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Biomedical subjects

C W Beatty

Publications and source records attributed to C W Beatty.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin and the treatment of Meniere's disease: preliminary results.

The most disabling symptom for most patients with unilateral Meniere's disease is vertigo. Eradication of the diseased end organ is effective in eliminating the vertigo. Labyrinthectomy remains the "gold standard"; unfortunately, residual hearing is sacrificed to obtain this end. The purpose of this study is to evaluate low-dose intratympanic gentamicin for the control of vertigo and for the preservation of hearing. A single dose of gentamicin (10-80 mg) was injected into the middle ear space of 23 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease as an office procedure. Eighty-four percent of the patients had no episodes of vertigo during the last 6 months of follow-up. Pure tone average and word discrimination scores were unchanged as a group. Ninety-five percent of patients had a hearing loss at 6 and 8 kHz that averaged 7.5 dB. Caloric function was reduced in 93%. Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin is a safe, simple, office procedure that is effective in controlling the definitive vertiginous episodes in most patients with unilateral Meniere's disease. Control of vertigo can be obtained with preservation of hearing.

Absorption

Conservative management of acoustic neuroma: an outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed selection criteria, clinical outcome, and tumor growth rates in patients with acoustic neuromas in whom the initial management strategy was observation. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with conservatively managed unilateral acoustic neuromas was conducted. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Patients with neurofibromatosis Type II were excluded. Differences in tumor growth rates were analyzed by use of the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients (31 men and 37 women) with a mean age of 67.1 years were followed for an average of 3.4 years after diagnosis. The reasons for a trial of observation included advanced age (55%), patient preference (21%), minimal symptoms (9%), poor general medical condition (7%), asymptomatic tumor (4%), and tumor in the only hearing ear (4%). Fifty-eight patients (85%) were successfully managed with observation alone. Ten patients (15%) ultimately required treatment (nine received microsurgical treatment and one patient underwent radiosurgical intervention) at a mean time interval of 4.0 years after diagnosis. Forty-eight tumors (71%) showed no growth and 20 (29%) enlarged during the study period. The mean tumor growth rate at the 1-year follow-up was significantly higher in the group requiring treatment (3.0 mm) than in the group not requiring treatment (0.36 mm) (P < 0.0001). Thus, the tumor growth rate at the 1-year follow-up was a strong predictor of the eventual need for treatment. CONCLUSION: Observation is a reasonable management strategy in carefully selected patients with acoustic neuromas. Diligent follow-up with serial magnetic resonance imaging is recommended, because some tumors will enlarge to the point at which active treatment is required.

Aged

Far-field auditory brainstem response in neurotologic surgery.

This is a review of our experience using far-field auditory brainstem monitoring during acoustic neuroma removal. The observations are based on 144 consecutive cases beginning in 1986. The factors of importance are tumor size, preoperative auditory function, and the preoperative presence of a wave V on the auditory brainstem response. Our experience suggests that preservation of hearing in tumors > 2.5 cm is rare. It was observed that preserving wave V does not guarantee preservation of hearing. Conversely, loss of wave V does not preclude preservation of hearing. It has also been noted that the presence of only wave I preoperatively does offer some hope that hearing can be preserved postoperatively. Finally, postoperative hearing function is usually equal to or worse than the preoperative function. Only rarely does the postoperative function improve.

Adolescent

Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear: report of a case and review of the literature.

Salivary gland choristoma (heterotopic salivary gland tissue) is a rare condition that occurs at various locations within the head and neck. We present a 10-year-old boy with a salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear and compare findings with the 15 similar cases published in the English and German languages. Patients typically have a long-standing conductive hearing loss and visible middle ear mass. Operative findings include a lobulated middle ear mass of histologically normal salivary gland tissue attached posteriorly in the region of the oval window, together with absent or malformed ossicles. Frequently the mass is intimately associated with the facial nerve. The constancy of these findings has led to the proposal of an abnormal developmental syndrome. This syndrome will be described and possible explanations for its cause will be discussed.

