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Biomedical subjects

V Forte

Publications and source records attributed to V Forte.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The use of expandable metallic airway stents for tracheobronchial obstruction in children.

Expandable metallic angioplasty stents (Palmaz stent) have been implanted in the trachea and/or bronchi of seven children. Three children had severe tracheal stenosis after tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis repair, and four had tracheomalacia or bronchomalacia with or without vascular compression. The mean age at stenting was 9.7 months (range, 2 to 15 months). Balloon expandable stents were inserted into the trachea or bronchus through a 3.5-mm bronchoscope under fluoroscopic control. Initially a single tracheal stent was used for all patients except for one with obstruction in the trachea and both bronchi, in whom three stents were implanted. Three children had recurrent airway obstruction 1 month later; one was cured with a second stent; one child died 1 year later; and the other is being treated for heart disease. The others have no serious respiratory problems. The stents in all have been in place for 1 to 25 (mean, 11) months. No immediate complications were noted. Early and late bronchoscopy showed incomplete epithelialization of the stent and patches of granulation tissue on it. Two stents were removed bronchoscopically, one at the completion of treatment for tracheomalacia and the other at the time of recurrent airway obstruction. This preliminary experience indicates that expandable metallic stents have a useful role in the treatment of selected lower airway obstructions.

Airway Obstruction↗

Ligation of the common carotid artery for the management of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of an extracranial internal carotid artery. A case report and review of the literature.

Although vascular involvement by deep neck space infections occurs very rarely today with the widespread use of antibiotics, they often pose a significant challenge to the modern otolaryngologist, who most likely will have had no previous experience with either the diagnosis or treatment of these potentially life-threatening infections. We describe the case of a young female presenting with fevers, dysphagia, and blood-tinged sputum, who was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computerized tomography, to possess a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of her right extracranial internal carotid artery, for which ligation of her common carotid artery was required. We also discuss both the clinical findings which should lead one to suspect that a neck infection may be involving the extracranial carotid arteries, and the English literature, on the morbidity and mortality of ligating a common carotid artery.

Aneurysm, False↗

Encephaloceles of the anterior cranial fossa.

From a total of 114 encephaloceles treated surgically at The Hospital for Sick Children in the 15 years to 1994, the case records of 17 patients with sincipital and 5 patients with basal defects were reviewed retrospectively. The condition was evident at birth in 64% of patients, while the remainder presented with either cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, or feeding difficulty. Hypertelorism affected 73% of patients. All encephaloceles were repaired transcranially, at a mean age of 2 years, usually by means of an intradural pericranial graft. Five children with gross hypertelorism underwent orbital translocation at the time of encephalocele repair. Of those not corrected, primary and secondary hypertelorism regressed in most instances where the encephalocele was treated before the age of 2 years. There were no deaths. The only case of CSF rhinorrhea occurred in a patient with a basal defect, in whom intradural repair was not possible because of adherence of diencephalic structures to the sac wall. Hypertelorism recurred in 1 patient after orbital translocation, requiring recorrection 2 years later. One patient with untreated secondary hypertelorism failed to regress after the encephalocele was excised at the age of 4 months. Developmental outcome was normal in 59% of children, whilst 18% have mild mental or physical disability, and 23% are severely impaired. A child with a sincipital or basal defect and mild hypertelorism should have the encephalocele treated in early childhood to allow the facial skeleton to remodel with growth. When an encephalocele is accompanied by gross hypertelorism or a facial cleft, one-stage correction can be undertaken safely in early childhood with minimal mortality and acceptable morbidity.

Encephalocele↗

[Prolonged respiratory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation].

A 42 year-old woman with terminal chronic lung disease underwent to left lung transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxigenation (ECMO) was required because dysfunction of transplanted organ occurred and was non-responsive to conventional therapy. The time of assistance was 47 hours and after this, the dysfunction of the transplanted lung reversed and the patient was weaned from the oxigenator. During hospital stay, she developed sepsis and died. In conclusion, ECMO was decisive to the treatment of pulmonary dysfunction, allowing time to the resolution of lung lesion.

