Biomedical subjects

L G Close

Publications and source records attributed to L G Close.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Endoscopic resection of the intranasal frontal sinus floor.

The current accepted treatment for chronic frontal sinus disease unresponsive to medical management and endoscopic surgery is an external approach to either obliterate the sinus or restore communication to the nasal cavity. Here reported is an endoscopic approach for resection of the intranasal frontal sinus floor, a modification of a procedure first described by Lothrop in 1899. Eleven patients underwent this operation from April 1993 to December 1993. One complication, a cerebrospinal fluid leak treated successfully endoscopically, has occurred. Of the 7 patients followed up 3 months or longer after surgery, only 1 has developed symptoms of recurrent frontal sinusitis. On the basis of this limited preliminary experience, the endoscopic Lothrop procedure shows promise as an effective operation designed to establish a physiologic communication between the frontal sinus and the nasal cavity in selected patients who would otherwise be candidates for an external approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Reliability of microvascular free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

Reliable reconstructive techniques are essential in the surgical treatment of head and neck cancer patients. Free flaps have often been used as reconstructive options of last resort in the head and neck because of the need for added technical skill, a longer operating time, and a perception of poor reliability. This study reviews our experience with 39 free flaps performed by the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service. For the first 17 cases, an interrupted anastomotic technique was used; a running technique was performed in the remaining 22 cases. The average total ischemic time (3.7 vs. 2.7 hours; p < 0.001) was significantly less with a running technique. There were 10 complications: 7 minor would problems, 1 death from aspiration without surgical wound/flap problem, and 2 cases requiring second flaps (1 flap necrosis, 1 fistula with healthy free flap). No statistical correlation was found between complications and ischemic time, suture technique, age, or hospital (five hospitals). Free flaps are reliable and may obviate the need for sacrifice of trunk muscles for wound closure (e.g., fascicocutaneous free flaps instead of myocutaneous flaps); therefore we recommend revascularized free flaps as the primary mode of reconstruction for head and neck defects.

Female↗

PubMed1993

Intraoperative versus interstitial radiotherapy: a comparison of morbidity in the head and neck.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) and interstitial radiotherapy (brachytherapy) are highly effective adjunctive treatments for head and neck cancer. The radiotolerance of the carotid artery, pharynx, and mandible to therapeutic doses of these modalities, however, has not been clearly established. To investigate the effects of IORT and interstitial iridium 192 (192Ir) on these structures in the canine, both sides of the neck of 12 mongrel dogs were operated on to expose 4-cm segments of the common carotid artery, pharynx, and mandible. One side of the neck was irradiated in each animal with the opposite side serving as the unirradiated control. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 4 dogs each. The first group received 40-Gy IORT and the second, 60-Gy IORT. In the third group of animals, afterloading catheters were implanted followed by placement of 60-Gy 192Ir. At 2 and 4 months after irradiation, 2 dogs in each treatment group were killed and histopathologic examination of the carotid artery, pharynx, and mandible was performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. No statistically significant difference between treatment groups was found for carotid artery injury, but a trend for the proportion of fibrosis of the carotid on the irradiated side to increase with dose (P = .125) and time (P = .250) was noted. No apparent or statistically significant difference was found between treatment groups for pharyngeal injury. The greatest histologic changes noted following IORT and 192Ir brachytherapy were found in mandible specimens. The incidence of bone marrow suppression in irradiated mandible specimens versus controls approached statistical significance (P = .062). Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) was noted in the irradiated mandible specimens of two dogs, one of which received 60-Gy IORT and the other 60-Gy interstitial 192Ir. This manuscript reviews animal and clinical investigations relevant to the use of IORT and interstitial radiotherapy to the head and neck. Recommendations are made regarding further animal and clinical research as well as methods of treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Prognostic significance of sinus histiocytosis in metastatic laryngeal cancer.

A histopathologic analysis of regional lymph node specimens in 48 patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was performed to determine which parameters, if any, correlated with 3-year patient survival. The presence of sinus histiocytosis in lymph nodes containing metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was statistically related to survival (P < .007). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent significance of this variable compared to tumor stage, nodal status, and extracapsular spread from lymph nodes. Previous studies have linked improved survival with an active immunologic response in head and neck cancer patients. However, few studies have examined a homogeneous group of patients who all underwent the same type of treatment. This study's findings support the concept that an active immunologic response in lymph nodes has prognostic significance in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Histiocytosis, Sinus↗

PubMed1993

Evidence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in allergic fungal sinusitis.

Despite documentation of specific immunologic hypersensitivity in a few case reports, controversy continues as to the role of allergy versus true infection in the clinical entity of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS). Using a modified radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to multiple fungal antigens, 16 patients meeting the histologic criteria of AFS and with positive fungal cultures were compared to 5 control patients with similar preoperative clinical findings but without histologic or culture evidence of AFS. All patients were immunocompetent and none demonstrated histologic evidence of tissue invasion. All AFS patients were RAST-positive to at least one fungal antigen in the family of their cultured organism with positive defined as class 2 or greater. No control patient was RAST-positive to either dematiaceous or Aspergillus fungal antigens. Thus, modified RAST testing can aid in the routine clinical diagnosis of AFS, and it provides further serologic evidence for a type I hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of AFS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Transcranial resection of ethmoid sinus cancer involving the anterior skull base.

