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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2018 Dec 14;39(6):731-746. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.

Benign central airway obstruction (CAO) is responsible for significant morbidity due to dyspnea and impaired quality of life. While iatrogenic causes, including stenosis after endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy tube placement, and surgery, account for the majority of cases of benign CAO, there are a multitude of other causes including infections, inflammatory disorders, extrinsic compression, benign endobronchial tumors, and tracheobronchomalacia. The approach to management depends on the underlying process responsible for the disorder and may include systemic therapy, endoscopic therapy, and surgery. Read More

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2018 Dec 14;39(6):720-730. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure in intensive care units (ICUs). Over the past three decades, there has been a substantial body of evidence to suggest percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) is at least as safe as surgical tracheostomy (ST) in the hands of trained clinicians. In most institutions, PT is more readily performed at bedside than ST in the ICU; hence, PT is an attractive alternative to ST in the ICU. Read More

Anesthesiology 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To explore the application of modified resection compared with traditional segmental resection of the mandible for patients with anterior floor of the mouth and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) without infiltration of the mandible.

Subjects And Methods: This is a retrospective study including 36 eligible patients with anterior floor of the mouth SCC(9 patients received modified mandibulectomy, and 27 patients received segmental mandibulectomy).

Results: No patients in the modified mandibulectomy group developed recurrence in the floor of the mouth, and all of the patients survived. Read More

Assist Inferm Ric 2018 Oct-Dec;37(4):189-195

. The tracheo-team in the management of intracranic pressure during a dilatative tracheostomy in severe head trauma: the impact of a checklist.

Introduction: Percutaneous dilatative tracheostomy (PDT) is a common technique in neurosurgical intensive care. Read More

Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

ENT Department, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.

It is vital for healthcare professionals to have a basic understanding of tracheostomy tubes, including their routine and emergency care. Children with tracheostomies can be encountered in all areas of paediatrics from the community to tertiary units; they can be more prone to respiratory infections and may have comorbidities that increase hospital attendance. Tracheostomy-related emergencies are associated with significant morbidity and potential mortality; however, the majority of tracheostomy-related complications are preventable. Read More

Laryngoscope 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Objective: Tracheo-innominate fistula (TIF) is a rare but fatal complication of tracheotomy. To date, there is a paucity of literature regarding pediatric TIFs. The objectives of this study were to conduct a systematic review of literature on pediatric TIF following tracheotomy and describe three demonstrative cases from our institutional experience. Read More

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

ALS Center, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy

Objectives: To assess the role of body mass index (BMI) and of the rate of weight loss as prognostic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to explore the clinical correlates of weight loss in the early phases of the disease.

Methods: The study cohort included all ALS patients in Piemonte/Valle d'Aosta in the 2007-2011 period. Overall survival and the probability of death/tracheostomy at 18 months (logistic regression model) were calculated. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Surgical Outcomes Center for Kids, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Nashville, Tennessee.

Importance: Airway reconstruction for adults with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is directed toward improving airway caliber to mitigate the patient's dyspnea and achieve prosthesis-free breathing (ie, without tracheostomy, intraluminal stent, or T-tube). Despite the importance of preoperative risk stratification to minimize postoperative complications, consensus on an objective predictive algorithm for open airway reconstruction is lacking.

Objective: To determine whether the ability to achieve a prosthesis-free airway in adults after open airway reconstruction is associated with red blood cell distribution width (RDW) at the time of surgery. Read More

Telemed J E Health 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

2 Advocate Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) are high utilizers of health care services. Telehealth encounters may provide a means to improve care outcomes for this population.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, usability, and impact of an in-home telehealth device in the care of CMC. Read More

Intern Med 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Iwate Hospital, Japan.

Background Tracheoarterial fistula (TAF) is a rare but devastating complication of tracheostomy caused by pressure necrosis from the elbow, tip, or over-inflated cuff of the tracheostomy tube. The incidence of TAF is reportedly higher in patients with neurological disorders than in those without such disorders. Objective To evaluate the incidence of and factors contributing to the misalignment of tracheostomy tubes in bedridden patients with chronic neurological disorders. Read More

Head Neck 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University - Unesp, São José dos Campos, Brazil.

Background: Laryngeal papillomatosis (LP) is a disease that presents in both juvenile (JLP) and adult patients (ALP). This study correlated papillomatosis characteristics with the Derkay score.

