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Biomedical subjects

P Froehlich

Publications and source records attributed to P Froehlich.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Vestibular assessment with Balance Quest Normative data for children and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare equilibrium pattern in 12-year-old children with 20-year-old young adults and to obtain normative data for the BQ in both groups. METHODS: Mean stability percentages and synthesis ratios of 29 healthy children aged 12 years were compared to those of 68 young adults aged 20 years, using BQ. RESULTS: The mean stability percentages for children were significantly lower than for young adults. Vestibular ratios were lower in children compared to young adults, whereas somesthesic ratios were similar for the two groups. Visual dependence was significant higher in children. CONCLUSIONS: Children unlike young adults had lower stability percentages when visual information was not available or was incorrect. Ratio synthesis pattern was different in the two groups. Our results on BQ partially confirms previous results obtained in children assessed with Equitest CDP. This study also provides BQ normative data for these two age groups.

Adult↗

Tracheotomy in children: evolution in indications.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the evolution of indications for tracheostomy in children. METHODS: A retrospective review of 46 children undergoing tracheostomy between 1996 and 2001. RESULTS: The indications for tracheostomy were classified in two groups:(1) prolonged ventilator dependence (57%), (2) upper airway obstructions (43%). The average age of the tracheostomy was 3 years and 8 months. This was higher in the first group (5.5 years). Decannulation was accomplished in 52%. The indications for tracheostomy were evaluated and were found to decrease in frequency for upper airway obstructions. An increasing indication was for chronic disorders requiring prolonged ventilator dependence. Complications occurred in 50% of children. Overall mortality was 13-2.7% directly related to the tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Evolving indication has been ventilator dependence. Upper airway obstruction as an indication has diminished in frequency, especially with the concomitant progress of endoscopic techniques.

Adolescent↗

Long-term renal and hearing toxicity of carboplatin in infants treated for localized and unresectable neuroblastoma: results of the SFOP NBL90 study.

BACKGROUND: A secondary end point of the NBL90 protocol (Rubie H et al. Pediatr Oncol 2001;36:247-250) was the concern in this infant population for possible carboplatin-(CBDCA) induced late side effects including impaired renal and hearing functions. PROCEDURE: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), tubular function (TF), pure tone audiometry (PTA), high-frequency, and transient evoked-otoacoustic emission were prospectively assessed in 30 children alive and disease-free 6 years after the end of the treatment. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis and at assessment was 4.7 months and 7 years, respectively. Blood pressure was < or =97.5 centile in all children. The mean estimated GFR was 114 +/- 13 ml/min/1.73 m(2) by Schwartz formula [range 87-145]. TF assessment failed to demonstrate any impairment. 29/30 children had grade 0 ototoxicity and all transient evoked otoacoustic emission were normal. CONCLUSIONS: With a 6-year follow-up the combination of VP16 and carboplatin given at conventional doses is safe on renal and hearing functions in infants with unresectable neuroblastomas treated according to SFOP NB90.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Anti-viral injectable treatment (cidofovir) in laryngeal papillomatosis].

Laryngeal papillomatosis, due to type 6 and 11 papova-virus A, causes devastating lesions leading to difficult clinical situations (severe dysphonia, or laryngeal dyspnea). Recurrence requires repeated endoscopy with CO2 laser treatment to keep the airways free and prevent the lesions spreading. In patients presenting aggressive papillomatosis, such repeated intervention causes irreversible lesions which have a very negative impact on the vocal prognosis. In this context, developing a form of minimally invasive surgery would help avoid vocal sequelae as far as possible. Thus, anti-viral agents can be injected directly into the lesion per-operatively so as best to preserve the healthy mucosa and muscles, thereby managing the lesions with precision and less iatrogenic impact than with CO2 laser. Twenty six patients since 1998 have undergone Cidofovir endoscopy. Total remission was achieved in eight of them (31%), after between two and eight interventions. Twenty seven (65%) showed clinically significant partial remission. Such positive results were obtained in both adults and children. Associated lesion excision was required in cases of obstructive or persistent papilloma. Intralesion Cidofovir injection thus seems to have proved highly effective in the clinical management of laryngeal papillomatosis. Combined Cidovir injection and surgical excision remains necessary in case of large or persistent papillomas. These results have lead us to indicate this procedure as primary treatment for laryngeal papillomatosis in adults and children.

Adolescent↗

Viral RNA in middle ear mucosa and exudates in patients with chronic otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate viral and cytokine signaling correlates of the persistent inflammation associated with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME). DESIGN: Prospective study. METHOD: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction targeting RNA viruses frequently associated with OME (respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 3, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 and interleukin 1beta, and RANTES [regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted]) was performed on mucosal biopsy samples and on samples of the liquid and cellular compartments of inflammatory exudates obtained from 26 children (49 ears) with infected middle ears. Ribonucleic acid extracted from rapidly frozen samples was reverse transcribed by Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase and amplified for 35 cycles using previously validated primers. Amplicons were evaluated by molecular size after agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide. RESULTS: Most children had evidence of the presence of an RNA virus in at least one specimen. Respiratory syncytial virus was present in 40% and parainfluenza virus type 3 in 8% of effusions. Interleukin 8 messenger RNA was present in 21% of inflammatory exudates but never in cells from the mucosal biopsy samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a viral contribution to the cause of OME and suggest that the inflammatory cytokines observed derive more from cells in the inflammatory exudate than from those in the middle ear mucosa.

Biopsy↗

[Chronic rhinosinusitis in children: evolution of concepts].

The concept of chronic rhinosinusitis in children has been recently individualized. The diagnosis is based upon the clinical history. It may be part of a diffuse inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. Allergic and environmental polluting factors are possibly involved and must be looked for. Drainage of the rhinopharynx and local steroids are usually the first line treatment. In case of failure, a CT-scan of the sinuses should be performed looking for an obstructive anomaly of the sinuses requiring functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Child↗

Management of subglottic haemangioma.

