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Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of femoral head articular damage in patients with a central acetabular osteophyte (CAO) that was identified during hip arthroscopy and compare it with that in a matched control group without a CAO. A secondary purpose was to identify rates of coexisting intra-articular pathology in both patient groups. Methods Intraoperative data were collected prospectively on all hip arthroscopy patients at our institution between 2008 and 2015. The inclusion criteria for this study were CAOs identified during hip arthroscopy for a labral tear and/or femoroacetabular impingement. The exclusion criteria were Tonnis grade greater than 0, previous hip conditions, and prior surgical interventions. The matched control group was selected based on sex, age ± 5 years, body mass index, and Workers' Compensation claim at a 3:1 ratio and comprised patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for a labral tear and/or femoroacetabular impingement without a CAO. The size and location of labral tears and chondral lesions were recorded in square millimeters with a 5-mm probe and by the clock-face method. Results The CAO group consisted of 126 patients, who were matched to 378 patients in the control group. Femoral and acetabular chondral damage grades were significantly different between the 2 groups ( P 2 in the CAO group and 1.7 cm 2 in the control group. The mean size of acetabular chondral damage was 1.7 cm 2 in the CAO group and 1.2 cm 2 in the control group. Both femoral and acetabular chondral damage sizes were significantly larger in the CAO group ( P ≤ .007). The prevalence of ligamentum teres tears was significantly different between the 2 groups ( P P = .625). Conclusions This study showed that patients with CAOs had a significantly higher prevalence of femoral chondral damage and ligamentum teres tears than matched controls. Level of Evidence Level III, comparative study.

Introduction Herbal medicine and other forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are used to treat symptoms of psychiatric disorders in the United States, including anxiety and mood problems. In Traditional Tibetan Medicine anxiety and depression are commonly treated with an herbal compound known as Agar-35. Objective The objective of this pilot study was to explore whether Agar-35 tea would improve anxiety, affect, stress, and rumination. Methods Undergraduate psychology students ( N =14) were randomized to drink either Agar-35 tea ( n =6) or placebo tea ( n =8) for 7 nights. Results The results indicated that Agar-35 significantly reduced participants' negative affect compared to placebo, U = 6.0, p = .019, effect size, r = .63. Further, Agar-35 also reduced anxiety (trending toward significance), U = 10.0, p = .071, effect size, r = .48. Conclusion In accordance with its use in Tibetan Medicine, these preliminary findings suggest that Agar-35 may benefit aspects of psychological health.

Background Long segment tracheobronchial stenosis is a rare congenital anomaly that can also occur in combination with abnormal bronchial arborization. Long segment tracheal reconstruction in the setting of a supernumerary bridging bronchus has been reported; however, these repairs can be particularly complex. We present our experience using the bridging bronchus to augment long segment tracheal stenosis with a side-to-side tracheobronchoplasty. Methods Four patients with complex long segment tracheobronchial stenosis involving a bronchus suis (right upper lobe bronchus) and a bridging bronchus presented with refractory respiratory distress requiring urgent tracheal reconstruction. Patient 1 was initially managed with modified slide tracheoplasty and tracheostomy. Patients 2, 3, and 4 were managed with single-stage procedures. All patients underwent definitive long segment tracheobronchoplasty consisting of a side-to-side anastomosis between the bridging bronchus and the right upper lobe bronchus. Results Age at surgery was 569, 69, 24, and 142 days, respectively. Weight at surgery was 9.3, 4.3, 2.7, and 5.9 kg. All patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation at 84, 13, 47, and 8 days after side-to-side tracheobronchoplasty. All patients were alive and free from tracheostomy at follow-up of 6.7, 3.8, 2.7, and 0.5 years. Conclusions Side-to-side tracheal reconstruction is feasible in severe cases of long segment tracheal stenosis with a right upper lobe bronchus and a bridging bronchus. This technique can be successfully applied in high-risk patients and in the neonatal period and can provide excellent midterm results.

