Unilateral Seizures following Vincristine Intravenous Injection

A case of acute central nervous system toxicity following the intravenous injection of vincristine was observed in a patient treated with a chemotherapy regimen including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The neurological symptoms consisted of right-sided epileptiform jacksonian seizures limited to the face, that lasted about 10 min, followed by spontaneous recovery. A cerebrospinal fluid study and computed tomographic scan of the brain failed to reveal any central nervous system lymphomatous involvement.

Erythrocytosis Associated with Thyroid Tumor

A patient with erytharocytosis is described. No other evidence exists for polycythaemia vera or a known cause of secondary erythrocytosis in this patient, and management with phlebotomy resulted in temporary normalization of hematologic parameters. Subsequently a cold thyroid nodule was found which was then surgically removed and turned out to be a papillary carcinoma ( 2 cm) at histologic evaluation. Following thyroidectomy hematologic remission was observed which is still maintained 15 months after surgery. It seems to be the first reported case of erythrocytosis associated with thyroid tumor.

Petrous bone cholesteatoma

Petrous bone cholesteatoma is a rare pathologic entity and may be a difficult surgical challenge because of potential involvement of the facial nerve, carotid artery, dura mater, otic capsule, and risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak. The objective of this article is to present a personal classification of petrous bone cholesteatomas, a survey of recent surgical attitudes, and our present surgical strategy based on our experience with 54 operations between 1978 and 1990. Radical petromastoid exenteration with marsupialization and the middle cranial fossa approach were used only for small pure infra- or supralabyrinthine cholesteatomas, respectively. The enlarged transcochlear approach with closure of the external auditory canal was used for infralabyrinthine, infralabyrinthine-apical, and massive petrous bone cholesteatomas. Five cases with petrous bone cholesteatomas in different locations are described in detail to present the signs and symptoms together with the management.

The system of the modified transcochlear approaches to the petroclival area and the prepontine cistern

Between June 1986 and June 1993 46 different tumors (27 extradural and 19 intradural) located in the petroclival area and/or prepontine cistern have been operated on at The Gruppo Otologico Piacenza and the ENT Department of Bergamo, Italy using a modification of the transcochlear approach. Total tumor removal was obtained in all cases. Complications occurred in eight patients. One patient died due to infarction of the brain stem. The system of modified transcochlear approaches conceived for the removal of various intradural and extradural tumors is presented. This approach, together with its modifications, is the major operative access to the central skull base and clivus among a series of lateral approaches described in the literature. The basilar surgical technique (type A) and its modifications (types B, C, D) are described in detail, and five different, illustrative cases are presented. Indications, limits, results, and complications related to the approach are discussed.

Surgery of the 'only hearing ear' with chronic ear disease

The management of chronic ear disease affecting the only hearing ear is a controversial subject. The relative scarcity of literature on the subject prompted us to prepare a questionnaire which was sent to European and American otologists and to review 19 cases operated at the ENT Clinic of the University of Parma, Italy, and 16 cases operated at The Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, U.S.A. Surgery of cholesteatoma involving the only hearing ear is advised by all the interviewed otologists without exception, even in the presence of a labyrinthine fistula. The cases from the University of Parma were managed as follows: a classic modified radical mastoidectomy was performed in 10 cases, a staged intact canal wall tympanoplasty was done in four cases, an open tympanoplasty in three and a radical mastoidectomy in the remaining two cases. The cases from The Baptist Memorial Hospital were managed with an intact canal wall tympanoplasty (ICWT) in nine and with an open procedure in seven cases. All the otologists interviewed agreed that surgery of the only hearing ear requires particular attention and experience, and should be performed with extreme care by a very experienced surgeon.

