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Biomedical subjects

W Lawson

Publications and source records attributed to W Lawson.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid invading the upper air passages.

The clinical course of papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is delayed but aggressive and lethal in an estimated 11-16% of the patients. Death results in the majority of patients from respiratory obstruction produced by a collar of tumor that has proliferated from residual or multicentric thyroid disease. Review of a large series of cases reveals an incidence of invasion of the aerodigestive tract of 1-6.5%. Six such cases are presented in which resection of the larynx, trachea and pharynx were performed along with total thyroidectomy with local control of the disease and prolonged survival. In five cases conservation surgery was done. Three patients had prior thyroid lobectomy with recurrence and invasion of the air passages 2-5 years later. Intraluminal thyroid carcinoma may be confused with a primary lesion of the larynx, trachea or hypopharynx.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Laryngeal nerve crush for spastic dysphonia.

Four patients with spastic dysphonia refractory to speech and phychiatric therapy were treated by crushing the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Vocal cord paralysis was produced in all patients. Vocal spasticity subsided in all patients. Vocal cord motion returned in four to six months. Three of four patients remained free of spasticity for a minimum of 24 months.

Female↗

Bilateral vertical partial laryngectomy for bilateral vocal cord carcinoma.

This paper presents a technique of partial laryngectomy for tumors involving both vocal cords. The resection includes both vocal cords, adjacent cartilage and one arytenoid. Staged reconstruction consists of rotating the remaining posterior border of the thyroid cartilage 90 degrees in order to obtain adequate anteroposterior length. A temporary laryngostome is formed. The results in four patients, followed for a minimum of three years, are presented.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Laryngeal nerve crush for spastic dysphonia.

Twenty-two patients with a diagnosis of spastic dysphonia were treated by laryngeal nerve crush. All patients had initial improvement. Success at 3-year follow-up was 13%. Laryngeal nerve crush is no longer advocated as treatment for spastic dysphonia.

Humans↗

Unusual presentations of penetrating foreign bodies of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Only a small number of ingested foreign bodies perforate the esophagus and even a smaller fraction migrate extraluminally. Four such penetrating and migrating foreign bodies of the upper aerodigestive tract are presented. Review of the literature revealed 321 cases of penetrating ingested foreign bodies, of which 252 remained intraluminal and 43 were found extraluminally, with the status of the remainder indeterminate. Analysis revealed that an intraluminal penetrating foreign body carried a higher overall mortality than one that migrated extraluminally. Although intraluminal and extraluminal penetrating foreign bodies may remain quiescent for years before presenting a complication, no correlation existed between mortality and the duration of the foreign bodies' retention. The greatest mortality was seen with vascular complications followed by diffuse and local suppurative processes. The overall mortality was significantly reduced in the post-antibiotic era.

Adolescent↗

Partial laryngectomy for transglottic cancers.

A reconstructive procedure was utilized after three-quarter laryngectomy in five patients with transglottic cancers. The physiologic reconstruction was successful in four of the five, and tumor control was 100% in all of the patients. It is concluded that with proper selection patients with transglottic cancers may survive after partial laryngeal surgery.

Aged↗

Staged repair of extensive tracheal and laryngotracheal stenoses.

The usual operative procedures (primary tracheal anastomosis, cricotracheal anastomosis, skin grafting and stenting, pedicle cartilage grafts, or free rib grafts) used to correct stenoses of great length involving the trachea or laryngotrachea have a high incidence of failure. An alternative method of reconstruction is the open technique, which requires three stages. The initial stage creates a trough after resection of the stenotic area, followed by subcutaneous embedding of a rigid material adjacent to the trough, and finally closure of the trough by reformation of the anterior wall. This staged procedure has been used in adult patients with tracheal stenoses greater than 4 cm, in patients with tracheal stenoses involving the cricoid, and in patients whose primary corrective operative procedures have failed. This paper critically assesses 30 patients who have had a staged reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The indications, number of procedures performed, time required for decannulation, complications, and analysis of failures are presented. The incidence of success in this series of patients is 76% (23/30).

Adolescent↗

A one-stage flap reconstruction following resection for stomal recurrence.

The pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap has been used for a one-stage reconstruction following ablative surgery for stomal recurrence. The skin island of this flap is supplied by the perforating musculature vessels of the thoracicoacromial artery. The flap can be elevated primarily and is used in a one-stage reconstruction. The new stoma is created in the center of the skin island, and the great vessels are covered by the pectoralis major muscle pedicle. The surgical technique as performed in seven successful cases is presented.

Humans↗

The incidence and significance of the Tullio phenomenon in man.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and significance of the Tullio phenomenon in a group of human subjects. The subjects included 40 patients with complaints of auditory or vestibular symptoms. Ten otologically normal subjects were included in the study as a control group. All subjects underwent routine audiologic evaluation as well as electronystagmogram (ENG) testing. All subjects were then tested for the presence of the Tullio phenomenon by the method described. The results of this study showed that of the 40 subjects with known auditory or vestibular disorders, 90% (36) demonstrated nystagmus in response to high-intensity sound stimulation. All patients in the otologically normal control group demonstrated the presence of the Tullio phenomenon. No specific correlations were made between the presence of the Tullio phenomenon and specific audiologic or ENG findings. Studies on the effects of sound on the vestibular system are reviewed and lend support to the finding that the Tullio phenomenon may be a normal physiologic response in man under certain test conditions.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Chyle fistula management.

Chyle fistula is a potentially devastating phenomenon that results from violation of the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct in the neck, most commonly during radical neck dissection. It may impair nutrition, compromise and delay wound healing, and prolong hospitalization. In view of the morbidity produced by chyle leak discovered postoperatively and the lack of success of its management by aggressive surgical techniques, we have employed a different protocol for the past six years. It is based on careful intraoperative inspection of the neck for possibly chyle fistula, minimal but specific surgical handling of the damaged duct, and a postoperative nutritional program designed to reduce chyle formation and facilitate spontaneous closure. The nutritional element involves the use of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that are easily ingested, rapidly absorbed, and readily metabolized directly into the portal venous system, bypassing the thoracic duct lymphatic system. During a four-year period, 1976 to 1980, 574 radical neck dissections were performed with only six chyle fistulas being detected postoperatively. All have been successfully treated by the protocol with no patients requiring reexploration. There have been no deaths owing to chyle fistula and no complications or side effects from the use of medium chain triglycerides.

Bandages↗

Mandibular reconstruction: bone graft techniques.

Results of treatment in a series of 60 patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction by a variety of methods are reported. Delayed reconstruction was performed, using a titanium mesh tray with cancellous bone fragments and block bone grafts removed from the iliac crest, rib, and mandible in 34 patients, with an overall success rate of 91%. Immediate reconstruction was performed with a wire mesh prosthesis containing particulate bone and composite flaps in 26 patients, with an overall success rate of 46%. Oral contamination of the graft at the time of surgery appeared to be the factor limiting the success of immediate mandibular reconstruction. Block grafts of bone were extremely reliable in reconstituting the continuity of the mandible when inserted through an extraoral approach as a delayed repair. Mandibular reconstruction was successfully accomplished even following high-dose radiotherapy.

Bacterial Infections↗

Identification of intranasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks by topical application with fluorescein dye.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a safe new technique for intraoperative identification of the site of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea after intracranial or intranasal surgery is a known potential complication with significant morbidity and mortality. It is currently accepted that endoscopic intranasal management of CSF rhinorrhea is the preferred method of surgical repair, with higher success rates and less morbidity than intracranial surgical repair in selected cases. Accurate identification of the site of CSF leakage is necessary for a successful endoscopic surgical repair. Computer tomography (CT) with or without intrathecal contrast and preoperative nasal endoscopy are frequently used to preoperatively localize the site of the leak. Intrathecal fluorescein administered immediately before surgery has aided in the intraoperative identification of the site of CSF leak in 25-64% of patients undergoing endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea in whom preoperative CT scanning and nasal endoscopy had not identified the site of CSF leak. Intrathecal fluorescein, however, has been associated with severe complications, such as lower extremity weakness, numbness, generalized seizures, opisthotonus, and cranial nerve deficits. We present three cases of CSF rhinorrhea in which fluorescein was applied intranasally during the endoscopic surgical repair. Ten percent fluorescein was applied to the nose with a cotton swab. Under endoscopic visualization the fluorescein changed its fluorescent color from amber/yellow to a dark green and was found streaming from high in the nasal cavity, which led to accurate identification of the site of the CSF leak.