Methods: Retrospective data and biopsies of 36 patients with JLP and 56 with ALP were collected and separated into groups according to their scores. Read More

Laryngoscope 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: There are limited data on laryngeal fracture presentation and management in US emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to characterize patients who are diagnosed with laryngeal fractures in the ED and identify management patterns.

Study Design: Retrospective review of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2009 to 2011. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Foreign body aspiration in children is a problem that can lead to several complications, including death. In this retrospective publication review from 1970 to 2015, there were altogether 42 Malaysian children below the age of 15 y reported with foreign body (FB) ingestion. There were 31 boys and 11 girls between 2 and 177 mo of age. Read More

Ann Am Thorac Soc 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States.

Rationale: Mechanically ventilated patients require complex care and are at high risk for rehospitalization, but different systems of care may result in different hospital discharge practices and rates of rehospitalization.

Objectives: To compare lengths of hospitalization, discharge patterns, and rehospitalization rates in New York (NY) in the US and Ontario (ON) in Canada.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of mechanically ventilated patients who survived an acute care hospitalization in NY or ON from 2010-2012, using linkable administrative healthcare data. Read More

Front Pediatr 2018 18;6:401. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Neonatal Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Presence of laryngotracheal abnormalities is associated with increased morbidity and higher mortality rate in esophageal atresia patients. Determine the prevalence of laryngotracheal abnormalities (LTA) in a prospectively collected cohort of patients treated for esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Analysis of the impact of those airway anomalies in early post-operative outcomes was performed. Read More

Front Neurol 2018 13;9:1099. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by regional left ventricular dysfunction with a peculiar circumferential pattern, which typically results in apical ballooning. Evidence indicates a pivotal role of catecholamines in TTS, and researchers have discussed multiple hypotheses on the etiology, including multivessel coronary spasm, myocardial stunning, excessive transient ventricular afterload, and cardiac sympathetic overactivity with local noradrenaline spillover. Although central nervous system disorders, such as stroke and epilepsy, are known to trigger TTS, the incidence and clinical features of TTS in neurodegenerative disorders are poorly understood. Read More

Ann Intensive Care 2019 Jan 7;9(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Dipartimento dell'Emergenza e Trapianti d'Organo (DETO), Sezione di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Ospedale Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari, Italy.

Purpose: High-flow oxygen therapy delivered through nasal cannulae improves oxygenation and decreases work of breathing in critically ill patients. Little is known of the physiological effects of high-flow oxygen therapy applied to the tracheostomy cannula (T-HF). In this study, we compared the effects of T-HF or conventional low-flow oxygen therapy (conventional O) on neuro-ventilatory drive, work of breathing, respiratory rate (RR) and gas exchange, in a mixed population of tracheostomized patients at high risk of weaning failure. Read More

Oral Oncol 2019 Jan 22;88:85-90. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S Jackson St, Ste 400, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; James Graham Brown Cancer Center, 529 S Jackson St, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: To determine predictors of treatment selection, outcome, and survival, we examined a cohort of previously irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients at our institution who were treated for recurrent or second primary (RSP) HNSCC, focusing on subgroups receiving reirradiation (ReRT) alone and those undergoing surgical salvage (SS) with or without post-operative reirradiation therapy (POReRT). Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify factors predictive of retreatment modality. Read More

Crit Care 2019 01 7;23(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CHU Rangueil, 1 Avenue Jean Poulhès, Pôle d'Anesthésie et Réanimation, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France.

Background: Prolonged weaning is a major issue in intensive care patients and tracheostomy is one of the last resort options. Optimized patient-ventilator interaction is essential to weaning. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-ventilator synchrony between pressure support ventilation (PSV) and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in a selected population of tracheostomised patients. Read More

Cureus 2018 Oct 24;10(10):e3489. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Surgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Southfield, USA.

Background Dysphagia following a cervical fusion is a known complication; however, this has not been examined in the trauma population. We sought to identify risk factors that can be optimized in this population. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review on consecutive trauma patients who underwent a cervical fusion from 2014 to 2017 at a single institution with multiple surgeons. Read More

J Pediatr 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS.

Objective: To compare health care use and spending in children using vs not using respiratory medical equipment and supplies (RMES).

