Monitoring parotid gland tumors with a new perfusion software for contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Purpose: Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) is a promising imaging modality for non-invasive analysis of functional vascularisation. Lesions of the parotid gland are associated with a vascularisation that differs from normal gland tissue. The aim of this clinical study was to further analyse the perfusion in parotid gland lesions with CE-US.

Perfusion characteristics of parotid gland tumors evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Purpose: Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) is a promising imaging modality for non-invasive analysis of parotid gland lesions because their vascularisation differs from normal gland tissue. This clinical study should further investigate CE-US as a diagnostic tool for parotid gland tumors.

Materials And Methods: 39 patients underwent CE-US measurements after intravenous application of a contrast agent (SonoVue, Bracco, Italy) before surgical tumor resection.

Influence of laser light on bioimplants used in otorhinolaryngology.

In otorhinolaryngology, dermatology and reconstructive surgery biomaterials as implants and a variety of lasers are used. Laser light applied near to an implant could have the risk to damage these materials. Therefore, their resistance exposed to laser light is of interest.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound for differential diagnosis of submandibular gland disease.

Intensity-time gradients (ITGs) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be used for non-invasive monitoring of gland-preserving treatment effects in sialolithiasis-related chronic sialadenitis as well as for imaging vascularization in tumors. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate feasibility to distinguish different entities of submandibular gland disease including inflammatory alterations of the submandibular gland as well as benign and malignant tumors. In this prospective clinical study, ITGs in 30 patients with sialolithiasis-related chronic sialadenitis or an unilateral submandibular mass and 18 disease-free submandibular gland controls were quantitatively analyzed by CEUS using the contrast agent SonoVue.

Validation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-derived intensity-time gradients in submandibular gland sialolithotomy patients.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US)-derived intensity-time gradients (ITGs) can be used for noninvasive monitoring of extracorporeal shock wave sialolithotripsy effects in chronic sialolithiasis-related sialadenitis. Aim of this trial was to further validate CE-US as an independent and quantitative diagnostic tool for sialolithotomy efficacy. In this prospective clinical phase II evidence level c study perfusion in patients (n = 10) with unilateral sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland was quantitatively analyzed by CEUS before and after sialolithotomy comparing with the contralateral disease-free gland.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for monitoring effects of extracorporeal shock wave sialolithotripsy in sialolithiasis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) can be used for noninvasive analysis of functional vascularization. Chronically recurrent sialadenitis due to sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland is associated with increased vascularity. The aim of this investigator-initiated clinical trial was the evaluation of CE-US as a quantitative monitoring technique during gland-preserving extracorporeal shock wave sialolithotripsy (ESWL).

Complications in endonasal sinus surgery: a 5-year retrospective study of 2,596 patients.

Recent developments should have aided to reduce postoperative complications of endoscopic sinonasal surgery: Computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow a more precise preoperative view of the anatomic situation and possible variations. The Lund-MacKay-Index provides a tool to assess the extent of the disease, and by introducing microscopic-endonasal and computer-assisted sinunasal surgery (CAS) as well as providing the corresponding training technical progress has been made. We analysed the data of 2,596 patients with acute or chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2005 using the procedure of Stammberger.

1-year follow-up after radiofrequency tonsillotomy and laser tonsillotomy in children: a prospective, double-blind, clinical study.

In the last decade, tonsillotomy has come into vogue again, whereas the number of tonsillectomies is decreasing rapidly. In a previous study, the tonsillotomy with laser or radiofrequency therapy proved as a safe and effective procedure with minimal pain and hemorrhage. This follow-up study determines which method is more effective with respect to long-term outcome, recurrence of tonsillar hyperplasia and recurrence of tonsillitis.

CMC packing in functional endoscopic sinus surgery: does it affect patient comfort?

Background: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become the treatment of choice for patients with medically resistant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS and nasal polyposis). Nasal packing is usually placed after the surgery to minimize mucosal bleeding and support the wound healing process. Both the packing itself and its removal are often associated with pain and discomfort.