Child

Stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma knife for acoustic neuromas.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma knife for acoustic neuromas. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1990 and January 1993, 36 patients with acoustic neuromas were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma knife. The median maximum tumor diameter was 21 mm (range: 6-32 mm). Tumor volumes encompassed within the prescribed isodose line varied from 266 to 8,667 mm3 (median: 3,135 mm3). Tumors < or = 20 mm in maximum diameter received a dose of 20 Gy to the margin, tumors between 21 and 30 mm received 18 Gy, and tumors > 30 mm received 16 Gy. The dose was prescribed to the 50% isodose line in 31 patients and to the 45%, 55%, 60%, 70%, and 80% isodose line in one patient each. The median number of isocenters per tumor was 5 (range: 1-12). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 16 months (range: 2.5-36 months), all patients were alive. Thirty-five patients had follow-up imaging studies. Nine tumors (26%) were smaller, and 26 tumors (74%) were unchanged. No tumor had progressed. The 1- and 2-year actuarial incidences of facial neuropathy were 52.2% and 66.5%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year actuarial incidences of trigeminal neuropathy were 33.7% and 58.9%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year actuarial incidence of facial or trigeminal neuropathy (or both) was 60.8% and 81.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the following were associated with the time of onset or worsening of facial weakness or trigeminal neuropathy: (a) patients < age 65 years, (b) dose to the tumor margin, (c) maximum tumor diameter > or = 21 mm, (d) use of the 18 mm collimator, and (e) use of > five isocenters. The 1- and 2-year actuarial rates of preservation of useful hearing (Gardner-Robertson class I or II) were 100% and 41.7% +/- 17.3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma knife provides short-term control of acoustic neuromas when a dose of 16 to 20 Gy to the tumor margin is used. Preservation of useful hearing can be accomplished in a significant proportion of patients.

Adult

Impact of cranioplasty on headache after acoustic neuroma removal.

We reported previously the incidence of headache after the retrosigmoid removal of an acoustic neuroma as 23% at 3 months, declining to 9% at 2 years after surgery. In an attempt to reduce the incidence and the severity of these headaches, we made one change in our surgical procedure, which was to perform a cranioplasty with methyl methacrylate. Twenty-four patients underwent the cranioplasty and were followed for at least 3 months postoperatively. These patients were matched to 24 patients who did not undergo a cranioplasty. We found a 4% incidence of headache in the cranioplasty group and a 17% incidence in the matched group. No complications were related to this change in our procedure.

Adult

Acoustic schwannoma and pregnancy: a DNA flow cytometric, steroid hormone receptor, and proliferation marker study.

For a long time, it has been speculated that pregnancy stimulates the growth of acoustic schwannomas. To test this hypothesis, immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were performed. Flow cytometric studies for DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction determinations were also performed. The study subjects included 6 female patients with unilateral acoustic tumors; at the time of tumor removal, 1 woman was pregnant and the other 5 women were 2 to 10 months postpartum. The age-sex-matched control group consisted of 6 men and 12 nonpregnant women, all with acoustic schwannomas similar in size to those of the study group. The study found no statistically significant association between the presence or quantity of estrogen or progesterone receptors and pregnancy, DNA ploidy, proliferation indices, or clinical data. Based on PCNA indices, large tumors tended to be less "biologically active" than small lesions (P < .01). The authors concluded that pregnancy does not significantly stimulate the cellular growth of acoustic schwannomas.

Biomarkers

Predictors of response to transantral orbital decompression in severe Graves' ophthalmopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that may help predict the outcome after transantral orbital decompression in Graves' ophthalmopathy. DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted of 428 patients who had undergone an initial transantral orbital decompression for severe Graves' ophthalmopathy at the Mayo Clinic between November 1969 and May 1989. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With use of logistic regression analysis, we assessed the preoperative characteristics, the early postoperative results, and the follow-up questionnaire data (obtained a median of 9.5 years postoperatively) from 304 female and 124 male patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy who had undergone transantral orbital decompression at a median age of 53 years. RESULTS: On multivariate stepwise regression analysis, young age, male sex, and long duration of eye symptoms were predictors of severe initial proptosis (P < 0.001). The only independent predictors of greater postoperative recession of proptosis were severity of initial proptosis and longer interval between operation and postoperative examination (P < 0.001). Patients with the most reduction of proptosis had the greatest improvement in visual acuity but more chance for postoperative development of continuous diplopia. Failure of prior corticosteroid or orbital radiation therapy did not affect the degree of recession of proptosis or improvement in visual acuity. On multivariate analysis for predictors of long-term overall patient satisfaction, only young age of the patient was of borderline significance (P = 0.05), and the only significant predictor of satisfaction with the postoperative eye appearance was an operation done primarily for cosmetic purposes (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Although various factors may influence the outcome of orbital decompression in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy, this study showed that the more pronounced the initial proptosis, the greater the degree of recession postoperatively. A higher degree of reduction of proptosis is associated with better visual acuity but also a greater likelihood of development of continuous diplopia.

Adolescent

Results of transantral orbital decompression in 428 patients with severe Graves' ophthalmopathy.

