Severity as assessed by a pretreatment CT scan is a strong predictor of outcome. Patients with higher symptom severity based on CT scans showed significantly larger improvement and lower absolute levels of symptom severity after treatment. This study links CT scan findings and subjective patient-based outcomes (symptom scores) using a validated outcomes instrument.
Most patients with a Zenker's diverticulum are good candidates for endoscopic management. In our series, 84% of those who underwent endoscopic treatment ultimately achieved relief of symptoms. The patient morbidity is minimal. A large diverticulum with redundant mucosa is a risk factor for recurrence after endoscopic treatment.
Objective improvement of signs of LPRD can be detected after 6 weeks of PPI therapy using digital LVS. The Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease Index is a useful valid clinical tool for following treatment response to PPI therapy.
Surgical decompression of the optic canal is indicated in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy who fail to respond to corticosteroids. Traditional surgical approaches to the orbital apex have been effective in achieving optic nerve decompression but require either a craniotomy, provide limited exposure with late identification and protection of the optic nerve, or require external incisions. The combined transconjunctival/intranasal endoscopic approach to the optic canal offers sufficient exposure, allows early identification and protection of the optic nerve, provides space for the use of multiple surgical instruments, obviates a craniotomy and external incisions, and can be performed quickly with minimal morbidity. The technique of combined transconjunctival/intranasal endoscopic optic nerve decompression will be described and the experience with nine cases will be presented.
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.