Search

Schwannomas (neurilemmomas) are benign tumors of the nerve sheath arising from the Schwann cells in the neural sheath of cranial and spinal nerves. The most frequent sites are the peripheral nerves of the head and neck and the flexor surfaces of the upper extremities. Parapharyngeal schwannomas are rare, which makes them interesting for ear, nose and throat specialists. A new case of schwannoma of the parapharyngeal space is reported. Our experience with the clinical management and surgical treatment of cervical schwannomas is discussed and the literature is reviewed.

Amyloidosis of the upper airways is rare. The larynx is the most common site of involvement. Primary amyloidosis may be localized or generalized. We report a case of laryngeal amyloidosis in which amyloid deposits were confined to the larynx (right false vocal cord and subglottis) and successfully treated with CO2 laser.

Nowadays the complications arising from sinusitis are rare. However its seriousness can even cause death. Intracranial complications are much more uncommon than the orbital ones. However, slight symptoms can appear, which may disjunct the correlation between clinical-radiology and the severity of the infection. The diagnosis is fundamentally based on the TAC, and early treatment with intravenous anti-biotherapy should be implemented, being followed by drainage surgery of the sinus and empyema. We have presented a case which evolved favourably and revised all the literature pertaining to it.

A study was made of 21 children with cholesteatoma and chronic otitis media between 1989 and 1991. We reviewed diagnostic tools, presurgical data, surgical procedures and results. Certain aspects of special relevance such as congenital anomalies and presurgical complications, are emphasized. The procedure of choice was mastoid tympanoplasty with the canal wall down, which is preferred in children. Hearing results were poor, partially caused by the process of bone resorption and by the surgical technique used. The incidence of persistent disease and recurrent cholesteatoma was high but we achieved a good control of the disease development because the canal wall down procedure allowed visualization and cleaning of the mastoid cavity.

The tubercular retropharyngeal abscess is a rare manifestation of this infection, even in the presence of an extensive pulmonary involvement. We present the case of a patient HIV positive with an important compromise of the airway, and a review of the literature.

The achalasia is an uncommon pathology in childhood but the disturbances in growth, development and the severity of pulmonary symptoms are more severe than adults. In a period of twenty five years we have diagnosed three children of sixteen months, 4,5 and twelve years of achalasia and treating them with a modified Heller procedure as primary therapy adding anti-reflux procedure in the youngest. Literature review indicates excellent results following modified Heller's operation in more than 85 per 100 of cases. When an anti-reflux procedure is not performed the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in childhood is 20 per 100.