Head and Neck Medicine by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis

We reviewed manuscripts published in 2016 that are related to the care of neurosurgical patients or the perioperative care of patients with neurological diseases. We address the broad categories of general neurosurgery and neuroanesthesiology, anesthetic neurotoxicity and neuroprotection, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and nervous system monitoring. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Journal Club.

No abstract available

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Comparison of Anesthetic Management and Outcomes in Patients Having Either Transnasal or Transoral Endoscopic Odontoid Process Surgery.

Background: Endoscopic neurosurgical procedures involving the upper cervical vertebrae are challenging due to a narrow operating field and close proximity to vital anatomical structures. Historically, transoropharyngeal (transoral) endoscopy has been the preferred approach. More recently, however, an endoscopic transnasal approach was developed as an alternative method in hopes to reduce postoperative dysphagia, a common complication following transoral neurosurgery. Methods: Twenty-two endoscopic neurosurgical cases involving the odontoid or C1 vertebra were reviewed between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015 (17 and 5 through transoral and transnasal approaches, respectively). Patient demographics, anesthetic technique, intraoperative course, and postoperative outcomes such as were recorded. Results: Patients who underwent transnasal odontoidectomy had a shorter length of stay and lower rates of tracheostomy compared with those having similar surgery via the transoral route. In those having transoral surgery, no patient presented to the operating room with a preexisting tracheostomy. In 16 of 17 patients within the transoral group, a tracheostomy was performed. In those having transnasal surgery, 2 of 5 patients had a preexisting tracheostomy. In the remaining 3 of 5 patients, orotracheal intubation was performed and patients were extubated after the procedure. Conclusions: The transnasal odontoid resection technique may become a more popular surgical approach without increasing rates of complications compared with those having transoral surgery. Ultimately, a larger, study is needed to further clarify these relationships. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Osteoradionecrosis of the Temporal Bone Leading to Cerebellar Abscess

Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone is a rare and destructive malignancy and represents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The complex regional anatomy of the temporal bone requires equally intricate surgical techniques to adequately resect the tumour mass during surgical excision. Adjuvant radiotherapy is offered to patients with advanced disease and has been showed to confer a survival benefit in carefully selected patients. One feared complication of radiotherapy is osteoradionecrosis and is a major obstacle faced in the treatment of head and neck cancers. The case presented here is a rare example of a patient who was successfully treated for SCC of the temporal with both surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy who subsequently developed two major complications: first, osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone that leads to penetrating osteomyelitis; second, the formation of a large cerebellar abscess that required surgical drainage. This case is a rare example of the complications that are possible following radiotherapy to the head and the close follow-up that is required in patients.

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