Mechanism underlying a brief cognitive behavioral treatment for head and neck cancer survivors with body image distress.

PURPOSE: Body image distress (BID) among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is a debilitating toxicity associated with depression, anxiety, stigma, and poor quality of life. BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head & neck cancer Treatment) is a brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that reduces BID for these patients. This study examines the mechanism underlying BRIGHT. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to receive five weekly psychologist-led video tele-CBT sessions (BRIGHT) or dose-and delivery matched survivorship education (attention control [AC]). Body image coping strategies, the hypothesized mediators, were assessed using the Body Image Coping Skills Inventory (BICSI). HNC-related BID was measured with the Inventory to Measure and Assess imaGe disturbancE-Head and Neck (IMAGE-HN). Causal mediation analyses were used to estimate the mediated effects of changes in BICSI scores on changes in IMAGE-HN scores. RESULTS: Among 44 HNC survivors with BID allocated to BRIGHT (n = 20) or AC (n = 24), mediation analyses showed that BRIGHT decreased avoidant body image coping (mean change in BICSI-Avoidance scale score) from baseline to 1-month post-intervention relative to AC (p = 0.039). Decreases in BICSI-Avoidance scores from baseline to 1-month resulted in decreases in IMAGE-HN scores from baseline to 3 months (p = 0.009). The effect of BRIGHT on IMAGE-HN scores at 3 months was partially mediated by a decrease in BICSI-Avoidance scores (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial provides preliminary evidence that BRIGHT reduces BID among HNC survivors by decreasing avoidant body image coping. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and enhance the development of interventions targeting relevant pathways to reduce BID among HNC survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03831100 .

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Primary Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of race/ethnicity on timing and postoperative outcomes of primary cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP) repair. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database from 2013 to 2018. PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients under 2 years of age who underwent primary CL or CP repair were identified in the NSQIP-P. Outcomes were the timing of surgery and 30-day readmission and reoperation rates stratified by race and ethnicity. RESULTS: In total, 6021 children underwent CL and 6938 underwent CP repair. Adjusted rates of CL repair over time were 10% lower in Hispanic children (95%CI: 0.84-0.96) and 38% lower for Asian children (95%CI: 0.55-0.70) compared with White infants. CP repair rates over time were 13% lower in Black (95%CI: 0.79-0.95), 17% lower in Hispanic (95%CI: 0.77-0.89), and 53% lower in Asian children (95%CI: 0.43-0.53) than in White infants. Asian patients had the highest rates of delayed surgical repair, with 19.3% not meeting American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) guidelines for CL (P < .001) and 28.2% for CP repair (P< .001). Black and Hispanic children had 80% higher odds of readmission following primary CL repair (95%CI: 1.16-2.83 and 95%CI: 1.27-2.61, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study of a national database identified several racial/ethnic disparities in primary CL and CP, with reduced receipt of cleft repair over time for non-White children. Asian patients were significantly more likely to have delayed cleft repair per ACPA guidelines. These findings underscore the need to better understand disparities in cleft repair timing and postoperative outcomes.

High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Clinical Review.

BACKGROUND: Given the rapidly evolving nature of the field, the current state of "high-risk" head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) is poorly characterized. METHODS: Narrative review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, workup, risk stratification, staging and treatment of high-risk HNcSCC. RESULTS: Clinical and pathologic risk factors for adverse HNcSCC outcomes are nuanced (e.g., immunosuppression and perineural invasion). Frequent changes in adverse prognosticators have outpaced population-based registries and the variables they track, restricting our understanding of the epidemiology of HNcSCC and inhibiting control of the disease. Current heterogeneous staging and risk stratification systems are largely derived from institutional data, compromising their external validity. In the absence of staging system consensus, tumor designations such as "high risk" and "advanced" are variably used and insufficiently precise to guide management. Evidence guiding treatment of high-risk HNcSCC with curative intent is also suboptimal. For patients with incurable disease, an array of trials are evaluating the impact of immunotherapy, targeted biologic therapy, and other novel agents. CONCLUSION: Population-based registries that broadly track updated, nuanced, adverse clinicopathologic risk factors, and outcomes are needed to guide development of improved staging systems. Design and development of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in advanced-stage HNcSCC populations are needed to evaluate (1) observation, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or elective neck dissection for management of the cN0 neck, (2) indications for surgery plus adjuvant radiation versus adjuvant chemoradiation, and (3) the role of immunotherapy in treatment with curative intent. Considering these knowledge gaps, the authors explore a potential high-risk HNcSCC treatment framework.

