Romualdo Suzano Louzeiro Tiago

Age-Related Changes in Human Laryngeal Nerves

OBJECTIVES: We sought to perform a morphometric analysis of myelinated fibers from laryngeal nerves with the aim of verifying quantitative changes due to the aging process. METHODS: A 1-cm fragment was collected from the superior laryngeal nerves and recurrent laryngeal nerves from 12 cadavers during autopsy. The sample was divided in two groups: an adult group (aged <60 years) and an elderly group (aged ≥60 years). RESULTS: The total number of myelinated fibers from the superior laryngeal nerves was similar in both groups (adult group = 9017 ± 1692, elderly group = 7918 ± 1624; P = 0.79). The adult group had a higher total number of myelinated fibers in the recurrent laryngeal nerves than that of the elderly group (adult group = 3276 ± 383, elderly group = 2381 ± 669; P = 0.005), as well as a higher total number of fibers in the laryngeal nerves (both superior and recurrent) than the elderly group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The adult group has a higher total number of myelinated fibers in the laryngeal nerves than the elderly group.

Síndrome de Eagle: avaliação do tratamento cirúrgico

Introduction: The styloid apophysis is an osseous outgrowth originating in the tympanum portion of the temporal bone. Its growth, or the ossification of the stylohyoid ligament, may cause a series of symptoms, such as dysphagia, odynophagia, facial pain, otalgia, cephalea, tinnitus and trismus. This set of symptoms associated to the presence of an elongated styloid aphophysis is known as the Eagle syndrome. Aim: To report on a group of four patients with Eagle syndrome, as well as to discuss the clinical presentation and the most suitable treatment of this disease. Study design: Clinical retrospective. Material and Method: A retrospective clinical study of four patients who were submitted to surgery at the HSPE-FMO (State Public Servants Hospital) of Sao Paulo, and at the HSPM (Municipal Public Servants Hospital) of the city of Sao Paulo, in the period from June, 1998, to June, 2001. The surgical treatment was the therapeutic option selected, with the removal of the elongated styloid aphophyses. The clinical evolution was assessed during the postoperative period. Results: Of the four patients, three were females and one a male, ages ranging from 38 to 68 years, with an average age of 57.25 years. The elongated styloid aphophyses were found and operated in both sides in 50% of the cases. Full remission of the symptoms occurred in three of the patients, and a partial improvement was observed in the other patient. Conclusion: This disease should be considered when the patient presents symptoms, such as dysphagia, odynophagia, facial pain, otalgia, cephalea, tinnitus and trismus. Surgical treatment is the best form of conducting such cases with patients presenting elongated styloid aphophysis and symptoms compatible with the Eagle syndrome, with the external approach being the one that offers greater safety and allows for a more complete resection.

Foreign body in ear, nose and oropharynx: experience from a tertiary hospital

UNLABELLED The occurrence of foreign bodies in otorhinolaryngology is reason of constant searches for emergency services. OBJECTIVE To value the incidence of patients with foreign body, to analyze the clinical situation and the treatment in these cases. METHOD The prospective study was realized in 81 patients with diagnosis of foreign body of nose, ear or oropharynx in the otorhinolaryngology service of the Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo between april/2003 and march/2005. RESULTS 57 cases of foreign body of ear, 13 cases of nose and 11 of oropharynx. These patients, 51.85% were men and 48.15% were women. The age average was 23 years old. The average of the evolution time was 18.36 days, being that 38.27% these cases were taken care in less 24 hours of evolution. Inside the total of patients, 83.95% received initial attendance in the otorhinolaryngology clinic, and 16.05% came of another service after some previous removal attempt. The most common symptom of the foreign bodies cases of oropharynx it was odinofagia present in 90.91% of the cases; in the foreign bodies of nose, the unilateral rhinorrhea and cacosmia were present in 46.15 of the cases; in the foreign bodies of ear, 38.60% evolved without symptoms and 28.07 with hipoacusia. The most frequent foreign body of oropharynx it was the fish spine (54.55%); in the nose it was the paper (30.77%); and in the ear it was the cotton (31.58%). The complications resulting of the presence of foreign body or about the manipulation of these had been found in 13 cases (16.05%). CONCLUSION Most cases of foreign body conditions, in which a non-specialist professional or a non-professional person previously handles its removal, have a bad evolution with emerging complications. Such outcomes strengthen the fact that an otorhinolaryngologist using the proper equipment must treat patients with foreign body.

