Patrick Sheahan

Incidence and outcome of middle ear disease in cleft lip and/or cleft palate

OBJECTIVE Otitis media with effusion is known to be very common among children with cleft palate, however, less is known regarding the natural history and outcome in this group. The purpose of the present study was to examine the incidence, natural history, treatment, and outcome of middle ear disease in children with clefts. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to the parents of all children registered on the cleft lip and palate database at our institution. The medical records of all respondents were also reviewed. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Fishers exact test in contingency tables and binary logistic regression analyses, where appropriate. RESULTS 397 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Ear disease was much more common in children with cleft palate, or cleft lip and palate, than in children with cleft lip. Among children with cleft palate, ear problems (infections and/or hearing loss) were most prevalent in the 4-6-year-old age group. However, ear problems persisted at a substantial level for many years after this; only after the age of 12 years did problems appear to settle. The incidence of below normal current hearing and of surgery for chronic otitis media was significantly related to history of ear infections (P=0.000 and 0.000, respectively), and to increased number of ventilation tube insertions (P=0.000 and 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Middle ear disease is common in children with cleft palate, and, unlike the case for children without clefts, has a prolonged recovery, and a substantial incidence of late sequelae. The higher incidence of below normal hearing and surgery for chronic otitis media in children undergoing a greater number of ventilation tube insertions, although most likely reflecting an increased underlying severity of otitis media in these children, also underlines the lack of long-term benefits of ventilation tubes in this group.

Predictors of Survival in Early Oral Cancer

OBJECTIVE Despite the substantial rate of neck conversion reported among patients with early oral cancer, a policy of routine elective neck dissection has been criticized on the grounds that it confers little survival advantage while subjecting many to potentially avoidable morbidity. However, the identification of factors predictive of survival may allow for the identification of those patients who are more likely to benefit from elective neck treatment. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING The clinical and histologic material of 71 patients with stage I or II squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity were reviewed. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 years after their surgery, and the impact of these variables on 3-year survival was assessed. RESULTS Increased tumor thickness was significantly predictive of decreased survival (P = 0.030). Although having no prognostic value alone, when combined with thickness, both pattern of invasion and gender increased the significance of the latter in predicting outcome. Conclusion and significance Measuring tumor thickness and pattern of invasion in patients with early oral cancer may allow for the identification of those patients with more aggressive disease who are more likely to benefit from elective neck treatment.

Middle ear disease in children with congenital velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Objective To examine the incidence and natural history of middle ear disease in children with congenital velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) without cleft palate. Setting and Subjects Children with congenital VPI attending the combined cleft clinic at a tertiary cleft center. The diagnosis of congenital VPI in all cases was confirmed be the observation of hypernasality, nasal air escape, or both by a speech and language therapist and the demonstration of incompetence of the velopharyngeal sphincter by means of nasoendoscopy or videofluoroscopy. Children with overt cleft palate or postsurgical VPI were excluded. Design The childrens medical records were reviewed, and a questionnaire regarding history of ear problems was sent to all parents. Children were divided into those with Pruzansky type I VPI (showing bifid uvula, midline diastasis of soft palate, or submucous cleft of the hard palate) and Pruzansky type II VPI (no visible stigmata). Main Outcome Measures Incidence of reported ear problems, ear infections, hearing loss, and surgical intervention for middle ear disease in the whole group and in each of the subgroups. Results Seventy-one parents returned completed questionnaires. The overall incidence of middle ear disease was 63%, with 28% reported to have below-normal hearing. There was no significant difference between children with Pruzansky types I and II VPI with respect to incidence of otopathology or hearing loss. Conclusions Irrespective of the presence of any visible palatal abnormalities, children with congenital VPI showed a substantial incidence of otopathology and should thus be closely monitored.