Does cognitive dysfunction correlate with dizziness severity in patients with vestibular migraine?

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the relationship between dizziness severity and cognitive dysfunction in vestibular migraine (VM) patients. METHODS: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) scores were compared pre- and post-treatment in a cohort of definite VM patients who underwent evaluation in a multidisciplinary clinic from 2016 to 2020. RESULTS: 44 patients were included. DHI reduction of 11.96 (SD 11.49) (p < 0.001) from an initial mean of 58.36 (22.05) and CFQ reduction of 4.57 (12.20) (p = 0.017) from an initial mean of 47.66 (19.12) were demonstrated. Both pre- and post-treatment DHI scores correlated with pre- and post-treatment CFQ scores (r = 0.537, p < 0.001 and r = 0.667, p < 0.001, respectively). Change in DHI score correlated with change in CFQ score (r = 0.351, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive dysfunction in VM patients is correlated with dizziness severity. The DHI may fail to thoroughly assess cognitive dysfunction in VM patients. Additionally, multidisciplinary treatment of VM reduces both dizziness severity and cognitive dysfunction.

Grading systems of oral cavity pre-malignancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) may have varying degrees of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). Traditional grading schemes separate OED into three-tiers (mild, moderate, and severe). Alternatively, a binary grading system has been previously proposed that stratifies OED into low-risk and high-risk categories based on a quantitative threshold of dysplastic pathologic characteristics. This systematic review evaluates the predictive value of a binary OED grading system and examines agreement between pathologists. METHODS: This meta-analysis queried 4 databases (PubMed, Ovid-MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS) and includes 4 studies evaluating binary OED grading systems. Meta-analysis of proportions and correlations was performed to pool malignant transformation rates (MTR), risk of malignant transformation between OED categories, and measures of interobserver agreement. RESULTS: Pooled analysis of 629 lesions from 4 different studies found a six-time increased odds of malignant transformation in high-risk lesions over low-risk lesions [odds ratio (OR) 6.14, 95% 1.18-15.38]. Reported ORs ranged from 2.8 to 22.4. The overall MTR was 26.8%, with the high-risk and low-risk lesions having MTRs of 57.9% (95% CI 0.386-0.723) and 12.7% (95% CI - 0.210 to 0.438), respectively. Pooled unweighted interobserver kappa values for the binary grading system and three-tiered system were 0.693 (95% CI 0.640-0.740) and 0.388 (95% CI 0.195-0.552), respectively. CONCLUSION: Binary grading of OED into low-risk and high-risk categories may effectively determine malignant potential, with improved interobserver agreement over three-tiered grading. Improved grading schemes of OED may help guide management (watchful waiting vs. excision) of these OPMDs.

Non-invasive dural stimulation in mice: A novel preclinical model of migraine.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is characterized by a collection of neurological symptoms in the absence of injury or damage. However, several common preclinical migraine models require significant damage to the skull to stimulate the dura mater, the likely source of afferent signaling leading to head pain. The goal of this study was to determine whether dural stimulation can be performed in mice using an injection that does not cause injury or damage. METHODS: Using mice, injections of stimuli were administered to the dura mater through the soft tissue at the intersection between the lambdoidal and sagittal sutures. This technique did not require a permanent cannula nor did it cause damage to the skull or dura. Following injection of noxious stimuli, migraine-like behaviors were measured including cutaneous allodynia and facial grimace. The retrograde tracer fluorogold was applied onto the dura using the same injection technique to label trigeminal ganglion cell bodies, which were then testing in vitro using patch-clamp electrophysiology. RESULTS: Dural injection of allyl-isothiocyanate, low pH, interleukin-6, or inflammatory soup but not vehicles, led to cephalic/extracephalic allodynia. Facial grimace responses were also observed with allyl-isothiocyanate, pH 6.0, and interleukin-6. Stimulation with interleukin-6 causes priming to normally subthreshold pH 7.0 stimulation of the dura following resolution of the initial interleukin-6 behavior. Systemic injection of sumatriptan at the time of dural stimulation with inflammatory soup decreased the resulting cutaneous hypersensitivity. Trigeminal ganglion cell bodies retrogradely labeled from the dura had low pH-evoked currents similar to those generated by acid-sensing ion channels. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive dural stimulation in mice can be used as a model of migraine in the absence of injury.

