Acoustic Neurinoma with Synchronous Ipsilateral Cerebellopontine Angle Lipoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Lipomas of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) are relatively rare tumors. Acoustic neurinoma is the most common tumor in this location, which often causes hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. Occasionally, this tumor compresses the brainstem, prompting surgical resection. Lipomas in this area may cause symptoms similar to neurinoma. However, they are not considered for surgical treatment because their removal may result in several additional deficits. Conservative therapy and repeated magnetic resonance imaging examinations for CPA/IAC lipomas are standard measures for preserving cranial nerve function. Herein, we report a case of acoustic neurinoma and CPA lipoma occurring in close proximity to each other ipsilaterally. The main symptom was hearing loss without facial nerve paralysis. Therefore, facial nerve injury had to be avoided. Considering the anatomical relationships among the tumors, cranial nerves, and CPA/IAC lipoma, we performed total surgical removal of the acoustic neurinoma. We intentionally left the lipoma untreated, which enabled facial nerve preservation. This report may be a useful reference for the differential diagnosis of similar cases in the future.

TRATAMENTO FISIOTERAPÊUTICO DE PARALISADO FACIAL PERIFÉRICO

A paralisia facial periférica gera diminuição ou perda das funções sensitivas e motoras do paciente e para acelerar a recuperação e evitar complicações é necessária a intervenção fisioterapêutica. Este estudo de revisão de literatura investigou os procedimentos de fisioterapia para tratar pessoas com paralisia facial periférica. Constatou-se que a cinesioterapia associada a massoterapia tem sido recomendada com sucesso. Palavras-chave: facial nerve paralysis; fisioterapia e paralisia facial; paralisia facial.

Corticosteroid Use in Otolaryngology: Current Considerations During the COVID-19 Era

Objective To offer pragmatic, evidence-informed advice on administering corticosteroids in otolaryngology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering therapeutic efficacy, potential adverse effects, susceptibility to COVID-19, and potential effects on efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and guideline databases. Review Methods Guideline search strategies, supplemented by database searches on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), idiopathic facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s palsy), sinonasal polyposis, laryngotracheal disorders, head and neck oncology, and pediatric otolaryngology, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and COVID-19–specific findings. Conclusions Systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) reduce long-term morbidity in individuals with SSNHL and Bell’s palsy, reduce acute laryngotracheal edema, and have benefit in perioperative management for some procedures. Topical or locally injected corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. SCSs have not shown long-term benefit for sinonasal disorders. SCSs are not a contraindication to vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that these vaccines are safe for immunocompromised patients. Implications for Practice SCS use for SSNHL, Bell’s palsy, laryngotracheal edema, and perioperative care should follow prepandemic standards. Local or topical corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. Whether SCSs attenuate response to vaccination against COVID-19 or increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. Immunosuppression may lower vaccine efficacy, so immunocompromised patients should adhere to recommended infection control practices. COVID-19 vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines is safe for immunocompromised patients.

An Experience of Superficial Parotidectomy in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospitals

Background: Superficial parotidectomy is associated with a decreased incidence of transient facial nerve paralysis compared with that of total parotidectomy. Aim: To analyze the clinical presentation, histopathology and complications following superficial parotidectomy performed for benign parotid tumors. Methods: Two center study data was collected from the Surgical Unit I, Department of Surgery AIMC/Jinnah Hospital Lahore (1st January 2012 to October 2018) and Surgical Unit II, Department of Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore (November 2018 to 31st December 2020). All patients who underwent superficial Parotidectomy surgery for benign parotid tumors, from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2020 were assessed for intra-operative and post-operative complications. Demographic data, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes of all patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy were collected. Patients with benign parotid tumors on FNAC were included while patients with malignant cells on histopathology were excluded. Results: A total of 50 patients having benign parotid tumors on FNAC underwent superficial parotidectomy during this study period. There were 35 female patients (70%) and 15 male (30%), with female to male ratio of 2.3:1. The age range was 23-70 years with mean age of patients 35.6 years (5.65±SD). In 48% cases the tumor was on left side of face and in 52% cases it was on right side. Amongst 50 cases, on postoperative histopathology, 2 patients had malignant change. Key words: Superficial parotidectomy, pleomorphic adenoma, facial nerve paralysis.

Bell’s Palsy Caused by SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to major healthcare and everyday life challenges. Every day, new disease associations and systemic manifestations are being explored and reported. Peripheral facial nerve paralysis or Bell’s palsy has been reported to be caused mainly by viral infections. This case represents a COVID-19-positive patient with Bell’s palsy making SARS-CoV-2 as the most likely culprit of his condition.

The child with facial nerve palsy

In this article we summarise the educational aspects regarding the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of children presenting with facial nerve paralysis, highlighting the importance of family history. We report two cases of hereditary facial nerve paralysis managed by the authors: one a child with familial facial nerve palsy, and the other a child with Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome. The history in both cases revealed multiple family members with the same disorder.

Parotidectomy and Facial Paralysis, A Retrospective Review at A Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Facial Nerve is in close proximity with parotid gland and encountered during parotid surgery. Facial nerve paralysis has 15 to 66% occurrence rate after parotidectomies. The objective of this study was to find out the frequency of facial paralysis resulting from superficial or total parotidectomies done for various parotid tumors. Material and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of ENT, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from January 2018 to May 2020. A total of 203 patients were reviewed for data on demographics, parotidectomies, histopathology and facial paralysis. The information on facial paralysis was compared against various parameters. Results: The mean age of the participants was 46.12 ± 11.11 years. The most common parotid tumor was pleomorphic adenoma (68.9%) followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma. 57 (28.07%) patients showed facial paralysis with a higher rate of occurrence in total parotidectomy (40.90%). Among 57 patients with facial paralysis, 6 (10.53%) showed permanent facial paralysis. Conclusion: Tendency of permanent facial paralysis is high with total parotidectomies. Female population and elderly have a slightly higher rate of facial paralysis. The duration of procedure has no effect on the occurrence of facial paralysis.