1/8. Conservative facial nerve management in jugular foramen schwannomas.OBJECTIVE: Although transposition of the facial nerve is crucial in infiltrative vascular lesions involving the jugular foramen, the objective was to show that a conservative approach to management of the facial nerve is sufficient with jugular foramen neuromas because of their noninfiltrative, less vascular nature and medial location in the jugular foramen. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary, private, multiphysician, otologic practice. patients: Sixteen patients with jugular foramen schwannoma (18 procedures) treated between January 1975 and October 1995. The 8 male and 8 female patients ranged in age from 13 to 66 years (mean age 47.7 years). INTERVENTION: One-stage, total jugular foramen neuroma removal without transposition of the facial nerve, using a variety of surgical approaches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: facial nerve transposition (yes or no), House-Brackmann facial nerve grade, lower cranial nerve status, complications. RESULTS: One-stage total tumor removal was accomplished in all the cases. In 13 (72%) of the neuromas, removal was accomplished without facial nerve transposition. Transposition was performed in 2 revision cases in which scar tissue from a previous operation prevented complete control of the carotid artery and safe removal, 2 cases with large tumor extension anteriorly to the petrous apex, and 1 case with extensive involvement of the middle ear. A House-Brackmann facial nerve Grade I or II was obtained in 16 of the 18 procedures, with 1 Grade III and 1 case that remained Grade V, as it was preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage, total tumor removal can be achieved with excellent control of the important vascular structures and without transposition of the facial nerve in a majority of jugular foramen schwannomas.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/8. Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection.Once considered uncommon, spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery is an increasingly recognized cause of stroke, headache, cranial nerve palsy, or ophthalmologic events, especially in young adults. Even in the presence of existing signs and symptoms, the diagnosis can be missed by experienced physicians of all specialties. We report a case of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection in a 38-year-old woman with a cortical stroke and visual disturbances as initial symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging/angiography and by angiography. Prompt anticoagulation was instituted, and the patient had complete resolution of symptoms. Cervicocephalic arterial dissection should be included in the differential diagnosis of the causes of cerebrovascular events.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/8. Multinevritis of cranial nerves following inhalation of toxins.Cranial multineuropathy is an uncommon occurrence. We observed two cases of multinevritis of the cranial nerves which had many features in common: acute onset after toxic inhalation, occurrence of neuroparaxic block, and rapid resolution after corticosteroid therapy. We believe physicians should be aware that multinevritis of the cranial nerves may be related to acute exposure to toxic substances. Missing this diagnosis could lead to a delay in therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/8. Gradenigo syndrome: a case report and review of a rare complication of otitis media.otitis media is a commonly seen condition in the Emergency Department. The complications of otitis media that were seen frequently in the preantibiotic era are now rare today. We report a case of a diabetic man who presented with otorrhea, retro-orbital pain, and diplopia secondary to a sixth cranial nerve palsy--Gradenigo syndrome. This syndrome occurs as infection from the middle ear spreads medially to the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The emergency physician should consider this condition in patients with chronic ear drainage or pain not responsive to conventional treatment or in any patient with a cranial nerve palsy in the setting of acute or chronic otitis. work-up should include a CT scan of the temporal bones. otolaryngology consultation and admission for i.v. antibiotics is recommended.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/8. Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis.We evaluated 3 patients with biopsy-proven hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis apparently unrelated to any systemic disease. Each patient had chronic headache, cranial neuropathy, an elevated ESR, and a mild CSF pleocytosis. Neuro-ophthalmic findings included bilateral sixth nerve palsies in two patients and the third had bilateral optic neuropathies. MR imaging revealed thickened dura that enhanced with Gd-DTPA administration. Histologic examination showed thickened, fibrotic dura with a sterile, chronic, nongranulomatous inflammation. The response to treatment was variable with corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or radiation. The distinctive MR appearance should help physicians recognize this rarely reported disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/8. Otologic neurotologic manifestations of hiv-related disease.Human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has reached worldwide epidemic proportions and is increasing. Otologists, neurotologists, and audiologists practicing in metropolitan centers in north america can expect to encounter patients with hiv-related illnesses, including patients with aids-related complex (ARC) and AIDS. Five representative cases are presented: chronic otitis media, facial palsy, Gradenigo's syndrome with facial paralysis, otosyphilis, and Kaposi sarcoma of the mastoid. The common link in all cases was hiv infection. This presentation discusses the management of several hiv-infected patients with otologic and neurotologic findings. hiv infection has extended to all parts of north america. The worldwide incidence is increasing. As the epidemic continues to unfold, new challenges to both the diagnosis and treatment of otologic and neurotologic disease in hiv-positive patients will confront the audiologist and otolaryngologist. Recommendations for the safety of the examining audiologist and treating physician are given.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/8. Microvascular decompression in glossopharyngeal neuralgia.Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare and often controversial cause for odynophagia and otalgia. The otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon may be the primary physician called upon to diagnose and treat this entity. In this study, vascular decompression, or more specifically, elimination of contact between the ninth cranial nerve and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, was employed as treatment in three patients. All achieved relief of their symptoms with this intervention. A review of the neurosurgical literature and the experience with vascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia is presented. The authors conclude that vascular decompression is effective in carefully selected patients, and the role of the skull base surgeon in managing this problem is expanding.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/8. Encephalopathy and cranial nerve palsies caused by intentional trichloroethylene inhalation.This report describes an acute intentional trichloroethylene exposure that developed neurological and cardiovascular toxicity. The patient presented with palsies of the third, fifth, and sixth cranial nerves. Clinical manifestations, laboratory values, and treatment plans are discussed. Emergency physicians should be aware of the complications of trichloroethylene exposure and consider the diagnosis in patients with similar symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |