Anterior cranial base reconstruction using free tissue transfer: changing trends.

Introduction: A consecutive series of 135 patients undergoing resection for malignant tumors involving the anterior cranial base between 1976 and 1999 was reviewed.

Patient And Methods: In the years from 1976-1991, free-tissue transfer was used in 5 of 76 or 6.6% of cases, whereas free-tissue reconstruction was used in 24 of 59 or 40% of cases in the years 1992-1999.

Role of fine-needle aspiration biopsy and frozen section analysis in the surgical management of thyroid tumors.

Introduction: The role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and frozen section (FS) in the management of thyroid neoplasms continues to generate considerable controversy. We reviewed our recent experience to determine the clinical utility of FNA and FS in our surgical management and intraoperative decision-making.

Methods: All patients who had operations for thyroid disease between January 1996 and June 1999 were identified in our prospective database.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the head and neck.

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the head and neck is a rare, locally infiltrative, low-grade sarcoma. This study defines the clinical behavior of DFSP, evaluates the role of frozen section analysis, and identifies factors that predict local control.

Methods: Hospital records and pathological slides were reviewed for 33 patients with pathologically confirmed head and neck DFSP treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1964 and 1999.

The association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and reactive airway disease in children.

Objective: To determine the possible association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and reactive airway disease in children.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Pediatric emergency department in Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn (NY), Kings County Hospital Center.

Single dose of azithromycin for the treatment of genital chlamydial infections in adolescents.

We compared a single 1 gm dose of azithromycin with the standard 7-day course of doxycycline for the treatment of uncomplicated chlamydial genital infection in sexually active adolescents. Seventy-three adolescents (65 female) with a cervical or urethral culture positive for Chlamydia trachomatis were enrolled in the study; 46 received azithromycin and 27 received doxycycline. Follow-up evaluations were done 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment with azithromycin or initiation of treatment with doxycycline.