scholarly journals Outcomes in Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shekhar K. Gadkaree ◽  
Alexander Gelbard ◽  
Simon R. Best ◽  
Lee M. Akst ◽  
Martin Brodsky ◽  
...  

Objective To test the hypothesis that the etiologies of bilateral vocal fold mobility impairment (BLVFI), bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP), and posterior glottis stenosis (PGS) have distinct clinical outcomes. To identify patient-specific and procedural factors that influence tracheostomy-free survival. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Johns Hopkins Medical Center from 2004 to 2015. Subjects and Methods Case series with chart review of 68 patients with PGS and 17 patients with BVFP. Multiple logistic regression analysis determined factors associated with airway prosthesis dependence at last follow-up and the procedural burden (defined as number of operative procedures per year). Results PGS comprised the majority of BLVFI (76%). PGS injury arose primarily after endotracheal intubation (91%), while BVFP most commonly was due to iatrogenic surgical injury to bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves (88%, P < .001). Overall in BLVFI, 66% were tracheostomy free at last follow-up (62% in PGS, 82% in BVFP). Of those who underwent an operative intervention to be decannulated, 88% were decannulated (90% PGS, 80% BVFP). Patients with PGS required higher procedural burden to achieve decannulation compared with the BVFP cohort (3.1 ± 5.2 vs 0.71 ± 1.4, P = .002). In multivariate analysis of PGS, smoking was a risk factor for tracheostomy dependence ( P = .026). Conclusions BLVFI is primarily an iatrogenic complication. There are high rates of tracheostomy dependence in BLVFI, with procedural intervention needed for decannulation. Compared with BVFP, patients with PGS had a higher procedural burden overall and to achieve decannulation. Patients with PGS should be counseled that smoking, a modifiable risk factor, may increase the risk of tracheostomy dependence.

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 (10) ◽  
pp. 903-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Gumussoy ◽  
Ulku Kucuk

Objective: In laryngology practice, vocal fold leukoplakia is frequently evaluated by suspension laryngoscopy and biopsy examination upon the patient’s complaints of hoarseness and dysphonia. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and analyze risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results of cases with Candida leukoplakia. Study Design: Retrospective case control study. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia who underwent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy between 2007 and 2017 and diagnosed as candida or noncandida in their histopathology were assigned into 2 groups. Then they were compared in terms of their demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results. Results: Of the 289 vocal fold leukoplakia cases, 36 were candida, and 253 were noncandida. The mean age of the patients with Candida leukoplakia was 60.86 years. As for the age groups, the largest group (26.1%) was in the seventh decade ( P < .001). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was a significant risk factor ( P < .001). For their medical therapy, the patients were administered fluconazole 200 mg per day for 3 weeks, and the treatment yielded successful results in 91.66% of them. In 5 of the patients, candida leukoplakia and superficial epithelial dysplasia were observed, and no malignant transformation was observed during a mean follow-up of 28 ± 13 months. Conclusion: Candidiasis causing vocal fold leukoplakia is rare, and we report the findings of the largest published case series to date. Eliminating predisposing factors and administrating oral fluconazole 200 mg for 3 weeks are sufficient for medical treatment.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Vidal ◽  
James Milburn ◽  
Garrett Bennett ◽  
Vivek Sabharwal ◽  
Mustafa Al Hasan

Background and objectives: Approximately 25% of patients who present with acute ischemic stroke are wake-up strokes. These patients are often not treated with IV thrombolytics because of unclear onset of symptoms. Little data exists on endovascular therapy as acute treatment for this population, particularly with an aspiration technique. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of patients who presented with wake-up strokes due to large vessel occlusion treated with neuroendovascular procedures versus those who received conservative treatment, based on a 2-year (2012-2013), single center experience at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. Method: 24 consecutive patients, who presented with wake-up strokes, were outside the IV tPA window, and had both CTA confirmed intracranial LVO and CT-perfusion data upon arrival to our institution were retrospectively studied. Patients with hemorrhages, tandem lesions, or high-grade carotid stenosis were excluded from this analysis. Decision to perform endovascular treatment was made by the vascular neurologist and neuro-interventionalist based on stroke severity and CTA/perfusion data. Patients in group 1 (n = 8) underwent endovascular revascularization procedures; patients in group 2 (n = 16) were treated conservatively (medical management alone). Presentation NIHSS, risk factors, mortality, discharge NIHSS, discharge mRS, and follow up mRS were compared. Results: There were no statistical differences in patient population regarding age, gender, and risk factors. There was no statistical difference in their initial NIHSS (16.8 vs. 21.8, p=0.05162), or mortality (0% vs 21%, pr=0.262). The two groups were statistically different in their discharge NIHSS (7.25 vs 21.81, p<0.00045), discharge mRS (2 vs 5, p<0.00001), clinic follow up mRS (1.37 vs 4.94, p<0.00001), and good outcome at discharge (mRS 0-2)(75% vs 0%, pr<0.0002). Conclusion: Patients with wake-up strokes, LVO, and favorable CT-perfusion data who underwent neuroendovascular reperfusion treatment had significantly better outcomes in our population, despite similar stroke severity at presentation. This suggests that with careful selection, neuroendovascular therapy for wake-up strokes may lead to improved outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer P Stevens ◽  
Oren Mechanic ◽  
Lawrence Markson ◽  
Ashley O'Donoghue ◽  
Alexa B Kimball

