Malignant neoplasms involving the ethmoid sinuses mandate en bloc resection via the craniofacial approach. This technique leaves a direct communication between the nasal chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the nasal chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the anterior chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the anterior cranial fossa and cribriform area may result in small dural tears, CSF leak and/or CNS infections. We have utilized an inferiorly based pericranial flap and a laterally based osteoplastic bone flap to successfully close this space and dural defects. The laterally based bone flap allows insetting pericranial flap without compromising the vascularized inferior base and gives generous exposure of the area to be resected. This approach has been used successfully in four patients in the last year. Three patients had esthesioneuroblastomas and the fourth had a squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilloethmoid complex. This communication describes the technique and lists advantages of the inferiorly based pericranial flap.

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Esophageal perforation resulting from foreign body ingestion is a rare occurrence. Most of the complications associated with this event, such as retroesophageal abscess, mediastinitis, pericarditis, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum, are widely recognized. However, little attention has been directed to the possibility of vascular injury caused by the perforating object. Isolated case reports have described significant morbidity and mortality subsequent to major vascular trauma resulting from an esophageal foreign body, usually emphasizing the presence of a "signal" hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract as a key to diagnosis. This report describes a case of esophageal perforation caused by an ingested fishbone that resulted in significant aerodigestive hemorrhage, possibly as the result of an unusual isolated vascular injury. The literature on vascular trauma following foreign body perforation of the esophagus is reviewed, and suggestions for the diagnosis and treatment of these dreaded complications are made.

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