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Disabil Rehabil 2019 Jan 29:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

b Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences , The University of Sydney , Australia.

Purpose: Oropharyngeal dysphagia and laryngeal dysfunction are known to impact on health outcomes of patients with critical illness. The incidence in patients after heart and/or lung transplantation is unknown. This paper investigates the frequency, characteristics and risk factors for these complications following such transplantation. Read More

Swiss Med Wkly 2018 Dec 4;148:w14692. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medical Specialties, University Hospitals and Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland / Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Aims: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterised by paradoxical inspiratory laryngeal motion and is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Definitive diagnosis of VCD is difficult, because laryngoscopy is positive only during symptomatic episodes or upon provocation with exercise or inhaled irritants. The aims of the study were to better characterise the symptomatology of patients with VCD and to evaluate the potential usefulness of less-invasive diagnostic tools, namely provocation tests and spirometry. Read More

Transpl Int 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) may complicate thoracic surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Among lung transplant (LTx) recipients, chronic pulmonary aspiration can contribute to chronic allograft dysfunction (CLAD). We herein assessed the unknown incidence and clinical impact of VCP in a large LTx cohort. Read More

J Voice 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Objective: To investigate patient-level predictors of initiation of voice therapy for paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder (PVFM).

Study Design: Prospective outcomes database study.

Methods: Patients consented to the University of Wisconsin Voice and Swallow Clinics Outcomes Database between March 2010 and November 2016 who were diagnosed with PVFM and recommended for voice therapy were eligible. Read More

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2018 Dec 14;39(6):667-673. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Excessive central airway collapse (ECAC) is characterized by excessive narrowing of the airway lumen during exhalation leading to dyspnea, cough, mucostasis, recurrent respiratory infections, and poor quality of life. Tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse are heterogeneous entities of ECAC and are characterized by a diverse nonspecific symptom profile. Although the pathophysiology of airway mechanics as well as morphology in both entities is different, current evidence so far shows no practical benefit in making such distinction since both have similar symptoms and the diagnostic and therapeutic work-ups are the same. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Oct 31. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Hiram C. Polk, Jr., M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.

Isolated tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare condition with a previously reported high incidence of vocal cord paresis. A technique using recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring is described as a strategy to potentially minimize the risk of vocal cord dysfunction in this patient population. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Feb 27;117:179-181. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Dr. Ersin Arslan Research and Training Hospital, Department of Medical Genetics, Gaziantep, Turkey.

Congenital bilateral laryngeal paralysis/immobilization is an uncommon condition and has been described as isolated or accompanying to some recognizable syndromes. Heterozygous mutations in the FOXP1 gene (605515) are related with intellectual disability and, language impairment with or without autistic features. Expressive language is more affected than receptive language and more than half of the patients experience oromotor dysfunction and/or feeding difficulties. Read More

J Peripher Nerv Syst 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.

We aimed to elucidate characteristics of beriberi neuropathy (BB) in a general hospital (GH) setting. Nerve conduction studies (NCS), cross-referenced with clinical records of patients admitted to a GH (May 2011-July 2017), were reviewed for diagnosis of BB. Thirteen patients (age range 23-64 years; five women) were diagnosed with BB. Read More

Gland Surg 2018 Oct;7(5):433-439

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.

Background: Post-thyroidectomy dysphonia can result from recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. Confirmation of postoperative recurrent nerve function has prompted many surgeons to advocate laryngoscopic examination. Indirect and flexible laryngoscopy permit visualization of vocal cord motion, but not all thyroid surgeons are skilled in these techniques. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 19;122:380-383. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Neurological Surgery, UCSF Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Vocal cord dysfunction resulting from recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) is a known complication following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. RLNP occurs typically secondary to neurapraxia caused by intraoperative compression or traction on the nerve and less commonly from direct nerve injury intraoperatively in the setting of anterior cervical spine surgery. Patients with RLNP typically present with hoarseness immediately after surgery owing to unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Read More

Eur Respir Rev 2018 Dec 21;27(150). Epub 2018 Nov 21.

