A case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy is decribed. The pre-operative diagnosis was made on cytological material obtained by fine needle aspiration. The patient was a three-month-old male infant with a rapidly growing maxillary tumour mass that also involved the pterygomaxillary fossae and the floor of the orbit. In addition to the typical clinical presentation, the cytology is also distinctive showing a dual population of small neuroblastic cells and large melanin-containing epithelial cells. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examination of the excised mass confirmed the initial diagnosis. The pre-operative distinction of this tumour from other small round cell tumours of infancy (rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma and lymphoma), is essential in order to plan the most complete resection therefore reducing the possibilities of tumour recurrence. This tumour belongs to a field of pathology with which many otolaryngologists may not be familiar.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and morbidity in the use of the palatal implant technique (PITs) in patients with failed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) after a 6-month follow-up period. This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. Sixteen patients who underwent UPPP by the same Institution with Fujita's technique with initial success but developed posterior residual apnea or snoring who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Responses of all patients and their partners were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Objective data were recorded using ambulatory polysomnography before and at 6 months after surgery. Postoperative VAS and ESS scores significantly improved by 180 days after surgery (P < 0.005). VAS snoring score was reduced from 8.3 +/- 0.8 to 5.5 +/- 1.7 (P < 0.005) and ESS score decreased from 13.3 +/- 5.9 to 10.25 +/- 4.6 (P< 0.005). The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 18.08 +/- 6.02 to 16.8 +/- 5.05 events/h (P = 0.03). The PIT is an effective treatment for snoring and daytime sleepiness of patients with failed UPPPs.
Among other tests, craniocorpography (CCG) was performed in 21 patients after acoustic neurinoma surgery. After surgery, 17 patients (81%) had a developing vestibular compensation or an already normal CCG pattern; 3 patients (14%) had signs of persisting central nervous system dysfunction, either localized to the brain stem or in combination with a cerebellar dysfunction, and 1 patient showed a delayed but sufficient compensation after removal of a neurinoma that compressed central nervous system structures. Brain stem and cerebellar dysfunctions caused by tumor compression demonstrated a better vestibular compensation than dysfunctions caused by surgical manipulation, despite no evidence of cerebellar alteration. As an adjunct to complete neuro-otologic and neurologic examinations CCG could become a useful tool in the topodiagnosis of central nervous system dysfunctions after acoustic neurinoma surgery and therefore in the documentation and follow-up process of these patients.
Among other tests, craniocorpography (CCG) was performed in 21 patients after acoustic neurinoma surgery. After surgery, 17 patients (81%) had a developing vestibular compensation or an already normal CCG pattern; 3 patients (14%) had signs of persisting central nervous system dysfunction, either localized to the brain stem or in combination with a cerebellar dysfunction, and 1 patient showed a delayed but sufficient compensation after removal of a neurinoma that compressed central nervous system structures. Brain stem and cerebellar dysfunctions caused by tumor compression demonstrated a better vestibular compensation than dysfunctions caused by surgical manipulation, despite no evidence of cerebellar alteration. As an adjunct to complete neuro-otologic and neurologic examinations CCG could become a useful tool in the topodiagnosis of central nervous system dysfunctions after acoustic neurinoma surgery and therefore in the documentation and follow-up process of these patients.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.