UNASSIGNED: To report a case of a morbidly obese 17-year-old boy who presented 4 days post-tonsillectomy with acute deep venous thromboses and a massive pulmonary embolism. To describe a protocol and decision-making tree for providing anticoagulation in the immediate post-tonsillectomy period.
UNASSIGNED: A chart review and review of the literature.
UNASSIGNED: The patient ultimately did well and had no bleeding from the tonsil beds or further thromboembolic complications. A review of the literature revealed no available data regarding the safety of anticoagulation in the immediate post-tonsillectomy period.
UNASSIGNED: We propose that if anticoagulation is needed within 14 days of tonsillectomy, submaximal anticoagulation with a reversible and titratable anticoagulant may be optimal. A multidisciplinary team approach is needed for these complex cases. Future reporting and investigation of anticoagulation post-tonsillectomy is needed.

UNASSIGNED: To describe the presentation and treatment of patients developing pulmonary embolism following translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection.
UNASSIGNED: This was a retrospective case series of patients at 2 academic tertiary medical centers who developed symptomatic pulmonary embolism post-operatively following translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection and were found to have evidence of sigmoid sinus thrombosis.
UNASSIGNED: Three patients were identified to have post-operative pulmonary emboli after translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection with sigmoid sinus or internal jugular vein clots in the absence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. Caprini scores for these patients were 5 or lower. All patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography and were confirmed to have pulmonary emboli. Two were promptly anticoagulated with heparin drips and transitioned to long-term oral anticoagulation therapy and 1 had delayed anticoagulation. None of these patients suffered from intracranial hemorrhage post-operatively.
UNASSIGNED: Patients undergoing translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma can develop pulmonary embolism from sigmoid sinus entry or thrombosis. No clear guidelines exist for the management of this complication in the setting of recent craniotomy and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage must be considered prior to initiating anticoagulation.

UNASSIGNED: Report a series of cases in which patients have concomitant superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) and a dehiscent tegmen tympani with Dural contact to the malleus head (DCMH).
UNASSIGNED: An analysis of radiologic and audiologic data in 4 patients who presented with SSCD and DCMH at a tertiary care institution. A pertinent literature review was performed.
UNASSIGNED: Four patients (5 ears) had SSCD and DCMH. In 3 patients with unilateral DCMH, the mean maximum air-bone gap was 15 dB in the ear with DCMH compared to 50 dB in the ear without DCMH. Of the 5 ears with DCMH, the mean air conduction threshold at 250 Hz was 17 dB compared to 42 dB in the 3 ears without DCMH.
UNASSIGNED: We report the findings of DCMH in a series of 4 patients with bilateral SSCD. This limited series suggests that ears with SSCD and DCMH have less of an air-bone gap than would be expected, as 1 would expect an additive effect of DCMH and SSCD on the air-bone gap.

BACKGROUND: Lingual thyroid cancer is a rare entity with a paucity of literature guiding methods of surgical treatment. Its location presents anatomic challenges with access and excision.
OBJECTIVE: We present a case of T4aN1b classical variant papillary thyroid carcinoma of the lingual thyroid that was removed without pharyngeal entry. We also present a review of the literature of this rare entity and propose a treatment algorithm to provide safe and oncologic outcomes.
RESULTS: Our review of the literature found 28 case reports of lingual thyroid carcinoma that met search criteria. The trans-cervical/trans-hyoid approach was the most frequently used and provides safe oncologic outcomes. This was followed by the transoral approach and then lateral pharyngotomy. Complications reported across the series include 1 case of pharyngocutaneous fistula associated with mandibulotomy and postoperative respiratory distress requiring reintubation or emergent tracheostomy in 2 patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The location of lingual thyroid carcinoma can be variable, and surgical management requires knowledge of adjacent involved structures to decrease the risk of dysphagia and airway compromise. In particular, for cases where there is extensive loss to swallowing mechanisms, laryngeal suspension can allow the patient to resume a normal diet after treatment.

