Burnout in ENT France: Update and risk factors; a STROBE analysis

BACKGROUND

Burnout can significantly impact practitioners and their co-workers, and hence patients. There are no data for the prevalence of burnout in French ENT specialists, or for associated risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A French national cross-sectional online survey was performed on the initiative of the ENT National Professional Council (CNPORL), contacting all ENT specialists whose e-mail address was known to the French Society of ENT, the National Professional Council or the National ENT Union. The 22-question Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was sent out, along with 16 extra questions on possible risk factors.

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to assess the prevalence and severity of burnout, using the MBI, and to analyze risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 1936 physicians, 406 contacted responded to the questionnaire (21%). Mean age was 47±14 years (range, 25-77 years); 53% male, 47% female. 196 (48%) reported burnout, including 20 (5%) severe burnout. Independent risk factors for burnout of whatever severity, comprised social interaction issues, history of identified burnout, and medicolegal pressures. Social interaction issues were independently associated with specifically severe burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout affected almost half of respondents. There are identifiable risk factors, for which improvements could be implemented.

French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines. Management of acute Bell's palsy

AQFThe authors present the guidelines of the French Society of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) regarding the management of Bell's palsy in adults. After a literature review by a multidisciplinary workgroup, guidelines were drawn up based on retrieved articles and group-members' experience, then read over by an independent group to edit the final version. Guidelines were graded A, B, C or "expert opinion" according to decreasing level of evidence. Thorough ENT and neurological clinical examination is recommended in all patients presenting with peripheral facial palsy to confirm diagnosis of Bell's palsy. MRI with gadolinium enhancement should explore the entire course of the facial nerve, if possible within the first month. ENMG should be performed to assess prognosis for recovery. In confirmed Bell's palsy, corticosteroid therapy should be implemented as early as possible (ideally within 72h) at a dose of 1mg/kg/day for 7-10 days. Antiviral therapy should be associated to steroids in patients with severe and early-onset disease and in Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Isolated antiviral therapy is not recommended. To date, there is no evidence that surgical facial nerve decompression provides benefit.

Cochlear implantation in far-advanced otosclerosis: hearing results and complications

Severe forms of otosclerosis known as far-advanced otosclerosis (FAO) can lead to severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and can justify cochlear implantation. Because of the pathophysiology of otosclerosis, patients implanted for FAO may experience an increased rate of complications, such as facial nerve stimulation or electrode dislocation, and may have poorer hearing outcomes than expected. This retrospective study aimed to compare cochlear implantation hearing outcomes, surgical difficulties and complications in FAO patients versus non-FAO patients. Moreover, we evaluated whether high resolution computed tomography (CT scan) findings were predictive of perioperative problems, complications and hearing outcomes. FAO patients were diagnosed based on medical history, examination and CT scan. Thirty-five ears from FAO patients were compared to 38 control ears. Audiometric results were assessed at least 12 months after implantation by pure tone average, speech reception threshold, monosyllabic and disyllabic word recognition score (WRS) and Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) sentences test. Complications and surgical difficulties were compiled. CT scan findings were categorised within 3 grades of otosclerotic extension. No significant difference was found between FAO and non-FAO hearing outcomes, except that monosyllabic WRS were lower for FAO patients, especially those who underwent previous stapedotomy. Facial nerve symptomatology occurred in 8.6% of FAO patients; among these, one required explantation-reimplantation surgery. 86% of FAO implanted patients had retrofenestral extension on CT. These were associated with poorer disyllabic WRS (51% vs 68%, p < 0.05) than those with only fenestral involvement. Although not significant, high grade of severity on CT tended to be associated with surgical difficulties and complications. Cochlear implantation in FAO patients is an effective treatment technique. Though the overall complication rate is low, it tends to be higher in cases of severe extension on CT. Patient counselling should be adjusted accordingly.

International consensus (ICON) on treatment of Ménière's disease

OBJECTIVE

To present the international consensus for recommendations for Ménière's disease (MD) treatment.

METHODS

Based on a literature review and report of 4 experts from 4 continents, the recommendations have been presented during the 21st IFOS congress in Paris, in June 2017 and are presented in this work.

