Tracheal size variability is associated with sex: implications for endotracheal tube selection.

Purpose: Whereas selection of endotracheal tube (ETT) size in pediatric patients benefits from predictive nomograms, adult ETT sizing is relatively arbitrary. We sought to determine associations between cervical tracheal cross-sectional area (CTCSA) and clinical variables.

Methods: One hundred thirty-two consecutive patients undergoing noncontrasted chest computed tomography (CT) at a single tertiary care institution from January 2010 to June 2011 were reviewed.

Microdebrider complications in laryngologic and airway surgery.

Objectives/hypothesis: There is a paucity of experience in the published literature documenting complications of powered surgical instruments in laryngologic surgery. Our objective was to ascertain the nature of these complications from expert opinion and review of the literature, and to recommend strategies to decrease major complications.

Study Design: Review of the literature and an e-mail survey.

Patient and physician views on providing cancer patient-specific survival information.

Objectives/hypothesis: To gather input regarding the presentation, content, and understanding of survival and support information for Prognostigram, a computer-based program that uses standard cancer registry data elements to present individualized survival estimates.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey research.

Methods: Two groups of patients (total n=40) and one group of physicians (n=5) were interviewed.

The role of T helper cell differentiation in promoting nerve allograft survival with costimulation blockade.

Object: Peripheral nerve allografts provide a temporary scaffold for host nerve regeneration and allow for the repair of significant segmental nerve injuries. Despite this potential, nerve allograft transplantation requires temporary systemic immunosuppression. Characterization of the immunological mechanisms involved in the induction of immune hyporesponsiveness to prevent nerve allograft rejection will help provide a basis for optimizing immunomodulation regimens or manipulating donor nerve allografts to minimize or eliminate the need for global immunosuppression.

Ecthyma gangrenosum: a rare cutaneous manifestation of a potentially fatal disease.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous lesion frequently associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, although it may develop in the absence of bacteremia and may originate from other bacterial and fungal organisms. Ecthyma gangrenosum most often occurs in patients with neutropenia and other immunocompromised hosts. It typically occurs on the extremities and gluteal and perineal regions.