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European Archives of... Jul 2021
PubMed: 32776196
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06278-z -
Cureus Jul 2020Lemierre's syndrome (LS), once known as "the forgotten disease," is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that has had a gain in incidence over the last 30... (Review)
Review
Lemierre's syndrome (LS), once known as "the forgotten disease," is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that has had a gain in incidence over the last 30 years due to a variety of factors that could include changes in antibody prescription patterns, particularly in regard to the treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Due to its low incidence and broad spectrum of symptoms, LS does not have an obvious clinical diagnosis and can confuse the clinician managing the patient. Furthermore, it is equally difficult to treat patients suffering from LS as it requires a multidisciplinary approach from multiple subspecialties. Thus, communication between hospitalists, radiologists, otolaryngologists, neurologists, and ophthalmologists is critical towards quickly diagnosing the disease condition so that prompt antibiotics, anticoagulation, and surgical intervention can occur. Atypical presentations can also exist, making the diagnosis and management exponentially more challenging. Ophthalmologic symptoms are a particularly rare and atypical presentation of LS. These rare symptoms in LS can be terrifying for patients and providers alike; yet, there does not seem to be any modern medical literature that summarizes ophthalmologic complications for LS patients. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of LS with a focus on ophthalmologic complications that has been done. The main objective of this review paper is to provide an up-to-date literature review of LS epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment while also performing a novel systematic review of reported cases of LS with ophthalmological complications. We hope to bring more awareness towards LS and its atypical presentations so that physicians will be better able to rapidly diagnose and treat their patients in order to minimize long-term morbidity and mortality.
PubMed: 32742884
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9326 -
European Archives of... Jun 2021The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant confusion about healthcare providers' and patients' pandemic-specific risks related to surgery. The aim of this systematic... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant confusion about healthcare providers' and patients' pandemic-specific risks related to surgery. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize recommendations for sinus and anterior skull base surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase were searched by two independent otolaryngologists from the Young Otolaryngologists of IFOS (YO-IFOS) for studies dealing with sinus and skull base surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. The review also included unpublished guidelines edited by Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or Neurosurgery societies. Perioperative factors were investigated including surgical indications, preoperative testing of patients, practical management in operating rooms, technical aspects of surgery and postoperative management. The literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The criteria for considering studies or guidelines for the review were based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, timing and setting (PICOTS) framework.
RESULTS
15 International publications met inclusion criteria. Five references were guidelines from national societies. All guidelines recommended postponing elective surgeries. An algorithm is proposed that classifies endonasal surgical procedures into three groups based on the risk of postponing surgery. Patients' COVID-19 status should be preoperatively assessed. Highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended, and the use of high-speed powered devices should be avoided. Face-to-face postoperative visits must be limited.
CONCLUSIONS
Sinus and skull base surgeries are high-risk procedures due to potential aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Protection of health care workers by decreasing exposure and optimizing the use of PPE is essential with sinus and anterior skull base surgery.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Otolaryngologists; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; SARS-CoV-2; Skull Base
PubMed: 32710178
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06236-9 -
Oral Oncology Sep 2020At this moment, the world lives under the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak pandemic. As Otolaryngologists - Head & Neck Surgeons, we need to perform and participate in examinations...
At this moment, the world lives under the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak pandemic. As Otolaryngologists - Head & Neck Surgeons, we need to perform and participate in examinations and procedures within the head and neck region and airway that carry a particularly high risk of exposure and infection because of aerosol and droplet contamination. One of those surgical procedures in demand at this moment is tracheostomy due the increasing ICU admissions. This review of international guidelines for tracheostomy in COVID-19 infected patients, aims to summarize in a systematic way the available recommendations: indications, timing, technique and safety measures for tracheostomy, from all over the world.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Clinical Decision-Making; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; Otolaryngologists; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; Pneumonia, Viral; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Practice Guidelines as Topic; SARS-CoV-2; Serologic Tests; Surgeons; Tracheostomy; Tracheotomy
PubMed: 32526655
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104844 -
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck... Jun 2020Surgical correction of caudal septal deviation is a technically challenging step of functional rhinoplasty. Multiple surgical techniques have been described in the...
BACKGROUND
Surgical correction of caudal septal deviation is a technically challenging step of functional rhinoplasty. Multiple surgical techniques have been described in the literature but comparing the efficacy of each in relieving obstruction presents a challenge. Outcome measures are necessary to adequately compare techniques. This study aims to describe the current caudal septoplasty techniques of Otolaryngologists and Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons (FPRS), as well as their use of outcome measures, and to compare these practices with surgical trends described in the literature.
