Palatal trauma: an unusual cause of a parotid sinus

The Utility of CTA in Pediatric Oropharyngeal Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE(S)

To analyze the utility of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in identifying internal carotid artery (ICA) injury and reducing cerebrovascular accident (CVA) incidence in children presenting with normal neurologic exams after oropharyngeal trauma (OT).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed following PRISMA guidelines. Of 1,185 studies screened, 95 studies of pediatric OT met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of proportions was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1224 children with OT were analyzed. Excluding case reports, the weighted proportion of a CVA after OT was 0.31% (95% CI 0.06-0.93). If a child presented without neurologic deficits, 0.30% (95% CI 0.05-0.95) returned with new neurologic deficits. An ICA injury was identified in 0.89% (95% CI 0.16-2.74) of screening CTAs. No difference in CVA incidence was seen in children with screening CTA (0.52% [95% CI 0.02-2.15]) compared to children without screening CTA (0.42% [95% CI 0.06-1.37]). Patients who developed CVA had a higher proportion of injuries >2 cm, injuries at the posterior pillar or tonsil, and injuries with a writing utensil or popsicle stick compared to patients without CVA.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of children experiencing an ICA injury leading to CVA after sustaining OT is low. CTAs infrequently show ICA changes in children with normal neurological exams. Children who receive CTAs do not have a significantly lower incidence of CVAs than children who do not receive CTAs. Clinicians should weigh the risks and benefits of a CTA based on an individual child's presentation and discuss this with caregivers for shared decision-making. Laryngoscope, 133:25-37, 2023.

Unusual parotid gland foreign body

A foreign body in the parotid gland whether from the oral cavity or through the skin is extremely uncommon. A case is described of the tip of a golden-colored pencil accidentally piercing the deep lobe after a fall. Emergency surgical removal was performed, and the diagnosis of the foreign body was quite easy. In contrast, determination of the location in the gland had to be done by a microscope, with fluoroscopy during the operation and was quite difficult. During removal, great attention was paid to avoiding facial nerve injury. This was done by identifying the facial trunk at the pointer using a microscope. The dissolved material including copper and zinc metal powder, paste, and clay, was found in the deep lobe associated with the surrounding abscess. Although these materials are assumed to be harmless to human tissues, the complete and immediate removal is to prevent salivary fistule resulting from inflammation.

Retained Wooden Foreign Body in a Child's Parotid Gland: A Case Report

Foreign bodies can present a diagnostic challenge to even the experienced surgeon. In one review of 200 surgical cases involving retained foreign bodies, one-third of the cases had been initially missed.1 Wooden foreign bodies in particular pose a challenge to the physician. In the review cited above, only 15% of wooden foreign bodies were well visualized on plain radiographs.1 Acutely, on computed tomography (CT) scans, wooden foreign bodies will usually mimic air.2 However, with time, the attenuation value of a wooden foreign body may increase as moisture is absorbed from the surrounding tissues.3 Once this occurs, the wooden foreign body may mimic fat, water or muscle.2 We present an interesting case of a wooden foreign body in the parotid gland in order to illustrate a common presentation of such a foreign body, to review current guidelines for their clinical and radiologic diagnosis, and to suggest strategies for the management of their unique complications.