Fiber optic CO-laser induced emphysema of the supraglottis.

Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare but well-defined surgical complication. However, emphysema of the supraglottic mucosa has not been described in the literature. We present a case of a 2-year-old male who suffered supraglottic emphysema secondary to fiber optic CO-laser use during laryngeal cleft repair.

Surgically-Relevant Anatomy of the External Auditory Canal Bulge and Scutum.

Hypothesis: Anatomic study of the external auditory canal's (EAC) anterior bulge, scutum, and ossicular chain will generate knowledge applicable to safe ear surgery and instrument design.

Background: The EAC contains two structures that obscure view of the middle ear: the anterior bulge and the scutum. The dimensions of these structures and their relationships to the ossicular chain have not been previously described.

Differential Expression of Mucins in Murine Olfactory Versus Respiratory Epithelium.

Unlabelled: Mucins are a key component of the surface mucus overlying airway epithelium. Given the different functions of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia, we hypothesized that mucins would be differentially expressed between these 2 areas. Secondarily, we evaluated for potential changes in mucin expression with radiation exposure, given the clinical observations of nasal dryness, altered mucus rheology, and smell loss in radiated patients.

Easy Stapes Subluxation in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Clinical Capsule and Literature Review.

Objectives: This report describes iatrogenic stapes subluxation in a 22q11 deletion syndrome patient and reviews the human and murine literature for evidence that these patients have stapes malformations. We aim to alert otologic surgeons regarding the possibility of stapes footplate abnormalities in 22q11 deletion patients.

Patient: An adult woman with known 22q11 deletion syndrome.

Non convulsive status epilepticus masquerading as stroke.

This case describes a patient with multiple stroke risk factors—including prior stroke—who presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of stroke and who received a rapid stroke work up but was later found to be in non convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). This case report highlights the challenge and importance of making an accurate diagnosis in NCSE, and we have included teaching points to help clinicians understand the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of NCSE as well as how it may impact a patient's prognosis. Given the growing attention to rapid stroke protocols in emergency departments across the country, it is important to remember that not all that appears as stroke is stroke, even in people who are at high risk for stroke or in whom stroke is the most likely cause of their neurologic deficits.