RESULTS

The recommendation is to change the lifestyle, to use the vestibular rehabilitation in the intercritic period and to propose psychotherapy. As a conservative medical treatment of first line, the authors recommend to use diuretics and Betahistine or local pressure therapy. When medical treatment fails, the recommendation is to use a second line treatment, which consists in the intratympanic injection of steroids. Then as a third line treatment, depending on the hearing function, could be either the endolymphatic sac surgery (when hearing is worth being preserved) or the intratympanic injection of gentamicin (with higher risks of hearing loss). The very last option is the destructive surgical treatment labyrinthectomy, associated or not to cochlear implantation or vestibular nerve section (when hearing is worth being preserved), which is the most frequent option.

Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicentre retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To give an insight into why, when and where iatrogenic facial nerve (FN) injuries may occur and to explain how to deal with them in an emergency setting.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Multicentre retrospective study in eight tertiary referral hospitals over 17 years.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty patients with partial or total FN injury during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) were revised.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Indication and type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, intra- and postoperative findings, value of CT scanning, patient management and final FN outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

In 12 cases, the nerve was completely transected, but the surgeon was unaware in 11 cases. A minority of cases occurred in academic teaching hospitals. Tympanic segment, second genu and proximal mastoid segments were the sites involved during injury. The FN was not deliberately identified in 18 patients at the time of injury, and nerve monitoring was only applied in one patient. Before revision surgery, CT scanning correctly identified the lesion site in 11 of 12 cases and depicted additional lesions such as damage to the lateral semicircular canal. A greater auricular nerve graft was interposed in 10 cases of total transection and in one partially lesioned nerve: seven of them resulted in an HB III functional outcome. In two of the transected nerves, rerouting and direct end-to-end anastomosis was applied. A simple FN decompression was used in four cases of superficially traumatised nerves.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest checklists for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management to prevent and treat iatrogenic FN injury during COM surgery.

Early and late surgical site infections in ear surgery

A retroauricular approach is routinely used for treating chronic otitis media. The incidence of surgical site infections after ear surgery is around 10% in contaminated or dirty procedures. This observational prospective study describes surgical site infections after chronic otitis media surgery with the retroauricular approach and investigated their potential predictive factors. This observational prospective study included patients suffering from chronic otitis media and eligible for therapeutic surgery with a retroauricular approach. During follow-up, surgical site infections were defined as "early" if occurring within 30 days after surgery or as "late" if occurring thereafter. The data of 102 patients were analysed. Concerning early surgical site infections, four cases were diagnosed (3.9%) and a significant association was found with preoperative antibiotic therapy, wet ear at pre-operative examination, class III (contaminated) in the surgical wound classification, NNIS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance) index > 1, and oral post-operative antibiotic use. Seven late surgical site infections were diagnosed (7.1%) between 90 and 160 days after surgery and were significantly correlated to otorrhoea during the 6 months before surgery, surgery duration ≤60 minutes, canal wall down technique and use of fibrin glue. Surgical site infections after chronic otitis media surgery seem to be associated with factors related to the inflammatory state of the middle ear at the time of surgery in early infections and with chronic inflammation in late infections.

[Using the superficial temporal fascia flap in orbital surgery]

The superficial temporal fascia flap gives a fine malleable well vascularized tissue and can be used as a pedicled or a free flap to cover large areas of loss of substance. Its dissection needs a period of training. Its use in orbital surgery is rare. However when it is about an anophthalmic socket following radiotherapy with orbital retraction syndrome, it provides tissue of good quality. This could allow later reconstruction by mucous grafts. When used on cavities of exenteration it allows fast re-epithelialisation even post-radiotherapy, while allowing the monitoring of the cavity and in particular the early detection of any tumor recurrence. Its use is advantageous in unfavorable conditions especially after radiotherapy.

Stage II vestibular schwannoma: predictive factors for postoperative hearing loss and facial palsy

OBJECTIVES

To assess predictive factors for deafness and facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery on a translabyrinthine or retrolabyrinthine approach, and to compare sequela results to those for gamma knife radiosurgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study included 70 patients operated on for stage II vestibular schwannoma (Koos classification). Postoperative hearing was assessed on pure-tone average and speech discrimination score, and facial palsy on the House and Brackmann classification, preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Various predictive factors were assessed for both. Statistical analysis used the Fischer exact test, with a significance threshold of P<0.05.