Two contrasting methods of treatment for paediatric subglottic haemangioma are presented. Dr Hoeve describes his results using intralesional steroids and short-term intubation, and Dr Froehlich discusses his outcomes with open surgical excision. Mr Bailey then reviews the currently available therapeutic options with special reference to each of the above techniques, and suggests an optimum plan of management given our current state of knowledge. The conclusion is that very small haemangiomas may not require treatment, or may be amenable to CO2 laser vaporization. Medium-sized lesions seem suitable for intra-lesional steroids and intubation, but large ones are probably best managed by primary submucous resection. Very large haemangiomas, and especially those which are circumferential or in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows extension down into the trachea and/or through the tracheal wall into the surrounding tissues, may be more safely dealt with by performing a tracheostomy and awaiting spontaneous involution.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Discoordinate pharyngolaryngomalacia.

In cases of severe laryngomalacia, laser division of the aryepiglottic folds (AEFs) or endoscopic supraglottoplasty may be an ineffective solution. Failure of this technique is rare and the reasons for failure are not well established. The purpose of this study was to describe those cases of laryngomalacia in which endoscopic treatment did not reverse the clinical situation. We introduce the concept of discoordinate pharyngolaryngomalacia (DPLM). DPLM was defined as severe laryngomalacia with complete supraglottic collapse during inspiration, without shortened AEFs or redundant mucosa, and with associated pharyngomalacia. Twenty-seven of 82 children with severe laryngomalacia presented a DPLM. Endoscopic treatment was performed in 16 children and the surgical procedure was inadequate to reverse the clinical problem in these patients. In 10 children correction of additional sites of obstruction was required (uvulopharyngopalatoplasty, surgery of choanal atresia, aortopexy). Tracheostomy was necessary in 13 children. Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) was used successfully in 2 children and tracheotomy was avoided. Treatment still needs to be better defined.

Endoscopy↗

Minimal endoscopic approach to subperiosteal orbital abscess.

OBJECTIVE: To limit endoscopic abscess drainage to the opening of the ethmoid cells involved, adjacent to the subperiosteal orbital abscess. DESIGN: Prospective study. PATIENTS: Twenty children with subperiosteal orbital abscess complicating acute sinusitis. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic opening of the medial wall of the bulla ethmoidalis and of the lamina papyracea. RESULTS: The limited endoscopic approach allowed subperiosteal orbital abscess drainage in all patients with positive clinical outcomes. Extensive ethmoidectomy was not necessary to achieve drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic subperiosteal orbital abscess drainage does not require complete ethmoidectomy as was previously performed and can be limited to the opening of the bulla ethmoidalis and the lamina papyracea through the bulla ethmoidalis.

Abscess↗

One-stage tracheal reconstruction of congenital tracheal stenosis.

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a condition difficult to manage and associated with a high mortality rate. The principles of one-stage laryngotracheoplasty have been adapted to the surgical management of CTS. Three children underwent a one-stage anterior tracheoplasty with costal cartilage grafting and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Extubation was performed within 13 days. One child developed granulation tissue one month postoperatively, and this was removed endoscopically. The three children were free of respiratory obstruction signs during follow-up ranging from 8 months to 3 years. Postoperative endoscopies have shown growth of the grafted trachea.

Airway Obstruction↗

Contrasting strategic approaches to the management of subglottic hemangiomas.

The standards of treatment of subglottic hemangiomas are steroids and laser vaporization. If these methods do not provide a sufficient airway, a tracheotomy may be required. Analysis of the data available in the literature shows that there is a place for other therapeutic solutions. Open surgical excision could be one of them but is controversial. So far, it represented a 'last' resort procedure before tracheotomy. Our approach to open surgical excision is different. A prospective decision is taken in the initial therapeutic approach. Infants are considered candidates for excision in cases of large hemangiomas that extend beyond the limits of laser. Laser is, then, avoided in order not to damage the overlying mucosa. Interferon is not utilized because a rapid effect is not expected on the respiratory distress. Open surgical excision without tracheotomy is performed. A cricoid enlargement is associated at the end of the procedure. Risk for post-operative subglottic stenosis is limited. When conceived this way, open surgical excision seems effective to manage large life-threatening hemangiomas.

Child, Preschool↗

Long-term airway considerations after treatment of severe pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis in five children.

After initial treatment of severe laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), we evaluated subsequent airway function. Five children between 2 and 11 years were treated previously for severe LTS by T-tube stenting. One case underwent subsequent laryngotracheal reconstruction. All patients demonstrated dyspnea, the severity of which increased with age and duration of time after completion of stenosis treatment. In the most severe cases, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopy revealed secondary subglottic stenosis. Ventilatory function tests disclosed obstruction of both extrathoracic and pulmonary origin. These findings raise questions regarding the treatment of the initial stenosing tissue and of the secondary stenoses.

Airway Obstruction↗

Management of subglottic haemangioma.

Between 1980 and 1993, 10 infants underwent endoscopic treatment and/or open surgical excision of a subglottic haemangioma. Of the eight children treated with the laser, four showed simple evolution following a single laser treatment, one required repeated laser treatments and two needed tracheotomy despite repeated laser treatments. The last three children developed moderate subglottic stenosis. Laser treatment was followed by open surgical excision in one child. Two children underwent primary surgical excision, allowing extubation between 8 and 10 days post-operatively. After a period in which we systematically treated subglottic haemangiomas with the laser, these findings have led us to employ open surgery in children with large subglottic haemangiomas or when airway obstruction requires a tracheostomy.

Airway Obstruction↗