Inner ear cholesteatoma and the preservation of cochlear function

Labyrinthine destruction by direct cholesteatoma invasion has always been considered a serious threat to the inner ear function. A number of reports in the literature have cited both patients who had preservation of hearing despite widespread erosion of the labyrinth by cholesteatoma and patients who had retained auditory function despite surgical removal of the matrix from the labyrinth. In most cases the vestibular portion of the inner ear was invaded but cases of cochlear involvement have been described as well. Twelve cases with pre-operative auditory function preservation despite extensive labyrinthine destruction treated at our Institution are reported. Seven cases retained cochlear function post-operatively. Possible explanations of this occurrence and implications of related with hearing preservation in the presence of widespread inner ear destruction by chronic inflammatory disease are discussed.

Primary intratemporal tumours of the facial nerve: diagnosis and treatment

Benign primary tumours of the facial nerve are uncommon. A slowly progressive facial palsy should be considered the result of a nerve tumour until proven otherwise. Improvements in diagnostic imaging techniques of the temporal bone have increased the possibility of a correct pre-operative diagnosis but facial nerve tumours remain a frequently ignored or misdiagnosed entity as a consequence of their subtle and protean clinical manifestations. A series of 12 cases of primary facial nerve tumours is presented. The clinical features, diagnostic modalities and treatment are discussed in relation to a review of the literature.

Closed versus open technique in the management of labyrinthine fistulae

A labyrinthine fistula is the most common complication of cholesteatomatous chronic ear disease. Its treatment remains a controversial subject. The present paper reports our approach to the management of this complication. Operations were performed on 1,226 cases of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma between January 1971 and December 1985. A labyrinthine fistula was detected in 158 cases. We favor intact canal wall tympanoplasty even in the presence of medium or large fistulas: in the latter case, the matrix is not removed but is trimmed to cover only the bony defect and it is left in place. Open procedures with the preservation of the matrix over the fistula are done in an only-hearing ear with fistula, in ears with a wide defect of the posterior canal wall, and in ears with multiple labyrinthine fistulas. The management of the matrix over the fistula and the anatomic and functional results following each type of procedure are presented and discussed.

The surgical management of childhood cholesteatoma

The results of treatment of 124 cases of childhood cholesteatoma are reported in the present study and compared with an adult group of patients. Intact canal wall tympanoplasty was performed in over 90 per cent of cases in children and the procedure was staged in nearly 80 per cent of cases. The children had a 43.8 per cent incidence of residual cholesteatoma and an 8.8 per cent incidence of recurrent cholesteatoma in intact canal wall tympanoplasty cases. Intact canal wall tympanoplasty remains the technique of choice in our hands for the treatment of childhood cholesteatoma; pre-planned staging of the operation is mandatory for the detection and elimination of residual cholesteatoma which occurs more frequently in children.

Hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery. Middle fossa versus suboccipital approach

Over the past few years there have been reports discussing the preservation of hearing after the removal of acoustic neuromas through the middle cranial fossa or the suboccipital approaches. This is a complex issue with many facets and controversies. In an attempt to answer at least some of these controversies, this article reviews the experience of our group. Preservation of hearing was attempted in thirty-four cases out of 220 acoustic neuromas. In twenty cases the middle fossa approach was used: All tumors were less than 2 cm from the fundus, and in four patients the tumor was bilateral. In sixteen of the twenty (80%) the cochlear nerve was spared; in ten of twenty (50%) measurable hearing was retained, but in only four (20%) was the postoperative hearing serviceable according to the 50/50 rule. In fourteen cases the suboccipital approach was used: All but two of the tumors were smaller than 2 cm. In three patients the tumor was bilateral. The cochlear nerve was preserved in ten of the fourteen cases (71.4%). Measurable hearing was present in four of fourteen cases postoperatively (28.6%); none had serviceable hearing according to the 50/50 rule. Hearing was not preserved in any bilateral tumor case. The middle fossa and the suboccipital approaches are discussed as well as the relative merits of each procedure in preservation of hearing.

