Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

In a previous study, we found tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) to be a favorable prognostic indicator for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (p < 0.05). The present expanded study was undertaken to confirm this finding. The pathology of 120 head and neck tumors was examined for histologic features suggestive of poor prognosis. Ten descriptive histopathologic variables, including two malignancy grading scales, were correlated with DNA flow cytometric data and clinical outcome. No correlation was found between the malignancy grading scales and DNA flow cytometric data or clinical outcome. The present expanded study confirmed with greater statistical significance (p < 0.001) that high-grade TATE is a favorable prognostic indicator for head and neck cancer. Furthermore, high-grade TATE was associated with the absence of distant metastasis (p < 0.05). Using a stepwise logistic regression analysis of the clinicopathologic variables in the study, high-grade TATE was the most influential variable affecting clinical outcome, followed by border, stage, and perineural invasion. We conclude that the grade of TATE is a significant prognostic indicator for head and neck cancer. The significance and possible role of the eosinophil in the tumor–host interaction are discussed.

Myringotomy with the insertion of tympanostomy tubes has become the most frequently performed otolaryngologic procedure, and otorrhea is the most common post-tympanostomy complication. Many otolaryngologists routinely use prophylactic topical antibiotic solutions when performing tympanostomy tube placement. Relatively little has been written regarding early post-tympanostomy otorrhea and scarcely any examining the efficacy of such prophylaxis. The current study is a randomized clinical trial to critically evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic otic drops after tympanostomy tube placement. The ototoxic potential of these solutions, combined with constant pressures to decrease medication expenses and eliminate unnecessary use of antibiotics, makes determination of the shortest effective course of application paramount. Subjects were randomized at the time of surgery into one of three groups; one group received no prophylaxis, a second group received gentamicin otic drops Immediately after tympanostomy tube placement in the operating room only, and the third group received an additional 48 hours of drops (4 drops in each ear, three times a day). All patients were seen within 2 weeks postoperatively. An overall early post-tympanostomy otorrhea incidence of 8.7% is documented with 12%, 8.8%, and 5.6% for each study group, respectively. While these findings may suggest possible efficacy of topical prophylaxis, a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups was not proved (p = 0.62). Further analysis by subdivision of the patients, on the basis of middle ear cavity finding at the time of surgery, reveals a highly significant statistical association of the occurrence of post-tympanostomy otorrhea in ears having mucoid effusions (p < 0.001) as compared to ears without effusion or with serous effusions. On the basis of the results of this randomized trial, the routine prophylactic use of potentially ototoxic topical solutions does not appear to be Justified in patients found to have a middle ear cleft that is dry or has a serous effusion. Patients found to have mucoid effusions are at statistically significantly higher risk of development of otorrhea postoperatively. Use of prophylactic otic drops may be indicated in this group.

To study the mechanism of autonomic regulation in the larynx, intralaryngeal local ganglia of the cat were investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. Small intralaryngeal ganglia were found in the peripheral portions of internal branches of the superior laryngeal nerve. Ninety-one percent of the ganglionic neurons were immunoreactive (IR) to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and 10% of the VIP-IR cells were also immunoreactive to enkephalin (ENK) and/or substance P (SP). The immunoreactivity of neuronal cell bodies remained unchanged even after denervation of the bilateral superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves. A dense distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-IR nerve fibers was found around almost all neuronal cells in the intralaryngeal. ganglia. A few VIP-IR, ENK-IR, and SP-IR nerve fibers were also observed. Only the CGRP-IR fibers disappeared after the denervation experiments. in the laryngeal glands and mucosal arterioles, VIP-IR nerve terminals were found that were also immunoreactive to ENK and/or SP. However, these Immunoreactive nerve endings in the glands and arterioles remained after the denervation experiments. The results of our study indicate that laryngeal exocrine secretion and blood flow are regulated by postganglionic autonomic parasympathetic fibers from intralaryngeal ganglia that contain VIP alone or VIP with ENK and/or SP, and that these ganglionic neurons may be innervated by CGRP-IR extrinsic nerve fibers.

Previous investigations into the healing and reconstruction of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations have involved animal models with acute TM perforations. A problem with the acute TM perforation model is that most acute TM perforations will heal spontaneously, both in animals and human beings. A second inadequacy of acute perforation models is that they are not analogous to the salient problem in human beings: Longstanding TM perforation. The ideal animal model must have a TM perforation that is permanent, well-eplthelialized, and free from infection. The perforation must also be subtotal to preserve a rim of membrane for experimental manipulations, in the chinchilla, we have identified a hardy animal with a short, wide ear canal and relatively large tympanic membranes. Thermal myringectomy, followed by medial infolding of TM microflaps, has resulted in permanent, subtotal chronic TM perforations in the chinchilla animal model. Of the 19 chinchillas (38 TMs) perforated, chronic subtotal perforations were created in 32 ears, 6 to 8 weeks after the initial procedure (84% success). Persistent infection or TM regeneration despite reperforation was recorded in 6 ears (16%) failure). This model is currently being used to assess various biomembrane scaffolds impregnated with growth-promoting substances in the regeneration of a physiologically sound TM, initially in our animal model and then in human beings. We envision the development of a biomembrane disc impregnated with biorecombinant growth factors that may provide a simple office technique for the repair of chronic, non-infected TM perforations.