We reviewed records from 428 consecutive patients with severe Graves' ophthalmopathy to determine early and late results after transantral orbital decompression. Optic neuropathy was present in 217 (50.7%) patients. Post-operatively, 402 (89%) of 453 eyes with preoperative visual acuity worse than 20/20 improved or remained the same. Visual field scotomas improved or resolved in 245 (91%) of 269 eyes tested pre- and postoperatively. Preoperative papilledema resolved or improved in 99 (94%) of 105 eyes, and preoperative exposure keratitis improved or resolved in 178 (92%) of 195 eyes. Average proptosis reduction was 4.7 mm. Postoperatively, new diplopia developed in 74 (64%) of 116 patients who had no diplopia before orbital decompression, although 300 patients ultimately had strabismus surgery. At late follow-up (N = 293 patients), 226 (77%) had single vision and 44 (15%) had correction with prism. Complications included sinusitis (18 patients), lower eyelid entropion (38 patients), numb lip (23 patients), cerebrospinal fluid leaks (15 patients), and one frontal lobe hematoma (one patient). The average duration of follow-up was 8.7 years. Transantral orbital decompression effectively reduces proptosis and usually corrects optic neuropathy. In other circumstances, the benefits achieved and the side effects incurred must be carefully balanced for each patient before transantral orbital decompression is considered.

Adolescent

Headache after acoustic neuroma excision.

The retrosigmoid approach to acoustic neuroma removal has recently been criticized for causing frequent and severe headache postoperatively. We review 331 patients who had acoustic neuroma removal by the retrosigmoid approach at one institution. The incidence of postoperative headache was 23 percent at 3 months, 16 percent at 1 year, and 9 percent at 2 years. Management was primarily with analgesics, physiotherapy, and reassurance. No patient had additional surgical treatment. Information available indicates that the incidence of postoperative headache associated with the translabyrinthine approach is similar to that of the retrosigmoid approach. Perhaps filling the craniectomy defect will decrease further the incidence of headache postoperatively.

Facial Nerve

Does the distribution of Schwann cells correlate with the observed occurrence of acoustic neuromas? .

Acoustic neuromas account for 75 to 80 percent of cerebellopontine angle tumors and 8 to 10 percent of all intracranial neoplasms. These tumors arise from the Schwann cell sheath that surrounds the peripheral portion of the facial, cochlear, superior, and inferior vestibular nerves. Theoretically, a schwannoma may arise from Schwann cells anywhere along these nerves from the glial-Schwann cell junction to the end organ. Clinically, however, they most frequently originate from the vestibular nerves, occasionally from the facial, and only rarely from the cochlear nerve. This investigation utilized light microscopy, immunochemistry, and digital optical morphologic analysis to determine the distribution of Schwann cells along the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in an attempt to explain the observed distribution of tumors, and to evaluate currently accepted theories. No direct correlation between the distribution of Schwann cells and the observed distribution of schwannomas was found. Thus, this study did not confirm the currently held theories regarding schwannoma distribution in these nerves.

Cell Count

Effect of BAEP monitoring on hearing preservation during acoustic neuroma resection.

We measured the effect of brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) monitoring on hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma resection in 90 consecutive patients with monitoring compared with 90 historical controls matched for tumor size and preoperative hearing status. In small tumors (less than 2 cm), BAEP monitoring was associated with a higher rate of hearing preservation and a greater chance that the hearing preserved was clinically useful. Changes in the BAEP intraoperatively showed a good correlation with postoperative hearing status.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem

Current results of the retrosigmoid approach to acoustic neurinoma.

Since 1984 when cranial nerve monitoring became routinely performed at the Mayo Clinic, 255 patients have undergone 256 procedures using the retrosigmoid approach for the removal of acoustic neurinomas. Of these, 221 patients had some hearing before surgery and 52 maintained hearing following surgery. The anatomical continuity of the facial nerve was preserved in 237 of these 256 procedures. It was possible to perform a primary end-to-end anastomosis in seven of the remaining 19 patients, and one patient had a cable graft inserted. Thus, 95.7% of these patients were believed to have potential for spontaneous facial nerve function. Of the 11 patients in whom this was not possible, seven underwent early spinal accessory facial anastomosis, in two hypoglossal-facial anastomosis was performed, and two had no facial nerve procedures and have paralysis of the facial nerve. There were two deaths from a pulmonary embolus in the early postoperative period, both 4 days following otherwise uneventful surgery. The most common postoperative complication was cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which has not resulted in significant permanent morbidity although early repair for this problem is now routinely recommended. Other complications were quite rare and have generally not resulted in any major change in patient lifestyle or activity level. This review reconfirms that the retrosigmoid surgical treatment of acoustic tumors continues to be an acceptable treatment option.

Adolescent

Resident work hours and working environment in otolaryngology. Analysis of daily activity and resident perception.

