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W Draf

Publications and source records attributed to W Draf.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Modern concepts of frontal sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To validate the endonasal surgical approach to frontal sinus in inflammatory sinus disease, trauma, and selective tumor surgery, and to define the role of external approaches to the frontal sinus. Endonasal frontal sinusotomy can range from endoscopic removal of obstructing frontal recess cells or uncinate process to the more complex unilateral or bilateral removal of the frontal sinus floor as described in the Draf II-III drainage procedures. In contrast, the osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy remains the "gold standard" for external approaches to frontal sinus disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of 1286 patients undergoing either endonasal or external frontal sinusotomy by the authors at four university teaching programs from 1977. Prior author reports were updated and previously unreported patient series were combined. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-five patients underwent type I frontal sinusotomy, 312 type II sinusotomy, and 156 type III sinusotomy. A successful result was seen in these groups, 85.2% to 99.3%, 79% to 93.3%, and 91.5% to 95%, respectively. External frontal sinusotomy or osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy was successfully performed in 187 of 194 patients. Clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance image scanning, and reoperation rate measured postoperative success. CONCLUSIONS: A stepwise approach to the surgical treatment of frontal sinusitis, trauma, and selective benign tumors yields successful results as defined by specific criteria which vary from 79% to 97.8%. The details of specific techniques are discussed, essential points emphasized, and author variations noted.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2001

Long-term study of endonasal duraplasty and review of the literature.

Many different techniques have been proposed to repair frontobasal dura mater lesions. Because of its low morbidity and high success rate, the endonasal approach has become a preferred route for treating cerebrospinal fluid fistulas of the anterior skull base. This article presents a retrospective evaluation of 136 endonasal duraplasties (126 patients) performed between July 1980 and May 1998 at a tertiary care facility. Follow-up consisted of clinical examinations including nasal endoscopy, objective measures, and telephone interviews. The following measures were used to evaluate the results of these duraplasties: postoperative nasal fluorescein endoscopy in 71 cases, computed tomographic cisternography in 2, nasal fluorescein endoscopy with computed tomographic cistemography in 19, magnetic resonance imaging in 6, and nasal fluorescein endoscopy with magnetic resonance imaging in 1. Tight closure was accomplished in 129 dural lesions (94.9%) on the first attempt. In 3 cases, recurrence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage was treated successfully by 1 endonasal revision, and in 1 case, a tight duraplasty was achieved after 2 endonasal revisions. Its high success rate, low rate of morbidity, and good long-term results recommend endonasal duraplasty as a primary treatment modality for frontobasal dural lesions. For extended frontobasal dural lesions, for which intracranial dural repair is the preferred approach, the endonasal approach should be used to close additional dural leaks of the sphenoid sinus.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗
PubMed2001

The role of endonasal surgery in the management of frontoethmoidal osteomas.

Recently endonasal surgery has been considered to be a valuable contribution in the management of paranasal sinus osteoma. A retrospective evaluation study of 34 frontoethmoidal osteomas (23 frontal and 11 ethmoidal osteomas) treated at a tertiary care facility from 1990 to 1999 is presented. Twenty three osteomas (68%) were resected endonasally. Eleven osteomas (32%) were removed using an osteoplastic frontal sinus approach with coronal incision. In 5 cases of huge osteomas originating at the anterior frontal sinus wall, reconstruction of the resected anterior-frontal sinus wall was achieved by autologous outer table grafts harvested from the parietal region. Endoscopic and radiological follow-up ranging from 1 to 32 months showed three incomplete endonasal osteoma resections. Complete osteoma removal was achieved via endonasal revision surgery in two of these cases, while the third small residual osteoma remains under observation. There was no case of osteoplastic osteoma removal where incomplete osteoma resection became obvious during follow-up. Ethmoidal osteomas without extrasinusal extension can be resected endonasally. The endonasal approach should be considered also for frontal sinus osteomas if (1) sufficient frontal sinus access can be achieved endonasally, (2) the osteoma is placed medially to a virtual sagittal plane through the lamina papyracea, and (3) the tumour base is at the inferior part of the posterior frontal sinus wall. We favour the osteoplastic frontal sinus approach with coronal incision if an external approach is required to achieve tumour resection with the best aesthetic results.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Chronic inflammation of the petrous bone with fatal outcome].

We report the case of a 44-year-old woman, suffering from lethal cerebritis of the temporal lobe caused by an unusual chronic otitis media with granulations. A chronic inflammatory process of the left temporal bone had affected the patient over a period of 4 years. This had started with mastoiditis accompanied by a lesion of the dura mater, leading to labyrinthitis, encephalitis and cerebellar abscess. The patient's symptoms persisted, especially vertigo and uncertainty, and then deteriorated acutely. MRI showed otogenic cerebritis. Intracranial bleeding from vasculitis had worsened the patient's condition, finally resulting in the patient's death. This case impressively demonstrates that a cerebral abscess can cause acute worsening of general complaints associated with ear disease and results in a fatal outcome at any stage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[What is the value of the Denecke surgical therapy concept in deglutition disorders?].