Updates in the Management of Advanced Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) comprise the majority of nonmelanoma skin cancers. Advances have been made in treatment. Sentinel node biopsy should be considered for locally advanced, clinically node-negative cSCCs and MCCs. BCC patients failing traditional surgery and/or radiation are candidates for systemic hedgehog inhibitor therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment is available for patients who failed traditional treatment with surgery and/or radiation or who are not candidates for these modalities. Specifically, cemiplimab is approved for advanced BCC; cemiplimab and pembrolizumab for advanced cSCC; and avelumab, pembrolizumab, and retifanlimab-dlwr for recurrent/metastatic MCC.

Predicting Adherence to Topical Medications in Chronic Rhinologic Disease: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors of medical adherence and describe strategies to increase adherence in patients with chronic rhinologic disease. DATA SOURCES: PubMED, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane. REVIEW METHODS: Systematic review of 4 databases (PubMED, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Cochrane) from inception of databases to September 1, 2022 to identify studies that evaluated factors related to and affected by medical adherence in patients with chronic rhinologic disease. RESULTS: Of 1491 studies screened, 25 studies met inclusion criteria. Of these, 7 studies described how sensory attributes of intranasal sprays affect adherence, including odor, taste, aftertaste, and side effects. Five studies described record keeping diaries/notification systems to improve adherence, with demonstration of web-based platforms to send reminders as well as keep record of medication usage to improve adherence. Eight studies described patient-specific risk factors to nonadherence, with demonstration of increased age and conscientious personalities correlating with medical adherence. Five studies looked at pediatric patients specifically, with adherence rates in children parallelling that of adults. Additionally, nonadherence in children may have greater implications for school performance. CONCLUSION: Overall, adherence to topical medical therapy in patients with chronic rhinologic disease is affected by patient-related and medication-specific factors which should be considered when counseling patients. Web-based diary or notification systems may help increase adherence. Additionally, children are equally adherent to topical medical therapy as adults and nonadherence may have negative implications for school performance.

Timing of postoperative radiation therapy for major salivary gland cancers.

BACKGROUND: The impact of timing of PORT initiation for major salivary gland cancers on survival is unknown. We aim to examine the impact of PORT timeliness on overall survival (OS) of patients with major salivary gland cancers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Cancer Database (2004-2017) and included patients with major salivary gland cancer treated with surgery and PORT. RESULTS: In total, 5701 patients were included (3133 [55%] male, 4644 [82%] white, mean age 59 ± 16 years). For the overall cohort, PORT >6 weeks was not associated with decreased OS (1.00 aHR, 95% CI 0.89-1.11). When specifically examining patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma, PORT >6 weeks was associated with a decreased OS (1.27 aHR, 95% CI 1.01-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this analysis did not demonstrate a survival benefit for initiating PORT within 6 weeks for patients with salivary gland malignancies. Subset analysis did support initiating PORT within 6 weeks after resection for patients with mucoepidermoid carcinomas. This was not demonstrated in other major salivary gland cancer histologies.

