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Biomedical subjects

D B Kearns

Publications and source records attributed to D B Kearns.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Vocal cord dysfunction in a child with asthma.

Vocal cord dysfunction is uncommon in children. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy with a history of mild, intermittent asthma from 7 to 10 years of age. Subsequently, severe, rapid-onset attacks of respiratory distress occurred with increasing frequency. After a life-threatening attack of airway obstruction with 3 minutes of apnea, he was hospitalized for diagnostic studies. Although pulmonary function tests were normal, laryngoscopy under general anesthesia revealed extremely severe vocal cord spasm induced by minimal contact of the laryngoscope. It required intravenous lidocaine and muscle relaxant to reverse. Spasm was not demonstrable one week later on repeat laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. No structural abnormalities were seen. There was considerable family stress exacerbated by anxiety about the patient's illness. Parents were told that the condition was different from asthma and probably functional in origin. There have been no further episodes, possibly due to counseling and education in relaxation techniques as well as oral pharmacotherapy for asthma with avoidance of inhaled medications.

Asthma↗
PubMed1991

Current concepts in pediatric adenotonsillar disease.

More objective thinking regarding the indications for adenotonsillar surgery has gained new respect for these operations. Better understanding of the implications of adenoid disease in chronic otitis and sinusitis, along with appreciation of obstructive airway problems secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, has changed the scope of the operation. Research is ongoing to determine the etiology of chronic antigenic stimulation as a cause for hypertrophy of these organs.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1990

The otolaryngologic manifestations of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease is a condition of central nervous system dysmyelination. We describe a familial series in which both otologic and laryngologic abnormalities were present. The diagnosis of this invariably fatal disorder can be made on a clinical and/or pathologic basis. As the otolaryngologic manifestations are often the first to appear, the consulting head and neck surgeon may be essential in the initial diagnosis of this hereditary disease.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗
PubMed1990

Do angiomas of the nasal septum exist?

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNA) by definition originate in the nasopharynx. Vascular tumors arising in the nasal cavity can easily be mistaken for JNA, when the correct diagnosis is hemangioma or angiofibromatous polyp. We present a case that illustrates this problem, an 11-year-old boy with a unilateral anterior nasal cavity mass associated with recurrent epistaxis. At surgery, the mass was found to arise from the anterior nasal septum and was removed easily with minimal bleeding. The initial pathologic interpretation was JNA. After extensive review of the specimen, however, the diagnosis of hemangioma was made. Similar tumors have been reported as being JNA that have been simple to remove with minimal blood loss. JNA is associated with more severe blood loss, is more difficult to expose surgically and has a higher risk of recurrence than other nasal tumors. Therefore, JNA needs to be distinguished from anterior nasal cavity masses.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Catheterization of branchial sinus tracts. A new method.

The complete surgical extirpation of branchial cleft abnormalities is essential in avoiding recurrent disease. The most technically difficult maneuver is often the localization and excision of associated sinus tracts and fistulae. The authors communicate a simple yet effective technique for dealing with this difficulty utilizing the Fogarty embolectomy catheter.

Branchioma↗
PubMed1990

Early home management of patients with Pierre Robin sequence.

Robin Sequence is a well-described disorder with a reported incidence of 1 in 2000 births. It is characterized by glossoptosis and micrognathia often associated with a cleft palate. Respiratory obstruction at the level of the tongue occurs in many affected children. Prior to routine intensive care unit management, it was the primary factor in the mortality reported in patients with moderately severe to severe deformity. Treatment of this obstruction is controversial and may include a long stay in an intensive care setting. We report two cases that demonstrate properly placed and constructed nasopharyngeal tubes allow a non-surgical treatment with early discharge of the patient and without the risks and morbidity of surgery or the complications of tracheostomy.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1990

Functional assessment of the paediatric laryngeal airway.

After resolution of conditions necessitating tracheostomy in children, decannulation may be extremely difficult and associated with significant morbidity. Endoscopy and radiography can identify anatomical abnormalities preventing decannulation. Physiological abnormalities are, however, more difficult to assess. A system has been developed whereby functional upper airway resistance can be calculated in children with a tracheostomy. The instrument used was a modified Mercury Electronics rhinomanometer. A probe was placed through the tracheostome and another probe was situated in an occluding anaesthetic face mask. Upper airway resistance was derived from the differential pressure and flow changes recorded in anaesthetized children who were breathing spontaneously. Studies in 26 children have revealed low airway resistance in all those successfully decannulated. Further studies will hopefully allow identification in advance of children who will have decannulation difficulties.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Fourth branchial pouch sinus: principles of diagnosis and management.

