Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale
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Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital · Feb 1997
[Inhalation of foreign bodies: epidemiological data and clinical considerations in the light of a statistical review of 92 cases].
In the present work 92 patients were studied all of whom had inhaled a foreign body (FB) into one of the tracheobronchial branch. The following factors were evaluated: sex, age, nature of the FB, localization in the respiratory tree, clinical symptoms, radiological findings, time lapse between diagnosis and removal. The peak incidence (61.9%) was in children under 3 years of age with a male-female ratio of 2:1. ⋯ In all cases the FB was removed using stiff bronchoscopy under either local or general anesthesia. The authors feel that, even if no clinical signs are found and radiography proves negative, one must always consider the possibility of a FB in the tracheal-bronchial branches, particularly in patients within the age range most at risk (under 3 years) and in those having a highly suspicious clinical history. In addition, the authors assert that the use of corticosteroids before and after the bronchoscopy markedly decreases the incidence of post-operative subglottic edema which would require an emergency tracheotomy.
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Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital · Feb 1997
Case Reports[Benign symmetrical lipomatosis: Madelung's disease].
Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis, or Madelung's disease, is a rare disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the presence of loose adipose tissue deposits localized in the cervical region and in the upper body. The neoformations grow slowly and their initial consequence is purely esthetic. ⋯ It is thought that this pathology originates from an alteration in lipid metabolism. Surgical removal of the lipomatose mass is the treatment of choice even though there are frequently recurrences. A case is presented of a rare laryngeal localization of this disease and diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
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Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital · Oct 1996
Case Reports[Allergic fungal sinusitis: is this rare disease an allergy or infection?].
Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS) is a newly recognized form of benign, non invasive sinusitis the histopathologic features of which are similar to those of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. AFS is a rare condition. However, because treatment and prognosis vary widely, it is important that this disorder be recognized and differentiated from chronic bacterial sinusitis and other forms of fungal sinusitis. ⋯ Recurrence is common and thus close clinical, endoscopic and radiographic follow-up is important. The clinicopathologic features of one patient with AFS are reported and etiopathogenetic problems are discussed. The presented case showed a positive culture with negative immunological testing (RAST-positive and immediate cutaneous reactivity to fungal antigen), thus confirming the pathogenetic hypothesis of the saprophytic fungal growth in an atopic patient.
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Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital · Feb 1996
[Free-flap fibula for the reconstruction of composite mandibular defects].
The advent of microsurgery has revolutionized the reconstruction of composite tissue defects of the mandibular region. Well-vascularized bone and soft-tissues can be used to repair any kind of oromandibular defects and many of the morphological and functional goals of mandibular reconstruction can now be achieved. The ideal flap should provide a vascularized bone of sufficient length and height, easily shaped to match the original mandible with a thin, abundant soft-tissue component. ⋯ There was one flap failure for a venous thrombosis and in one case the flap was removed after 8 days for complications independent of the microvascular technique. Donor site morbidity was minimal with no significant gait disturbance. In conclusion, the advantages of microvascular surgery and the reliability of fibula free-flap make it an attractive and versatile option in one-stage reconstruction of composite tissue defects in the mandibular region.