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Biomedical subjects

H E Eckel

Publications and source records attributed to H E Eckel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Textured polydimethylsiloxane elastomers in the human larynx: safety and efficiency of use.

For the treatment of unilateral laryngeal paralysis with glottic insufficiency injection laryngoplasty is a popular modality of treatment. This procedure augments the volume of the paralyzed vocal fold by endoscopic injection. However, the ideal substance has not yet been found for that purpose. We report for the first time the systematic application and long-term results of vulcanized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) particles in the treatment of glottic insufficiency in the human larynx. Of 10 patients treated with PDMS in the early 1990s, 7 patients could be retrieved for reevaluation. Laryngeal function was assessed by videostroboscopy, expert rating, and further characterized by the objective parameters of voice profile and maximum phonation time. In a standardized questionnaire, all patients were asked for their personal impression of the results. Mean follow-up time was 88.4 months (range 69-102 months). Glottic closure was complete in 5 of 7 patients. There were no signs of granuloma formation or other pathologic changes of the injected vocal folds. In 4 cases, voices were rated normal or near-normal; 2 voices were rated as fair; 1 usable. All the patients reported significant and lasting voice improvement. None of the patients reported any problems related to PDMS. PDMS particles provide permanent augmentation of human vocal fold volume without complications. Their use is a valuable and safe alternative when a definitive one-step procedure seems advantageous. However, further studies are needed to assess voice improvement in comparison to other materials.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Temporal inconsistency of neuromyography of the facial nerve in healthy probands].

Facial neuromyography is an objective electrophysiologic measurement used to assess prognosis for recovery from facial paralysis. In the present study variability over time of the amplitude ratio in healthy subjects was investigated. Twenty healthy subjects underwent four neuromyographic tests at intervals of one week. The study group consisted of 12 males and 8 females. Ages ranged from 23 to 36 years. The stimulation intensity required for supramaximal stimulation was 14.6 mA on average. The mean of the intra-individual side-to-side difference of the evoked compound action potential was 32.5%. Results of the four repeated tests ranged from no to 80% side-to-side differences in the same individual. The hypothesis of symmetrical evoked facial compound potentials was not supported by our data. As with previous investigators we found significant side-to-side differences in healthy subjects. Furthermore, we could also show for the first time that the amplitude ratio was not constant in every individual at repeated measurements. We conclude that there is a physiological variability that must be taken into account in the interpretation of facial nerve neuromyography.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Value of fine needle puncture cytology in neoplasms of the parotid gland].

BACKGROUND: In many parts of Germany fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is still not part of the routine preoperative diagnostic evaluation of salivary gland neoplasms. Most opponents consider the study unnecessary and recommend that all salivary gland neoplasms should be excised. OBJECTIVE: Because of this an evaluated the ability of FNAB to provide an accurate diagnosis of parotid gland neoplasms. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 1992 and October 1995, 336 patients referred for operative therapy of salivary gland neoplasms underwent retrospective analysis of preoperative FNAB compared with the excised tumor histology. RESULTS: Results showed that the FNAB had a sensitivity of 93.1%, a specificity of 99.2%, a positive predictive value of 93.1%, a negative predictive value of 99.2% and an accuracy of 98.6%. Complications were observed in less than 1%. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrated that the FNAB is a safe diagnostic tool that has a reliable sensitivity and high specificity for the assessment of salivary gland pathology. Since many malignant salivary gland neoplasms present with a virtual lack of symptoms indicating actual malignancy we believe that there is need for FNAB in routine preoperative diagnostic testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Dependence of uni- and bilateral olfactory capacity on nasal airflow in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: Olfactory dysfunction is a common finding in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between olfaction and nasal flow as determined by active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR). METHODS: Thirty patients with CRS were included in this series. Patients' histories and subjective assessments of olfaction were documented with questionnaires. Smell tests, assessments of olfaction, AAR, and results of rhinoscopy were recorded, including odor identification, discrimination and thresholds measured with the "Sniffin' Sticks"-test. RESULTS: CRS influenced olfactory performances variably in the different tests: 10% of the patients had pathologic rates of odor discrimination, compared with 34% in odor identification and 73% in thresholds. Statistical analyses (using Spearman's test) indicated a significant correlation between nasal airflow and odor identification screening (r29 = 0.56, P < 0.01) and n-butanol-threshold (r29 = 0.44, P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Olfactory performance in CRS was correlated to several parameters of nasal airflow measured with AAR. The n-butanol threshold test revealed the most frequent pathological results and may best be used for detecting olfactory disorders. However, because a number of factors may influence olfactory dysfunction in CRS, our findings must be evaluated in a lager series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Anatomy of the glottis and subglottis in the pediatric larynx].