We present 11 cases of ethmoid sinus careinoma treated primarily by transcranial surgical resection and followed 1(1/2) to 7 years. Morbidity and mortality following surgery has proved acceptable. Local disease control and survival prognosis of the patients have been determined primarily by the histopathologic classification of the cancer rather than by invasion of dura or orbit. Good to excellent control has been achieved in cases of adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and squamous cell careinoma, but could not be demonstrated for undifferentiated carcinoma. Alternate means of treatment, including adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are recommended for such anaplastic malignancies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Heterogeneity in spasmodic dysphonia. Neurologic and voice findings.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a disturbance of phonation with laryngeal spasms. We report voice and neurologic examination findings in 45 subjects. Neurologic abnormalities were found in 32 subjects (71.1%). Rapid alternating movement abnormalities, weakness, and tremor were common. Incoordination and spasticity were rare. Lower extremity findings were frequent. Abnormalities were bilateral. Spasmodic dysphonia severity was related to age. Type, severity, and duration of vocal symptoms were not different for subjects with or without neurologic abnormalities. Vocal tremor was more frequent in neurologically abnormal subjects. Involvement of a pallidothalamic-supplementary motor area system could account for neurologic findings, brain imaging findings, and clinical heterogeneity. The view emerging is that spasmodic dysphonia is a manifestation of disordered motor control involving systems of neurons rather than single anatomical sites.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Culture-positive allergic fungal sinusitis.

Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis is a well-defined clinical and histologic entity, although surprisingly few reported cases have yielded any fungal growth on culture. Taking advantage of recent changes in the identification and classification of certain groups of fungi, we were able to identify a specific fungal organism in 19 of 22 consecutive patients with a histologic diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis over the past 2 1/2 years. Aspergillus was found in only one patient, while an organism in the family of dematiaceous fungi was found in 18 patients. Of these patients, the genus Bipolaris was the most commonly represented, while Exserohilum, Curvularia, and Alternaria species were seen with less frequency. Thus, it appears that Aspergillus may not be the most common etiologic agent in allergic "Aspergillus" sinusitis. Allergic fungal sinusitis is not unusual and its incidence may be increasing. On initial clinical evaluation it may be easily mistaken for malignancy or invasive fungal disease with the potential for overly aggressive treatment. Preoperative suspicion of allergic fungal sinusitis based on clinical and roentgenographic findings along with careful communication with the mycology laboratory about the possibility of dematiaceous fungal growth are necessary for proper diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Laryngeal reaction time profiles in spasmodic dysphonia: relationship to cortical electrophysiologic abnormality.

This study combines measures of linguistic and vocal performance and long-latency auditory electrophysiology to investigate task-dependent variability in spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Linguistic performance was evaluated using several measures of relatively complex linguistic ability (i.e., discourse analysis). Vocal performance was evaluated by measuring acoustic laryngeal reaction time (LRT) for tasks that differ in complexity. Normal structure of the cortex and subcortex was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical function was measured using multichannel quantitative auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). As a group, SD subjects who demonstrated subtle linguistic deficits also demonstrated prolonged LRT for the complex task and repeated and persistent auditory electrophysiologic abnormalities over the anterior quadrant of the left hemisphere. As a group, linguistically normal SD subjects demonstrated no significant increase in LRT for the complex task and no recurrent electrophysiologic abnormalities over the left anterior cortex relative to normal controls. Results support a neurogenic origin of SD and suggest that some aspects of inter- and intrasubject variability may be related to differences in loci and magnitude of cortical abnormalities.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Endoscopic management of frontal sinus disease.

Depending on the pathologic process, the treatment of frontal sinus disease has consisted of obliteration or ablation of the sinus, or restoration of drainage into the nose. Intranasal endoscopic enlargement of the frontal recess and ostium, and removal of disease from the medial aspect of the frontal sinus offers a minimally invasive alternative to previous operations in selected patients. To better understand the indications, limitations, and potential problems with this operation, our experience with endoscopic frontal sinustomy in 36 patients over a 30-month period is reported. During the follow-up period, 21 patients had complete resolution of all symptoms, 11 patients were improved but had at least one episode of sinusitis or headache postoperatively, and 3 patients were worse, 2 of whom required frontal sinus obliteration for control of disease. Although endoscopic frontal sinusotomy appears to be a useful alternative to traditional frontal sinus procedures in selected patients, the reader is cautioned that such surgery is technically difficult and has not yet stood the test of time required of any frontal sinus operation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Surgical management of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma involving the cavernous sinus.