METHODS
An online survey was sent to three Otolaryngology and FPRS associations in Canada and the United States. A systematic review was conducted on SCOPUS and PubMed to classify the caudal septoplasty techniques described in the literature and the outcome measurement tools used.
RESULTS
Our survey identified that caudal septoplasty is more commonly performed by surgeons with an FPRS training background. The most common techniques were the swinging door technique (69.5%), extracorporeal septoplasy (46.7%), cartilage scoring (45.3%), and splinting with bone (25.4%). Despite using a vast array of surgical techniques, North American physicians rarely rely on standardized outcome assessment tools. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used almost twice as frequently in the literature as they are by surgeons in their clinical practice.
CONCLUSION
We recommend that future studies of caudal septoplasty include an assessment of both form and function using a validated PROM such as the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey.
Topics: Health Care Surveys; Humans; Nasal Cartilages; Nasal Obstruction; Nasal Septum; North America; Otolaryngologists; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Rhinoplasty; Surgery, Plastic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32513268
DOI: 10.1186/s40463-020-00435-4 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Feb 2021Sialolithiasis is the most common cause of symptomatic obstructive sialadenitis. Sialendoscopy represent a minimally invasive technique that has evolved significantly in...
INTRODUCTION
Sialolithiasis is the most common cause of symptomatic obstructive sialadenitis. Sialendoscopy represent a minimally invasive technique that has evolved significantly in the last 2 decades, with high success rates in managing sialolithiasis and allowing gland preservation. Lithotripsy assisted or not by laser represents the fragmentation of stone or lithiasis within the salivary duct followed immediately by removal of the fragmented pieces. A systematic review investigating the role of laser-assisted lithotripsy with sialendoscopy (LAS) in the treatment of sialolithiasis was performed.
RESULTS
Sixteen papers meet inclusion criteria. The mean maximum diameter of lithiasis was 7.11 mm (min: 2 mm/max: 17 mm; standard deviation [SD]: 2.33; 95% CI = 1.573-4.463). Success rate described ranging from 71% to 100% with a mean of 87.3% (SD: 7.21; 95% CI: 5.326-11.158) and the gland preservation rate was 97%. Considering only "non retrievable-non floating stones" studies that include both parotid and submandibular stones: Eight clinical retrospectives, nonrandomized studies and 1 prospective, nonrandomized study report results from parotid and submandibular gland lithiasis. According to this, the most common gland involved was the submandibular gland (n = 153; 65.1%), in comparison to the parotid gland (n = 82; 34.8%).
CONCLUSION
The current evidence supports LAS as a conservative, efficient, safe, and gland-preserving alternative technique, in experienced hands, for management of mid-size sialolith removal from major salivary glands, when the indication is appropriate.
Topics: Adult; Endoscopy; Female; Humans; Lithotripsy, Laser; Male; Parotid Gland; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Salivary Ducts; Salivary Gland Calculi; Sialadenitis; Submandibular Gland; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32442031
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320926281 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Nov 2020Pharyngodynia, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, smell, and taste dysfunctions could be the presenting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute...
AIM
Pharyngodynia, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, smell, and taste dysfunctions could be the presenting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim was to perform a systematic review of current evidences on clinical presentation of COVID-19, focusing on upper airway symptoms in order to help otolaryngologists identifying suspected cases.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases.
RESULTS
We included 5 retrospective clinical studies for a total of 1556 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 57.5% were male and mean age was 49.1 years. Pooled data revealed that pharyngodynia was present in 12.4% of patients, nasal congestion in 3.7%, and rhinorrhea was rare. No reports on COVID-19 and olfactory/gustative disorders matched inclusion criteria but preliminary evidences suggested they could be present. Common symptoms were fever (85.6%), cough (68.7%), and fatigue (39.4%). Frequent comorbidities were hypertension (17.4%), diabetes (3.8%), and coronary heart disease (3.8%); 83% of patients had alterations on chest computed tomography that were bilateral in 89.5% of cases. Ground-glass opacity was the most common finding (50%). Lymphopenia (77.2%) and leucopenia (30.1%) were common. Critical cases with complications were 9%, intensive care unit admission was required in 7.3%, invasive ventilation in 3.4%, and mortality was 2.4%.