BACKGROUND: The morphological development of the human larynx during the first years of life has previously not been studied in detail and has mainly been described on a qualitative basis. This study seeks to provide detailed morphometric data on the regular anatomy of the vocal cords, the subglottic airway and the tracheal airway dimensions gained from plastinated whole organ serial sections of 43 infant larynges and to determine morphological changes with age. Such information may be useful for the understanding of pediatric airway disease or for laryngeal surgery in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The larynges of 43 children aged 1 to 60 months were plastinated. Whole organ serial sections were obtained by cutting the resulting specimen with a diamond band saw. Morphometry of whole-organ sections was accomplished using a high resolution, computer-based image analyzer. The total length of the glottis, length of the cartilaginous and ligamentous glottis, subglottic cartilaginous cross-section, subglottic airway and tracheal airway were determined for each specimen. RESULTS: The subglottic airway increases considerably in size during the first 2 years of life (from 13 to 28 mm2 in the means). Further growth seems to follow a linear mode. The relative proportion of the mucosal lining of the subglottic airway decreases likewise. While it occupies approximately 50% of the subglottic cartilaginous cross-section during the first two years of age, its relative proportion decreases to some 30 to 40% between age three to five. Other than in adults, and comparable to most mammals, the cartilaginous glottis accounts for 60 to 75% of the vocal folds' length in children under two years of age. The anterior ligamentous part of the glottis outsizes its posterior cartilaginous portion during the third year of life. CONCLUSION: This study supplies detailed morphometric data on the growth and structure of the human larynx during the first years of life that have not been available to date. Previous studies on the anatomical configuration of the infant larynx have focused on the the perinatal larynx, the prepuberal and puberal larynx, and the development of collagen fibres in the developing larynx. The human larynx has undergone significant evolutionary adaptations. Among them are the descent of the larynx, the capability of vocal fold adjustment in length, tension and shape, and the prominent configuration of the membranous part of the vocal folds as opposed to the cartilaginous part. The infant larynx is not just a miniature of the adult organ. It shows differences in its position relative to the vertebrate column, in the composition of cartilages and soft tissues, and in environmental adaptation. The present study is the first to supply detailed morphometric data on the growth and structure of the human larynx during the first five years of life and on the morphological changes of the larynx during this period. From these data it seems that some of the adaption of the human larynx as opposed to other vertebrates are not fully developed at birth, but undergo postnatal maturation. The relative proportions of the cartilaginous and membranous parts of the vocal folds clearly demonstrate this maturation process: While the posterior "respiratory" glottis accounts for some sixty to 75% of the total glottic length in newborns, its relative proportion decreases throughout the first years of life and finally equals the proportions of the adult larynx. Other than in adults, and in accordance with the literature, no sexual dimorphism of the larynx could be detected in this series of infant larynges. Morphometric data on the growth and structure of the human vocal folds and the subglottic airway during childhood are presented. Plastinated whole organ serial sections were used in the study to show the infant laryngeal morphology. The study provides quantitative anatomical data of clinical interest that light up the anatomy of the pediatric airways.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Quality assurance in ENT tumor surgery].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Quality control is of special importance in head and neck oncology since the quality of medical care constitutes a vital parameter for the diseased patient. In contrast to other medical specialties, no quality assurance program for head and neck cancer patients has yet been established in Germany. Therefore, a survey was conducted to assess the quality assurance instruments that are in use today in otorhinolaryngology-head and neck (ORL-HNS) centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a nationwide survey, questionnaires were sent out to 146 German ORL-HNS departments (the return rate was 75%). RESULTS: 56% of all departments apply dedicated quality assurance processes, and 38% have appointed a formal quality assurance officer. Interdisciplinary oncological conferences are held in the vast majority of all departments with the participation of radiation oncologists in 86 (78%), medical oncologists in 84 (76%), diagnostic radiologists in 82 (74%), and pathologists in 73 (66%). Morbidity-mortality conferences are held in seven departments (6%). A standardized follow-up of oncological patients is carried out in 95 units (86%), and 53 departments use computer-assisted data bases to organize their follow-up data (48%). A wide variety of documentation systems is in use throughout the country: 78 units (71%) offer formal follow-up to their oncological patients. CONCLUSIONS: This survey documents a wide-spread interest in quality assurance procedures. Many individual efforts are being undertaken. However, no uniform quality assurance or auditing system is currently in use in Germany nor is a commonly accepted data base available. The ability to offer oncological follow-up within the national social security system is generally considered indispensable for the maintenance of high-quality oncological care in ORL-HNS departments.