Risk Factors for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Neuropraxia Postthyroidectomy

Objective. Despite preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), transient vocal cord paralysis (VCP) occurs after 1.2% to 10.9% of thyroidectomies. The objective of this study was to study risk factors for transient VCP after thyroidectomy. Study Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Academic teaching hospital. Subjects and Methods. Two hundred fifteen consecutive thyroid surgeries performed by a single surgeon. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopy. Patients with preexisting VCP or without postoperative laryngoscopy were excluded. Clinical and operative data were recorded prospectively at the time of thyroid surgery. The association between possible risk factors and occurrence of postoperative transient VCP was studied. Results. Six patients were excluded (2 with preexisting VCP and 4 without postoperative laryngoscopy). There was 1 intentional sacrifice of an RLN and 1 unintentional RLN transection. Of the remaining 322 RLNs at risk, 15 (4.7%) had postoperative VCP. Operative findings of cancer invading the RLN requiring sharp dissection to separate the nerve (P = .006) and operative findings of RLN extensively draped along the thyroid or intimately associated with the thyroid parenchyma at Berry’s ligament (P = .03) were significantly associated with VCP. Revision surgery (P = .06) trended toward significance. Malignancy, central compartment neck dissection, extralaryngeal RLN branching, hyperthyroidism, and retrosternal extension were not significant. Of cases with follow-up laryngoscopic documentation of vocal function, 85% (11/13) showed full resolution of VCP, with 1 further case showing partial recovery. Conclusion. Invasive cancer and variants in the anatomic course of the RLN are risk factors for transient VCP after thyroidectomy.

Long-Term Otological Outcome of Hamular Fracture During Palatoplasty

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that fracture of the hamulus during palatoplasty in children with cleft palate may lead to adverse otological sequelae, however, there is little evidence to support this. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The otological records of 42 children with repaired cleft palate (excluding submucous cleft palate) aged 8 years old or older were examined. A questionnaire regarding the incidence, treatment, and outcome of middle ear problems was completed by the parents of 68 children with repaired cleft palate, aged 9 years old or older. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between children who did and did not undergo hamular fracture with regard to tympanic membrane appearance, audiometry, history of ear problems (P = 1.000), ear infections (P = 0.622), ventilation tube insertion (P = 0.532), or surgery for chronic otitis media (P = 1.000). Parents of children not undergoing hamular fracture reported a higher incidence of below normal hearing (P = 0.023). CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: There is no evidence that hamular fracture during palatoplasty affects long-term otological outcome in cleft palate.

Thyroid Tubercle of Zuckerkandl Is More Consistently Present and Larger on the Right: A Prospective Series

Objective: The tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ) is a lateral projection from the thyroid lobe in the vicinity of the extralaryngeal termination of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), which is a very useful landmark for identification of the RLN during thyroidectomy. The purpose of the present study was to test our hypothesis that the TZ is more consistently found and is larger on the right than on the left side, and to investigate the frequency of anatomic variations of the TZ. Study Design: Prospective cohort study of 156 consecutive patients undergoing primary total thyroidectomy at an academic teaching hospital. Thyroidectomy was performed using a capsular dissection technique, with identification of the RLN only at its entry point into the larynx, using the TZ as a landmark. In vivo recording of size of right and left TZ was performed. The size of the right and left TZ was compared. Results: Identification of the TZ was 72.6% right side and 53.9% left side (p = 0.003). The mean size of the TZ, when present, was 11.2 mm on the right and 7.5 mm on the left (p = 0.0002). In matched-pair analysis, the right TZ was significantly larger than the left TZ (p < 1 × 10-7). The TZ overlay the RLN in nearly all cases; however, there were 2 cases (0.8%) of a TZ extending medial to the RLN. In 12 cases (4.7%), the TZ appeared as a bilobed structure. Conclusion: The right TZ is consistently larger and more often identified than the left.

Prospective double blind randomized clinical trial comparing 75% versus 95% silver nitrate cauterization in the management of idiopathic childhood epistaxis §

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE to evaluate which concentration of silver nitrate cauterization was more efficacious in the management of idiopathic childhood epistaxis. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES to evaluate side effects and pain scores of the differing concentrations. STUDY DESIGN Prospective double blind randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING All children 16 years of age or younger referred by the accident and emergency department or general practitioner, with recurrent idiopathic epistaxis, who met the inclusion criteria entered the trial. Patients were randomized to receive either the 75% or 95% silver nitrate cauterization. Patients were reviewed at two weeks and eight weeks post cauterization. Pain scores, side effects and success of each treatments were recorded at the follow up clinic. RESULTS 101 patients completed the trial. 52 patients were randomized to receive the 95% concentration, and 49 patients were randomized to receive the 75% cauterization. In the 75% concentration group, 98% of patients had total resolution of their symptoms at the eight-week follow up. Mean pain scores in this group was 1 out of 10. In the 95% group, 90% had total resolution of their symptoms at the eight-week follow up. Mean pain scores in this group was 5 out of 10. There was a statistical difference in efficacy and pain scores (0.01 and 0.001). CONCLUSION We would recommend the use of 75% silver nitrate cauterization in the management of childhood epistaxis, it appears to be more efficacious, has fewer side effects and is better tolerated.

