Publications by authors named "Nahir Romero"

There are anthropometric differences between the bony and integumentary facial features of male and female individuals. When compared to males, female faces in general are more heart-shaped, with a shorter and smoother forehead, a smaller more defined nose, and a tapered chin.

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Most studies of adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection focus on peripheral blood, which may not fully reflect immune responses at the site of infection. Using samples from 110 children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic, we identified 24 samples with evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, including neutralizing antibodies in serum and SARS-CoV-2-specific germinal center and memory B cells in the tonsils and adenoids. Single-cell B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing indicated virus-specific BCRs were class-switched and somatically hypermutated, with overlapping clones in the two tissues.

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Objective: To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in a cohort of children undergoing tonsillectomy through assessment of B cell immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in both peripheral blood and tonsil tissue.

Methods: In this cohort study at a tertiary pediatric hospital (Children's National Hospital) in Washington, DC, we recruited 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy from late September 2020 to January 2021. Serum, peripheral blood cells, and tonsil tissue were collected and examined for immune reactivity to SARS-CoV-2.

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If the eyes are considered by some as the windows to the soul, the eyebrows can then be the frames that adorn them and can help accentuate a person's facial features. They are a staple of attractiveness, conveying emotion and projecting personality traits. Therefore, the utmost attention and intimate understanding of their role is required when modifying them to achieve an esthetically pleasing result.

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SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers adaptive immune responses from both T and B cells. However, most studies focus on peripheral blood, which may not fully reflect immune responses in lymphoid tissues at the site of infection. To evaluate both local and systemic adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, we collected peripheral blood, tonsils, and adenoids from 110 children undergoing tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic and found 24 with evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, including detectable neutralizing antibodies against multiple viral variants.

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Background: Frey's syndrome and facial asymmetry from loss of parotid tissue are long-term sequelae of parotid surgeries causing significant morbidity. Various techniques have been used to fill the parotidectomy defect, preserve facial contour symmetry, and prevent Frey's syndrome. Free dermal-fat-fascial graft (DFFG) is one such technique; however, its use is largely undocumented in the literature.

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Objectives: The present study was developed to evaluate the accuracy of in vivo ultrasound sizing for parotid and submandibular salivary gland calculi, as compared with ex vivo pathology sizing with a standard plastic ruler after extraction.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Ultrasound is frequently used to size salivary calculi and make treatment decisions, but the accuracy of measurements from this modality has not been validated.

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Objectives/hypothesis: Ultrasound is a proven tool for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for treatment of salivary gland pathology. It is also useful for localization of calculi during submandibular gland transoral sialolithotomy when calculi cannot easily be palpated. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of sialolith localization using ultrasound during submandibular gland sialolithotomy.

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This case report describes the use a new flexible robotic system in otolaryngology, the FlexRobot for cricopharyngeal myotomy in cadaver dissections, and for the treatment of a patient with esophageal stenosis and secondary dysphagia and dysphonia. The Flexrobot facilitates access to the hypopharynx with increased proximity to the surgical field and improved optics, allowing more exact dilatation and injection in our patient. It also would allow surgeons to reach deep inside the cavity of the hypopharynx into anatomical regions that are typically inaccessible without an open approach, as shown in our cadaveric procedure, where full exposure of the posterior aspect of the cricopharyngeus and isolation of the muscle belly were achieved.

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The submental island flap was first described as a tool for facial reconstruction after tumor resection. It is now widely used for reconstructing numerous structures in the head and neck region of adults. Pediatric surgical reconstruction is a challenging task that continues to evolve over time.

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