Prevention of recurrent cholesteatoma in closed tympanoplasty

Recurrent cholesteatoma in a series of 534 staged intact canal wall tympanoplasties performed over a 10-year period has been reviewed for the present study. Overall detected incidence of recurrent cholesteatoma is 5.2% (28 of 534 operated ears). A steady decrease of recurrent cholesteatoma was found, however, in the second period of our surgical experience (1978 to 1982) when prevention techniques were adopted in all operations, resulting in a 1.07% incidence (four of 373 operated ears). Our present policy for prevention of recurrent cholesteatoma in intact canal wall tympanoplasties with mastoidectomy includes the use of plastic sheeting with thick Silastic, the repair of bony sulcus defects with cartilage shavings, staging of the operation with preplanned reexploration of the middle ear and mastoid, and transtympanic ventilation tube insertion in cases of refractory tubal insufficiency.

Re-innervation pattern of heterotopically transposed lingual flaps

Pedicled tongue flaps have proved to be an effective method of repairing defects due to tissue loss in the oral cavity. No histological investigations have been done in respect of the longterm fate of these flaps after section of their nutrient pedicle. The histological pattern of the re-innervation process of heterotopically transposed lingual flaps in the oral cavity is evaluated in this paper. Two cases are reported: in the first, the tongue flap was used to repair the vermilion of the lower lip and in the second, for the closure of a post-traumatic defect of the hard palate. The histological findings are similar in the two cases: myelinated and unmyelinated fibres, free nerve endings and encapsulated receptors are present.

Regenerated middle ear mucosa after tympanoplasty. Part II. Scanning electron microscopy

The ultrastructural appearance of the regenerated middle ear epithelium, found at the second operation of staged ICWT with mastoidectomy, has been investigated herein with the scanning electron microscope. The regenerated epithelium consists of flat nonciliated cells, "elevated" nonciliated cells with microvilli, and ciliated cells. Secretory material is present on the surface of the "elevated" nonciliated cells surrounding the ciliated ones. Regeneration of the mucosa occurs following precise topographic differences that mimic the distribution of epithelial cells in the normal middle ear. It is confirmed that a morphologically normal middle ear epithelium regenerates to cover all denuded bone surfaces within 12 months--after first stage ICWT with mastoidectomy--when silicone rubber sheeting has been used to maintain an aerated middle ear and mastoid space.

Regenerated middle ear mucosa after tympanoplasty. Part I. Transmission electron microscopy

The ultrastructural appearance of the regenerated middle ear mucosa--found at the second operation of staged intact canal wall tympanoplasty (ICWT) with mastoidectomy--has been evaluated with the transmission electron microscope. The regenerated epithelium showed all the morphologic characteristics of the normal middle ear mucosa: ciliated cells, nonciliated cells, and secretory cells. All of these (including goblet cells) have been found in the specimens. It is concluded that a normal middle ear mucosa regenerates to cover all denuded bone surfaces after the first operation of staged ICWT with mastoidectomy, when silicone rubber sheeting has been used to prevent adhesions and maintain an air-containing middle ear space.

Posterior canal wall atrophy after intact canal wall tympanoplasty

The present study investigates the occurrence of asymptomatic posterior canal wall breakdowns following intact canal wall tympanoplasty (ICWT) with mastoidectomy. Twenty-four ears out of 501 (4.8%) presented with a posterior canal wall atrophy. A partial defect was found in 15 ears (62.5%), while a subtotal or total atrophy occurred in the remaining nine ears (37.5%). Posterior wall atrophy could be considered among ICWT complications during follow-up visits, but, according to our investigation, its incidence remains low.

Surgical treatment of brain herniation into the middle ear and mastoid

A series of thirty-five patients operated on for brain herniation into the middle ear and mastoid is presented. The etiologic factor was felt to be previous surgery in twenty-six cases, head trauma in four cases, chronic otomastoiditis in four cases, congenital dehiscence of the tegmen in one case, and subdural empyema in one case. Diagnosis and treatment of brain herniation are discussed. The mastoid approach for repair of tegmen defects from below with the use of homologous cartilage or autologous cortical bone is advocated. A combined procedure using the transmastoid approach plus a mini-craniotomy of the temporalis squama is suggested as an alternative treatment to middle cranial fossa repair for larger cerebral hernias.

