Intraoperative Use of Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography to Evaluate Tissue Microstructure in the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx.

Importance: Involvement of deep margins represents a significant challenge in the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer, and given practical limitations of frozen-section analysis, a need exists for real-time, nondestructive intraoperative margin analysis. Wide-field optical coherence tomography (WF-OCT) has been evaluated as a tool for high-resolution adjunct specimen imaging in breast surgery, but its clinical application in head and neck surgery has not been explored. Objective: To evaluate the utility of WF-OCT for visualizing microstructures at margins of excised oral and oropharyngeal tissue. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nonrandomized, investigator-initiated qualitative study evaluated the feasibility of the Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Otis WF-OCT device at a single academic center. Included participants were adults undergoing primary ablative surgery of the oral cavity or oropharynx for squamous cell carcinoma in 2018 and 2019. Data were analyzed in October 2019. Exposures: Patients were treated according to standard surgical care. Freshly resected specimens were imaged with high-resolution WF-OCT prior to routine pathology. Interdisciplinary interpretation was performed to interpret WF-OCT images and compare them with corresponding digitized pathology slides. No clinical decisions were made based on WF-OCT image data. Main Outcomes and Measures: Visual comparisons were performed between WF-OCT images and hematoxylin and eosin slides. Results: A total of 69 specimens were collected and scanned from 53 patients (mean [SD] age, 59.4 [15.2] years; 35 [72.9%] men among 48 patients with demographic data) undergoing oral cavity or oropharynx surgery for squamous cell carcinoma, including 42 tonsillar tissue, 17 base of the tongue, 4 buccal tissue, 3 mandibular, and 3 other specimens. There were 41 malignant specimens (59.4%) and 28 benign specimens (40.6%). In visual comparisons of WF-OCT images and hematoxylin and eosin slides, visual differentiation among mucosa, submucosa, muscle, dysplastic, and benign tissue was possible in real time using WF-OCT images. Microarchitectural features observed in WF-OCT images could be matched with corresponding features within the permanent histology with fidelity. Conclusions and Relevance: This qualitative study found that WF-OCT imaging was feasible for visualizing tissue microarchitecture at the surface of resected tissues and was not associated with changes in specimen integrity or surgical and pathology workflow. These findings suggest that formal clinical studies investigating use of WF-OCT for intraoperative analysis of deep margins in head and neck surgery may be warranted.

Postparotidectomy sialocele: 6-year review of underlying factors.

BACKGROUND: Postparotidectomy sialocele is a frustrating challenge. Published rates of postparotidectomy fluid collections range from 6% to 39%. We report our experience of 398 parotidectomies performed over a 6-year period. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of parotidectomies performed over a 6-year period was completed. Drain placement, smoking status, tumor size, and postoperative utilization of scopolamine were analyzed. Binary logistical regression and odds ratio calculations were performed. RESULTS: Postparotidectomy sialocele occurred in 25% of patients. Neither suction drain placement nor usage of immediate postoperative scopolamine (in a 22-patient subset) prevented sialocele formation. Smoking status also did not correlate. Increasing resection size was linearly correlated with the risk of sialocele. CONCLUSION: Drain placement and smoking status do not correlate with sialocele prevention after parotidectomy. Sialocele formation directly correlates with the resection size. These data may guide preoperative counseling; however, additional work is necessary to identify effective prevention mechanisms for postparotidectomy sialocele.

