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Biomedical subjects

W J Grist

Publications and source records attributed to W J Grist.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma with orbital invasion: report of three cases.

PURPOSE: To report three patients with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) that invaded the orbit. METHODS: Retrospective small case series. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of three patients with SNUC were reviewed. RESULTS: Three patients with SNUC that invaded the orbit were evaluated. A biopsy was performed on the tumors, which were composed of small, hyperchromatic cells with numerous mitoses and areas of necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cytokeratins AE1.3, epithelial membrane antigen, and neuron-specific enolase in all three tumors. Electron microscopic examination showed absence of neurosecretory granules and presence of basement membrane production. Two patients were treated with surgical resection and postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation. One patient was treated with preoperative radiation and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is a high-grade tumor that arises in the nasal and paranasal sinuses and may invade the orbit. SNUC should be distinguished from other small, round, blue cell tumors, in particular, esthesioneuroblastoma.

Adult↗

Practice of otolaryngology via telemedicine.

Teleotolaryngology is becoming a reality as a result of improvements in technology and telecommunications. This prospective, clinical trial was designed to demonstrate the utility of three telemedicine systems in an otolaryngology practice. Optel is a desktop system used in the office. Picasso is a mobile system used from various locations throughout the hospital. The Georgia Statewide Telemedicine Program (GSTP) is a large, sophisticated system used from a fixed site within a rural hospital. Patients with a wide variety of ear, nose, and throat problems were presented to consultants at two medical teaching centers in Georgia. Fifty-four consults were completed over a 24-month period. In addition, three teleconsultations demonstrated enhanced capabilities for continuing medical education (CME) and health care networks. Nine different specialty fields were accessed by the otolaryngologist. Five consults were completed via the Optel system; 13 via the Picasso system; and 36 via GSTP. Overall, teleotolaryngology provided quality audio and visual communication between the physicians that significantly improved diagnostic capabilities and treatment options for the patient.

Equipment Design↗

Free gastro-omental flap reconstruction of the complex, irradiated pharyngeal wound.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the complex pharyngeal wound after radiotherapy presents a surgical challenge. METHODS: Evaluation of the gastro-omental flap in the reconstruction of the pharynx and overlying soft tissue after local flap failure. RESULTS: A 70-year-old patient underwent a total laryngectomy and radical neck dissection after 70 Gy of external beam radiotherapy for an advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus. Postoperatively, a large pharyngocutaneous fistula developed. Attempted closure with a pectoralis major flap was unsuccessful. A tubed gastro-omental free flap based on the right gastroepiploic vessels was used to reconstruct the pharynx. The accompanying greater omentum was skin grafted after filling the large soft tissue defect in the neck. The wounds healed primarily, and oral alimentation was resumed on the seventh postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: The gastro-omental flap is a versatile composite flap which can provide mucosal lining as well as abundant soft tissue. It should be considered a secondary option in irradiated, complex pharyngeal wounds when local flaps are not available to be used in conjunction with free jujunal transfer.

Aged↗

Empiric trial of high-dose omeprazole in patients with posterior laryngitis: a prospective study.

UNLABELLED: The optimal management of patients suspected with gastroesophageal reflux-related posterior laryngitis is unclear. History, physical examination, and ambulatory pH monitoring all have significant limitations in identifying patients who will respond to antireflux therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the merit of empiric omeprazole therapy in patients with posterior laryngitis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (11 men/11 women, median age 58 yr) with newly diagnosed posterior laryngitis were enrolled. All had persistent laryngeal symptoms for at least 1 month. An empiric trial of omeprazole at 40 mg q.h.s. was given for 8 wk. Four laryngeal symptoms (hoarseness, throat burning/pain, throat clearing, and cough) and four esophageal symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and odynophagia) were scored from 0 to 3. Symptom scores were obtained before, 4 wk after, and 8 wk after the start of omeprazole. Patients were classified as responders if they were symptom free or satisfied with results. Omeprazole was stopped in the responders to look for relapse. Ambulatory pH monitoring was performed in patients who did not respond. RESULTS: One patient discontinued omeprazole and withdrew from the study. In the remaining 21 patients, the total laryngeal and esophageal symptom scores significantly improved after empiric omeprazole. Fourteen patients (67%) were classified as responders. Eight patients (38%) had a relapse when omeprazole was stopped. Six patients (29%), interestingly, did not relapse and did not require long-term antireflux therapy. Seven patients (33%) were classified as nonresponders. Ambulatory pH monitoring was abnormal in four of the five patients who agreed to have this test. Increasing the dose of omeprazole to 40 mg b.i.d. provided no additional benefit in the nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: Empiric omeprazole therapy is a reasonable, initial approach to patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux-related posterior laryngitis. A significant number of patients do well with a short course of antireflux therapy. Additionally, a third of the patients may not completely respond to intensive medical therapy despite the fact that reflux is documented.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