Molded tympanic heterograft. An eight-year experience

Between 1974 and 1983 the molded tympanic heterograft has been employed in over 1500 cases of tympanic membrane reconstruction at the Second ENT Clinic of the University of Parma, Italy. The results obtained in 1042 patients operated on from July 1974 to December 1981 are reported herein. The tympanic heterograft offered our patients a 90% chance of cure and anatomic restoration of the middle ear; a functional recovery and serviceable hearing can be expected in more than 85% of cases. The heterograft is available in sealed sterilized vials that can be stored at room temperature; its sterility can be maintained for up to five years. There is no need for a graft bank because the heterograft can be kept in the operating theater among the other prostheses that are readily available to the surgical team.

Autologous fitted incus versus Plastipore PORP in ossicular chain reconstruction

Hearing results and causes of failure with three types of ossicular reconstruction techniques over an intact stapes, during second-stage intact canal wall tympanoplasty, are reported herein. The three types of reconstruction are: fitted autologous incus (38 cases); Plastipore PORP with cartilage (41 cases); Plastipore PORP without cartilage (32 cases). A residual air-bone gap within 15 dB. was found in 63.2 per cent of fitted includes, in 41.5 per cent of PORPs with cartilage, and in only 37 per cent of PORPs without cartilage. Eighty-four per cent fitted incudes, 63 per cent PORPs with cartilage and 44 per cent PORPs without cartilage yielded a residual air-bone gap within 25 dB. Extrusion has been the main cause of failure among Plastipore prostheses.

Failures with Plasti-Pore ossicular replacement prostheses

Plasti-Pore ossicular prosthesis failures found in our series of 246 patients with regular follow-up are reported and analyzed. Extrusions as well as poor functional results (postoperative air-bone gap greater than 25 dB) of the prostheses with and without cartilage on top have been reviewed. The overall extrusion rate was 9.3%: a higher extrusion rate occurred with prostheses without cartilage (18.4%) than with cartilage (4.4%). Thirty-six patients among those with poor postoperative hearing improvement have undergone revision surgery: the main causes of failure were a short prosthesis, a fixed stapes or footplate, adhesions of the prosthesis to surrounding structures, and the displacement of the prosthesis.

Histology of extruded Plasti-Pore ossicular prostheses

Twenty-three Plasti-Pore ossicular prostheses removed from the human middle ear following partial or total extrusion were investigated by light microscopy. No specific tissue reaction other than the ingrowth of histiocytic cells elicited from the porous Plasti-Pore was found. The only histologic feature typical of extruded prostheses was the presence of granulocytes in all parts extruded. In our opinion this finding was the inflammatory reaction following the ischemic necrosis of tissue grown inside the pores and the superimposed bacterial colonization. We concluded that no histologic feature supports a biologic cause of extrusion, and that extrusion instead is related to biofunctional characteristics.

Molded tympanic heterografts. Histologic evaluation

The histologic appearance of the molded tympanic heterograft developed at the ENT Clinic of the University of Parma, Italy, is investigated with light and electron microscopy. Evaluation of the graft before insertion disclosed a unique structure of interwoven collagen bundles. Examination of grafted tympanic membrane showed a structure closely resembling the normal human tympanic membrane. The fate of the heterologous material and the host reaction to it are discussed in relation to histologic findings.

Plastipore ossicular prostheses. A histological evaluation

The histological findings of 43 Plastipore ossicular prostheses (26 TORPs and 17 PORPs) removed during revision tympanoplasty are described and discussed.

