David Myssiorek

Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: an assessment of risk factors

Hemorrhage is the most frequent complication of tonsillectomy and is responsible for the majority of post-tonsillectomy fatalities. The incidence of this hemorrhage has been reported to be as high as 20% [6]. Despite continued efforts to reduce this problem, it remains a persistent risk. The charts of 1138 patients who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy from 7-1-89 to 6-30-93 were reviewed. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in 36 patients (3%). Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative risk factors were assessed. Postoperative bleeding occurred more often in older patients (69% over age 11 years). Seventy-five per cent of these patients were operated on for chronic tonsillitis as compared to 11% operated on for upper airway obstruction. The majority of these patients presented after postoperative day 1 (83%). Four patients required blood transfusions. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 14% of patients with elevated postoperative mean arterial pressures. Intraoperative blood loss that exceeded 50 cm3 was also a significant risk factor for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. It is concluded that older age, a history of chronic tonsillitis, excessive intraoperative blood loss and elevated postoperative mean arterial pressure are significant risk factors for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. An awareness of these risk factors can help identify patients with potential to bleed postoperatively.

Repositioning the hereditary paraganglioma critical region on chromosome band 11q23

Abstract Hereditary paragangliomas (PGL, glomus tumors, MIM no.168000) are mostly benign, slow-growing tumors of the head and neck region. The gene (or genes) affecting risk to PGL are subject to genomic imprinting: children of affected fathers exhibit an autosomal dominant pattern of disease inheritance, whereas children of affected mothers rarely if ever develop the disease through maternal transmission. We previously confined the disease gene to an approximately 6 Mb critical region on chromosome band 11q23 (PGL1). Based on haplotype analysis of an extended Dutch pedigree, a 2 Mb sub-region between D11S938 and D11S1885 was proposed as the PGL1 critical interval. In this study, we excluded this interval by analysis of two new single tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRP) contained therein. Instead, we predicted a non-overlapping, more proximal 2 Mb critical interval between D11S1647 and D11S897, and evaluated this new region using nine STRP (D11S1986, five new, closely-linked STRP, D11S1347, D11S3178, and D11S1987). Consistent with our prediction, we observed substantial haplotype-sharing within the Dutch pedigree. We also analyzed four new American PGL families. A recombination event detected in one family further defined D11S1347 as the new telomeric border. We observed significant haplotype-sharing within this new interval among three unrelated American PGL families, strongly suggesting that they originated from a common ancestor. Thus, we confined PGL1 to an approximately 1.5 Mb region between D11S1986 and D11S1347, and showed identity-by-descent sharing for a group of American PGL families.

Parathyroid cyst : Current diagnostic and management principles

Parathyroid (PTH) cyst is a rare lesion. Only about 200 cases have been reported to date. The diagnosis of a PTH cyst is difficult, particularly in its differentiation from thyroid cyst. It has clinical significance because PTH cysts can mimic a thyroid mass and can be associated with hyperparathyroidism.

Intrasphenoidal meningoencephalocele: A case report

A case of intrasphenoidal meningoencephalocele is presented, representing the eighth case report in English language literature. The major presenting symptom was retro-orbital headache. The patient also had cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and a history of recurrent meningitis. Diagnosis was suspected on the basis of plain radiographs of the sinuses and was confirmed by computed tomography scan. The meningoencephalocele was reduced via a sublabial, transseptal sphenoidotomy approach with improvement of the patients symptoms. Management and treatment of isolated sphenoid sinus lesions are discussed as well as the pathophysiology of intrasphenoidal meningoencephaloceles.

Carcinoma in situ of the glottic larynx

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is part of the histopathologic spectrum of laryngeal disorders where invasive squamous cell carcinoma is the endpoint of cellular disarray. Few reports consider prognostic indicators that predict which lesions become invasive. Forty‐one patients with CIS of the glottic larynx were analyzed for risk factors that would predict invasive cancer. Anterior commissure involvement by CIS resulted in 92% conversion to invasive squamous cell cancer compared to 17% of lesions limited to the mobile fold. Epidermal growth factor receptors were also analyzed and were found not to be helpful in predicting invasion. Lesions of the mobile fold should be removed endoscopically and the patient should be observed closely for recurrence. Anterior commissure involvement that is inaccessible to complete laser ablation should be radiated, and the patient should be observed carefully.

West Nile Virus Induced Vocal Fold Paralysis

Objective: West Nile virus has recently become a public health concern in the United States, after an outbreak in New York City in 1999. It is a mosquito‐borne virus that causes a spectrum of disease from flu‐like symptoms to encephalopathy, muscle weakness, and, in some cases, death.

Resection of a recurrent nasal tumor via Le Fort I osteotomy approach

(Editorial Comment: The authors describe another approach to the nasal cavity. The Le Fort osteotomy is commonly used to expose the clivus on nasopharynx. The nasal cavity is most often exposed with either a lateral rhinotomy or midface degloving. Surgeons must consider the relative merits and difficulties inherent in selecting any surgical approach.) Pleomorphic adenoma most commonly affects the major salivary glands. The minor salivary glands are involved in only 8% of cases,l whereas most cases involve the palate. Nasal cavity involvement may be difficult to treat because of inadequate exposure that may lead to recurrence of the tumor. Compagno and Wang’ reviewed the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and found a 10% recurrence rate following conservative resection of