27.8%). Mycological analysis revealed infection with Mucor and Aspergillus species in 77.8% and 30.6% of patients, respectively. Sino‐nasal, orbital, cerebral, and palatine involvement was found in 100%, 80.6%, 27.8%, and 33.3% of patients, respectively. The most common reported symptoms and signs are facial pain (75%), facial numbness (66.7%), ophthalmoplegia, and visual loss (63.9%). All patients were treated simultaneously by surgical debridement with antifungal medications except for two patients with PCR‐positive swab for COVID‐19. These two patients received antifungal therapy alone. Overall survival rate was 63.89% (23/36).

Conclusion

Clinical suspicion of acute invasive fungal sinusitis among COVID‐19 patients and early management with antifungal therapy and surgical debridement is essential for better outcomes and higher survival.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:2652–2658, 2021

Outcome comparison of submucous resection versus combined submucous diathermy and outfracture for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of submucous resection and combined submucous diathermy with outfracture technique in treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

METHODS

This study is a prospective randomized clinical trial involving 90 patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinate not responding to medical treatment. All patients were selected with equal or near equal mucosal and bony turbinate components using computed tomography (CT) and then randomly allocated into two groups; group A (n = 45): underwent submucous resection in both sides and group B (n = 45): underwent combined submucous diathermy and outfracture in both sides. Subjective (NOSE score) and objective (4-grades endoscopic classification system and PNIF evaluation) measures of nasal airflow were done preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Subjective assessment using NOSE scale proved that both techniques were effective in relieving nasal obstruction as it improved in both groups postoperatively compared to the preoperative data. However, resection technique was better than diathermy technique with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), while objective assessment of nasal obstruction showed better results in resection group than diathermy group, but with no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques are effective in relief of nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. However, submucous resection showed marked improvement compared to diathermy technique especially at long-term follow-up.

Partial cricotracheal resection for severe upper tracheal stenosis: Potential impacts on the outcome

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of multiple preoperative and intraoperative variables on the outcome of partial cricotracheal resection and tracheal resection anastomosis (PCTR/TRA).

METHODS

The study was conducted on 35 consecutive patients of grade III and IV upper tracheal stenosis with or without subglottic involvement. The indication of PCTR/TRA was post intubation stenosis in all patients. Overall complications (major and minor) occurred in 18 patients. Perioperative mortality occurred in 1 patient. Anastomotic complications do not always mean failure of surgery. They may indicate one or more interventions; such as removal of granulation tissue or dilatation of restenosis, with good results in most cases.

RESULTS

At the end of treatment, 30 (85.7%) patients were decannulated successfully with effortless breathing and with good phonation and swallowing. Several perioperative factors were found to have a significant impact on the outcome of PCTR/TRA. Of these factors, comorbidities had the most significant negative impact, and indeed all the three patients who had comorbidities, were not successfully decannulated. Duration of intubation, length of resected segment and previous open airway interventions was reported to have a significant negative impact on the outcome of surgery.

CONCLUSION

PCTR/TRA for treatment of post traumatic subglottic or upper tracheal stenosis has a high success rate, especially in healthy patients without comorbidities, and without previous open airway interventions.

Surgical correction of bifid nose

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the aesthetic outcome and functional aspect after surgical correction of bifid nose by combined Millard forked flap with external rhinoplasty

BACKGROUND

Bifid nose is a rare congenital anomaly that results during facial development but the explicit mechanism is not clearly understood. Clinical findings are quite variable with a wide range of severity. Surgical correction still represents great challenge to facial plastic surgeons; extensive deformities in many cases, rarity of condition and paucity of publications are contributing factors.

METHODS

Surgical correction of six patients with bifid nose by a combined Millard forked flap with external rhinoplasty

RESULTS

The aesthetic and functional outcomes were acceptable for all patients and parents. There were no considerable postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach is highly effective for various grades of bifid nose. Early management is preferable to avoid psychological morbidity. Secondary rhinoplasty is usually needed for cosmetic refinement.

Midline nasofrontal dermoids in children: A review of 29 cases managed at Mansoura University Hospitals

OBJECTIVES

Nasal dermoids are congenital anomalies constituting 3.7-12.6% of dermoids in the head and neck. Most of lesions are superficial but there is always a risk that it may end blindly within the deep structures of the nose or extend intracranially. Complete excision, regardless of extension, is essential and must be balanced against cosmoses. This study reviews the clinical characteristics and imaging findings as well as the appropriate surgical approach adopted for 29 cases managed at Mansoura University Hospitals.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in 29 patients admitted for management of nasal dermoid between Jan 2001 and Jan 2015 at the Otolaryngology department of our tertiary referral university hospital. Recorded data included patient's demographics, complaint, lesion's site, pre-operative radiological findings, surgical technique, intra-operative findings, and post-operative squeal.

RESULTS

This series included 12 (41%) female and 17 (59%) male children, with a mean age of 2.5 years. Twenty seven children presented with a nasofrontal swelling of which 20 had an apparent sinus. Other presentations included a swelling in the inner canthum (1), nasal tip and columella (1). Nine (31%) patients had a history of infection and two patients gave a positive history of meningitis. Intracranial extradural extension was identified in 10 patients (34.5%) during preoperative imaging. Surgical modalities included local excision and direct closure (12), open rhinoplasty (7), bicoronal excision and craniotomy (10). In 9 cases, the tract was adherent to the dura but was carefully dissected and in one case resection required excision of a segment of dura and reconstruction. In a follow up period of 1-8 years, recurrence was detected in one case and the cosmetic results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

Those lesions are rare and require early precise surgical planning to achieve complete en bloc excision. This study reports a low morbidity associated with management of nasal dermoids with intracranial extension.

Cervical sympathetic schwannoma with postoperative first bite syndrome

Extracranial schwannomas occurring in the head and neck region may arise from cranial, peripheral or autonomic nerves. Determination of the nerve of origin is not often made until the time of surgery. Schwannomas arising from the cervical sympathetic chain are extremely rare. These interesting tumors along with schwannomas in general and the remaining class of neurogenic tumors are known for their ability to mimic the physical and radiological findings of carotid body tumors. Surgery is the treatment of choice and major complications are infrequent. However, we report a case of cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma with postoperative first bite syndrome.