BACKGROUND: Helmet use is well known to greatly reduce the risk of head injury in both bicycle and motorcycle riding. However, helmet buckle position may increase the risk of injury to the neck cartilages. We present a series of cases in which thyroid cartilage fracture is presumed to arise from the position of the helmet buckle during a crash. Our objective with this case series is to outline an unusual series of cases and review the literature regarding laryngeal injuries secondary to helmet impact.
METHODS: Single institution case series.
METHODS: We present 3 adult patients with laryngeal fractures following bicycle and motorcycle accidents. Medical records were reviewed for history.
RESULTS: All patients in this series presented with voice or swallowing complaints and were found to have thyroid cartilage fractures. It was determined that the buckle of the helmet was positioned overlying the larynx during these accidents, so the impact and flexion of the head and neck may have produced sufficient force against it to fracture the cartilage. A literature search yielded works supporting helmet use for head and brain protection but only a single report of laryngeal injuries secondary to helmet use.
CONCLUSIONS: Though wearing a helmet is protective against head injuries, it may create serious risk to the neck cartilages when the buckle is positioned adjacent to the larynx. Rare but serious, neck cartilage fracture should be considered in helmeted cycling accidents. It may be reasonable to advance a helmet design that positions the buckle and other nonpliable components laterally, away from neck cartilages.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a spectrum of mechanobullous disorders characterized by blistering following minor trauma or traction to the skin. Hearing loss in this population is poorly described in the otolaryngology literature, and its treatment oftentimes results in external auditory canal skin irritation.
METHODS: We present the case of a 26-year-old female with EB and mixed hearing loss unable to wear conventional hearing aids due to sequelae of the external auditory canals. An osseointegrated implant was used as other hearing aids were deemed to be too destructive of the external auditory canal skin. Management and Outcome: Our patient underwent placement of a right bone-anchored hearing aid with minimal disruption of the surrounding skin using a minimally invasive punch technique. Over 1 year of follow-up, her course was complicated by 1 simple cellulitic infection at the surgical site treated successfully with oral antibiotics.
CONCLUSIONS: The literature regarding the otolaryngologic manifestations of EB is sparse. The otologic sequelae are particularly overlooked in the workup and management. Based on the results of this case study, it appears that an osseointegrated implant can be safely utilized to treat significant mixed or conductive hearing loss in patients with EB.

BACKGROUND: The employment of 2-octylcyanoacrylate adhesive (Dermabond) to assist graft placement in open septorhinoplasty has been increasingly used to stabilize cartilage grafts. Literature regarding this application has been mixed, with some showing the possibility of increased rates of inflammation, if not infection. We present an original comparative case series involving postoperative septal abscess formation adjacent to caudal strut grafting where both Dermabond and an absorbable polydioxanone (PDS) plate were used.
OBJECTIVE: To report an original comparative case series of patients who developed a postoperative septal abscess following open septorhinoplasty in the context of Dermabond application to affix cartilage to a PDS plate to facilitate caudal septal strut grafting.
METHODS: Retrospective comparative series with relevant clinical photographs, culture studies, and surgical figures.
METHODS: Tertiary medical treatment facility.
RESULTS: Two patients underwent primary open septorhinoplasty with placement of an autologous caudal septal extension graft, which was stabilized using a PDS plate and secured into position using both Dermabond and PDS suture. Postoperatively, both patients presented a nasal septal abscess at an average of 8 weeks that required serial drainage and subsequent removal of the PDS plate in 1 of the patients. Cultures demonstrated mixed flora as well as Proteus mirabilis, previously unreported in the nasal septal abscess literature. In comparison to 8 patients who underwent reconstruction with PDS plate alone (without Dermabond application), this represents a relative risk of 15 ( P value = .053) for a septal abscess complication when Dermabond is employed .
CONCLUSIONS: We present an original case series on our limited, though impactful experience with PDS plate reconstruction using Dermabond to facilitate caudal septal graft placement in open septorhinoplasty. In conjunction with previously reported case series, which demonstrated elevated risk of prolonged inflammation and infection, we would recommend avoidance of subcutaneous Dermabond as an adjunct, particularly in combination with PDS plate utilization.