Very low dose bevacizumab for the treatment of epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a disease characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectasias and visceral arteriovenous malformations. The genetic mutations that cause this disease result in elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, which is inhibited by bevacizumab. Previous studies have shown bevacizumab treatment to be effective in reducing symptoms, but study protocols have all used oncological dosing parameters, which carry several well-described serious side effects.

The Young's procedure for severe epistaxis from hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Background: Surgical treatment of epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) has historically been managed with the laser procedure or the septodermoplasty procedure. For transfusion-dependent patients with severe epistaxis we have been performing the Young's procedure or surgical closure of the nostrils. The objective of this study was to report treatment of severe epistaxis related to HHT with the Young's procedure and assess patient outcome.

The efficacy of preoperative screening and the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an otolaryngology surgical practice.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of preoperative Staphylococcus aureus screening on postoperative methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) infection rates in otolaryngology.

Study Design: Chart review.

Subjects And Methods: Postoperative MRSA infection rates in unscreened patients during a 1-year period were compared with infection rates in patients after preoperative S aureus screening was initiated.

Changes in surgical anatomy following thyroidectomy.

Thyroid reoperation is known to carry a higher risk for complications because of the increased challenge of identifying tissue planes, presence of adherent strap muscles, and generalized scarring of the thyroid bed. Consideration of postsurgical changes in the anatomy of important landmarks, such as the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, brachiocephalic artery, and parathyroid glands, is crucial during preoperative planning for thyroid reoperations. This article provides a review of these key changes in surgical anatomy and the implications of the anatomic changes after thyroidectomy.

Epithelial genes in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps.

Background: Genetic studies on chronic inflammatory diseases have resulted in an emphasis on the epithelial interface with the environment and the genes that influence this interaction. This study examines the expression of key epithelial genes implicated in the pathogenesis of other inflammatory disorders for their role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods: Epithelial cells were collected from the inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and/or uncinate from 62 subjects undergoing sinonasal surgery.