RESULTS

Hearing was conserved in 18.9% of patients operated on with a retrolabyrinthine approach, with 8.1% conserving useful hearing. Facial function was conserved in 91.4%. Predictive factors for hearing conservation did not achieve statistical significance, but showed trends for: preoperative pure-tone average threshold≤30dB and speech discrimination score≥ 70%, age less than 55 years, tinnitus, nearly normal auditory brainstem response (ABR) latency, and homogeneous tumor on MRI. Predictive factors for conserved facial function likewise did not achieve statistical significance, but showed trends for: age less than 55 years, deafness of progressive onset, absence of cardiovascular risk factors, nearly normal ABR latency and tumor size<13.5mm on MRI.

CONCLUSION

Facial nerve risk is largely the same with surgery or gamma knife radiosurgery. Concerning hearing, gamma knife radiosurgery seems to provide better hearing conservation, but only over the short term.

[Chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint revealed by a hearing loss: a case report]

INTRODUCTION

Chondrocalcinosis is a microcrystalline arthropathy that principally affects the knee. It is a rare disorder, usually asymptomatic, that occurs mainly in the elderly people.

PURPOSE

To report a case of a temporomandibular joint chondrocalcinosis with ossicular contact revealed by a conductive hearing loss.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a 57-year-old man with a right conductive sudden hearing loss of 15 dB. The CT scan revealed a lytic lesion in the right attic extended to the middle cerebral fossa in contact with the ossicles with a suspicion of lysis of the head of the malleus. MRI showed a lesion enhancing after gadolinium injection on T1 weighted images. A biopsy revealed a chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint. Due to the complexity of surgical excision and the benin character of the lesion, a medical treatment and a radiologic follow-up every six months were proposed.

CONCLUSION

Chondrocalcinosis of the temporo-mandibular joint is rare especially when it is revealed by a hearing loss. We present here a review of the literature.

[Facial paralysis after temporal bone trauma]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate functional outcome in 64 cases of facial paralysis following temporal bone fracture and discuss decisive arguments leading either to medical treatment or surgical management.

METHODS

Sixty-four patients suffering from post-traumatic facial paralysis were managed between 1995 and 2003: 38 (59%) were given medical treatment and 26 (41%) underwent surgery. A combined middle fossa and transmastoid approach was mostly used (58%). Electrophysiological testing and CT scan results were the main points of the decision algorithm.

RESULTS

Electroneuromyography seems to be the most accurate exploration for guiding treatment. Good results (grades I to II on the House and Brackmann scale) were obtained in 63% of cases after medical management and in 39% of cases after surgical treatment. Grades III or IV were obtained in 13% of medically-treated patients and 42% of surgically-treated patients.

CONCLUSION

Management of facial paralysis following temporal bone fracture in accordance with electrophysiological testing (evoked EMG) together with CT scan findings enabled accurate indications for surgical treatment. A good grade I or II result can be expected after medical management. A grade III is at best reached after nerve anastomosis.

[Side-to-end hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis with intratemporal facial nerve translocation. Long-term results and indications in 15 cases over 10 years]

OBJECTIVES

To describe functional results concerning facial and lingual mobility after side-to end hypoglossal facial nerve anastomosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

15 patients were operated on between 1993 and 2002 (11 cases of facial nerve injury during vestibular schwannoma surgery, and 4 cases of brainstem stroke). Were assessed at a minimum of 18 months postop tonus and facial voluntary movements recovery (modified House Brackmann (HB) grading), lingual mobility (amyotrophy and self-evaluation questionnaire), and patients' overall satisfaction (questionnaire).

