Atypical Laryngeal Infections: Localized Lesions from Unusual Organisms May Simulate Malignancy

2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Yan ◽  
Jerome B. Taxy ◽  
Ajit Paintal ◽  
Aaron D. Friedman

Objective: The identification of rare sources of laryngeal infection in immunocompetent patients. Recovered organisms were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (laryngeal tuberculosis [LTB]), Mycobacterium fortuitum (laryngeal Mycobacterium fortuitum [LMF]), and Blastomyces dermatiditis (laryngeal blastomycosis [LB]). Method: Single institution retrospective case series of three patients over a 2.5-year period and review of the literature on laryngeal infections by three atypical organisms. Results: Three patients presented with hoarseness and cough; one additionally had throat pain (LTB). Indirect laryngoscopy demonstrated diffuse laryngeal ulceration (LTB, LMF) and an exophytic, contiguous glottic mass (LB). Direct microlaryngoscopic biopsies and cultures established the diagnoses, including a frozen section in one case (LB), which prevented a simultaneously planned surgical resection. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy yielded dramatic laryngeal and corresponding vocal improvement, for which we provide unique photo and audio documentation. In the last 10 years, fewer than 500 cases of LTB have been reported in the English language medical literature, principally outside the United States. To date, there have been reports of only 34 LB and no cases of LMF. Conclusion: Atypical infections of the larynx may be localized and mimic laryngeal cancer on endoscopy. Tissue examination as well as microbiologic samples are diagnostic and complementary.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117955652110216
Author(s):  
Parisa Oviedo ◽  
Morgan Bliss

Objective: Masses of the sternoclavicular area are rare, and are not well described in the literature. We aim to present a series of patients with masses in this location and to review all reported English language cases of sternoclavicular masses in pediatric patients. Methods: This is a case series of pediatric patients with masses of the sternoclavicular area presenting to a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2010 through 2017. Data was collected by using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes to query the electronic medical record. Chart review included age at presentation, mass characteristics, medical and surgical interventions, and pathology results. A review of the literature was then performed. Results: Ten patients with masses overlying the sternoclavicular area were identified. Four patients presented with abscess and were treated with incision and drainage. Three of these patients were then treated with staged excision once infection cleared. Two additional patients were treated with primary excision. Four patients were treated with observation. The most common histopathologic finding was epidermoid. One patient was found to have a dermoid cyst, and 1 had a congenital cartilaginous rest. Conclusion: Epidermoids and dermoids are the most common masses overlying the sternoclavicular area. Controversy remains regarding the embryologic origin of sternoclavicular masses. The differential for masses in this area also includes branchial remnants, bronchogenic cysts, ganglion cysts, or septic arthritis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Biljana Kuzmanović Elabjer ◽  
Mladen Bušić ◽  
Andrej Pleše ◽  
Mirjana Bjeloš ◽  
Daliborka Miletić ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is the only widely used method for the evaluation of anterior uveal melanoma (AUM). <b><i>Objective:</i></b> Documentation of regression of AUM treated with ruthenium-106 (Ru-106) plaque types CCB and CCC using UBM. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This single institution-based retrospective case series involved 10 Caucasian patients with AUM followed after brachytherapy with UBM from January 2014 until February 2019. The largest prominence of the tumor perpendicular to the sclera or the cornea (including scleral/corneal thickness) (<i>D</i>) and the largest basal dimension (<i>B</i>) were measured in millimeters with UBM for all patients prior to the brachytherapy and at 4-month interval follow-up. Tumor regression was calculated as a percentage of decrease in the initial <i>D</i> and <i>B</i> values. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study involved 10 patients with a mean age of 64.4 years (yr) (range 46–80 yr). <i>D</i> ranged from 1.82 to 5.5 mm (median 2.99 mm) and <i>B</i> from 2.32 to 12.38 mm (median 4.18 mm). The apical radiation dose in all patients was 100 Gy. The median follow-up was 42.02 months. Regression for <i>D</i> was 21.11 ± 13.66%, 31.09 ± 14.66%, and 34.92 ± 19.86% at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year of the follow-up, respectively, while for <i>B</i> it was 21.58 ± 16.05%, 28.98 ± 17.71%, and 32.06 ± 18.96%, respectively. Tumor recurrence was documented in 2/10 patients. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The major regression of AUM, treated with Ru-106 plaque types CCB and CCC, was documented in the first 2 years after brachytherapy in our study group. In the following years, only minimal regression was documented that warns of the need for close monitoring and active search for local recurrences.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193864002098092
Author(s):  
Devon W. Consul ◽  
Anson Chu ◽  
Travis M. Langan ◽  
Christopher F. Hyer ◽  
Gregory Berlet

