The clinical picture of benign lympho-epithelial lesion

The histopathological diagnosis 'benign lympho-epithelial lesion' characterizes the major salivary gland disease in Sj?gren's syndrome. It is not known if all cases with microscopically diagnosed benign lympho-epithelial lesion are variants of Sj?gren's syndrome. The present clinical investigation showed that in 19 patients with the microscopical diagnosis of lympho-epithelial lesion, 84% fulfilled all criteria of Sj?gren's syndrome. The rheumatoid factor and/or antinuclear factor was found in 84% and M-component was present in 16%. Sialography revealed sialectasis in all parotid glands. Salivary gland enlargement was found in 79%, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 89% of the patients. Systemic disease was found in 32%. The disease in the 2 patients with M-component took a malignant course, culminating in immunoblastic sarcoma and myelomatosis. The clinical diagnosis 'autoimmune sialadenitis' is proposed for the oral and salivary gland component is Sj?gren's syndrome.     

Immunohistochemical and clinical features of patients with benign middle ear tumors

The middle ear is a rare site for benign tumors. We report six patients with benign middle ear tumors surgicaly removed: three with carcinoid, one with adenoma, and two with paraganglioma. These tumors showed similar histological features in trabecular and glandular architecture, so further immunohistochemical study was needed to make a definitive histopathological diagnosis. When we analyzed clinical features of patients diagnosed immunohistochemically, the differentiation of two patients with paraganglioma from the remaining four with adenomatous tumors such as adenoma and carcinoid was relatively easy from otomicroscopic findings and enhancement in temporal bone MRI. It was however difficult to differentiate patients with adenomatous tumors from each other because they induced similar clinical symptoms and showed similar findings in images. For a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct exploratory tympanotomy or removal of the tumors to obtain enough specimen for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Tumors induced no bone destruction or complications. We recommend staged operations for total removal of tumors and for good postoperative hearing.     

Comparison between objective and subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: clinical features and outcomes

Conclusions: Objective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (O-BPPV) and subjective BPPV (S-BPPV) have similar demographic and clinical features. Canalith repositioning manoeuvres (CRMs) can be an effective treatment for patients with S-BPPV, and a diagnosis of positional nystagmus is not essential for considering CRMs. This study supports the use of CRMs as the primary treatment for S-BPPV.

Objective: To examine differences in demographic and clinical features, as well as treatment outcomes, between O-BPPV and S-BPPV.

Methods: The medical records of 134 patients with BPPV were reviewed for demographic characteristics, past medical history, associated symptoms, response to CRMs, interval between symptom onset and the first medical visit, and recurrence rate. The O-BPPV group (n?=?101) comprised patients who experienced vertigo and accompanying autonomic symptoms, and showed typical nystagmus. The S-BPPV group (n?=?33) comprised patients who, when subjected to a provoking manoeuvre, showed all of the classic BPPV symptoms but did not show nystagmus. All patients had at least 3 years of follow-up.

Results: The demographics (age and sex ratio), past medical history, and associated symptoms were not significantly different between the two groups. Posterior semi-circular canal BPPV appeared more than twice as often as horizontal semi-circular canal BPPV in patients with S-BPPV. However, both canals were affected to a similar proportion in patients with O-BPPV, and the difference was marginally significant (p?=?0.073). Overall improvement was better in O-BPPV than in S-BPPV; however, there was no significant difference. The total numbers of manoeuvres for recovery and the interval between symptom onset and the first medical visit also did not show any significant inter-group differences. During a 3-year follow-up, the recurrence rate was 13.8% for O-BPPV and 21.2% for S-BPPV.     

Supraglottic carcinoma: patterns of recurrence

A retrospective review of 202 patients with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma and at least 2 years of follow-up was performed. Surgery alone was used to treat 102 patients, and combined therapy in 100 patients. Local-regional failure occurred in 47 (23%) patients. Only 4 patients (2%) developed recurrence at the primary site. The neck was the most common site for recurrent disease (39/47 or 83%), which in 35 patients appeared in the undissected, contralateral side. The risk to the contralateral side of the neck in patients with midline (epiglottic) lesions was similar to that in those with unilateral (aryepiglottic fold) lesions. Supraglottic laryngectomy, when properly selected, did not compromise primary control in the larynx. Radiation therapy was ineffective in controlling metastasis to the contralateral side of the neck in 16 of 99 patients (16%). Therefore, routine bilateral neck dissection should be considered in the surgical treatment of supraglottic carcinoma for control of regional disease.     

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion: a less than benign disease

The precise clinical correlate of the benign lymphoepithelial lesion is unclear. Thirty-six cases of benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLL), reported to the British Salivary Gland Tumour Panel between 1971 and 1984, have been reviewed. Eighty per cent arose in the parotid gland and 20% were bilateral; 83% were in females and the mean age at presentation was 55.26 years. Only 50% presented with, or developed, symptoms of sicca complex, Sjogren's syndrome or related autoimmune disease. Two cases of BLL had, or went on to develop, extra salivary lymphomas and 5 cases of BLL had lymphomatous change in the initial biopsy. A further case had carcinoma within the benign lymphoepithelial lesion. None of those who developed lymphoma had sicca or Sjogren's syndrome but 3 of them had rheumatoid arthritis. The incidence of lymphomas (salivary or extra-salivary) in this series is very much higher than that reported in Sjogren's patients and amounted to 20% overall.     

