Primary Osteosarcoma of Sphenoid and Ethmoid Sinus in a 17 Year Female: Case Report

Abstract

Primary osteosarcoma of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus present as a challenge in head neck cancer. A 17 year female presented with left sided hemifacial pain, headache with nasal discharge. Clinico-radiological finding showed mass in sphenoethmoid recess spreading to adjacent structures. Endoscopic resection was done. Histopathological diagnosis was osteosarcoma of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus. Adjuvant chemotherapy administered. Osteosarcomas of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus are aggressive tumors with variable clinical features warranting high clinical suspicion.

http://bit.ly/2ByXs5E

Primary Tonsillar Epithelioid Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: Report of a Rare Case Mimicking Undifferentiated Carcinoma and a Brief Review of the Literature

Abstract

We present a 52 years old male with a left tonsillar follicular dendritic cell sarcoma with prominent epithelioid features that on light microscopical examination bore a striking resemblance to a lymphoepithelial or undifferentiated carcinoma. The tumor was immunohistochemically positive for CD21 and CD35 and negative for cytokeratins. Two distinct histopathological features (both present in our case) that may serve as clues to the correct diagnosis on light microscopical examination were formation of ectatic pseudovascular spaces lined by malignant cells and the presence of non-neoplastic multinucleated giant cells. Familiarity with the above-mentioned morphological clues, and awareness that this tumour may occur in anatomical sites outside the lymph node, are essential for accurate diagnosis.

http://bit.ly/2N1Pjeo

Primary Osteosarcoma of Sphenoid and Ethmoid Sinus in a 17 Year Female: Case Report

Abstract

Primary osteosarcoma of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus present as a challenge in head neck cancer. A 17 year female presented with left sided hemifacial pain, headache with nasal discharge. Clinico-radiological finding showed mass in sphenoethmoid recess spreading to adjacent structures. Endoscopic resection was done. Histopathological diagnosis was osteosarcoma of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus. Adjuvant chemotherapy administered. Osteosarcomas of sphenoid and ethmoid sinus are aggressive tumors with variable clinical features warranting high clinical suspicion.

http://bit.ly/2ByXs5E

Contribution of Nitric oxide synthase 3 genetic variants to nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk and progression in a Tunisian population

Abstract

Purpose

We conduct this study to evaluate the clinical and functional impact of Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 (NOS3) T-786C and G894T genetic variants on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk and progression in a Tunisian population.

Methods

259 NPC patients and 169 healthy controls were enrolled into our case–control study. Blood samples were genotyped by the RFLP-PCR analysis. The levels of Nitric oxide (NO) were measured by a colorimetric assay kit in the plasma of NPC patients, healthy controls and according to NOS3 genotypes. The correlation between the NOS3 variants and the clinicopathological parameters was examined.

Results

We found no linkage disequilibrium between NOS3 T-786C and G894T variants. These results showed that NOS3 variants were genetically independent. In contrast to NOS3 T-786C, a significant association was found between NOS3 G894T polymorphism and NPC risk. The 894T allele decreased significantly in NPC patients and appeared as protective factor (OR = 0.65, CI 95%= 0.48–0.88, p = 0.006). NPC patients had significantly higher levels of plasma NO as compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0011). The T-786C mutation reduced the levels of plasma NO and decreased risk of lymph node metastasis in NPC patients (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43–0.96; p = 0.03). In contrast, NOS3 G894T polymorphism had no effects neither on NO plasma levels nor clinical parameters.

Conclusions

This is the first study to associate NPC with significantly higher levels of plasma NO. NOS3-derived NO could play key roles in NPC pathogenesis. NOS3 variants differently contribute to NPC risk and progression in a Tunisian population. NOS3 G894T was associated with NPC risk. NOS3 T-786C decreased the levels of plasma NO and reduced the development of regional lymph node metastasis.

http://bit.ly/2GnioAv

β-Catenin nuclear expression discriminates deep penetrating nevi from other cutaneous melanocytic tumors