Administration, Topical↗

Bivalved palatal transposition flaps for the correction of acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis.

Nasopharyngeal stenosis is almost universally an iatrogenic problem resulting from surgical trauma after adenotonsillectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). In addition, laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for the treatment of snoring may lead to the development of cicatricial scarring and stenosis at the level of the velopharynx. The most common mechanisms implicated in the development of acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis are the overzealous removal of inferolateral adenoid tissue and excessive excision of the palatopharyngeal arches. Symptoms generally relate to a disturbance in respiration, olfaction, voice quality, and deglutition, and are often poorly tolerated. Surgical options for the correction of this challenging problem include steroid injections, scar lysis, skin grafts, Z-plasty repair, and the use of various local mucosal flaps. We report the successful use of bivalved palatal transposition flaps performed through the transoral route for the correction of severe acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis following UPPP in two patients. Both patients developed delayed nasopharyngeal stenosis following their initial surgery and subsequently failed several attempts at surgical correction of the stenosis, including laser lysis of the scarred soft palate. Using this technique of repair, both patients achieved satisfactory resolution of their symptoms, including comfortable nasal breathing and normal speech. We have found that this is a simple and effective technique for the correction of severe nasopharyngeal stenosis.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

Histomorphometric analysis of human sphenoid and maxillary mucosa: measurement of relative density of goblet cells and basal cells.

The majority of malignant tumors of the paranasal sinus are squamous cell carcinomas and arise most commonly in the maxillary sinus, and less commonly in the nasal cavity and other sinuses. Glandular tumors (nonsquamous tumors) develop much less commonly and have a different distribution within the paranasal sinuses. The majority of adenomatous tumors arise from the surface mucosa and submucosal seromucinous glands. Attempts to explain tumorigenesis propose that the distribution of these tumors is based on the variance of different cell types among the sinuses. The authors used morphometric analysis to measure the relative density of goblet cells and basal cells from maxillary, and sphenoid sinus specimens. Surgical specimens of normal maxillary and sphenoid mucosa were retrieved from 5 and 10 patients, respectively. All specimens were stained with periodic acid-Schiff stain. The area of goblet and basal cells in five representative areas of each specimen were measured and compared to the total cross-sectional area of the mucosa, giving a relative density of each cell type. The average goblet cell density was 31.19% (SD +/- 10.27%) in maxillary tissue and 33.25% (SD +/- 20.80%) in sphenoid tissue. Student's t-test showed no statistically significant difference in goblet cell density between the two sinuses. The average basal cell density was 9.53% (SD +/- 0.87%) for maxillary tissue and 10.91% (SD +/- 1.91%) for sphenoid tissue. Again, no statistically significant difference between the two sinuses existed. In conclusion, there is no clearly detectable difference in the histologic composition of these two paranasal sinuses to explain the different incidence of glandular tumors, and other etiologic factors must be considered in explaining tumorigenesis at these sites.

Cell Count↗

A potential role for nasal obstruction in development of acute sinusitis: an infection study in rabbits.

The sequence of events that predispose to the onset of sinusitis are usually attributed to pathophysiologic factors within the ostiomeatal complex. Ostial compromise or obstruction with reduced clearance of antral pathogens has been implicated as a major factor that contributes to early sinus disease. Recent work in this laboratory has indicated that other processes may also contribute to this cascade. Using an infectious model in rabbits, the role of nasal obstruction in early, acute sinusitis was studied. Unilateral nasal closure was followed by bilateral inoculation with 10(8) CFU of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3. Antral gas composition was examined on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 14, and swabs obtained for culture. Representative rabbits underwent CT scans to evaluate changes in nasal and sinus mucosa. Results showed a significant increase in CO2 and a trend toward a decrease in O2 on the obstructed side. There was also a significant decrease in obstructed CO2 levels from postoperative days (POD) 1-14. Acute sinusitis was not observed in any animal: however, nasal obstruction gave rise to a dramatic prolongation of bacterial retention. On days 2-7 bacteria was consistently cultured from the obstructed side only. CT scans on POD 2 and POD 3 showed mucosal thickening in the sinus and infundibulum on the obstructed side, indicative of sinus pathology. These results indicate that nasal obstruction may be a key factor in the cascade of events that predispose to the onset of sinus disease.

Acute Disease↗