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Biomedical subjects

P Dulguerov

Publications and source records attributed to P Dulguerov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Internal carotid artery dissection following rigid esophagoscopy.

A case of internal carotid artery dissection that developed after rigid esophagoscopy is described. The diagnosis was suggested by the clinical presentation and confirmed by the findings of radiological examinations. Internal carotid artery dissection is a rare condition of controversial etiology. Most frequently, the cause is unknown and the condition is termed idiopathic. A few cases have occurred after forceful cervical extensions and manipulations. The pathogenesis in our case is uncertain: while the rigid esophagoscopy is the most probable cause, the intubation and spontaneous carotid artery dissection cannot be ruled out.

Adult

A conservation approach to pharyngeal carcinoma with advanced neck disease: optimizing neck management.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of advanced neck disease remains controversial when a conservative approach based on radiotherapy is retained for primary tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate retrospectively treatment results in pharyngeal cancers presenting with N2-N3 neck disease, using neck dissection followed by radical locoregional radiotherapy (RT) and to compare these results with those obtained in patients treated by radical RT alone. METHODS: From August 1991 to November 1996, 41 patients with carcinomas of the oro- or hypopharynx were staged as T1-T3 N2-N3 M0 (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage IV). Twenty-four patients were treated with neck dissection followed by RT (group 1) and 17 patients with radical RT (group 2) using a progressively accelerated concomitant boost schedule. Chemotherapy was delivered to 6 patients in group 1 and 8 in group 2 partially concomitantly with RT. RESULTS: Three-year actuarial locoregional control was 73% and 55% for groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = .52). The corresponding 3-year actuarial overall survival rates were 37% and 50% (p = .42). Severe postoperative complications were observed after neck dissection in four patients (16%). Acute toxicity during RT was similar in the two groups. Late toxicities were also similar, except for two patients in group 1 who developed severe laryngeal edema. CONCLUSIONS: Neck dissection followed by radical RT to the primary tumor and neck represents a valid treatment option in this subset of patients, allowing good control of advanced neck disease, while at the same time conserving pharyngolaryngeal function. However, for patients who are at high risk of severe postoperative complications, radical RT can be considered a worthy alternative, particularly for oropharyngeal carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Medialization laryngoplasty.

Medialization laryngoplasty was performed in 25 patients between 1993 and 1997. The underlying pathology resulting in glottal incompetence was vocal cord paralysis in 22 patients and vocal cord bowing in 3 patients. Two types of implants were used: self-carved Proplast in 19 patients and prefabricated hydroxyapatite prostheses in 6 patients. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared in terms of dysphagia, vocal quality as graded by three experienced voice specialists, and computer measurements of the glottal gap. All patients showed improvement both subjectively and on the objective measurements used. Swallowing returned to normal in all patients who had isolated recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The voice improved in all patients but was rarely judged as entirely normal.

Adult

Postparotidectomy facial nerve paralysis: possible etiologic factors and results with routine facial nerve monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the incidence and factors responsible for postparotidectomy facial nerve paralysis when the surgery is performed with the routine use of facial nerve monitoring. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized study. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients underwent parotidectomy with intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. Two devices were used: a custom mechanical transducer and a commercial electromyograph-based apparatus. All patients were analyzed, including those with cancer and those with deliberate or accidental sectioning of facial nerve branches. The outcome variables were the motor facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann grading scale (HB) at 1 week (temporary paralysis) and 6 to 12 months (definitive paralysis). Facial nerve grading was performed blindly from reviewing videotapes. RESULTS: The overall incidence of facial paralysis (HB>1) was 27% for temporary and 4% for permanent deficits. Most of the deficits were partial, most often concerning the marginal mandibular branch. Temporary deficits with HB scores of greater than 2 were only present in patients with parotid cancer or infection. Permanent deficits were present in three patients, including one patient with facial nerve sacrifice. Factors significantly associated with an increased incidence of temporary facial paralysis include the extent of parotidectomy, the intraoperative sectioning of facial nerve branches, the histopathology and the size of the lesion, and the duration of the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a stringent accounting of postoperative facial nerve deficits, these data compare favorably to the literature with or without the use of monitoring. An overall incidence of 27% for temporary facial paralysis and 4% for permanent facial paralysis was found. Although the lack of a control group precludes definitive conclusions on the role of electromyograph-based facial nerve monitoring in routine parotidectomy, the authors found its use very helpful.