Study Design: Cohort study of 20 352 children age 1-18 years continuously enrolled in Medicaid in 2013 from 12 states in the Truven Medicaid MarketScan Database; 7060 children using RMES were propensity score matched with 13 292 without RMES. Home RMES use was identified with Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and International Classification of Diseases codes. Read More

J Neurosurg 2019 Jan 4:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

1Department of Neurological Surgery.

OBJECTIVEExisting literature supports benefits of early tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in certain patient populations. The aim of this study was to review tracheostomy and PEG placement data in patients with hemorrhagic stroke in order to identify factors associated with earlier placement and to evaluate outcomes.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients treated for hemorrhagic stroke between June 1, 2011, and June 1, 2015. Read More

Acta Neurochir Suppl 2019 ;125:235-240

Department of Neurosurgery, Tuscany School of Neurosurgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Background: The transoral approach provides the most direct surgical corridor for treatment of congenital bony abnormalities that exert irreducible ventral compression of the cervicomedullary junction. In this paper, based on our experience with the transoral approach over the past three decades, we briefly describe the surgical strategies and the operative nuances that allow effective decompression of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) while minimizing postoperative morbidity.

Methods: The surgical strategy is dictated by the type and severity of the malformation. Read More

Acta Neurochir Suppl 2019 ;125:51-55

Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.

More than 100 years after the first description by Kanavel of a transoral-transpharyngeal approach to remove a bullet impacted between the atlas and the clivus [1], the transoral approach (TOA) still represents the 'gold standard' for surgical treatment of a variety of conditions resulting in anterior craniocervical compression and myelopathy [2, 3]. Nevertheless, some concerns-such as the need for a temporary tracheostomy and a postoperative nasogastric tube, and the increased risk of infection resulting from possible bacterial contamination and nasopharyngeal incompetence [4-6]-led to the introduction of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) by Kassam et al. [7] in 2005. Read More

Afr Health Sci 2018 Sep;18(3):786-789

Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1111, Benin City, Nigeria. Tel:+234 806-036-2070, +234 809-111-4193.

Background: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but life-threatening idiosyncratic complication following the use of antipsychotic agents, anaesthesia and surgery. It is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic disturbances and mental state alterations.

Case: A 31 year old female weighing 60kg received a depot preparation of Fluphenazine on account of depression with psychotic features observed two days prior to elective Cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. Read More

Am J Crit Care 2019 Jan;28(1):56-63

Vinciya Pandian is an assistant professor in the Department of Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, and in the Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery (OACIS) Research Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Mohit Datta is an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Palmetto Health USC, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina. Sajan Nakka is research assistant and Patricia M. Davidson is a dean and professor in the Department of Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Devi S. Tammineedi is a research assistant in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Paul A. Nyquist is an associate professor in the departments of neurology, anesthesia/critical care medicine, neurosurgery, and general internal medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Background: Readmission for ventilator support in tracheostomy patients with primary brain injury is often attributed to failure of airway protection and aspiration pneumonia. Data regarding the incidence of intensive care unit readmissions and associated factors in these patients are limited.

Objectives: To determine the factors associated with intensive care unit readmission among tracheostomy patients with primary brain injury, as compared with tracheostomy patients without primary brain injury. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 28;9:241. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital São Francisco, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Intramedullary primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are tumors found rarely in the cervical region, with only five such cases described in the literature. The available literature contains only one report regarding cervicomedullary junction PNET.

Case Description: The authors present a case report of a 45-year-old male patient who had undergone urgent hospitalization owing to progressive tetraparesis and subtle impairment of respiratory function. Read More

Dis Markers 2018 22;2018:5607932. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, China.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of early catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in severe burn injury patients induced by a massive aluminum dust explosion.

Methods: Sixty-eight severe burn injury patients experienced a massive dust explosion in Kunshan were included in this study. Patients received central venous catheter placement, arterial catheterization to monitor blood pressure and PiCCO cardiac monitoring, tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation, analgesics and sedation treatment, and fluid resuscitation. Read More

J Pediatr Nurs 2018 Dec 19;45:7-12. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Nursing, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shang Hai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Purpose: The number of pediatric patients who require a long-term tracheal tube at home is gradually increasing. Studies have demonstrated that the parents of these children report high levels of stress, anxiety and other negative emotions as early as shortly after discharge from the hospital. The purpose of this study is to describe the home care experiences of parents of children with tracheostomies during the transition from hospital to home in China to more effectively address their needs. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 28. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.

