Prediction of the efficacy of proton-pump inhibitors in patients with contact granuloma using 24-hour combined dual channel pH/impedance monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with contact granuloma (CG) and to investigate the parameters of 24 h combined dual channel pH/impedance (24 h pH/MII) monitoring, which are reliable for predicting the response to PPI of CG patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with CG who had been treated with PPIs and had completed more than 6 months of follow-up. We classified the patients into two groups (cured vs. persistent), according to their PPI treatment outcomes. Reflux events were categorized into three groups based on pharyngeal pH during reflux: 1) acid reflux (pH < 4), 2) weak acid reflux (4 < pH < 7), and 3) weak alkaline reflux (pH >7), as detected by a proximal probe. We compared the results of 24h-pH/MII between the two groups and used receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis to determine the cutoff values of significant parameters for predicting responses to PPIs. RESULTS: Among 22 patients who completed at least 6 months of PPI treatment and follow-up, weak acid reflux events were more frequently observed in persistent group than in the cured group (p = 0.046), and the proportion of weak acid reflux was also higher in the persistent group (p = 0.031) than in the cured group. Reliable parameters predictive of a poor response to PPIs were a number of weak acid reflux events ≥ 11 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.775; p = 0.03) and a proportion of weak acid reflux events ≥ 56.7 % (AUC, 0.763; p = 0.038) in ROC analyses. CONCLUSION: Weak acid reflux was identified as a significant factor associated with the treatment outcomes of PPIs in patients with CG. A number of weak acid reflux events ≥ 11 is considered to be the most reliable predictor of a poor response to PPIs in patients with CG.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one's physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. RESULTS: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. CONCLUSION: This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Oncological Outcomes after Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary metastatic head and neck cancer has a poor prognosis. Pulmonary metastasectomy has been performed but only in carefully selected patients. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and oncological follow-up of patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy. METHODS: Data of 54 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) who underwent metastasectomy between 2003 and 2019 at two tertiary referral centers were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates after metastasectomy were 49.9% and 39.9% for SCC and 38.9% and 32.4% for ACC, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that a disease-free interval (DFI) less than 14 months and R1 resection (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval]: 2.95 [0.77-5.62], 4.64 [0.99-21.65], respectively) were risk factors for recurrence in SCC and that a high T stage (HR: 5.24 [1.22-22.58]) was a risk factor in ACC. In SCC, a DFI less than 14 months and R1 resection (hazard ratio: 6.35 [1.36-29.54], 12.79 [1.53-106.95], respectively) were risk factors in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary metastasectomy had a fair effect on head and neck SCC and ACC, and the prognosis was better in SCC patients with a DFI greater than 14 months.

Oncological outcomes of preoperatively unexpected malignant tumors of the parotid gland.

PURPOSE: Unexpected parotid cancers are often encountered due to inaccuracies in the preoperative evaluation. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes of these cancers and to propose the appropriate management strategy. METHODS: This is a multicenter case series study in which a total of 302 patients were diagnosed postoperatively with parotid cancers between 2003 and 2017. Of these, 85 cases without evidence of malignancy prior to surgery but identified as malignant on postoperative pathology were included. RESULTS: Of 85 patients, 76 and 9 underwent superficial and total parotidectomy, respectively. A positive resection margin was present in 24.7% of the cases. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to 43.6% of patients; 4.2% had a local recurrence, and no patients died of the disease. The 5-year overall and relapse-free survival rates were 100.0% and 95.2%, respectively. Patients who underwent piecemeal resection had significantly poorer oncologic outcomes. Age, sex, histologic grade, T stage, extracapsular extension, resection margin status, and postoperative radiotherapy did not affect recurrence and survival. CONCLUSION: Preoperatively unexpected parotid cancers had excellent local control and overall survival despite positive or close resection margin, with or without postoperative radiotherapy. Therefore, patients with unexpected parotid malignancies may benefit from less aggressive postoperative management option.

Experimental investigation of esophageal reconstruction with electrospun polyurethane nanofiber and 3D printing polycaprolactone scaffolds using a rat model.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the outcome of esophageal reconstructions using tissue-engineered scaffolds. METHOD: Partial esophageal defects were reconstructed with the following scaffolds; animals were grouped (n = 7 per group) as follows: (a) normal rats; (b) rats implanted with three-dimensional printing (3DP) polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds; (c) with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC)-seeded 3DP PCL scaffolds; (d) with polyurethane (PU)-nanofiber(Nf) scaffolds; and (e) with ADSC-seeded PU-Nf scaffolds. RESULTS: The esophageal defects were successfully repaired; however, muscle regeneration was greater in the 3DP PCL + ADSC groups than in the PU-Nf + ADSC groups (P < .001). Regeneration of the epithelium was greater in PU-Nf and PU-Nf + ADSC groups than in the 3DP PCL and 3DP PCL + ADSC groups (P < .001). CONCLUSION: A tendency for more re-epithelization was observed with the PU-Nf scaffolds, while more muscle regeneration was achieved with the 3DP PCL scaffolds.

Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional Printed Models for Planning Nasal Osteotomy to Correct Nasal Deformities Due to Trauma.

Nasal deformities due to trauma are more challenging to correct with rhinoplasty than nasal deformities of nontraumatic causes. Nasal osteotomy is an essential procedure for bone deviations. Preoperative planning is vital in these cases, but it is challenging to comprehend 3-dimensional (3D) structures of the nasal bone on 2-dimensional facial photographs and computed tomography images. We used a 3D-printing technique to fabricate real-size facial bone models with similar physical properties and texture as the actual bone. Furthermore, we established a precise surgical plan using simulated osteotomy on the 3D-printed model. Fused deposition modeling-type desktop 3D printer with polylactic acid filaments was used. A surgical plan was established using simulated osteotomy in 11 cases, and the actual surgery was performed as planned in 10 cases (90.9%). The 3D-printed model and stimulated osteotomy were useful for precise planning of osteotomy to correct nasal deformities due to trauma.

Changes in immune markers in tumor-free lymph node and peripheral blood of malignant head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Immunoediting theory, which explains the balance between the host immunity and cancer cells, could suggest a new way to reduce the recurrence of cancer. This study aimed to compare changes in immune cells in tumor-free lymph node and peripheral blood according to their malignancy, disease status, and prognosis. METHODS: From October 2016 to August 2017, 26 malignant and 14 benign cases were enrolled, and the tumor-free lymph node and peripheral blood were harvested during the surgery. The proportions of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, CD19, CD33, CD40, and CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression and cytokine levels in the serum were compared between the malignant and benign patients. Furthermore, among the malignant group, the changes occurring due to the disease progression or recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: In the malignant patients, a significantly decreased proportion of cells expressing CD8 and CD40 in the peripheral blood was observed compared to benign patients. In the advanced stage (stage III or IV) and in patients with extracapsular spread, significant decrease in CD33 cells in tumor-free lymph nodes could be observed. On performing a survival analysis based on the recurrence, patients with interferon-γ (IFNγ) level greater than 16 pg/mL exhibited significantly higher recurrence rate, and this higher level of IFNγ was associated with distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Immune markers exhibiting clinical significance differ from each other based on the comparison between benign and malignant groups, between advanced and early cancer, and between recurrence and nonrecurrence. And this result suggests that research in the immune system is likely to have an important effect on future treatment.

Corrigendum: Determinants of Conductive Hearing Loss in Tympanic Membrane Perforation: Correction of the Sixth Author Name.

[This corrects the article on p. 92 in vol. 8, PMID: 26045905.].

Determinants of conductive hearing loss in tympanic membrane perforation.

OBJECTIVES: Tympanic membrane perforations are common, but there have been few studies of the factors determining the extent of the resulting conductive hearing loss. The aims of this study were to determine whether the size of tympanic membrane perforation, pneumatization of middle ear & mastoid cavity, and location of perforation were correlated with air-bone gap (ABG) of patients. METHODS: Forty-two patients who underwent tympanoplasty type I or myringoplasty were included and preoperative audiometry were analyzed. Digital image processing was applied in computed tomography for the estimation of middle ear & mastoid pneumatization volume and tympanic membrane photograph for the evaluation of perforation size and location. RESULTS: Preoperative mean ABG increased with perforation size (P=0.018), and correlated inversely with the middle ear & mastoid volume (P=0.005). However, perforations in anterior versus posterior locations showed no significant differences in mean ABG (P=0.924). CONCLUSION: The degree of conductive hearing loss resulting from a tympanic membrane perforation would be expected with the size of perforation and pneumatization of middle ear and mastoid.

Test-retest reliability of binaural simultaneous cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential recording.

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to compare the test-retest reliability of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) parameters between monaural sequential (mSEQ) cVEMP and binaural simultaneous (bSIM) cVEMP recordings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty two volunteers aged 22 from 38 years were enrolled. Two different methods of cVEMP measurement were performed in the subjects. The two methods were (1) monaural sequential (mSEQ) measurement and (2) binaural simultaneous (bSIM) measurement. After a mean test-retest interval of 7.1 ± 2.8 days, the second run of the cVEMP measurement was performed in a random order. To compare the test-retest reliability of mSEQ and bSIM cVEMP responses, Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation were applied. RESULTS: Both p13 and n23 latencies did not show a statistically significant difference between the two cVEMP recording methods. Also, there were no significant differences in the inter-peak amplitude (IPA) and interaural amplitude difference (IAD) ratio between the two methods. The test-retest reliability of inter-peak amplitude (IPA) demonstrated a positive correlation for both mSEQ and bSIM cVEMP methods. The IAD ratio of bSIM cVEMP response demonstrated a statistically significant test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.691, p= 0.015). However, the IAD ratio of mSEQ cVEMP response did not demonstrate a statistically significant test-retest correlation. CONCLUSION: Results implicate that bSIM cVEMP not only saves time, but it also has an advantage of a more reliable test-retest outcome.