American journal of otolaryngology
-
Lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of otitis media. We review the clinical presentation, evaluation, management, operative findings, and outcomes of this serious complication. ⋯ LST as a complication of otogenic infections may still pose a serious threat that warrants immediate attention and care. It is frequently associated with other intracranial complications. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging plays a major role in determining diagnosis and treatment plans. The availability of broad-spectrum antibiotics has improved our management significantly. Conservative surgical intervention including eradication of all perisinus infection and needle aspiration of the sinus seems to be effective.
-
Congenital anomaly of the carotid artery is a rare abnormality. It is usually discovered incidentally by color Doppler carotid sonography, angiography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck taken for some other reason. Most patients are not symptomatic because of sufficient cerebral circulation supplied to the defective area by the communicating arteries of the circle of Willis, intercavernous anastomosis, communicating arteries from external carotid artery, and by persistent embryologic arteries to the carotid artery territory. However, sometimes, this anatomic variation may eventually lead to some clinical signs and symptoms in particular circumstances in the head and neck of which surgeons are unaware. A retrospective study was designed to emphasize the characteristic radiologic and clinical picture in patients with the congenital absence (agenesis and aplasia) or hypoplasia of the carotid artery, to delineate the associated abnormalities and existing collateral vessels, and to find out its incidence. ⋯ It has been concluded that the combined use of magnetic resonance angiography and CT scanning of the skull base may disclose small but patent ICA. Collateral vessels seem to be usual in such cases, but they may be prominent in cases of acquired vascular occlusion, or increased hemodynamic pressure in dysplastic changes in collateral arteries are known causes of aneurysms. The main vascular supply for the brain in patients with congenitally small (hypoplasia) or absent (agenesis or aplasia) ICA is the vertebrobasilar system in bilateral cases. However, contralateral carotid vessel is the dominant arterial supply for unilateral cases, which has to be borne in mind in surgical interventions to the involved side.
-
Erythromelalgia is a rare syndrome that is characterized by episodic attacks of burning pain, erythema, and increased temperature usually affecting the extremities, which is aggravated by warmth or exercise. We describe a patient with a 3-year history of refractory burning pain and red ears. A review of clinical features, disease classification, associated diseases, and treatment of this disease is presented.
-
The goal of this study was to determine if a change to minimal-hair shave preparation has altered the incidence of complications after cochlear implant surgery. ⋯ There is no evidence that minimal-hair shave adversely affects rates of wound complications in patents undergoing cochlear implant surgery. Therefore, minimal preoperative scalp shave may be an acceptable alternative to the traditional hair shaving technique.
-
Otoneurologic findings in patients with superficial siderosis (SS) of the central nervous system are described. A 20-year-old man with acute vertigo, dizziness, with a history of head trauma in childhood; an 87-year-old woman with severe disequilibrium appearing after peridural anesthesia; and a 55-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of positional vertigo and progressive ataxia, suffering from a lumbar ependymoma are described; all patients complained of progressive bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Methods and results Otoneurologic examination showed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, disturbed ocular pursuit and optokinetic nystagmus, incomplete visual suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex during rotatory pendular testing, right hyporeflexia, and bilateral caloric areflexia. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed rims of hypointensity surrounding the brainstem and linear hypointensities following the surface of the cerebellar folia. ⋯ The etiology stems from subarachnoid hemorrhage, but the source of bleeding may remain obscure. Bilateral hearing loss is described in 95% and disequilibrium in 90% because of peripheral vestibular deficit and cerebellar ataxia. In patients with progressive bilateral cochleo-vestibular deficit of unknown etiology, MRI is the examination of choice to confirm SS.