Head and neck cutaneous basal cell carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of tumour features, surgical margins and recurrences.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the factors affecting the status of surgical margins and recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the head and neck. A secondary aim was to provide detailed demographic, clinical and topographic data to understand the biological behaviour of this skin cancer in head and neck area.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted analysing all primary head and neck BCCs treated from July 2014 to October 2021.

Evaluation of remote programming of cochlear implants under challenging conditions.

Introduction And Objectives: During the strained period of the COVID-19 pandemic, an international multi-centric clinical pilot study of remote cochlear implant fitting (remote programming) took place with the primary aim of evaluating the satisfaction of patients and practitioners with this procedure.

Materials And Methods: Cochlear implant users and clinical practitioners from clinics in Spain and Italy completed a questionnaire to evaluate their experience regarding their satisfaction with the procedure and with its efficacy.

Results: 54 responses were collected from 48 users and 42 responses were collected from 9 clinical practitioners.

Oropharyngeal reconstruction with buccinator myomucosal island flaps: Functional outcomes and quality of life. A retrospective observational study.

Background: The buccinator myomucosal island flaps are an excellent option for "like with like" oropharyngeal reconstruction in selected cases. We report a series of 15 patients and discuss the functional outcomes.

Methods: From January 1, 2020 to February 31, 2023, 15 patients underwent oropharyngeal tumor resection and reconstruction with myomucosal island flaps.

Myomucosal island flaps for oropharyngeal reconstruction.

The oropharynx represents one of the most challenging areas to reconstruct for the head and neck surgeon. The buccinator myomucosal island flaps pedicled on the facial artery [tunnelized facial artery myomucosal island flap (t-FAMMIF)] or the buccal artery [buccal artery myomucosal island flap (BAMMIF)] are an ideal reconstructive option for moderate size defects measuring up to 8-9cm. Two fresh specimens have been used to show the step-by-step surgical technique of both island flaps.

Combined Approach for Giant Temporal Meningoencephalocele.

Introduction: To present a complex case of giant meningoencephalocele after a canal wall down mastoidectomy and describe our preferred approach to repair meningoencephalic herniation of the temporal bone.

Case Report: A 20-year-old patient, who had previously undergone type III tympanoplasty with total ossicular reconstruction prosthesis for an attic cholesteatoma, presents with clinical and imaging features compatible with the diagnosis of a giant temporal meningoencephalocele. We performed a combined approach -transmastoid plus minicraniotomy- to repair the skull base defect.

Neck glomangiomyoma: A case report and literature review.

Glomus tumors are rare and the hand is classically the most commonly affected site. The present study performed a literature review on the topic and reported on an unusual case of neck glomangiomyoma in a female adult patient. A 31-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of a growing submandibular tumor with localized non-irradiated pain.

Bonebridge bone conduction implant. Hearing outcomes and quality of life in patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the hearing outcomes and quality of life in a series of 52 patients affected by conductive or mixed hearing loss and treated with Bonebridge.

Methods: 52 of 71 patients implanted with Bonebridge between October 2012 and January 2022, were included in the study. We compared the air conduction thresholds at the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 Hz, the SRT50% and the World Recognition Score at an intensity of 50 dB with and without the implant.

Right colonic interposition for severe pharyngoesophageal stricture in head and neck patients: A feasible rescue strategy after multiple failed reconstructive options.

Severe pharyngeal stricture is an uncommon complication that may occur afer laryngectomy especially in irradiated patients. Its management is a challenge and high risk of recurrence after reconstruction exists. We present two patients with severe end-stage pharyngoesophageal stricture after several failed attempts of reconstruction with regional and free flaps, in which a right colon transposition was performed.

Role of Intratympanic Dexamethasone for Intractable Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a frequent diagnosed disorder, most of the patients are successfully treated with reposition maneuvers. In between 3-12.5% of these patients remain symptomatic.

Cervicofacial surgery and implantable hearing device extrusion: management of challenging cases.

Objective: To describe our management of implantable hearing device extrusion in cases of previous cervicofacial surgery.

Methods: A review was conducted of a retrospectively acquired database of surgical procedures for implantable hearing devices performed at our department between January 2011 and December 2019. Cases of device extrusion and previous cervicofacial surgery are included.

Middle turbinate mucosal flap: Low-morbidity option in the management of skull base defects.

Background: To describe the low morbidity of middle turbinate mucosal flap (MTMF) to repair anterior skull base defects.

Methods: Skull base endonasal endoscopic surgeries performed at a tertiary hospital between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according the existence or not of a significant intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Pseudo mastoid obliteration with conchal cartilage may be a safe alternative technique for cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoidectomy with large meatoplasty.