Abstract

Recent advances in genomics have improved the molecular classification of cutaneous melanocytic tumors. Among them, deep penetrating nevi (DPN) and plexiform nevi have been linked to joint activation of the MAP kinase and dysregulation of the β-catenin pathways. Immunohistochemical studies have confirmed cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of β-catenin and its downstream effector cyclin D1 in these tumors. We assessed nuclear β-catenin immunohistochemical expression in a large group of DPN as well as in the four most frequent differential diagnoses of DPN: "blue" melanocytic tumors, Spitz tumors, nevoid and SSM melanomas, and pigmented epithelioid melanocytomas (PEM). Nuclear β-catenin expression was positive in 98/100 DPN and 2/16 of melanomas (one SSM and one nevoid melanoma with a plexiform clone) and was negative in all 30 Spitz, 26 blue, and 6 PEM lesions. In 41% DPN, β-catenin expression was positive in more than 30% nuclei. No differences were observed in cytoplasmic and nuclear cyclin D1 expression between these tumor groups, suggesting alternate, β-catenin-independent, activation pathways. We have subsequently studied nuclear β-catenin expression in a set of 13 tumors with an ambiguous diagnosis, for which DPN was part of the differential diagnosis. The three out of four patients showing canonical DPN mutation profiles were the only β-catenin-positive cases. We conclude that nuclear β-catenin expression, independently from CCND1 expression, in a dermal melanocytic tumor is an argument for its classification as DPN. In ambiguous cases and in early combined DPN lesions, this antibody can be helpful as a screening tool. β-Catenin is also potentially expressed in a subset of malignant melanomas with CTNNB1 mutations.

http://bit.ly/2N0SP8M

Recent success and limitations of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer: a lesson from melanoma

Abstract

Several researches have been carried over the last few decades to understand of how cancer evades the immune system and thus to identify therapies that could directly act on patient's immune system in the way of restore or induce a response to cancer. As a consequence, "cancer immunotherapy" is conquering predominantly the modern scenario of the fight against cancer. The recent clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has created an entire new class of anti-cancer drugs and restored interest in the field of immuno-oncology, leading to regulatory approvals of several agents for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. The first to be approved in 2011 was the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Subsequently, the anti-PD-1s, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, received regulatory approvals for the treatment of melanoma and several other cancers. More recently, three anti-PD-L1 antibodies have received approval: atezolizumab and durvalumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and avelumab for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. This review, starting from the results of melanoma trials, highlights in turn different ICIs and data for different indications in several malignancies are included under each drug class.

http://bit.ly/2SKodO7

Two rare cases of endosalpingiosis in the axillary sentinel lymph nodes: evaluation of immunohistochemical staining and one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) assay in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Benign inclusions, such as endosalpingiosis, in an axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) can be misdiagnosed as metastatic breast carcinoma. However, endosalpingiosis is rare in lymph nodes above the diaphragm. Among 792 patients with breast carcinoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy at our center, 2 patients have experienced benign glandular inclusions in 3 SLNs, and all of these glandular inclusions were lined with columnar and ciliated epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the epithelial cells were positive for Müllerian markers (e.g., PAX8 and WT-1) and negative for mammary markers (e.g., mammaglobin, GCDFP-15, and GATA3), which confirm the diagnosis of endosalpingiosis. The epithelial cells were positive for CK19 but the one-step nucleic acid amplification assay revealed negative results for the axillary SLNs. Although endosalpingiosis is rare in axillary SLNs, care is needed to identify these rare cases and avoid unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection, overstaging, and overtreatment.

http://bit.ly/2N3kPbT

Non Familial Cherubism: A Case Report

Abstract

Cherubism might occur in solitary cases or in several members of the family, often in many generations. Treatment depends on the clinical course of the disease. The reported case is an example of solitary sporadic occurrence within a family, which is a less documented condition in the literature.

http://bit.ly/2N0BFIs

Safety of outpatient admission and comparison of different surgical techniques in adult tonsillectomy

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the safety of outpatient admission and the effects of surgical technique in tonsillectomy operations of adult patients.

Methods

The digital database was scanned for patients aged ≥ 15 years that underwent tonsillectomy in our institution between years 2014 and 2018. Demographic and clinical characteristics, the surgical technique, length of stay (LOS) in hospital, re-admissions after discharge, complications and interventions performed were recorded.

Results

A total of 276 patients met the inclusion criteria, comprising 139 (50.4%) females and 137 (49.6%) males with a mean age of 27.17 ± 9.41 years. The most common indication was recurrent tonsillitis (n = 223, 80.8%), and surgical techniques used were bipolar scissors (CURIS^®, Sutter Medizintechnik, Germany) (n = 137, 49.6%), cold dissection (n = 75, 27.2%) and/or plasma blade (PEAK Surgical, Medtronic, USA) (n = 64, 23.2%). A total of 43 (15.5%) re-admissions from 37 (13.4%) patients were recorded because of bleeding (n = 33, 70.2%) and/or odynodysphagia (n = 13, 27.7%). Non-surgical interventions were sufficient in 32 (74.4%) cases, while surgical interventions were required in 11 (25.6%) patients. In patients where "hot" techniques (bipolar scissors, plasma blade) were used and in patients with complaints in the first 24 h postoperatively, significantly increased rates of elongated LOS values for more than 1 day were determined (p < 0.01, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Adult tonsillectomy is a safe surgical procedure with low complication, re-operation and mortality rates. Significantly increased rates of elongated LOS values for more than 1 day and re-admissions after discharge were determined in those patients having complications in the first 24 h postoperatively. Cold dissection seems to be more advisable than hot techniques for outpatient tonsillectomy among adult patients.

