OBJECTIVE:To use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology to help providers understand (1) how septal perforations may alter nasal physiology and (2) how these alterations are influenced by perforation size and location. STUDY DESIGN:Computer simulation study. SETTING:Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:With the aid of medical imaging and modeling software, septal perforations of 1 and 2 cm in anterior, posterior, and superior locations were virtually created in a nasal cavity digital model. The CFD techniques were used to analyze airflow, nasal resistance, air conditioning, and wall shear stress. RESULTS:Bilateral nasal resistance was not significantly altered by a septal perforation. Airflow allocation changed, with more air flowing through the lower-resistance nasal cavity. This effect was greater for anterior and posterior perforations than for the superior location. At the perforation sites, there was less localized heat and moisture flux and wall shear stress in superior perforations compared with those in anterior or posterior locations. For anterior perforations, a larger size produced higher wall shear and velocity, whereas in posterior perforations, a smaller size produced higher wall shear and velocity. CONCLUSION:Septal perforations may alter nasal physiology. In the subject studied, airflow allocation to each side was changed as air was shunted through the perforation to the lower-resistance nasal cavity. Anterior and posterior perforations caused larger effects than those in a superior location. Increasing the size of anterior perforations and decreasing the size of posterior perforations enhanced alterations in wall shear and velocity at the perforation.

Background: Quantitative methods for comparing intranasal drug delivery efficiencies pre- and postoperatively have not been fully utilized. The objective of this study is to use computational fluid dynamics techniques to evaluate aqueous nasal spray penetration efficiencies before and after surgical correction of intranasal anatomic deformities.Methods: Ten three-dimensional models of the nasal cavities were created from pre- and postoperative computed tomography scans in 5 subjects. Spray simulations were conducted using a particle size distribution ranging from 10 mu m to 110 mu m, a spray speed of 3 m/second, plume angle of 68 degrees, and with steady state, resting inspiratory airflow present. Two different nozzle positions were compared. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student t test for matched pairs.Results: On the obstructed side, posterior particle deposition after surgery increased by 118% and was statistically significant (p = 0.036), while anterior particle deposition decreased by 13% and was also statistically significant (p = 0.020). The fraction of particles that bypassed the airways either pre- or postoperatively was less than 5%. Posterior particle deposition differences between obstructed and contralateral sides of the airways were 113% and 30% for pre- and postsurgery, respectively. Results showed that nozzle positions can influence spray delivery.Conclusion: Simulations predicted that surgical correction of nasal anatomic deformities can improve spray penetration to areas where medications can have greater effect. Particle deposition patterns between both sides of the airways are more evenly distributed after surgery. These findings suggest that correcting anatomic deformities may improve intranasal medication delivery. For enhanced particle penetration, patients with nasal deformities may explore different nozzle positions. (C) 2013 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

We present a series of 4 patients with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) who underwent Coblation-assisted endoscopic resection after preoperative embolization, and discuss the use and advantages of endoscopic Coblation-assisted resection of JNA. Our limited case series suggests that Coblation may be used in the resection of JNA after embolization in a relatively safe, efficient, and effective manner. Coblation allows for decreased bleeding, less need for instrumentation, and improved visualization. There are limited published data in the literature to date on the use of Coblation in endoscopic JNA resection. We describe its use in a more extensive tumor than those previously reported. Further studies are needed to fully define the safety and utility of Coblation technology for this application.

Introduction— There are often multiple anatomic factors that contribute to nasal obstruction, creating difficulty in deciding which components to address for a successful outcome. The purpose of this pilot study is to demonstrate the effect of individual components of functional nasal airway surgery in a patient with multifactorial obstruction and discuss the potential benefit of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-aided virtual surgery. Methods— A 53 year old female underwent septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and nasal valve repair. Pre- and post-operative digital nasal models were created from CT images and nasal resistance was calculated using CFD techniques. The digital models were then manipulated to isolate the effects of the components of the surgery, creating a nasal valve repair alone model and a septoplasty/turbinate reduction alone model. Results— Bilateral nasal resistance on the post-operative model was approximately 25% less than pre-operative values. Similarly, CFD analysis showed reductions in nasal resistance of the virtual models: 19% reduction with intranasal surgery alone and 6% reduction with nasal valve repair alone. Conclusions— Most of the reduction in nasal resistance was accomplished with performance of septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction. The contribution from nasal valve repair was less in comparison but not insignificant. This pilot study implies that CFD-aided virtual surgery may be useful as part of pre-operative planning in patients with multifactorial anatomic nasal airway obstruction.

Background:This study investigates how deviated nasal septum affects the quantity and distribution of spray particles, and examines the effects of inspiratory airflow and head position on particle transport.Methods: Deposition of spray particles was analysed using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model created from a computed tomography scan of a human nose with leftward septal deviation and a right inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Five simulations were conducted using Fluent (TM) software, with particle sizes ranging from 20-110 mu m, a spray speed of 3 m/s, plume angle of 68 degrees, and with steady state inspiratory airflow either present (15.7 L/min) or absent at varying head positions.Results: With inspiratory airflow present, posterior deposition on the obstructed side was approximately four times less than the contralateral side, regardless of head position, and was statistically significant. When airflow was absent, predicted deposition beyond the nasal valve on the left and right sides were between 16% and 69% lower and positively influenced by a dependent head position.Conclusion: Simulations predicted that septal deviation significantly diminished drug delivery on the obstructed side. Furthermore, increased particle penetration was associated with presence of nasal airflow. Head position is an important factor in particle deposition patterns when inspiratory airflow is absent.