Purpose To report clinical outcomes in patients with borderline dysplasia undergoing an arthroscopic technique of labral seal restoration with minimal acetabular rim resection and capsular plication. Methods Patients younger than 40 years with a lateral center-edge angle of 18° greater and 25° or less and 2-year follow-up after undergoing an arthroscopic technique of labral seal restoration with minimal rim resection (≤2 mm) and capsular plication (3-5 sutures placed in an oblique orientation to create an imbrication and inferior shift) were included. Patients underwent arthroscopy for symptoms that had marginal improvement with a minimum 6-week structured physical therapy program. Patients with a Tonnis grade of 1 or greater, a center-edge angle of 17° or less, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease were excluded. The following patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were recorded prospectively but retrospectively reviewed: modified Harris Hip Score, Non-Arthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale, and Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living. The visual analog scale score, patient satisfaction score, complications, and revision procedures were also recorded. A 2-tailed paired t test was used to analyze change in preoperative to postoperative PRO scores. Significance was defined as P Results During the study period, 232 hip arthroscopies were performed in patients with a lateral center-edge angle between 18° and 25°. The inclusion criteria were met by 59 procedures. Of these procedures, 55 (93.2%) were available for follow-up. The labrum was repaired, debrided, and reconstructed in 37 procedures, 17 procedures, and 1 procedure, respectively. The iliopsoas was released in 34 procedures, the ligamentum teres was debrided in 29, and femoral osteoplasty was performed in 32. At 2-year follow-up, there was significant improvement in the mean scores of all PROs compared with baseline. Mean improvements for the modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale, and Non-Arthritic Hip Score were 20.7, 17.5, 27.6, and 20.0, respectively. There was significant improvement in the visual analog scale score at 2 years, decreasing by 3.16 compared with baseline, and the mean patient satisfaction score was 8.09, with 83.6% of patients achieving a good to excellent result (patient satisfaction score ≥7). No complications were related to the procedure, and 6 patients (11%) required revision procedures (4 for labral retear, 1 for painful iliopsoas internal snapping, and 1 for removal of a symptomatic loose body). Conclusions Arthroscopic intervention that encompasses minimal rim resection, restoration of labral function, and capsular plication significantly improves outcomes in patients with borderline dysplasia who do not warrant a periacetabular osteotomy. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Background: As hip arthroscopy has expanded in popularity and volume, more information is needed about indications for the procedure and the predictive factors of clinical outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes of hip arthroscopy in a prospective study and to analyze the cohort to identify factors that are predictive of improvement. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between February 2008 and June 2012. We included all patients undergoing hip arthroscopy who agreed to participate and who completed 4 patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments at a minimum 2-year follow-up: the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), and Hip Outcome Score–Sport-Specific Subscale. The NAHS was selected as our primary outcome instrument. All patients with any previous hip conditions were excluded. We analyzed 34 preoperative and intraoperative variables using bivariate and multivariate analyses compared with NAHS. Results: The cohort consisted of 1038 patients with a mean follow-up of 30.1 months (range, 24.0-61.2 months). Mean age was 36.4 years (range, 13.2-76.4 years). All postoperative PRO scores showed significant improvement ( P < .001) at 2 years compared with preoperative scores. Bivariate analysis identified 15 variables (7 categorical and 8 continuous) and multivariate analysis identified 10 variables that were predictive of 2-year postoperative NAHS. Preoperative NAHS, preoperative HOS-ADL, preoperative mHHS, age, duration of symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and revision hip arthroscopy were identified as predictive factors in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. The predictive value of preoperative NAHS was accentuated for patients with higher BMI. Conclusion: This study reports favorable clinical outcomes in the largest cohort of hip arthroscopies with a minimum 2-year follow-up in the literature to date. Factors identified as predictive in both bivariate and multivariate analyses included preoperative NAHS, HOS-ADL, and mHHS; age; duration of symptoms; BMI; and revision hip arthroscopy. These predictive factors may be useful to the clinician in determining prognosis and operative indications for hip arthroscopy.

Severe tracheobronchomalacia significantly complicates the postoperative course of infants and children with congenital heart disease, tracheoesophageal fistula, and tracheal stenosis. We have found that traditional approaches, including aortopexy, have been inconsistent in preventing acute life threatening events (ALTEs). In order to directly support the anterior tracheal wall, we have adopted the use of direct anterior tracheal suspension (ATS).Twenty-one children, median age 5 months (35 days to 11 years) and weight 5.0 (2.3 to 28.0) kg have undergone anterior tracheal suspension for severe tracheobronchomalacia through median sternotomy; 15 for inability to ventilate despite mechanical respiratory support, 3 for intermittent ALTEs without mechanical respiratory support, and 3 for recurrent respiratory admissions. Nine procedures were performed as isolated ATS and 12 procedures were combined with at least 1 of the following: repair of ventricular septal defect; vascular ring; atrioventricular canal; tracheal reconstruction or arterial-pexy. Level of respiratory support was graded at preoperative (preop), discharge, and follow-up, and respiratory clinical status was graded at preop and follow-up. Median follow-up was 30.0 months (2.0 to 57.0 months).There was no mortality. Both level of respiratory support and the clinical status improved at all time points studied compared with preoperative score (p0.001) after ATS. Whether ATS was performed in isolation or combined with other procedures did not impact these findings.Anterior tracheal suspension is feasible and appears effective in dramatically improving respiratory clinical status. Tracheal suspension is applicable to a wide range of anatomic variants. Additional study is needed to characterize long-term functional outcomes.

