The Laryngoscope
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Review Case Reports
Abducens palsy after lumbar drain placement: a rare complication in endoscopic skull base surgery.
To study reports of abducens nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures and to discuss possible etiologic theories, treatment, and prognosis. ⋯ Lumbar puncture procedures carry a rare risk of abducens nerve palsy from ischemic or traction injury. Routine use of lumbar drain during endoscopic skull base surgery is not without risk, and need for its placement should be carefully determined. Knowledge of such rare complications is helpful in risk-benefit analysis as endoscopic skull base techniques gain popularity.
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Review Biography Historical Article
Lead and the deafness of Ludwig van Beethoven.
To reexamine the cause of Beethoven's hearing loss because of significant recent articles. ⋯ Beethoven's chronic consumption of wine tainted with lead is a better explanation of his hearing loss than other causes.
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An increased frequency of patient handoffs has occurred as a result of the new resident work-hour restrictions that have recently been instituted. Inadequate handoff of patient care has been associated with adverse patient events due to residents being unprepared for events that happen during cross cover periods. The objective of our study was to develop and test the effectiveness of a patient handoff method in an otolaryngology residency program. ⋯ Residents felt significantly better prepared for call duties when using the IMOUTA acronym. This standardized system of patient handoff may also be valuable to other residency programs.
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To analyze and assess the perioperative risks and complications in patients receiving general anesthesia undergoing surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). ⋯ Patients undergoing surgery for OSA are considered to be at increased risk of complications. Review of 32 patients failed to show any life-threatening risks or complications.
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To compare the diagnostic efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET) with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) to that of contrast-enhanced high-resolution CT (HRCT) and assess the value of a combinatorial approach in detection of recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNC) and to assess the efficacy of FDG-PET/CT with and without HRCT in comparison to standard-of-care follow-up--physical examination (PE) and endoscopy (E)--in determination of locally recurrent HNC. ⋯ HRCT increases the specificity and PPV of PET/CT when acquired simultaneously with PET. FDG-PET/CT acquired with either LDCT or HRCT has higher accuracy than HRCT alone and increases the sensitivity and NPV of PE/E.