Adolescent

Dose variation at bone/titanium interfaces using titanium hollow screw osseointegrating reconstruction plates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate dose variations at bone/titanium interfaces in an experimental model designed to simulate postoperative radiotherapy in patients with mandibular reconstructions using a titanium hollow-screw osseointegrating reconstruction plate (THORP) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model consisted of a 25 x 25 x 10 mm3 block of fresh bovine femoral diaphysis, to the surface of which a segment of THORP system reconstruction plate was fixed by means of a solid titanium screw 4 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length. Using specially designed thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) 2 mm in diameter and 0.13 mm in thickness, dose measurements were carried out at four distances from the screw axis (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, and 1 mm). 60Co and 6-MV photon beams were used at incidences both perpendicular and parallel ("axial") to the screw axis. RESULTS: For 6-MV X-ray beams incident perpendicular to the screw axis, the maximum dose enhancement (due to backscatter) and the maximum dose reduction (due to attenuation) at the bone/titanium interface were 5% (+/- 2%) and 6% (+/- 2%), respectively. The corresponding values for 60Co beams were 6% (+/- 5%) and 10% (+/- 5%). For the axial incidences, a maximum dose enhancement of 5-7% was noted for both 6-MV X-rays and 60Co for beams incident on the surface containing the THORP plate segment, whereas beams incident on the opposite surface induced only a very small dose enhancement (2-3%). CONCLUSION: Using a new experimental model, TLD measurements showed only marginally significant dose variations at bone/titanium interfaces around THORP screws, all measured values being very close to the uncertainty limits (+/- 5%) associated with the method. For both 60Co and 6-MV beams, dose variations appeared smaller for axial than for perpendicular incidences. Because photon beams used in head and neck cancer treatment are most often directed parallel to the screw axes, these results suggest that failures of prosthetic osseointegration are unlikely to be explained by an overdosage at the bone/titanium interface.

Animals

Multiple myeloma presenting with external ear canal mass.

The manifestations of multiple myeloma are protean and related to bony osteolytic lesions, and to medullar and renal insufficiency. We report a patient who presented with otalgia as the inaugural symptom of multiple myeloma. Local irradiation combined with systemic chemotherapy led to the disappearance of the temporal bone mass and the accompanying symptoms. To date, 24 months after the diagnosis, the patient is still in remission. The literature on otological involvement in multiple myeloma is reviewed. Symptoms are non-specific and include hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, facial paralysis, and otalgia. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma should be considered in the presence of a temporal bone mass.

Aged

Blood transfusion requirements in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery.

BACKGROUND: Blood requirements for Head and Neck surgical procedures have not been studied carefully. In order to set up an autotransfusion program, the blood loss and transfusion requirements should be known precisely. METHODS: The blood bank database was used to determine which Head and Neck procedures required blood transfusion during the previous 5 years. A list of 10 transfusion-associated operations was established, the records of all patients who underwent these procedures during a 5-year period were reviewed, and average the blood loss and number of units transfused determined. RESULTS: All procedures were for cancer resection. The operations were classified in 3 groups according to their transfusion probability: high (> 80%), low (< 5%) and moderate. For the moderate transfusion group, age, preoperative hemoglobin, and past medical history of cardiac and pulmonary disease were associated with higher incidence of transfusion. An average delay of 3 weeks was found between the diagnosis and the actual surgery. CONCLUSION: The transfusion requirements of Head and Neck surgical procedures could be safely met by an autotransfusion protocol, given the average delay of 3 weeks between diagnosis and surgery.

Aged

Concomitant boost radiotherapy in oropharynx carcinomas.

Fifty-five patients with resectable and unresectable oropharynx carcinomas were treated with concomitant boost radiotherapy. Forty-two of the patients (76%) had stages III-IV disease. Although none of the patients had undergone major surgery to the primary tumor, 11 had neck dissections prior to radiotherapy, and 19 (35%) received chemotherapy. The planned total tumor dose was 69.9 Gy, delivered over 5.5 weeks. During the last 3.5 weeks, a boost to the initial gross disease was delivered in 13 fractions of 1.5 Gy each, as a second daily fraction in a progressively accelerated schedule; the prescribed dose outside the boost volume thus was 50.4 Gy. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 31.5 months (range: 16-65 months). All patients but one completed the planned radiotherapy schedule. According to the RTOG scoring system, 48 patients (88%) presented with grades 3-4 acute toxicity. The rate of grades 3-4 late complications was 12%. At three years the actuarial locoregional control rate was 69.5% and overall survival was 60%. We conclude that this concomitant boost schedule is feasible and does not seem to be associated with an excess risk of late complications. Acute toxicity was higher in association with chemotherapy, but remained manageable. Although the oncological results appear encouraging, evaluation of the efficacy of concomitant boost schedules compared with conventionally fractionated irradiation with or without concomitant chemotherapy requires prospective randomized trials.