Outcome of Subclassification of Indeterminate (Thy-3) Thyroid Cytology into Thy-3a and Thy-3f

Objectives: The British Thy system is a widely used classification system for reporting thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. The Royal College of Pathologists in 2009 recommended the subdivision of the Thy-3 (indeterminate) category into Thy-3a (atypia) and Thy-3f (follicular neoplasm). Our objective was to examine the malignancy rates of Thy-3a and Thy-3f cases at our institution and to investigate whether the risk of malignancy in Thy-3a cases is reduced by FNA on a different occasion showing benign cytology. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 748 thyroid nodules undergoing 1,032 FNAs, with indeterminate (Thy-3) cytology subdivided into Thy-3a and Thy-3f. Cases were correlated with final histology in surgical cases. Incidental carcinomas occurring outside the biopsied nodule were discounted. Results: A total of 109 nodules had a final cytological diagnosis of Thy-3a, of which 67 underwent surgery, with an incidence of malignancy of 13.4% (9/67); 90 nodules had a final cytological diagnosis of Thy-3f, of which 84 underwent surgery, with an incidence of malignancy of 17.9% (15/84). The difference in malignancy rates was not significant (p = 0.51). The incidence of malignancy in nodules with benign and Thy-3a cytology on separate occasions was not significantly different from cases with a single Thy-3a cytology. Conclusions: Thyroid nodules with Thy-3a cytology have a slightly lower risk of malignancy than Thy-3f cases. However, the difference is not significant and does not appear to be reduced by FNA on a separate occasion showing benign cytology. Management decisions for patients with Thy-3a cytology should be taken carefully to avoid missing cancers.

Neck dissection findings in primary head and neck high-grade adenocarcinoma

Primary salivary adenocarcinoma of the head and neck is rare. In cases where cervical metastases are evident or suspected, neck dissection is likely to play a role in management. However, there is little data in the literature regarding the findings and outcome of neck dissection in these patients. The present study comprised a review of 12 patients with high-grade salivary adenocarcinoma (salivary ductal carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS). Eight underwent neck dissection (four modified radical, four selective). Histological examination showed evidence of cervical metastases in five. The prevalence of occult metastases in the N(0) neck was 40 per cent. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were not useful in detecting occult neck disease. Five patients had no evidence of disease at the most recent follow up. Neck dissection is indicated in patients with high-grade salivary adenocarcinoma, and may provide information for planning adjuvant treatment.

Impact of Microcalcifications on Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate or Benign Cytology

Objective Adverse sonographic features such as microcalcification may predict increased likelihood of malignant cytology by fine-needle aspiration and, accordingly, increased risk of malignant histology. Our objective was to study the predictive value of microcalcifications and other sonographic features for malignancy among thyroid nodules with benign or indeterminate cytology. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Academic teaching hospital. Subjects Patients (N = 769) with 858 thyroid nodules undergoing 1142 ultrasound fine-needle aspirations; 411 cases had surgical correlation. Methods Sonographic features predictive of malignancy were correlated with malignancy as determined by histology. Incidental malignancies occurring outside the index nodule were discounted. Results Cytology was inadequate (87 cases), benign (518), indeterminate (210), and malignant (44). In 32 cases, initial benign cytology was upgraded to a higher-risk category after repeat ultrasound fine-needle aspiration. Microcalcification (P = .001) and irregular margins (P = .04) were significantly predictive of malignant cytology. Among surgical cases, microcalcification (P < .001) and irregular margins (P = .04) were significantly predictive of malignant histology; 170 patients with initial benign cytology and 161 with indeterminate cytology underwent surgery. Microcalcification was significantly associated with malignancy among cases with indeterminate cytology (P = .04) but not among cases with benign cytology (P = .23); however, only 13 of 33 cases with benign cytology and microcalcifications underwent surgery. Conclusion Presence of microcalcification increases the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology and may thus aid in selection of cases for surgery.