ABSTRACT

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Objectives The objective is to present clinical outcomes of subglottic and tracheal stenosis treated by flexible bronchoscopic delivery of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser via laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Methods All consecutive, nontracheotomy dependent cases of subglottic and tracheal stenosis treated endoscopically over a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical approach consisted of radial incisions using a flexible fiber-based CO2 laser, balloon dilation, and topical application of mitomycin C. Ventilation during the procedure occurred through the LMA, and the CO2 laser fiber was delivered through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope passed through the LMA. Number of dilations, period between dilations, and operative times were reviewed. Results Eleven patients who underwent airway intervention during the study period were identified. Average follow-up was 28 months. Etiologies of airway stenosis included intubation injury (6), idiopathic (4), or autoimmune disease (1), requiring an average of 1.3, 1.5, and 3 dilations, respectively. Average operative time was 67 minutes. Autoimmune etiology correlated with more frequent dilations. Conclusion LMA is an effective way to manage ventilation while simultaneously allowing unencumbered flexible bronchoscopic access for laser surgery, balloon dilation, and mitomycin C application for airway stenosis. Long-term success in treating stenosis is achievable using this technique.

SUMMARY: Endolymphatic hydrops, the primary pathologic alteration in Menière disease, can be visualized by using delayed intravenous contrast-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR imaging. It is not known whether MR imaging-demonstrable changes of hydrops fluctuate with disease activity or are fixed. We describe the results of baseline and posttreatment MR imaging studies in a group of subjects with Menière disease with hydrops who were treated with acetazolamide. Seven subjects with untreated Menière disease with MR imaging evidence of hydrops had repeat MR imaging during acetazolamide treatment. Symptoms and imaging findings were assessed at each time point. Five subjects showed symptom improvement, of whom 3 had improvement or resolution of hydrops. One subject had recurrent symptoms with recurrent hydrops after discontinuing therapy. Two had unchanged hydrops despite symptom improvement. Subjects with unchanged symptoms had unchanged hydrops. Hydrops reversal may be seen with acetazolamide treatment in Menière disease. MR imaging may provide an additional biomarker of disease.ABBREVIATIONS: hT2WI-FLAIR ϭ heavily T2-weighted 3D FLAIR; MD ϭ Menière disease; SPACE ϭ sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of superiority of IT DEX at 24 mg/mL for the treatment of ISSNHL, with significantly better recovery of PTA. Our data suggest that treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. A prospective randomized trial to confirm the optimal dose is warranted.