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The treatment of cutaneous sarcoid is often frustrating, because lesions may be refractory to treatment, or recurrent. There is little information in the literature regarding the surgical treatment of cutaneous sarcoid. Such treatment may become necessary in cases that do not respond to systemic treatments and create functional impairments. We present a 7-year follow-up of a patient with cutaneous nasal sarcoid that was successfully treated surgically.

Object Surgery on the pituitary gland is increasingly being performed through an endoscopic approach. However, there is little published data on its safety and relative advantages over traditional microscope-based approaches. Published reports are limited by small sample size and nonrandomized study design. A meta-analysis allows for a description of the impact of endoscopic surgery on short-term outcomes. Methods The authors performed retrospective review of data from their institution as well as a systematic review of the literature. The pooled data were analyzed for descriptive statistics on short-term outcomes. Results Nine studies (821 patients) met inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled rate of gross tumor removal was 78% (95% CI 67–89%). Hormone resolution was achieved in 81% (95% CI 71–91%) of adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting tumors, 84% (95% CI 76–92%) of growth hormone secreting tumors, and 82% (95% CI 70–94%) of prolactin secreting tumors. The pooled complication rates were 2% (95% CI 0–4%) for CSF leak and 1% (95% CI 0–2%) for permanent diabetes insipidus. There were 2 deaths reported in the literature that were both related to vascular injury, giving an overall mortality rate of 0.24%. Conclusions The results of this meta-analysis support the safety and short-term efficacy of endoscopic pituitary surgery. Future studies with long-term follow-up are required to determine tumor control.

Objective: Refinement of endoscopic pituitary surgery requires an understanding of the impact of demographic and surgical variables on outcomes. Methods: Multivariate logistic regression and ANOVA models were used to explore variables for association with outcomes in a consecutive series of 57 patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary surgery. Results: The mean duration of surgery was 177 min and was longer in patients with larger tumor size (p = 0.03) and presentation with visual symptoms (p = 0.02) in univariate analyses. The median duration of hospitalization was 3 days and was longer in patients with larger tumors (p = 0.0005). Gross tumor removal was achieved in 89%. Tumor size correlated with extent of tumor removal with an almost 3fold decrease in complete tumor removal for every 1 cm increase in tumor size (p = 0.047). High rates of hormonal control (90%) and improvement in visual symptoms (92%) were noted. Conclusions: High rates of gross tumor removal, hormonal cure and visual field improvement were noted in this series. Markers including tumor size and visual symptoms may be used to stratify patients.

Objective Intraoperative identification of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is critical in successful closure after endoscopic cranial base surgery. Intrathecal injection of fluorescein is quite useful in identifying CSF leaks. However, complications have been reported with various doses and the technique has fallen out of favor. We explored the safety of low-dose intrathecal fluorescein administered to patients undergoing endoscopic cranial base surgery. Methods A retrospective chart review and postoperative patient survey were performed. The nature and incidence of complications and subjective complaints were recorded in 54 patients who underwent endoscopic, endonasal approaches to the anterior cranial base and received intrathecal fluorescein after premedication with dexamethasone and diphenhydramine. Results Intraoperative CSF leak was identified with fluorescein in 46.3% of the patients and helped determine the reconstruction technique. Postoperative CSF leak occurred in 9.3% of the patients and resolved with lumbar drainage. There were no seizures. Most side effects were nonspecific, transient, and likely not caused by fluorescein including malaise (57.4%), headache (51.9%), dizziness (31.5%), or nausea/vomiting (24.1%). Three patients (5.6%) experienced persistent subjective lower extremity weakness (n = 2) and numbness (n = 2) postoperatively; however, two of them had undergone lumbar drainage. Conclusion Low-dose injection of intrathecal fluorescein after premedication with steroid and antihistamine agents is generally safe. Most symptoms are nonspecific and transient, likely caused by the surgery or lumbar drainage. However, fluorescein should be administered with some caution because it may be responsible for occasional lower extremity weakness and numbness.