The fourth branchial pouch sinus is a congenital anomaly which most frequently manifests itself by recurrent episodes of neck abscess or acute suppurative thyroiditis. This lesion usually becomes symptomatic before the age of 10 years and is more common than has previously been suspected. It has been found on the left side in 93% of the 28 cases reported in the English literature. Barium swallow during periods of quiescence and nasopharyngoscopy have frequently been successful in identifying the presence of these embryological remnants. Definitive therapy consists of total excision of the sinus tract, which can be facilitated by direct endoscopic placement of a Fogarty catheter into the sinus lumen before surgical exploration. The embryological basis for the occurrence of these sinuses is discussed.

Branchioma↗
PubMed1990

Surgical therapy of obstructive sleep apnea in children with severe mental insufficiency.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the underlying cause of a variety of pediatric maladies, including pulmonary hypertension and failure to thrive. In children, unlike adults, obstruction secondary to lymphoid hyperplasia is often encountered; adenotonsillectomy restores airway patency. Patients who fail this procedure, such as children with cerebral palsy and associated muscular hypotonia, may face tracheotomies. We report on 10 pediatric patients with severe mental insufficiency and obstructive sleep apnea in whom palatal hypotonicity and lack of adenotonsillar hypertrophy was identified. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was performed in conjunction with adenotonsillectomy to enlarge the diameter of the nasopharyngeal inlet with successful resolution of the obstructive symptoms in eight patients. The remaining two children required more surgery. This procedure is presented as a possible alternative to tracheotomy in selected patients.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Cervicofacial mycobacterial adenitis in children: endemic to San Diego?

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are an important cause of cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children. A dramatic increase has been seen in confirmed cases of NTM lymphadenitis in San Diego in the past few years. This report encompasses a span of 2 years 9 months, during which 22 children had confirmed NTM infection and another 14 had necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis in whom the specific diagnosis of NTM could not be made. This apparent increase in the prevalence of NTM as compared to previous reports in the literature suggests a possible endemic risk for NTM in the San Diego area. These cases are reviewed and our diagnostic and surgical approach to possible NTM infection is described. We also discuss possible explanations for the increasing occurrence of NTM in the San Diego area.

California↗
PubMed1989

Tracheal stenosis in Larsen's syndrome.

Larsen's syndrome is known to have an association with laryngomalacia and tracheomalacia. We report a case of Larsen's syndrome with respiratory difficulty due to a tracheal stenosis. To our knowledge, this association has not previously been reported.

Facial Expression↗
PubMed1988

Skull metastases from follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Distant metastatic disease from thyroid carcinoma is becoming a rare problem. Physicians and the public are increasingly aware of minimally invasive methods of early diagnosis of thyroid malignancy, such as fine-needle aspiration with cytologic examination. Total thyroidectomy itself has become less associated with morbidity than it once was. We describe three patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the skull who were seen recently. Two of these patients had masses neglected for 20 and 50 years, respectively. The management of this disease entity is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the larynx in a child.

Laryngeal carcinoma in childhood is rare and most commonly classified as squamous cell carcinoma. Although mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the larynx has been noted in adults, it has not previously been reported in a child. A 13-year-old boy presented to our department with an epiglottic mass which was determined histologically to be mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A total epiglottectomy was performed and one year postoperatively the child is without disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Computed tomography in choanal atresia.

Computed tomography is replacing contrast radiography as the method of choice in evaluating congenital posterior choanal atresia. Careful preparation of the patient, however, is necessary prior to the examination in order to obtain the maximum of information pre-operatively. We present patients with inadequate preparation and illustrate their misleading scans. The proper method of examination is discussed, with a review of the literature; it is essential to remove nasal secretions by suction and instill vasoconstrictor nose drops, shortly before scanning.

Choanal Atresia↗
PubMed1988

Nasal lipoma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Split calvarium cranioplasty.

Fronto-orbital deformities secondary to trauma, infection, or surgery create a difficult problem for the reconstructive surgeon. The location of the deformity is particularly critical because it involves the most visible part of the face. Since the skull is rarely able to produce bony regeneration over large areas, numerous alloplastic materials have been used to repair these defects. Complications with these materials are commonplace. Autogenous bone has been used with good results and avoids many of the problems inherent to the use of foreign materials. Rib, scapula, and iliac crest may be used, but they require a separate incision and often provide less than satisfactory cosmetic results. We describe a technique of cranioplasty utilizing split calvarium for repair of frontal bone defects. Cosmesis is excellent, morbidity is minimal, and only one incision is necessary.

Adult↗