March 1, 2009 Christine Gilliam, MD and Gregory Renner, MD
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Abstract
A thyroid foramen is a congenital linear opening located in the lamina of the posterosuperior portion of the thyroid cartilage. Although its overall incidence is reported to be as high as 39%, few practitioners are aware of its existence. We report the case of a 19-year-old man who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. He experienced transient left true vocal fold paresis and what were initially thought to be “bilateral thyroid cartilage fractures” based on computed tomography of the neck performed as part of his trauma evaluation. On further scrutiny, however, the “fractures” were determined to be bilateral thyroid foramina. The presence of the paresis in the setting of these thyroid foramina prompted us to review the literature to examine the significance of thyroid foramina and the vessels and nerves that course through them. The average diameter of a thyroid foramen is approximately 2.5 mm. These openings appear in an oblique orientation, and they occur both unilaterally and bilaterally. In 70% of cases, an anastomotic branch connects the external and internal branches of the superior laryngeal nerve. Embryologically, thyroid foramina are believed to arise from a combined branchial and neurovascular origin. A detailed understanding of laryngeal anatomy, including its variations and their physiologic implications, is important to head and neck surgeons.
February 1, 2009 Andrew A. Winkler, MD, M.J.B. Stallmeyer, MD, and Thomas T. Le, MD
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Abstract
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the scalp are rare congenital lesions that can be extremely disfiguring and even life-threatening. Another congenital lesion is the preauricular sinus, which forms when the auricular hillocks fail to fuse. We present a case of an AVM of the scalp that ruptured into a preauricular sinus. The occurrence of these two lesions on the same side of a patient is a notable and previously unreported event. The patient was successfully treated with intravascular embolization and surgical ligation.
January 1, 2009 Rahul K. Shah, MD, Adarsh Vasanth, MD, and Collin S. Karmody, MD, FRCSE
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Abstract
The authors report a case of asymmetric development of the mastoid antrum in a neonate. The lack of mastoid development most likely represents a congenital mal-development. Agenesis of the mastoid antrum has surgical implications, as failure to recognize its absence can result in disorientation during surgery, with potential to injure adjacent structures.
August 31, 2008 Kadambari Batra, DLO, DNB, Anil Safaya, MS, and Kiran Aggarwal, MS
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Abstract
Lipoid proteinosis (Urbach-Wiethe disease) is a rare autosomal-recessive anomaly that primarily affects the skin and the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract in children. It is caused by hyaline deposits in tissues. Hoarseness secondary to laryngeal involvement is frequently the first presenting feature. It is important to consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of hoarseness because it might lead to life-threatening airway compromise. We report a case of lipoid proteinosis in a 12-year-old girl who presented with hoarseness and skin lesions.
July 31, 2008 Mo Khan, MD, Peter G. Michaelson, MD, Major, USAF, MC, FS, and Michael L. Hinni, MD
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Abstract
Intratracheal ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare finding, with few cases reported in the literature. Ectopic thyroid tissue results when the thyroid gland fails to descend to its final position during early development. These lesions present in various locations, and the clinician should be aware of their existence and presenting signs and symptoms.
June 30, 2008 Timothy J. Martin, MD, David R. Friedland, MD, PhD, and Albert L. Merati, MD
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Abstract
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.
June 30, 2008 Melissa L. Somers, MD and Dana L. Suskind, MD
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Abstract
Long-segment near-complete tracheal ring deformity is a rare condition with few documented cases. We present the case of a 7-week-old male with total anomalous pulmonary venous return and long-segment near-complete tracheal rings. We discuss the presentation, evaluation, and management of near-complete and complete tracheal rings.
June 30, 2008 Maj. Wayne J. Harsha, MD, Maj. James V. Crawford, MD, Lt. Col., and Douglas M. Sorensen, MD, FACS
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Abstract
Lymphatic, venous, and mixed lymphovenous malformations are low-flow lesions that are present at birth and grow proportionately with the patient. We describe an unusual presentation of a lymphovenous malformation in an adult. A 19-year-old man presented to the emergency department with complaints of recent upper respiratory tract symptoms, increasing left-sided sore throat, voice change, odynophagia, dysphagia, and occasional subjective fevers and blood-tinged sputum. Examination revealed the presence of a left peritonsillar bulge consistent with a peritonsillar abscess; however, findings on needle aspiration were negative. The patient was admitted for intravenous steroid and antibiotic therapy. Within 24 hours, his airway became compromised, and he underwent an awake tracheotomy and biopsy, which showed a lymphovenous malformation. Magnetic resonance imaging the following day revealed a large, poorly circumscribed, heterogeneous left parapharyngeal mass consistent with a vascu-lar malformation. With continuation of the steroids and antibiotics, the lesion regressed, and the patient was subsequently decannulated. At the 1-year follow-up, he exhibited no clinical symptoms, and he was in good health off steroids.
May 31, 2008 Masoud Motasaddi Zarandy, MD
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Abstract
The standard transmastoid facial recess approach has become the popular technique for cochlear implantation. Although this approach has been used for implantation in patients with common cavity malformations, in patients with this anomaly and severe abnormalities of the middle ear, this approach may be technically difficult and makes the facial nerve vulnerable to injury. Using a direct approach to the common cavity through the mastoid cavity, we have successfully performed cochlear implantation in 1 patient with a common cavity malformation. This transmastoid labyrinthotomy approach to the common cavity is an effective and simple technique for placing the electrode array. It minimizes the risk to the facial nerve and may decrease postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
March 31, 2008 Adnan Safdar, FRCS, Joseph P. Hughes, FRCS, and Rory McConn Walsh, FRCS
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Abstract
We report the case of a 34-year-old man with pulsatile tinnitus and a reddish mass in the anteroinferior quadrant of the middle ear. Physical examination and imaging were unable to establish a diagnosis, so an exploratory tympanotomy was performed. Exploration revealed the presence of an ectatic aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear. Aberrations of the internal carotid artery in the middle ear are rare. Even so, our case is unusual in that all initial investigations had failed to establish the diagnosis. This case highlights the limitations of modern imaging techniques in certain situations.
March 1, 2008 Christine Franzese, MD, James D. Hayes, MD, and Kristie Nichols, MD
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Abstract
Congenital midline cervical cleft is an uncommon malformation of the anterior neck. We report the cases of two patients with such an anomaly who had been born within 10 days of each other at a regional hospital in upstate New York. Fewer than 100 cases of congenital midline cervical cleft have been reported in the literature, and to the best of our knowledge, none of the other reported cases occurred so close to each other in terms of time and location. Diagnoses in both cases were established by clinical observation soon after birth. No likely epidemiologic commonalities between the two patients were found. Head and neck surgeons should be familiar with these malformations because early surgical excision is critical. Both of our patients were surgically treated at an early age, one with a Z-plasty and one with a straight closure. In both cases, the patients exhibited good functional and cosmetic results at 5 years of age.
January 1, 2008 Julia Vent, MD, PhD, Candace G. Grier, MD, Donald A. Leopold, MD, and Barbara B. Heywood, MD
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Abstract
The embryologic development of the head and neck is directed by an ensemble of numerous genes. Embryologic malformations of the head and neck are rare. When they do occur, the most common are thyroglossal duct cysts and branchial anomalies. Most malformations are apparent at birth. Complete excision at an early stage is recommended to prevent complications such as infection. We describe an extremely rare case of bilateral branchial tracts in which there was evidence of a genetic etiology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of familial bilateral branchial tracts to be described in the literature.