Acute Disease↗

Failed extubation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

One of the roles of the pediatric otolaryngologist in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the assessment and management of the neonate who fails a trial of extubation. This paper reviews the recent 5-year institutional experience at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, with neonates who failed extubation and who subsequently underwent diagnostic endoscopy. One hundred twenty-eight neonates from the NICU underwent diagnostic endoscopy. Of these, 58 neonates underwent diagnostic endoscopy for failure to extubate. Nine neonates were extubated after diagnostic endoscopy and retrial (16% of the series). Eleven neonates were extubated after additional endoscopic procedures (19% of the series). Twenty-four neonates underwent anterior cricoid split, of whom 20 or 83% (34% of the series) were eventually successfully extubated with no further airway intervention required during the study period (minimum 6 months' follow-up). Eleven neonates underwent tracheotomy (19% of the series). Four neonates underwent another external procedure to allow extubation (7% of the series). Three neonates died while still intubated (5% of the series). Our management of the neonate who fails a trial of extubation is discussed.

Clinical Protocols↗

First brachial cleft sinuses: an analysis of current management strategies and treatment outcomes.

First branchial cleft sinuses account for less than 1% of all branchial cleft anomalies. A thorough understanding of the embryology and developmental anatomy is essential for successful management. Nine cases of first branchial cleft sinuses treated at The Hospital for Sick Children by the Department of Otolaryngology between 1984 and 1990 were reviewed. A large proportion of these lesions were initially misdiagnosed despite significant symptomatology. This resulted in a high rate of infectious complications. Early diagnosis, prompt control of infection, and early surgical excision are recommended. Current methods of diagnosis and treatment are discussed along with techniques for facial nerve preservation.

Branchial Region↗

The balloon posterior tracheal split: a technique for managing tracheal stenosis in the premature infant.

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) in the premature infant almost invariably leads to death for lack of effective reconstructive techniques. We hypothesized that the complete or near complete cartilaginous rings of CTS have a weak point in the posterior portion. Aggressive balloon dilation would result in a posterior longitudinal disruption of the trachea, and an expanded tracheal wall would be created after an appropriate period of endotracheal stenting. Three premature infants with multiple anomalies and CTS were treated with endoscopic posterior tracheal splitting, dividing the trachea as predicted. Although two died of complications of congenital heart disease 2 weeks after the procedure, the third child is alive and well at 9 months of age without airway symptoms. The posterior tracheal wall also split when we performed the procedure in a fresh cadaveric CTS patient. We believe that balloon dilation may prove to be a valuable technique in the treatment of premature infants with congenital or acquired tracheal stenosis and/or in children with such complex diseases that major surgery is precluded.

Cadaver↗

Juvenile angiofibroma: a review of the literature and a case series report.

Juvenile angiofibroma is a rare, histologically benign tumor which occurs almost exclusively in adolescent boys. The morbidity and mortality associated with this tumor are related to its prominent vascularity and its propensity for aggressive local growth. From 1974 through 1988, 21 male patients with a diagnosis of juvenile angiofibroma were managed at the Toronto General Hospital or the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Preoperative computed tomography was performed on 20 patients, selective angiography on 21 patients, and preoperative embolization on 15 patients. Primary surgery was performed on 67% of these patients, with radiation therapy used for advanced stage II and stage III disease or in response to patient preference. Pterygopalatine fossa involvement was demonstrated in 90% of the patients; as a result, the lateral rhinotomy approach was most commonly used in the surgical cases. A successful outcome was achieved in 86% of patients treated with surgery alone. Two patients underwent radiotherapy for salvage following postoperative recurrence. There were no treatment-related deaths and no major surgical complications. The value of computed tomography is discussed, the authors' treatment protocol is outlined, and the case series results are presented.

Adolescent↗

Congenital mid-line cervical cleft.

The mid-line cervical cleft is part of a broad spectrum of congenital mid-line branchiogenic syndromes. Two recent cases of this rare anomaly are presented, along with the clinical presentation, gross pathology and histopathology. The preferred operative technique of complete excision of the cervical cleft with Z-plasty is demonstrated. Embryologic origins and spectrum of severity of the mid-line branchiogenic syndromes is discussed.

Branchial Region↗

Pressure, flow and resistance characteristics of the pediatric Storz-Hopkins bronchoscopes.

Poiseuille's law describes the relationship between pressure and the flow of a gas or liquid of known viscosity through a conduit of known length and radius. In clinical bronchoscopy, resistance varies directly with changes in viscosity of the inspired gas and the length of the bronchoscope. According to Poiseuille's law, resistance varies inversely to the fourth power of the radius of the bronchoscope. Flow-pressure curves were generated for commonly used pediatric Storz-Hopkins bronchoscopes with and without telescopes and the resistance of each system was calculated. Extremely high resistance is encountered with the 2.5 x 20 cm bronchoscope with telescope in place, a fact that most pediatric endoscopists are well aware of. However, comparable resistance is encountered when the 3.5 x 30 cm bronchoscope is used with the telescope in place, a fact not well appreciated by most clinicians.