Objectives Office-based lower airway endoscopy (OLAE) is not a widespread practice in children due to concerns about its safety and efficacy. In 2003, we reported on OLAE in 105 children presenting with airway symptoms and found it both safe and effective as a diagnostic tool. The current study is a follow-up to the 2003 study that reports on an additional 122 pediatric patients who received OLAE with special attention to the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Methods A retrospective review at a tertiary–quaternary pediatric institution of 122 consecutive pediatric patients in which an airway lesion, by history and initial physical exam, was determined to be present at the level of the supraglottic larynx to the carina. In all patients, airway endoscopy was performed in the office using flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FFL) and the endoscope was passed beyond the glottis to assess the lower airway, including the subglottis, trachea, and carina. The diagnoses were recorded and the number of times each diagnosis was encountered as well as the percent of patients who had each diagnosis was calculated. All cases requiring operating room procedures for further diagnosis or therapy were assessed for office-based and operating room diagnostic agreement. The ease of performing the lower airway assessment and the ease with which the subglottis, trachea, and carina were visualized were graded. An assessment for complications was also performed. Results There were no complications with OLAE in any of the 122 patients. The percent of patients rated as having good visualization of anatomic structures were: 97% for visualization of the subglottis, 98% for visualization of the trachea, and 92% for visualization of the carina. In 93% of the cases the procedure was easily performed. There was excellent correlation between OLAE and operative endoscopy. Conclusion OLAE continues to be a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective tool for the diagnosis of lower airway pathology in pediatric patients.

Background The risk of optic disc haemorrhages on visual outcome in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is unknown. We report the type and frequency of optic disc haemorrhages and other funduscopic abnormalities at baseline in the study eye of the 133 subjects enrolled in the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial completing 6 months of follow-up. Methods We reviewed optic disc photographs to tabulate the frequency and type of optic disc haemorrhages, other funduscopic abnormalities and papilloedema grades of the study eye at baseline and analyse if their presence is associated with a poor visual outcome. Results 27.2% of subjects had nerve fibre layer haemorrhages in at least one eye. Five of seven, 71% of subjects that met criteria for treatment failure, had nerve fibre layer haemorrhages in at least one eye (Fisher9s exact test: p=0.02). There was a good correlation between presence of nerve fibre layer haemorrhages and Frisen grade (Spearman9s correlation, p=0.002; r=0.271). Subjects with nerve fibre layer haemorrhages had a higher cerebrospinal fluid pressure (40.0 mm water, p=0.04). There was poor correlation between nerve fibre layer haemorrhages at baseline and the perimetric mean deviation change at 6 months. Cotton wool spots were present in 4% of subjects, exudates in 3% and pseudodrusen in 4%. Conclusions Nerve fibre layer haemorrhages are common in patients with IIH with mild visual loss and correlate with the severity of the papilloedema. They occur more frequently in treatment failure subjects and therefore may be associated with poor visual outcomes. Trial registration number NCT01003639, Post-results.

Purpose To compare the acetabular component size relative to the patient's native femoral head size between conventional THA (CTHA) approach and robotic-arm assisted THA (RTHA) to infer which of these techniques preserved more acetabular bone. Methods Patients were included if they had primary osteoarthritis (OA) and underwent total hip replacement between June 2008 and March 2014. Patients were excluded if they had missing or rotated postoperative anteroposterior radiographs. RTHA patients were matched to a control group of CTHA patients, in terms of preoperative native femoral head size, age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and approach. Acetabular cup size relative to femoral head size was used as a surrogate for amount of bone resected. We compared the groups according to 2 measures describing acetabular cup diameter ( c) in relation to femoral head diameter ( f): (i) c-f, the difference between cup diameter and femoral head diameter and (ii) ( c-f)/ f, the same difference as a fraction of femoral head diameter. Results 57 matched pairs were included in each group. There were no significant differences between groups for demographic measures, femoral head diameter, or acetabular cup diameter (p>0.05). However, measures (i) and (ii) did differ significantly between the groups, with lower values in the RTHA group (pConclusions Using acetabular cup size relative to femoral head size as an approximate surrogate measure of acetabular bone resection may suggest greater preservation of bone stock using RTHA compared to CTHA. Further studies are needed to validate the relationship between acetabular cup size and bone loss in THA.

