Biomedical subjects

Jochen P Windfuhr

Publications and source records attributed to Jochen P Windfuhr.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Laryngeal hamartoma.

OBJECTIVE: Hamartoma is a rare finding in the head and neck area and usually occurs as an age-related tumor in the lung. The aim of this study was to present the results of long-term follow-up of a case of laryngeal hamartoma (LH) and review the relevant literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case of LH is presented which occurred in a 5-year-old child with a previously unreported change in the histologic pattern at recurrence. The relevant literature is critically reviewed with emphasis on histopathological aspects, clinical signs, age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients matched the search criteria, of whom 17 (65%) were male. LH occurred in 10 children (mean age 1.9 years) and 9 adults (mean age 49.6 years). Stridor, dysphonia and hoarseness were the commonest symptoms, occurring in 14 patients in total. In 18 patients the tumor presented as a supraglottic lesion (69%). Two neonates died shortly after the diagnosis was made. The current patient is the first to have presented with a change in the histological subtype. CONCLUSION: LH should be included in the differential diagnosis of benign laryngeal lesions, particularly in children. Complete surgical removal is the method of choice but should be limited in order to preserve laryngeal function, as the prognosis of patients with LH is excellent.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the head and neck: incidence, diagnosis, and management.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are in the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors and are composed of small round cells. Because of their rare occurrence, optimal therapy is challenging, particularly if they occur in the head and neck. Diagnosis is based on history, immunostaining with at least 2 neural markers, ultrastructural examination, and evidence of an abnormal t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation as the hallmark for the Ewing's sarcoma family. The prognosis in general is poor because of overt metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Of 27 reported patients with primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the head and neck, 23 were less than 20 years of age. Most patients presented with a tumor in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or neck. Symptoms developed rapidly (3.6 months, on average), and a lethal outcome occurred in 9 patients. This highly malignant tumor requires an aggressive combination of radical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. A close follow-up with regular radiographic examination for at least 5 years is mandatory.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2004

Aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence, typical clinical signs, and proper management of patients with an aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear as presented in a case report and review of the relevant literature. A total of 86 cases were reviewed concerning gender, affected side, presenting symptoms, findings on clinical and radiologic examination, and further treatment. About two thirds of the patients (68.6%) were female. The right side was affected in 40 patients, and both sides were affected in 13 patients. Hearing loss (41 patients) and pulsatile tinnitus (26 patients) were the most common symptoms. Preponderances of affected side and gender seem to be reduced by the increasing number of reports. Bilateral findings are not unusual, indicating meticulous examination of both sides. Glomus tumors often mimic an aberrant internal carotid artery. If vascular malformations in the middle ear are suspected, high-resolution computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography is required before any surgical intervention to exclude vascular malformations. Brisk bleeding, hemiparesis, aphasia, deafness, Horner's syndrome, and intractable vertigo may result if the lesion is injured unintentionally. Once the disorder is correctly diagnosed, yearly follow-up is advisable.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Unidentified coagulation disorders in post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

We conducted a retrospective study of 6,966 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy to evaluate the incidence and clinical features of previously unidentified coagulation disorders in patients who experienced postoperative hemorrhage (n = 201). We found that post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage secondary to unidentified coagulation disorders is extremely rare. However, normal coagulation values and an insignificant history do not rule out coagulation disorders. If diffuse, persistent, and bilateral bleeding is not related to arterial hypertension, dissection technique, or local infection, a rapid and detailed analysis of coagulation factors should be considered.

Adenoidectomy↗

PubMed2003

Lethal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) seems to be a rare but unavoidable complication. Due to the frequency of performed tonsillectomies, it can be estimated that a certain amount may result in a lethal outcome. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical features of these rare cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective case series of five patients with lethal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage are reported after they had undergone tonsillectomy by four different surgeons. The relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The youngest patient was 42 months and the oldest almost 13 years old. All patients were male. Three patients had left the hospital against surgeon's recommendation 5 days following tonsillectomy. Preceding episodes of bleeding prior to the lethal bleeding occurred in two patients. Lethal PTH occurred in four patients within 5-9 days, the latest bleeding 39 days after surgery. In the literature, lethal PTH was described for eight patients since 1958. The youngest patient was 4 years, the oldest 18 years old (mean: 8.6 years; median: 6.5 years). In three patients, lethal PTH occurred on the day of surgery and the latest bleeding 54 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Due to the paucity of reports, little reliable information can be obtained from the literature. It remains unclear, whether or not this reflects the true incidence of this complication. The experience with the five reported cases suggests, that immediate surgical treatment may have avoided lethal outcome in most cases. Therefore, a close postoperative follow-up is advisable to detect any episode of bleeding as soon as possible which should be referred to a specialist. Certainly, the collected data do not suffice to establish general guidelines, indicating that further collection of cases is required to assess characteristics of lethal PTH.