http://bit.ly/2BrR687

Non Familial Cherubism: A Case Report

Abstract

Cherubism might occur in solitary cases or in several members of the family, often in many generations. Treatment depends on the clinical course of the disease. The reported case is an example of solitary sporadic occurrence within a family, which is a less documented condition in the literature.

http://bit.ly/2N0BFIs

Development of an Experimental System “Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Neurotology (CADINO)” for Vertigo

Abstract

Computer-based medical diagnosis expert systems, when used by clinicians, familiar with the limitations of the system, were found both accurate and educationally helpful. Vertigo is one of the most common complaints of the patients and the specialists who manage these patients are not easily available. Diagnostic expert system can help clinicians including general practitioners in providing reasonable diagnostic suggestions while dealing with patients with vertigo/dizziness when the specialist doctors are not available. To provide an understanding about the method of making an expert system "Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Neurotology (CADINO)" for dizzy patients and highlight its potential uses. CADINO, developed during this original research project, is an expert computer program which is capable of making diagnoses in patients with vertigo. CADINO includes more than 100 causes of vertigo. It was developed in Microsoft Office using hyperlinks. CADINO has the potential of making diagnoses in patients with vertigo. It differs from most other programs for computer-assisted diagnosis in the generality of its approach and knowledge base. Specific deficiencies of CADINO include its inability to explain its thinking. CADINO can broaden the clinicians' scope and awareness regarding the findings which are important for making the differential diagnoses in patients with vertigo/dizziness. Though the CADINO on its face value seems to improve patient safety and quality of care by enhancing knowledge and cognitive skills of the clinicians, yet it remains a research tool and will need clinical evaluation in terms of diagnostic accuracy.

http://bit.ly/2TKQEsK

Roles of Ki-67 and p16 as biomarkers for unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose

Treatment guidelines have not been established for unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). For these patients, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) can provide a better prognosis than that for patients with other head and neck cancers. The presence of HPV in the tumor is associated with a better outcome. However, not all patients with HPV-positive unknown primary head and neck SCC experience good treatment outcomes in actual clinical settings.

Methods

We thus retrospectively determined the Ki-67 proliferation index and p16 expression status to assess the associations of these parameters with treatment outcomes of patients with unknown primary head and neck SCC.

Results

The subjects were 13 patients who underwent CRT after surgery or excision biopsy between 1999 and 2016. The 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 76.9% and 68.4%, respectively. The prognostic factor was age. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with a high Ki-67 vs. low Ki-67 or between patients with p16-positive vs. p16-negative metastases OS. However, all p16-positive patients with low Ki-67 showed good locoregional control.

Conclusions

The combination of ki67 expression and p16 expression status may allow prediction of local control more accurately than p16 expression status alone.

http://bit.ly/2TM1Bdl

HPV as a marker for molecular characterization in head and neck oncology: Looking for a standardization of clinical use and of detection method(s) in clinical practice

Abstract

Background

A consensus about the most appropriate diagnostic method(s) for head and neck human papillomavirus (HPV)‐induced carcinogenesis is still lacking because most of the commercially available assays have been designed for the cervix.

Methods

This article summarizes current data and trends concerning HPV diagnostic strategies in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Six main approaches are described.

Results

The diagnostic gold standard for HPV‐related OPSCC, focusing on E6/E7 mRNA detection, requires fresh samples. Because most frequently available samples are formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE), the pros and cons of the different approaches were analyzed.