Objectives: 1) Evaluate success rates for adults undergoing cervical slide tracheoplasty. 2) Examine complication rates of slide tracheoplasty in adults.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of adults > 21 years of age undergoing cervical slide tracheoplasty for tracheal stenosis between October 2011 and August 2017 was reviewed. Read More

BMC Neurol 2018 Dec 28;18(1):222. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Neurology, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, occurs owing to autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors. MG symptoms can be triggered by various vaccines. Many studies have evaluated the safety and adverse events of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(52):e13590

Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Introduction: A significant proportion of ventilator-dependent cardiac patients need tracheostomy during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Three different methods including traditional (surgical), percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy, translaryngeal tracheostomy (TLT), and classical Fantoni method have been developed. In this study, modified translaryngeal tracheostomy (MTLT) has been introduced to reduce and correct the technical difficulty of classical TLT through the larynx. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Neurosurgical Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, The National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Isolated cervical pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with Marfan syndrome are extremely rare.

Case Description: A 73-year-old female with Marfan syndrome and history of multiple aortic aneurysms presented to an outside hospital with dysphagia, a mass in her neck, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) showed bilateral cervical ICA pseudoaneurysms, more significant on the right side. Read More

Spine Deform 2019 Jan;7(1):107-111

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify preoperative laboratory values and patient factors that are associated with postoperative respiratory complications in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) populations undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with instrumentation.

Summary Of Background Data: PSF in NMS patients are high-risk surgeries. Respiratory complications are the most common postoperative event, with rates up to 28. Read More

Crit Care Med 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.

Objectives: Prior studies investigating hospital mechanical ventilation volume-outcome associations have had conflicting findings. Volume-outcome relationships within contemporary mechanical ventilation practices are unclear. We sought to determine associations between hospital mechanical ventilation volume and patient outcomes. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 25. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.

Objective: Epiglottic petiole prolapse is an overlooked entity that could lead to supraglottic airway obstruction for patients with complex airway history. Classical symptoms include exercise intolerance, obstructive sleep apnea, and difficulty with decannulation. The goal of this project was to evaluate the factors associated with epiglottic petiole repositioning success. Read More

Pediatr Qual Saf 2018 Sep-Oct;3(5):e106. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Division of Neonatology, Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH.

Introduction: As survival has improved in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), there has been a 10-fold increase in the proportion of infants requiring a tracheostomy. At our institution, we observed a wide variation in the duration of opioid use posttracheostomy from 6 to 148 days. We aimed to decrease the duration of opioid exposure in postoperative tracheostomy patients in the NICU from a baseline average of 24 days to 7 days by December 31, 2017. Read More

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital das Clinicas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Introduction: Since development of pediatric intensive care units, children have increasingly and appropriately been treated for complex surgical conditions such as laryngotracheal stenosis. Building coordinated airway teams to achieve acceptable results is still a challenge.

Objective: To describe patient demographics and surgical outcomes during the first 8years of a pediatric airway reconstruction team. Read More

Burns 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Burn Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Introduction: The use of SIRS score as a predictor of outcomes in patients with severe burns has not been fully evaluated. Here, we aimed to test that whether admission SIRS score, combining with other predictors, could be used in predicting outcomes in patients with severe burns. Additionally, we compared the prognostic accuracy of admission SIRS score with other score systems and newly developed models. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 16;118:59-61. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Enhancement, 300 Longwood Avenue, LO-367, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Objective: To report on the prevalence of voice disturbances in pediatric airway patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients seen in a specialized Center for Airway Disorders at a tertiary children's hospital from February 2017 to September 2017 were included. Patients' families were invited to complete a pediatric voice health handicap index (pVHI) questionnaire. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Feb 19;117:73-77. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC, 27707, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: To determine the utility of diagnostic laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy in children with tracheostomies and to describe the incidence of airway findings.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study examining children with tracheostomies who underwent direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (DLB) at Duke University Hospital between 2008 and 2016.