RESULTS

The mean delay to evaluation was 57.5 months. The tonus recovery appeared within 6 to 8 months (mean 28.5 weeks, SD 4.6 weeks). All patients recovered a normal tonus. The facial function was evaluated HB grade III in II cases (73.3%), grade IV in 3 cases (20%) and grade V in one (6.6%). Eye occlusion was obtained within 13.6 months on average (SD 2.6 months) in all cases except one. The blepharorraphy was maintained in 2 patients. No facial spasm was noted. The lingual motricity troubles were absent in 93.3% of cases. Patients were satisfied in 93.3% of cases. The less satisfactory results were observed when patients were managed late (>2 years after nerve section) and in case of brainstem stroke.

CONCLUSION

This technique seems to be very efficient. It presents the advantage to preserve lingual motricity and to decrease postoperative problems of midface spasticity.

[The neurotologic evaluation of vestibular schwannomas. Results of audiological and vestibular testing in 100 consecutive cases]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the results and sensitivity of a comprehensive audiological and vestibular work-up in patients presenting with vestibular schwannoma (VS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred consecutive cases of VS diagnosed from January 2004 to May 2005 were prospectively studied. The tumour size was classified according to Koos classification and hearing was assessed according to the five-stage classification from the Tokyo consensus. A comprehensive work-up was conducted in all patients, including pure tone and speech audiometry, Brainstem Evoked Audiologic Potentials (BEAP) assessment, Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) examination and bithermal caloric testing using videonystagmography, on both sides. BEAP responses were considered as normal or endocochlear when interwave intervals were normal, absent because of poor hearing or retrocochlear when wave 1 to 5 interval > 4.3 ms and/or when this interval was greater than > 0.25 ms between sides, or when no response was recorded when hearing was preserved. VEMP were considered as normal absent or diminished (amplitude < 50%, as compared with contralateral). Caloric responses were considered normal, reduced (reduced by > or = 30%) absent (reduced by > 80%).

RESULTS

Fifty-six women and 44 men were examined (mean age 57.8 years). Left and right side were equally affected. Vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss were the main presenting symptom in 21%, 32% and 68% of the cases, respectively. Eighty-two per cent were operated, 17% simply monitored and 1% irradiated. The tumours were Stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 in 14%, 28%, 21% and 37%, respectively. Hearing was class A in 9%, Class B in 34%, Class C in 14% and Class E-D in 43% of the cases. Globally, BEAP showed a retrocochlear pattern in 64% of the cases and no response in 30%. Abnormal responses of VEMP were observed in 94% of the cases. Caloric testing was abnormal in 61% and normal in 11%. Responses could not be analyzed in 28% of patients. Only one patient showed normal responses to the whole work-up (99% sensitivity). This patient had a small intrameatal tumour and actually complained of contralateral symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a full audiovestibular assessment can help diagnose VS of all sizes. But false-negative results remain possible in small intrameatal tumours (1%). In addition it can give useful postoperative prognostic information.

[Management of cerebellopontine angle meningiomas and the posterior part of the temporal bone. Report on 44 cases]

OBJECTIVES

To review and study the management of CPA meningiomas through the experience of an otoneurosurgical team.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fourty-two patients (44 meningiomas) were considered. Seventy-seven per cent of tumors (34 cases) were operated on; 6 tumors (14.6%) were exclusively irradiated using fractionated radiation therapy (FRT) and four only surveyed (9,8%).

RESULTS

transpetrosal approaches were exclusively used. These were translabyrinthine (TLA) in 47%, widened retrolabyrinthine (WRLA) in 41% of cases, transcochlear approach (TCA) in three cases and a middle fossa in one. A transtentorial approach was combined in 35% of cases (8 TLA, 4 WRLA). Surgical removal was incomplete in 11,8% of cases; in 3 cases growing tumor was treated by FRT included one case of anaplasic tumor Postoperative complications were: 1 meningitis, 1 wound abscess, 2 hydrocephalus (6%) and 4 CSF fistulas (12%). No complications have been observed during the last 7 years (21 cases). House and Brackmann Grade 1 or 2 facial function was obtained in 59% of cases (but 10 patients had a preoperative facial nerve paresis). A normal or subnormal AAO-HNS Class A-B Hearing could be preserved in 57% of WRLA. Radiation therapy allowed tumor shrinkage in all cases. In 3 cases this regression was of more than 50%.