Chorda tympani nerve fibers in man

Four normal human chorda tympani nerves were studied for quantitative data of nerve fibers. The average total number of nerve fibers was 5360 (range, 4941-6020). The average number of unmyelinated fibers was 1835 (range, 1518-2083), or 34% of the total. The diameters of myelinated fibers ranged from 1 to 7 microns, peaking at 2 microns. Most of the unmyelinated axons had a diameter between 0.5 and 2 microns. The importance of the quantitative evaluation of the chorda tympani nerve fibers is stressed in reporting structural changes.

Enhanced biofunctionality of plastipore ossicular prostheses with the use of homologous cartilage

Functional results with Plastipore prostheses inserted in 150 staged intact canal wall tympanoplasties at our Clinic are reported. Two groups of patients have been reviewed: The first group consists of those cases in which the prosthesis is directly in contact with the tympanic graft (77 cases); the second one comprises all cases with interposition of homologous cartilage between the head of the prosthesis and the tympanic graft (73 cases). The aim of this article is to see whether extrusion rate and audiometric and impedance result differences exist between the two groups. We have found a 15.4 percent extrusion rate in the group without cartilage but only a 1.9 percent rate in the group with cartilage (9.3 percent is the overall extrusion rate). There were no substantial differences in functional results between the two groups. It is valuable to outline the different functional results between the two types of prosthesis: TORPs got 56.8 percent excellent results and 78.4 percent good results, while PORPs had only 47.7 percent excellent results and 60 percent good results. Normal compliance (static compliance greater than 0.3 cc) was found in 61.6 percent of cases without cartilage and in 46.7 percent of cases with cartilage.

Regenerated middle ear mucosa after tympanoplasty

The surgeon's attitude towards the diseased middle ear mucosa during intact canal wall tympanoplasty has remained a controversial problem. Our approach consists of the complete removal of the irreversibly diseased mucosal lining. A planned staged operation has been carried out in most cases of tympanoplasty with the use of Silastic sheeting. At the time of the second operation, the middle ear and mastoid process appear to be lined by the regenerated mucosa and pneumatized. 54 mucosal biopsies taken during the second stage of the operation showed a normal flat, cuboidal and pseudostratified ciliated epithelium with functional features (secretory granules, microvilli and cilia). It is concluded that the diseased middle ear mucosa can be removed whenever necessary during staged closed-tympanoplasty operations because under the Silastic sheeting the mucosa will be regenerated within 12 months.

Malignant histiocytic tumour presenting as a primary uterine neoplasms: a cytochemical and electron microscopy study

A 41-year-old woman was admitted because of uterine bleeding. The diagnosis of malignant histiocytic tumor was suspected from microscopic examination of the material obtained with diagnostic curettage. Total hysterectomy was performed a week later and a complete pathological examination of the specimens was performed. Cytochemical and immunoperoxidase stains and electron microscopy confirmed that the neoplastic cells were derived from histiocytic elements, i.e. from the mononuclear phagocyte system.

Ossicular chain reconstruction with plastipore prostheses

Proper reconstruction of the ossicular chain is a fundamental prerequisite for good hearing results in staged tympanoplasties. The history of modern middle ear surgery shows that various synthetic materials have been proposed in past years for sound conducting mechanism reconstruction but all gave discouraging results and were soon abandoned. Plastipore is a new plastic material that seems to be well tolerated in the middle ear, and it is commercially available as pre-formed prostheses. We are reporting our experience with 140 cases operated on in our clinic (92 TORPs and 48 PORPs). Two groups of patients are reviewed: the first group consists of the cases in which the prosthesis is in direct contact with the tympanic graft; the second one includes the cases with interposition of cartilage between the head of the prosthesis and the tympanic graft. The purpose is to see whether extrusion rate differences exist in the two groups. Functional results (evaluated after at least six months show an air-bone gap of less than 15 dB in 57 percent of cases and an air-bone gap of less than 25 dB in 82 percent of cases. Five extrusions are reported (3.57 percent). We believe that staged tympanoplasties and tympanic reconstruction with molded heterograft can explain the excellent hearing results and the low extrusion rate of the prosthesis.