Background This study evaluates the management of frontal sinus disease using osteoplastic flap surgery (OPFS) in the current era of image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery (IGESS). Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent OPFS and imaged-guided endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in the past 10 years at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods Chart reviews of clinic patients and inpatients who underwent OPFS were performed. Indications for surgery, prior sinus surgeries, time to OPFS, post-OPFS sinus surgeries, and associated comorbid factors were reviewed. Results In the period under review, 710 IGESS cases were performed. Thirty patients, who were candidates for OPFS, underwent IGESS for frontoethmoid disease. Fourteen patients from this group failed IGESS and underwent OPFS. The indications for OPFS included mucocele in 10 cases, tumors in 2 cases, and trauma in 2 cases. Four patients underwent revision OPFS. The patients who failed IGESS had prior trauma, tumor resection, radiation, or large septate frontal sinus with lateral extension in which the mucocele could not be drained endoscopically. The average time to OPFS was 6.2 years (0–27 years). Nine patients had prior sinus surgery (1–7 prior surgeries) and five patients had subsequent endoscopic surgical procedures. Conclusion In all patients with frontal mucocele, surgery should be attempted endoscopically using IGESS because of the low morbidity of the procedure. Patients with risk factors for failure should be considered for OPFS if IGESS proves to be unsuccessful.

To report a new technique for unilateral brow suspension for facial paralysis that is minimally invasive, limits supraciliary scar formation, does not require specialized endoscopic equipment or expertise, and has proved to be equal to direct brow suspension in durability and symmetry.Retrospective survey of a case series of 23 patients between January 1997 and December 2000.Metropolitan tertiary care center.Patients with head and neck tumors and brow ptosis caused by facial nerve paralysis.The results of the procedure were determined using the following 3-tier rating system: outstanding (excellent elevation and symmetry); acceptable (good elevation and fair symmetry); and unacceptable (loss of elevation).The results were considered outstanding in 12 patients, acceptable in 9 patients, and unacceptable in only 1 patient. One patient developed a hematoma, and 1 patient required a secondary adjustment.The technique has proved to be superior to standard brow suspension procedures with regard to scar formation and equal with respect to facial symmetry and suspension. These results have caused us to abandon direct brow suspension and to use this minimally invasive method in all cases of brow ptosis due to facial paralysis.

Objectives To assess the use of an acellular dermal allograft in the repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations. Chronic tympanic membrane perforations are a common problem in otolaryngology, and although surgical tympanoplasty using either temporalis fascia or rice paper has proven to be highly successful, these materials are not without their own limitations. The search has continued for a simpler, yet equally effective, means of repairing persistent tympanic membrane perforations in an office setting. In this study we experimentally evaluated the use of an acellular dermis (AlloDerm, (LifeCell Corporation, The Woodlands, TX) as an alternative to traditional tympanoplasty materials. Study Design Prospective study using 28 adult chinchillas. Methods Subtotal tympanic membrane perforations were created bilaterally in 28 adult chinchillas. Animals with noninfected, stable perforations that showed no signs of epithelial regeneration after 5 to 8 weeks were used to compare the use of rice paper patch with AlloDerm in patch tympanoplasties. Results Eighteen of 23 tympanoplasties (78%) that were performed using AlloDerm showed no signs of perforation after 5 to 6 weeks. In those performed using rice paper control, 14 of 21 (66%) showed no signs of perforation after 5 to 6 weeks. In addition, histological evaluation of the healed tympanic membranes demonstrated that the acellular dermis had been incorporated within the middle fibrous layer of the tympanic membrane. Conclusions The results and histological studies suggest that acellular dermis may be a suitable alternative to traditional materials currently used for patch tympanoplasty. Future studies to evaluate the efficacy of acellular dermis in humans are warranted.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of acellular dermis as a viable alternative for soft tissue augmentation in facial reconstruction. DesignA prospective, nonrandomized observational study consistin...

