The Laryngoscope
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Middle ear pressure variation: effect of nitrous oxide.
Previous studies examining middle ear pressure changes due to inhalant anesthesia, including nitrous oxide, have cited equivocal results. An investigation was performed to closely monitor changes in middle ear pressure during middle ear surgery. Baseline tympanometry was performed before anesthesia, and middle ear pressure was then documented in 1-min time intervals. ⋯ There were no effects for time of surgery, type of fluid, or baseline. Pressure fluctuation was attributed to eustachian tube function. Case studies are presented to demonstrate subject variability, and suggestions for validation study procedures are presented.
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Minor blunt cervical injuries in children are relatively common occurrences leading to serious sequelae in only rare circumstances, yet sufficient impact of even a seemingly minor event may lead to a significant posterior tracheal wall laceration, resulting in pneumomediastinum with or without pneumothorax. Three cases demonstrate how the mechanism of injury does not always match either the severity of initial presentation or the consequent necessary level of emergent management. Pneumomediastinum without pneumothorax often can be treated conservatively; however, the onset of massive pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax may necessitate both tracheotomy and tube thoracostomy as initial treatment.