Purpose: Children with V3 cutaneous infantile hemangiomas (IH) and PHACE syndrome have a high incidence for airway hemangioma, 29% and 52%, respectively. Therefore, a clinical evaluation for these high-risk children is essential. We report our experience with in-office lower airway evaluation (OLAE) in these high-risk children. Results: Since 2003, 5 children with IH of the V3 cutaneous distribution and 3 children with PHACE syndrome underwent OLAE. Average age of presentation was 2.75 months. Two children had stridor at initial evaluation, and 1 child had subglottic hemangioma. This child was evaluated serially with OLAE to monitor disease progression and treatment response. A total of 10 upper tracheoscopies were performed on the 8 patients without respiratory complications. Conclusion: An airway evaluation is essential to evaluate and manage this high-risk population. Typically, operative endoscopy requires general anesthesia. However, in these high-risk children, we have performed OLAE without sedation to evaluate the trachea. High-speed recording and playback is essential in this method. Our series demonstrates that awake OLAE is possible and may be a safe technique to evaluate and monitor disease progression in these high-risk patients. These patients avoided general anesthesia and delay in diagnosis and did not incur any complications during or after OLAE.

To assess 2-year clinical outcomes of patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for central acetabular osteophytes (CAO) treated with central acetabular decompression (CAD), and to compare these outcomes with those of a matched control group.Data were prospectively gathered for patients undergoing CAD during hip arthroscopy from February 2008 to July 2012. All patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years with modified Harris Hip Score, Non-Arthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Patient satisfaction (0 to 10) was collected. A matched control group of patients without CAOs who did not undergo CAD was selected on a 1:3 ratio.Forty-nine hips were included in the CAD group and 147 in the control group. The mean change in patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores at 2-year follow-up in the CAD group for modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale, Non-Arthritic Hip Score, and VAS was 11.0, 19.6, 15.2, 21.4, and -2, respectively. The mean change in PRO scores at 2-year follow-up in the control group was 17.0, 19.8, 24.0, 20.9, and -2.75, respectively. All improvements in PRO scores for both groups were statistically significant compared with the data collected preoperatively (P.001). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative PRO scores and VAS between the groups. Postoperative patient satisfaction at the latest follow-up was 7.14 and 7.60 for CAD and control groups, respectively.This study showed that patients with a CAO treated with CAD during hip arthroscopy had favorable outcomes at minimum 2 years postoperatively. Furthermore, the study group showed similar PRO scores and VAS to the control group. We conclude that CAD is a viable treatment option for CAO, yielding clinical improvement at short-term follow-up.Level III, prospective comparative study.

