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Head & Neck Feb 2019It is traditionally accepted that subglottic carcinoma has a worse prognosis than tumors arising in other subsites of the larynx, owing to its tendency to present in... (Review)
Review
It is traditionally accepted that subglottic carcinoma has a worse prognosis than tumors arising in other subsites of the larynx, owing to its tendency to present in advanced stages, with a high incidence of cartilage invasion and extralaryngeal spread. The incidence of subglottic carcinoma varies among series, mainly because there is no uniform definition of the upper boundary of the subglottis. The extent of the tumor may be difficult to define because subglottic carcinoma may spread through the submucosa without visible mucosal changes. There is also a rich lymphatic network in the subglottis draining to the prelaryngeal and paratracheal lymph nodes, which are usually not involved by cancers arising in other laryngeal subsites. Current literature data indicates that early-stage subglottic carcinoma can be treated using radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with high locoregional control and survival rates. In advanced stage subglottic carcinoma, combination of surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy resulted in comparable outcomes, as in advanced carcinomas from the rest of the larynx. Stage for stage, it is likely that the prognosis for subglottic carcinoma and of glottic and supraglottic cancers is similar.
Topics: Glottis; Humans; Incidence; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Prognosis; Survival Rate
PubMed: 29947111
DOI: 10.1002/hed.25172 -
Journal of Burn Care & Research :... Mar 2023Long-term laryngotracheal complications (LTLC) after inhalation injury (II) are an under-recognized condition in patients with burns. The purpose of this study was to... (Review)
Review
Long-term laryngotracheal complications (LTLC) after inhalation injury (II) are an under-recognized condition in patients with burns. The purpose of this study was to systematically review all available evidence on LTLC after II and identify gaps in knowledge to guide the direction of future research. A scoping review was performed to synthesize all available evidence on LTLC after II, as guided by the question, "What are the LTLC after II, in patients with or without a history of translaryngeal intubation and/or tracheostomy?". MEDLINE, Web of Science, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for publications on this topic. Of the 3567 citations screened, a total of 153 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 49 were included in the scoping review. The overall level of evidence was low, with case reports constituting 46.7% of all included human studies. The lesions were most frequently in the trachea (36.9%), followed by the glottis (34.7%) and subglottis (19.0%). LTLC occur in 4.8 to 6.5% of patients after II and these complications are under-recognized in burns patients. The risk factors for LTLC include high-grade II, elevated initial inflammatory responses, prolonged translaryngeal intubation, and a history of tracheostomy. The goal of management is to restore airway patency, preserve voice quality, and restore normal diet and swallow function. There is limited high-level evidence on LTLC, particularly with regards to long-term functional morbidity in voice and swallow. Large, prospective studies are required to address this gap in knowledge.
Topics: Humans; Laryngostenosis; Burns; Larynx; Tracheostomy; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 35486925
DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irac058 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Mar 2016Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant minor salivary gland tumor that represents <1% of all laryngeal tumors. The submucosal location of laryngeal adenoid cystic... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant minor salivary gland tumor that represents <1% of all laryngeal tumors. The submucosal location of laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (LACC) results in delayed presentation. Here, we present the first systematic review of reported cases of LACC to determine trends in presentation, diagnostic and treatment modalities, and patient outcome.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases.
METHODS
A search of the above databases was done to identify articles reporting cases of LACC. The variables included in the analysis were patient demographics, presenting symptoms, tumor location, imaging, treatment, follow-up time, recurrence, and outcome.
RESULTS
A total of 50 articles and 120 cases were included in the review. The most common presenting symptom was dyspnea (48.8%), followed by hoarseness (43.9%). LACC arose most frequently from the subglottis (56.7%). At presentation, 14.6% (13 of 89) of patients had regional disease. The average follow-up time was 54.0 months. At follow-up, distant metastasis was reported in 30 cases (33.3%). Surgery alone (43.3%) and surgery with radiotherapy (43.3%) were used most frequently and resulted in 57.1% and 55.3% of patients alive with no evidence disease at follow-up, respectively.
CONCLUSION
LACC was most often located in the subglottis. Patients commonly presented with dyspnea and hoarseness. In this systematic review, surgery with radiotherapy and surgery alone were the most commonly employed treatment modalities, and both resulted in slightly more than 50% of patients alive with no evidence of disease at follow-up.
