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Biomedical subjects

F J Lannigan

Publications and source records attributed to F J Lannigan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Adenotonsillar surgery in morbidly obese children: routine elective admission of all patients to the intensive care unit is unnecessary.

Morbidly obese children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, often with co-morbid obstructive sleep apnoea, may be considered at a higher risk of postoperative respiratory compromise. This retrospective study aimed to assess the frequency and severity of postoperative respiratory complications in these patients and to identify preoperative risks factors for such morbidity. Medical and nursing chart review of all consecutive elective post-adenotonsillectomy admissions of morbidly obese children (defined as >95th centile for body mass index adjusted for age and gender) to our intensive care unit over a 30-month period was performed. A total of 26 morbidly obese children were identified. The majority (14/26) had an uncomplicated recovery following surgery. Of those cases that required postoperative intervention, 10 patients required supplemental oxygen with or without suctioning and/or repositioning alone, whilst two required continuous positive airway pressure therapy. No patient required re-intubation. An oxygen saturation nadir of < 70% and the presence of more than one central apnoea, noted on preoperative overnight polysomnography, were associated with postoperative respiratory complications requiring intervention. Although the intervention group were younger, more obese and had a higher respiratory disturbance index, none of these factors were statistically significant. Routine admission to the paediatric intensive care unit of all morbidly obese children undergoing adenotonsillectomy may be unnecessary, once a suitable high level of nursing is available in an alternative setting, to administer simple positional and suctioning intervention and to perform regular patient observation. Special consideration should be given to the postoperative nursing environment for those patients with a SaO2 nadir < 70% noted preoperatively, indicating the presence of a significant central disease component.

Adenoidectomy↗

Age-related bone resorption in the normal incus: a case of maladaptive remodelling?

The changes that occur in the normal human incus with age have been investigated. Evidence for age-related changes in this ossicle, especially in the region of the long process, has been accumulating over the last 30-40 years and yet they have neither been confirmed quantitatively nor explained satisfactorily. In this study the results of a morphometric study of the long processes of a series of normal incudes are presented. These demonstrate that the lenticular and long processes undergo progressive symmetric resorption with advancing age. We consider these findings in the light of previous considerations of incudal remodelling and propose that these remodelling changes may reflect a normal adaptive response to the biomechanical milieu of the human middle ear.

Aged↗

Lingual thyroid presenting after previous thyroglossal cyst excision.

Lingual thyroid is a rare lesion caused by maldescent of the thyroid gland. It is an important cause of a mass on the posterior third of the tongue, and may coexist with other developmental abnormalities such as thyroglossal cyst. The diagnosis is made by radioisotope scan. Treatment is indicated in the presence of symptoms and consists initially of thyroxine. Severe or unresponsive cases require complete excision through a lateral pharyngotomy. Hypothyroidism is common postoperatively, but may be avoided in some cases by transplantation of excised tissue. We present a case report and review of the literature.

Choristoma↗

Alar cartilage haematoma.

We present a previously undescribed site of a subperichondrial haematoma--the alar cartilage. Two children presenting acutely, following trauma, with the clinical appearance of a 'blueberry' within the nasal vestibule are described. We recommend early surgical drainage of this lesion, as delay in definitive treatment may give rise to a cosmetic deformity.

Cartilage↗

Jugular bulb phlebectasia.

Phlebectasia of the internal jugular vein (IJV) is a rare venous anomaly that usually presents in young children as a soft cystic swelling in the neck and represents a pathologically enlarged vein. We present a case of jugular bulb phlebectasia in a 4-year-old boy. He presented with a blue pulsatile swelling arising from the floor of the left middle ear cleft. The venous phase of digital subtraction vertebral arteriography (DSVA) and computerised axial tomography (CT) with contrast confirmed a diagnosis of phlebectasia of the lateral sinus and proximal part of the left IJV, with a complete bony defect in the floor of the middle ear. The child did not have any neck symptoms or signs. No active treatment was required. To our knowledge, this is the first case of jugular bulb phlebectasia presenting in the middle ear.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

The cellular mechanism of ossicular erosion in chronic suppurative otitis media.

This is the first report of the application of a new examination technique for the assessment of cellular activity during bone resorption in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). A total of nineteen includes removed during the course of tympanomastoid surgery were studied (retraction pocket: 2; tubo-tympanic CSOM: 4; attico-antral CSOM: 13). The microscopic surface topography of each specimen was examined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the appearances are interpreted in terms of cortical cellular activity. The results suggest that the mechanism of ossicular erosion in CSOM is similar regardless of the exact type of disease. Extensively pitted areas were seen in all specimens. These pits are morphologically indistinguishable from those characteristic of osteoclastic activity (Howship's lacunae). We conclude that in all causes the surface topography of eroded incudes is consistent with the activity of osteoclasts.