CONCLUSION
Otolaryngologists should know that pharyngodynia, nasal congestion, olfactory, and gustative disorders could be the presenting symptoms of COVID-19. Clinical presentation together with radiological and laboratory findings could help to identify suspected cases.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Cough; Fatigue; Fever; Humans; Leukopenia; Lung; Lymphopenia; Olfaction Disorders; Pandemics; Pharyngitis; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Taste Disorders; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32283980
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320920762 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Feb 2021To investigate the indications, efficacy, safety, and outcomes of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser procedures for treatment of laryngeal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the indications, efficacy, safety, and outcomes of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser procedures for treatment of laryngeal disease.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for studies providing information about the indications, efficacy, and safety of both in-office and operative suspension microlaryngoscopy KTP laser procedure in treatment of laryngeal disease. Diagnostic criteria and clinical outcome evaluation of included studies were analyzed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria.
RESULTS
Of the initial screened 140 papers, 17 met our inclusion criteria. Six papers involved KTP laser procedures for benign and malignant vocal fold lesions in suspension microlaryngoscopy only, 10 papers focused on only in-office KTP laser procedures for benign vocal fold lesions, and 1 paper included both in-office and suspension microlaryngoscopy procedures. The following lesions may be considered as indications for KTP laser procedures: Reinke's edema, sulcus vocalis, vocal fold hemorrhage, polyp, granuloma, cyst, scar, papillomatosis, dysplasia, leukoplakia, and early vocal fold malignancies. Irrespective of the types of procedure (in-office vs suspension microlaryngoscopy), the KTP laser is associated with a low complication rate and overall good vocal fold vibration recovery. There is an important heterogeneity among studies concerning laser settings, indications, and outcomes used for the assessment of treatment effectiveness. There are no controlled studies directly comparing KTP laser with other lasers (ie, carbon dioxide laser).
CONCLUSION
The use of KTP laser procedures for treatment of laryngeal disease has increased over the past decade, especially for office-based management of vocal fold lesions. Future controlled studies are needed to compare the safety and outcomes of the KTP laser to other techniques.
Topics: Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngoscopy; Lasers, Solid-State; Otolaryngology; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality
PubMed: 31928082
DOI: 10.1177/0145561319899183 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2019Chronic rhinosinusitis frequently occurs in people with cystic fibrosis. Several medical interventions are available for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in people with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic rhinosinusitis frequently occurs in people with cystic fibrosis. Several medical interventions are available for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in people with cystic fibrosis; for example, different concentrations of nasal saline irrigations, topical or oral corticosteroids, antibiotics - including nebulized antibiotics, dornase alfa and modulators of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) (such as lumacaftor, ivacaftor or tezacaftor). However, the efficacy of these interventions is unclear.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review is to compare the effects of different medical interventions in people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and hand searching of journals and conference abstract books. Date of last search of trials register: 22 May 2019.We also searched ongoing trials databases, other medical databases and the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. Date of latest additional searches: 20 May 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized and quasi-randomized trials of different medical interventions compared to each other or to no intervention or to placebo.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials identified for potential inclusion in the review. We planned to conduct data collection and analysis in accordance with Cochrane methods and to independently rate the quality of the evidence for each outcome using the GRADE guidelines.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified no trials that met the pre-defined inclusion criteria. The searches identified 47 trials, none of which were eligible for inclusion in the current version of this review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We identified no eligible trials assessing the medical interventions in people with cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. High-quality trials are needed which should assess the efficacy of different treatment options detailed above for managing chronic rhinosinusitis, preventing pulmonary exacerbations and improving quality of life in people with cystic fibrosis.
PubMed: 31642064
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012979.pub2 -
Head and Neck Pathology Jun 2020Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) arising in the head and neck region are uncommon yet well-recognized entities. Their biologic behavior and management still need to be... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) arising in the head and neck region are uncommon yet well-recognized entities. Their biologic behavior and management still need to be elucidated. Systematically reviewing all published cases of SFT involving the head and neck region since 1991, a pooled meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate various demographic and tumor characteristics. 587 SFT in the head and neck have been reported; 343 met pooled analysis inclusion criteria. 61% of cases presented as a new mass; 89% were painless. Median onset of symptoms prior to evaluation was 8 months. Pre-operative local invasion and malignant histological features (hemorrhage, necrosis, mitoses > 4/10 hpf) were not statistically associated with decreased recurrence-free survival. Positive surgical margins was the only factor associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (p < 0.001). The evidence presented herein reveals novel associations between clinical presentation and tumor characteristics that provide otolaryngologists with new insight into SFT tumor behavior, thus prompting further investigations.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Solitary Fibrous Tumors
PubMed: 31338745
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-019-01058-6