Pituitary ablation was performed on 26 patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy by pituitary stalk section (nine patients) or transphenoidal hypophysectomy (17 patients). After a latent period varying from six to 12 months, retinal hemorrhages disappeared, vitreous hemorrhages stopped and new vessels regressed. Eight of 10 patients followed up for more than a year had a complete remission, although in one of two patients whose ablation was incomplete the retinopathy remained active. Preoperative visual acuity levels were preserved in 47 of 50 eyes of patients followed up for a mean period of 12 months. Three patients have died, two from causes related to their operation. Twenty of the survivors have continued in their usual occupation. Pituitary ablation is effective in preventing the progressive visual deterioration usually associated with advanced diabetic retinopathy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidermoid cysts of the cranial bones.

Ectodermally derived tissue in ectopic sites is seen in the head and neck. Extracranial dermoid and epidermoid tumors are relatively rare. While most otolaryngologists are familiar with the cholesteatoma of the otic area, not very many are exposed to this lesion in other sites. Those of the cranial bones are even rarer still. These tumors may expand (1) laterally in the cranial bones, (2) externally to present as masses in the scalp or facial region, or (3) internally to involve the intracranial contents. A patient with a frontal bone epidermoid, whose tumor had expanded in all three directions to erode both inner and outer cortex of cranium and laterally to rupture into the frontal sinus, is discussed. The literature is reviewed and the management of these rare masses is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Xeroradiography in revisional septorhinoplasty.

Because of the continuing increase in the popularity of cosmetic nasal surgery, the revision of previous augmented septorhinoplasties has become more common. With the use of autogenous grafts and the popularization of several synthetic implant materials, a correct preoperative evaluation of the augmented nasal dorsum has become more difficult. Several such patients were examined using conventional soft tissue roentgenograms and xerograms. The latter method produced an improved image of the nasal skeleton when compared with the conventional soft tissue examination. The support for this conclusion is provided by clinical photographs, x-rays films, and xerograms of illustrative cases.

Adolescent↗