Large scars in the head and neck are often the cause of significant emotional distress to patients, and often present unique challenges to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon undertaking their revision. The primary goal of scar revision is to eliminate compromise of function that may have resulted from scar contracture; a secondary goal is to improve the appearance of the scar. Special techniques for the revision of large scars include serial partial excision, rapid intraoperative or prolonged tissue expansion, split- and full-thickness skin grafting, regional flaps, and free microvascular tissue transfer. Recent research has investigated the use of artificial skin and autologous fat grafting for large scar revision.

Objective: To describe our indications for the temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) in endoscopic cranial base reconstruction, our evolution in technique, and our case series. Methods: Retrospective chart review at a tertiary care center. Results: The two patients in our series had malignant neoplasms of the skull base that received preoperative radiation. The intranasal vascularized options for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair were therefore unavailable. One patient was treated for osteoradionecrosis of the central cranial base, and the other patient received a TPFF for reconstruction after primary resection. The TPFF flap was harvested in the standard open fashion based on the superficial temporal vessels. It was then passed through the infratemporal fossa into the defect of the skull base and nasopharynx, without the need for osteotomies, and secured into place. Median follow-up of 14 months demonstrated no CSF leak. One patient developed severe epistaxis related to the resection requiring embolization. There was no donor site morbidity. Currently, both patients have fully healed. Conclusion: The TPFF is an effective means of endoscopic cranial base reconstruction with minimal complications. It serves as a reliable vascularized method of reconstruction when other intranasal vascularized flaps are unavailable.

Surgery on the pituitary gland is increasingly being performed through an endoscopic approach. However, there is little published data on its safety and relative advantages over traditional microscope-based approaches. Published reports are limited by small sample size and nonrandomized study design. A meta-analysis allows for a description of the impact of endoscopic surgery on short-term outcomes.The authors performed retrospective review of data from their institution as well as a systematic review of the literature. The pooled data were analyzed for descriptive statistics on short-term outcomes.Nine studies (821 patients) met inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled rate of gross tumor removal was 78% (95% CI 67-89%). Hormone resolution was achieved in 81% (95% CI 71-91%) of adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting tumors, 84% (95% CI 76-92%) of growth hormone secreting tumors, and 82% (95% CI 70-94%) of prolactin secreting tumors. The pooled complication rates were 2% (95% CI 0-4%) for CSF leak and 1% (95% CI 0-2%) for permanent diabetes insipidus. There were 2 deaths reported in the literature that were both related to vascular injury, giving an overall mortality rate of 0.24%.The results of this meta-analysis support the safety and short-term efficacy of endoscopic pituitary surgery. Future studies with long-term follow-up are required to determine tumor control.

BACKGROUND Follicular carcinomas of the thyroid gland, including its oncocytic variant (so-called Hurthle cell carcinoma), are subdivided into the indolent encapsulated (“minimally invasive”) and the clinically aggressive widely invasive tumors. There are, however, cases of encapsulated follicular carcinoma that recur and metastasize. Identifying these cases at the time of diagnosis is crucial for prognostic and therapeutic considerations. Because to the authors' knowledge most studies do not focus exclusively on the encapsulated Hurthle cell carcinoma (EHC), the current study attempted to identify predictors of recurrence in EHC. METHODS A tumor was defined as EHC if it was encapsulated, macroscopically well defined with microscopic but no macroscopic evidence of vascular or capsular invasion, and composed of >75% follicular oncocytic cells. Retrospective chart review and microscopic examination identified 50 primary tumors meeting the above criteria at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1967 and 2005. The cases were analyzed for various histologic and clinical parameters. Each parameter was correlated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS Seven of 50 (14%) patients developed disease recurrence. All patients who developed recurrence were found to have a high number of foci of vascular invasion (≥ 4). In univariate analysis, ≥ 4 foci of vascular invasion (P 4 cm (P = .049), the presence of mitosis (P = .018), and a solid/trabecular growth pattern (P = .009) were found to be correlated with a decreased RFS. Extensive capsular invasion, gender, and age did not confer a statistically higher recurrence rate. The finding of a solid/trabecular growth and mitosis correlated with the presence of numerous foci (≥ 4) of vascular invasion (P = .01 and P = .005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS A diligent search for vascular invasion is recommended in EHC that display mitosis or a solid/trabecular growth pattern. The presence of ≥ 4 foci of vascular invasion should alert the pathologist and the clinician to a significantly higher risk of recurrence in EHC. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.

