200 research outputs found
In reference to Treatment of epilepsy by stimulation of the vagus nerve from head-and-neck surgical point of view
Snorting the clivus away : An extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion
Cocaine is a drug with relevant socioeconomic and clinical implications, which is usually recreationally used for its stimulant effects. It is widely known that the habit of snorting cocaine is associated with a peculiar type of drug-induced chronic rhinitis, which leads to inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa, slowly progressing to a destruction of nasal, palatal and pharyngeal tissues. These characteristic lesions due to cocaine abuse are commonly called cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDL). Diagnosis is not always straightforward, since various conditions, mainly vasculitis, might mimic this acquired condition. The extent of pharyngeal involvement varies, although often a prolonged abuse can trigger a progressive destruction of oral and nasal tissues, with development of infections and recurrent inflammation. Our article focuses on cocaine as a world health problem with important ear, nose and throat implications and discusses the difficulties in diagnosing and treating CIMDL, through a case report
Challenging neck mass : Non-functional giant parathyroid adenoma
A 46-year-old man was referred to our ear, nose and throat department after the accidental discovery of a large retrotracheal mass. In order to obtain the diagnosis and to plan treatment he underwent a full battery of tests (CT, MRI, blood tests, hormonal assays, ultrasounds, thyroid scintigraphy, urine tests and fine-needle aspiration of the mass), but none of these was able to define the true nature of such cervical mass. Only after surgical excision and histological evaluation, it was diagnosed as an exceptional case of giant non-functional parathyroid adenoma
Late recovery from foreign body sinusitis after maxillary sinus floor augmentation
A 55-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic with signs and symptoms of recurring sinusitis after a right maxillary sinus floor augmentation for implantological purposes. Investigations showed an antibiotic-resistant ethmoidomaxillary sinusitis resulting from bone graft infection and displacement of previously inserted xenograft material into the maxillary sinus. The patient thus underwent a surgical procedure combining nasal endoscopy and oral surgery in order to remove the infected graft and restore sinusal drainage. The procedure was apparently successful but sinusitis relapsed after surgery and persisted despite 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy and local medications. A CT scan showed persistence of grafting fragments in the maxillary sinus. A new surgical procedure was scheduled while a more accurate endoscopic local medication was performed. Six hours after the treatment, the patient spontaneously expelled the fragments and promptly recovered. The patient successfully underwent another maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure 6 months later
Implantology and otorhinolaryngology team-up to solve a complicated case
Purpose:The aim of this article was to highlight the importance of the collaboration between implantologists and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists to treat complex cases.Materials and Methods:A 46-year-old patient underwent a maxillary sinus elevation and implant placement 3 years before but because of a severe postop infection, the patient was treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and lost the graft and the implants. Later, the patient consulted us and was referred to an ENT specialist because of sinus opacity. She underwent a second functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS); various ENT consultations and computer tomographies (CTs) were performed to assess sinus health.Results:After having confirmed with sinus health, sinus elevation, implant placement, and loading were performed with success.Conclusion:Collaboration between the implantologist and ENT specialist is necessary to distinguish between nonpathological membrane thickening because of the healing process after FESS and a pathological thickening due to infection
How the simplest dental implant procedure can trigger an extremely serious complication
A 62-year-old man came to our attention after an operation in a small dental outpatient clinic where only a single dentist was working. The man was showing complications after insertion of a dental implant in the anterior segments of the mandible. Bleeding led to a slow swelling of the neck with airway obstruction. Only an immediate intervention by a mobile emergency unit and prompt tracheal intubation avoided death by asphyxia. The patient was then transferred to our hospital. We inspected the patient and we performed a CT scan that showed complete airway obstruction. First, we performed a tracheotomy in order to ensure the airway patency and then we identified the source of bleeding: the mylohyoid artery placed anomalously close to the mandible. After clamping and tying the artery, the bleeding resolved. One day after the procedure, the tracheotomy was closed; the patient was discharged after 3 days
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