Conclusions

In the FFPE samples, the immunohistochemistry of p16, which is considered appropriate to assess HPV‐driven carcinogenesis in OPSCC according to the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification, may not be specific enough to become the diagnostic standard in the perspective of treatment deintensification. p16 may play a safer role in combination with another highly sensible assay. Other promising approaches are based on DNA detection through real‐time polymerase chain reaction and RNAscope.

http://bit.ly/2GFdCxO

Development of an Experimental System “Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Neurotology (CADINO)” for Vertigo

Abstract

Computer-based medical diagnosis expert systems, when used by clinicians, familiar with the limitations of the system, were found both accurate and educationally helpful. Vertigo is one of the most common complaints of the patients and the specialists who manage these patients are not easily available. Diagnostic expert system can help clinicians including general practitioners in providing reasonable diagnostic suggestions while dealing with patients with vertigo/dizziness when the specialist doctors are not available. To provide an understanding about the method of making an expert system "Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Neurotology (CADINO)" for dizzy patients and highlight its potential uses. CADINO, developed during this original research project, is an expert computer program which is capable of making diagnoses in patients with vertigo. CADINO includes more than 100 causes of vertigo. It was developed in Microsoft Office using hyperlinks. CADINO has the potential of making diagnoses in patients with vertigo. It differs from most other programs for computer-assisted diagnosis in the generality of its approach and knowledge base. Specific deficiencies of CADINO include its inability to explain its thinking. CADINO can broaden the clinicians' scope and awareness regarding the findings which are important for making the differential diagnoses in patients with vertigo/dizziness. Though the CADINO on its face value seems to improve patient safety and quality of care by enhancing knowledge and cognitive skills of the clinicians, yet it remains a research tool and will need clinical evaluation in terms of diagnostic accuracy.

http://bit.ly/2TKQEsK

Ponatinib in Advanced or Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Condition:   Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Intervention:   Drug: Ponatinib
Sponsors:   Antonio Fojo;   Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Not yet recruiting

http://bit.ly/2Ia7foi

Radiotherapy Plus Concurrent Nimotuzumab or Cisplatin in Stage II-III Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Conditions:   Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma;   Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms;   Nasopharyngeal Diseases;   Head and Neck Neoplasm
Interventions:   Drug: Nimotuzumab;   Drug: Cisplatin
Sponsors:   Sun Yat-sen University;   Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University;   Guangdong General Hospital;   First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Recruiting

http://bit.ly/2Go1ge2

Feasibility and Tolerance of Nivolumab Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in High Risk HPV Driven Oropharynx Cancer

Condition:   Oropharynx Cancer
Interventions:   Drug: Nivolumab;   Radiation: Chemoradiation
Sponsor:   UNICANCER
Not yet recruiting

http://bit.ly/2Ia764e

Role of Microbiome as a Biomarkers in Locoregionally-Advanced Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma 2

Condition:   Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Intervention:   Drug: MET-4
Sponsors:   University Health Network, Toronto;   NuBiyota
Not yet recruiting

http://bit.ly/2GpiFTq

A Single Dry Needling Session of the Obliquus Capitis Inferior for the Altered Sensorimotor Function in People With Neck Pain

Conditions:   Whiplash Syndrome;   Neck Pain
Interventions:   Other: dry needling;   Other: Sham needling
Sponsor:   University of Valencia
Recruiting

http://bit.ly/2Ia6XxI

Factors of success of low‐dose macrolides in chronic sinusitis: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Objective

To assess the prognostic factors that predict favorable outcomes of low‐dose macrolides (LDMs) in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials studying the effects of LDMs in treating CRS were included. Data were pooled for meta‐analysis. Primary outcome was Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT). Six prognostic factors: CRS subtypes, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E level, membered lactone ring of macrolides, concurrent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and dosage and duration of the LDMs were assessed by subgroup analyses.

Results

Ten studies (608 patients) met the inclusion criteria. LDMs and placebo were not different in SNOT improvement (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.69 to 0.24). Subgroup analyses showed that the effects favored LDMs in the patients with CRS without polyps (SMD = −0.64, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.27) compared to CRS with polyps, and the patients receiving a half dose (SMD = −0.64, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.27) compared to a very low dose. There was no difference in SNOT improvement between LDMs plus standard treatment compared to standard treatment (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI: −1.57 to 0.53). Subgroup analyses showed that the effects favored LDMs in the patients receiving LDMs for a duration of 24 weeks (SMD = −1.68, 95% CI: −2.40 to −0.95) compared to 8 and 12 weeks. There was no difference between the 14‐membered and 15‐membered ring LDMs. Assessment of concurrent ESS found mixed results. Serum IgE level could not be assessed.

Conclusions

LDMs provided favorable outcomes in patients with CRS without polyps. A half dose of macrolides should be given for a duration of 24 weeks.

