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Dan M Fliss

Publications and source records attributed to Dan M Fliss.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Novel laser tissue-soldering technique for dural reconstruction.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to use a modified version of the CO2 laser-soldering system to develop a simple and reliable technique for the repair of dural defects after excision of brain tumors. METHODS: The authors used a CO2 fiber optic laser system that they had developed for heating, monitoring, and controlling tissue temperature in situ and in real time, thereby reducing damage to the brain parenchyma. They adapted the system for dural closure by using free fascial grafts in a porcine model. Measures for estimation of reconstruction quality included visual assessment under magnification and direct measurements of adhesive strength and cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) pressure. Reliable soldering was achieved in 54 of 57 experiments, providing a 95% success rate. The average peak adhesive strength was 82 +/- 3 mN/cm2. The measured leak pressure of the fascia-dura mater bond was 66 +/- 5 mm Hg. Conventional suturing performed using Prolene stitches resulted in immediate CSF leakage from areas between the stitches and from the area of the needle hole itself. CONCLUSIONS: Fascia-dura mater soldering using the CO2 laser is feasible and may support CSF pressure up to six times higher than normal intracranial pressure. Findings of this study may provide a basis for the development of new tools for dural reconstruction.

Albumins↗
PubMed2004

Cytogenetic analysis of three variants of clival chordoma.

Chordoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm derived from remnants of the embryonal notochord. The tumor arises in the sacrococcygeal region in most cases. Cytogenetic information on clival chordomas is scarce due to the low incidence of these tumors. In this study, we applied the G-banding and spectral karyotyping techniques to compare the karyotypes of three variants of clival chordoma: conventional, chondroid, and dedifferentiated. We describe a normal karyotype of a chondroid chordoma and a complex karyotype of a conventional chordoma involving chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, 20, and X. The cytogenetic analysis of the dedifferentiated chordoma showed a polyploid complex karyotype of 71-123 chromosomes with double minutes that originated from chromosome 17.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Patient, caregiver, and surgeon perceptions of quality of life following anterior skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the agreement between surgeons' and lay caregivers' quality-of-life (QOL) perceptions of patients undergoing major skull base surgery. DESIGN: Cohort survey of patients who had undergone anterior skull base tumor excision. SETTING: University-affiliated medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five patients and their lay caregivers participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A triple survey was performed: each patient and his or her caregiver were asked to answer 35 questions related to 6 distinct QOL domains: role of performance, physical function, vitality, pain, specific symptoms, and effect on emotions. The composite health-related QOL of the patients was also rated on an ordinal scale by 3 surgeons who participated in the operation and follow-up. RESULTS: An overall significant agreement was found between patients' and caregivers' scores at the group level (mean scores of each domain) and individual level (patient-caregiver pairs) (r = 0.76, P<.001). There was a minor correlation in the effect on emotions domain and no correlation in the pain domain. We found no correlation between the surgeons' and patients' ratings. The operating surgeons tended to overate their patients' QOL. CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that the surgeon's perception of his or her patient's QOL is not sufficiently accurate to correctly estimate patients' QOL status. These judgments should come from the patient or from the caregiver, whose perception can be used in clinical trials as a proxy for estimation of a patient's QOL.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2004

Routine inclusion of level IV in neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: is it justified?

BACKGROUND: Dissection of levels II-IV as part of an elective or therapeutic neck dissection is common practice during laryngectomy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The necessity of routine dissection at level IV has recently been questioned. The purpose of this study was to find the incidence of level IV metastases in patients with transglottic and supraglottic SCC who underwent neck dissections. METHODS: The charts of 71 suitable patients were reviewed. Forty-two had supraglottic primary cancers, and 29 had transglottic primary tumors. Levels II-IV had been removed in them all, and their neck specimens were marked according to the levels of the neck. The surgical specimens were pathologically diagnosed. RESULTS: Of 43 patients who underwent elective lateral neck dissection, the only one (2.3%) with level IV metastases also showed metastases at level II. Nine (32%) of the other 28 patients with clinical adenopathy had level IV metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Dissection of level IV as part of a therapeutic neck dissection for supraglottic and transglottic SCC is recommended for patients with clinically enlarged lymph nodes, but its necessity in the absence of detectable adenopathy is challenged.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The carotid sheath: an anatomicophathologic study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrences in the neck after neck dissections occur even in previously operated fields. Although the pathogenesis is unclear, it is well established that recurrences commonly occur at the jugular chain of nodes close to the carotid artery. We investigated the carotid sheath as possibly responsible for such regional recurrences. METHODS: Patients undergoing therapeutic or elective neck dissections were prospectively enrolled. Following surgery, the carotid sheath was resected throughout its entire length, fixated in formalin, and histologically examined. RESULTS: Pathologic assessment of carotid sheaths harvested from 34 patients who underwent 40 uncomplicated neck dissections revealed fibro-fatty tissue and scarce neutrophilic infiltration in all 40 specimens. Four lymphoid aggregates composed almost exclusively of B cells were found at the carotid bifurcation level in three patients. No cancer cells were detected. CONCLUSION: The absence of cancer cells in patients with metastatic nodes argues against the need to resect the carotid sheath as part of a routine neck dissection. The occurrence of lymphoid aggregates within it, however, may indicate its participation in the pathogenesis of nodal recurrence following neck dissection.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed2004

Tracheal mucormycosis presented as an intraluminal soft tissue mass.

