Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx Arising From Aggressive Fibromatosis.

Aggressive fibromatosis is a rare, benign proliferative disease with unknown aetiology and high recurrence rate. To date, there are only eight reported cases affecting the larynx. Four were managed with total laryngectomy, whilst spontaneous regression happened in one case.

Airway consequences of alendronic acid aspiration.

Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed medications to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Although possessing low side effect profiles, the potential for severe topical effects is rare but important. Irritation of the upper gastrointestinal tract is well documented; however, the risk and effects of accidental aspiration are rarely reported.

Advances in laryngeal and airway surgery: what has changed?

Laryngeal and airway surgery continues to see innovation and advances, similar to other specialties of modern medicine. Research in this field has led to a greater understanding of conditions resulting in new terminology, diagnoses and change in management. This article looks at advances in laryngeal and upper airway surgery and discusses their ongoing impact on clinical practice.

Lateral cystic neck masses in adults: a ten-year series and comparative analysis of diagnostic modalities.

Background: In adults, the solitary lateral cystic neck mass remains a diagnostic challenge with little solid material to target for cytology and few clues on imaging modalities to suggest underlying malignancy.

Method: This study was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a lateral cystic neck mass to a tertiary academic head and neck centre over a 10-year period.

Results: A total of 25 of 157 cystic lesions were subsequently malignant on paraffin section histopathology, with the youngest patient being 42 years.

A novel treatment for supraglottic stenosis secondary to immunoglobulin G4-related disease.

Although immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) has a predilection for the head and neck region, laryngeal pathology is rare. We report a case of supraglottic stenosis due to IgG4-RD together with a novel treatment strategy of employing a laryngeal stent. A 69-year-old man was referred with longstanding dyspnoea and worsening inspiratory stridor.

Endoscopic management of idiopathic subglottic stenosis in pregnancy.

Aims: To describe the use of laser, endoscopic balloon dilatation with jet ventilation anaesthesia in the treatment of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Materials And Methods: This is a case review of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis, presenting to a tertiary referral centre with worsening breathlessness. Data were extracted from patient case notes.

Pharmacotherapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP): a treatment update.

: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced condition where warts grow within the airway and especially the larynx to effect voice and restrict breathing.: A PubMed search using the following search terms was performed: respiratory papillomatosis and cidofovir, alpha-interferon, bevacizumab, PD1, and HPV vaccines. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.

The assessment and management of globus pharyngeus.

Globus is the sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Investigation and management of patients with globus is widely variable. Most investigations yield negative results yet incur varying patient morbidity and healthcare costs, while malignancy is vanishingly rare in the absence of red flag symptoms and ear, nose and throat examination findings.

A high-fidelity, fully immersive simulation course to replicate ENT and head and neck emergencies.

Background: Simulation-based training has a fundamental role in medical education as it allows the learner to gain experience managing emergencies in a safe, controlled environment.

Methods: This 1-day course consisted of eight high-fidelity simulation scenarios, followed by a video-assisted debrief focusing on the technical and non-technical (communication skills, teamwork, leadership and situational awareness) aspects of managing ENT and head and neck emergencies.

Results: Eight courses have run since June 2014.

The surgical management of recurrent tracheal schwannoma.

A case of a primary tracheal schwannoma refractory to endoscopic treatment in a 54-year-old male is reported. Previous treatment was by endoscopic laser debulking. Computed tomography (CT) 2 months later demonstrated a recurrent tumour involving the anterior tracheal wall with intraluminal tracheal extension.

The management of laryngeal lipoid proteinosis.

Background: Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein 1 gene. It is characterised by deposition of hyaline material in the skin and mucous membranes. This paper describes the management of two cases with laryngopharyngeal disease.

Voice and swallowing outcomes for adults undergoing reconstructive surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis.

Purpose Of Review: Adult laryngotracheal stenosis is a rare, multifactorial condition which carries a significant physical and psychosocial burden. Surgical approaches have developed in recent years, however, voice and swallowing function can be affected prior to treatment, in the immediate postoperative phase, and as an ongoing consequence of the condition and surgical intervention. In this study we discuss: the nature of the problem; surgical interventions to address airway disorders; optimal patterns of care to maximize voice and swallowing outcomes.

Voice outcomes for early laryngeal cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Treatment options for early laryngeal cancer are well established with good local control and 5-year survival. The commonest treatments are radiotherapy or transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). There are advantages and disadvantages of the different modalities, but debate continues regarding the voice outcomes posttreatment.

ENT manifestations of alkaptonuria: report on a case series.

Background: Alkaptonuria is an inborn error of metabolism. It is a multisystem disease with characteristic ENT manifestations. This paper reports, for the first time, the ENT findings in a cohort of alkaptonuria patients.

Injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of post-laryngectomy pharyngoesophageal spasm-related disorders.

Introduction Pharyngoesophageal spasm (PES) can cause dysphagia, central valve leak (CVL), and dypshonia in post-laryngectomy patients. Botulinum toxin has been used effectively for the treatment of PES, but data regarding patient-reported outcomes and efficacy for CVL are limited. We evaluated the results of botox injection for PES spasm using subjective and objective measures.

Incidental head and neck findings on 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography computed tomography.

Objective: The overlapping risk factors for lung and head and neck cancer present a definite risk of synchronous malignant pathology. This is the first study to specifically review incidental positron emission tomography computed tomography findings in the head and neck region in lung carcinoma patients.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all lung cancer patients who underwent positron emission tomography computed tomography imaging over a five-year period (January 2008 - December 2012), identified from the Liverpool thoracic multidisciplinary team database.

Circulating and disseminated tumour cells in head and neck cancer.

Background: Multimodal treatment options in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have allowed for greater control of locoregional disease, but this has not translated into a significant overall survival advantage for patients. This is partially because these treatment modalities have no influence over the rate of development of distant metastases.

Objective: This article summarises the current methods of detecting circulating and disseminated tumour cells.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with a nasopharyngeal tumor in an adult: a case report.

Introduction: Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is a rare autoimmune syndrome usually seen in children and very rarely in adults. It typically presents with a triad of opsoclonus, myoclonus and ataxia, and is most often associated with a tumor or after an infection or vaccination. Around half of all adult cases are paraneoplastic in origin, and isolated case reports include associations with lung, breast and ovarian cancers.

Linear accelerator radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas: Results of medium-term follow-up.

Background: To examine tumour control, via volume changes, and the complications of linear accelerator (LINAC)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) on medium-term follow-up.

Methods: Between September 2003 and November 2009 fifty consecutive patients with VSs treated with SRS using a marginal dose of 12.5 Gy utilizing a LINAC equipped with a micro-multileaf collimator were identified.