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, many ambulatory clinics transitioned to telehealth, but it remains unknown how this may have exacerbated inequitable access to care. OBJECTIVE Given the potential barriers faced by different populations, we investigated whether telehealth use is consistent and equitable across age, race, and gender. METHODS Our retrospective cohort study of outpatient visits was conducted between March 2 and June 10, 2020, compared with the same time period in 2019, at a single academic health center in Boston, Massachusetts. Visits were divided into in-person visits and telehealth visits and then compared by racial designation, gender, and age. RESULTS At our academic medical center, using a retrospective cohort analysis of ambulatory care delivered between March 2 and June 10, 2020, we found that over half (57.6%) of all visits were telehealth visits, and both Black and White patients accessed telehealth more than Asian patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the rapid implementation of telehealth does not follow prior patterns of health care disparities.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya N Turan ◽  
Azhar Nizam ◽  
Michael J Lynn ◽  
Colin P Derdeyn ◽  
David Fiorella ◽  
...  

Purpose: SAMMPRIS is the first stroke prevention trial to include protocol-driven aggressive management of multiple vascular risk factors. We sought to determine the impact of this protocol on early risk factor control in the trial. Materials and Methods: SAMMPRIS randomized 451 patients with symptomatic 70%-99% intracranial stenosis to aggressive medical management or stenting plus aggressive medical management at 50 USA sites. For the primary risk factor targets (SBP < 140 mm/Hg (<130 if diabetic) and LDL < 70 mg/dL), the study neurologists follow medication titration algorithms and risk factor medications are provided to the patients. Secondary risk factors (diabetes, non-HDL, weight, exercise, and smoking cessation) are managed with assistance from the patient’s primary care physician and a lifestyle modification program (provided). Sites receive patient-specific recommendations and feedback to improve performance. Follow-up continues, but the 30-day data are final. We compared baseline to 30-day risk factor measures using paired t-tests for means and McNemar tests for percentages. Results: The differences in risk factor measures between baseline and 30 days are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: The SAMMPRIS protocol resulted in major improvements in controlling most risk factors within 30 days of enrollment, which may have contributed to the lower than expected 30 day stroke rate in the medical group (5.8%). However, the durability of this approach over time will be determined by additional follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndy J. Wilcox ◽  
Claudia Schweiger ◽  
Catherine K. Hart ◽  
Alessandro de Alarcon ◽  
Nithin S. Peddireddy ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis study documents the growth and course of repaired complete tracheal rings over time after slide tracheoplasty.Study DesignCase series with review.SettingTertiary pediatric academic medical center.Subjects/MethodsMedical records of pediatric patients with confirmed tracheal rings on bronchoscopy who underwent slide tracheoplasty between January 2001 and December 2015 were reviewed. Patients who had operative notes documenting tracheal sizing over time were included. Exclusion criteria included tracheal stenosis not caused by complete tracheal rings, surgical repair prior to presentation at our institution, or lack of adequate sizing information. The postoperative follow-up was examined and airway growth over time documented.ResultsOf 197 slide tracheoplasties performed during the study time period, 139 were for complete tracheal rings, and 40 of those children met inclusion criteria. The median age at time of surgery was 7 months, and the median initial airway size was 3.9 mm (n = 34). The median growth postoperatively was 1.9 mm over a median follow-up period of 57 months (0.42 mm/year), which is similar to growth rates of unrepaired complete tracheal rings ( P = .53). Children underwent a median of 10 postoperative endoscopies, with time between endoscopies increasing further out from surgery. The most commonly performed adjunctive procedure was balloon dilation.ConclusionsThis is the first study documenting continued growth of repaired complete tracheal rings after slide tracheoplasty. Postoperative endoscopic surveillance ensures adequate growth. Intervals between airway endoscopies can be increased as the child gets older, as the airway increases in size, and as long as symptoms are minimal.


