Nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation (Grisel syndrome): a rare complication of otolaryngological procedures

OBJECTIVE: At the conclusion of the report, the readers should be able to recognize the rare complication of adenotonsillectomy of Grisel syndrome, discuss its pathogenesis, and provide early, effective treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of the clinical presentation, plain radiographs, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging scans of a child with Grisel syndrome after adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: Retrospective study of the case record and a review of the literature regarding the pathogenesis, treatment modalities, outcome, and prognosis after early and delayed treatment of Grisel syndrome. RESULTS: Pathophysiology of atlantoaxial subluxation revolves around the periodontoid vascular plexus that drains the posterosuperior pharyngeal region. Infectious and inflammatory emboli cause synovial engorgement, weakening paraspinal ligaments. Radiological studies play an important role in diagnosis. Treatment consists of cervical immobilization, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and antibiotics. Full resolution is expected with early conservative management. Failure to recognize the syndrome can lead to catastrophic results. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of Grisel syndrome in addition to other rare complications of adenotonsillectomy requires a high index of suspicion. Early intervention is the critical factor for a positive outcome. However, delayed diagnosis is common and can result in catastrophic consequences, including neurological deficits, cosmetic deformity and, in rare instances, paralysis and death in the short term.     

右美托咪定对小儿扁桃体腺样体切除术麻醉苏醒期躁动及拔管反应的影响

目的 探讨右美托咪定对小儿扁桃体腺样体切除术麻醉苏醒期躁动及拔管反应的影响.方法 选取择期行扁桃体腺样体切除术患儿96例,按随机数字表法分为三组,每组32例,A组为右美托咪定低剂量组(0.1 μg·kg-1),B组为右美托咪定高剂量组(0.2 μg·kg-1),C组为对照组.A、B两组分别在全麻诱导前给予0.1 μg·kg-1和0.2 μg·kg-1静脉微泵灌注右美托咪定10 min,对照组泵注等容量生理盐水.分别测定泵注右美托咪定前(T0)、泵注后5 min(T1)、泵注后10 min(T2)、拔管时(T3)、拔管后1 min(T4)、拔管后5 min(T5)等时间点所有患儿的血流动力学指标,血清血糖和皮质醇含量,拔管、苏醒和手术时间,呛咳、躁动和疼痛评分及不良事件发生率.结果 患儿术后在拔管(T3)及拔管1 min(T4)时与C组相比,A、B两组患儿平均动脉压(MAP)、心率(HR)、血清血糖和皮质醇浓度、呛咳、躁动和疼痛评分均显著下降,而血氧饱和度(SPO2)显著上升(P<0.05),但3组手术时间、拔管时间和苏醒时间及不良事件发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);且与泵注前相比,除C组外,A、B两组之间各项指标差异无统计学意义.结论 小剂量右美托咪定持续灌注能有效降低小儿扁桃体腺样体切除术全凭静脉麻醉苏醒期躁动发生率,有效稳定血流动力学,而不抑制呼吸作用,也不延长麻醉苏醒时间,且可减少不良事件的发生率,这些效应与剂量无相关性.     

Impact of the Korean Diagnosis-Related Groups payment system on the outcomes of adenotonsillectomy: A single center experience

Objectives

To report outcomes with regard to clinical aspects and medical costs of adenotonsillectomy and tonsillectomy at a single institution before and after implementation of the Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) payment system in Korea.

French Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) guidelines concerning the role of otorhinolaryngologists in the management of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: Follow-up protocol for treated children

ObjectivesThe authors present the French Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) clinical practice guidelines concerning the role of otorhinolaryngologists in the management of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). This chapter is devoted to the follow-up protocol for children treated for OSAS.MethodsA multidisciplinary task force was commissioned to carry out a review of the scientific literature on this topic. On the basis of the articles selected and the personal experience of each member of the task force, guidelines were drafted and graded as A, B or C or expert opinion according to a decreasing level of scientific evidence, and were then reviewed by a reading committee, independently of the task force. The final guidelines were established at a consensus meeting.ResultsShort-term, medium-term and long-term clinical follow-up and complementary investigations are necessary in view of the risk of residual OSAS, and the risk of recurrence of OSAS related to adenoid and tonsillar regrowth following adenotonsillectomy, the treatment most commonly performed. The modalities of follow-up after surgery, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation, orthodontic treatment, myofascial rehabilitation, and drug therapy are described. The indications for nasal endoscopy and sleep studies as part of follow-up are specified.     

Otorhinolaryngological Management in Taiwanese Patients with Mucopolysaccharidoses

Background: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are lysosomal storage disorders wherein glycosaminoglycans accumulate because the enzymes that degrade them are insufficient. The earliest symptoms, which are the main reasons for seeking consultation, are otorhinolaryngological and commonly occur in MPS I, II, IV, and VI. This retrospective study aimed to determine the occurrence of otorhinolaryngological manifestations in MPS patients in Taiwan and to analyze the prognosis of surgical intervention, including its effect on symptoms.Methods: We reviewed 42 patients (30 males and 12 females), with a median age of 20.5 years, who had MPS (16.7% type I, 35.7% type II, 19.0% type IIIB, 21.4% type IVA, and 7.2% type VI). The following otorhinolaryngological manifestations were collected: annual number of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and otitis media with effusion (OME) episodes, adenoid size, tonsillar size, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).Results: Among 42 patients, we found recurrent otitis media in 42.9% of the patients, hearing loss in 83.3% (mixed: 52.4%, conductive: 21.4%, and sensorineural: 9.5%), frequent URTIs in 47.6%, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 35.7%. Moreover, 76% of the patients underwent ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery, including adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, tympanostomy with ventilation tube insertion, tracheotomy, and supraglottoplasty.Conclusions: MPS patients had a high incidence of ENT problems. ENT surgery reduced the severity of hearing loss, degree of symptoms related to upper airway obstruction, and severity of respiratory tract and otological infections of patients with MPS.     