CONCLUSION

Surgery is the gold standard in treating CPA meningiomas. Transpetrosal approaches and particularly WRLA pure or combined to a transtentorial approach are for us the best way to remove these tumors in preserving hearing and facial nerve function. When hearing is poor or when tumor extension to the clivus or the premeatal area is consistent a TLA is either planned preoperatively or obtained from a WRLA.

[Treatments of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia of the nasal mucosa]

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia is a systemic autosomal dominant disorder involving blood vessels. The most common symptom is recurrent epistaxis. The treatments of these epistaxis are numerous but such treatments are often symptomatic and their effects are often not sustained. Some of these treatments may be complicated by visceral vascular malformations. The aim of this study is to propose a treatment plan for these patients with hierarchical organisation of therapeutic options taking into account of their previous therapy.

METHOD

H. Plauchu organized in Paris, december 2002 a meeting with any medical specialists of this disease. They have analysed variety of therapies that have been proposed for epistaxis control in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Télangiectasia.

RESULTS

Most common use packing of nasal fossa and then hyperselective embolization of the internal maxillary and facial arteries for severe epistaxis. For chronic epistaxis, best treatment use sclerotics products (Ethibloc) and laser. After discussion, primary embolization could be useful to reduce vascularization of nasal fossa.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of epistaxis in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia could increase in few years. Use of an index card of for epistaxis in the disease of Rendu-Osler could help to find treatment of choice.

[Vertigo and pathology of the cerebello-pontine angle]

Many pathologies of the cerebello-pontine angle can induce vertigo or dizziness. Usually they are due to benign or malignant tumors. Pathophysiology of this vertigo involve lesion of the labyrinth with erosion, of the endolymphatic sac by invasion or compression, or directly by lesion of the vestibular nerve like in vestibular schwannomas. The vestibular nerve can also be injured by extrinsic compression like in meningiomas. Finally very big tumors can be compressive on the cerebellum or on the brainstem inducing also dizziness. Vertigo is often an important symptom of cerebello-pontine angle tumors. In association with others it will guide the diagnosis. Nevertheless, auditory evoked potentials, video-nystagmography, and otolithic evoked potentials are very important to determine exactly if the vestibular nerve is injured and if there are signs of central compression before surgery.

[Delayed facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma resection: the role of viral reactivation. Our experience in 8 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of herpes virus reactivation in the onset of more than three days-delayed facial paralysis (FP) following vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery and advocate a specific medical management.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study on 8 cases from a series of 348 patients operated on of a VS between 1996 and 2002. Seven of the eight patients were given intravenously acyclovir (30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 5 days) and methyl-prednisolone (2 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 7 days). A serologic testing looking for specific anti-herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies at the onset of the FP and 2 weeks later could be done in only 3 cases.

RESULTS

Mean delay of FP onset was 8.75 days. Mean time for recovery with intravenous treatment was 90 days. All treated patients had a House and Brackmann grade 1 recovery. The last one had only a grade 3 after 400 days of evolution: he could not be treated because of postoperative transient psychiatric problems. Serologic testing revealed in those patients in whom it could be done either a high level of anti-HSV or -VZV antibodies at the time of onset or a dramatic increase in anti-HSV or anti-VZV antibodies between the two samples, strongly suggesting a HSV or VZV reactivation.

CONCLUSION

HSV or VZV reactivation can be evocated in most cases of delayed FPs arising in the postoperative course of VSs, suggesting usefulness of emergency-given steroid and acyclovir intravenous regimen to block virus replication and fight secondary oedema and inflammation causative of nerve lesions. Evoked reactivation mechanism is comparable to that already suspected in delayed FP arising with the same delay in middle ear surgical procedures.

[Acoustic neuroma surgery. Results and complications in 348 cases]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate post-operative complications after acoustic neuroma surgery.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 348 patients, who had acoustic neuroma surgery between 1984 and 1999. Symptoms, pre-operative evaluation, surgery and post-operative complications were analysed.

