Carpenter, Robert J.

If the septal component of a nasal injury is adequately managed, usually the entire nasal injury will be well managed. Major or minor nasal trauma can cause cartilage fracture, deviation, dislocation, hematoma, or abscess formation, and the various associated sequelae, some of them life-threatening. A negative x-ray report should never be used as a substitute for a complete intranasal examination in any child with nasal trauma. Any nasal abnormality should be referred for immediate evaluation and treatment.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive degenerative neuromuscular disease of insidious onset. It involves upper and lower motor neurons and causes both spastic and atrophic muscular symptoms. More than one fourth of patients have complaints relating to the head and neck (bulbar palsy); thus, the otolaryngologist may be the first physician to see them. Predominant symptoms are slurred speech, hoarseness, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Muscular weakness, atrophy, and fasciculation are noted on examination. The course is relentless, and only 20% of patients survive five years after diagnosis.