Level of Evidence

1a Laryngoscope, 2019

http://bit.ly/2Sq8YL3

In reference to pH‐neutralizing esophageal irrigations as a novel mitigation strategy for button battery injury

http://bit.ly/2DumByC

Identification of Four Novel Mutations in MYO7A Gene and Their Association with Nonsyndromic Deafness and Usher Syndrome 1B

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2019

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Author(s): Yunlong Li, Jie Su, Chao Ding, Fangqing Yu, Baosheng Zhu

Abstract

Introduction

MYO7A gene has been shown to be associated with Usher syndrome 1B and nonsyndromic deafness. Although a lot of mutations have been reported in MYO7A gene, novel MYO7A mutations are continuously to be identified.

Methods

Targeted next generation sequencing was performed on the two unrelated patients with Usher syndrome 1B and nonsyndromic deafness respectively. The identified mutations from targeted next generation sequencing were further validated by Sanger sequencing, and analyzed by bioinformatics tools, like SIFT, Polyphen-2, PyMOL, I-Mutant 2.0 and so on.

Results

By analyzing the sequencing data of these two patients, four novel MYO7A mutations were revealed: (i) MYO7A p.Tyr560Ser and p.Ala2039Pro were associated with Usher syndrome 1B. (ii) MYO7A c.2187 +2_+8 delTGAGCAC and p.Leu728Pro were related to nonsyndromic hearing loss. These mutations were further proved to be possibly disease-causing by segregation analysis, conservation analysis and bioinformatics tools.

Conclusions

Four novel MYO7A mutations were identified in the present study. These findings provided new evidence for the genetic counseling of Usher syndrome 1B and nonsyndromic deafness.

http://bit.ly/2UUitia

Comparison of three different surgical techniques for designing pharyngeal flaps according to findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiplanar videofluoroscopy

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2019

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Author(s): Pablo Antonio Ysunza, Kongkrit Chaiyasate, Matthew Rontal, Kenneth Shaheen, Blake Bartholomew

Abstract

Background

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) occurs when the velopharyngeal sphincter (VPS) is unable to completely seal anatomical closure between the nasal and oral cavities during speech. Palatal repair can restore VPS function but the prevalence of VPI after repair has been reported ranging from 20% to 40%. The combination of flexible videonasopharyngoscopy (FVNP) and multiplanar videofluoroscopy (MPVF) has been reported as the best approach for assessing the VPS mechanism and planning effective surgical procedures aimed to correct VPI.

Objective

To study the outcome of three different techniques for performing pharyngeal flaps with the common denominator of individually designing the flap according to findings of VFNP and MPVF.

Material and Methods

A total of 140 cases of pharyngeal flap surgery were reviewed. Three surgeons performed 3 different surgical techniques. All cases underwent nasometry, VNP and MPVF preoperatively. All surgical procedures were carefully planned and designed according to findings of VNP and MPVF.

Results

Nasal emission was completely eliminated in all cases. One-hundred-thirty-four patients (95%) demonstrated mean nasalance within normal limits after the surgical procedure whereas 6 patients persisted with mean nasalance scores above reference values postoperatively. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications in any of the cases. No clinical data of sleep disordered breathing was detected in any of the cases after 2 months of postoperative follow-up. However, one case presented with clinical data of sleep disordered breathing 8 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that as long as pharyngeal flaps are being designed according to the findings of imaging procedures, different surgical techniques can provide similar successful outcomes with minimal complications.

http://bit.ly/2E4cxO4

The anatomical and radiological evaluation of the Vidian canal on cone-beam computed tomography images

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study is to explore the anatomy of the Vidian nerve to elucidate the appropriate surgical approach based on preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Materials and methods

The Vidian canal and its surrounding structures were morphometrically evaluated retrospectively in CBCT images of 400 cases by the Planmeca Romexis program. The types of the Vidian canal were determined and seven parameters were measured from the images.

Results

Three types of the Vidian canal according to the relationship with the sphenoid bone were found as follows: the Vidian canal totally protruded into the sphenoid sinus (19.75%), partially protruded into sphenoid sinus (44.37%) and embedded inside bony tissue of the body of sphenoid bone (35.87%). The position of the Vidian canal was medial (34.62%), on the same line (55.12%) and lateral (10.25%) to the medial plate of the pterygoid process. The distance between the Vidian canal and the vomerine crest, the mid-sagittal plane, the round foramen, the palatovaginal canal, and the superior wall of the sphenoid sinus, the length of the Vidian canal and the angle between the Vidian canal and the sagittal plane was found to be 16.69 ± 2.14, 13.80 ± 2.00, 8.88 ± 1.60, 5.83 ± 1.37, 23.98 ± 2.68, 13.29 ± 1.71 mm and 25.78° ± 3.68° in males, 14.62 ± 1.66, 11.43 ± 1.28, 8.51 ± 1.63, 5.78 ± 0.57, 22.37 ± 2.07, 12.91 ± 1.26 mm and 23.43° ± 3.07° in females, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results may assist with proper treatment for surgical procedures around the Vidian canal with a high success rate and minimal complications. Therefore, the results obtained in this study contribute to the literature.