In view of the growing popularity of office videolaryngoscopy, surprisingly little objective data exist as to its influence on clincial practice. We reviewed 150 consecutive laryngeal recordings in an attempt to determine what effect videolaryngoscopy has had on our practice and the patient care provided.

The detrimental effects of transfusion have been documented—particularly by surgical oncologists, who believe transfusion-induced immunosuppression increases the incidence of recurrence and infectious complications. We examined this relation in surgical oncology of the head and neck. After meeting strict inclusion criteria, 104 patients were entered into the study, In which 31 variables of a clinical, surgical, pathologic, laboratory, and treatment nature were studied. Multivariate analysis showed transfusion did not significantly affect recurrence or infectious complications. However, by univariate analysis, infectious complications were related to transfusion (p = 0.029). The variables age (p = 0.024), postoperative hemoglobin level (p = 0.049), and spread to regional lymph node (p = 0.0015) were found to significantly affect the incidence of recurrence. In the three previous otolaryngologic studies, transfusions had been shown to affect recurrence; however, two studies used univariate analysis only. Since this is one of the first otolaryngologic studies to examine the relation of transfusion with infectious complications, prospective studies using multivariate analysis are warranted. Meanwhile, the decision to transfuse should continue to depend on the clinical status of the patient.

Clinical experience with transcutaneous bone conduction implants has demonstrated that they are most beneficial for patients with purely conductive hearing loss in at least one ear. Percutaneous bone conduction implants, however, have been reported to provide adequate benefit for patients with mixed hearing loss with bone conduction pure-tone averages up to 45 db hl (Tjellstrom, 1989). The results of 24 Xomed Audiant osseointegrated bone conduction hearing devices (including a clinical trial on two patients using a new, larger magnet [Neodynium Iron Boron]), plus the results of eleven patients implanted and fitted with the percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid are reported. Aided results with these devices will be presented. In addition, general comparisons of benefit obtained with the two devices will be made for patients who exhibit similar hearing losses. Finally, a direct comparison will be made on two patients who have undergone both implant procedures.

Educationally significant hearing loss has been reported in 10% to 15% of children with congenital toxoplasmosis. As part of a pilot study to assess feasibility and safety of prolonged therapy for congenital toxoplasmosis, 30 congenially infected infants and children were evaluated for auditory function. Serial testing, beginning within 2 months of birth, was performed. Availability of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing made evaluation at an earlier age than previously possible. Six (20%) of the 30 infants had mild to moderate conductive type hearing loss associated with otitis media. No infant or child had sensorineural hearing loss. The better outcome we observed compared to previous reports of a 15% to 26% incidence of sensorineural hearing loss and 10% to 15% incidence of educationally significant, bilateral hearing impairment may be related to early initiation and/or prolonged institution of antimicrobial therapy. Continued followup to exclude progressive hearing impairment and study of larger numbers of children are needed to verify these preliminary findings.

A study was conducted to assess oxygenation and respiratory changes on the first and second postoperative nights after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Twelve patients were postoperatively evaluated with 8-hour nocturnal polysomnography on four occasions: (1) PREOP—night before UPPP, (2) POPN1—first postoperative night, (3) POPN2—second postoperative night, and (4) 3MOS—3-month follow-up study. Results demonstrate that apnea Index (Al) and respiratory disturbance Index (RDI) were significantly Improved at 3MOS from PREOP levels: Al (p < 0.01) and RDI (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences from PREOP to POPN1 or POPN2 for Al, RDI, lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation (LSAT), or number of desaturations (#DESAT). One of twelve patients dropped LSAT >10% from PREOP to POPN1 or POPN2 (82% PREOP to 71% POPN2). Patients were grouped by PREOP LSAT ⩾80% or <80%, and the postoperative change In LSAT was evaluated by comparing PREOP to a value averaging POPN1 and POPN2. Patients with LSAT ⩽80% decreased by 2.6%; patients with LSAT <80% Improved by 6.2%. This change in LSAT between groups was statistically different (p = 0.02). These data suggest that in the majority of patients, preoperative indices remain unchanged for at least 2 days after surgery, even for patients who demonstrated improvement at 3 months. However, worsening does occur in some patients. On the basis of the results of this study and clinical experience with the postoperative course, a selective management protocol is outlined.

Pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and hemorrheologic agent has been found to increase oxygen delivery to ischemic tissue. Intravenous pentoxifylline was administered to normal guinea pigs in order to assess the effect of pentoxifylline on cochlear blood flow and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Intravenous pentoxifylline was found to acutely increase cochlear blood flow in a dose-dependent manner. In normal animals, the effect appeared strongly related to the rheologic properties of this agent rather than a vasodilative action. Normovolemic hemodilution with 75% dextran resulted in no Increase in cochlear blood flow during Infusion of pentoxifylline, whereas the application of nitroprusside over the round window failed to abolish the effect of pentoxifylline.