Neighborhood-Level Disadvantage and Delayed Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), initiation of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) within 6 weeks of surgery is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines and the Commission on Cancer. Although individual-level measures of socioeconomic status are associated with receipt of timely, guideline-adherent PORT, the role of neighborhood-level disadvantage has not been examined. Objective: To characterize the association of neighborhood-level disadvantage with delays in receiving PORT. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 681 adult patients with HNSCC undergoing curative-intent surgery and PORT from 2018 to 2020 at 4 US academic medical centers. The data were analyzed between June 21, 2023, and March 5, 2024. Main Outcome Measures and Measures: The primary outcome was delay in initiating guideline-adherent PORT (ie, >6 weeks after surgery). Time-to-PORT (TTP) was a secondary outcome. Census block-level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) scores were calculated and reported as national percentiles (0-100); higher scores indicate greater deprivation. The association of ADI scores with PORT delay was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and institutional characteristics. PORT initiation across ADI score population quartiles was evaluated with cumulative incidence plots and Cox models. Results: Among 681 patients with HNSCC undergoing surgery and PORT (mean [SD] age, 61.5 [11.2] years; 487 [71.5%] men, 194 [29.5%] women) the PORT delay rate was 60.8% (414/681) and median (IQR) TTP was 46 (40-56) days. The median (IQR) ADI score was 62.0 (44.0-83.0). Each 25-point increase in ADI score was associated with a corresponding 32% increase in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of PORT delay (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.63) on multivariable regression adjusted for institution, age, race and ethnicity, insurance, comorbidity, cancer subsite, stage, postoperative complications, care fragmentation, travel distance, and rurality. Increasing ADI score population quartiles were associated with increasing TTP (hazard ratio of PORT initiation, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.96; 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77; and 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72; for ADI quartiles 2, 3, and 4 vs ADI quartile 1, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance: Increasing neighborhood-level disadvantage was independently associated with a greater likelihood of PORT delay and longer TTP in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate a critical need for the development of multilevel strategies to improve the equitable delivery of timely, guideline-adherent PORT.

Tympanostomy Tube Placement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The frequency of tympanostomy tube (TT) placement among United States children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not known. We explored the rate of TT placement in children with ASD in the United States and compared this to children without ASD. We further examined demographic and behavioral factors that might vary between the two groups. METHODS: We utilized data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) administered in 2014. This survey samples a representative population of patients across the United States and includes children under 18 years of age. The 2014 version of the NHIS survey was chosen as it identifies both autism and TT placement among sampled patients. Descriptive statistics and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In total, 11,730 children (239 [2.0%] with ASD) were included. Overall, 34 (14.2%) children with ASD underwent TT placement versus 987 (8.6%) in children without ASD (p = 0.002) ASD diagnosis was associated with increased odds of TT placement (1.52 OR, 95% CI 1.04-2.22). Male sex, white race, and non-Hispanic ethnicity were also associated with increased odds of TT placement. Age at the time of TT surgery was not different between those with versus without ASD. CONCLUSION: Children with ASD have an increased rate of TT placement compared to children without ASD. The reason(s) for this increased rate might include the following: higher rates of infection in ASD, over-diagnosis of ear infection or hearing disability in a difficult-to-examine population, and/or a predilection toward aggressive treatment in this at-risk group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3-National database study Laryngoscope, 133:2407-2412, 2023.

Age Distribution of Epistaxis in Outpatient Pediatric Patients.

Objectives: Little is known about the prevalence of epistaxis in children. Existing reports focus on hospitalized children or those presenting to an emergency department. To better understand pediatric epistaxis in clinical practice, we sought out a searchable, representative outpatient database and examined the incidence of epistaxis in children of different ages. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from the years 2007 to 2011 was performed. The NHAMCS is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-curated national sample of data from visits to non-federally employed office-based physicians and health centers. We queried the NHAMCS to determine the cumulative incidence of epistaxis in children of different age groups. The International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision code 784.7 was chosen to identify epistaxis. Comparisons of rates were performed using the chi-squared test. A P-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In total, 55,435,691 children [27,816,237 (50.2%) males, 55,435,691 (77.2%) white] were included. The overall cumulative incidence rate of epistaxis was 2.4/1000 children. Children in the 3- to 5-year range had the highest cumulative incidence of epistaxis (5.0/1000), followed by those in the 6 to 8 (3.0/1000), 9 to 11 (2.0/1000), 0 to 2 (1.9/1000), 12 to 14 (1.6/1000), and 15 to 17 (0.5/1000) year ranges (P < .001). Conclusion: Pediatric epistaxis is common in the office setting (2.4 per 1000 children)-and well above emergency department estimates (1.7 per 1000 people). Children between the ages of 3 to 5 years have the highest cumulative incidence. Epistaxis is sufficiently unusual in infants and the late teens that alternative causes for nasal bleeding should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Therapeutic Vaccination for HPV-Mediated Cancers.

