[Children with encephalopathy : the ear, nose and throat perspective].

Children with encephalopathy are at increased risk of swallowing disorders with aspirations, food blockages, difficulties, and stress during meals. Serious consequences may result, such as recurrent lung infections and failure to thrive. The ENT or phoniatric examination includes the evaluation of food bolus management, possible drooling, and swallowing safety.

Oral function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: A matched case-control study.

Background & Aims: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) develop swallowing difficulties with the progression of the disease. The present study aimed at comparing oral function and body composition between ALS patients and healthy controls, and at evaluating which parameters are the most discriminant between both groups.

Methods: We included ALS patients at the start of their multidisciplinary follow-up at the Geneva University Hospitals and healthy age-, gender-, and dental status-matched adults.

Early advance care planning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: results of a systematic intervention by a palliative care team in a multidisciplinary management programme - a 4-year cohort study.

Introduction: Although recommended, the implementation of early advance care planning is suboptimal in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Barriers to advance care planning include healthcare professionals’ and patients’ reluctance, and uncertainty about the right time to initiate a discussion.

Aim Of The Study: To determine how often advance care planning was initiated, and the content of the discussion in a first routine palliative care consultation integrated within a multidisciplinary management programme.

Multidisciplinary care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a 4-year longitudinal observational study.

Over a four-year period, ALS patients complied with the modalities of the multidisciplinary management follow-up without any drop-outs. The multidisciplinary management structure also contributes to increasing the experience and knowledge of the clinicians involved in managing patients suffering from this rare disease.

Assessing Inspiratory Muscle Strength for Early Detection of Respiratory Failure in Motor Neuron Disease: Should We Use MIP, SNIP, or Both?

Background: Motor neuron disease (MND) invariably impacts on inspiratory muscle strength leading to respiratory failure. Regular assessment of sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) and/or maximal mouth inspiratory pressure (MIP) contributes to early detection of a requirement for ventilatory support.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility, agreement, and performance of both tests in MND.

Prevalence of bifid uvula in primary school children.

Background: A bifid uvula is an anatomic variation that can be predictive of sub-mucous cleft palate, which may cause velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Bifid uvula prevalence in the literature ranges from 0.18% to 10.

Bamboo Nodes of Vocal Folds: A Description of 10 Cases and Review of the Literature.

Objective: Bamboo nodes are vocal fold lesions, mostly associated with autoimmune diseases.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective clinical study including 10 patients with bamboo nodes. Data were collected regarding associated autoimmune disorder and type of treatment.

Modification of the Surgical Strategy for the Dissection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Using Continuous Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe first experiences and changes in management using continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (C-IONM) in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Method: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery with C-IONM since 2012. Surgical maneuvers were modified when electrophysiologic events occurred.

Paraneoplastic mucous membrane pemphigoid with ocular and laryngeal involvement.

A 73-year-old woman was treated 8 years previously for synchronous breast and uterine neoplasms. She presented with a severe sore throat, odynophagia, dysphonia, dyspnoea, ocular irritation and weight loss over the last 3 months. Physical examination revealed ulcerations in the oral cavity, posterior pharyngeal wall and supraglottic larynx, nasal crusting, bilateral conjunctivitis and three cutaneous blisters.

[Velopharyngeal insufficiency in children].

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) represents an incomplete closure between the soft palate and the posterior pharyngeal wall. Its etiology can be anatomical (cleft palate), neurologic, or iatrogenic (after adenoidectomy). The evaluation of a VPI begins with a through speech and language assessment and can be complemented by instrumental investigations.

[Bamboo nodes of vocal folds: case report and review of literature].

Bamboo nodes are sub mucous lesions localized in the vocal folds. Their aspect reminds of the nodes in a bamboo, which gives them their name. The diagnosis is made by laryngoscopy.

Rhinopharyngeal autologous fat injection for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with cleft palate.

Patients with cleft palate are prone to velopharyngeal insufficiency. In minor cases or when hypernasal speech does not resolve after velopharyngoplasty, an augmentation pharyngoplasty with autologous fat can be proposed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the short-term (within 2 months) and long-term efficiency (during the 24 months following the procedure) of our procedure in the setting of velopharyngeal insufficiency related to a cleft palate.

Imaging of laryngeal trauma.

External laryngeal trauma is a rare but potentially life-threatening situation in the acutely injured patient. Trauma mechanism and magnitude, maximum focus of the applied force, and patient related factors, such as age and ossification of the laryngeal cartilages influence the spectrum of observed injuries. Their correct diagnosis and prompt management are paramount in order to avoid patient death or long-term impairment of breathing, swallowing and speaking.

Is tracheostomy still an option in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Reflections of a multidisciplinary work group.

Question Under Study: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a poor prognosis. Survival and quality of life of ALS patients have improved through the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, the use of percutaneous gastrostomy and of noninvasive (NIV) or invasive ventilation. The question of whether or not to propose invasive ventilation (by tracheostomy: TPPV) to ALS patients remains a matter of debate.

Pharyngolaryngeal involvement by varicella-zoster virus.

Introduction: Involvement of cranial nerves V, VII, and VIII by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is widely reported in the literature, whereas involvement of cranial nerves IX and X is rarer and therefore poorly characterized.

Material And Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature through MEDLINE (up to January 2012). We selected cases reporting pharyngolaryngeal involvement by VZV and extracted clinical features, complementary studies, treatments, and outcome.

Systematic use of recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring changes the operative strategy in planned bilateral thyroidectomy.

Background: One of the worst complications in thyroid surgery is bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, which can lead to transient or definitive tracheotomy.

Methods: We implemented a strict standard operative procedure beginning in January 2010 and modified our operative procedure. In all patients undergoing bilateral operation, we begin with the largest side or with the cancerous/suspicious side without dissecting the contralateral side.

Acute isolated velopharyngeal insufficiency in children: case report and systematic review of the literature.

Acute isolated velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a clinical entity mainly reported in children. We undertook a systematic review in order to better characterize its features. Following a Medline search (1960-2012), the authors reviewed and analyzed the cases of acute VPI in children; 36 cases were found.

[Dysphonia as a manifestation of internal carotid artery dissection: a case report].

We report a case of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection in a young patient resulting in vagal (X) and accessory (XI) nerve palsies. Clinical examination revealed right shoulder and laryngeal paralysis, with preservation of velar function. This corresponds to Garel-Gignoux syndrome.