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a potentially lethal disease caused by an opportunistic fungal infection. It occurs mostly in diabetic or immunosuppressed patients and usually involves the lungs or paranasal sinuses. METHODS: We report a rare case of a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis who presented with progressive cough and dyspnea. CT of the neck and chest showed an intraluminal soft-tissue mass extending from the first tracheal ring to the thoracic inlet, causing severe destruction of the trachea. Direct laryngoscopy and biopsy demonstrated hyphal invasion with architecture typical of invasive mucormycosis. RESULTS: The patient underwent resection of the upper trachea and prolonged amphotericin B therapy and is disease free at 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes presenting with progressive hoarseness, dyspnea, and endobronchial mass, a fungal infection should be considered. In case of invasive tracheal mucormycosis, prompt diagnosis and early surgical resection may help improve survival.

Cough↗
PubMed2004

Development of a cancer-specific anterior skull base quality-of-life questionnaire.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to develop a disease-specific, multidimensional quality of life (QOL) assessment instrument for patients undergoing surgical extirpation of anterior skull base tumors. METHODS: This investigation included 35 patients who had been surgically treated for more than 3 months before the study was begun. Relevant QOL questions were generated from a review of the literature and interviews with health professionals, patients, and their caregivers. The initial multidimensional, 80-item questionnaire was reduced to a 35-item questionnaire by using standard psychometric criteria. Six relevant domains were identified using factor analysis: performance, physical function, vitality, pain, specific symptoms, and influence on emotions. The internal consistency of the instrument had a correlation coefficient of 0.8 and a reliability coefficient (test-retest reliability) of 0.9. The validity of the construct was assessed by testing whether the clinical variable of the patient influenced his QOL domain score as hypothesized. Patients older than 60 years of age had significantly poorer scores in the domains of performance and physical function than younger patients. Patients with malignant tumors had significantly poorer scores in the domains of specific symptoms, influence on emotions, physical function, and performance compared with patients with benign tumors. Radiotherapy was associated with poorer scores in the domains of specific symptoms and influence on emotions. Comorbidity was associated with poor physical function scores. Using the final questionnaire, we prospectively evaluated the QOL of 12 additional patients before they underwent surgery and again between 5 and 6 months postoperatively to test the utility and validity of the instrument further. Again, significantly poorer QOL scores were recorded for patients with malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed questionnaire appears to be sufficiently reliable and valid in estimating a patient's QOL after extirpation of anterior skull base tumors. The instrument can be used in face-to-face interviews and via electronic or regular mail.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

[Quality of life following anterior skull base surgery].