RESULTS

174 men and 174 women had an operation. Mean age was 51.8 years (11-78). 31 patients had a grade I tumour, 106 a grade II, 71 a grade III and 140 had a grade IV tumour. 195 patients have been operated through the translabyrinthine approach, 110 through the retrolabyrinthine approach, 42 through the sub-occipital approach, and one through the transcochlear approach. Mortality was 0.85%, 59.2% patients had a post-operative facial paralysis. Most of patients had post-operative dizziness, and 30% still had vestibular disturbances after one year. 9 patients (2.6%) had a cerebrospinal rhinorrhea and 24 patients had a cerebrospinal wound leak (6.9%). 22 patients had post-operative meningitis (6.3%). 2 patients had a cerebello pontine angle haemorrhage, and 3 patients had a brain stem infarct.

CONCLUSION

Transpetrous approaches are safe for acoustic neuroma removal and the post-operative complication rate is low. The retrolabyrinthine approach seems to be a good hearing preservative approach, regardless of tumour volume.

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: a review of 30 cases]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate treatment results and identify prognostics factors which determine local and regional treatment failure and crude survival in adenoid cystic tumours (ACT) in the head and neck.

METHODS

A retrospective study (1984 to 2001) of 30 cases of adenoid cystic tumour. The mean age was 56.9 years, with a sex ratio female to male of 2:1. Tumours of all sites were encountered, most (26.7%) being in the nose and sinuses and major salivary glands (26.6%). Tumours at the T4 stage were found in 14 cases, mainly situated in the nose and sinuses (50%). No patient had cervical lymphadenopathy, while two patients (6.7%) had bony metastases at the time of diagnosis. Two patients (6.7%) were treated by surgery alone, for T1 and T2 tumours; four patients (13%) had radiotherapy alone, and 24 patients (80%) had surgery with post-operative radiotherapy with a mean dose of 60.3 Grays (56-65 Grays).

RESULTS

Local recurrence occurred in 30.8% (nine cases) after a mean interval of 43 months (1 to 10 years). Treatment of these recurrences was by revision surgery in six cases, leading to local control in one case, but in a patient with pulmonary metastases. No cases of lymph node recurrence were observed. 30% of patients developed metastases; these were pulmonary in 44% and bony in 33.3%. Mean follow-up was five years. Crude survival at 3 years was 91%, at 5 years 86%, and at 10 years 50%. The percentage tumour-free survival was 70% at 3 years, and 57% at 5 years. 22 patients (73.3%) are still alive, 17 of them recurrence-free. Analysis of the prognostic factors has shown tumour to be more aggressive in the nose and sinuses when they presented at an advanced stage (T4); recurrence was more common when excision was incomplete, or if there was peri-neural spread. Tumours of "massive" histological type carried a poorer prognosis than those of cribrigorm type (60% death compared with 10%). The development of metastases is independent of local recurrence. Metastases to bone appear to be more rapidly aggressive than pulmonary metastases, which may remain asymptomatic for some time.

CONCLUSION

Combined radiotherapy and surgery have allowed improved local control of ACT, but the therapeutic challenge remains the multiply recurrent ACT, or those with symptomatic metastases, and this despite new research techniques (neutral therapy, immuno-histochemistry, molecular biology). ACT are rare tumours, whose prognosis remains poor.

[Video-nystagmography and vibration test in the diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma. Review of 100 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate informations given by the combination of videonystagmography (VNG) including vibratory tests and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in patients suffering vestibular schwannoma (VS) and try to find the most conclusive test(s). Combination of different functional tests is supposed to improve diagnosis and preoperative evaluation and precise indication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facing audiological and vestibular symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective study of 100 patients with VS. All patients underwent a preoperative work-up including complete audiometry, auditory brainstem response (ABR) and videonystagmography (VNG). VNG protocol included caloric testing, rotatory tests, oculometry tests (saccade testing, optokinetic testing) and spontaneous and gaze-evoked nystagmus. From these six tests a score of positivity could be set, from 0 to 6.

RESULTS

The vibratory test is non invasive and easy to realize. Were observed: 1/ a good sensitivity in vibratory test to elicit nystagmus in this context. 2/ a good correlation between subliminal rotatory chair tests and vibratory tests 3/ a better control of caloric testing using vibratory test. 4/ a good but deficient sensitivity of ABR alone with regard to VS (95%) 5/ an increase of sensitivity of VNG when coupling it with ABR and using as a criterion the score of positivity: no patient had all tests negative.

