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Biomedical subjects

J R Spiegel

Publications and source records attributed to J R Spiegel.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Male soprano voice: a rare complication of thyroidectomy.

A soprano voice from cricothyroid fusion is a rare complication following thyroidectomy. Thyroid surgeons should be aware of this possibility and recognize it early if voice pitch rises following thyroid surgery. This patient's unfortunate complication may prove fortuitous for phonosurgeons and their patients. Cricothyroid fusion may provide a better long-term retention of frequency elevation than traditional cricothyroid approximation. It is also a reversible procedure. Cricothyroid fusion should be investigated as an alternative to cricothyroid approximation for pitch modification.

Cicatrix

Laser surgery of the larynx: the case for caution.

Laser surgery has been advocated for treatment of many laryngeal lesions. Although the CO2 laser has many advantages, its safe use requires special education of the surgeon and operating room team, and considerable surgical skill. Several dangers inherent in laser use for laryngeal surgery must be considered. These include vocal fold scarring secondary to thermal injury, loss of histopathologically important tissue through vaporization, airway fire and others. Laser-related complications must be considered whenever use of this instrument is contemplated.

Burns

Strobovideolaryngoscopy: results and clinical value.

Strobovideolaryngoscopy is a valuable addition to the diagnostic armamentarium because it allows the otolaryngologist to perform a detailed physical examination of the vibratory margin of the vocal fold. From 1985 through 1989, we performed 1,876 strobovideolaryngoscopy procedures, the majority on professional voice users. Previously, we reported findings on our first 486 strobovideolaryngoscopy procedures. Stroboscopic information influenced diagnosis or treatment in approximately one third. The present study was undertaken to determine whether additional experience had altered the clinical usefulness of the procedure. Diagnoses were noted before and after stroboscopy prospectively for 377 strobovideolaryngoscopy procedures performed during the calendar year 1989. In 53% of the procedures, strobovideolaryngoscopy resulted in no change in diagnosis. In 29%, preprocedure impressions were confirmed and additional diagnoses were made. In 18%, preprocedure diagnoses were found to be incorrect. The procedure has proven very helpful in caring for voice patients, modifying diagnoses in 47%, and confirming uncertain diagnoses in many of the other patients studied.

Humans

Care of the professional voice.

Care of the professional voice user, particularly the professional singer, requires that the otolaryngologist acquire special training. This group of patients demands gentle and appropriate treatment, rarely surgery, for a wide range of conditions that may affect vocal performance.

Humans

Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Otolaryngologic manifestations.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CDLS) is characterized by multiple congenital malformations and mental retardation. New studies have documented otolaryngologic abnormalities. We examined 45 patients with CDLS. Virtually all had hearing loss, and most had impaired language development. Other otolaryngologic abnormalities, including external auditory canal stenosis and cleft palate, were also common. Because of the high incidence of otolaryngologic abnormalities, and the need for early intervention, it is important for otolaryngologists to recognize CDLS manifestations in the head and neck.

Adolescent

Total temporal bone resection. A radical but life-saving procedure.

Traditional therapeutic approaches for malignancies of the temporal bone have produced unacceptably low survival figures. The morbidity and mortality associated with temporal bone cancer justify extensive surgery. Total temporal bone resection can be performed successfully in the hands of an experienced skull-base surgical team. By circumscribing the tumor rather than transgressing it, this procedure follows generally accepted principles of oncologic surgery. This procedure also shows promise in resection of extensive, carefully selected, recurrent benign tumors. We believe this approach offers hope for improved survival in patients with malignancy of the temporal bone. Further refinements in technique are suggested by each new case. Additional experience and long-term follow-up are needed to assess the efficacy of this procedure. The interest, expertise, and active participation of the operating room nursing team are critical to the success of this surgery. Ideally, not only intraoperative participation but also preoperative assessment and postoperative support should be routine. Close cooperation and extensive communication among the surgeons and nurses are essential.

Adult

Total temporal bone resection for squamous cell carcinoma.

Because of unsatisfactory results in treatment of malignant conditions of the temporal bone, a technique for total en bloc resection of the temporal bone and carotid artery was reported by Graham et al. in 1984. The procedure involves resection of the internal carotid artery, cranial nerves VI through XII, and structures adjacent to the temporal bone. Experience with two additional cases led to numerous modifications in the recommended procedure, as reported by Sataloff and Myers. Additional clinical experience with this technique and its complications has resulted in further modification. Additional pitfalls and specific changes in technique from previous reports are discussed in detail, including a new procedure to assure the adequacy of contralateral venous outflow.

Aged

Morquio's syndrome.

Treatment of hereditary syndromes is still hampered by a scarcity of information. Morquio's syndrome is a mucopolysaccharidosis associated with chronic middle ear disease and with mixed or sensorineural hearing loss, although some patients with this syndrome have had normal hearing. This case is presented to report the occurrence of hearing loss and to report electronystagmographic findings for the first time.

Child

Intracanalicular arachnoid cyst mimicking acoustic neuroma: CT and MRI.

A patient with a surgically proven intracanalicular arachnoid cyst was studied using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and air CT cisternography. The lesion had a similar radiographic appearance to acoustic neuroma and therefore, although rare, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracanalicular mass lesions. We report a case in which examination was performed, in evaluating the lesion, utilizing high-resolution air CT cisternography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Adult