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Biomedical subjects

D M Burton

Publications and source records attributed to D M Burton.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Candida laryngotracheitis: a complication of combined steroid and antibiotic usage in croup.

The use of corticosteroids to reduce the morbidity associated with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) has been a controversial issue for many years. Recent literature, however, does support a decreased morbidity and increased clinical response when short-term steroids are used. As a prophylactic measure against bacterial superinfection, antibiotics are commonly utilized in the treatment of croup. We present the case of an otherwise healthy infant with severe croup who was hospitalized and treated with both steroids and antibiotics. A relapse in her symptoms led to the diagnosis of candida laryngotracheitis. We recommend close monitoring of patients with croup treated aggressively with steroids and antibiotics. Steroid use should be limited to 24 h with antibiotics reserved for patients with signs of bacterial infection.

Amphotericin B

Extraluminal esophageal coin erosion in children. Case report and review.

Coins are often reported as the most commonly ingested foreign body (FB) in children. They are felt to be benign FBs since they usually pass through the gastrointestinal tract without incident. However, when these objects become impacted within the esophageal lumen, they can perforate the esophagus and migrate extraluminally. Symptoms of the perforation itself are frequently absent, but the potential vascular and suppurative complications may be devastating. We present the 10th reported case of complete extraluminal migration of an esophageal coin, and the only case which was treated without an open surgical procedure. Because of the potential complications, we recommend aggressive surgical intervention as soon as the diagnosis is made.

Child

Tongue gastric choristoma: failure to localize by technetium-99m pertechnetate scan.

Congenital rests of gastric epithelium have been reported in a variety of head and neck locations. Presenting symptoms of these lesions range from an asymptomatic cyst to one which is compromising the airway. The true diagnosis is rarely suspected prior to excision. A case of a gastric choristoma of the tongue is presented which was noted at birth as an intermittently bleeding ulcer. Complete excision of the mass was difficult to ascertain due to poor delineation of the tumor margins from the tongue musculature. A postoperative technetium-99m pertechnetate scan failed to demonstrate residual gastric mucosa. Conservative management resulted in only transient healing of the ulcer. Repeat excision demonstrated abundant residual gastric mucosa. Technetium-99m pertechnetate scanning may not be a reliable indicator of ectopic gastric mucosa in the head and neck region.

Choristoma

Pediatric airway manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children may be classified as physiologic or pathologic, depending on its degree and consequences. There are many head and neck complications of GER in pediatric patients, but most numerous are the airway manifestations, including stridor, recurrent croup, exacerbation of subglottic stenosis, laryngeal irritation with or without laryngospasm, chronic cough, and obstructive apnea. Diagnosis may be difficult unless there is a high index of suspicion for GER and awareness of the concept of "silent" GER. We present the common pediatric airway manifestations of GER, illustrated by case reports, and provide a paradigm to assist in the diagnosis and management of children with airway compromise associated with GER.

Airway Obstruction

Granular cell tumors of the trachea.

In contrast to the relative frequency of granular cell tumors (GCT) in the larynx and bronchi, the occurrence of these tumors in the trachea is rare. A 50-year review of the English-language literature disclosed only 24 described cases of tracheal GCT. This report reviews the clinicopathologic data from those 24 cases, along with the data from 2 cases obtained via a personal communication and the data from 4 previously unpublished cases obtained from a 30-year review of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology archives. Tracheal resection was the predominant mode of therapy and often was performed as a salvage procedure for failed endoscopic excisions. Recommendations for a more uniform approach to surgical management are provided.

Adult

Practical aspects of managing non-malignant lumps of the neck.

The etiologies of pediatric neck masses are legion. Optimal management depends upon making the correct diagnosis. A detailed history to ascertain the duration of the illness, presence of systemic symptoms, animal exposures, tuberculous contacts, medications ingested, recent trauma, dental work or upper respiratory infection (URI), as well as a travel history, may yield important clues to establishing the diagnosis. The work-up for neck masses must be individualized based upon history and physical examination. Common diagnostic studies often obtained are listed in Table 1, and will be further clarified as individual diagnoses are discussed.

Child

Closure of the soft palate for persistent otorrhea after placement of pressure equalization tubes in cleft palate infants.

Four case reports of infants with cleft palate and intractable otorrhea following the placement of pressure equalization tubes are presented. In one patient, liquids taken orally were noted to reflux through her ears. Otorrhea was refractory to medical management in all cases and was controlled only after closure of the soft palate. Persistent otorrhea may be an indication for early closure of the soft palate in these infants.

Cleft Palate

Nocardiosis of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Nocardia asteroides is the major cause of nocardiosis in the respiratory tract. The primary site of infection is the lung, with the upper aerodigestive tract being a rare region for localized disease to occur. We describe a case of a nocardial vallecular cyst and discuss the diagnosis and management of this unusual infection.

Cysts