Excision of massive left branchial cleft cyst with secondary hypertension.

Branchial anomalies are heterogeneous congenital malformations that form secondary to incomplete closure of pharyngeal clefts and pouches. There have been no reports of branchial cleft cysts causing carotid artery compression and hypertension. We report a large branchial cleft cyst causing suspected secondary hypertension from carotid artery compression.

A Case of Pediatric Aspiration of a Metallic Spring.

Prolonged retention of a foreign body after aspiration can lead to numerous respiratory complications. We present a case in which an unwitnessed aspiration of a metal spring by a child led to several months of unilateral wheezing and subsequent physical changes in his left mainstem bronchus. The prompt removal of an airway foreign body requires a high index of suspicion by the physician in order to facilitate proper workup to confirm the diagnosis, allow for prompt management, and minimize damage to the airway.

Parents' reports of barriers to care for pediatric otolaryngology patients.

Objective: To understand parent perceptions of types and severity of barriers to care within the pediatric otolaryngology patient population in WV.

Study Design: Descriptive survey.

Setting: University pediatric otolaryngology clinic, Morgantown, WV.

Parents' attitudes toward post-operative narcotic use in pediatric patients.

Objective: To understand parent perceptions of post-operative narcotic use in the pediatric otolaryngology patient population.

Methods: This was a descriptive survey of caregivers on children being seen in a university pediatric otolaryngology clinic. Caregiver role, age of child, previous exposure to analgesics, choice of analgesics, comfort and concern with narcotic use in this child, knowledge of narcotic side effects, and knowledge about narcotic disposal were included.