Objective: Safe cochlear implantation is challenging in patients with canal wall down mastoid cavities, and the presence of large meatoplasties increases the risk of external canal overclosure. This paper describes our results of obliteration of the mastoid cavity with conchal cartilage as an alternative procedure in cases of canal wall down mastoidectomy with very large meatoplasty.

Methods: The cases of seven patients with a canal wall down mastoidectomy cavity who underwent cochlear implantation were retrospectively reviewed.

Endoscopic reconstruction of large anterior skull base defects with opening of the sellar diaphragm. Experience at a tertiary level university hospital.

Background: The indications for expanded endoscopic transnasal approaches continue to increase, with more complex skull base defects needing to be repaired. This study reviews the management of large anterior skull base defects with opening of the sellar diaphragm.

Method: A prospective analysis of endonasal endoscopic surgery carried out at Son Espases University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2018 was performed.

Sensitization profile in patients with respiratory allergic diseases: differences between conventional and molecular diagnosis (a cross-sectional study).

Background: Component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) allows to identify single molecular allergen components, and constitutes a routine practice in many allergy units. However, skin prick test (SPT) remains the technique of choice in many otorhinolaryngology departments, thus increasing the risk of using inadequate immunotherapies in patients with respiratory allergies. This study aimed to compare sensitization profiles determined by SPT and CRD in patients with respiratory allergy, and to explore the relationship between sensitization and type and severity of the respiratory disease.

Identification of Factors Related to Cases of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Refractory to Canalicular Repositioning Maneuvers and Evaluation of the Need for Magnetic Resonance Imaging in their Management: Retrospective Analysis of a Series of 176 Cases.

 Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common form of peripheral vertigo, and, in most cases, it presents a favorable prognosis. The treatment is based on a series of specific canalicular repositioning maneuvers that offer an efficacy close to 100%. Despite this, there are cases that are refractory to treatment, with the persistence of the vertigo symptoms.

Head and Neck Manifestations of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Retrospective analysis of 19 Patients and Review of the Literature.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a small vessel vasculitis characterized by a necrositing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and focal/proliferative glomerulonephritis. In more than 70% of the cases, the presenting symptoms are head and neck manifestations that are often misdiagnosed as infectious or allergic in etiology.  The present study provides an analysis of head and neck manifestations in a series of patients diagnosed with GPA.

The Bonebridge active bone conduction system: a fast and safe technique for a middle fossa approach.

Background: The transmastoid pre-sigmoid approach is always the preferred choice for implantation of the Bonebridge active bone conduction system in patients with a normal anatomy. When an anatomical variant exists or a previous surgery has been performed, a retrosigmoid approach or middle fossa approach can be performed.

Methods: The preferred surgical technique for a middle fossa approach is described.

Safe use of systemic bevacizumab for respiratory recurrent papillomatosis in two children.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can be a devastating condition for a child, with severe consequences. Currently, there is no proven successful medical treatment. We describe the use of systemic bevacizumab to treat two children affected by aggressive recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Hearing outcomes of the active bone conduction system Bonebridge in conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Objective: The active transcutaneous bone conduction implant Bonebridge, is indicated for patients affected by bilateral conductive/mixed hearing loss or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, showing hearing outcomes similar to other percutaneous bone conduction implants, but with a lower rate of complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the hearing outcomes in a series of 26 patients affected by conductive or mixed hearing loss and treated with Bonebridge.

Methods: 26 of 30 patients implanted with Bonebridge between October 2012 and May 2017, were included in the study.

Efficacy of particle repositioning manoeuvres in benign positional paroxysmal vertigo: A revision of 176 cases treated in a tertiary care centre.

Introduction And Objectives: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common peripheral vertigo disease. The aim of this paper is to review the results obtained with the different specific particle repositioning manoeuvres, evaluating the possible risk factors linked to a poorer prognosis.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-six patients with a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were reviewed retrospectively, of whom 150 had vertigo of the posterior canal, 20 had vertigo of the horizontal canal, 3 had vertigo of the superior canal, and 3 had a double vertigo.

"Intrasellar Balloon Technique" in intraoperative MRI guided transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery for sellar region tumors. Usefulness on image interpretation and extent of resection evaluation. Technical note.

Background: Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) is an effective and proven tool in transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery. However, image interpretation is not always easy and can be hindered by the presence of blood, tumor remains or the displacement of surrounding structures. In this article we present a novel technique based on using intrasellar ballons to reduce these difficulties and facilitate the surgeon's intraoperative assessment by iMRI.