Otolaryngology Manifestations of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: This project aims to prospectively and objectively assess otolaryngological manifestations and quality of life of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and compare these findings with healthy pediatric controls.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Two high-volume pediatric PCD specialty centers.

Unilateral Facial Paralysis in the Pediatric Patient.

Unilateral facial paralysis (FP) in the pediatric population is a rare entity secondary to multiple etiologies including infectious, vascular, and neoplastic. In persistent or recurrent FP, imaging can demonstrate a peripheral facial nerve (FN) lesion. Given the rarity of FN lesions, however, there is limited literature regarding optimal management.

A Protocol for Resection and Immediate Reconstruction of Pediatric Mandibles Using Microvascular Free Fibula Flaps.

Purpose: The use of a vascularized free fibula graft (FFF) for the reconstruction of a mandible in a child with a mandibular tumor is infrequent. The purpose of this study is to report our protocol for resection of mandibular jaw tumors and immediate reconstruction using FFF in pediatric patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series of children with a mandibular tumor, which was resected and immediately reconstructed with FFF.

Posterior Tongue Tie, Base of Tongue Movement, and Pharyngeal Dysphagia: What is the Connection?

Ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, and its impact on the oral phase of feeding has been studied and debated for decades. However, the impact of posterior tongue ties on the pharyngeal phase of swallowing is not well documented in the literature. A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) allows for visualization of the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of the swallow.

What's New with Tubes, Tonsils, and Adenoids?

Evidence-based recommendations are constantly being updated for various pediatric surgical procedures, including the role for tympanostomy tubes, as well as indications for adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. With a growing body of research available on some of the most prevalent pediatric conditions, an update on the current concepts surrounding management is warranted.

Resolution of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in a pediatric patient with a severe phenotype of Muckle-Wells syndrome treated with Anakinra: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) is a rare auto-inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of recurrent urticaria, deafness and amyloidosis. Progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is reported to occur in up to 85% of patients occurring in the second and third decades and as early as the first decade in patients with a more severe phenotype, thus potentially having a significant impact on a child's development. IL-1 inhibitors, such as Anakinra, have been described to improve systemic inflammation, and stabilize or improve hearing status as well.

Management of cricopharyngeal achalasia in an 8-month child using endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy.

A term baby was transferred to our tertiary care center with desaturations and inability to manage upper airway secretions. Rigid bronchoscopy and swallowing study revealed cricopharyngeal (CP) achalasia. A gastrostomy tube insertion and Botulinum Toxin-A injection were performed at 6 weeks of age.

Concha bullosa mucocele: A case series and review of the literature.

Background: Concha bullosa mucocele is a rare diagnosis that presents as a nasal mass. It impinges on surrounding structures and can easily be mistaken for a neoplasm.

Objective: The objective of this study was to shed light on this rare entity and report its diagnostic features and treatment outcomes.

The Relationship between Stapes Prosthesis Length and Rate of Stapedectomy Success.

Objectives: To identify whether measurement of the prosthesis length is mandatory in patients requiring otosclerosis surgeries and to assess their postoperative audiometric outcomes. In addition, evaluation of prosthesis length used in revision compared to primary stapedectomy was carried out.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Concomitant exposure to ovalbumin and endotoxin augments airway inflammation but not airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma.

Varying concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in ovalbumin (OVA) may influence the airway response to allergic sensitization and challenge. We assessed the contribution of LPS to allergic airway inflammatory responses following challenge with LPS-rich and LPS-free commercial OVA. BALB/c mice were sensitized with LPS-rich OVA and alum and then underwent challenge with the same OVA (10 µg intranasally) or an LPS-free OVA.

Allergen challenge during halothane compared to isoflurane anesthesia induces a more potent peripheral lung response.

Allergen instillation in anaesthetized vs. awake animals results in increased distribution of allergen in the lung. Halothane is a more potent bronchodilator of the small airways than isoflurane.

Heart rate variability and extubation readiness in extremely preterm infants.

Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is associated with changes in autonomic nervous system activity in preterm infants, which can be assessed by measurements of heart rate variability (HRV). Decreased HRV has been described in adults undergoing disconnection from MV; such information is not available in preterm infants.

Objective: To compare differences in HRV between infants successfully extubated and those who failed, and to evaluate the accuracy of HRV as a predictor of extubation readiness.

Recurrent tube insertion for chronic otitis media with effusion in children over 6 years.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical characteristics of children above 6 years of age with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) who have required pressure equalizing tube (PET) insertions.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all children above the age of 6 years, who underwent PET insertion due to chronic OME, between 2000 and 2009 at a tertiary care institution. Children were also divided into those with a single PET and those with ≥ 2 PET.

A role for decorin in a murine model of allergen-induced asthma.

Decorin (Dcn) is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan, which affects airway mechanics, airway-parenchymal interdependence, airway smooth muscle proliferation and apoptosis, and transforming growth factor-β bioavailability. As Dcn deposition is differentially altered in asthma, we questioned whether Dcn deficiency would impact the development of allergen-induced asthma in a mouse model. Dcn(-/-) and Dcn(+/+) mice (C57Bl/6) were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA) and challenged intranasally 3 days/wk × 3 wk.

Allergen-induced asthma in C57Bl/6 mice: hyper-responsiveness, inflammation and remodelling.

The relationship among airway responsiveness, inflammation and remodelling in asthma is incompletely understood. To investigate potential mechanistic associations, allergen-induced asthma was studied in C57Bl/6 mice. Mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) using sub-acute (SA) or chronic (C) protocols.