Corpo estranho de orelha, nariz e orofaringe: experiência de um hospital terciário

The ocurrence of foreign bodies in otorhinolaryngology is reason of constant searches for emergency services. OBJECTIVE: To value the incidence of patients with foreign body, to analyze the clinical situation and the treatment in these cases. METHOD: The prospective study was realized in 81 patients with diagnosis of foreign body of nose, ear or oropharynx in the otorhinolaryngology service of the Hospital do Servidor Publico Municipal de Sao Paulo between april/2003 and march/2005. RESULTS: 57 cases of foreign body of ear, 13 cases of nose and 11 of oropharynx. These patients, 51.85% were men and 48.15% were women. The age average was 23 years old. The average of the evolution time was 18.36 days, being that 38.27% these cases were taken care in less 24 hours of evolution. Inside the total of patients, 83.95% received initial attendance in the otorhinolaryngology clinic, and 16.05% came of another service after some previous removal attempt. The most common symptom of the foreign bodies cases of oropharynx it was odinofagia present in 90.91% of the cases; in the foreign bodies of nose, the unilateral rhinorrhea and cacosmia were present in 46.15 of the cases; in the foreign bodies of ear, 38.60% evolved without symptoms and 28.07 with hipoacusia. The most frequent foreign body of oropharynx it was the fish spine (54.55%); in the nose it was the paper (30.77%); and in the ear it was the cotton (31.58%). The complications resulting of the presence of foreign body or about the manipulation of these had been found in 13 cases (16.05%). CONCLUSION: Most cases of foreign body conditions, in which a non-specialist professional or a non-professional person previously handles its removal, have a bad evolution with emerging complications. Such outcomes strengthen the fact that an otorhinolaryngologist using the proper equipment must treat patients with foreign body.

Adenoma pleomórfico de parótida: aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos

The neoplasias of the parotid gland are a heterogeneous group with more than 30 histological kinds already defined, and the pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor. AIM: In this study we present our case of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma, with the purpose of discussing the clinical presentation, the diagnosis and the more suitable surgical techniques to treat this disorder. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective clinical study was carried out on a group of 68 patients with histological diagnosis of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma who underwent surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology of the HSPE-FMO, from January 1982 to June 2002. The data regarding their age, sex, more frequent symptoms, supplementary tests performed, location, size, surgical technique used, treatment complications and evolution were gathered. RESULTS: In our case we observed a higher incidence in female patients, being more frequent in their fifth decade of life. The most common clinical presentation was of a nodule at the parotid region, this sign being present in 100% of the cases. Superficial parotidectomy by identifying and preserving the facial nerve was the more common surgery (91.2 % of the cases). The more frequent post-surgical complications were paresis (14.7%) and paralysis (7.3%) of the facial nerve, followed by the Freys syndrome (4.4%). CONCLUSION: The pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign neoplasia of the parotid gland, being more frequent in female patients from their fifth decade of life. It is a clinically diagnosable neoplasia, to be confirmed with a histopathological examination. The superficial parotidectomy is the basic procedure to diagnose and treat it, being low the recurrence index with this surgery.