Surgery for craniofacial resections is continuously improving, enabling the extirpation of tumors once considered unresectable. Nevertheless, the physical and psychological sequelae of these procedures and their affect on patients' everyday lives have not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of anterior skull base surgery on the long-term quality of life (QOL) and on the family relations of patients with anterior skull base tumors. Demographic, medical and outcome data on 69 patients undergoing subcranial surgery for extirpation of tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Within this group, 35 patients and their lay caregiver successfully completed a disease-specific questionnaire. We did not find significant differences in QOL estimation between patients and their caregivers. Malignancy had the most significant impact on QOL, leading to a significant decrease in the overall score. Radiotherapy significantly decreased the scores in the specific symptoms and influence upon emotions domains. Age and comorbidity reduced the scores in the role of performance and physical function domains. A better correlation was found between the scores of married couples than between patients and lay caregivers who weren't married. Eighty three percent of the married couple's replies noted that the disease and surgery did not influence their relations. We conclude that malignancy, radiotherapy, comorbidity and age over 60, significantly impair quality of life in patients undergoing anterior skull base surgery. We suggest that a rehabilitation program should be implemented in these patients in order to improve their overall QOL.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Quality of life following surgery for anterior skull base tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate patients' quality of life (QOL) after surgical extirpation of anterior skull base tumors, to elucidate different QOL domains, and to define possible predictors of functional outcome postoperatively. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. SETTING: University-affiliated medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-nine patients (76 consecutive cases) who underwent subcranial surgery between 1994 and 2002 for extirpation of anterior skull base tumors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A multidimensional, disease-specific questionnaire with 39 items was used. Six relevant domains of QOL were assessed: role of performance, physical functioning, vitality, pain, specific symptoms, and impact on emotions. RESULTS: The response rate for completing the questionnaire was 98% (40/41) after excluding patients who died (n = 13), were lost to follow-up (n = 10), and were operated on within 3 months of commencement of the study (n = 5). Thirty patients (74%) reported a significant improvement or no change in overall QOL within 6 months after surgery. The worst impact of surgery on the patients' QOL was on their financial status and emotional state. The most influential factor on QOL was malignancy leading to a significant decrease in the overall score. Radiotherapy, old age, comorbidity, and wide resection also significantly worsened QOL scores of specific domains. CONCLUSION: After subcranial extirpation of anterior skull base tumors, the overall outcome of the patients is good. Old age, malignancy, comorbidity, wide resection, and radiotherapy are negative prognostic factors for these patients' QOL.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Two novel translocations, t(2;4)(q35;q31) and t(X;12)(q22;q24), as the only karyotypic abnormalities in a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the skull base.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare neoplasm that originates from Schwann cells and comprises 5%-10% of soft tissue sarcomas. Cytogenetic analysis of this tumor has shown a highly complex karyotype, and no single chromosomal aberration has been reported to date. We combined spectral karyotyping analysis and G-banding for cytogenetic characterization of this unique tumor, which originated in the anterior skull base. We report the simultaneous occurrence of a t(2;4)(q35;q31) and a t(X;12)(q22;q24) as the only chromosomal abnormalities in this tumor. To the best of our knowledge, apparently balanced translocations have not been identified previously in MPNST.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Anterior skull base surgery without prophylactic airway diversion procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Although anterior skull base surgery has become a relatively safe and effective procedure, postoperative complications remain a serious problem. One of the most devastating complications of anterior skull base procedures is tension pneumocephalus (TP). In order to prevent TP, authors have recommended the use of prophylactic airway diversion procedures, such as prolonged endotracheal intubation or prophylactic tracheostomy. However, these procedures may mask neurologic deterioration, delay treatment, and prolong rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to determine the need for airway diversion procedures in anterior skull base surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-five patients underwent anterior skull base operations through the subcranial approach without prophylactic airway diversion. Sixty-four patients underwent resection of tumors, 12 patients underwent repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 6 patients underwent surgery due to anterior skull base fungal infections, and 3 patients underwent anterior skull base reconstruction procedures. RESULTS: The complication rate of TP was 1.2% (1/85). This complication rate is similar to that previously reported for operations performed with airway diversion procedures. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic airway diversion procedures are unnecessary in routine anterior skull base operations. Airway diversion should be indicated only when factors that might predispose the patient to risk of TP have been identified (ie, chronic cough or obstructive pulmonary diseases).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The role of hair shaving in skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate surgical wound infection rates in patients undergoing skull base surgery without hair removal. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of 175 skull base operations performed without hair removal. Anterior operations were conducted via the subcranial approach (n = 120) and lateral or posterior procedures via various approaches (n = 55). Wounds were examined daily during hospitalization and at routine outpatient follow-up (8 to 45 months) and classified according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. RESULTS: The overall surgical wound infection rate was 1.1% (2 of 175): 0.8% (1 of 120) for anterior and 1.8% (1 of 55) for lateral or posterior procedures. It was similar for clean operations (lateral and posterior) and clean-contaminated (anterior) procedures and was less than or similar to the rates reported for skull base procedures with hair removal. No wound infection occurred among the infected (trauma, fungal infections, and brain abscess) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Skull base surgery without hair removal is safe and not associated with increased risk of wound infection. The method may prevent additional psychologic stress, promote restoration of the patient's self-image, and accelerate his or her return to normal life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

MR imaging appearance of frontal sinus barotrauma.

We present the case of a flight passenger who experienced acute and severe headache during landing. MR imaging was performed because the patient had a history of vascular malformation and revealed an incidental venous angioma. A mass lesion in the frontal sinus, consistent with submucosal hematoma secondary to barotrauma, was thought to be the cause of the headache. To our knowledge, this is the first case of sinus barotrauma described in the radiologic literature and the first to describe the associated MR imaging findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[The subcranial approach for tumors involving the anterior skull base].

