Rare giant zenker’s diverticulum with mediastinal extension

Zenker’s Diverticulum (ZD) is a herniation of the posterior pharyngeal wall between the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscle through a natural weakness [1]. The main clinical presentation is progressive solid food and pill dysphagia, with subsequent weight loss, halitosis, and regurgitation, complicated by the occurrence of several aspiration and recurrent pneumonia when extended into the chest [2,3]. Indeed, only rare few cases of massive mediastinal extension were reported in the literature [3].

The Relationships Between Radiation Dosage and Long-term Swallowing Kinematics and Timing in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry and swallowing kinematic and timing measures. Thirteen kinematic and timing measures of swallowing from videofluoroscopic analysis were used as outcome measures to reflect swallowing function. IMRT dosimetry was accessed for thirteen swallowing-related structures. A cohort of 44 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors at least 3 years post-IMRT were recruited. The cohort had a mean age of 53.2 ± 11.9 years, 77.3% of whom were male. There was an average of 68.24 ± 14.15 months since end of IMRT; 41 (93.2%) had undergone concurrent chemotherapy. For displacement measures, female sex and higher doses to the cricopharyngeus, glottic larynx, and base of tongue were associated with reduced hyolaryngeal excursion and pharyngeal constriction, and more residue. For timing measures, higher dose to the genioglossus was associated with reduced processing time at all stages of the swallow. The inferior pharyngeal constrictor emerged with a distinctly different pattern of association with mean radiation dosage compared to other structures. Greater changes to swallowing kinematics and timing were observed for pudding thick consistency than thin liquid. Increasing radiation dosage to swallowing-related structures is associated with reduced swallowing kinematics. However, not all structures are affected the same way, therefore organ sparing during treatment planning for IMRT needs to consider function rather than focusing on select muscles. Dose-response relationships should be investigated with a comprehensive set of swallowing structures to capture the holistic process of swallowing.

VIRIATION OF THE EXTERNAL BRANCH OF THE SUPERIOR LARYNGEAL NERVE

Till now, there is no universal clinical classification about variations of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve despite the multiple classifications that was proposed. The aim of this research is identification and systematization of topographic types of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. The study is based on the autopsy material (21 complexes organs of the neck) and on identification of variations of 40 external branches of the superior laryngeal nerve. We identify two permanent landmark that are located at the minimum distance from nerve and on which we made metrical calculations: oblique line of thyroid cartilage, tendinous arch of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. The “entry” point of the nerve is always located on the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle,and not protruding beyond the oblique line of thyroid cartilage superiorly and tendinous arch of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle anteriorly. The proposed topographic classification of the location of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is based on localization of point of pierced of the nerve relating to the length of the oblique line of thyroid cartilage. In 64.2% of cases, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was in close proximity to the upper pole of the thyroid gland, which could lead to its damage during surgery (type I and II). In type III and IV (35.8%) - the point of "entry" in the muscle was located as far as possible from the upper pole of the thyroid gland, and most of the nerve was covered by the fibers of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Anatomical landmarks of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

Background. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve innervates a cricothyroid muscle, which provides tension in vocal cords and formation of high-frequency sounds. When the nerve is damaged during surgery, patients may notice hoarseness, inability to utter high pitched sounds, “rapid fatigue” of the voice, and dysphagia. According to literature, paresis of an external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve reaches up to 58% after thyroid surgery. Aim: to identify permanent landmarks and topographic variations of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Materials and methods. The study is based on the autopsy material (21 complexes organs of the neck) and on identification of variations of 40 external branches of the superior laryngeal nerve. We identified two permanent landmarks that are located at the minimum distance from nerve and we made metrical calculations relative to them: oblique line of thyroid cartilage and tendinous arch of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. Results. The piercing point of the nerve is always located at the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle without protruding beyond the oblique line of thyroid cartilage superiorly and tendinous arch of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle anteriorly. The nerve had the parallel direction in 92.8% of cases (angel less than 30 degrees) relative to the oblique line and in 85.7% cases it was in close proximity to this line (at distance up to 4 mm). The proposed topographic classification of the location of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is based on localization of the piercing point of the nerve relative to the length of the oblique line of thyroid cartilage and the risk of nerve damage. In 14.2% of cases, the piercing point was in the front third of the line (type I), and in 50% it was in the middle third of this line (type II). These variations of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was in close proximity to the upper pole of the thyroid gland, which could have lead to its damage during surgery. In type III and IV (35.8%) – the piercing point in the muscle was located as far as possible from the upper pole of the thyroid gland and the greater part of the nerve was covered with the fibers of inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. Conclusion. We identified the main orienteers for the search and proposed anatomical classification of the location of the external branch on the superior laryngeal nerve.