The usefulness of abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral drainage for parapharyngeal abscess concomitant with peritonsillar abscess in the elderly

Parapharyngeal abscess (PPA) may cause life-threatening complications and peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and tonsillitis frequently precede PPA. The optimal management of PPA caused by PTA has been the subject of debate with respect to the surgical approach. We present three cases of PPA concomitant with PTA in elderly patients. In two cases, the abscesses in parapharyngeal space were drained by abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral incision of the tonsillar bed. On the other hand, the third case did not undergo abscess tonsillectomy because of his refusal of surgery and needed extraoral drainage after the aggravation of PPA. Based on the experience of those three cases, it was suggested that abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral incision of the tonsillar bed might be a useful surgical approach for the drainage of PPA concomitant with PTA, especially in elderly patients.     

Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.     

Lingual lymph nodes: Anatomy,clinical considerations,and oncological significance

Lingual lymph nodes are an inconstant group of in-transit nodes, which are located on the route of lymph drainage from the tongue mucosa to the regional nodes in neck levels I and II. There is growing academic data on the metastatic spread of oral cancer, particularly regarding the spreading of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma to lingual nodes. These nodes are not currently included in diagnostic and treatment protocols for oral tongue cancer. Combined information on surgical anatomy, clinical observations, means of detection, and prognostic value is presented. Anatomically obtained incidence of lingual nodes ranges from 8.6% to 30.2%. Incidence of lingual lymph node metastasis ranges from 1.3% to 17.1%. It is clear that lymph nodes that bear intervening tissues from the floor of the mouth should be removed to improve loco-regional control. Extended resection volume, which is required for the surgical treatment of lingual node metastasis, cannot be implied to every tongue cancer patient. As these lesions significantly influence prognosis, special efforts of their detection must be made. Reasonably, every tongue cancer patient must be investigated for the existence of lingual lymph node metastasis. Lymphographic tracing methods, which are currently implied for sentinel lymph node biopsies, may improve the detection of lingual lymph nodes.     

Primary epidural lumbar Ewing sarcoma presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an adult patient who underwent surgical decompression: A case report

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare primary neoplasm in the lumbar adult spine and may mimic a benign tumor. In this case, after a patient's three-month history of lower back pain and rapidly progressing leg numbness and weakness, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the third lumbar vertebra. At a two-month follow-up, imaging showed a fracture, compression and lesion enlargement. Decompression and fixation confirmed ES, and the patient began combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two months postoperatively, residual ES was suspected on MRI. The patient underwent a second surgery, and histopathology confirmed necrosis. A six-month follow-up after the first surgery showed no tumor recurrence. This case supports the inclusion of ES in the differential diagnosis of pathologic spinal fracture. Early decompression and spinal fixation are critical for preserving neurologic and spinal functions in ES complicated by a compression fracture. Combined adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the standard therapeutic strategy.     

敷料更换的不同次数对穿刺引流术后穿刺口感染的影响

目的 研究敷料更换的不同次数对穿刺引流术后穿刺口感染的影响.方法 随机将该院2013年6月—2014年7月收治的100位进行穿刺引流术的患者分为两组,50例为A组,50例为B组. 为A组患者1周更换1次敷料,B组患者1周更换2次敷料. 对两组患者穿刺口感染的情况进行分析比较. 结果 A组患者穿刺口感染的几率显著低于B组(P<0.05),A组患者的病原菌定植率显著低于B组(P<0.05),两组患者导管相关性血流感染率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 穿刺引流术后的患者1周更换1次敷料比较合理,既能降低患者术后穿刺口感染的几率,又能降低医护人员的工作量,但要注意在敷料发生松动或者潮湿时也要及时进行更换.     

针刀配合针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察

目的:分析针刀与针灸配合应用于腰椎间盘突出症患者中的临床治疗效果。方法:在我院针灸康复科2017年12月-2018年12月治疗的腰椎间盘突出症患者中选取64例,并严格按照系统随机分配原则分为对照组和观察组,各32例。其中对照组采用针灸进行治疗,观察组采用针刀与针灸配合治疗,观察对比两组患者治疗后临床效果和治疗前后运动功能评分(Fugl-Meyer)、腰椎日本骨科学会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分、视觉模拟评分法(Visual Analogue Scale,VAS)评分以及临床症状改善情况。结果:两组患者治疗前Fugl-Meyer、VAS、JOA评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后对照组VAS评分高于观察组,Fugl-Meyer、JOA评分低于观察组,且对照组总有效率低于观察组,对照组腰骶疼痛评分和腿疼痛评分均低于观察组,直腿抬高度高于观察组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:予以腰椎间盘突出症患者针刀与针灸配合治疗效果显著,效果优于单一使用针灸治疗,可有效缓解患者疼痛感,改善临床症状,值得推广。