Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 1981
Comparative StudyComputed tomography vs laryngography: a comparison of relative diagnostic value.
The computed tomography (CT) scans and laryngograms of 25 patients with laryngeal cancer were compared and evaluated in an assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of each modality in the supraglottic, glottic, and subglottic regions. Fourth generation scanners were used in these patients, all of whom subsequently underwent laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy. The clinical superiority of CT scanning was evident in several areas--confirming clinical impressions that laryngography is not as accurate as CT, is frequently misleading, and offers no significant advantages over CT. In this regard, we now believe that computed tomography is the most important radiologic adjunct in the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer, and we no longer order the laryngogram on a routine basis.
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Primary thyroid abscess arising from acute suppurative thyroiditis is an unusual type of head and neck infection. Only 39 cases of thyroid abscess have been reported in the medical literature since 1950. ⋯ In addition, the incidence, etiology, signs and symptoms, complications, aids to diagnosis, and management are reviewed. Systemic antimicrobials combined with prompt surgical intervention will prevent the serious complications possible with this disease.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Mar 1981
Pretreatment airway management in obstructing carcinoma of the larynx.
Partial endoscopic excision of obstructing laryngeal carcinoma with the CO2 laser is an alternative to emergency tracheotomy or emergency laryngectomy whenever the airway control can be initially ensured by endotracheal intubation. The practical advantages of this approach are elimination of the septic complications of tracheotomy, the opportunity for planned preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and better nutritional and psychologic preparation of the patient for surgery.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Mar 1981
Case ReportsIntracranial aneurysm occurring as sensorineural hearing loss.
Reports of sudden hearing loss as the first sign of an intracranial aneurysm are sparse and published primarily in the neurologic literature. A case report is presented in which the initial signs and symptoms of a lobular aneurysm in the posterior communicating artery were the sudden onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache. ⋯ The world literature is reviewed for cases in which aneurysms have initially occurred as hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. Intracranial aneurysm is discussed as a rare, potential source of a sudden sensorineural hearing loss.