http://bit.ly/2BxwJ9H

Sialendoscopy plus laser lithotripsy in sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland in 64 patients: A simple and safe procedure

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2019

Source: Auris Nasus Larynx

Author(s): Thomas Guenzel, Stephan Hoch, Niels Heinze, Thomas Wilhelm, Christian Gueldner, Achim Franzen, Annekathrin Coordes, Anja Lieder, Susanne Wiegand

Abstract

Objective

To demonstrate the safety and efficiency of holmium laser-assisted lithotripsy during sialendoscopy of the submandibular gland using a retrospective, interventional consecutive case series.

Methods

We performed 374 sialendoscopies between 2008 and 2015 and evaluated all patients regarding clinical symptoms, clinical findings, therapy and outcome. We performed 109 procedures of holmium laser-assisted lithotripsy in 64 patients whose sialoliths measured 5 mm or more in diameter. In addition to retrospective case note reviews, we performed telephone interviews of all patients in January 2017.

Results

We performed 374 consecutive submandibular gland sialendoscopy procedures in 276 patients between 2008 to 2015. Sialolithiasis had either previously been diagnosed, or symptoms highly suggestive of sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland presented in 197 patients.

Holmium laser-assisted Laser lithotripsy was performed in 109 cases (64.9%). Smaller mobile concrement was removed directly either by forceps or wire basket, or following marsupialisation of the submandibular duct. This was the case in 88 patients (29.1%). Three patients (0.8%) required surgical removal of the submandibular gland due to early abscess. The majority of patients (n = 374 procedures; 90.1%) remained symptom-free after two or more years following intervention. In the remaining procedures (n = 37 procedures; 9.9%), patients reported discreet postprandial problems but did not seek medical attention. In total, we managed to preserve the submandibular gland and avoid open surgery in 99% of patients through endoscopic management of submandibular concrement and duct stenosis.

Conclusion

Holmium laser-assisted lithotripsy is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for treating patients with sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland. Removal of the gland is rarely required, and removing the gland without prior sialendoscopy is no longer recommended. It should be offered to all patients with submandibular gland sialolithiasis, or such patients should be referred to the appropriate centre for sialendoscopy before submandibulectomy is considered.

http://bit.ly/2IaND3t

Feasibility of transnasal flexible carbon dioxide laser surgery for laryngopharyngeal lesions

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2019

Source: Auris Nasus Larynx

Author(s): Koji Araki, Masayuki Tomifuji, Kosuke Uno, Hiroshi Suzuki, Yuya Tanaka, Shingo Tanaka, Eiko Kimura, Akihiro Shiotani

Abstract

Objective

The fiber-guided carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser is a useful device for laryngopharyngeal surgery. The flexible CO₂ wave-guide laser has been developed and commercially available for several years. However, the transnasal use of CO₂ flexible wave-guided laser surgery through the instrument channel of a flexible endoscope (CO₂ TNFLS) is not permitted in Japan. This feasibility study aimed to assess the value and the safety of an in-office CO₂ TNFLS procedure.

Methods

Patients with small laryngopharyngeal diseases were enrolled from June 2015. Eligible patients had indications with lesions generally localized superficial lesions such as the benign tumor, leukoplakia, and premalignant lesion-like carcinoma in situ (CIS). Patients were locally well anesthetized using xylocaine. After removing as much of the lesion(s) as possible with flexible forceps, the remainder of the lesions were evaporated using CO₂ TNFLS through the instrument channel of a flexible endoscope under local anesthesia.

Results

Eighteen surgeries involving 13 patients, including 9 papilloma (7 recurrent respiratory papilloma [RRP]), 2 carcinoma in situ, 1 leukoplakia, and 1 large epiglottic cyst), were performed. Four patients with RRP required multiple surgeries. Except for 3 patients with RRP, all patients achieved disease control without additional intervention. All procedures were completed with no severe adverse events.

