Nasal sequels of unilateral clefts: analysis and management

Usually, the nasal sequels of unilateral cleft patient are just considered as an esthetic problem to be addressed after the growth spurt of adolescence. This very narrow vision has led the cleft lip and palate treatment to a deadend. Actually, nasal sequels are the worst in terms of consequence on facial growth. 75% of complete unilateral cleft children are more oral than nasal breathers. Today, we know about the bad consequences of oral breathing on facial growth. It is not surprising to observe a high rate of small maxilla with cleft maxilla scars. In the fetus, the unilateral cleft nose deformities are well explained by the rupture of the facial envelope and the ventilatory dynamics of the amniotic fluid. Every step of the primary treatment threatens the nasal air way patency, whether when repairing lip and nose, suturing the hard palate that is the floor of the nose, or closing the alveolar cleft which controls the width of the piriform aperture. The functional and esthetic nasal sequels reflect the initial deformity, but are also the surgeon's skill and protocol choice. Before undertaking treatment, we must analyze the deformity at every level. Usually, the best option is to reopen the cleft completely to perform a combined revision of the lip, nose, and alveolar cleft after an adequate anterior maxillary expansion. If nasal breathing is necessary for an adequate facial growth, 25 years of experience showed us that it was very difficult to erase the cortical imprint of an early oral breathing pattern. So it is essential to establish a normal nasal breathing mode at the initial surgery. When the initial surgery is efficient and/or the secondary repair is successful, the final esthetic rhinoplasty, when indicated, is just performed for the sake of harmonization, with a classic internal approach and a few refinements.     

Classification of vascular tumors and malformations: basis for classification and clinical purpose

Vascular anomalies are a complex pathological group. They are especially difficult to study because of confusion in the terminology used. The classification developed by the ISSVA (International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies) now allows using a common scientific language. The classification is based on clinical, radiological, hemodynamic, and histological arguments. There are two groups of lesions: vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Vascular tumors are associated to vascular proliferation. They are called hemangioma and can be infantile or congenital. Vascular malformations are associated to vessels with morphologic anomalies. They are classified according to the distorted vessel type, capillary, venous, lymphatic, and arteriovenous). Such a classification has many implications. It is a guide for the orientation of radiological exams and treatment of vascular anomalies. The management of these anomalies is still difficult and must involve an interdisciplinary approach.     

Scanning electron microscopic study of the nasolabial cyst: its clinical and embryological implications

OBJECTIVE: Nasolabial cyst is an uncommon midfacial cyst. It is considered to be a developmental anomaly arising from the rest of nasal respiratory epithelium. Although the cyst is a well-recognized entity, there remains some confusion of its origin, cell types, and ultrastructures. Based on the routine light microscopic study, some authors reported the epithelial cells of the inner lining of the nasolabial cyst were ciliated; some others reported they were nonciliated. To clarify this, a scanning electron microscopic study is needed. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical series. METHODS: A transnasal marsupialization method was used to treat 10 patients with nasolabial cyst. With patients under local anesthesia, the roof of the cyst wall and a disk of nearby nasal mucosa were excised together with a sickle knife and scissors. Surgical specimens were dissected and processed for scanning electron microscopy and histochemistry. Patients were followed up for 8 to 65 months. RESULTS: Marsupialization of cysts was successfully performed on all patients. Electron microscopically, the inner surface of the nasolabial cysts in all the cases was lined with nonciliated columnar epithelium consisting chiefly of goblet cells and basal cells. It is suggested that goblet cells contributed to clear, thin, and yellow mucus present in the cyst lumen. Instead of cilia, these epithelial cell surfaces were equipped with numerous short, globular, or irregular microvilli. Apical cytoplasm of adjacent cells did not tightly adhere to each other. Instead, microsulci of 1 to 3 microm in width formed between cells. Cytoplasmic processes from the lateral border spanned the microsulcus and contacted with those from neighboring cells. CONCLUSION: The novel study has proved that the lining epithelium on the inner surface of the nasolabial cyst is columnar epithelium that chiefly consisted of two types of cells: goblet cells and basal cells. Not present were ciliated cells that were essential in the other portion of the respiratory tract. Numerous microvilli, instead of cilia, covered the inner lining of the nasolabial cyst, probably as a result of lacking the stimulation of air in ventilation as that on the other portion of the respiratory tract. The cilia of the epithelium were ill developed.     

