Fibrinogen-to-lymphocyte Ratio Predicts the Outcomes of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Definitive Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Previous studies have identified several inflammatory biomarkers that are useful as prognostic biomarkers for various cancer types. However, the fibrinogen-to-lymphocyte ratio (FLR) has not been addressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we aimed to examine the value of pretreatment FLR as a prognostic marker in patients who received definitive radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HpSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 95 patients treated with definitive radiotherapy for HpSCC between 2013 and 2020. The prognostic factors for progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival were identified. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value of pretreatment FLR for discriminating PFS was 2.46. Based on this value, 57 and 38 patients were classified into groups with high and low FLR, respectively. A high FLR was significantly associated with advanced local disease and overall stage, and with the development of synchronous second primary cancer compared with a low FLR. The high FLR group had significantly lower PFS and OS rates than the low FLR group. Multivariate analysis showed that having a high pretreatment FLR was an independent prognostic factor for poorer PFS and OS [PFS: hazard ratio (HR)=2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09-4.19, p=0.026; OS: HR=2.86, 95% CI=1.14-7.20, p=0.024]. CONCLUSION: The FLR has a clinical effect on PFS and OS in patients with HpSCC, suggesting that it has potential application as a prognostic factor for patients with HpSCC.

[Diagnosis of persistent left superior vena cava in a child using transesophageal echocardiography].

An 11-year-old boy with X-linked alpha-thalassaemia/ mental retardation symptom underwent gastrostomy. After the surgical procedure, insertion of a central venous (CV) catheter via the left subclavian vein was performed under X-ray radioscopy. However, the catheter did not move toward the right side of the heart shadow but descended caudally through the left side of the heart shadow. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed thickening of the coronary sinus, suggesting the existence of a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Contrast echocardiography using infusion of agitated saline into the CV catheter was performed. Microbubbles flowing from the coronary sinus into the right atrium were observed, and a diagnosis of PLSVC was made. TEE is useful for diagnosis of PLSVC when passage of a CV catheter via the left subclavian vein or left internal jugular vein is incorrect in a pediatric patient.

[Anesthesic management of a patient with Stickler's syndrome].

Stickler's syndrome is a connective-tissue disease of autosome dominant inheritance. This report concerns a 3-year-old girl with Stickler's syndrome who underwent arthroplasty under general anesthesia. After slow induction of anesthesia with an inhalation anesthetic, neither a oropharyngeal airway nor a laryngeal mask airway fitted her, and mask ventilation and endotracheal intubation became difficult. Endotracheal intubation was performed not with a muscle relaxant but under deep anesthesia. Care should be taken when planning anesthesia for a case of this syndrome because airway management is often difficult and emergency surgery for detached retinas might be required.