Effect of carboxymethylcellulose nasal packing on wound healing after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become the treatment of choice for patients with medically resistant chronic rhinosinusitis. Nasal packing is usually placed after the surgery to support wound healing and prevent adhesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of carboxy-methylated cellulose (CMC) nasal packing on wound healing after FESS compared with no nasal packing.

Assessment of functioning in patients with head and neck cancer according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): a multicenter study.

Objectives: To assess the level of functioning in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) using the the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).

Methods: Multicenter study at nine different study centers in four European countries. Data collection included structured interviews according to the extended ICF checklist with 145 HNC patients and completion of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC-QLQ).

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery--a retrospective analysis of 115 children and adolescents with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is not frequently performed in children. The aim of our retrospective analysis was to determine symptoms, surgical extent, complications and outcome of operated children.

Methods: For a period from 1994 to 2004 the clinical records of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, LMU Munich, Germany, were screened for pediatric FESS procedures.

Control of bleeding following functional endoscopic sinus surgery using carboxy-methylated cellulose packing.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the haemostatic effect of carboxy-methylated cellulose (CMC) nasal packing following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The design includes an investigator-initiated, randomized, single-blinded, controlled, prospective clinical study. A bilateral FESS procedure was performed on 41 patients.

Intraoperative monitoring of intraarterial paraganglioma embolization by indocyaningreen fluorescence angiography.

Preoperative arterial embolization (AE) of paraganglioma (PG) is widely used to diminish intraoperative blood loss. Thereby conditions for a resection of the tumor shall be improved and risks for facial, vagal or hypoglossus nerve injuries are reduced. The vascularization of jugular and tympanic PGs is particularly complex due to collaterals with the vertebral and internal carotid arteries.

Laser induced fragmentation of salivary stones: an in vitro comparison of two different, clinically approved laser systems.

Background: Clinical laser lithotripsy in urology promises a good fragmentation combined with a minimal risk of soft tissue damage and low medical complications. This in vitro study investigates the fragmentation of salivary stones by means of two clinically used laser systems.

Materials And Methods: The effects induced by the FREDDY laser (WOM, Germany, lambda = 532 nm/1,064 nm, E(pulse) = 120-160 mJ/pulse) and the Ho:YAG (AURIGA, StarMedTec, Germany, lambda = 2,100 nm, E(pulse) = 300-800 mJ/pulse) on clinical salivary calculi (n = 15) and on salivary gland tissue were investigated using clinical laser parameter settings.

Leser-Trelat sign in metastasized malignant melanoma.

The Leser-Trelat sign is defined as the association of multiple, eruptive seborrheic keratoses with an internal malignancy of a usually advanced stage. We report the case of malignant melanoma in an 82-year-old man covered with hundreds of greyish-dark seborrheic keratoses resembling a Christmas tree pattern, who was diagnosed with metastasized malignant melanoma involving the parotid gland and lymph nodes. Though the pathogenesis of Leser-Trelat sign is still unknown, spontaneous regression of the seborrheic keratoses following tumor reduction described in some cases argues for a paraneoplastic origin of this highly instructive clinical entity.

Spontaneous intratonsillar haemorrhage with acute dysphagia.

In this brief study, we describe a rare tumorlike malformation of both tonsils, that we have named tonsilla partim pendulans. It seems to favour intratonsillar bleeding, resulting in enlargement and obstruction of the oropharynx. The presented case is a 34-year-old healthy woman without history of acute or chronic tonsillitis who complained of an oropharyngeal foreign body sensation since 1 day.

Complications of auricular correction.

The risk of complications of auricular correction is underestimated. There is around a 5% risk of early complications (haematoma, infection, fistulae caused by stitches and granulomae, allergic reactions, pressure ulcers, feelings of pain and asymmetry in side comparison) and a 20% risk of late complications (recurrences, telehone ear, excessive edge formation, auricle fitting too closely, narrowing of the auditory canal, keloids and complete collapse of the ear). Deformities are evaluated less critically by patients than by the surgeons, providing they do not concern how the ear is positioned.