BACKGROUND: Denecke developed 1957 a surgical strategy consisting of three or four operative steps for rehabilitation of patients with unilateral paralysis of IXth and Xth cranial nerve. These four steps are the following: myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle, resection of the paralyzed pharyngeal wall, medialization of the paralyzed vocal cord and fixation of the soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal wall which can be facultative. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the first time we have reviewed patients operated on with the Denecke operation in a retrospective study. The surgical results should be analyzed to deduce some parameters for surgical indication. RESULTS: 16 patients were reviewed in regard to nourishment status, situation of tracheostomy, former pneumonias, classification of Miller and Eliachar for aspiration and subjective evaluation. The follow-up was 21 +/- 16 months postoperatively. In 8 cases surgical intervention was successful. In 2 additional cases the results were partially satisfying. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical procedure of Denecke was successful for improving substantially nourishment and aspiration status of considerably reduced patients in about 50% of the reviewed cases. Preoperative cinematography of swallowing, manometry and an interdisciplinary approach are required to clearly define the indications for surgical intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A survey of contemporary management of frontal sinus disease in the United Kingdom.

Surgery for frontal sinus disease historically has required an external approach. With the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery, endoscopic treatment for various frontal sinus pathologies has been described. This survey examined how widespread the use of endoscopy in frontal surgery has become. We were interested both in the acute emergency situation and in the more chronic situations such as mucocoeles. The replies of 266 practising United Kingdom surgeons to a postal questionnaire were evaluated. While 45% of surgeons regularly practise functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), approximately 25% would attempt endoscopic drainage of acute frontal sinusitis and most perform an external trephine. Most surgeons also rely on external approaches to manage mucocoeles or pyocoeles (54%), although some (39%) attempt endoscopic drainage if the cyst lies sufficiently medially. Even with recurrent or intractable disease one-third attempt endoscopic surgery. When external surgery is used in the United Kingdom, only a small number of surgeons favour obliteration.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

[Endonasal endoscopic surgery of maxillary sinus mucoceles after Caldwell-Luc operation].

BACKGROUND: Mucoceles of the maxillary sinus after Caldwell-Luc procedure develop by entrapment of mucosa. Specially mucoceles far laterally were being revised by a second transoral approach. This procedure carries the risk of damaging the infraorbital nerve. In addition the problem of scarring at the bottle neck between the lateral recessus and the nasal cavity with reclosure remains. METHODS AND PATIENTS: In 3 patients with a mucocele of the maxillary sinus 4-25 years after Caldwell-Luc operation an endonasal endoscopic opening of the mucocele was performed. In addition a silicon spacer was placed for 6 months. RESULTS: Twelve to fifteen months postoperatively all 3 patients still had an uneventful maxillary sinus according to the data of endoscopy, computer-tomographic or MRI-examination. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach and the long standing placement of a splint seems to be a valuable alternative to a renewed somewhat risky Caldwell-Luc approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Intracranial otogenic complications: inspite of therapeutic progress still a serious problem].

BACKGROUND: High-imaging modalities, antibiotics and improved microsurgical procedures have decreased morbidity and mortality of intracranial otogenic complications in the western hemisphere nowadays. However, they do occur and the resulting mortality is still about 10%. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We report our experiences with 22 patients, who were treated for intracranial otogenic complications (15 x meningitis, 5 x brain abscess, 1 x subdural empyema, 1 x Gradenigo's syndrome) due to cerebrospinal fluid leak in 2 patients, chronic otitis in 9 patients (5 with cholesteatoma), acute otitis media in 11 patients, between 1981 and September 1999. Five patients with acute otitis media have had predisposing anatomic pathology: 1 x inner ear malformation, 1 x status after duraplasty, 2 x dura-brain-prolapse due to temporal bone fractures and 1 x dura-brain-prolapse after antrotomy. Streptococcus pneumoniae was a common cause of intracranial-complicating acute otitis media (64%). Residual neurologic impairment was noted in 3 patients at the time of discharge. 3 patients (13.6%) died due to the otogenic intracranial complication. CONCLUSION: Otogenic intracranial complications are potentially life threatening conditions. Early diagnosis is essential to allow appropriate antimicrobial and surgical treatment. The necessity of close cooperation between otorhinolaryngologist, pediatrician, neurologist, radiologist and neurosurgeon is stressed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

["Fuldaer ventilation surgery"--a surgical concept in severe ventilation disorders of the middle ear].

