Biomedical subjects

C Spyridakou

Publications and source records attributed to C Spyridakou.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Spatial orientation of the facial nerve in relation to parotid tumours.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the distribution of parotid tumours within the gland in relation to the facial nerve branches. Documentation revealing such a relationship has not been reported previously. METHOD: A prospective study involving 111 patients was carried out over a period of 18 years in a specialist otolaryngology unit within a district general hospital. The relationship of the facial nerve to the tumour was graded into six types. The grading system was then employed to categorize each case. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of the tumours were pleomorphic adenomas. The majority of these were located in the body and not in the tail of the parotid gland. In 50 per cent of these cases, the tumour was in close association with the two major divisions of the facial nerve. In the case of Warthin's tumours, 47 per cent were located in the tail, below the lower division of the facial nerve.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Predictive indicators for thyroid cartilage involvement in carcinoma of the larynx seen on spiral computed tomography scans.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that the spiral computed tomography (CT) scan is a sensitive imaging modality for predicting neoplastic invasion of thyroid cartilage. The objectives of our study were: to assess the accuracy of pre-operative spiral CT in predicting thyroid cartilage involvement in patients with carcinoma of the larynx; and to elucidate the factors that would accurately indicate cartilage involvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records, including spiral CT scans and pathological reports, were reviewed for 27 patients who had undergone laryngectomy in two major hospitals in south Wales. A consultant radiologist with special interest in cross-sectional imaging re-evaluated the scans to assess neoplastic involvement of the thyroid cartilage, based on definite, objective criteria. These criteria included: soft tissue asymmetry; loss of medullary space; spiky or irregular surface; distortion of cartilage framework; and abnormal soft tissue on both sides of the cartilage. The radiological findings were then correlated with the histopathological evidence of cartilage invasion by the tumour. RESULTS: Out of the 27 cases, 15 had evidence of histological invasion of thyroid cartilage. The most specific criterion to predict thyroid cartilage involvement was the presence of tumour on both sides of the cartilage (specificity of 91 per cent, sensitivity of 66 per cent). Combining two criteria increased both the sensitivity and the specificity to 86 and 91 per cent, respectively.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction following tonsillectomy.

We report a prospective, controlled trial to assess temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction following the use of a Boyle-Davis mouth gag during tonsillectomy. TMJ function was evaluated in patients undergoing tonsillectomy and a control group undergoing nasal surgery preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. The main outcome measures were symptoms and signs of TMJ dysfunction and interincisal distance. A mean reduction of 0.89 mm in interincisal distance (P < 0.01) was noted postoperatively in the tonsillectomy patients. There was no statistically significant reduction of interincisal distance in patients undergoing nasal surgery. There was a statistically significant reduction in interincisal distance in the post-tonsillectomy patients, caused by fibrous healing of the tonsillar bed or fibrous ankylosis of the TMJ.

Adolescent↗