继发于突发性聋的良性阵发性位置性眩晕的临床治疗分析

目的　回顾性分析继发于突发性聋的良性阵发性位置性眩晕（benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,BPPV）患者的临床表现,并探讨其可能的发病机制,探索合适的诊断与治疗方案。方法　观察218例突发性聋患者中BPPV的发病情况和临床治疗效果,另有37例同期原发性BPPV作为对照组。所有患者均经Dix-Hallpike实验和Barbecue滚转检查确定诊断,继发性BPPV患者的原发病（突发性聋）符合中华医学会耳鼻咽喉头颈外科学分会制定的诊断标准。按照BPPV类型,进行Epley手法复位或Barbecue翻滚手法治疗,并评价治疗效果。结果　218例突发性聋患者中有9l例出现BPPV,发生率41.7%,均为同侧患耳。BPPV经耳石复位,其中1次治愈62例（68.1%）,2次治愈16例（17.6%）,3次治愈13例（14.3%）。随访6～22个月,高频听力改善均不及低频,外半规管型BPPV复发2例,后半规管型复发5例,经过再次复位后治愈。继发性BPPV与原发性BPPV均经手法复位治愈,疗效相似。结论　BPPV可继发于突发性聋,且突发性聋继发BPPV可达41.7%,其中以后半规管BPPV常见,耳石复位治疗是最为有效的治疗方法,治愈率与原发性BPPV相似。     

Visual dysfunction: abnormal sign of benign sphenoethmoidal lesions

Isolated visual dysfunction with or without proptosis is rarely described as a sign of benign sphenoethmoidal lesions. Five patients with benign swelling of the sino-orbital region and related visual defects are reported. Cases include one patient with fibrous dysplasia, two patients with mucocoeles and two patients suffering from aspergillosis of the sinuses. A review of the literature and discussion of the cases is presented.     

微波组织凝固治疗喉气管良性病变121例

目的探讨微波组织凝固治疗喉气管良性病变的临床疗效.方法局部麻醉及纤维鼻咽喉镜下用微波组织凝固治疗121例喉气管良性病变.结果随访6～10月,治愈率为97.5%,复发率为2.5%,无并发症.结论微波组织凝固治疗喉气管良性病变操作简便、定位准确、安全实用,疗效确切,值得临床推广.     

鼻窦CT及MRI检查在单侧良性蝶窦病变中的临床应用

目的 回顾分析单侧良性蝶窦病变在CT及MRI中的影像学表现,探讨在临床中的应用价值。 方法 分析21例单侧良性蝶窦病变且经鼻内镜手术及术后病理证实的住院患者的影像学特征。 结果 21例单侧良性蝶窦病变中,囊肿7例,CT表现为蝶窦内圆形或卵圆形较均匀软组织密度影,蝶窦腔膨胀性改变者可伴有骨质吸收变薄,MRI表现为长T1和长T2不规则球形信号影;真菌性病变8例,CT表现为蝶窦内不规则点片状钙化斑或云絮状密度增高影,呈毛玻璃样改变,MRI表现为蝶窦内混杂信号,炎症片状渗出呈高信号,真菌结节呈T₂WI低信号;脑脊液鼻漏3例,CT表现为蝶窦内单纯软组织密度影,MRI表现为脑脊液高信号影与鼻窦内高信号液体影之间有线状高信号影相连,其他组织(脑组织、鼻黏膜)呈低信号;内翻性乳头状瘤3例,CT表现为蝶窦内软组织密度影,密度欠均匀,MRI表现为肿物有不均匀强化,呈现条索样或不同程度“脑回征”。 结论 CT可以较好地显示病变周围的骨质改变,MRI能更清楚地显示病变侵袭范围,两者结合可为单侧良性蝶窦病变诊断及临床治疗提供更全面的影像信息。CT结合增强MRI分析比单纯依靠CT扫描更具鉴别诊断价值。     

Supraglottic laryngectomy: analysis of 267 cases

Horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy (HSL) allows the preservation of a functioning larynx and avoids permanent tracheotomy. In this retrospective study we report our experience with HSL and describe the functional and oncological results of the procedure. A total of 267 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottis underwent a supraglottic laryngectomy at our Department from January 1978 to May 2002. The main outcome measures were: local and regional control, disease-specific survival and laryngeal preservation rate. The overall recurrence rate was 29% (78/267). The local recurrence rate was 8% (22 patients) and the regional recurrence rate was 17% (45 patients). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 73%. The 5-year laryngeal preservation rate was 82%. Multivariate analysis showed two parameters that were independent predictors of a reduced disease specific survival: cervical lymph node metastases of class N3 (P = 0.0003) and primary tumour classified as T4 (P = 0.004). HSL provided, in our experience, an optimal locoregional oncological control for laryngeal preservation.     

