American journal of otolaryngology
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Meningitis is a potential complication in otolaryngologic procedures and conditions. Severe sequelae make understanding factors involved in relevant malpractice litigation critical. We analyze pertinent litigation for awards, outcomes, patient demographic factors, and other alleged causes of malpractice. ⋯ Practitioners facing litigation related to meningitis may wish to consider these findings, notably for cases involving death or permanent functional deficits, as cases with out of court settlements tended to be resolved with lower payments. Cases involving misdiagnosis may be more likely to be resolved with payment compared with iatrogenic cases. By understanding the issues detailed in this analysis and including them in the informed consent process for patients undergoing rhinologic and otologic procedures, otolaryngologists may potentially improve patient safety and decrease liability.
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Review vallecular cysts and report the surgical management of a vallecular cyst of unusual size with near-complete obliteration of the airway. This case report describes an unusually large mucus retention cyst in an 8-week-old infant that was diagnosed during induction of general anesthesia and prevented visualization of airway. Intubation was performed after rapid aspiration of the cyst contents. ⋯ Vallecular cysts can present as a life-threatening obstruction in infants and complicate the establishment of an airway after induction of anesthesia. In our case, rapid thinking and aspiration of the cyst contents helped establish the airway for definitive CO2 laser excision.
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We compare estimated blood loss (EBL) during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) between patients receiving transoral greater palatine canal (GPC) and transnasal infiltration (combined group) to patients receiving only transnasal infiltration (control group). CT stage, endoscopic stage, revision surgery, presence of polyps, degree of resident involvement, and operative time (OT) are also evaluated. ⋯ Increased endoscopic and CT stages, presence of polyps, and revision surgery may all lead to greater EBL in ESS. Although there was a trend towards decreased EBL in the combined group, this however did not reach statistical significance. Combined injection through the GPC and nasal cavity appears to be a safe method to decrease EBL during ESS.
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Case Reports
An unusual instance of stridor: airway obstruction from a nasogastric tube knot in a 1-month old infant.
We report a 1 month old infant with a spontaneously knotted nasogastric tube. Attempted removal of the nasogastric tube was unsuccessful, prompting further investigation. Plain radiographs revealed a large, multi-looped knot impacted in the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The tube was subsequently removed through the mouth under general anesthesia without complication, revealing a large, impressive knot of the distal end of the nasogastric tube.
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Case Reports
Neurologic toxicity of lidocaine during awake intubation in a patient with tongue base abscess. Case report.
Lidocaine is commonly used for topical anesthesia of the upper airway in patient with anticipated difficult tracheal intubation undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation. Lidocaine toxicity is dose related and proportional to its plasma level. Although neurologic toxicity has been frequently observed with intravenous use, it has also been reported for topical use. ⋯ Moreover, conditions such as hypercarbia, dysphagia, or hepatic diseases are known to facilitate onset of lidocaine neurologic toxicity with serum concentration lower than normal. These findings should be kept in mind before administering topical anesthesia of the upper airway. In the presence of any of these conditions above, either the total dose of local anesthetic or its concentration should be reduced as much as possible.