This study evaluates the management of frontal sinus disease using osteoplastic flap surgery (OPFS) in the current era of image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery (IGESS).A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent OPFS and imaged-guided endoscopic frontal sintus surgery in the past 10 years at a tertiary care teaching hospital.Chart reviews of clinic patients and inpatients who underwent OPFS were performed. Indications for surgery, prior sinus surgeries, time to OPFS, post-OPFS sinus surgeries, and associated comorbid factors were reviewed.In the period under review, 710 IGESS cases were performed. Thirty patients, who were candidates for OPFS, underwent IGESS for frontoethmoid disease. Fourteen patients from this group failed IGESS and underwent OPFS. The indications for OPFS included mucocele in 10 cases, tumors in 2 cases, and trauma in 2 cases. Four patients underwent revision OPFS. The patients who failed IGESS had prior trauma, tumor resection, radiation, or large septate frontal sinus with lateral extension in which the mucocele could not be drained endoscopically. The average time to OPFS was 6.2 years (0-27 years). Nine patients had prior sinus surgery (1-7 prior surgeries) and five patients had subsequent endoscopic surgical procedures.In all patients with frontal mucocele, surgery should be attempted endoscopically using IGESS because of the low morbidity of the procedure. Patients with risk factors for failure should be considered for OPFS if IGESS proves to be unsuccessful.

Facial nerve rerouting techniques were developed to facilitate re-section of extensive tumors occupying the skull base. Facial nerve rerouting has its own limitations and risks, requiring microsurgical expertise, additional surgical time, and often some degree of facial nerve paresis. This article presents different degrees of anterior and posterior facial nerve rerouting, techniques of facial nerve rerouting, and a comprehensive review of outcomes. It then reviews anatomic and functional preservation of the facial nerve in acoustic neuroma resection, technical aspects of facial nerve dissection, intracranial facial nerve repair options, and outcomes for successful acoustic neuroma surgery.

Despite advances in neurological, reconstructive, and endoscopic sinus surgery, sphenoethmoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae continually pose difficult management problems. Standard surgical techniques for fistulae closure succeed approximately 78% to 90% of the time. To improve this success rate, hydroxyapatite cement (HAC), a Food and Drug Administration–approved substance for cranial defect repair, was applied to this problem in a clinical setting. Twenty-one patients with spontaneous, posttraumatic, or postoperative CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus, cribriform plate, or ethmoid region were treated with HAC. Study participants were prospectively accrued at 5 tertiary care medical centers in the eastern United States. The CSF leaks of all 21 patients treated with HAC were successfully sealed by its initial application. The sites of CSF leakage included the nasal cavity (n = 2) and sphenoid sinus (n = 19). Fifteen of the patients had previously undergone a failed repair by standard methods. There have been no recurrent CSF leaks with a maximum follow-up of 72 months, and an average follow-up of 36 months. All patients have survived to date. The only HAC-related morbidity was the extrusion of the HAC when placed in the nasal cavity. Hydroxyapatite cement is an effective method of repair for postoperative, posttraumatic, and spontaneous sphenoid CSF leaks. The efficacy of HAC in sealing the CSF leak was unaffected by previous attempts at leak closure by standard methods or by its origin. Hydroxyapatite cement should not be applied transnasally for the treatment of an ethmoid region fistula owing to its high probability of extrusion. Correct patient selection and technical familiarity with HAC are necessary for successful application.