Germany↗
PubMed2000

Transoral laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma.

This prospective study evaluates the oncological results of transoral laser surgery (TLS) for glottic carcinoma categorized Tis, T1 and T2 in a large, unselected group of 285 consecutive patients from a university-based referral center that uses transoral laser surgery as the standard approach to these tumors. Patients were treated between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1996. Thirty-three patients had Tis disease, 174 T1 tumors and 113 T2. Main outcome measures were local control with initial therapy, ultimate local control, regional control, organ preservation, overall survival and cause-specific survival. The 5-year uncorrected actuarial survival for all 285 patients was 71.1%, and cause-specific actuarial survival was 98.7%. Local control with initial treatment was 85.9%, ultimate local control with salvage for local treatment failures 98.5%, and regional control 98.4%. In all, 94.3% had their larynges preserved after 5 years. Although favorable oncological results for early laryngeal carcinoma treated with laser surgery are supported this study, no definitive recommendations can be given for the best single treatment. Partial laryngectomies lead to the highest local control rates reported so far, radiotherapy is believed to preserve voice best and laser surgery is associated with time- and cost-effectiveness, low morbidity, fair local control rates and excellent re-treatment options in case of local failure. All specialists dealing with the treatment of early glottic carcinoma should be able to offer these different treatment modalities to their patients and to deal specifically with each patient's individual needs and preferences.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2000

Endoscopic cordectomy. A proposal for a classification by the Working Committee, European Laryngological Society.

The European Laryngological Society is proposing a classification of different laryngeal endoscopic cordectomies in order to ensure better definitions of post-operative results. We chose to keep the word "cordectomy" even for partial resections because it is the term most often used in the surgical literature. The classification comprises eight types of cordectomies: a subepithelial cordectomy (type I), which is resection of the epithelium; a subligamental cordectomy (type II), which is a resection of the epithelium, Reinke's space and vocal ligament; transmuscular cordectomy (type III), which proceeds through the vocalis muscle; total cordectomy (type IV); extended cordectomy, which encompasses the contralateral vocal fold and the anterior commissure (type Va); extended cordectomy, which includes the arytenoid (type Vb); extended cordectomy, which encompasses the subglottis (type Vc); and extended cordectomy, which includes the ventricle (type Vd). Indications for performing those cordectomies may vary from surgeon to surgeon. The operations are classified according to the surgical approach used and the degree of resection in order to facilitate use of the classification in daily practice. Each surgical procedure ensures that a specimen is available for histopathological examination.