Adult

Bilateral radical neck dissection with unilateral internal jugular vein reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the functional and oncologic results of one internal jugular vein replacement after bilateral radical neck dissection (RND). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective historical cohort study. METHODS: Since 1972 all patients (n = 9) undergoing bilateral RND with resection of both internal jugular veins had a reconstruction of one internal jugular vein. In six cases the RNDs were staged, and in three cases the RNDs were performed simultaneously. In every case a vascular reconstruction was performed with an autologous vein graft. All patients received radiation therapy, in five patients before and in four patients after the vein grafting. Functional results were evaluated in terms of postoperative head and neck and neurologic complications. In some patients a Doppler scan was performed to assess vein patency. Oncologic results are reported as relapse-free survival and mortality intervals. RESULTS: In all patients the postoperative course was uneventful, without neurologic complications. Facial edema was noted in four patients, mild in three and moderate in one. Two patients are alive, with follow-ups of 8 and 18 years. Seven patients are dead, two without evidence of recurrence, four with cervical recurrence after a mean survival of 10 months, and one after distant metastasis after a survival of 7 years. In patients with long-term survival a Doppler scan confirmed the patency of the vein graft. CONCLUSION: The lack of operative complications and the absence of postoperative neurologic complications make a unilateral internal jugular vein replacement after bilateral RND attractive, although the oncologic results remain poor.

Adult

Microscopic tonsillectomy: a double-blind randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microsurgical bipolar cautery tonsillectomy (TEmic) by comparing it with traditional blunt dissection tonsillectomy (TEtrad). DESIGN: A double-blind prospective randomized trial with stratification in two age groups. PATIENTS: 200 consecutive patients undergoing tonsillectomy for tonsillar hypertrophy, or recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding, daily postoperative pain and otalgia, postoperative bleeding episodes. METHODS: Duration of surgery and operative bleeding were evaluated by the anesthesiologist. The patients were instructed to record daily pain and otalgia. Final postoperative evaluation was done by a different physician, blinded to the surgical technique. RESULTS: Mean intraoperative bleeding was 12 ml for TEmic and 36 ml for TEtrad (P < 0.001). Mean duration of surgery was 37 minutes for TEmic and 36 minutes for TEtrad (NS). Otalgia was present in 41% of TEmic patients and 69% of TEtrad patients (p < 0.001). Daily postoperative pain was lower in the TEmic group than it was in the TEtrad group for the entire study period (10 days). Postoperative hemorrhage was present in three TEmic patients (3%) and in eight TEtrad patients (8%), a difference that did not reach significance (p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical bipolar cautery tonsillectomy compares favorably with traditional techniques in terms of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, otalgia, and hemorrhage. This technique combines the hemostatic advantage of cautery dissection, the excellent visualization achieved by a microscope, and, with the use of a video, greatly improves the physician's ability to teach how to perform a tonsillectomy.

Biological Products

Combined concomitant boost radiotherapy and chemotherapy in stage III-IV head and neck carcinomas: a comparison of toxicity and treatment results with those observed after radiotherapy alone.

BACKGROUND: Alteration of radiation therapy (RT) fractionation and the combination of chemotherapy (CT) with RT represent two predominant fields of current research in the treatment of head and neck carcinomas. To assess the potential integration of these two fields, a retrospective comparison of toxicity and treatment outcome was carried out in stage III-IV patients treated with a concomitant boost RT schedule with or without CT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients were treated by RT alone and 35 by RT and CT. In the RT group, there were significantly fewer T3-4 tumors (56% vs. 88%, P = 0.002) and higher proportion of planned neck dissections (35% vs. 14%, P = 0.047). The planned total dose was 69.9 Gy delivered over 5.5 weeks. In 10 cases CT was given before RT and in 25 concomitantly with RT, either alone or with neoadjuvant and/ or adjuvant CT. All patients but two had cisplatin-based (CDDP, 100 mg/m2) CT, associated in 28 patients with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, 1000 mg/m2/24 h x 5). The median follow-up for the surviving patients was 21 and 31 months for the RT and RT-CT groups respectively. RESULTS: Grade 3-4 acute toxicity (RTOG) was observed in 73% and 36% of patients, and grade 3 dysphagia in 31% and 57% (P = 0.02) respectively in the RT and RT-CT groups. The rates of grade 3-4 late complications were similar in the two groups (5% vs. 12%). At three years, actuarial loco-regional control (LRC) was 57% and 66% (P = 0.66) and overall survival was 56% and 47% (P = 0.99) in the RT and RT-CT groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: While acute toxicity was higher compared with RT alone, this accelerated RT schedule was feasible in association with 5-FU/CDDP, even administered concomitantly. Despite the significant proportion of more advanced disease in the RT-CT group, LRC was similar to that obtained by RT alone. Combinations of concomitant boost RT and chemotherapy merit further investigation in prospective trials.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Immediate function of temporomandibular joint after total resection and reconstruction.

