Airway obstruction secondary to vocal cord polyp.

Patients with vocal cord polyps commonly present with symptoms of hoarseness. Although rare, large polyps can cause shortness of breath and stridor and should be included in the differential for patients with airway obstruction. Dysphonia or hoarseness can be a symptom of underlying disease, such as head and neck cancer.

Presentation of a branchial cleft anomaly in an adult.

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common type of congenital neck mass and typically are diagnosed in patients under age 5 years. This article describes a rare presentation of an adult with a branchial cleft anomaly.

Leveraging Advanced Practice Providers in an Otolaryngology Practice.

Objective: Advanced practice providers (APPs) may see patients independently or assist in "collaborative" clinics in otolaryngology practices. Our goal was to redesign the collaborative physician-APP clinic model to increase patient access, maintain financial sustainability, and optimize patient and staff experience.

Methods: The study was performed in a tertiary care academic rhinology clinic seeing adult patients.

Bipedicled submental musculofascial "hammock" flap for salvage laryngectomy closure reinforcement.

Background: The aim of the study was to describe a novel technique for reinforcement of salvage laryngectomy closure using a bipedicled musculofascial submental flap.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design identified patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy reinforcement with a bipedicled submental hammock flap between January 2008 and December 2016 were compared to salvage laryngectomy patients treated with primary closure of the neopharynx during the same time period. Pharyngocutaneous fistula rates were compared between groups.

Paroxysmal laryngospasm: Episodic closure of the upper airway.

Paroxysmal laryngospasm is an episodic event, resulting in complete closure of the larynx caused by hypersensitization of laryngeal tissue and protective laryngeal reflexes. This condition most often occurs secondary to laryngopharyngeal reflux. Prognosis generally is good after treatment is initiated; however, often because of a misunderstanding of the clinical course and potential causes, patients with paroxysmal laryngospasm can go untreated.

Submental flap for reconstruction of anterior skull base, orbital, and high facial defects.

Purpose: Large anterior skull base, orbital, and high facial defects can present a challenging reconstructive problem. Limited data exists in the literature on the use of a submental flap for reconstructing such defects. We aimed to describe the feasibility, success, and advantages of using variations of the submental flap for reconstruction of anterior skull base, orbital, and high facial defects.

Eye problems in a woman with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare, systemic vasculitis of unknown cause. Ocular involvement is a rare but established complication and can lead to vision damage or blindness if not treated promptly. Treatment of ocular manifestations corresponds with systemic treatment of the disease and consists primarily of corticosteroids.

HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can infect the tonsillar tissues of the oropharynx and is associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This article provides an overview to guide primary care providers in screening patients for oropharyngeal cancer and making appropriate referrals. The article also reviews available HPV vaccines and immunization adherence rates.

Reconstruction of Lateral Skull Base Defects: A Comparison of the Submental Flap to Free and Regional Flaps.

Objectives: To compare reconstructive techniques, operative times, duration of hospitalization, and need for subsequent flap revisions between reconstructive approaches to lateral skull base defects.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary academic referral center.

Surgical Management and Reconstruction of Hoffman's Disease (Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp).

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, or Hoffman's disease, is a rare dermatologic condition characterized by recurrent pustules and sinus tract formation leading to scarring and alopecia. Medical management includes the use of corticosteroids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and adalimumab. In cases where the disease is severe, refractory, and intractable, surgery is an option.

Interprofessional orientation for health professionals utilising simulated learning: Findings from a pilot study.

We describe a novel, interprofessional educational intervention pilot used to orient new health profession employees through the simulation laboratory. Health profession employees were recruited to engage in a simulation training session that focused on communication, collaboration, and healthcare roles and responsibilities. Learners (N = 11) were divided into two groups with representation from various health disciplines.

Managing acute invasive fungal sinusitis.

Acute invasive fungal sinusitis is the most aggressive form of fungal sinusitis and can be fatal, especially in patients who are immunosuppressed. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial and potentially lifesaving, so primary care providers must maintain a high index of suspicion for this disease. Patients may need to be admitted to the hospital for IV antifungal therapy and surgical debridement.

Oncologic safety of the submental flap for reconstruction in oral cavity malignancies.

Objectives: To evaluate the oncologic safety of the submental flap regarding potential transposition of involved nodes to the reconstruction site and recognize the submental flap as an excellent option for oral cavity reconstruction.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary academic referral center.

Understanding facial nerve paralysis.

Facial nerve paralysis has many causes and can be acute or chronic. Understanding the signs and symptoms, performing a careful patient evaluation, and obtaining appropriate diagnostic testing can help guide clinicians and improve outcomes.

Hybrid submental flaps for reconstruction in the head and neck: part pedicled, part free.

Objectives/hypothesis: Evaluate feasibility and success of elongating only the venous pedicle of the submental flap to increase the superior arc of rotation for the "hybrid" flap allowing coverage of more distal defects.

Study Design: Retrospective evaluation of all submental flaps undergoing pedicle-lengthening procedure at a single institution.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for all patients undergoing reconstruction with submental flaps between 2002 and 2012.