Salivary tissue can be present in the head and neck outside the usual locations of the major and minor salivary glands. This can be in the form of accessory salivary glands, in association with branchial cleft anomalies, or, less commonly, as heterotopic salivary gland tissue (HSGT). Heterotopic salivary gland tissue is defined as salivary tissue outside of the expected locations of major, minor, and accessory salivary glands with absence of clinical or histologic features of branchial cleft anomalies. Here we present the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with a draining sinus of the lower neck, which was excised and, on histologic analysis, was consistent with HSGT. We include photographs and histologic images. A review of the literature on heterotopic salivary tissue in the neck is then presented including discussion of the presentation, clinical features, important considerations, and recommendations for management.

Objectives To demonstrate the effect of individual components of functional nasal airway surgery in a patient with multifactorial obstruction and to discuss the potential benefit of computational f...

OBJECTIVESTo demonstrate the effect of individual components of functional nasal airway surgery in a patient with multifactorial obstruction and to discuss the potential benefit of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–aided virtual surgery.METHODSA 53-year-old woman underwent septoplasty,turbinate reduction, and nasal valve repair. Presurgery and postsurgery digital nasal models were created from computed tomographic images, and nasal resistance was calculated using CFD techniques. The digital models were then manipulated to isolate the effects of the components of the surgery, creating a nasal valverepair alone model and a septoplasty/turbinate reduction alone model.RESULTSBilateral nasal resistance in the postsurgery model was approximately 25% less than presurgery values.Similarly, CFD analysis showed reductions in nasal resistance of the virtual models: 19% reduction with intranasal surgery alone and 6% reduction with nasal valve repair alone.CONCLUSIONSMost of the reduction in nasal resistance was accomplished with performance of septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction. The contribution of nasal valve repair was less in comparison but not insignificant.This pilot study implies that CFD-aided virtual surgery may be useful as part of preoperative planning inpatients with multifactorial anatomical nasal airwayobstruction

BACKGROUND:Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a common health condition impacting mood, energy, recreation, sleep, and overall quality of life. Nasal surgery often addresses NAO but the results are sometimes unsatisfactory. Evaluating surgical treatment efficacy could be improved if objective tests were available that correlated with patient-reported measures of symptoms. The goal of this study was to develop methods for comparing nasal resistance computed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models with patient-reported symptoms of NAO using early data from a 4-year prospective study.METHODS:Computed tomography (CT) scans and patient-reported scores from the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) measuring unilateral airflow sensation were obtained pre- and postoperatively in two NAO patients showing no significant mucosal asymmetry who were successfully treated with functional nasal surgery, including septoplasty. Pre- and postsurgery CFD models were created from the CT scans. Numerical simulation of steady-state inspiratory airflow was used to calculate bilateral and unilateral CFD-derived nasal resistance (CFD-NR).RESULTS:In both subjects, NOSE and VAS scores improved after surgery, bilateral CFD-NR decreased, and unilateral CFD-NR decreased on the affected side. In addition, NOSE and VAS scores tracked with unilateral CFD-NR on the affected side.CONCLUSION:These preliminary results suggest a possible correlation between unilateral NR and patient-reported symptoms and imply that analysis of unilateral obstruction should focus on the affected side. A formal investigation of unilateral CFD-NR and patient-reported symptoms in a series of NAO patients is needed to determine if these variables are correlated.

Injuries after blunt and penetrating trauma to the face are a common occurrence and are managed by specialists from several disciplines. After short-term care and immediate recovery, long-term complications can develop including cosmetic deformity, unsightly scarring, problems with soft tissue healing, malunion or nonunion of bony segments, diplopia or other visual complaints, malocclusion, hardware failure, and mucocele formation. Here, we present a report of 2 late complications recognized and treated in a patient 40 years after an episode of craniofacial trauma: epistaxis with symptomatic nasal congestion from fixation wires and mucocele formation. Management of this patient accompanied by endoscopic photographs and computed tomographic images is presented, and discussion of these complications along with review of the literature is provided.

The cause of nasal obstruction can often be attributed to pathologic conditions of the nasal valve. The key physical examination finding in nasal valve compromise is inspiratory collapse of the nasal sidewall. Validated subjective and objective measures evaluating nasal obstruction exist, although with weak correlation. Functional rhinoplasty encompasses the surgical techniques used to address obstruction occurring in this area. These techniques aim to increase the size of the nasal valve opening and/or strengthen the lateral nasal wall and nasal ala , preventing dynamic collapse. Much of the supporting evidence for functional rhinoplasty consists of observational studies that are universally favorable.

Disclosure: No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.

OBJECTIVES:To determine (1) the prevalence of selected common musculoskeletal disorders in patients referred for electrodiagnosis when cervical radiculopathy is suspected and (2) whether these findings predict electrodiagnostic study outcome.DESIGN:Prospective study.SETTING:Electrodiagnostic laboratories in departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation at 5 participating institutions.PARTICIPANTS:A total of 191 subjects undergoing electrodiagnostic evaluations for upper-limb symptoms when cervical radiculopathy was suspected.INTERVENTIONS:Not applicable.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Prevalence of certain musculoskeletal disorders (myofascial pain, shoulder impingement, lateral epicondylitis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis) and outcomes of electrodiagnostic testing (normal study, cervical radiculopathy, or another electrodiagnostically confirmed diagnosis).RESULTS:The total prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 42%. The prevalence in those with a normal study was 69%, compared with 29% in those with cervical radiculopathy (P<.001) and 45% in those with another diagnosis (P=.02).CONCLUSIONS:Musculoskeletal disorders are common in patients with suspected cervical radiculopathy. Although the presence of certain musculoskeletal disorders makes having a normal electrodiagnostic evaluation significantly more likely, the high prevalence among both patients with normal studies and those with radiculopathy and other disorders limits the usefulness of this information in precisely predicting study outcome. The presence of musculoskeletal disorders should not preclude electrodiagnostic testing when otherwise indicated.