Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Jan 1990
Predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale for tracheotomy in head-injured patients.
Patients with severe head trauma often require prolonged intubation and subsequent tracheotomy. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), an indicator of the severity of head injury, may help identify that subpopulation of trauma victims who will ultimately undergo tracheotomy. ⋯ Conversely, the presence of thoracoabdominal or maxillofacial injury is associated with but not predictive of eventual tracheotomy. In the hope of minimizing complications and enhancing the utilization of hospital resources, this study argues for early tracheotomy in patients with a GCS score less than or equal to 7 who do not undergo craniotomy and are otherwise stable.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Dec 1989
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialProspective studies evaluating the standard endotracheal tube and a prototype endotracheal tube.
Two prospective studies were designed to evaluate laryngeal injury sustained with the standard endotracheal tube (ETT) and the relative safety of a new prototype ETT. The first study followed patients after prolonged intubation with the standard ETT. Potential patient host factors were recorded and correlated with subjective complaints and objective findings on fiberoptic laryngoscopy. ⋯ The mechanisms of TVC granulomas and immobility are probably different, as suggested by the different host factor associations and onset times. The second study compared the standard ETT with the prototype ETT in short-term intubations. The prototype ETT was associated with no complications in this setting and is considered relatively safe for further testing in the patient with prolonged intubation.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Sep 1989
Comparative StudyIndirect videolaryngoscopy versus direct endoscopy for larynx and pharynx cancer staging. Toward elimination of preliminary direct laryngoscopy.
Thirty-nine patients with cancer of the larynx and pharynx (33 untreated and six previously treated patients) underwent tumor mapping by both direct laryngoscopy (DL) and indirect videolaryngoscopy (IVL). The examiner in each case was unaware of the findings of the other evaluation method. ⋯ On the basis of these findings, we conclude that aggressive, office-based IVL can guide initial treatment planning (partial or total laryngectomy versus irradiation) and patient counseling. A confirmatory DL can be performed without surprises at the time of definitive surgery, rather than as a separate procedure - a cost-effective modification of standard practice.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Sep 1989
Case ReportsCongenital subglottic stenosis: the elliptical cricoid cartilage.
Various malformations of the cricoid cartilage produce congenital subglottic stenosis. The elliptical cricoid cartilage first was demonstrated histopathologically in horizontal sections of six postmortem specimens and now has been identified clinically in ten patients. The clinical diagnosis of the elliptical cricoid cartilage, suggested by anteroposterior soft tissue neck films, is confirmed at direct laryngoscopy. Delineation of the precise location, extent, and histopathology of subglottic stenosis provides the basis for rational management.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Apr 1989
Flexible transbronchial needle aspiration for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
To determine the value of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, we reviewed a 1-year experience of consecutive patients with sarcoidosis presenting with hilar and/or paratracheal adenopathy. The sensitivity of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in obtaining specimens of noncaseating granulomas was 90%. This yield exceeds that of most published reports of transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchial mucosal biopsy and suggests that transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy may be a valuable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of these forms of sarcoidosis.