Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Apr 2008
Comparative StudyAcute myopericarditis complicating acute tonsillitis: beware the young male patient with tonsillitis complaining of chest pain.
We describe 11 cases of myopericarditis complicating bacterial tonsillitis. ⋯ Otolaryngologists should be aware of this rare entity. Additional studies are indicated to evaluate the exact incidence of myopericarditis associated with acute streptococcal tonsillitis.
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Management of the airway in an emergency may be a harrowing experience. The equipment necessary to perform this procedure is often inaccessible. The LifeStat emergency airway is a portable device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997 for emergency cricothyrotomy. It is small enough to secure to a keychain, thus allowing instantaneous access at all times. We present a retrospective case series to report the experience of clinicians who have used the LifeStat device. ⋯ The LifeStat device provides a relatively safe and effective means of performing emergency cricothyrotomy. The majority of emergency situations in which the device was deployed occurred in hospital settings.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Dec 2007
Case ReportsRole of computed tomography and bronchoscopy in speech prosthesis aspiration.
Tracheoesophageal puncture prostheses (TEPPs) are an integral aspect of speech rehabilitation for many patients who have undergone total laryngectomy. Because one flange of the prosthesis sits in the trachea and the other in the esophagus, these devices can be aspirated or swallowed if dislodged. ⋯ Furthermore, the aspirated TEPPs were not reliably demonstrated on chest radiographs, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Aspiration of TEPPs may be more common than formerly recognized, and chest computed tomography or bronchoscopy is indicated in cases of missing TEPPs not demonstrated on plain films.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Nov 2007
Comparative StudyDrilling simulated temporal bones with left-handed tools: a left-hander's right?
Left-handed trainees can be at a disadvantage in the surgical environment because of a right-handed bias. The effectiveness of teaching left-handed trainees to use an otologic drill designed for their dominant hand versus the conventional right-handed drill was examined. ⋯ The left-handed trainees learned bone drilling better with tools designed for the left hand. These tools may be incorporated into residency training programs for the development of surgical technical skills. Future studies should assess skill transfer between the left-handed and right-handed drills.
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This study was intended to 1) identify preoperative predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and 2) determine the role of obesity in difficulty of obtaining adequate laryngeal exposure. ⋯ Obese patients and those with a Mallampati score of at least 2 posed a significantly higher risk of DLE. Preoperative identification of a potentially difficult airway may aid surgical planning and allow more effective communication with a collaborating anesthesiologist.