Topics: Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic; Combined Modality Therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 26701176
DOI: 10.1177/0194599815621884 -
Respiratory Medicine Oct 2021Histologically benign airway strictures are frequently misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD and may present with severe symptoms including respiratory failure. A clear... (Review)
Review
Histologically benign airway strictures are frequently misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD and may present with severe symptoms including respiratory failure. A clear understanding of pathophysiology and existing classification systems is needed to determine the appropriate treatment options and predict clinical course. Clinically significant airway strictures can involve the upper and central airways extending from the subglottis to the lobar airways. Optimal evaluation includes a proper history and physical examination, neck and chest computed tomography, pulmonary function testing, endoscopy and serology. Available treatments include medical therapy, endoscopic procedures and open surgery which are based on the stricture's extent, location, etiology, morphology, severity of airway narrowing and patient's functional status. The acuity of the process, patient's co-morbidities and operability at the time of evaluation determine the need for open surgical or endoscopic interventions. The optimal management of patients with benign airway strictures requires the availability, expertise and collaboration of otolaryngologists, thoracic surgeons and interventional pulmonologists. Multidisciplinary airway teams can facilitate accurate diagnosis, guide management and avoid unnecessary procedures that could potentially worsen the extent of the disease or clinical course. Implementation of a complex airway program including multidisciplinary clinics and conferences ensures that such collaboration leads to timely, patient-centered and evidence-based interventions. In this article we outline algorithms of care and illustrate therapeutic techniques based on published evidence.
Topics: Bronchoscopy; Constriction, Pathologic; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Laryngostenosis; Patient Care Team; Patient-Centered Care; Pulmonary Surgical Procedures; Receptor, Endothelin A; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory System; Tracheal Stenosis
PubMed: 34481304
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106582 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Dec 2020To compare measurements of the pediatric subglottis obtained by surgeon-performed ultrasound and endoscopy. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To compare measurements of the pediatric subglottis obtained by surgeon-performed ultrasound and endoscopy.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective observational comparison-of-methods study.
SETTING
Tertiary care pediatric hospital.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Thirty-one patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy from May 2017 to July 2018 were recruited. Transcervical ultrasound was used to visualize the vocal folds, subglottis, and cervical trachea. The anterior-posterior (AP) and transverse (TV) diameter of the subglottic space were measured endoscopically and via ultrasound by 2 independent evaluators. Measurements were compared for correlation, bias, and agreement. A clinically acceptable bias for subglottic diameter was assumed to be 0.5 mm or less.
RESULTS
The median age of enrolled patients was 2.6 years (range, 4 months-13.3 years). Endoscopic subglottic AP and TV measurements ranged from 3.33 mm to 14.81 mm and from 4.44 mm to 11.65 mm, respectively, while ultrasonographic AP and TV measurements ranged from 4.57 mm to 9.85 mm and from 3.77 mm to 8.96 mm. Pearson coefficient showed strong a correlation for both endoscopic and ultrasound AP ( = 0.8081, < .0001) and TV ( = 0.8796, < .001) measurements of the subglottis. Bland-Altman plots revealed a bias (average discrepancy) for AP measurements of 0.22 mm and 0.11 mm for TV measurements.
CONCLUSION
Endoscopic and ultrasonography measurements of the pediatric subglottic airway were strongly correlated. The discrepancy between AP and TV measurements was less than 0.5 mm. Ultrasound of the subglottis may be an alternative to endoscopic assessment of the airway for measurement of the subglottic airway in children in select cases.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Glottis; Humans; Infant; Laryngoscopy; Male; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 32600181
DOI: 10.1177/0194599820936249 -
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and... Dec 2020Schwannomas are a frequent cause of swellings in the head and neck region. Due to the abundance of peripheral, cranial and autonomic nerves in this region, schwannomas...
Schwannomas are a frequent cause of swellings in the head and neck region. Due to the abundance of peripheral, cranial and autonomic nerves in this region, schwannomas can present in variety of locations, posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the surgeon. Unusual sites in head and neck region can have varied presentation depending on the site of origin. We identified unusual extracranial locations of head and neck schwannomas, their presenting features and surgical management. Retrospective review of cases of extracranial head and neck schwannomas operated in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, a tertiary referral centre between July 2015 and June 2019. A total of 42 cases of extracranial head and neck schwannomas were operated. Among them, 9 cases were found to arise from uncommon sites, such as parotid gland (n = 1), infratemporal fossa (n = 2), external auditory canal (n = 1), subglottis (n = 1), false vocal cord (n = 1), frontal recess (n = 1), maxillary sinus (n = 1) and retromolar trigone (n = 1). All patients underwent excision via relevant approaches. Nerve of origin was identified in 4/9 cases. One case had postoperative neurological deficit. No recurrences were noted in mean follow-up of 19 months. Schwannomas ought to be considered as a differential diagnosis for swellings/ mass in any part of head and neck region. Comprehensive evaluation with appropriate imaging and histology should be done in all cases. Preoperative counselling and consent regarding neurological deficit pertaining to possible nerve of origin is required in each case.