Purpose of Review: The goal of this narrative review is to educate clinicians regarding the foundational concepts, efficacy, and future directions of therapeutic vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated cancers. Recent Findings: Therapeutic HPV vaccines deliver tumor antigens to stimulate an immune response to eliminate tumor cells. Vaccine antigen delivery platforms are diverse and include DNA, RNA, peptides, proteins, viral vectors, microbial vectors, and antigen-presenting cells. Randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated that therapeutic HPV vaccines are efficacious in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In patients with HPV-mediated malignancies, evidence of efficacy is limited. However, numerous ongoing studies evaluating updated therapeutic HPV vaccines in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition and other therapies exhibit significant promise. Summary: Therapeutic vaccines for HPV-mediated malignancies retain a strong biological rationale, despite their limited efficacy to date. Investigators anticipate they will be most effectively used in combination with other regimens, such as immune checkpoint inhibition.

Efficacy of a Brief Tele-Cognitive Behavioral Treatment vs Attention Control for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors With Body Image Distress: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although 1 in 4 head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors experience clinically significant body image distress (BID), a psychosocial morbidity that adversely affects quality of life, effective interventions for these patients are lacking. Objective: To evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head and neck cancer Treatment), a brief tele-cognitive behavioral therapy, at reducing BID among HNC survivors. Design, Setting, and Participants: This parallel-group pilot randomized clinical trial recruited adult HNC survivors with BID between August 13, 2020, and December 9, 2021, from the Medical University of South Carolina HNC clinic during a routine survivorship encounter. Data were analyzed from May 3 to June 16, 2022. Interventions: BRIGHT consisted of 5 weekly psychologist-led video tele-cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Attention control (AC) consisted of dose- and delivery-matched survivorship education. Main Outcomes and Measures: Change in HNC-related BID was assessed using IMAGE-HN (Inventory to Measure and Assess imaGe disturbancE-Head and Neck), a validated patient-reported outcome (score range, 0-84, with higher scores indicating greater HNC-related BID). Clinical response rate was measured as the proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change in IMAGE-HN scores. Results: Of the 44 HNC survivors with BID allocated to BRIGHT (n = 20) or AC (n = 24), the median (range) age was 63 (41-80) years, and 27 patients (61%) were female. Patients rated BRIGHT's acceptability highly (all metrics had a mean rating of ≥4.5/5), and 19 of 20 patients (95%) receiving BRIGHT were likely or highly likely to recommend it to other HNC survivors with BID. BRIGHT decreased HNC-related BID from baseline to 1 month postintervention relative to AC (mean model-based difference in change in IMAGE-HN score, -7.9 points; 90% CI, -15.9 to 0.0 points) and from baseline to 3 months postintervention relative to AC (mean model-based difference in change in IMAGE-HN score, -17.1 points; 90% CI, -25.6 to -8.6 points). At 3 months postintervention, the clinical response rate of BRIGHT was 6.6-fold higher than AC (model-based odds ratio, 6.6; 90% CI, 2.0-21.8). The improvement in HNC-related BID for BRIGHT vs AC at 3 months was clinically significant, and the effect size was large (Cohen d, -0.9; 90% CI, -1.4 to -0.4). Conclusions and Relevance: In this pilot randomized clinical trial, BRIGHT was acceptable, may result in a clinically meaningful improvement in HNC-related BID, and showed a high clinical response rate. These promising preliminary data support conducting a large efficacy trial to establish BRIGHT as the first evidence-based treatment for HNC survivors with BID. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03831100.

