The thyroid specialist frequently evaluates thyroid nodules because they may represent malignancy. Nodules are typically found on physical exam or incidentally when other imaging studies are performed. Malignant or symptomatic nodules that compress nearby structures warrant surgical excision. Yet, the majority of thyroid nodules are asymptomatic and benign, so the thyroid surgeon must rely on diagnostic studies to determine when surgery is indicated. Ultrasound is the preferred imaging modality for thyroid nodules, and the ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the preferred method of tissue sampling. Nodules one centimeter or larger, or nodules with suspicious sonographic appearance warrant cytologic analysis to better quantify the risk of malignancy. Molecular biomarkers are a powerful adjunct to cytology, as detecting malignancy pre-operatively allows total thyroidectomy in a single operation without the need for frozen section or a second operation for completion thyroidectomy if malignancy is found during the initial thyroid lobectomy.

Objective:To identify radiographic features of odontogenic acute maxillary sinusitis and to determine the frequency of a causative dental infection in patients with radiographic evidence of maxillary sinus fluid.Study Design:Retrospective review of 101 sinus computed tomography scans with unilateral or bilateral maxillary sinus fluid.Methods:Each maxillary sinus was graded for extent of fluid, degree of mucosal thickening, and presence of dental pathology. Univariate chi‐square analysis was used to identify potential radiologic and demographic features predictive of sinus fluid. Multivariate logistic regression was then used to determine which features were independently predictive.Results:124 of the 202 maxillary sinuses (61%) had sinus fluid. Univariate analysis excluded age, gender, and prior surgery as predictive features. The multivariate analysis included the radiographic features of oroantral fistula, periapical abscess, periodontal disease, projecting tooth root, and dental caries. Of these, only oroantral fistula and the combination of periodontal disease with either a projecting tooth root or periapical abscess were identified as significant sources of maxillary sinusitis. In sinuses that were <1/3 opacified by fluid, 17% had a dental source of infection. In sinuses with 1/3 to 2/3 fluid opacification, 53% had an identifiable dental source, and in sinuses that were >2/3 opacified by fluid, 79% had an identifiable dental source. Mucosal thickening demonstrated a similar relationship with dental sources, so that sinuses having both >2/3 fluid opacification and moderate mucosal thickening were 86% likely to have an identifiable dental source.Conclusions:Odontogenic infections are often the source of acute maxillary sinusitis, especially if the radiographic findings of sinusitis are severe. Laryngoscope, 2009

The combined procedure allows complete removal of large or impacted sialoliths without the need for removal of the entire gland with acceptable complication rates. We also recommend consenting patients for this approach when a difficult endoscopic removal is anticipated. Laryngoscope, 2009.

Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) is a new diagnostic test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The objective of this report is to determine the accuracy of MII in detecting individual reflux events (REs) identified by pH probe and manometry, as well as their clearing in patients with severe GERD compared with normal volunteers. Ten severe GERD patients and 10 normal volunteers underwent simultaneous manometry [7 sites: gastric, lower esophageal sphincter, esophagus (4), pharynx], pH, and MII (6 sites in esophagus) for 15 min in the left and right recumbent posture while fasting. We found that patients had 30-fold more REs than normal volunteers (41 +/- 11 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.4), and 95% of all REs were detected by MII. An average 15-fold fall in impedance with liquid and fivefold rise with gas made REs and their composition easy to detect with MII. In the right recumbent posture, nearly all REs detected by MII were liquid (98%, 98/100). In contrast, all 283 REs detected by MII in the left recumbent posture were gas. Nearly all REs detected by MII were cleared (98%, 368/374). Mean acid clearing time was threefold longer (47 s) than clearing time by either manometry (15 s) or MII (13 s), primarily due to acid rereflux, i.e., additional acid REs during acid clearing. We conclude that MII is accurate in detecting REs identified by manometry and/or pH probe, their composition, and their clearing.

Specific endoscopic anatomic relationships and measurements have been presented for the anterior and posterior ethmoid arteries.