The Laryngoscope
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Case Reports
Relationship between cochleovestibular disorders in hemifacial spasm and neurovascular compression.
To investigate the evolution of cochleovestibular symptoms before, during, and after microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve in hemifacial spasm. ⋯ The authors propose two pathophysiologic hypotheses. First, the concomitant facial and cochleo-vestibular symptoms may be due to a hyperactivity of both the facial and vestibular nuclei. According to theories about cryptogenic hemifacial spasm, the origin of this hyperactivity could be an ectopic excitation focus. However, the two nerves may have different sites of ectopic excitation. According to the second hypothesis, a pulsatile compression of the facial nerve may be transmitted to the eighth nerve. This could take place even if only the facial nerve is in contact with a vascular loop.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Granisetron, droperidol, and metoclopramide for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy.
Patients undergoing thyroidectomy may be especially at risk of experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of granisetron, droperidol, and metoclopramide for preventing PONV after thyroidectomy. ⋯ Prophylactic therapy with granisetron is superior to droperidol or metoclopramide for preventing PONV after thyroidectomy.
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Comparative Study
Peer review: studying the major otolaryngology journals.
To determine if the otolaryngology literature is comparable to other surgical specialty journals with respect to quality and types of articles published. ⋯ The otolaryngology literature compares quite favorably with the literature of other surgical specialties, excelling in prospective studies and basic science research. It only lags with respect to sample size. The study composition among the different major otolaryngology journals is largely similar with respect to basic study parameters, suggesting comparable quality among the journals.
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To determine the value of preoperative balloon occlusion in predicting the safety of carotid artery resection in advanced recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ⋯ Preoperative carotid balloon occlusion predicted patients who could tolerate permanent occlusion. All patients eventually developed recurrent disease, but in 14 of the 15 patients, no hemorrhages occurred.