Efficacy of a Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors with Body Image Distress: Secondary Outcomes from the BRIGHT Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Body image distress (BID) among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors leads to depression, social isolation, stigma, and poor quality of life. BRIGHT ( B uilding a R enewed I ma G e after H ead & neck cancer T reatment) is a brief, tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that reduces HNC-related BID. This trial examines the effect of BRIGHT on psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID. Methods: In this pilot randomized trial, HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to 5 weekly psychologist-led tele-CBT sessions (BRIGHT) or dose-and delivery matched survivorship education (attention control [AC]). Secondary psychosocial outcomes were assessed using validated patient-reported outcomes at baseline and 1- and 3-months post-intervention. Results: Among 44 HNC survivors with BID, BRIGHT resulted in a greater reduction in depression relative to AC (mean model-based 1-month difference in Δ PROMIS SF v1.0-Depression 8a score, -3.4; 90% CI, -6.4 to -0.4; 3-month difference, -4.3; 90% CI, -7.8 to -0.8). BRIGHT also decreased shame and stigma relative to AC (mean model-based 3-month difference in Δ Shame and Stigma Scale score, -9.7; 90% CI, -15.2 to -4.2) and social isolation (mean model-based 3-month difference in Δ PROMIS SF v2.0 Social Isolation 8a score, -2.9; 90% CI, -5.8 to -0.1). Conclusions: In this planned secondary analysis of a pilot RCT, BRIGHT improved a broad array of psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID. Implications for Cancer Survivors: These promising preliminary data suggest the need for a large efficacy trial evaluating the effect of BRIGHT on psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03831100.

Efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy for head and neck cancer survivors with body image distress: secondary outcomes from the BRIGHT pilot randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Body image distress (BID) among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors leads to depression, social isolation, stigma, and poor quality of life. BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head and neck cancer Treatment) is a brief, tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that reduces HNC-related BID. This trial examines the effect of BRIGHT on psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID. METHODS: In this pilot randomized trial, HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to 5 weekly psychologist-led tele-CBT sessions (BRIGHT) or dose and delivery-matched survivorship education (attention control [AC]). Secondary psychosocial outcomes were assessed using validated patient-reported outcomes at baseline and 1 and 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Among 44 HNC survivors with BID, BRIGHT resulted in a greater reduction in depression relative to AC (mean model-based 1-month difference in Δ PROMIS SF v1.0-Depression 8a score, -3.4; 90% CI, -6.4 to -0.4; 3-month difference, -4.3; 90% CI, -7.8 to -0.8). BRIGHT also decreased shame and stigma relative to AC (mean model-based 3-month difference in Δ Shame and Stigma Scale score, -9.7; 90% CI, -15.2 to -4.2) and social isolation (mean model-based 3-month difference in Δ PROMIS SF v2.0 Social Isolation 8a score, -2.9; 90% CI, -5.8 to -0.1). CONCLUSIONS: In this planned secondary analysis of a pilot RCT, BRIGHT improved a broad array of psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03831100 . IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: These promising preliminary data suggest the need for a large efficacy trial evaluating the effect of BRIGHT on psychosocial outcomes among HNC survivors with BID.

Mechanism Underlying a Brief Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors with Body Image Distress.

Purpose: Body image distress (BID) among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is a debilitating toxicity associated with depression, anxiety, stigma, and poor quality of life. BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head & neck cancer Treatment) is a brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that reduces BID for these patients. This study examines the mechanism underlying BRIGHT. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to receive 5 weekly psychologist-led video tele-CBT sessions (BRIGHT) or dose-and delivery matched survivorship education (attention control [AC]). Body image coping strategies, the hypothesized mediators, were assessed using the Body Image Coping Skills Inventory (BICSI). HNC-related BID was measured with the IMAGE-HN. Causal mediation analyses were used to estimate the mediated effects of changes in BICSI scores on changes in IMAGE-HN scores. Results: Among 44 HNC survivors with BID, mediation analyses showed that BRIGHT decreased avoidant body image coping (mean change in BICSI-Avoidance scale score) from baseline to 1-month post-intervention relative to AC (p = 0.039). Decreases in BICSI-Avoidance scores from baseline to 1-month decreased IMAGE-HN scores from baseline to 3-months (p = 0.009). The effect of BRIGHT on IMAGE-HN scores at 3-months was partially mediated by a decrease in BICSI-Avoidance scores (p = 0.039). Conclusions: This randomized trial provides preliminary evidence that BRIGHT reduces BID among HNC survivors by decreasing avoidant body image coping. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and enhance the development of interventions targeting relevant pathways to reduce BID among HNC survivors. Trial Registration: This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03831100 on February 5, 2019.