OBJECTIVE: --To analyze the working environment and work hours of a cohort of otolaryngology--head and neck surgery residents. DESIGN: --Environmental analysis questionnaire and a log of daily activities. SETTING: --Residents were on a clinical rotation system. PARTICIPANTS: --Fifty-nine residents from six programs, including three public and three private institutions, from geographically diverse regions of the country were involved in the study. Residents were equally distributed from their second year through their fifth year of postgraduate work. All eligible residents participated in and completed the study. INTERVENTION: --The environmental analysis survey was designed to elicit resident perception of different aspects of their working environment. The daily activity log required the resident to report on activities for each half-hour period for 7 consecutive days. RESULTS: --Residents were on call an average of 52.8 hours (2.2 days) and worked 79.4 hours per week. Seventy-five percent believed that the level of faculty supervision and the degree of resident responsibility was about right. Two major inefficiencies were the time involved in completion of paperwork and the lack of nonmedical support services. Thirty-one percent of the residents responded that fatigue resulted in substandard patient care 10% of the time. Forty-seven percent responded that their educational experience was substandard 25% of the time secondary to fatigue. Two thirds responded that the demands of residency training had a negative impact on their family and personal life. CONCLUSIONS: --Seventy percent of the otolaryngology--head and neck surgery residents surveyed at six institutions believe that an 80-hour workweek, including being on call every third night with no more than 24 hours of continuous work without sleep, approximates a reasonable, maximum work schedule. Residents working the longest hours expressed concern about rendering substandard care and developing negative attitudes toward patients. Noneducational inefficiencies were identified and solutions were proposed. Demands of residency training, even within guidelines established as reasonable, can have detrimental effects on residents' educational activities and personal life.

Attitude

Auditory monitoring during acoustic neuroma removal.

Preservation of hearing has become attainable for patients with small acoustic neuromas. Brain-stem auditory evoked response was monitored intraoperatively in 60 patients undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery via the posterior fossa approach. The overall rate of hearing preservation was 30% in the monitored group and 20% in 60 patients who were matched for tumor size and preoperative hearing level and underwent the same surgical procedure but without intraoperative brain-stem auditory evoked response monitoring. The rate of hearing preservation was correlated with tumor size: with tumors less than or equal to 1 cm, hearing was preserved in 82% of monitored and 36% of unmonitored patients; hearing was not preserved with tumors larger than 3 cm. Intraoperative brain-stem auditory evoked response monitoring appears to have improved the preservation of hearing during removal of small tumors.

Adolescent

Benign positional vertigo: incidence and prognosis in a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

A retrospective review of our population-based medical records linkage system for residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, revealed 53 patients (34 women and 19 men; mean age, 51 years) with newly diagnosed benign positional vertigo in 1984. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence was 64 per 100,000 population per year (95% confidence interval, 46 to 81 per 100,000). The incidence of benign positional vertigo increased by 38% with each decade of life (95% confidence interval, 23 to 54%). One patient had an initial stroke during follow-up; thus, the relative risk for new stroke associated with benign positional vertigo was 1.62 (95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 8.98) in comparison with the expected occurrence based on incidence rates for an age- and sex-adjusted control population. The observed survival among the 53 Olmsted County residents with benign positional vertigo diagnosed in 1984 was not significantly different from that of an age- and sex-matched general population. Patients with benign positional vertigo seem to have a good prognosis.

Adolescent

Childhood sinusitis.

Childhood sinusitis is difficult to diagnose. It is classified on the basis of duration of inflammation--acute or chronic--and cause of inflammation--infectious or noninfectious. Infectious sinusitis is often a result of obstruction of the osteomeatal complex. Inflammation in noninfectious sinusitis is similar to the inflammatory changes detected in respiratory mucosa of patients with asthma. Acute sinusitis is primarily an infectious process similar to a prolonged infection of the upper respiratory tract. Plain radiography has limited value for the diagnosis of acute sinusitis in children. The most effective treatment of acute sinusitis is administration of a beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotic. Chronic sinusitis may be infectious, noninfectious, or both. Coronal computed tomography of the sinuses and nasal endoscopy are the preferred methods for determining the presence of chronic sinusitis. When physicians prescribe therapy for chronic sinusitis, they need to consider whether the underlying cause is infectious, noninfectious, or both. Treatment of chronic infectious sinusitis is most effective when a beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotic is administered. Chronic noninfectious sinusitis may respond to topically intranasally applied corticosteroids. If medical treatment fails to resolve the disease within 3 months, surgical intervention may be necessary. Finally, although an association between asthma and sinusitis exists, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established.

Acute Disease