CT and MR appearance of recurrent malignant head and neck neoplasms after resection and flap reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To describe the appearance of recurrent malignant neoplasms in patients who have undergone resection of primary head and neck tumors with flap reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty-two examinations, 26 CT and 6 MR scans, were retrospectively reviewed in 25 patients with documented recurrent malignant neoplasms. Confirmation of disease was by biopsy or disease progression. The flaps included 15 myocutaneous, 6 free composite, 2 jejunal free grafts, and 2 combined jejunal and myocutaneous flaps. RESULTS: The most common location of recurrence was in the primary tumor bed involving the undersurface or suture line of the reconstruction flaps, 14 of 32 scans; both nodal and flap recurrence was seen in 12 of 32 scans. CONCLUSIONS: When examining patients who may have recurrent disease after flap reconstruction, the radiologist should be aware of the type of flap used and the expected appearance. Tumor recurrence in this patient population is manifest either as a focal recurrent mass at or near the suture line of the reconstruction flap, or nodal disease, usually in the contralateral neck.

Adult↗

Trigeminal trophic syndrome.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome is an unusual condition also known as trigeminal neurotrophic ulceration or trigeminal neuropathy with nasal ulceration. The diagnosis is suggested when ulceration of the face, especially of the ala nasi, occurs in a dermatome of the trigeminal nerve that has been rendered anesthetic by a surgical or other process involving the trigeminal nerve or its central sensory connections. A history of paresthesias and self-induced trauma to the area further support the diagnosis. Neurological deficits causing trigeminal trophic syndrome may result from surgical trigeminal ablation, vascular disorders and infarction of the brainstem, acoustic neuroma, postencephalitic parkinsonism, and syringobulbia. The following etiologies of nasal ulceration should be excluded: postsurgical herpetic reactivation and ulceration, syphilis, leishmaniasis, leprous trigeminal neuritis, yaws, blastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, lethal midline granuloma, pyoderma gangrenosum, Wegener's granulomatosis, and basal cell carcinoma. In the case reported here, the diagnosis of TTS was made primarily as a result of previous experience with the syndrome, underscoring the importance of physician recognition of this unusual disorder.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

Zygomycosis presenting as nasal polyps in a healthy child.

A 15-year-old boy presented with unilateral nasal polyps. Pathological examination showed submucosal granulomas and fungal organisms with occasionally septate hyphae. These organisms were identified by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, as being members of the class of fungi known as Zygomycetes (formerly Phycomycetes). Based on strong morphological and clinical criteria, we believe the causative organism to be Entomophthora coronata. The patient had no evidence of diabetes mellitus or compromised immunity. This patient represents an unusual case of nasal polyps caused by an organism that has rarely been diagnosed in North America.

Adolescent↗

Meningiomas of the paranasal sinuses.

Extracranial meningiomas are rare tumors, comprising approximately 2% of all meningiomas. Previously reported sites include the orbit, parapharyngeal space, and rarely, the paranasal sinuses. A retrospective chart review of patients with meningiomas was performed over the last 25 years, and three patients were identified with meningiomas involving the paranasal sinuses. The locations included the frontal sinus, the ethmoid sinus, and the sphenoid sinus. Presenting symptoms included facial pain and nasal obstruction; two patients noted facial swelling. Diagnosis was established via endoscopic transnasal biopsy in two patients. Computed tomographic (CT) guided biopsy was utilized to confirm the diagnosis in the third patient. Surgical extirpation was successfully performed with tumors arising from the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. The patient with neoplasm in the sphenoid sinus underwent radiation therapy. Extracranial meningiomas of the paranasal sinuses are rare tumors that may present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We present three cases and discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.

Adolescent↗