Carotid Artery Injuries↗

PubMed2003

Post-tonsillectomy and -adenoidectomy hemorrhage in nonselected patients.

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of hemorrhage in nonselected patients requiring surgical treatment after adenoidectomy (group 1; 7,785 patients) or tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy (group 2; 6,794 patients). Postoperative bleeding from the tonsillar fossae occurred in 200 patients (2.94%). Primary hemorrhage (< 24 hours) clearly prevailed in groups 1 (86%) and 2 (78%). There was 1 case with a lethal outcome following tonsillectomy (0.007%). Bleeding from the epipharynx occurred in 17 patients of group 1 (0.21%). A total of 5 patients received blood transfusions, all of them belonging to group 2 (0.07%). The latest bleeding occurred 6 days (adenoidectomy) and 18 days (tonsillectomy) after surgery. Hemorrhage following both procedures is a rare complication predominantly occurring several hours after surgery and in nonselected patients. Male gender, age over 70 years, infectious mononucleosis, and a history of recurrent tonsillitis were found to be risk factors for posttonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Adenoidectomy↗

PubMed2002

Excessive post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring ligature of the external carotid artery.

UNLABELLED: Ligature of the external carotid artery (LECA) is the method of choice in patients with excessive post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and warning signs of excessive post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. BASIC PROCEDURES: Between January 1988 and December 2000, a total of 25 patients had to be treated by LECA. Tonsillectomy had been previously performed in seven patients at our department (group A) and in 18 patients elsewhere (group B). MAIN FINDINGS: LECA was performed in most cases 6 (group A) and 11 days (group B) after tonsillectomy. There was one case with lethal outcome. A total of 12 patients (group B) had been operated by two surgeons. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Excessive bleeding following tonsillectomy may occur as delayed bleeding, abrupt and require immediate LECA and blood transfusion. Prior recurrent episodes of bleeding can be a warning sign. Anatomical vascular abnormalities have to be considered. Inpatient policy in these underestimated cases was life-saving.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Indications for interventional arteriography in post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) and required measures of treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology-Plastic Head and Neck Surgery, St. Anna Hospital, Duisburg, Germany. METHODS: The charts of 5,539 patients at risk for PTH (post-tonsillectomy) and seen in our department between 1988 and 1998 were reviewed including 65 patients primarily operated on elsewhere. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success and failure of surgical methods. RESULTS: Surgical treatment of PTH was necessary in 145 of our patients (2.65%). Owing to recurrent bleeding in 7 patients, 153 surgical procedures to stop bleeding became necessary. There was one case with lethal outcome (0.018%). Massive bleeding indicated ligature of the external carotid artery (ECA) in 5 patients (0.09%). Despite this procedure, hemorrhage recurred in another 3 patients, all of whom had undergone tonsillectomy elsewhere. In 2 of these cases, arteriography revealed arterial blood supply originating from branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or the carotid bulb. CONCLUSION: When ligation of the ECA is considered, a complete dissection of the ICA, ECA, and carotid bulb should be performed to exclude any vascular abnormality. In cases with unclear blood supply of the tonsillar lodge or continuous bleeding despite ligation of the ECA, immediate arteriography of the carotid artery should be indicated. If possible, simultaneous selective embolization of the bleeding vessel should be performed to replace a mutilating approach associated wit exposure and ligation of the ECA.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Extramedullary plasmacytoma manifesting as a palpable mass in the nasal cavity.

We report a rare case of plasmacytoma of the nasal cavity in a 60-year-old man. The patient had a history of a steadily growing and palpable mass in the opening of the left nostril. The tumor was found to be localized, and it was identified as an extramedullary plasmacytoma. The patient underwent therapy with 55 Gy of radiation. Six months following the cessation of radiotherapy, the size of the tumor had not changed. The mass was then completely excised under microscopic vision. Histopathologic examination identified the growth as a plasmacytoma with monotypic light-chain expression. To optimize the management of patients with an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck, interdisciplinary management is mandatory.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

Incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children and adults: a study of 4,848 patients.

We conducted a retrospective study of 4,848 patients to evaluate the age-specific incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage that required surgical treatment. We reviewed the charts of 2,567 patients younger than 15 years (pediatric group) and 2,281 patients aged 15 years and older (adult group) who had undergone tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. We found that post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred significantly more often in the adult group (3.9 vs 1.6%; p < 0.001). Moreover, primary hemorrhage (< 24 hr postoperatively) was also significantly more common in the adult group than in the pediatric group (82.9 vs 65.9%, p = 0.023). Analysis of other parameters revealed that post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was significantly more common in males and in patients who had a history of chronic or recurrent throat infection. Awareness of these risk factors should help improve patient care and outcomes.

Adenoidectomy↗