Making sense out of the tonsillectomy literature

Background

With the increase in new technology and changing indications for tonsillectomy, the literature has exploded during the last 20 years with scores of publications reporting the relative effectiveness of many different techniques. Despite this “wealth of information,” no single technique has been adopted by most surgeons.

Objectives

To systematically analyze the usefulness of this literature of the past 20 years concerning tonsillectomy technique in children. To propose the use of specific study parameters that could optimize clinical decision-making and future research.

Methods

Detailed review of the methodologies and findings in articles which compared one or more tonsillectomy techniques in clinical trials of children, ages 1-23 years from 1987 through 2007.

Results

The Medline search revealed 255 papers of which 89 studies were suitable for inclusion in our review. In these 89 studies (found in 87 papers), 9 dissection techniques, 3 planes of dissection, 8 methods of hemostasis, and 41 different outcome measures were reported. Forty-four (49%) were described as randomized, 63 (71%) prospective, 25 retrospective (28%), 1 case report, 1 matched pair, and 9 case series papers. Sixteen (18%) trials were non-blind, 23 (26%) were single blind, 17 (19%) were double blind, and 7 (8%) were not stated. Seventy-five (84%) were comparative and 14 (16%) non-comparative. Eight (9%) studies reported power analyses. Twelve (13%) had no follow-up; 67 (75%) of the studies performed had short-term follow-up in the peri-operative period; 10 (11%) had follow-up for greater than 1 year. Eleven (12%) mentioned outcomes related to the effectiveness of the procedure itself in relieving symptoms for which the surgery was done.

Conclusions

Tonsillectomy technique research is of obvious interest to the otolaryngologist. We found deficits in: the precise reporting of surgical techniques, adequate study design and useful outcome measures, all of which make the literature less useful than it could be. Guidelines for study design parameters which could lead to more valuable information for the clinician are suggested.     

Cold dissection versus coblation-assisted adenotonsillectomy in children

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraoperative efficiency and postoperative recovery between cold dissection adenotonsillectomy (CDA) and coblation-assisted adenotonsillectomy (CAA). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blind trial of pediatric patients aged 2 to 16 years undergoing adenotonsillectomy was conducted. Patients were randomized to undergo either CDA or CAA. Measured intraoperative parameters included surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss. Measured postoperative parameters included a 14 day caregiver questionnaire that recorded a daily pain rating using the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale, pain medication use, days to return to a normal diet, and days to return to a normal caregiver routine. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative measures were statistically compared between groups. RESULTS: Forty-six children with a mean age of 6.7 years (23 CDA and 23 CAA) were randomized and completed the study. Mean age and sex distributions were similar between groups (P > .05). Surgical times were significantly shorter for the CAA group versus the CDA group (11.2 min vs. 17.0 min, P < .001). Intraoperative blood loss was statistically lower for both the adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy portions of the procedure for the CAA group versus the CDA group (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in reported daily pain scores between groups (P = .296, analysis of variance). Both groups returned to normal diet (P = .982), and caregivers returned to their normal routine on similar postoperative days (P = .631). CONCLUSIONS: CAA offers better operative speed and intraoperative hemostasis as compared with CDA. However, CAA does not result in poorer postoperative pain scores or recoveries despite these intraoperative advantages.     

Parental understanding and attitudes of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and adenotonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE: To explore parental perceptions and knowledge of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and adenotonsillectomy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National polling organization. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 584 parents. INTERVENTION: Online surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to questions regarding knowledge of pediatric OSA and treatment with adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of parents acknowledged that pediatric OSA is a "serious condition". Fifteen percent considered themselves to be "knowledgeable" about it. One fifth understood that untreated OSA could lead to cardiopulmonary disease, failure to thrive, or behavioral problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Less than 20% knew that pediatric OSA could be treated with adenotonsillectomy. Thirty-seven percent believed adenotonsillectomy to be an "outdated" procedure. Upon learning that adenotonsillectomy can treat OSA, 82% reported they would be eager to have a child with OSA undergo adenotonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of parents do not understand symptoms, consequences and treatment of pediatric OSA secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Otolaryngologists should be diligent in communicating issues of this disorder with parents and pediatricians.     

Post-tonsillectomy late haemorrhage: Is it a preferably night-time event?

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between the incidence of late post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage and its prevalence in a definite period of the day.

Study design and setting

This retrospective study was carried out in the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Unit of Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy on children operated for adenotonsillectomy (AT) or tonsillectomy (T) between January 2003 and February 2008. We considered in the study all the post-tonsillectomy late haemorrhages irrespective of their severity and for each case we evaluated whether they recurred in the day-time (B) (between 9.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m.) or in the night-time (A) (between 9.00 p.m. and 9.00 a.m.). Finally we considered the number of haemorrhages per hour in the whole day.

Results

Out of 3306 patients undergoing elective adenotonsillectomy or tonsillectomy, post-operative late haemorrhage occurred in 59 (1.78%). We noted that 42 episodes (71.2%) occurred in the night-time and 17 (28.8%) in the day-time. The average time from the operation was 8.4 days.A statistically significant difference (p = 0.002) was found when comparing the frequencies of night-time and day-time haemorrhages.We did not observe any significant difference in the distribution per hour of the haemorrhages.

Conclusions

The incidence of post-tonsillectomy late haemorrhage in our study population was 1.78%. A statistically significant difference was found between night-time and day-time haemorrhages. Even though no significant distribution of haemorrhages per hour was observed, we underline that we recorded 32 (54.2%) events in 2 periods of the day: from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and from 6 to 9 a.m.