Elective neck dissection in salivary gland malignancies: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

We defined the occult nodal metastasis (ONM) rate of clinical node-negative salivary gland malignancies and examined the role of elective neck dissection (END). Meta-analysis querying four databases, from inception of databases to March 25th, 2020. Fifty-one studies with 11 698 patients were included. ONM rates were 64% for salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC), 51% for undifferentiated carcinoma, 34% for carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA), 32% for adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (ANOS), 31% for lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LE), 20% for mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 17% for acinic cell carcinoma, and 17% for adenoid cystic carcinoma. T3/T4 tumors had a 2.3 times increased risk of ONM than T1/T2 tumors. High-grade tumors had a 3.8 times increased risk of ONM than low/intermediate-grade tumors. ONM rates were exceedingly high for T3/T4, high-grade, and undifferentiated, SDC, ANOS, CXPA, and LE tumors, indicating the potential role of END.

A National Analysis of Inpatient Pediatric Adenoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Hospital admission following pediatric adenoidectomy without tonsillectomy is not well characterized. The objective of our study is to better characterize risk factors for post-operative complications in younger children undergoing inpatient adenoidectomy. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis using data derived from the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) was performed. Study participants included children <3 years of age who underwent an adenoidectomy and were admitted to hospitals participating in the KID for years 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Descriptive statistical analysis and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for post-operative complication. RESULTS: A total of 3406 children (mean age 1.1 ± 0.7 years) were included. The overall post-operative bleeding and respiratory complication rates were 0.6% and 5.4%, respectively. Children less than 18 months of age demonstrated increased rates of post-operative respiratory complications (P = .009), but not bleeding complications (P = .857). Presence of cardiopulmonary congenital malformations (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.20), chronic respiratory disease of the newborn (OR 5.03, 95% CI 2.86-8.85), and neuromuscular disorders (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.09-3.57) were associated with post-operative respiratory distress. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of a national dataset suggests that otherwise healthy children less than 18 months of age and children 18 months to 3 years of age with certain comorbidities may benefit from overnight observation following adenoidectomy.

Examining Associations Between Neighborhood-Level Social Vulnerability and Care for Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the impact of neighborhood-level social vulnerability on otolaryngology care for children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary children's hospital. METHODS: Children aged 2 to 17 years with SDB were included. Residential addresses were geocoded with geographic information systems, and spatial overlays were used to assign census tract-level social vulnerability index (SVI) scores to each participant. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations of neighborhood SVI scores and individual factors with attendance of otolaryngology referral appointment and interventions. RESULTS: The study included 397 patients (mean ± SD age, 5.9 ± 3.7 years; 51% male, n = 203). After adjustment for age and sex, children with higher overall SVI scores (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% CI, 0.16-0.92) and higher socioeconomic vulnerability scores (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.14-0.86) were less likely to attend their referral appointments. The odds of attending referrals were 83% lower (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.09-0.34) for Black children and 73% lower (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.65) for Hispanic children than for non-Hispanic White children. Medicaid beneficiaries had lower odds of attending their referrals (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08-0.48) than privately insured children. Overall SVI score was not associated with receiving recommended polysomnography or tonsillectomy. CONCLUSION: In our study, children living in areas of greater social vulnerability were less likely to attend their otolaryngology referral appointments for SDB evaluation, as were children of Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and Medicaid beneficiaries. These results suggest that neighborhood conditions, as well as patient-level factors, influence patient access to SDB care.