Purpose To compare the outcome of open versus endoscopic gluteal tendon repair. Methods An extensive review of PubMed was conducted by 2 independent reviewers for articles containing at least 1 of the following search terms: gluteus medius, gluteus medius tear, gluteus medius tendinopathy, gluteus medius repair, hip abductors, hip abductor tears, hip abductor repair, hip rotator cuff, hip rotator cuff repair, trochanteric bursa, trochanteric bursitis, trochanteric bursectomy, peritrochanteric procedures, peritrochanteric repair, and peritrochanteric arthroscopy. This yielded 313 articles. Of these articles, 7 satisfied the following inclusion criteria: description of an open or endoscopic gluteal repair with outcomes consisting of patient-reported outcome scores, patient satisfaction, strength scores, pain scores, and complications. Results Three studies on open gluteal repairs and 4 on endoscopic gluteal repairs met the inclusion criteria. In total, there were 127 patients who underwent open procedures and 40 patients who underwent endoscopic procedures. Of the 40 patients who underwent endoscopic procedures, 15 had concomitant intra-articular procedures documented, as compared with 0 in the open group. The modified Harris Hip Score was common to 1 study on open repairs and 3 studies on endoscopic repairs. The scores were similar for follow-up periods of 1 and 2 years. Visual analog pain scale scores were reported in 1 study on open gluteal repairs and 1 study on endoscopic repairs and were similar between the 2 studies. Improvement in abductor strength was also similarly reported in selected studies between the 2 groups. The only difference between the 2 groups was the reported incidence of complications, which was higher in the open group. Conclusions Open and endoscopic gluteal repairs have similar patient-reported outcome scores, pain scores, and improvement in abduction strength. Open techniques have a higher reported complication rate. Randomized studies of sufficient numbers of patients are required to ultimately determine if one technique produces superior patient outcomes over the other. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to construct an accurate and representative demographic profile of patients undergoing sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This will enable future studies to enroll representative samples so that results can be more easily compared across studies and generalized to the U.S. population. Methods: The investigators interrogated the databases of the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery to gather demographic data. Whenever the NSAS provided incomplete characterization, deficiencies were corrected using state-level data provided by the Health care Cost and Utilization Project. The constructed profile was compared with available profiles of patients with CRS and demographic data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Results: The demographic profile of patients undergoing sinus surgery is 52.7% female with a mean age of 38.5 years. A total of 93.5% of surgery is performed on an outpatient basis with 78.8% of patients having private insurance sources. No significant difference in occurrence of surgery was found between months of the year or between regions of the country. The constructed race profile is 85.7% white, 5% black, 1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.2% Native American, and 7.8% other. Conclusions. A novel integration of national and state databases can be used to create a demographic profile of patients undergoing surgery for CRS. The creation of this profile enables further study of representative populations of patients with CRS and enables thoughtful analysis of the existing literature. The difficulty in creating the profile highlights the need for complete and accurate healthcare information collection by national and state agencies.

IMPORTANCE The clinical course and outcomes of pediatric vocal fold immobility (VFI) vary widely in the literature, and follow-up in these patients varies accordingly. A better understanding of the natural history of pediatric VFI is crucial to improved management. OBJECTIVE To characterize the natural history of pediatric VFI, including symptoms and rates of resolution and surgical intervention. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective review at an academically affiliated private pediatric otolaryngology practice in a metropolitan area of all patients seen between July 15, 2001, and September 1, 2012, with a diagnosis of complete or partial VFI. After elimination of 92 incomplete or duplicate files, 404 patient records were reviewed for demographic characteristics, etiologies, symptoms, follow-up, resolution, and interventions. Follow-up records were available for 362 patients (89.6%). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Resolution of VFI confirmed by repeated laryngoscopy, length of follow-up, and surgical intervention rates. RESULTS Among the 404 patients, left VFI was present in 66.8%, right VFI in 7.9%, and bilateral VFI in 25.3%. Median (range) age at presentation was 2.9 (0-528.1) months. Major etiological categories included cardiac surgery in 68.8%, idiopathic immobility in 21.0%, and neurologic disease in 7.4%. At presentation, 61.4%experienced dysphonia, 54.0%respiratory symptoms, and 49.5%dysphagia. Tracheotomy was performed in 25.7%and gastrostomy in 40.8%. Median (range) duration of follow-up among the 89.6%of patients with follow-up was 17.2 (0.2-173.5) months. Resolution evidenced by laryngoscopy was found in 28.0%, with a median (range) time to resolution of 4.3 (0.4-38.7) months. In patients without laryngoscopic resolution, median follow-up was 26.0 months, and 28.9% reported symptomatic resolution. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The natural history of pediatric VFI involves substantial morbidity, with lasting symptoms and considerable rates of surgical intervention. In this large database, the majority of patients did not experience resolution. This suggests a need for more regimented follow-up in these patients, a recommendation for which is proposed here.