Glottis↗
PubMed2000

Bell's palsy: a 10-year experience with antiphlogistic-rheologic infusion therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis has remained controversial in many aspects. The authors report their experience with a protocol based on high-dose prednisolone with intravenous low-molecular-weight dextran and pentoxifylline. For this regimen, the term antiphlogistic-rheologic infusion therapy (ARIT) has been coined. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-series review. SETTING: University-based hospital of otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery. PATIENTS: 334 patients suffering from sudden facial paralysis of unknown cause. INTERVENTION: Treatment consisted uniformly of prednisolone in a starting dosage of 250 mg tapering over 18 days and accompanying infusion of dextran and pentoxifylline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Facial nerve function after 6 months, adverse effects of therapy and comorbidity. RESULTS: From 239 patients with nonrecurrent palsy having received treatment within 12 days after onset, 92% recovered completely (House-Brackmann [HB] Grade I) without sequelae. In incomplete palsy (HB Grade II-V), normal facial function was restored in 97% of cases. Results were significantly better in the group in which therapy had been started within 3 days after the onset of palsy. Other factors such as old age, hypertension, or diabetes did not seem to influence the functional outcome in this series. Serious adverse effects requiring termination of therapy were observed in 1.2% of cases. CONCLUSION: ARIT for Bell's palsy is safe and leads to recovery rates superior to the most optimistic observations of the natural course.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Ackerman's tumors of the larynx: results of CO2 laser surgery].

BACKGROUND: Ackerman's tumor, named after the author of the first description in 1948, is a low grade malignant tumor. The aim of this paper is to clarify the role of the carbon dioxide laser therapy in the management of this neoplastic disorder of the larynx. PATIENTS: Twenty-four men and one woman suffering from glottic tumors fulfilled the diagnostic criteria laid down by Ackerman from 1986 to 1998. All patients were treated with transoral laser surgery with a follow-up ranged from 14 to 142 months. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were diagnosed at T1, seven at T2, and one at T3. In T1 lesions, a laser cordectomy or an extended laser cordectomy was performed. In T2 and T3 tumors, partial laryngectomy with a CO2 laser was performed. No patient died tumor-related. In this series, initial failure rate of laser resection was 8%: one patient was salvaged with endolaryngeal laser surgery, another patient (initially T3 tumor) with total laryngectomy. No patient required radiation therapy. No cases of anaplastic transformation were recognized. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this material, recommended treatment for T1 and T2 Ackerman-Tumors is oncologic CO2 laser resection in combination with a meticulous follow up for every recognition of local recurrences.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Prognostic relevance of proliferation marker Ki-67 (MIB 1), PCNA and p53 in combined surgically and radiologically treated cancers of the oropharynx and mouth cavity].

STUDY DESIGN: A matched-pair study on the relationship between proliferation associated markers Ki-67, PCNA, and p53 and treatment failure in carcinomas of the oropharynx and oral cavity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-six T1-T3 carcinomas of the oropharynx or oral cavity, treated uniformly with primary surgery and postoperative irradiation, were investigated. Twenty-eight patients had recurrent disease and were matched with 28 patients with nonrecurrent disease regarding stage and location of tumor as well as age and therapy. MIB1 staining was used to determine the Ki-67 labeling index. Immunohistochemical studies determined the p53 status and PCNA labeling index. RESULTS: Where treatment failed, the Ki-67 labeling index was significantly (p = 0.032) higher (mean = 59.1%) than in patients without recurrence (mean = 50.5%). Mean time to relapse was 45 months (n = 25) for carcinomas with a Ki-67 (MIB1) labeling index above the median (53.7%) of the general study population, compared to 61.7 months for those cases (n = 31) below this median (p = 0.029). The PCNA labeling index did not correlate significantly with tumor recurrence, nor with time to relapse. In 46% of all tumors, p53 overexpression was present. No significant correlation could be found between p53 overexpression and tumor recurrence or time to relapse. CONCLUSION: Examination of Ki-67 is thought to provide useful prognostic information concerning squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx and oral cavity. Overexpression of p53 or PCNA status is not of prognostic value, which is consistent with earlier results. We conclude that the detection of Ki-67 is an unfavorable prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and oral cavity, at least if treated with a combination of surgery and postoperative irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Epidemiology of hereditary hearing disorders in childhood: a retrospective study in Germany with special regard to ethnic factors.