Results: A total of 81 patients who underwent 114 bronchoscopies met inclusion criteria. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Feb 19;117:127-130. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, USA; Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Although injection laryngoplasty (IL) is a well-accepted treatment strategy in older children and adults with unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI), its efficacy and safety have not been well studied in neonates and young children.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effects of IL on aspiration & dysphagia in neonates and young children with UVFI.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of infants and children who underwent IL at a tertiary children's hospital. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 7;118:6-10. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of ENT, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.

Study Objectives: To review the key parameters related to the proposed modified pediatric tracheostomy technique with to determine the efficacy, safety and outcomes in a tertiary hospital in south India. Patients and Methods A retrospective chart review of all children aged below 16 years who underwent tracheostomy at a tertiary hospital in south India during the period of August 2014 to August 2016. Data on age, gender, indication for tracheostomy, primary disease condition, duration of intubation, complications and decannulation rate were recorded. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 16;30:209. Epub 2018 Jul 16.

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi-Tanzania.

Introduction: Although Laryngeal papillomatosis is a rare disease and can be conventionally managed through surgical excision as well as adjuvant therapy yet Laryngeal papillomatosis has high tendency to recur raising its prevalence in the community, airway involvement warrants dangerous complications requiring emergency tracheostomy, especially if clinical course is poorly understood and misdiagnosis is common. The study aims to determine the prevalence, clinical features, risk factors and recurrence of Laryngeal Papillomatosis among patients attending ENT department at KCMC from 2005 to 2015.

Methods: This was a 10 year experience/ Descriptive hospital based cross-sectional study conducted based on patients' medical record at KCMC. Read More

Heart Lung 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: The one way speaking valve was first engineered in 1985 to allow patients with tracheostomies to communicate. The research has indicated alternative physiological benefits of using a speaking valve, however this literature has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for one-way speaking valve in a range of physiological domains, including vital signs, aspiration, olfaction, ventilation and tracheostomy weaning, length of stay, and quality of life. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(51):e13709

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Rationale: Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is defined as complete or partial obstruction of the fetal upper airways. Laryngeal atresia is the most frequent cause.

Patient Concern: A male neonate born with poor reactions, weakly spontaneous breathing and cyanosis of the limbs was referred to our hospital. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Otolaryngology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

Objectives: Tracheal stenosis is a recognized complication of tracheostomy. Yet, the incidence and demographics of tracheal stenosis due to tracheostomies have infrequently been studied.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of U. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2019 Jan 30;6(1):e514. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Hans-Berger-Department of Neurology (J.S., D.B., C.G., O.W.W., A.G.), Jena University Hospital; Department of Neurology (H.B.H., S.T.G.), University Hospital Erlangen; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (H.F), University Hospital Freiburg; Department of Neurology (N.M., A.D.), University Hospital Münster; Department of Neurology (H.P., L.-T.L), Charité University Medicine Berlin; Department of Neurology (K.F.), Bezirksklinikum Regensburg; Neuroimmunology Section (F.L., G.N.), Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel; Department of Neurology (I.S.), University Hospital Giessen; Center for Neurology and Psychiatrics (C.D.), University Hospital Köln; Department of Neurology (J.B.), University Hospital Heidelberg; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Klinikum Kassel; Department of Neurology (J.L.), University Hospital Ulm; Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology (F.T.), Ludwig-Maximillians-University München; Department of Neurology (A.K.), Martha Maria Hospital Halle; Department of Neurology (A.J.), Dortmund Hospital; Department of Neurology (M.R.), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; Department of Neurology (K.-W.S.), University Hospital Hannover; Department of Neurology (C.U.), Hospital Ludwigshafen; Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer and Data Sciences (A.S), Jena University Hospital; and Center for Sepsis Control and Care (A.S., C.G.), Jena University Hospital, Germany.

Objective: To assess intensive care unit (ICU) complications, their management, and prognostic factors associated with outcomes in a cohort of patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

Methods: This study was an observational multicenter registry of consecutively included patients diagnosed with AE requiring Neuro-ICU treatment between 2004 and 2016 from 18 tertiary hospitals. Logistic regression models explored the influence of complications, their management, and diagnostic findings on the dichotomized (0-3 vs 4-6) modified Rankin Scale score at hospital discharge. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.

Objective: Biofilm formation on medical devices such as tracheostomy tubes (TTs) is a serious problem. The clinical impact of biofilms on the airway is still unclear. Biofilms may play a role in granulation tissue development, recurrent airway infections, and failure of laryngotracheal reconstructions. Read More