Characterization of the prostate cancer transcriptome and genome has identified chromosomal rearrangements and copy number gains and losses, including ETS gene family fusions, PTEN loss and androgen receptor (AR) amplification, which drive prostate cancer development and progression to lethal, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, less is known about the role of mutations. Here we sequenced the exomes of 50 lethal, heavily pre-treated metastatic CRPCs obtained at rapid autopsy (including three different foci from the same patient) and 11 treatment-naive, high-grade localized prostate cancers. We identified low overall mutation rates even in heavily treated CRPCs (2.00 per megabase) and confirmed the monoclonal origin of lethal CRPC. Integrating exome copy number analysis identified disruptions of CHD1 that define a subtype of ETS gene family fusion-negative prostate cancer. Similarly, we demonstrate that ETS2, which is deleted in approximately one-third of CRPCs (commonly through TMPRSS2:ERG fusions), is also deregulated through mutation. Furthermore, we identified recurrent mutations in multiple chromatin- and histone-modifying genes, including MLL2 (mutated in 8.6% of prostate cancers), and demonstrate interaction of the MLL complex with the AR, which is required for AR-mediated signalling. We also identified novel recurrent mutations in the AR collaborating factor FOXA1, which is mutated in 5 of 147 (3.4%) prostate cancers (both untreated localized prostate cancer and CRPC), and showed that mutated FOXA1 represses androgen signalling and increases tumour growth. Proteins that physically interact with the AR, such as the ERG gene fusion product, FOXA1, MLL2, UTX (also known as KDM6A) and ASXL1 were found to be mutated in CRPC. In summary, we describe the mutational landscape of a heavily treated metastatic cancer, identify novel mechanisms of AR signalling deregulated in prostate cancer, and prioritize candidates for future study.

Two-hundred seventy consecutive patients with "unexplained cerebral ischemia" were studied with transesophageal echocardiography to determine the value of this test in identifying potential cardiac sources of cerebral embolism. The findings of this group were compared with those of 772 consecutive patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation for indications other than cerebral ischemia. This study also examined this group of patients with unexplained cerebral ischemia to determine differences in relation to underlying cardiac rhythm and patient age. Intracardiac thrombus, atrial septal aneurysm, patent foramen ovale, spontaneous left atrial contrast and protruding debris in the thoracic aorta were found more often in patients with unexplained cerebral ischemia. Wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle, as well as mild to moderate valvular lesions including mitral valve prolapse, were found to be similar in both groups. Spontaneous left atrial contrast, as well as mild to moderate valvular abnormalities, were found more often in patients with atrial fibrillation (22% of the group with unexplained cerebral ischemia). However, the presence of intracardiac thrombus was no more frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation than in those with normal sinus rhythm. Patients aged > 50 years were found to have atrial fibrillation and larger left atrial size more often than their younger cohorts, as well as a greater incidence of valvular abnormalities and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Mitral valve prolapse was seen more frequently in the younger cohort of patients.

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the treatment outcomes of 6 patients who had either unilateral or bilateral elongated styloid processes and symptoms consistent with Eagle syndrome. Five of these patients had undergone transcervical resection of the styloid process, with relief of symptoms over the follow-up period (mean: 8 mo). Two of the 5 patients experienced a transient weakness in the marginal mandibular nerve, and both recovered completely. The transcervical surgical approach to resection in patients with elongated styloid processes and Eagle syndrome appears to be safe and effective, although the risk for transient marginal mandibular nerve weakness is notable.

To evaluate the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction.Quantitative ANS testing was completed in 10 patients with AR confirmed by clinical findings and allergy testing. This data was compared to 16 age-matched controls.ANS scores were significantly abnormal in AR patients when compared to normal controls. The composite autonomic scale score for the AR group was significantly impaired when compared to controls (1.6 vs 0.63, P0.0001). Additionally, subscore values quantifying the level of dysfunction within the sympathetic nervous system (1.0 for sudomotor and 0.5 adrenergic) were found to be significantly different (P0.0001 and 0.018). The mean subscore value quantifying the level of dysfunction within the parasympathetic system (cardiovagal) was not found to be significantly different from controls (P = 0.38).ANS dysfunction, specifically sympathetic hypofunction, was identified in all of the allergic rhinitis patients studied. Further characterization of the type of ANS abnormality may allow the development of novel pharmacologic therapies for these disorders.

