Erdinc Aygenc

The use of Preoperative Lidocaine to Prevent Stridor and Laryngospasm after Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

The most important complications from tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are bleeding, stridor, and laryngospasm. This controlled, double-blind study was designed to investigate the effects of topical and intravenous lidocaine on stridor and laryngospasm. A total of 134 patients scheduled for elective tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were randomly separated into four groups. In the topical lidocaine group 4 mg/kg of 2% lidocaine was applied to subglottic, glottic, and supraglottic areas before endotracheal intubation. Normal saline solution was used topically for the first control group. In the intravenous lidocaine group, patients were given 1 mg/kg of 2% lidocaine before extubation, and the same amount of 0.9% NaCl was given to the second control group. Postoperative stridor, laryngospasm, cyanosis, bleeding, sedation degree, and respiratory depression were observed, and plasma lidocaine levels were measured. Both topical and intravenous lidocaine groups revealed less stridor and laryngospasm than the control groups, and no difference was found between the topical and intravenous lidocaine groups except the higher sedation scores in the early postoperative period for the intravenous lidocaine group. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:880–2.)

Use of steroids in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess

Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck that occurs in adults; the treatment of the disease remains controversial. A prospective study using a single high dose steroid treatment for peritonsillar abscess, was undertaken in 62 patients to determine the treatments effectiveness in relieving symptoms such as fever, throat pain, dysphagia and trismus. All patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 28 patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy and a single dose placebo and 34 patients were treated with single use of high dose steroid in addition to intravenous antibiotic. Patients were hospitalized after needle aspiration and therefore their clinical courses and responses to therapy could be rigorously assessed. Comparison of clinical outcomes with respect to hours hospitalized, throat pain, fever, trismus were assessed between the two groups. Clinical outcomes revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.01), indicating that single use of high dose steroid prior to antibiotic therapy is more effective than the use of an antibiotic alone. These results suggest that single intravenous use of steroid in addition to antibiotic therapy is an excellent choice for the management of peritonsillar abscess.

Prophylactic effect of pentoxifylline on radiotherapy complications: a clinical study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prophylactic effect of pentoxifylline (Ptx) on complications related to radiation. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Seventy-eight patients who had postoperative radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were enrolled into a prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to the Ptx group (40 patients) and the control group (38 patients). Ptx was given to the patients at a dose of 400 mg 3 times a day orally to a total of 1200 mg. We noted radiotherapy complications in each group. RESULTS: Four patients were not able to tolerate this drug due to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms and dizziness. Late skin changes, fibrosis, and soft tissue necrosis were more severely in the control group than in the Ptx group (P < 0.05). We could find no positive effects on acute skin reactions and pain (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Ptx has a prophylactic effect on the radiation complications. This can be explained by protective effect of Ptx against vascular pathology. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130:351–6.)

The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic infection that has been linked to the development of both benign and malignant disease of the aerodigestive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine the link between H pylori infection and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCCL). METHODS: We estimated the presence of IgG antibodies against H pylori antigens by using ELISA technique in the sera of 26 patients with SCCL and 32 matched controls without carcinoma of the larynx. RESULTS: The incidence of seropositivity of patients with SCCL was 73.07% and of controls was 40.62%. These data support an etiologic role for H pylori infection on development of SCCL (χ 2 = 4.85, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: H pylori infection of the upper aerodigestive tract might result in mucosal disruption, allowing for subsequent transformation by known carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol.

Hypervascular parapharyngeal schwannoma: an unusual case

This report describes a 13-year-old girl who had a right pulsatile neck mass of the parapharyngeal space. We examined the patient with computerized tomography and angiography preoperatively and a heterogeneous, hypervascular mass was detected on her right neck. Intraoperative findings and the postoperative histopathologic diagnosis showed that this mass was a schwannoma that originates from cervical sympathetic chain and the superior thyroid artery supplied the mass. After careful scrutiny of English literature, this clinical manifestation is an unusual event.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the parapharyngeal space

Abstract. Thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting as a pharyngeal mass is a rare clinical occurrence and has only been reported sporadically. We present here two patients who had papillary carcinoma metastasis of the thyroid gland to the parapharyngeal space. Each patient had a different clinical progress. Upward lymphatic spread of the tumor to involve the parapharyngeal space via the lateral retropharyngeal nodes was indicated. This pattern of spread is in keeping with Rouvieres description of a direct lymphatic pathway from the thyroid gland to the retropharyngeal nodes and parapharyngeal space.