The technical approach for anterior skull base tumors has progressed considerably during the last decade. In the classical combined craniofacial resection (CFR) technique, anterior skull base lesions have been approached through bi-frontal craniotomy coupled with Weber-Ferguson and related modifications incisions. The purpose of this work is to present our experience with the subcranial approach for treatment of anterior skull base tumors. During the years 1994-2002, 64 patients underwent 72 procedures of anterior skull base tumor resection via the subcranial approach. The ages of the patients ranged from 2 to 81 years (mean 42 years). Twenty-nine cases involved malignant tumors (40%), and 43 cases involved benign tumors (60%). The most common benign pathology was meningioma (n = 12) and the most common malignant tumor was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 8). The principle skull base reconstruction procedure was performed using a multi-layered fascia: limited defects of the dura were reconstructed with the use of temporalis fascia, whereas reconstruction of large dural defects was performed using a multi-layered fascia lata sheath. Reconstruction of significant bony defects was achieved by utilizing a split calvarial bone graft, posterior sinus wall, or titanium mash covered with pericranial flap. Postoperative follow-up (26 months in average) revealed that 76% of the patients are without evidence of disease, 14% are alive with disease, 3% died of their diseases and 7% died of unrelated causes. Twenty-seven patients (44%) have suffered from anosmia following the operation. The rate of severe complications was 5.6%, and included meningitis (n = 2), cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (n = 1) and tension pneumocephalus (n = 1). We conclude that the extirpation of anterior skull base tumors via the subcranial approach is simple, reproducible and reliable, and is associated with reasonable complication rates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel node mapping using a hybrid SPECT/CT system.

UNLABELLED: Lymphoscintigraphy is performed before sentinel node (SN) biopsy for SN mapping. It is of clinical importance mainly if the tumor is located in body parts with ambiguous lymph node drainage. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical benefit of fused SPECT/CT images to planar images for SN mapping. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma (n = 28) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 6) and scheduled for SN biopsy were enrolled. Primary tumors were located in the trunk (n = 12), in the extremities (n = 12), in the head and neck (n = 9), and in the penis (n = 1). Scintigraphy was performed using a hybrid gamma-camera/low-dose CT system. Planar images and fused SPECT/CT images were interpreted separately. RESULTS: SPECT/CT identified multiple draining basins in 6 of 12 patients (50%) with trunk melanoma and in 3 of 9 patients (33%) with head and neck melanoma or mucosal tumor. In 9 of 21 patients (43%) with a primary tumor located in the head and neck or trunk region, SPECT/CT-fused images identified SNs that were missed on planar images, 2 of which were involved with tumor. Three of the 9 nodes were located close to the injection site and were hidden by its scattered radiation, and 2 were in-transit nodes. Another 4 nodes, identified on fused images only, were located in an additional basin to those identified on planar images. Fused images were of no added value either in patients with limb melanoma or in a patient with a penile melanoma. CONCLUSION: SPECT/CT SN mapping provides additional data that are of clinical relevance to SN biopsy in patients with trunk or head and neck melanoma and in patients with mucosal head and neck tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Post-traumatic orbital floor reconstruction with nasoseptal cartilage in children.

OBJECTIVE: Repair of orbital floor fractures may require the placement of a graft or implant. Both autogenous and alloplastic materials have been used for this purpose. This article reports the use of nasal septal cartilage for the repair of orbital floor defect secondary to blunt facial trauma in children. METHODS: Three children with disruption of the orbital floor after facial trauma were included in this prospective review. All children underwent open reduction with rigid fixation of the facial fractures and reconstruction of the orbital floor with nasoseptal cartilage. RESULTS: All of the cases were successfully treated by restoration of the orbital floor continuity. On follow-up clinical examination, one patient had persistent mild enophthalmus. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal septal cartilage is a readily accessible autogenous material with minimal donor site morbidity, and should be considered when an autogenous orbital implant is needed for the repair of a traumatic orbital floor defect.

Cartilage↗
PubMed2002

Skull base reconstruction after anterior subcranial tumor resection.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of a simple and reliable technique for anterior skull base and craniofacial reconstruction in patients who have undergone excision of tumors via the subcranial approach. METHODS: There were 63 patients who had undergone 71 anterior skull base resections of tumors via the aforementioned approach. Twenty-nine cases (41%) involved malignant tumors and 42 (59%) involved benign tumors. Reconstruction of the anterior skull base was performed by a single team who used double-layer fascial graft. Limited dural defects were reconstructed using the temporalis fascia, whereas large anterior skull base defects were reconstructed using a fascia lata sheath. Reconstruction was achieved without the support of bone graft or titanium mesh and without pericranial, galeal, or free flaps. Pericranial flap wrapping of the frontonasoorbital segment was performed to prevent osteoradionecrosis if postoperative radiotherapy was planned. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, intracranial infection, and tension pneumocephalus was 5.6%. Histopathological examination of fascia lata grafts obtained in patients who had undergone a second procedure demonstrated integration of vascularized fibrous tissue to the graft, as well as local proliferation of a newly formed vascular layer embedding the fascial sheath. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a double-layer fascial graft alone was adequate for prevention of CSF leakage, meningitis, tension pneumocephalus, and brain herniation. The double-layer fascial flap provided a simple and reliable means for anterior skull base reconstruction after en bloc resection of both malignant and benign tumors.

Adolescent↗