PubMed: 33088768
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-020-01820-1 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2023Ectopic thymic tissue in the subglottis is an extremely rare disease that causes airway obstruction. Few cases reported were accurately diagnosed before surgery. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Ectopic thymic tissue in the subglottis is an extremely rare disease that causes airway obstruction. Few cases reported were accurately diagnosed before surgery.
METHODS
A case of a 2-year-old boy with airway obstruction caused by a left subglottic mass was reported. The presentation of radiological imaging, direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, pathology, and surgical management were reviewed. An extensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO of English literature was performed without a limit of time.
RESULTS
Besides our case, only six cases were reported since 1987. The definitive diagnosis on these patients were made with the findings of pathology, of which, five were ectopic thymus and two were ectopic thymic cysts. Our case was the only one with a correct suspicion preoperatively. Four cases underwent open surgical resection, and two cases underwent microlaryngeal surgery, while one deceased after emergency tracheostomy. No recurrences were found by six patients during the follow-up after successful treatments.
CONCLUSION
Ectopic thymus is a rare condition, infrequently considered in the differential diagnosis of subglottic masses. Modified laryngofissure may be an effective approach to removing the subglottic ectopic thymus and reconstructing the intact subglottic mucosa.
Topics: Male; Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Larynx; Laryngoscopy; Laryngeal Diseases; Airway Obstruction; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 34840123
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2021.10.001 -
Surgical Endoscopy Aug 2021We investigated a novel minimally invasive surgical platform for use in the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx for single-port transoral surgery used in concert with...
BACKGROUND
We investigated a novel minimally invasive surgical platform for use in the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx for single-port transoral surgery used in concert with standard transoral laryngeal and pharyngeal instrumentation.
METHODS
The preclinical investigational device by Fortimedix Surgical B.V. (Netherlands) features two channels for manually controlled flexible articulating surgical instruments. A third central channel accepts both rigid and flexible endoscopes. The system is coupled to a standard laryngoscope for transoral access. In three cadaver models, we evaluated the surgical capabilities using wristed grasping instruments, microlaryngeal scissors, monopolar cautery, and a laser fiber sheath. Procedures were performed within the oropharynx, supraglottis, glottis, subglottis, and hypopharynx.
RESULTS
Within the oropharynx, we found adequate strength, range of motion, and dexterity to perform lateral oropharyngectomy and tongue base resection. Within the larynx, visualization was achieved with a variety of instruments including a flexible, 0° and 30° rigid endoscope. The glottis, supraglottis, pyriform sinuses, post-cricoid space, and esophageal inlet were readily accessible. Visualization and manipulation of grasping, laser, and monopolar cautery instruments were also possible within the subglottis. Instrument reach and accuracy facilitated completion of a delicate micro-flap on the true vocal fold. Other procedures included vocal fold resection, cricopharyngeal myotomy, and resection of subglottic mucosa.
CONCLUSIONS
From this initial proof of concept experience with this novel platform, we found a wide range of procedures within the oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx to be feasible. Further work is needed to evaluate its applicability to the clinical setting. The ability of this platform to be used with conventional instrumentation may provide an opportunity for complex transoral surgery to be performed in a facile manner at greatly reduced cost.
Topics: Endoscopes; Humans; Hypopharynx; Laryngoscopes; Microsurgery; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Robotic Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 33712940
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-021-08420-2 -
Anaesthesia Nov 2020Tracheal tubes are routinely used in adults undergoing elective surgery. The size of the tracheal tube, defined by its internal diameter, is often generically selected... (Review)
Review
Tracheal tubes are routinely used in adults undergoing elective surgery. The size of the tracheal tube, defined by its internal diameter, is often generically selected according to sex, with 7-7.5 mm and 8-8.5 mm tubes recommended in women and men, respectively. Tracheal diameter in adults is highly variable, being narrowest at the subglottis, and is affected by height and sex. The outer diameter of routinely used tracheal tubes may exceed these dimensions, traumatise the airway and increase the risk of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness. These complications disproportionately affect women and may be mitigated by using smaller tracheal tubes (6-6.5 mm). Patient safety concerns about using small tracheal tubes are based on critical care populations undergoing prolonged periods of tracheal intubation and not patients undergoing elective surgery. The internal diameter of the tube corresponds to its clinical utility. Tracheal tubes as small as 6.0 mm will accommodate routinely used intubation aids, suction devices and slim-line fibreoptic bronchoscopes. Positive pressure ventilation may be performed without increasing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury or air trapping, even when high minute volumes are required. There is also no demonstrable increased risk of aspiration or cuff pressure damage when using smaller tracheal tubes. Small tracheal tubes may not be safe in all patients, such as those with high secretion loads and airflow limitation. A balanced view of risks and benefits should be taken appropriate to the clinical context, to select the smallest tracheal tube that permits safe peri-operative management.
Topics: Adult; Elective Surgical Procedures; Equipment Design; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 32415788
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15041