Nasal polyps: a clinical, histopathological and radiological profile

Objective  Comparison of clinical, radiological & histopathological profile in nasal polyps. Material & method  A prospective randomized study conducted on 50 patients of nasal polyps (diagnosed clinically or radiologically) from July 2003 to December 2005 selected from the inpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. Results  The results show that 70% of the clinical findings were consistent with radiological findings. However in rest 30% of cases, a difference of opinion was seen in non neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. The diagnosis of allergic fungal or allergic non fungal can only be established on histopathology. Conclusion  It is concluded that for proper evaluation of nasal polyps clinical, radiological and histopathological evaluation should be done in all the patients, where radiology provides a road map to the endoscopic surgeons and warns of any existing or impending complications. Histopathology always gives a confirmatory diagnosis.     

Nasal bone fractures and the use of radiographic imaging: An otolaryngologist perspective

ObjectiveTo determine radiologic preferences of practicing otolaryngologists regarding isolated nasal bone fractures.Study designAn 8-question survey on isolated nasal bone fractures was designed.SettingSurveys were sent to all otolaryngology residency program directors for distribution among residents and faculty. Additional surveys were distributed to private practice otolaryngology groups.Results140 physicians responded to the survey. 57% of the respondents were practicing otolaryngologists (75% with 10+ years of experience), while 43% of respondents were residents-in-training. 56% of respondents treated 1–5 nasal bone fractures per month. 80% of all respondents reported imaging being performed prior to consultation. If imaging was obtained before consultation, plain films and computed tomography (CT) maxillofacial/sinus scans were the most frequent modalities. 33% of residents and 70% of practicing otolaryngologists report imaging as ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ helpful in guiding management. 42% of residents and 20% of practicing otolaryngologists report asking for imaging when it wasn't already obtained. Decreased use of radiography was associated with greater years in practice and higher frequency of fractures treated.Conclusions and relevanceOtolaryngologists seldom request imaging to evaluate and treat isolated nasal bone fractures. When ordered, imaging is utilized more often among residents-in-training and non-otolaryngology consulting physicians. This study highlights an opportunity to educate primary care and emergency room providers as well as otolaryngology residents on the value of comprehensive physical exam over radiographic imaging in the work-up of isolated nasal fractures. In addition, widespread adoption of a “no x-ray policy” in this setting may result in better resource utilization.     

不同手术入路对颈静脉孔区的显露程度及其临床应用价值探讨

目的比较各颈静脉孔区手术入路的显露范围,为选择恰当的手术入路切除不同范围的颈静脉孔区病变提供解剖学依据。方法成人头颈标本6具随机将标本分为A、B、C三组,每组2具尸头。其中A组应用颈侧入路、B组依次采取鼓室底入路和改良鼓室底入路、C组依次选择Ⅰ型颞下窝入路及改良Ⅰ型颞下窝入路进行颈静脉孔区解剖,比较各手术入路对颈静脉孔区及其周围解剖区域的显露程度。结果颈侧入路对颈静脉孔的颅外部分及咽旁间隙显露良好;鼓室底入路在颈侧入路的基础上进一步显露乳突、乙状窦垂直段、颈静脉球、颈静脉孔神经部;Ⅰ型颞下窝入路又在鼓室底入路的基础上扩大显露外耳道深部、中耳腔及岩骨内颈内动脉垂直段;改良鼓室底入路和改良Ⅰ型颞下窝入路很好地弥补了鼓室底入路和Ⅰ型颞下窝入路对乙状窦水平段和颈静脉孔血管部显露不足的缺陷。结论不同颈静脉孔区手术入路对颈静脉孔区的显露程度各不相同。以此为依据,根据颈静脉孔区病变的范围选择手术入路对有效显露和切除病变,减少结构和功能破坏具有现实的指导意义。     

不同内镜手术入路对翼腭窝及颞下窝的显露程度比较及其临床应用价值探讨

目的应用不同的内镜手术入路解剖翼腭窝及颞下窝,比较内镜下各手术入路的显露范围,为恰当选择内镜手术入路处理翼腭窝及颞下窝病变提供解剖学方面的依据。方法 4具8侧成人尸头标本,0°内镜引导下分别采取上颌窦后壁入路、扩大上颌窦后壁入路、鼻腔外侧壁入路、揭翻经上颌窦入路进行解剖学研究,观测各手术入路的有效显露范围。结果上颌窦后壁入路能显露翼腭窝上部和颞下窝内侧区深部;扩大上颌窦后壁入路在以上手术入路的基础上进一步显露翼腭窝下部;鼻腔外侧壁入路再进一步显露整个上颌窦和上颌窦底壁平面以上的颞下窝内外侧区;揭翻经上颌窦入路则能更进一步显露整个颞下窝。结论不同的内镜手术入路对翼腭窝及颞下窝的显露程度各不相同,以此为基础选择相应的手术入路处理不同范围的翼腭窝及颞下窝病变将有利于充分显露和有效切除病变,并尽可能避免不必要的手术损伤和并发症。