Total ankle replacement has become a viable alternative to ankle arthrodesis in the surgical management of advanced ankle arthritis. Total ankle replacement has generally been reserved for patients who are older and for those who will have a lower demand on the replacement. The purpose of the current study is to review patient outcomes, complications, and implant survival in patients younger than 55 years who underwent total ankle replacement at a single institution. A single-center chart and radiographic review was performed of consecutive patients who underwent total ankle replacement for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. All surgeries were performed by 1 of 5 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons at a single institution. A total of 51 patients met inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up of 31.2 months (SD = 16.2). Implant survival was 94%, There were 7 major complications (13%) requiring an unplanned return to the operating room and 8 minor complications (15%) that resolved with conservative care. The results of this study show that total ankle replacement is a viable treatment option for patients younger than 55 years. Levels of Evidence: A retrospective case series


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Page E Crew ◽  
Winston E Abara ◽  
Lynda McCulley ◽  
Peter E Waldron ◽  
Robert D Kirkcaldy ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported notifiable condition in the United States. Infrequently, Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody, inhibits terminal complement activation, which impairs the ability of the immune system to respond effectively to Neisseria infections. This series describes cases of N. gonorrhoeae infection among patients receiving eculizumab. Methods Pre- and postmarketing safety reports of N. gonorrhoeae infection in patients receiving eculizumab worldwide were obtained from US Food and Drug Administration safety databases and the medical literature, including reports from the start of pivotal clinical trials in 2004 through 31 December 2017. Included patients had at least 1 eculizumab dose within the 3 months prior to N. gonorrhoeae infection. Results Nine cases of N. gonorrhoeae infection were identified; 8 were classified as disseminated (89%). Of the disseminated cases, 8 patients required hospitalization, 7 had positive blood cultures, and 2 required vasopressor support. One patient required mechanical ventilation. Neisseria gonorrhoeae may have contributed to complications prior to death in 1 patient; however, the fatality was attributed to underlying disease per the reporter. Conclusions Patients receiving eculizumab may be at higher risk for DGI than the general population. Prescribers are encouraged to educate patients receiving eculizumab on their risk for serious gonococcal infections and perform screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD treatment guidelines or in suspected cases. If antimicrobial prophylaxis is used during eculizumab therapy, prescribers should consider trends in gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility due to emerging resistance concerns.


2020 ◽  
pp. 000348942097323
Author(s):  
Mohammad Al-Alawneh ◽  
Ladd Caballero ◽  
Elijah DeBroux ◽  
Michael J. Herr ◽  
Amy Claire Petro ◽  
...  

Objective: Standards for treatment of laryngeal clefts remain poorly defined. There are no large case series that report the efficacy of injection laryngoplasty (IL) in the treatment of pediatric Type 1 laryngeal clefts (LC-1). The objective of this study is to measure the effect of IL in young children with LC-1. Methods: A retrospective case series of 130 patients was completed over 3 years at a at a single institution included patients aged 1 month to 8 years, diagnosed with aspiration and penetration issues during swallowing based on a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS). Patients underwent surgical evaluation and intervention using carboxymethylcellulose gel injection. Collected data points included age in months at time of first injection, gender, race, pre- and post-operation VFSS scores, number of injections, co-morbidities and post-operative complications. VFSS scores were evaluated pre- and post-operatively to assess efficacy of intervention. A secondary outcome was efficacy in patients with aspiration compared to those with penetration alone. Results: This study included 77 male and 53 female patients. Sixty-two patients (48%) demonstrated a significant post-operative improvement in their swallowing function ( P < .05). There were no statistical differences in age, number of injections, or the volume of the first injection. Patients that showed a post-operative improvement in swallowing function were on average 5 months older and had more severe aspiration and penetration compared to those who did not demonstrate a post-operative benefit and underwent less injections. The volume of injection did not appear to play a role in the success rate. Conclusion: Injecting the inter-arytenoid area in patients with LC-1 appears to confer some benefit to close to half of our patient population. Successful procedures seemed to occur in patients with more severe aspiration and penetration and older age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 ◽  
pp. e702-e710
Author(s):  
Michelle Lin ◽  
Joshua Bakhsheshian ◽  
Ben Strickland ◽  
Robert C. Rennert ◽  
Jefferson W. Chen ◽  
...  

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