NIHR Clinical Research Facility, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) comorbidities are common in patients with asthma and are frequently associated with poorer asthma outcomes. All these comorbidities are "treatable traits" in asthma. Identification and management of these disorders may spare medication usage and contribute to improved asthma control and quality of life, and a decrease in exacerbation rates. Read More

Med J Aust 2018 Jul;209(2):S11-S17

Monash Lung and Sleep, Monash Hospital and University, Melbourne, VIC.

Asthma care has increasingly focused on personalised management for severe asthma, and recognition of the role and importance of comorbid conditions has increased. Severe asthma can be crippling; associated comorbid conditions often play a key role in the significant disease morbidity and frequently contribute to a severe and difficult-to-treat asthma phenotype. Comorbid conditions can be broadly grouped as being either airway-related or airway-unrelated. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2018 Oct;55(10):905-906

Division of Neonatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita University, Kochi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Sasidharan Ponthenkandath, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita University, Kochi, India.

Background: Intractable obstructive apneas requiring multiple intubations are rare in newborns.

Case Characteristics: We report a pair of twins born at 29 weeks gestation who had severe obstructive apneas due to Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion (PVCM).

Outcome: The symptoms resolved promptly with ipratropium nebulization. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 22;275(12):3033-3037. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Department of Otolaryngology, Selcuk University Medical School, Alaeddin Keykubad Campus, 42075 Yeni Istanbul caddesi, Konya, Turkey.

Purpose: To evaluate upper esophageal sphincter (UES) activity in patients with benign glottic lesions.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with benign vocal fold (VF) lesions scheduled for manometric evaluation were enrolled as the study group (SG); 20 healthy subjects without vocal pathology or dysphagia were included as the control group (CG). UES residual, basal, relaxation time and peak pharyngeal pressures were evaluated by manometry. Read More

Front Pediatr 2018 3;6:276. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Paediatric Pulmonology & Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit, Sleep and Long Term Ventilation Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Hospital "Bambino Gesù" Research Institute, Rome, Italy.

Childhood asthma remains a multifactorial disease with heterogeneous clinical phenotype and complex genetic inheritance. The primary aim of asthma management is to achieve control of symptoms, in order to reduce the risk of future exacerbations and progressive loss of lung function, which results especially challenging in patients with difficult asthma. When asthma does not respond to maintenance treatment, firstly, the correct diagnosis needs to be confirmed and other diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, immunodeficiency conditions or airway and vascular malformations need to be excluded. Read More

Surgery 2019 Jan 14;165(1):242-249. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

Background: Multi-institutional data describing remedial parathyroidectomy compared with index parathyroidectomy are scarce.

Methods: Using data in the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (2014-2017), baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing remedial parathyroidectomy versus index parathyroidectomy were examined using bivariate and multivariate methods. Rates of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia at ≥ 180 days were assessed. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018 Dec 8;127(12):962-968. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

1 Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Objectives:: Cell therapies using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been proposed as a promising new tool for the treatment of vocal fold scarring. However, the mechanisms by which MSCs promote healing as well as their duration of survival within the host vocal fold have yet to be defined. The aim of this work was to assess the persistence of embedded MSCs within a tissue-engineered vocal fold mucosal replacement in a rabbit model of vocal fold injury. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Sep 9. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors and long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia +/-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) owing to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury.

Method: A retrospective chart review was performed for EA/TEF patients repaired at our institution from 1999 to 2014 (REB #1000032265).

Results: Of 197 patients, 22 (11. Read More

Respirology 2019 Jan 19;24(1):37-47. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma and Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Background And Objective: A new taxonomic and management approach, termed treatable traits, has been proposed for airway diseases including severe asthma. This study examined whether treatable traits could be identified using registry data and whether particular treatable traits were associated with future exacerbation risk.