Quantitative analysis of myelinic fibers in human laryngeal nerves according to age

INTRODUCTION AND AIM To carry out a morphometric analysis of myelinic fibers in laryngeal nerves aiming to identify quantitative changes as a result of aging. STUDY DESIGN Clinical and experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD A 1cm fragment was collected from the superior laryngeal nerves and recurrent laryngeal nerves taken from twelve male cadavers. The sample was divided into two groups: those aged below 60 years (Adult) and those aged 60 years or more (Elderly). The material was evaluated under light microscopy coupled with an image analysis system. RESULTS The total number of myelinic fibers from the superior laryngeal nerve was similar in both age groups; there was, however, a trend for a higher number of 1 microm fibers in the adult group (p=0.0744). The adult group had a higher total number of myelinic fibers in the recurrent laryngeal nerve (p=0.0006), and this difference was seen in fibers with diameters between 1-3 microm (p<0.007). The adult group had a higher total number of myelinic fibers in the laryngeal nerves (sum of superior laryngeal nerves and recurrent laryngeal nerves fibers) compared to the elderly group (p<0.0091). CONCLUSION The total number of myelinic fibers in laryngeal nerves is higher for the group aged below 60 years.

Análise quantitativa das fibras mielínicas dos nervos laríngeos em humanos de acordo com a idade

INTRODUCAO E OBJETIVO: Realizar analise morfometrica das fibras mielinicas dos nervos laringeos com a finalidade de verificar modificacoes quantitativas decorrentes do processo de envelhecimento. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Clinico e experimental. Material e Metodo: Foi coletado fragmento de 1cm dos nervos laringeos superiores e nervos laringeos recorrentes de 12 cadaveres do sexo masculino. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: idade inferior a 60 anos (Adulto) e idade igual ou superior a 60 anos (Idoso). O material foi avaliado em microscopio de luz acoplado a sistema analisador de imagem. RESULTADOS: O numero total de fibras mielinicas do nervo laringeo superior foi semelhante nos dois grupos etarios, mas com tendencia para o maior numero de fibras de 1µm no grupo adulto (p=0,0744). O grupo adulto apresentou maior numero total de fibras mielinicas no nervo laringeo recorrente (p=0,0006), e esta diferenca ocorreu nas fibras com diâmetros de 1-3µm (p<0,007). O grupo adulto apresentou maior numero total de fibras mielinicas nos nervos laringeos (soma das fibras dos nervos laringeos superiores e dos nervos laringeos recorrentes) que o grupo idoso (p<0,0091). CONCLUSAO: O numero total de fibras mielinicas dos nervos laringeos e maior no grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos.

Angiofibroma nasofaríngeo: revisão de literatura

Angiofibroma of nasopharynx is a highly vascular, rare and benign tumor, with a high a incidence of recurrence and local invasity which nature always defied the researchers on the subject. The controversies start on its site of origin, till therapeutical modalities, passing by clinical and diagnostic aspects. The most serious and baffling feature, however, is the occurrence of hemorrhagic outbreaks, sometimes very intense, which may lead the patient to death. In view of this, the efforts developed towards of minimizing this problematic fact have been many, aiming adequate control of the illness. The present article presents a global review on this subject and intends to discuss the main aspects related to angiofibroma of nasopharynx in a simple and didatic form.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor: a rare case of peripheral facial paralysis

INTRODUCTIONThe primitive neuroectodermal tumor (NEDT) was first described in 1973 by Hart and Earle in order to characterize an undifferentiated neoplasia of the central nervous system, which represents between 90 and 95% of undifferentiated cells and does not fulfill diagnostic criteria for any other type of neoplasia.

Schwanoma de laringe: relato de caso

Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing, encapsulated tumors, which appear on the sheath of sensitive or cranial motor nerves Schwann cells, and having no nervous elements. They rarely appear on the larynx, and there are sporadic reports in the literature. This work has as purpose to report a case of laryngeal schwannoma. A 82 years-old woman, born and residing in the city of Sao Paulo, SP, went to the Hospital, suffering from slowly progressive, long-term dysphagia for solids and globus sensation. The indirect laryngoscopy with a 70o rigid telescope revealed a submucous tumor, rounded, at the interarytenoid region. A neck computed tomography was made, revealing an apparently solid lesion, with no central necrosis and no extension to deeper levels, the greatest diameter of which was of 2.5 cm. The patient underwent a larynx microsurgery with tumor full removal. The histological analysis revealed a laryngeal schwannoma. The patient recovered well with no no signs of recurrence or residual tumor until now.