Human achaete-scute homologue (hASH1) mRNA level as a diagnostic marker to distinguish esthesioneuroblastoma from poorly differentiated tumors arising in the sinonasal tract

Distinction of high-grade esthesioneuroblastomas from other poorly differentiated tumors arising in the nasal cavity is an important diagnostic challenge because it determines patient management and prognosis. The human achaete-scute homologue (hASH1) gene is critical in olfactory neuronal differentiation and is expressed in immature olfactory cells; therefore, it could have potential use as a diagnostic marker The aim of the present study was to determine the value of hASH1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in differentiating esthesioneuroblastoma from other poorly differentiated tumors. A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was developed, permitting the comparative determination of hASH1 mRNA levels in triplicate in a double-blind pilot study including 24 frozen cases of esthesioneuroblastoma and poorly differentiated tumors. All 4 positive cases were esthesioneuroblastomas, and all 19 poorly differentiated tumors were negative. In addition, there was an inverse association between the grade of esthesioneuroblastomas and hASH1 mRNA levels. The hASH1 mRNA level might represent a useful tool for distinguishing esthesioneuroblastoma from poorly differentiated tumors of the sinonasal region.     

Percutaneous versus surgical tracheostomy: a double-blind randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical (SgT) and percutaneous (PcT) tracheostomies. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous tracheostomy has been said to provide numerous advantages over classical SgT. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial with a double-blind evaluation was used to compare SgT and PcT. SgT and PcT were performed according to established techniques (n = 70). The procedure was performed at the bedside in the intensive care unit in 21 cases (30%). The outcome measures were divided into procedure-related variables, perioperative complications, and postoperative complications. The procedure-related variables (location, duration, and difficulty) were evaluated by the surgeon. The perioperative and postoperative complications were divided into serious, intermediate, and minor. Perioperative and early postoperative (14 days) complications were evaluated daily by an intensive care unit nurse blinded to the technique used. Long-term postoperative complications were evaluated 3 months after decannulation by a surgeon blinded to the surgical technique. RESULTS: There were no major complications in either group. Most variables studied were not statistically different between the PcT and SgT groups. The only variables to reach statistical significance were the size of the incision (smaller with PcT, p < 0.0001), minor perioperative complications (greater with PcT, p = 0.02), and difficult cannula changes (greater with PcT; p < 0.05). Among nonsignificant differences, difficult procedures and false passages were more frequent with PcT, whereas long-term unesthetic scars were more frequent with SgT. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are associated with a low rate of serious or intermediate complications when performed by experienced surgeons. There were more minor perioperative complications with PcT and more minor long term complications with SgT.     

Submandibular diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy: new procedure for ductal disorders.

We present our initial experience with submandibular sialendoscopy, a new therapeutic approach for disorders of Wharton's duct. We review the sialendoscopes used and discuss their respective merits. We evaluated and treated 129 consecutive patients with suspected ductal disorders. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was used for classifying ductal lesions as sialolithiasis, stenosis, sialodochitis, or polyps. Interventional sialendoscopy was used to treat these disorders. The type of endoscope used, the type of sialolith fragmentation and/or extraction device used, the total number of procedures, the type of anesthesia, and the number and size of the sialoliths removed were the dependent variables. The outcome variable was the endoscopic clearing of the ductal tree and resolution of symptoms. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was possible in 131 of 135 glands (97%), with an average (+/-SD) duration of 28 +/- 15 minutes. Interventional sialendoscopy was attempted in 110 cases, with an average duration of 71 +/- 41 minutes, with a success rate of 82%. Multiple sialendoscopies were necessary in 25% of cases. General anesthesia was used in 12% of cases. Submandibular gland resection was performed in 4%. The average size of the stones was 4.9 +/- 2.9 mm. Multiple sialoliths were found in 31 cases (29%). Sialolith fragmentation was required in 26%. Larger and multiple stones often required longer and multiple procedures and general anesthesia, and more often resulted in failures. Semirigid endoscopes had a higher success rate (85%) than flexible sialendoscopes (54%). Complications were mostly minor, but were encountered in 10% of cases. Diagnostic sialendoscopy is a new technique for evaluating salivary duct disorders that is associated with low morbidity. Interventional sialendoscopy allows the extraction of sialoliths in most patients, thus preventing open gland excision.     

Ganglion cyst of the spinal anterior longitudinal ligament presenting as a retropharyngeal mass

Cervical spinal synovial and/or ganglion cysts can occur at various periarticular sites and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraspinal-extradural or paraspinal masses of the cervical spine. The first report of a ganglion cyst of the cervical anterior longitudinal ligament presenting as a retropharyngeal mass, is presented. The histopathology, etiology, and clinical aspects of synovial and ganglion cysts of the cervical spine are briefly reviewed.     

Videomimicography: the standards of normal revised

BACKGROUND: Studies aiming to objectively evaluate facial movements have focused on the technique of measurement, whereas the most pertinent measurements of basic facial movements have not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the best normal measures of 5 basic facial movements in healthy patients. METHODS: In 5 healthy subjects, 11 facial landmarks were placed on the face, and 5 movements (forehead lift, eye closure, nose wrinkling, lip puckering, and smiling) with maximal contraction force were requested. Each subject repeated each movement 3 times, and the entire session was repeated on 4 different days. No specific immobilization of the head was performed. The session was filmed with a digital camera, and the frames with maximal movement were selected. Measurements were performed with Osiris public domain image analysis software. For each measure, the change from rest was computed. Intersubject and intrasubject variability were determined by a multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: In all movements, surface changes (mean +/- SD) were higher than distance changes. For forehead lifting and eye closure, the best measure was the eye surface changes of 13% +/- 5% and -32% +/- 9%, respectively. For nasal wrinkling, lip puckering, and smiling, the best measures were the paranasal area (change, -28% +/- 9%), upper lip area (change, -23% +/- 8%), and mouth area (change, 63% +/- 21%), respectively. Most distance changes were below 10%. Same-day repeatability variation was below 15%, and day-to-day repeatability variation was below 7%. In healthy subjects, more than 80% of the total variation was accounted for by the intersubject variability. CONCLUSIONS: Videomimicography is a simple and objective linear measurement system based on facial surface changes. The measures exhibit good reliability.     

Laryngeal diversion and tracheotracheal speech fistula for chronic aspiration

Intractable aspiration is a life-threatening problem and often requires a procedure for blocking or separating the larynx from the bronchial tree. The disadvantage of these techniques is a compromise of phonation. We report the use of a speech fistula after laryngotracheal diversion to restore voice. It allows for the definitive treatment of aspiration, while maintaining the use of the vocal folds for phonation.