Methods: The Australasian Severe Asthma Web-Based Database (SAWD) enrolled 434 participants with severe asthma and a comparison group of 102 participants with non-severe asthma. Read More

Pediatr Qual Saf 2018 May-Jun;3(3):e080. Epub 2018 May 18.

Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Introduction: Feeding difficulties and malnutrition are important challenges when caring for newborns with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) without clear available guidelines for providers. This study describes the utilization of a feeding protocol with the focus on standardization, feeding modality, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) utilization postoperatively.

Methods: Patients included neonates with CCHD undergoing complex biventricular repair using cardiopulmonary bypass. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018 Nov 6;127(11):754-762. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

5 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, Deleware, USA.

Objectives: (1) Identify laryngeal patterns axiomatic to exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and (2) investigate the role of autonomic function in EILO.

Methods: Twenty-seven athletic adolescents (13 EILO, 14 control) underwent laryngoscopy at rest and exercise. Glottal configurations, supraglottic dynamics, systolic blood pressure responses, and heart rate recovery were compared between conditions and groups. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Aug 29;2018. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

The practice of complementary and non-formulary medicine has gained tremendous popularity due to their claimed beneficial effects in cardiac, respiratory and chronic diseases, as also other disorders. The most threatening aspect related to these practices pertains to the non-disclosure of its use by patients at the time of their preoperative assessment in elective or emergency setting. We report a case of profound, long-lasting unexplained hypotension during and after anaesthesia in a patient presented for emergency vocal cord surgery (cordectomy). Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2018 3;25:104-108. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Background: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is defined as inappropriate movement of the vocal cords resulting in functional airway obstruction and symptoms including cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. VCD is often misdiagnosed with asthma but can also co-exist with asthma. The association of VCD with other serious pulmonary conditions has not been described to date. Read More

Clin J Sport Med 2018 Aug 8. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Department of Otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota.

Objective: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterized by paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) during inspiration. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound could accurately differentiate between normal and PVFM during respirations in a resting state.

Design: Prospective, single-subject design. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2018 Jun 14;3(3):249-252. Epub 2018 May 14.

Department of Head and Neck Surgery Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai India.

Objective: Total thyroidectomy with or without central compartment dissection is the treatment of choice for thyroid carcinoma. Extensive dissection along the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to vocal cord fixity and hoarseness even without nerve sacrifice. Recovery rates after surgery for thyroid cancers have not been well documented. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Jul 1:1-5. Epub 2018 Jul 1.

4Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Inducible laryngeal obstruction has been described under at least 40 different monikers, including vocal cord dysfunction, paroxysmal vocal fold motion, and irritable larynx. The etiology of this condition is believed to be laryngeal hyperactivity in response to psychological issues or acid reflux. Most patients are treated with some combination of proton pump inhibitors, speech therapy, and psychotherapy. Read More

Semin Pediatr Neurol 2018 07 4;26:10-14. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

Division of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

This report describes the first case of a child with genetically confirmed Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa. This is an extremely rare clinical condition that presents with an auditory neuropathy, bulbar palsy, stridor, muscle weakness, and respiratory compromise that manifests with diaphragmatic and vocal cord paralysis. It is an autosomal recessive condition for which the genetic mutation has only recently been linked to a riboflavin transporter deficiency. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2018 Jun 25;9(7). Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 3598513, Japan.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury has considerable clinical implications, including voice and swallowing dysfunction, which may considerably impair the patient’s quality of life. Recovery of vocal fold movement is an essential novel treatment option for RLN injury. The potential of gene therapy for addressing this issue is highly promising. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2018 Apr-May;97(4-5):128-136

Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon.

The objective of the study was to analyze the frequency and severity of vocal tract symptoms in patients on statins. A total of 73 patients were enrolled in this study, 44 patients who were taking statins and 29 controls not taking statins. The severity and frequency of vocal tract discomfort was assessed using the Vocal Tract Discomfort scale. Read More

Acta Myol 2017 Sep 1;36(3):125-134. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

Department of Neurosurgery, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

Introduction: Myotonia permanens due to Nav1.4-G1306E is a rare sodium channelopathy with potentially life-threatening respiratory complications. Our goal was to study phenotypic variability throughout life. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Mar;32(6):412-419

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics of paroxysmal laryngospasm in adult.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 149 patients with paroxysmal laryngospasm in adult. All patients underwent the strobolaryngoscopy, completed the reflux symptom index (RSI) or the reflux finding score (RFS). Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2018 Nov - Dec;6(6):2087-2095. Epub 2018 May 3.

Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Background: Chronic refractory cough (CRC), a phenotype of cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS), is a disabling problem. Laryngeal dysfunction may be important in CRC and CHS because laryngeal symptoms are common; however, the role of laryngeal dysfunction in CHS has not been systematically examined.

Objective: To determine the nature of laryngeal dysfunction in patients with CRC and compare with the related laryngeal conditions of vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) and muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Read More

Pediatr Rev 2018 May;39(5):261

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.

Auris Nasus Larynx 2018 Dec 20;45(6):1214-1220. Epub 2018 Apr 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Yokohama City University, School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Biology and Function in Head and Neck, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.

Objective: The Hyodo scoring system during the endoscopic procedure has been proposed as a new tool for evaluating oral intake feasibility. However, the effectiveness of the information obtained from this procedure in predicting aspiration is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of clinical factors, including Hyodo scores, for predicting the risk of aspiration. Read More

J Pediatr Health Care 2019 Jan 13;33(1):5-13. Epub 2018 Apr 13.

Vocal cord dysfunction is an obstruction of the upper airway, primarily on inspiration, due to the paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords. Vocal cord dysfunction continues to be underdiagnosed as its own entity. The lack of diagnosis can be attributed to the overlap of symptoms between asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2018 04 4;6(4):735-740. Epub 2018 Mar 4.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Mayo Clinic 200 First St. SW Rochester Minnesota 55905.

Laryngoscopy is the gold standard to diagnose exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, though inspiratory flow-volume loop may provide a clue. We combined tidal flow-volume loop analysis laryngoscopy during exercise and found that cigar-shaped - flattened - inspiratory loops are associated with obstruction. Pursed-lip breathing slows inhalation thereby reducing vocal fold adduction. Read More

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2018 05 23;38(2):303-315. Epub 2018 Feb 23.

Erika Westhoff Performance, Pleasanton, CA, USA.

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction causes severe shortness of breath during exercise. Episodes are associated with severe distress. These patients and those with inducible laryngeal obstruction triggered by other factors have been noted to demonstrate mental health disorders, personality features that may be associated with symptoms, and dysfunctional stress responses. Read More

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2018 05 2;38(2):293-302. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is a condition that restricts respiration during exercise via inappropriate glottic or supraglottic obstruction. The literature supports behavioral treatment provided by a speech-language pathologist as an effective means of treating exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Treatment includes educating the patient, training on relaxation, instruction on paced exercise, and use of various breathing techniques to optimize laryngeal aperture. Read More

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2018 05 19;38(2):281-292. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Department of Paediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, Section for Paediatrics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Exertional dyspnea can be a manifestation of dysfunction in a variety of organ systems. Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), a condition previously known as vocal cord dysfunction and paradoxic vocal fold motion, is defined as inappropriate, reversible narrowing of the larynx during vigorous exercise. EILO is usually characterized by typical symptoms, which nevertheless frequently are confused with those of other conditions, including asthma. Read More

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2018 05 19;38(2):271-280. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen DK-2400, Denmark; Respiratory Department, Royal Brompton Hospital, Dovehouse Street, SW3 6JY, London, UK. Electronic address:

Exertional dyspnea is common in health and disease. Despite having known for centuries that breathlessness can arise from the larynx, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is a more prevalent condition than previously assumed. This article provides a brief overview of the history, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2018 Oct 5;45(5):1113-1115. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nysa District Hospital, Poland.