The characteristic features of muscle tension dysphonia before and after surgery in benign lesions of the vocal fold

Muscular tension dysphonia (MTD) is often concomitant in patients with underlying glottic insufficiency. It remains unclear, however, whether the characteristic features of MTD appear independently or as a consequence of dysphonia. We report here on a retrospective study of the prevalence of the four prominent characteristic features of MTD, as described by the Morrison-Rammage classification, in patients with benign lesions of the vocal fold. Two otorhinolaryngologists, independent of one another, rated the preoperative and postoperative videolaryngostroboscopic results of 260 patients to assess the presence or absence of MTD. Of the 260, 185 had vocal nodules, 49 had vocal polyp, and 26 had vocal cyst. Postoperative follow-up examinations were conducted for a period ranging from 4.5 to 35 months (mean = 18.5 months). Patient ages ranged from 18 to 76 years (mean = 47.3 years). Nearly 90% of the preoperative patients in our study cohort exhibited at least one of the MTD characteristic features. Approximately 74% of postoperative 'asymptomatic' patients in our study cohort exhibited at least one characteristic feature. As the characteristic features of MTD were found in both preoperative dysphonic patients and those patients who were successfully treated, MTD etiology may be causal (type I), concomitant (type IIa, IIb, III) or psychogenic (type IIa, IIb). Therefore characteristic features of MTD cannot be adequately resolved through surgery, and treatment should be supplemented by speech therapy to achieve the greatest effect in causal type I MTD.     

Videostrobokymographic analysis of benign vocal fold lesions

OBJECTIVES: Videostrobokymography (VSK) has recently been introduced. The aim of this study was to analyze vibratory patterns and objective parameters in various benign vocal fold lesions using VSK and to examine the efficacy of VSK in clinical applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using VSK, we analyzed the vibration patterns of normal vocal folds, various benign lesions such as nodules, polyps, cysts and Reinke's edema and cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. We also calculated the objective parameters open quotient and asymmetric index and compared them with their mean values in normal controls. RESULTS: In nodules, polyps and cysts, the open quotient at the site of the lesion was similar to the mean value in the normal controls; however, on the other parts of the vocal folds, it was much larger than the normal mean value. In Reinke's edema, irregular and asymmetric vibrations were observed. The posterior area of the vocal folds showed larger open quotients than the anterior area. In unilateral vocal fold paralysis, irregular vocal fold vibration and incomplete closure of the vocal folds were documented. Much larger asymmetric indices were calculated for unilateral vocal fold paralysis than in normal controls or for other lesions. The asymmetric index may be a good quantitative parameter of vibration in patients with vocal fold paralysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that VSK could generate clear quantitative documentation of fine vibrations of vocal folds in many different types of benign lesion. VSK has the potential to be an effective tool for the quantitative analysis of vibratory patterns of vocal folds in clinical settings.     

Radiophonosurgery of benign superficial vocal fold lesions

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial describing and investigating the efficacy and safety of radiosurgical excision of benign superficial vocal fold lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with benign superficial vocal fold lesions (20 vocal nodules, 27 vocal polyps and three Reinke's oedema) who failed conservative therapy were included in the study. They were equally randomized into cold knife or radiosurgical excision. Clinical and voice assessments were done pre-operatively and after surgery. Voice analysis included a subjective visual analogue scale (VAS) and a perceptual assessment with a simplified version of the GRBAS scale (GRB) consisting of G (grade), R (roughness), and B (breathiness). Acoustic voice evaluation included jitter and shimmer. Post-operative voice therapy was provided for all patients. Complications, smoothness of post-operative recovery, and administration of analgesia were reported. RESULTS: Both groups experienced significant improvement in VAS, perceptual evaluation and acoustic analysis after surgery, with no evidence of significant differences between the cold knife and radiofrequency groups. The radiofrequency group showed a decrease of 17 per cent in the mean operative time when compared with the cold knife group, but this was not statistically significant. No evidence of a significant difference was noticed in the smoothness of post-operative recovery, administration of analgesia and complication rate. CONCLUSION: Radiophonosurgery opens a new therapeutic approach for patients with benign superficial vocal fold lesions. It combines the advantages of both cold knife and laser phonosurgery, being easy, safe, precise and effective, and having excellent tactile and haemostatic properties.     

Supraglottic laryngectomy: Series report and analysis of results

Forty-one consecutive patients who underwent suprnglottic laryngectomy at UCLA were reviewed. All of the operations were performed by or under the direct supervision of the same surgeon (T.C). The majority (68%) had advanced squamous cell carcinoma (Stage III-IV). Approximately one half received radiation therapy as part of planned combined therapy. The overall tumor-free survival, with a two-year minimum follow-up period, was 90%. The most common site of tumor recurrence was neck metastasis. There were four laryngeal recurrences, three of which were salvaged with completion laryngectomy. There was only one completion laryngectomy for severe aspiration. The favorable results in this series are attributed to frozen section control of surgical margins, surgical or radiation therapy treatment of cervical lymph nodes at risk for metastatic disease, and the employment of surgical techniques designed to minimize aspiration.