Conclusion

Office-based CO₂ TNFLS is safe and feasible for patients with laryngopharyngeal pathologies. It is especially valuable for RRP patients with small lesions to avoid surgery under general anesthesia.

http://bit.ly/2BrmpzV

Standardisation of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory in Hindi

Abstract

Tinnitus is defined as perception of sound in ear continuously without presence of any external stimuli. It is mainly due to the activity within central nervous system without any mechanical or vibratory activity that stimulates the cochlea. It is purely subjective phenomenon that cannot be measured by the any physical scale. Tinnitus handicap inventory is very useful tool to measure the severity of impact of tinnitus on person's life. There is lack of questionnaire in Hindi and this work will help a lot in future. The English THI was translated to Hindi by person expert in both English and Hindi. The translated THI was given to 40 people with Hindi as mother tongue for rechecking the words. The final THI (Hindi) was used in assessment of severity in 100 tinnitus patient. The observed data was analysed by using Microsoft excel. Reliability of THI Hindi was high (Pearson correlation .98, test and retest method), factor analysis indicated that TH1 Hindi has unified. The THI Hindi version is reliable. THI Hindi can be used to assessment of severity of tinnitus in Hindi speaking population.

http://bit.ly/2TJ3kAk

A functional gene expression analysis in epithelial sinonasal cancer: Biology and clinical relevance behind three histological subtypes

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Oral Oncology, Volume 90

Author(s): Loris De Cecco, Mara Serena Serafini, Carla Facco, Roberta Granata, Ester Orlandi, Carlo Fallai, Lisa Licitra, Edoardo Marchesi, Federica Perrone, Silvana Pilotti, Pasquale Quattrone, Cesare Piazza, Fausto Sessa, Mario Turri-Zanoni, Paolo Battaglia, Paolo Castelnuovo, Paolo Antognoni, Silvana Canevari, Paolo Bossi

Abstract

Epithelial sinonasal cancers (SNCs) are rare diseases with overlapping morphological features and a dismal prognosis. We aimed to investigate the expression differences among the histological subtypes for discerning their molecular characteristics.

We selected 47 SNCs: (i) 21 nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (NKSCCs), (ii) 13 sinonasal neuroendocrine cancers (SNECs), and (iii) 13 sinonasal undifferentiated cancers (SNUCs). Gene expression profiling was performed by DASL (cDNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension, and ligation) microarray analysis with internal validation by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). Relevant molecular patterns were uncovered by sparse partial-least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA), microenvironment cell type (xCell), CIBERSORT, and gene set enrichment (GSEA) analyses.

The first two sPLS-DA components stratified samples by histological subtypes. xCell highlighted increased expression of immune components (CD8⁺ effector memory cells, in SNUC) and "other cells": keratinocytes and neurons in NKSCC and SNEC, respectively. Pathway enrichment was observed in NKSCC (six gene sets, proliferation related), SNEC (one gene set, pancreatic β-cells), and SNUC (twenty gene sets, some of them immune-system related). Major neuroendocrine involvement was observed in all the SNEC samples.

Our high-throughput analysis revealed a good diagnostic ability to differentiate NKSCC, SNEC, and SNUC, but indicated that the neuroendocrine pathway, typical and pathognomonic of SNEC is also present at lower expression levels in the other two histological subtypes. The different and specific profiles may be exploited for elucidating their biology and could help to identify prognostic and therapeutic opportunities.

http://bit.ly/2I7amxt

Associations between pre-, post-, and peri-operative variables and health resource use following surgery for head and neck cancer

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Oral Oncology, Volume 90

Author(s): Hoda Badr, Maximiliano Sobrero, Joshua Chen, Tamar Kotz, Eric Genden, Andrew G. Sikora, Brett Miles

Abstract

Objective

We examined associations between pre-, post-, and peri-operative variables and health resource use in head and neck cancer patients.

Methods

Patients (N = 183) who were seen for a pre-surgical consult between January 2012 and December 2014 completed surveys that assessed medical history, a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of dysphagia, and quality of life (QOL). After surgery, peri-operative (e.g., tracheostomy, feeding tube) and post-operative (e.g., complications) variables were abstracted from patients' medical records.

Results

Multivariate regression models using backward elimination showed that pre-surgical University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) Inventory and M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) composite scores, documented surgical complications, and having a tracheostomy, were all significant predictors of hospital length of stay, explaining 57% of the total variance (F(5, 160) = 18.71, p < .001). Male gender, psychiatric history, and lower pre-surgical MDADI scores significantly predicted thirty-day unplanned readmissions (30dUR). Pre-surgical MDADI composite scores also significantly predicted emergencey department (ED) visits within 30 days of initial hospital discharge (p = .02).