Recent studies have revealed marked differences in the prevalence of hearing impairment in childhood. It remains unknown whether this is caused by geographic, sociocultural or ethnic factors. In order to provide consistent data, 314 children in residence at a school for hearing impaired children of a well-defined German area were investigated retrospectively. We estimated an overall prevalence of .43/1000 of hearing impairment for this area. A striking variability between different nationalities could be observed. For German children, the prevalence was .36/1000, for Turkish 1.04/1000 and for Italian children 1.37/1000. Hereditary hearing losses and, in particular, autosomal recessive caused hearing disorders were the most common cause of hearing impairment in foreign but not in native children. One reason might be the frequency of marriages between relatives resulting from the social isolation of the foreign groups in German society.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Hypothyroidism after therapy for larynx and pharynx carcinoma.

Early detection of local and regional recurrence is the main goal during follow-up of patients with larynx and pharynx cancer. Hypothyroidism occurring in those patients stays frequently undiagnosed as screening for hypothyroidism is not part of the routine follow-up. This study was performed to assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism in these patients. We included 120 patients (106 male, 14 female) with larynx or pharynx cancer treated more than 2 months earlier (mean = 41 months) in the study. Cancer treatment consisted of either surgery (n = 44), radiotherapy (n = 15), or surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy (n = 61). In all patients, thyroid function studies (thyrotropin [TSH], free triiodothyronine [FT3], and free thyroxine [FT4]) were performed. Twenty-six of all patients (22%) were hypothyroid; in two patients hypothyroidism was diagnosed postoperatively and these two patients were on replacement therapy with thyroid hormones. The highest rate of hypothyroidism (34%) was present in patients treated with surgery combined with radiotherapy, whereas among patients treated with surgery only 7% were hypothyroid (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the duration of follow-up between therapy and inclusion in the study between those two groups. Two of 15 patients treated only with radiotherapy were diagnosed hypothyroid, but in this group the latency was shorter (p < 0.05). The results indicate that thyroid function studies should be routinely performed in the follow-up of head and neck cancer patients, especially if radiotherapy was part of the treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Ki-67 (MIB1), p53, and Lewis-X (LeuM1) as prognostic factors of recurrence in T1 and T2 laryngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Recently published data suggest a prognostic value of immunohistochemical proliferation markers for limited laryngeal carcinoma. Previous studies have reported contrasting findings on this issue. In this context, different treatment modalities may be responsible for contradictory findings. To study the relationship between proliferative activity--expressed by the immunohistochemical labeling index of proliferation-associated markers Ki-67 (MIB1), Lewis-X (LeuM1), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and by p53 status--and treatment failure in a matched-pair study on recurrent and nonrecurrent T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma having received primary transoral laser surgery. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with tumor recurrence were randomly selected and matched with 26 patients with nonrecurrent disease regarding histopathological grading and age. MIB1 staining was used to determine the Ki-67 labeling index, and LeuM1 staining for detecting the Lewis-X antigen; immunohistochemistry determined the p53 status and PCNA labeling index. RESULTS: The Ki-67 labeling index was significantly (P = .001) higher in tumors from patients who had treatment failure (mean = 20.02%) than in patients who did not fail treatment ("nonfailures") (mean = 9.95%). Carcinoma with a Ki-67 (MIB1) labeling index above the median (15%) of the general study population showed a mean time to relapse of 23 months (n = 21), compared with 50 months for cases (n = 26) below the median (P = .016). PCNA labeling index correlated less impressively with tumor recurrence (mean = 28.59% for treatment failures, mean = 21.75% for nonfailures, P = .022). Positive detection of the Lewis-X antigen was significantly associated with recurrence (P = .015) and time to relapse (P = .006). Status of p53 was not a significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: The Ki-67 (MIB1) labeling index may be associated with early relapse of limited laryngeal carcinoma treated with transoral laser surgery. Since the prognostic relevance of Ki-67 seems to be different for radiological and surgical concepts of treatment, Ki-67 might become useful as criterion of therapy selection. The Lewis-X antigen, for the first time used on laryngeal carcinoma, seems to be a strong prognostic marker deserving further investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Transoral CO2 laser for surgical management of glottic carcinoma in situ.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In carcinoma in situ (CIS) tumors malignant cells have not penetrated the basement membrane and therefore have no metastatic potential. Treatment strategies of CIS are topics of ongoing discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term results of CO2 laser therapy in laryngeal CIS. METHODS: From 1986 to 1995, 29 patients with glottic CIS with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were treated initially with transoral CO2 laser surgery and were included is this series. RESULTS: A complete removal of the tumor was possible with superficial laser cordectomy in 21 patients and with subligamental laser cordectomy in 8 cases. There was no tumor-related death in this series. Repeated laser resections were performed in four patients for local recurrences. No patient required total laryngectomy or radiotherapy during a follow-up ranging from 25 to 143 months. CONCLUSIONS: Local control rates presented in this study are superior to those previously reported with conventional surgery and similar to those after radiotherapy. The ultimate rate of larynx preservation was seven times higher than reported after radiotherapy. Our results add further support to the observation that laser surgery is the best treatment option for CIS of the larynx. Based on the material of this study, recommended treatment for CIS is CO2 laser resection in combination with a meticulous follow-up for early recognition of local recurrence.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Rare benign tumors: laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lipomata.