Tonsil surgeries are the most frequently performed surgical procedures in ENT departments. We would like to present the case of a 5-year-old patient who suffered from unilateral peripheral facial nerve palsy and laryngeal spasm following adenotonsillectomy. Paresis was observed immediately after the transfer of the patient to the postoperative room. Read More

Rev Bras Anestesiol 2018 Nov - Dec;68(6):637-640. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Medicina, División de Cirugía, Departamento de Otorrinolaringología, Santiago, Chile.

Background: General anesthesia is a safe, frequent procedure in clinical practice. Although it is very unusual in procedures not related to head and or neck surgery, vocal cord paralysis is a serious and important complication. Incidence has been associated with patient age and comorbidities, as well as the position of the endotracheal tube and cuff. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Apr 5;2018. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Department of Internal Medicine, Setúbal Hospital Center, Setúbal, Portugal.

A 58-year-old male patient was admitted at the São Bernardos's Hospital (Setúbal, Portugal) with generalised muscle spasms, dyspnoea, laryngospasm and bronchospasm in the context of severe hypocalcaemia. Despite efforts to correct serum calcium, it remained below average, leading to question the true cause of hypocalcaemia. Low parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, along with facial anomalies, palate defect and cognitive impairment with concomitant psychiatric disorder led to a suspicion of a DiGeorge/velocardiofacial/22q11. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 May;144(5):433-439

VA Outcomes Group, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont.

Importance: Clinicians and patients benefit when they have a clear understanding of how medical conditions influence patients' life experiences. Patients' perspectives on life with unilateral vocal fold paralysis have not been well described.

Objective: To promote patient-centered care by characterizing the patient experiences of living with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Read More

Epileptic Disord 2018 Apr;20(2):146-150

Epilepsy Center, UH Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland,, NINDS Center for SUDEP Research (CSR), Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

A 56-year-old man with refractory bitemporal epilepsy was monitored in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). In a video-EEG captured seizure, brief oroalimentary automatisms were followed by increased inspiratory effort, accompanied by prominent, visible tracheal movements and audible inspiratory stridor. The patient's oxygen saturation rapidly declined to 62%; persistent severe hypoxemia ended with spontaneous effective respiration commencing at seizure end. Read More

Eur J Hum Genet 2018 06 6;26(6):796-807. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Clinical Genetics, St Michaels Hospital, Bristol, UK.

CHN is genetically heterogeneous and its genetic basis is difficult to determine on features alone. CNTNAP1 encodes CASPR, integral in the paranodal junction high molecular mass complex. Nineteen individuals with biallelic variants have been described in association with severe congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy, respiratory compromise, profound intellectual disability and death within the first year. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Apr 20;107:6-9. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States.

Importance: Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) is a disorder often misdiagnosed in children presenting with shortness of breath and stridor. In infants, little is known about the clinical course and best approach for treatment of PVFM. This retrospective study assesses the approach to treatment and outcomes for infants with PVFM. Read More

Wien Med Wochenschr 2018 May 15;168(7-8):184-188. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Stiftungsprofessur Palliative Care Institut für Pflegewissenschaft und -praxis, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich.

Laryngospasm in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a symptom seldom described in neurological literature. Despite the self limiting character it means a life threatening condition for the patient himself. This case report and the following discussion tries to look upon underlying causes and options of therapy. Read More

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018 Winter;30(4):443-447. Epub 2018 Feb 9.

Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida.

Neonates with single ventricle heart disease frequently experience poor oral feeding and inconsistent weight gain, often requiring gastrostomy tube (gtube) placement. We sought to identify risk factors for gtube placement in neonates following the Norwood procedure at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed multiple preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables in neonates <30 days with single ventricle heart disease following the Norwood procedure. Read More

Br J Anaesth 2018 Feb 1;120(2):353-360. Epub 2017 Dec 1.

Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Background: Significant cardiorespiratory events are frequent in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. Central to the occurrence of respiratory events is an unsecured airway. This study sought to determine the efficacy of a new laryngeal mask airway, the LMAGastro Airway (Teleflex Medical, Athlone, Ireland), in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Read More