Conclusions

Assessment of PROMs and QOL in the pre-surgical setting may assist providers in identifying patients at risk for prolonged LOS and increased health resource use after hospital discharge.

http://bit.ly/2Gm8ZJE

Standardisation of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory in Hindi

Abstract

Tinnitus is defined as perception of sound in ear continuously without presence of any external stimuli. It is mainly due to the activity within central nervous system without any mechanical or vibratory activity that stimulates the cochlea. It is purely subjective phenomenon that cannot be measured by the any physical scale. Tinnitus handicap inventory is very useful tool to measure the severity of impact of tinnitus on person's life. There is lack of questionnaire in Hindi and this work will help a lot in future. The English THI was translated to Hindi by person expert in both English and Hindi. The translated THI was given to 40 people with Hindi as mother tongue for rechecking the words. The final THI (Hindi) was used in assessment of severity in 100 tinnitus patient. The observed data was analysed by using Microsoft excel. Reliability of THI Hindi was high (Pearson correlation .98, test and retest method), factor analysis indicated that TH1 Hindi has unified. The THI Hindi version is reliable. THI Hindi can be used to assessment of severity of tinnitus in Hindi speaking population.

http://bit.ly/2TJ3kAk

Extension patterns of vestibular schwannomas towards the middle ear: three new cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective

Middle ear extension of vestibular schwannomas is not a common occurrence, and only a few cases have been described so far in past publications. We report three new cases of vestibular schwannomas extending to the middle ear and reviewed the literature to specify the patterns of such an extension.

Materials and methods

We analysed databases of previously published articles to search for additional cases of middle ear extension of vestibular schwannomas and compared them to the cases we have documented. Extension patterns of the tumours were analysed, especially focusing on the extension through the round and oval windows.

Results and conclusion

Middle ear vestibular schwannomas are uncommon tumours and only 13 cases have been published so far. The vestibular schwannoma (internal auditory canal or intralabyrinthine) has to invade the labyrinth first (complete invasion in 88% of the cases, n = 14), before reaching the middle ear. In the majority of cases (69%, n = 11/16), internal auditory canal vestibular schwannomas or intralabyrinthine schwannomas extended in the middle ear though the round window.

http://bit.ly/2E5NLxh

Post-contrast 3D-FLAIR in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Purpose

Our study investigated correlations between clinical characteristics, particularly hearing recovery, interval time between onset and three-dimensional fluid attenuation inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI), and the signal intensity of post-contrast 3D-FLAIR MRI in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Methods

The study enrolled 100 SSNHL patients. The signal intensities and asymmetry ratios of the inner ear structures, including the cochleae, vestibules and vestibulocochlear nerve, were evaluated and calculated. The relationships between the clinical characteristics and MRI findings were assessed.

Results

After intravenous gadolinium (Gd) injection, 3D-FLAIR revealed high signal intensities in 65 patients. The corrected asymmetry ratios of cochlea correlated closely with interval time between onset and MRI. The asymmetry ratios of the inner ear structures were significantly lower in patients with final complete to partial hearing recovery. The corrected asymmetry ratios of the inner ear structures correlated with initial/final pure tone audiometry (PTA) and hearing recovery in the affected ear. Notably, it was shown that the corrected asymmetry ratios identified a poor prognosis for hearing recovery, with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.9% and 75.0% in the cochlea, 83.3% and 75.0% in the vestibule, and 52.4% and 81.2% in the vestibulocochlear nerve, respectively.

Conclusions

Post-contrast 3D-FLAIR after intravenous Gd injection in SSNHL can be used to assess the permeability of the blood–labyrinth and blood–nerve barriers. The asymmetry ratios of the inner ear structures may identify patients with poor prognosis for hearing recovery. Signal characteristics are closely related to interval time between onset and MRI.

http://bit.ly/2UUcrhI

The speed limit of outer hair cell electromechanical activity

Abstract

The outer hair cell of Corti's organ provides mechanical feedback into the organ to boost auditory perception. The fidelity of voltage-dependent motility has been estimated to extend beyond 50 kHz, where its force generation is deemed a requirement for sensitive high-frequency mammalian hearing. Recent investigations have shown, however, that the frequency response is substantially more low pass at physiological membrane potentials where the kinetics of prestin impose their speed limit. Nevertheless, it is likely that the reduced magnitude of electromotility is sufficient to drive cochlear amplification at high frequencies.

http://bit.ly/2SL7HxA

In Response to pH‐Neutralizing Esophageal Irrigations as a Novel Mitigation Strategy

http://bit.ly/2SN9K3W