Publications by authors named "Carolyn Coughlan"

Computed tomography (CT) is the current gold standard imaging for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) but is limited by cost, risk of radiation, and difficulty of being performed in the typical outpatient primary care setting. We describe the novel use of a low-cost, handheld technology to deliver an intraoral near-infrared (NIR) wavelength light to optically image the maxillary sinuses. Digital images were collected for subjects presenting with sinus disease using an intraoral NIR light source for transillumination of the maxillary sinuses, captured by a modified digital single-lens reflex camera.

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Objectives: The recurrent laryngeal nerve is at risk of injury during open pharyngeal diverticula operations. The utility of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring during these procedures was investigated.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 8 open pharyngeal diverticulectomies completed between 2009 and 2014.

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Diagnosis and treatment of vocal fold lesions has been a long-evolving science for the otolaryngologist. Contemporary practice requires biopsy of a glottal lesion in the operating room under general anesthesia for diagnosis. Current in-office technology is limited to visualizing the surface of the vocal folds with fiber-optic or rigid endoscopy and using stroboscopic or high-speed video to infer information about submucosal processes.

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Purpose Of Review: To review and discuss recent literature regarding the use of antibiotics in relation to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), including perioperative antibiotics, postoperative antibiotics, and antibiotic usage in the setting of postoperative packing.

Recent Findings: Perioperative antibiotics are not recommended by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The necessity of antibiotics following ESS is a heavily debated topic.

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Objective: The KTP laser has become commonplace in transoral head and neck surgery. The interactions of this laser with commonly used supplies in transoral surgery have not been formally examined. This study evaluates the effects of the KTP laser on surgical supplies.

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Pituitary adenomas (PA) are histologically benign tumors of the sella that are capable of recurrence following resection. No mechanism exists to predict accurately the risk of recurrence in patients with PA following successful gross total surgical resection. We used microarray-based gene expression profiling to search for genotypically distinct subgroups of non-functional PA associated with the early recurrent phenotype.

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Objectives: To compare hearing outcomes in patients with far advanced otosclerosis (FAO) undergoing cochlear implantation to an age-matched group of controls, to describe the effects of cochlear ossification on hearing, and to review the adverse effects of implantation in patients with FAO.

Hypothesis: Hearing performance in patients with FAO after cochlear implantation is comparable to similarly treated postlingually deafened adults without FAO. Ossification or retrofenestral otosclerosis does not predict poor hearing outcomes.

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Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is an approved drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although extensive studies have demonstrated the symptomatic efficacy of donepezil treatment in patients with AD, the effects of donepezil, if any, on the AD process are not known. In this study, we sought to determine whether long-term administration of donepezil would slow amyloid plaque deposition or confer neuronal protection in a mouse model of AD.

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Memantine, an uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been hypothesized to have neuroprotective properties. However, the similarity of its mechanism of action to other NMDA receptor antagonists has led to concerns that it may also have neurotoxic effects. To assess both the neuroprotective and neurotoxic potential of memantine in a mouse model of AD (Tg2576 mice), we used quantitative light and electron microscopy to investigate the effects of long-term (6 months) administration of memantine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) on plaque deposition and neuronal morphology in the hippocampus and overlying cortex.

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) affect 1 in 166 births. Although electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and clinical seizures may play a role in ASDs, the exact frequency of EEG abnormalities in an ASD population that has not had clinical seizures or prior abnormal EEGs is unknown. There is no current consensus on whether treatment of EEG abnormalities may influence development.

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