CONCLUSION

The vibratory test is a non-invasive, fast examination with an easy execution. It reinforces VNG-ABR association screening power to diagnose VS. It constitutes, combined to caloric testing a good tool to diagnose and evaluate unilateral vestibular weakness.

[Surgical methods of removal of T4 nasopharyngeal malignancies. A preliminary report on 18 cases]

OBJECTIVES

To describe the technique and evaluate postoperative sequelae and results of transfacial surgical removal of T4N0 nasopharyngeal malignant neoplasms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen cases of surgically-treated nasopharyngeal cancers, managed between january 1993 and october 2000, were retrospectively studied. Three patients were non-responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 6 suffered local recurrence following standard treatment and 7 were operated first either because of a huge and osteolytic tumor or because of an uncommon histolopathology.

RESULTS

Preoperative Vth nerve neuralgia (8 cases) was alleviated (4 cases) or cured (3 cases). At the time of diagnosis, ophthalmoplegia was observed in 3 cases. It disappeared postoperatively in 2 cases and after following radiation therapy in one. Median follow-up of the series was of 31.8 mths. Four patients were died of disease; one of them from distant metastases 4 years post-surgery. One patient is alive with distant metastases. The 13 last (72.2%) are alive without disease with a 35.6 mths median follow-up (6-77 mths).

DISCUSSION

This short and heterogeneous series cannot lead to any evidence-based conclusion. But mid-term free-of-disease survival of 4 of the 5 patients suffering local recurrence and of patients presenting with so-called non-radiation-sensitive tumors is to be considered. In comparison with the high risk of neurological sequels following reirradiation, absence of specific toxicity of surgery observed in this series is to be underlined.

CONCLUSION

In selected cases surgical treatment does not demonstrate any toxicity and is able to offer mid-term local control of the disease. Its role is to be evaluated further before inclusion in the therapeutic algorithm of these very bad prognosis-associated tumors.

[Glomangioma or "glomus tumor" of the nasal cavity: apropos of a new case and review of the literature]

Glomangioma, or "glomic tumour" is a benign soft tissue tumour appearing most commonly at the distal extremities, in the nailbed and subcutaneous tissue. This is a vascular tumour, rare for the dermatologist, and exceptional in an ENT site. We describe here what is, as far as we can tell from the literature, the eighteenth case. The problem is the diagnosis of a vascular tumour, arising usually from the septal mucosa, which has to be distinguished histopathologically from a haemangiopericytoma. Radiological investigation will define the extent of the tumour and guide the treatment plan, which is purely surgical and consists of wide excision to avoid the possibility of a local recurrence.

[Ethmoid adenocarcinomas: retrospective study of 76 patients]

From the retrospective study of 76 adenocarcinomas of the ethmoid sinuses, results were expressed in two terms: the morbidity related to surgery and the oncologic outcome. This case study extends between 1975 and 2000. It includes 71 men and 5 women, with an average of 61 years. 81% of them works in wood dust, with a mean duration of exposure of 26 years. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma is realized in the three months after the first signs, essentially rhinologicals, next neurologicals and ophthalmologicals. The majority of tumors were classified as T3N0M0, i.e. 57.89%. The treatment of this tumors is surgical: 34.2% surgical only and 59.2% with radiotherapy. The transfacial approach (paralateronasal and degloving) and the combined surgery are respectively performed in 36 patients and 35 patients. 23.2% patients had a local recurrence, and 10% developed cervical nodes and systemic metastasis. Survival rate based on the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method is 82% at 3 years, 80% at 5 years, 72% at 10 years. The prognosis of ethmoidal cancer is strictly correlated to local control. Local recurrence is statistically more likely in patients with involvement of the dura, brain and sphenoid sinus. With the analysis of the carcinologics results, we discuss the therapeutics indications of the adenocarcinomas and a new classification. Taking in account the involvement of the dura, sphenoid and orbit. We did not find any statistical differences between T3 patients treated by combined approach (n = 13) or by transfacial approach (n = 15).

Management of facial paralysis resulting from temporal bone fractures: Our experience in 115 cases

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to review decision factors and overall results regarding surgical and nonsurgical management of post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis (FP).