To describe the occurrence of fungal organisms in the setting of otitis externa and tympanostomy tube otorrhea, review the treatment course, timing of diagnosis, organism identified and time to resolution with fungal infections.Retrospective review.Pediatric otolaryngology clinic within a tertiary care hospital.One hundred and sixty-six patients (ages 16 days to 18 years) with fungal organisms on ear culture.Number of prior therapies, number of office visits, time to resolution and anti-fungal therapy.Ear cultures positive for fungal organisms were found in 166 patients seen between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 2003 from a total of 1242 patients undergoing ear culture. Comparing the 3-year period (1996-1998) prior to the availability of fluoroquinolone ototopical drops to the 3-year period after (1999-2001), there is a statistically significant increase in the incidence of positive fungal culture (p0.001). Otitis media was diagnosed in 72% of these children, with otitis externa comprising 25%. Approximately 3% carried a diagnosis of both otitis externa and otitis media. Candida albicans was identified in 43% of fungal organism-positive cultures. Candida parapsilosis was found in 24% of and Aspergillus fumigatus in 13%. The remainder of the cultures yielded three other Candida and three other Aspergillus species, each at less than 5%. Time to resolution ranged from 1 week to 9 months, with a median of 3.8 weeks for symptom resolution. Patients were treated with an average of 1.7 oral antibiotics and 1.1 ototopical agent before a culture was taken.Otorrhea due to fungal organisms occurs in the setting of refractory infection and is often discovered after multiple oral and ototopical antibacterial medications. Due to the extended treatment period required to clear fungal organism, timely diagnosis with culture for bacteria and fungus is required in patients with persistent otorrhea. An increase in incidence of fungal infections of the ear was found in the period after widespread use of ofloxacin began.

POSTOPERATIVE neurologic or neuropsychologic deficits, or both, remain a common cause of disability after otherwise successful cardiac surgery. However, not all deficits are caused by gaseous or atheromatous emboli.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the pupillary light reaction is relatively preserved in the affected eyes of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). To test the hypothesis that visual-pupillomotor dissociation exists in LHON, we performed a retrospective study to evaluate the magnitude of the relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) in patients who had experienced monocular visual loss. We also compared the size of the measured RAPD with the size of the RAPD that would be expected on the basis of documented visual field loss. METHODS: We identified a cohort of patients with LHON and monocular visual loss, whose pupillary reactions had been quantified using neutral density filters. From a review of the case records, we determined whether an RAPD was present, as well as the magnitude of the documented RAPDs. We also calculated the expected size of the RAPD for each patient, using previously established templates that correlated the size of the RAPD with the degree of visual field loss. RESULTS: An RAPD was identified in all 10 patients in this study. There was no significant difference between the size of the measured and predicted RAPD, nor did the size of the RAPD correlate with visual acuity or the time interval between the onset of visual loss and evaluation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that visual-pupillomotor dissociation is a common feature of LHON.

Purpose: To report a novel binocular perimetry test to identify monocular functional vision loss. Methods: In a prospective study, 10 patients with monocular functional vision loss, 10 patients with monocular organic vision loss, and 10 normal subjects were tested using a Humphrey automated perimeter attachment that performs central threshold perimetry of both eyes in a single test. First, patients were tested after being told their “good” (unaffected) eye was being tested; this was followed by a second identical test said to be on the “bad” (affected) eye. Two measurements were calculated for each subject: the functional component (ΔF), defined as the difference (in dB) between the mean threshold of the first and second tests, and the organic component (ΔO), the difference (in dB) between the mean threshold of the unaffected and affected eyes. Results: Patients with monocular functional vision loss produced lower thresholds when they thought their affected eye alone was being tested but little intereye difference (mean ΔF ± SD = 17.35 ± 7.50 dB; mean ΔO = 0.01 ± 1.40 dB). Patients with monocular organic vision loss had little difference between tests and lower thresholds in their affected eye (mean ΔF = 0.84 ± 1.15 dB; mean ΔO = 9.01 ± 4.71 dB). Normal subjects demonstrated little intertest or intereye differences (mean ΔF = −0.15 ± 0.78 dB; mean ΔO = −0.05 ± 0.51 dB). Conclusion: This perimetry method effectively distinguished between normal subjects, patients with monocular functional vision loss, and patients with monocular organic vision loss.

To assess the role of digitalis in the development of visual symptoms severe enough to warrant ophthalmologic consultation in patients who received digitalis and who had no other clinical or laboratory evidence of digitalis toxicity.Clinical case study.Neuro-ophthalmology referral practice.Six elderly patients (aged 66 to 85 years) who received digitalis were referred to ophthalmologists for evaluation of photopsia (five patients) or decreased visual acuity (one patient). No patient had chromatopsia or nonvisual clinical manifestations of digitalis intoxication at the time of examination.All patients had serum digitalis concentrations within or below the therapeutic range. In most patients, the electroretinographic cone b-wave implicit time was longer than normal.Discontinuation of digitalis therapy, which was possible in five patients, was followed by resolution of visual symptoms and by shortening of the b-wave implicit time. Characteristic features of digitalis-induced photopsia were its dependence on illumination and its tendency to be localized in peripheral visual fields.In an elderly patient receiving digitalis, the development of photopsia characterized by innumerable points of light in the peripheral visual fields or a decrease in visual acuity raises the possibility that the patient's visual disturbance may have been digitalis induced. Digitalis-induced visual disturbances other than chromatopsia or disturbances of color vision may occur in elderly patients who have no other clinical manifestations of digitalis intoxication and who have a serum digitalis concentration within or below the therapeutic range.