Involvement of the cavernous sinus by juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma represents a therapeutic challenge. We present our experience over the past 5 years with the surgical management of six cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma involving this site. Three of six patients had involvement of the medial aspect of the cavernous sinus and tumor was removed using a midline extracranial approach. Of three remaining patients, two had invasion of the medial and inferior margin of the cavernous sinus and one represented a recurrent lesion. The tumor in these three cases was resected using a combined frontotemporal and lateral infratemporal fossa approach. An extracranial recurrence occurred in one patient, and the remaining five patients have had no evidence of recurrent disease 12 to 71 months following surgery. Morbidity has been limited to trismus, facial hypesthesia, and serous otitis media.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Microvascular invasion and survival in cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Although the presence of squamous cell carcinoma within the peritumoral vascular spaces of primary lesions of the oral cavity and oropharynx has been statistically linked to regional lymph node metastases, the association of this finding with disease control and survival has not been well demonstrated. To evaluate this relationship, we have reviewed the clinical and histopathologic features of 65 consecutive cases of previously untreated T2 or greater squamous cell carcinoma of these sites managed by simultaneous surgical treatment of the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes. Of all the histopathologic features of the primary lesion studied, vascular invasion had the greatest impact on survival, as confirmed by both univariate and multivariate analysis. In addition, vascular invasion correlated statistically with local recurrence, neck recurrence, and distant metastasis.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Acute management of laryngeal trauma. Update.

The management of 120 laryngeal injury patients at a major trauma center over 23 years is presented in the form of two patient populations. The first population consists of 52 previously analyzed and reported laryngeal trauma patients who served as the basis for the subsequent refinement of treatment of a second population of 68 patients. Collectively, these patients form a series unique in that 1) it comprises the largest number of such injuries treated at one institution, 2) the management principles remained the same throughout the entire 23 years, and 3) the majority of the patients were managed by one physician. The experience gained from these patients is examined in the hope of resolving prevailing controversies about the treatment of the acutely injured larynx.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery: indications and considerations.

Recently, American otolaryngologists have become increasingly interested in endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery. This trend has been beneficial, because it has enhanced the understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the sinuses. However, as with the introduction of any new surgical technique, it takes both time and experience to acquired the skills necessary to perform this procedure. To evaluate the state of endoscopic sinus surgery, we analyzed the experience of one of the authors with 100 consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopic sinus surgery over 23 months. With an average follow-up of 5 months (range: less than 1 month to 20 months), 14 patients had minor complications. The most common complication was synechia between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall (six patients), resulting in revision surgery in four patients. Eighty-three patients were judged as having significantly improved after surgery, while ten were improved but had one episode of sinusitis postoperatively. The results of this series suggest that endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery is an efficacious advance in the treatment of sinusitis, given the limitations discussed in this report.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Common upper airway disorders in the elderly and their management.

The elderly patient may infrequently present with symptoms or signs of disorders of the upper airway. Once a malignancy or other life-threatening illness has been excluded by a thorough history and physical examination, the physician should then consider one of the common upper airway disorders associated with aging.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

A randomized trial for outpatient management of peritonsillar abscess.

In order to compare the efficacy of permucosal needle drainage with that of incision and drainage in the outpatient management of peritonsillar abscess, 52 patients with aspiration-proven peritonsillar abscess were entered into a randomized, prospective protocol. A symptomatic scale scoring system was employed to evaluate treatment results. In the needle drainage group, 92% (22/24) were cured with a single aspiration. Ninety-three percent (26/28) of the patients in the incision and drainage group were cured on the initial attempt. The remainder of the patients in both groups were cured with a single retreatment. Only one patient required hospitalization, and no patients required tonsillectomy to resolve the abscess. These data indicate that outpatient permucosal needle drainage of peritonsillar abscess is an acceptable, inexpensive treatment comparing favorably with incision and drainage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Silent supraglottic carcinoma.

In a review of 51 consecutive patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx, five (9.8%) patients were found to have no mucosal abnormality on initial evaluation by both computed tomography (CT) and direct laryngoscopy. All five patients who manifested submucosal disease had at least one endoscopic procedure done with a biopsy negative for cancer before definitive diagnosis, resulting in an average delay from initial endoscopy to diagnosis of 19.8 weeks. These inapparent or "silent" neoplasms present unique problems in regard to establishing a diagnosis by routine biopsy techniques, even though CT reliably demonstrates their presence. Early diagnosis requires aggressive biopsy techniques based on CT findings.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

The surgical management of epidural mucoceles.

Mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses extending into the epidural space are both uncommon and difficult to surgically manage. To best overcome the problem of recurrent disease, we have adopted a combined otorhinolaryngologic-neurosurgical approach which emphasizes removal of as much as possible of the mucocele and marsupialization, or permanent drainage, of the disease site into the nasal cavity. Recently, we have modified this procedure in selected cases to include resection of involved dura and isolation of the epidural space from the nasal cavity. The indications and results of both forms of management are now reported in ten patients.

Adolescent↗