1996 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1027-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Michel Triglia ◽  
Jean-François Belus ◽  
Richard Nicollas

AbstractThe purpose of this retrospective study was to describe and evaluate the results of arytenoidopexy performed by the external laterocervical approach in 15 consecutive children presenting bilateral vocal fold paralysis causing life-threatening airway compromise. Mean age at the time of surgery was 20 months and mean follow-up was 42 months. At the end of follow-up all patients were in good health and did not need special care for breathing. No abduction movement has been observed on the opposite vocal fold since arytenoidopexy. One failure subsequently required arytenoidectomy. The findings of this study suggest that arytenoidopexy is an effective surgical treatment for life-threatening bilateral vocal fold paralysis in young children.


2009 ◽  
Vol 118 (8) ◽  
pp. 546-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Boyd Gillespie ◽  
Thomas S. Dozier ◽  
Terry A. Day ◽  
Bonnie Martin-Harris ◽  
Shaun A. Nguyen

Objectives We determined the effectiveness of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) paste in vocal rehabilitation. Methods We examined a retrospective case series of 39 adult patients who underwent CaHA paste injection for vocal fold rehabilitation over a 5-year period. The outcomes included the change in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score; procedure-related complications; and the need for follow-up voice procedures. Results The VHI scores demonstrated overall improvement, with a decrease from the preoperative mean of 61.2 ± 24.0 to a postoperative mean of 35.9 ± 26.3 (p = 0.0001) after a mean follow-up time of 17.8 ± 13.6 months. The procedure was more likely to succeed in patients with paralysis and/or paresis than in patients with glottic soft tissue defects. After injection, the VHI scores worsened in 3 of 7 patients (43%) in the soft tissue defect group, compared to only 2 of 28 (7%) in the paralysis and/or paresis group (p = 0.04). Four of 7 patients with soft tissue defects (57%) required secondary vocal procedures to improve the voice, compared to only 2 of 32 (6%) in the paralysis and/or paresis group (p = 0.006). Conclusions Injection of CaHA paste results in significantly improved vocal scores in the majority of patients. Use of the paste was less satisfactory in patients with soft tissue defects because of poor retention of the paste in the scarred vocal fold remnant.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1489-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna M. Journeycake ◽  
Laura E. Brumley

Abstract Thromboembolic complications in children occur at an estimated rate of 5.3 per 10,000 hospitalized children per year. Over the last decade, investigators have determined that underlying medical conditions such as cancer and congenital heart disease (CHD) and the intensive therapies required to manage these conditions are strongly associated with the thromboembolic complications. Recently, we perceived an increase in the incidence of thrombosis in children with Down Syndrome (DS), a chromosomal abnormality which is associated with both CHD and cancer, but there is very little evidence in the medical literature to suggest that it is an independent risk factor for thrombosis. Although, there are case series describing an association of moyamoya disease and DS, only a few case reports describe venous and arterial thrombosis in children with DS, and there is no information about its rate and severity. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated at Children’s Medical Center Dallas between January 1, 2000 and November 30, 2005, hypothesizing that thrombosis would be more prevalent in patients with DS (with or without associated co-morbidities) than in children without DS. ICD-9 codes for CHD, DS, cancer, and thromboembolic complications and the CPT codes for the surgical procedures used to correct CHD were used to identify patients of interest. During the study period, the emergency center, ambulatory outpatient areas, and inpatient units saw 729,324 children. Among these, we identified 511 patients with DS (0.07%), 2168 (0.29%) with CHD, and 1182 (0.16%) with cancer. Sixty-one percent (n=311) of the patients with DS also had CHD, and 2.9% (n=15) had cancer. Thrombosis was identified in 398 (5.4 per 10,000 children). The majority (n=220, 55%) developed deep venous thrombosis (DVT), with catheter-related thrombosis (n= 156) being most common. There were 165 (41%) arterial ischemic strokes (AIS), 19 associated with moyamoya disease. Fifteen children with DS developed thrombosis (rate of 293 per 10, 000 children with DS). Among these 15, DVT occurred in 11 (73%) patients and AIS in 5 (33%), 2 with moyamoya. Among the subgroup of patients diagnosed with AIS, DS was not found to be a risk factor for moyamoya disease (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.05, 30.5, p=0.1). Two patients with DS (13%) had both DVT and AIS. Children diagnosed with DS (OR 57.5, 95% CI 34.2, 96.5, p<0.0001), CHD (OR 129.5, 95% CI 103, 163, p<0.0001), or cancer (OR 57.3, 95% CI 40, 82, p<0.0001) were more likely to develop thrombosis than children without these three diagnoses. Among the children with CHD, having DS did not increase the odds for thrombosis. However, for children with cancer, DS did increase the odds (OR 9.5, 95% CI 2.7, 33.1, p= 0.007). Four of 15 (27%) children with DS did not have cancer or CHD and still had a higher than expected rate of venous and/or arterial thrombosis (OR 60, 95% CI 23, 156, p< 0.0001). In conclusion, the results of this retrospective analysis indicate that DS may be an independent risk factor for thromboembolic disease during childhood. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms.


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