Pentoxifylline effects on acute and late complications after radiotherapy in rabbit

Soft tissue damages after radiotherapy are an uncommon but serious complication. Late damage after radiation is the principal dose-limiting factor in radiation therapy today and is dependent on vascular pathology as a result of radiation. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative that produces dose-related improvement in blood flow, lower blood viscosity, improved erythrocyte flexibility, and increased tissue oxygen levels. An agent that increases blood flow and tissue oxygen content may contribute to enhanced healing of soft tissue pathology. Sixteen adult New Zealand rabbits were separated into 2 groups and inspected for 30 weeks after radiation. We noted acute and chronic reactions and pathologic changes in different regions of the head and neck of rabbits. The prophylactic administration of pentoxifylline in the postirradiation period can reduce late soft tissue pathology, but it does not affect acute radiation reactions.

Evaluation of Cases who Underwent Reconstruction Through Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap After Laryngopharyngectomy

Objective In this retrospective study, we discussed the results of patients who underwent hypopharynx reconstruction through a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) after laryngopharyngectomy. Methods Twenty-three patients who underwent total laryngectomy, subtotal pharyngectomy, and/or esophagus upper segment resection due to advanced-stage (T3 and T4) laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and esophagus upper segment-located squamous cell carcinoma and subsequent reconstruction with PMMF were retrospectively evaluated. While the minor complications were determined to be wound site infection, hemorrhage, and disruption of suture at the donor site, major complications were determined to be anastomotic line disruption, fistula, and dysphagia. Results Eighteen (78.2%) patients were male and five (21.7%) were female; their ages varied between 33 and 72 years (mean: 60.1). According to lesion localization, 11 patients were evaluated as having laryngeal cancer, seven as having hypopharyngeal cancer, and five as having esophagus upper segment-located cancer. The rate of minor complications was 30.4%: fistula was observed in 11 (47.8%) patients and 13 (56.5%) patients mentioned difficulty swallowing only solid foods. The total follow-up period ranged from 4 to 60 (mean: 31.6) months. Conclusion PMMF is continuing to be a good alternative reconstruction method for the reconstruction of partial hypopharyngeal defects because it is easily obtainable, one surgical team is sufficient when using the flap, and it is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates.

A Unique Case of Intranasal Metastasis from Occult Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs) lie, both morphologically and behaviorally, between well-differentiated and undifferentiated carcinomas. Metastasis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma to the intranasal cavity has not been reported previously in the literature. CASE REPORT A 48-year-old male patient presented with massive epistaxis and nasal obstruction. On nasal examination, a bleeding, vascular mass was seen filling the left nasal cavity. The histopathological report of the nasal mass was well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma metastasis. Whole body scintigraphy, ultrasonography and positron emission tomography were done to rule out other possible metastases in the body and determine the origin of the tumor, which was identified as the left lobe of the thyroid gland, and there were multiple metastases involving the lung, sacroiliac area, and left humerus. Histopathological examination of a thyroidectomy specimen revealed PDTC consisting of insular, follicular, and papillary components. Postoperatively, the patient received radioactive iodine ablation therapy (iodine-131) and a course of external beam radiation therapy to the sacroiliac area and other metastatic regions. No recurrences were observed in a follow-up period of 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION The metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma as a component of PDTC to the intranasal cavity has not been reported before. It is interesting that the well-differentiated component of the tumor was metastasized in our patient. Due to the aggressiveness of PDTC and the poor survival rates in patients who undergo surgery alone, a multidisciplinary treatment approach is required.