Two patients with recurrent parotid gland carcinoma required subtotal petrosectomy and infratemporal fossa type C approach. To achieve en bloc resection, the ascending mandibular ramus and the entire temporomandibular joint, including the adjacent temporal bone, were removed. An original technique for immediate reconstruction of the infratemporal region, including the glenoid fossa and the ramus of the mandible, is described. Rigid fixation, as well as good functional and aesthetic results, was achieved with autologous calvarial bone and full-thickness rib grafts, allowing the patients to mobilize their jaw very rapidly.

Adenocarcinoma

Correlation of compound action potential and electromyography with facial muscle tension.

Functional electric stimulation is a new method for dynamic rehabilitation of paralyzed muscles. The output of such prosthetic devices needs to be modulated by some index of the muscle movement. In facial paralysis a measure of the muscle contractions of the normal contralateral side seems to be an appropriate input. In the rabbit, we simultaneously measured the compound action potential of the buccal branch of the facial nerve, the electromyogram of the zygomaticus major muscle, and the muscle twitch tension through strain gauge. The compound action potential, electromyogram, and strain gauge each had a sigmoidal relationship to stimulus intensity. The compound action potential peak-to-peak amplitude was found to have a linear correlation to the peak twitch tension of the corresponding facial muscle. The electromyogram response, although more variable, also had a linear correlation with muscle contraction. The possibility of predicting the contraction of facial muscles before they actually occur is discussed in the context of available and future functional electric rehabilitation models.

Action Potentials

Relation of recurrent laryngeal nerve compound action potential to laryngeal biomechanics.

This study was designed to investigate the compound action potential (CAP) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and to correlate this electrophysiologic signal to laryngeal biomechanics and phonatory function. Four adult mongrel canines were anesthetized. The RLN was isolated and stimulated, and recording electrodes were applied. The electromyographic (EMG) electrode was placed in the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle. The RLN CAP and the EMG of the TA muscle were recorded and compared to the stimulation intensity, subglottic pressure (Psub), and each other. The CAP peak-to-peak and EMG peak-to-peak amplitudes demonstrated a sigmoidal relation to stimulus intensity and a linear relation to Psub and to each other. On the basis of these findings, the RLN CAP appears to be a reliable physiologic measure of laryngeal function.

Action Potentials

[Deglutition disorders: from videofluoroscopy to rehabilitation].

Dysphagic patients present with swallowing difficulties that should be precisely localized and quantified in order to provide a specific rehabilitation. This paper describes a simple yet complete videofluoroscopy protocol with emphasis on each step of the swallowing process, in order to assess sequentially the physiopathology of the involved organs. A comparison is also established between the videofluoroscopy results and the specific rehabilitation to be cared by the swallowing pathologist.

Deglutition

[Deglutition disorders: choice of diet and compensatory posture].

Swallowing difficulties are most often evaluated by videofluoroscopy and treated by a pluridisciplinary team. Each patient requires individual rehabilitation depending on the anatomical or physiological etiology of the dysphagia. After discussing the indirect therapy (1) which is geared to improve the muscular function, the choice of diet and the compensation postures are systematically reviewed.

Deglutition

[Peritonsillar abscess. Emergency tonsillectomy?].

The treatment of peritonsillar abcess is still controversial: quincy tonsillectomy, also called tonsillectomy "à chaud" (TC) or interval tonsillectomy, also known as tonsillectomy "à froid" (TF), several weeks after incision and drainage. Of 105 patients presenting with peritonsilar abscess, 53 had tonsillectomy: 27 TC and 26 TF. For each group the following variables were analyzed: age, location of abscess, bacteriology, duration of surgery, amount of per-operative bleeding, post-operative hemorrhage and complications, and length of hospital stay. The location of the abscess was posterior in 33%, and therefore difficult to drain without tonsillectomy. Significant differences in favor of TC were found for: 1) the amount of per-operative bleeding; 2) the occurrence of post-operative hemorrhage; and 3) the duration of hospital stay. We conclude that TC is a safe procedure without increased risks, with less complications, and with a reduced cost. When surgery is indicated in the treatment of peritonsillar abcess, we advocate TC. From our results and the litterature a decision tree for the management of peritonsillar abcess is presented.

Abscess