Lipomata of the larynx and the hypopharynx are very rare benign lesions; as they look macroscopically like retention cysts, their diagnosis is usually made after surgery. Sometimes, lipomata of the hypopharynx become very large and life-threatening. Plain fluoroscopy and fluoroscopy aided with barium often fail to depict the lesion if it is localized subepiglottically; standard barium swallow examination and computed tomography allow an accurate diagnosis to be made in many cases, although magnetic resonance imaging is still more accurate and allows not only a more specific diagnosis of the lesion, but also a better depiction of the origin of the frequently pedunculated tumor and its extension into the parapharyngeal space. This paper adds 6 cases of hypopharyngeal and 1 case of laryngeal lipoma to the literature and discusses modern diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Morphology of the human thyroglossal tract: a histologic and macroscopic study in infants and children.

The anatomic development of thyroglossal tract remnants is not understood at present. For analysis of morphology and growth patterns of thyroglossal tract remnants, we used histologic whole organ serial sections to determine developmental changes through the first years of life. Larynges of 58 infants and children ages 1 month to 13 years were obtained in whole organ serial step-sections in an axial plane. The slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Altogether, 3,247 histologic slices were examined. The resulting data were then correlated with the age and sex of the specimens. We found, in 24 cases (41.3%), remnants of the thyroglossal tract or ectopic thyroid tissue. In 4 specimens (16.6%), a complete thyroglossal tract could be observed that presented a ventral path in relation to the hyoid bone with no contact with the perichondrium of the cartilage. Hormonal activity of ectopic thyroid tissue was proven in 20 cases (34.5%). Thyroid follicles were located in 2 cases (3.5%) in the hyoid bone. The thyroglossal ducts revealed a modest tendency for a left-sided pathway, whereas thyroid follicles were located more on the right paramedian side. Morphometric data on the development and structure of the thyroglossal tract and the thyroid follicles during infancy and childhood are presented. The study provides quantitative data of clinical interest that elucidate the anatomy of thyroglossal tract remnants. In addition, our investigation supports Sistrunk's operative approach for avoiding recurrences in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts.

Age Distribution↗