Mark Boston

The large vestibular aqueduct: A new definition based on audiologic and computed tomography correlation:

Objective The study goal was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of a large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Study Design and Setting We conducted a retrospective review of a pediatric SNHL database. One hundred seven children with SNHL were selected and their radiographic and audiometric studies were evaluated. Radiographic comparisons were made to a group of children without SNHL. Results A vestibular aqueduct (VA) larger than the 95th percentile of controls was present in 32% of children with SNHL. Progressive SNHL was more likely to occur in ears with an LVA and the rate of progressive hearing loss was greater than in ears without an LVA. The risk of progressive SNHL increased with increasing VA size as determined by logistic regression analysis. Conclusions An LVA is defined as one that is ≥2mm at the operculum and/or ≥1 mm at the midpoint in children with nonsyndromic SNHL. An LVA appears to be more common than previously reported in children with SNHL. A linear relationship is observed between VA width and progressive SNHL. Significance The finding of an LVA in children with SNHL provides diagnostic as well as prognostic information.

Current airway management in craniofacial anomalies.

Purpose of reviewAirway obstruction requiring intervention occurs frequently among children with craniofacial anomalies. The presence of a craniofacial anomaly is a common reason for tracheotomy in the pediatric population. Because of the complications associated with tracheotomy, however, numerous other methods have been proposed to alleviate severe airway obstruction in this patient population. Recent findingsNonsurgical management of airway obstruction remains the initial treatment option in children with craniofacial abnormalities; however, a significant number of patients fail to respond to this management strategy. Perhaps the most significant recent alternative airway management technique is the use of distraction osteogenesis to advance the mandible and maxilla. This technique has been used both to achieve early decannulation and to avoid a tracheotomy in infants and children with craniofacial anomalies. SummaryMultiple options exist for relieving upper airway obstruction in craniofacial patients, and the application of these treatment strategies is dependent on the patients disease and the philosophy of the treating institution. Future research into the management of airway obstruction in children with craniofacial anomalies will need to focus on predicting which children will benefit from conservative management and which children will need distraction osteogenesis or a tracheotomy.

Avoiding the “Deadly Sins” of Humanitarian Missions: How to “Do Good” Better

Program Description: Over the past several decades, the numbers of North American physicians and surgeons engaged in international humanitarian missions has increased dramatically. Such trips often provide an opportunity for needy individuals and communities to receive care that would otherwise be unavailable to them. They also provide the opportunity for participants to “give back” through providing direct patient care and teaching in an environment of extreme need. Personal motivations, level of ability of the individual practitioner, sophistication of the mission organization, as well as level of connectedness to “in country” providers varies dramatically among mission groups. This variability has contributed to some unfortunate patient outcomes. Accusations that “surgical safaris” represent a “form of Neo-colonialism” have cast doubt on the motivations of participants and brought significant scrutiny to the true benefits arising from these efforts. This interactive miniseminar will explore “deadly sins” which are common to medical humanitarian efforts as well as issues which are unique to surgical humanitarian missions. Panelists will discuss available data and areas in which there is a lack of data concerning humanitarian efforts. Finally, “best practices” for humanitarian missions will be discussed. Issues to be discussed include appropriate standard of care, duration, follow-up, conduct of research, resident trainee participation in surgical procedures, role of the media, and integration with local care systems. Educational Objectives: 1) Identify common problems encountered during medical and surgical humanitarian mission trips. 2) Understand ethical concerns arising during international humanitarian efforts. 3) Apply best practices for conduct of humanitarian mission trips in which they are involved.