The Laryngoscope
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To evaluate the use of maxillary sinus puncture as a routine diagnostic procedure to exclude or confirm purulent sinusitis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients presenting with fever or a septic state of unknown origin. ⋯ Antral puncture proves to be a simple, fast, safe, inexpensive, and effective procedure for immediate diagnosis of acute nosocomial sinusitis in ICU patients and is therefore recommended as first procedure in these patients, even when only minor clinical abnormalities are present.
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Comparative Study
Positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose for suspected head and neck tumor recurrence in the symptomatic patient.
To analyze the impact of positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the treatment of patients suspected of having head and neck cancer recurrence. ⋯ FDG-PET has a major additional diagnostic value to CT+MRI for the evaluation of the symptomatic patient suspected of having head and neck cancer recurrence. PET could have a direct impact on management by correctly selecting patients in whom a panendoscopic exploration with biopsy is indicated.
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Vocal fold paralysis is the most common otolaryngological complication after anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). However, the frequency and etiology of this injury are not clearly defined. This study was performed to establish the incidence and mechanism of vocal fold paralysis in ACSS and to determine whether controlling for endotracheal tube/laryngeal wall interactions induced by the cervical retraction system could decrease the rate of paralysis. ⋯ The study results suggest that the most common cause of vocal fold paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery is compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve within the endolarynx. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring and release after retractor placement may prevent injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during anterior cervical spine surgery.
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To measure the incidence of postoperative headaches after retrosigmoid resections of acoustic neuromas and to evaluate the impact of cranioplasty on the prevention and management of these headaches. ⋯ Cranioplasty has not been able to eliminate postoperative headaches. However, the use of cranioplasty has significantly decreased the severity of postoperative headaches after retrosigmoid excision of acoustic neuromas.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Reducing post-tonsillectomy pain with cryoanalgesia: a randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the use of cryoanalgesia in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain. ⋯ Cryotherapy is a new technique that significantly reduces post-tonsillectomy pain without evidence of causing additional complications.