BACKGROUND: This report presents the long-term results of a special surgical technique in cases of persistent severe dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed this operation on 16 patients (18 ears) between 1982 and 1997. Almost all patients had undergone previous surgery. This included myringotomies and tube insertions, adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies, myringoplasties and mastoidectomies, sinus surgeries, and an operation on a cleft palate. The concept developed by one coauthor (Draf) combines different methods to improve ventilation of the middle ear and protect the eardrum against partial vacuum. The concept combines mastoidectomy, posterior tympanotomy, and removal of the incus and the head of the malleus with an interposition of the incus. The tympanic membrane is then stabilized with a cartilage-perichondrium graft, and a tube is placed leading from the tympanic cavity to the nose (Wright-tube). A T tube may also be used. The procedure was varied slightly on occasion depending on intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (15 ears) were available for audiometry at a minimum of 5 months after surgery until 14 years (mean duration of 6.2 years). We compared preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps. They were measured for the three speech frequencies (500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) at 5 dB intervals. The average preoperative air-bone gap was 25.7 dB versus 18.2 dB postoperatively. This represents an improvement of 7.5 dB. Seven of fifteen ears required revision. Six ears required one revision procedure each (three for cholesteatoma, one for myringitis, one for discharge due to a narrow external auditory meatus, and one for mastoiditis). Another patient required three revision procedures (one for mastoiditis and the other two for cholesteatoma). CONCLUSION: This concept can help prevent cholesteatoma and improve hearing in more than 50 per cent of severe cases of dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Abducens paralysis from the viewpoint of the ENT physician and skull base surgeon].

BACKGROUND: Among the nerves supplying the extraocular muscles, abducent nerve paralysis is the most common one resulting in double vision. Surveys confirm that the palsy is most often benign and transient. In most cases Ophthalmologist, Neurologist, Pediatrician and Physician are involved in diagnosis and treatment of this symptom. The Otorhinolaryngologist is needed in the least common cases of abducent nerve palsy due to intra- or extracranial diseases, for example trauma, inflammatory complications or tumors of the skull base. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: 12 patients (6 male, 6 female) with abducent nerve paralysis were seen and treated in the Department of Ear-Nose- and Throat Diseases, Head, Neck and Facial Plastic Surgery, Klinikum Fulda between 1984 and October 1999 and included in our series. Their records were evaluated and the main aetiology listed, was checked. An inflammatory process was the most common cause in 6 patients, one of them presented with otogenic meningitis and bilateral abducent nerve paralysis. In 4 patients neoplasm was the underlying pathology, in 1 patient head injury associated with temporal bone fracture and in 1 patient an orbital pseudotumor. Complete recovery of abducent nerve was achieved in 7 patients (58%). CONCLUSION: Using modern imaging techniques enables us to diagnose the aetiopathology of abducent nerve paralysis. Using modern imaging techniques, planning of therapeutic strategy and clarifying the prognosis of this symptom has improved considerably.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗
PubMed2000

Osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with fat obliteration: technique and long-term results using magnetic resonance imaging in 82 operations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraoperative and late complications of osteoplastic sinus surgery with fat obliteration with long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up. METHODS: The operative records of all patients who underwent osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with fat obliteration between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1997 were reviewed and the postoperative clinical course and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were analyzed if available. MRI analyses revealed that changes in the distribution of fatty and fibrous tissue, the development of necrosis or oil cysts, recurrences, inflammatory complications, and mucoceles were time-dependent occurrences. RESULTS: Eighty-two operative records were evaluated and 59 patients were followed 1 to 12 years after surgery. Eighty-six MRI scans in 51 patients were available for analysis. The most frequent intraoperative complications were exposure of orbital fat (19.5%), unintentional fracture of the anterior wall (19.5%), incorrect placement of the anterior wall (17%), and dural injury (9.8%). Persistent changes of the frontal contour (embossment, depression) occurred in 10.2% and the esthetic result was unfavorable in 5.1% of the cases. Mucoceles could be detected in 5 of 51 cases (9.8%). The amount of adipose tissue detectable in the last scan was less than 20% in the majority of cases (53%), and more than 60% in only 18% of the cases. The amount of adipose tissue decreased significantly with time (the median half-life was 15.4 mo). CONCLUSIONS: Osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with fat obliteration is very useful and successful in patients in whom the frontal sinus is not accessible via an endonasal approach or the natural drainage cannot be reestablished. MRI is currently the most valuable diagnostic tool to evaluate the frontal sinus after obliteration with adipose tissue. The method has some limitations with regard to detection of small recurrent mucoceles and differentiating vital adipose tissue from fat necroses in the form of oil cysts. In these difficult cases, long-term MRI follow-up is necessary.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

[Cranialization of the frontal sinus. Indications, technique and results].

The osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with obliteration of the sinus has been established in the therapy of frontal sinus diseases that can not be drainaged permanently or healed through an endonasal access. The obliteration of the frontal sinus is endangered in cases of multiple fracturing of the posterior frontal sinus wall or if it has been destroyed by an inflammatory process. In these problematic cases obliteration bears the danger of complications and cranialization of the frontal sinus is therefore the method of choice. We review 8 patients who were operated on using the cranialization technique. Indications for surgery were a combined fracture of the anterior and posterior frontal sinus wall (3), a pyocele of the frontal sinus with extensive destruction of the posterior wall (4) and a large osteoma of the posterior frontal sinus wall (1). The frontal sinus was exposed through a coronal incision, the mucosa and the posterior wall were completely removed and the frontal sinus obliterated with fat tissue. The anterior sinus wall was replaced after obliteration of the sinus or reconstructed with calvarian bone transplants. The follow up period was 1.8 years (11 months to 8 years). All patients underwent postoperatively a clinical ENT-examination and radiological assessment by CT-Scan or MRI. The overall functional and esthetic outcome was excellent. There were no serious complications nor any recurrence. The cranialization of the frontal sinus is a reliable and safe variation of the classical osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery with fat obliteration.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

Packing and stents in endonasal surgery.

Nasal packing is used primarily to control bleeding in epistaxis and after surgical procedures to the nose such as septoplasty, turbinate and paranasal sinus surgery. It is also used for internal stabilisation after operations involving the cartilaginous-bony skeleton of the nose. Apart from haemostasis, packing is used to prevent synechiae or restenosis, particularly after surgery. Generally accepted standards regarding the materials which should be used for packing, how long the packing should be left in place or the indications for nasal packing are lacking (Egelund and Jeppessen, 1992; Hosemann, 1996; Weber et al., 1996b). For example, many authors do not use packing at all provided that there is no heavy bleeding during or after the operation. Of those who use packing, some remove it on the day of the operation, others up to 5 days postoperatively (for overview see Weber et al., 1996b). Most publications describe experience with packing materials developed or preferred by the authors. Results of comparative studies on the nature and duration of packing are listed in Table 1. The currently available materials are reviewed and their respective properties, indications and risks are outlined.

Bandages↗
PubMed2000

The success of 6-month stenting in endonasal frontal sinus surgery.

The ultimate success or failure of frontal sinus surgical procedures, whether they be endonasal or external, is determined essentially by the rate of restenosis of the frontal sinus outflow tract or neo-ostium postoperatively. Long-term stenting for a period of several months significantly reduces the rate of restenosis, particularly in difficult cases. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 12 patients who received 21 frontal nasal stents, which were left in place for 6 months. Based on outcomes measures that included endoscopy or radiologic findings and patients' self-evaluations, we conclude that frontal nasal stents that are left in place for 6 months are more effective than stents that are removed earlier. We recommend that this type of management be considered in difficult revision cases and before performing an external operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Conductive hearing loss in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare genetic overgrowth syndrome presenting with organomegaly, abdominal wall defects, macroglossia, and postnatal hypoglycemia. Head and neck manifestations of this abnormality include flame nevus of the forehead and characteristic sulci of the ear lobe. We present a 7-year-old child with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and a rare finding of conductive hearing loss on both sides due to congenital malleus and stapedial fixation. Small fenestra stapedotomy and mobilization of malleus fixation in the epitympanum improved the child's hearing. The bony fixation of the malleus and stapes is explained as atavism of the processus anterior mallei and peripheral lamina stapedialis in embryological development.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

[Bone neogenesis in a rare space-occupying lesion of the inner ear canal].

Hemangiomas of the skull base are rare neoplasms and are easily misdiagnosed as acoustic neuromas when occurring in the internal auditory canal. Among these tumors, ossifying hemangiomas are characterized histologically be newly formed bone tissue within their substance. We describe a 26-year old female patient who presented with left-sided sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a bright space-occupying lesion of the internal auditory canal with extension to the geniculate ganglion. Bony erosions of the internal auditory canal were proved by high-resolution computed tomography. A hemangioma was suspected preoperatively and was resected via a middle cranial fossa approach. Histologically, new bone formations were found in a cavernous hemangioma. In general, radiologic findings can suggest a hemangioma of the internal auditory canal and help to differentiate it from acoustic neuroma. Based on the histological findings of intratumoral bone formation, the hemangioma in our patient was classified as an ossifying hemangioma. However, reactive bone formation at the borders of a tumor in the internal auditory canal can also be mistaken as new intratumoral bone formation.

Adult↗