Adolescent↗

The vascular supply of the lenticular and long processes of the incus.

Previous reports of the blood supply to the lenticular and long processes of the incus have failed to consider the potential contribution of the periosteal vascular plexus. This scanning electron microscopic study of vascular foramina on the cortical bone surface demonstrates that there is no statistical difference between the numbers of vascular foramina on the lenticular and long processes, as opposed to the body and short process. These results suggest that the blood supply to this portion of the ossicular chain may not be as tenuous as has been thought.

Adolescent↗

Remodelling of the normal incus.

Thirty normal incudes were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the pattern and degree of bony remodelling. The body and short process appeared stable throughout life. By contrast, the lenticular and long processes demonstrated marked osteoclastic activity with a tendency to undergo progressive erosion with advancing age.

Adolescent↗

Oncocytic papillary cystadenomatosis of the larynx.

Symptomatic oncocytic disease of the larynx is rare. Review of the world literature reveals that isolated, symptomatic cases of oncocytoma of the larynx have been previously reported to involve discrete sites usually the laryngeal ventricles and vestibular folds. A unique case of multifocal cystic oncocytic hyperplasia necessitating laryngectomy is reported. CT scan of the larynx suggested destruction of the cartilage. Malignant histological features were not present. This report raises the question whether previously described cases of oncocytoma of the larynx also had diffuse involvement. If oncocytosis is a diffuse process then it is suggested that patients should be kept under review for recurring lesions.

Adenoma↗

Antroconchopexy for surgical treatment of perennial rhinitis.

We report on a rhinomanometric assessment of eleven patients undergoing antroconchopexy for relief of a "stuffy" nose. This little-known procedure involves the lateralization of the inferior turbinate through a large intranasal antrostomy. Our results demonstrate a significant improvement in postoperative inspiratory and expiratory nasal resistance. There was also a significant improvement in patient's scoring for nasal obstruction. Finer points of the surgical technique, and indications for the procedure are discussed.

Adult↗

Foreign bodies in the throat: a prospective study of 388 cases.

We present the results of a prospective study of 388 patients presenting with a history of swallowing a foreign body. We indicate whether the patients' symptoms and signs were associated with a retained foreign body. While tenderness on palpation was an unreliable sign, pooling at indirect laryngoscopy invariably predicted a retained object. In many patients, initial careful examination of the oropharynx by casualty officers would have shown a retained fishbone in the tonsil or tongue and would have resulted in 16 per cent fewer radiographs and 17 per cent fewer referrals to the ENT department. Radiography only improved management in a small minority and 35 per cent of films were interpreted incorrectly by casualty officers. A follow-up barium swallow disclosed a pathological lesion in a significant proportion of patients with bolus obstruction, whether or not this was passed spontaneously.

Emergencies↗

Verrucous carcinoma of the maxillary antrum.

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma which occurs most frequently in the oral cavity and larynx. In this article we describe a patient with verrucous carcinoma of the maxillary antrum, and present a review of the literature.

Aged↗

Carbon dioxide laser cordectomy in the management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare but major complication of thyroid surgery. Since 1983, patients with bilateral cord paralysis have been managed in this department using the carbon dioxide laser. Six patients with bilateral cord paralysis secondary to thyroid surgery underwent partial cordectomy and arytenoidectomy. Two patients were operated on with tracheostomy tubes in situ, and both were successfully decannulated. In the remaining four patients, ventilation was maintained during anaesthesia using a Venturi jet ventilation system. None of these patients required a perioperative tracheostomy. Adequate airway improvement and satisfactory voice quality were achieved. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 17 months.

Adult↗

Experience in the surgical management of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The management of 12 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma is reviewed. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Local nodal and extracapsular spread was aggressively resected, followed by radiotherapy. No patient died from uncontrolled local disease. Prolonged survival after radical treatment is demonstrated even in the presence of distant metastases.

Adult↗

An avoidable occupational hazard during mastoid surgery.

Conjunctival innoculation is a previously unrecognized hazard for the otologist during mastoid surgery. This experiment assess the spread of droplet contamination during temporal bone dissection. The results suggest that otologists and assistants should wear eye protection during exposure of the mastoid antrum by drilling.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