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study and literature review were performed.

METHODS

Between 1984 and 1990, 115 cases of post-traumatic FP were handled. Patients were evaluated through clinical, audiologic, radiologic, and electromyogram assessment. Depending on examination results, patients were treated either medically or surgically through total facial nerve decompression.

RESULTS

Forty-nine of the 50 medically treated patients experienced a normal or subnormal facial function recovery (grade I-II). Of the 65 (56.5%) surgically treated patients, 52 (80%) had immediate, 2 had delayed, and 11 (17%) had unknown delay-associated FP. The approaches chosen were middle fossa and transmastoid (75.3%), translabyrinthine (10.7%), or pure transmastoid according to facial nerve nonmotor branch evaluation, hearing, location of the fracture line, and the patient's general condition. Lesions were predominantly found in the geniculate ganglion area (66.2%). A nerve gap was found in only 13.8% of the cases. At 2 years after surgery, 93.8% had a grade I to III recovery. None had grade V or VI.

CONCLUSION

The rarity of severe nerve lesions encountered in surgically treated patients raises the question of better selection of candidates for surgery. Surgery is clearly indicated when FP is total, is of immediate onset, and is associated with a bad prognosis electromyogram pattern. In other settings, decisions are to be made based on high-resolution CT data and electromyogram results, thanks to a clinical survey and second electromyogram evaluation.

[Olfactory esthesioneuromas]

Olfactory neuroblastomas are rare malignant tumours of the nose arising from the olfactory epithelium. In a retrospective series of 18 cases and a review of the literature, the authors establish the main features of this tumour. They emphasise the difficulties of histological examination, often requiring immuno-cyt-chemistery and electron microscopy. They point out the value of a new classification, and confirm treatments being radio-surgical, with use of the combined rhino-neurosurgical approach when there is extension to the cribriform plate. They report a 5-year survival of 91.5%, with 87.5% at 10 years. The high incidence of lymph gland metastases (16.6%) is greater than that of local recurrence (11%) especially in the more advanced cases. The question of prophylactic treatment of the neck nodes is one to be considered.

[Malignant melanoma of the nasosinal mucosa. Retrospective study apropos of 20 cases]

Twenty patients were treated for malignant melanoma (MM) of the mucosal surfaces of the nose and sinuses between 1987 and 1999 in our department. The mean age of these patients was 64 years, and there were 11 females and 9 males (sex ratio 1.2). Two patients had a past history of cutaneous or choroidal malignant melanoma, and were considered as having secondary melanoma. All patients presented with nasal obstruction and/or recurrent epistaxis. None of the patients with primary MM had either lymphadenopathy or distant metastases. 17 patients were treated surgically by the transfacial approach, aiming to obtain a cure. Radiotherapy and chemiotherapy were given only to the patients with secondary MM. Six patients have since presented with single or multiple local recurrence, and nine had distant metastases. The 3-year survival rate was 60%. This retrospective study has allowed us to compare the results of our series with these in the literature, and to review the treatment of this rare condition.

[Facial paralysis: treatment with an acyclovir-methylprednisolone combination, preliminary results]

RATIONALE

Many actual data suspect a viral etiology to Bell's palsy. Herpes viridae are more and more incriminated. On these basis, we have studied the efficacity of parenteral association of 30 mg/Kg/j of Aciclovir and 1 mg/Kg/j of Methylprednisolone in the treatment of Bell's palsy with less than 12 days of evolution.

METHOD

The evaluation concern 53 patients. We also evaluated the functional motor result (using House and Brackmann staging) and search prognostic factors in clinic and paraclinic data. A viral investigation have been made in most of the cases.

RESULTS

Only one of our patients treated with Aciclovir keeps some sequeles (stage III of House and Brackmann classification). We didn't found any deleterious effect. Statistically, the electromyography is the only one test with a prognostic value. But we feel that delay between the starting and the treatment of the palsy is important. Viral tests show sometime abnormal Ig against the Herpes viridae group.

CONCLUSIONS

These promising results are lightened with a review of the literature. A multicentric investigation is already in place for a stronger statistic effect.