Airway Resistance↗

The management of otolaryngological problems in the mucopolysaccharidoses: a retrospective review.

The mucopolysaccharidoses are rare, genetically transmitted metabolic disorders that affect children early in life. These potentially life-threatening diseases almost invariably involve the auditory apparatus and the upper respiratory tract. Thus, the otolaryngologist is frequently involved in the care of these patients. This paper presents a 10-year retrospective review of the management of these patients at the Hospital for Sick Children. Data concerning auditory and upper respiratory pathology are presented. Results indicate that persistent serous otitis, sensorineural hearing loss, and upper respiratory obstruction leading to sleep apnea, are frequent findings in these patients. Specific recommendations are made with regard to appropriate otolaryngologic intervention in children affected with these diseases.

Adenoidectomy↗

Hairy polyp of the eustachian tube.

The hairy polyp of the nasopharynx is a rare but potential cause of airway obstruction in the newborn. A case of hairy polyp arising off the Eustachian tube is reported. Only eight prior cases of Eustachian tube origin have been described in the literature. The terminology and embryology of these tumors are included in the discussion. The site of the tumor and histopathology of this case supports the embryologic origin of a congenital inclusion cyst.

Dermoid Cyst↗

Maxillary myxoma in children.

Myxoma of the maxilla is a rare, slowly growing, benign mesenchymal tumor. Pathologically, it may be difficult to differentiate from other tumors with myxoid stroma and is occasionally misinterpreted as malignant. This tumor is particularly uncommon in children; in a search of the literature, we were able to document only 17 cases of myxomas in the maxilla in patients aged 14 years or less. This report on two children with myxoma of the maxilla emphasizes the importance of including myxoma in the differential diagnosis of children with maxillofacial tumors, and underlines the difficulties in making a correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Malignant nasopharyngeal tumors in children.

From 1964 to 1984, 25 children with malignant tumors of the nasopharynx were seen, and their progress was followed at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Two types of malignancies: rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphoepithelioma were most prevalent with eight cases apiece. The presenting signs and symptoms were related to local and/or regional manifestations of disease. No child presented with signs or symptoms related to distant metastatic disease. The diagnosis and treatment of this series of patients are described briefly. The advent of combined treatment modalities in the past decade has improved the prognosis for nasopharyngeal tumors, especially for the rhabdomyosarcomas; in general, however, survival rates are still poor, approximating 50%.

Child↗

Evaluation of neonatal subglottic stenosis: a 3-year prospective study.

Subglottic stenosis is the most common cause of chronic airway obstruction. It results in prolonged tracheal cannulation of infants and children. Following the widespread adoption over the past 20 years of prolonged intubation for respiratory support in neonates, the incidence of acquired subglottic stenosis increased dramatically. On January 1, 1987, we began a 3-year prospective study to delineate potential etiologic factors involved in the development of subglottic stenosis in neonates. The present study analyzes data from 289 infants. Relationships between birth weight, gestational age, endotracheal tube size, duration of intubation and ventilation, number and difficulty of intubations, and the subsequent need for medical and surgical therapy are discussed. Whole organ larynges from autopsy specimens provide histological correlation.

Apgar Score↗

Recurring giant-cell granuloma at the site of previous radiation therapy.

A 15-year-old girl presented with an aggressive giant-cell granuloma (GCG) of the maxilla with local invasiveness and bony destruction. The tumor recurred twice and attained a diameter of 6 cm. Previously, this patient had had two hematologic malignancies for which she had received therapeutic doses of radiation to the site where the GCG occurred. It is therefore possible that this tumor was radiation induced.

Adolescent↗

Sistrunk revisited: a 10-year review of revision thyroglossal duct surgery at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

The definitive surgical management of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) was elucidated by Sistrunk in 1920. However, the procedure is often poorly performed. We reviewed the charts of 143 patients managed for TGDC at the Hospital for Sick Children. Toronto, between 1978-1988. These patients underwent 214 surgical procedures at HSC and elsewhere for cure. One hundred and five patients needed only one procedure. Thirty-eight patients had recurrent disease. These needed 109 procedures for cure. Inadequate surgery was the direct cause of recurrence. Areas of surgical failure included misdiagnosis, inadequate hyoid bone resection and persistent infra or suprahyoid tract remnants. Representative case samples are outlined with clinical, surgical and pathologic correlation. We recommend performing the complete, classic Sistrunk procedure for all cases of TGDC.

Abscess↗