Malignant glaucoma was initially reported as developing after surgery for glaucoma. Subsequently, associations with trauma, inflammation, and the use of miotic agents, as well as spontaneous occurrence have been noted. Laser iridotomy has been assumed to avoid the risk of subsequent malignant glaucoma in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma by avoiding surgical incision of the eye. However, the authors report six cases of malignant glaucoma after laser iridotomy. In all but two cases, medical therapy for the malignant glaucoma resulted in deepening of the anterior chamber and normalization of the intraocular pressure. Malignant glaucoma recurred in five of the patients, and two patients had malignant glaucoma in the fellow eye.

Purpose: To report a case of a respiratory epithelial-lined, air-filled orbital cyst as a late complication of orbital fracture repair. Method: Case report. Results: Recurrent episodes of diplopia and hyperophthalmia developed secondary to pneumatic inflation of a respiratory epithelial-lined orbital cyst 6 months after orbital fracture repair. This cyst remained in communication with an ethmoidal air cell and became inflated during pressurization of the ethmoid sinus. Removal of the cyst and orbital implant was curative. Conclusion: Air-filled, respiratory epithelial-lined orbital cyst is a rare cause of episodic diplopia and globe displacement after orbital trauma.

Objectives To evaluate the pathologic conditions, preoperative evaluation, treatment, and clinical outcomes associated with sphenoid sinus disease. Design Retrospective study. Setting Tertiary university-based referral center. Patients All patients with isolated sphenoid sinus disease managed surgically or in which surgery was considered a primary treatment option. Main Outcome Measures Demographic data, presenting signs and symptoms, endoscopic and imaging findings, surgical management, surgical pathology, and clinical outcomes were investigated in patients presenting with sphenoid sinus disease to the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2001. Results The study population included 17 women and 12 men with a mean age of 52.3 years (range, 15-82 years). The most common presenting symptom was headache (20 patients [69%]). Imaging evaluation included computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging studies in all cases. Sphenoid sinus abnormality was variable and included sinusitis (11 patients [38%]), tumor (7 [24%]), mucocele (5 [17%]), fungal process (3 [10%]), and cerebrospinal fluid fistula (3 [10%]). Twenty-one cases (72%) were managed endoscopically and 4 (14%) were managed with a transseptal approach. One patient (3%) underwent combined extracranial-endoscopic transnasal approach, while another (3%) underwent a midface degloving approach. The remaining 2 patients (7%) did not undergo surgical intervention. Conclusions Given the high prevalence of noninflammatory lesions within the sphenoid sinus, thorough preoperative evaluation is imperative. Initially, this should include nasal endoscopy and computed tomography to help define the location, extent, and character of the lesion. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging may help further define the nature and extent of a lesion. Angiography should be considered if a vascular lesion is suspected. The clinical and imaging findings should all be taken into consideration when the surgical approach is planned.

Immunocompromised patients are known to be at risk for varicella-zoster virus reactivation, often in atypical manners. We describe a 30-year-old man with simultaneous involvement of the retina, optic chiasm, and optic nerve with varicella-zoster virus who had a bitemporal visual field defect.

Context.—Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a common problem among elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), but the effect of treatment of ISH on LV mass is not known.Objective.—To assess the ability of antihypertensive drug treatment to reduce LV mass in ISH.Design.—Echocardiographic Substudy of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP).Patients.—A total of 104 participants at the St Louis SHEP site who had interpretable baseline echocardiograms, 94 of whom had 3-year follow-up echocardiograms.Intervention.—The SHEP participants were randomized to placebo or active treatment with chlorthalidone (12.5-25 mg/d), with atenolol (25-50 mg/d) added if necessary to maintain goal blood pressure.Main Outcome Measure.—Change in LV mass assessed by echocardiography.Results.—Minimum follow-up was 3 years. In the active treatment group, 91% and 80% of subjects were receiving treatment with chlorthalidone alone by the end of years 1 and 3, respectively. The LV mass index was 93 g/m2 in the active treatment group and 100 g/m2 in the placebo group (P