De-Escalated Adjuvant Therapy After Transoral Robotic Surgery for Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: The Sinai Robotic Surgery (SIRS) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPVOPC) results in unprecedented high survival rates but possibly unnecessary toxicity. We hypothesized that upfront surgery and neck dissection followed by reduced-dose adjuvant therapy for early and intermediate HPVOPC would ultimately result in equivalent progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival while reducing toxicity. METHODS: This study was a nonrandomized phase II trial for early-stage HPVOPC treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) followed by reduced-dose radiotherapy. Patients with previously untreated p16-positive HPVOPC and <20 pack years' smoking history were enrolled. After robotic surgery, patients were assigned to group 1 (no poor risk features; surveillance), group 2 (intermediate pathologic risk factors [perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion]; 50-Gy radiotherapy), or group 3 (poor prognostic pathologic factors [extranodal extension [ENE], more than three positive lymph nodes and positive margin]; concurrent 56-Gy chemoradiotherapy with weekly cisplatin). RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were evaluable; there were 25 in group 1, 15 in group 2, and 14 in group 3. Median follow-up was 43.9 months (9.6-75.8). Disease-specific survival was 98.1%, and PFS was 90.7%. PFS probability via Kaplan-Meier was 91.3% for group 1, 86.7% for group 2, and 93.3% for group 3. There were five locoregional failures (LRFs), including one distant metastasis and one contralateral second primary. Average time to LRF was 18.9 months (9.6-59.0); four LRFs were successfully salvaged, and the patients remain disease free (11.0-42.7 months); one subject remains alive with disease. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that upfront surgery with neck dissection with reduced-dose radiation for T1-2, N1 stage (by the eighth edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual) HPVOPC results in favorable survival with excellent function in this population. These results support radiation dose reduction after TORS as a de-escalation strategy in HPVOPC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Transoral robotic surgery can provide a safe platform for de-escalation in carefully selected patients with early-stage human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer. In this clinical trial, disease-specific survival was 100%, over 90% of the cohort had a reduction of therapy from standard of care with excellent functional results, and the five patients with observed locoregional failures were successfully salvaged.

Redefining risk of contralateral cervical nodal disease in early stage oropharyngeal cancer in the human papillomavirus era.

BACKGROUND: The optimal extent of surgery and/or radiation to the contralateral lymph node region is unknown in early-stage human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). METHODS: To investigate the pathologic incidence of and risk factors for contralateral nodal disease (CND) in cT1-T2 HPV-related OPSCC treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and bilateral neck dissection (BND), the records of 120 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven patients displayed pathologic contralateral nodal disease (pCND), including 7.1% of tonsil and 10.9% of base of tongue (BOT) cases. Medial hemistructure involvement and cN2 disease were significantly associated with pCND. Zero cN0 patients had pCND, and on multivariate analysis only cN classification remained significantly associated with pCND. Four percent of BOT patients and 2% of tonsil patients with a well-lateralized primary and cN0/N1 neck demonstrated pCND. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related OPSCC that are cN0-N1 have exceedingly low rates of pCND. Well-lateralized HPV-related BOT primaries with limited clinical nodal disease may be candidates for ipsilateral only treatment.

Lymph Node Ratio in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Identification of a Prognostic Threshold.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a prognostic factor for survival and recurrence in surgically treated patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of a tertiary healthcare system in a major metropolitan area, we reviewed 169 consecutive patients with HPV-related OPSCC treated using transoral robotic surgery. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with stratified models were used to compare LNR with other traditional clinicopathologic risk factors forrecurrence and survival. An LNR cutoff was found using the minimal P approach. RESULTS: Multivariable Cox regression models showed that each additional percentage increase in LNR corresponded to an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.04 (confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.07). LNR was more significant when adjusted for adequate lymph node yield of ≥ 18 nodes (HR 5.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-18.47). The minimal P generated cutoff point at LNR ≥ 17% demonstrated a HR 4.34 (95% CI 1.24-15.2) for disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: For HPV-related OPSCC, continuous LNR and an LNR threshold of 17% could be helpful in identifying recurrent disease in addition to measures such as lymph node number alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

2-Octyl cyanoacrylate to prevent salivary fistula formation following oral cavity microvascular reconstruction: A prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Salivary fistulas remain a significant problem in patients undergoing major head and neck reconstructive surgery. Surgical sealants have become increasingly used in cutaneous and non-cutaneous wound closure, providing a barrier to fluids/gases and promoting healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a common surgical sealant, 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate (2-OCA, Dermabond®), in the prevention of salivary fistulas following free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity. METHODS: In this non-randomized, single arm prospective trial, patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of gravity-dependent oral cavity defects were recruited. Application of 2-OCA was performed along flap inset suture lines at the time of surgery. Prospectively collected trial data were propensity score matched to a control cohort to compare outcomes. Data collected include demographics, medical co-morbidities, previous treatments, primary tumor site, and subsites reconstructed. The primary outcome measure was rate of salivary fistula formation. Secondary outcomes were time to development of leak and percentage of patients tolerating oral feeding at one month post-operatively. RESULTS: In the 46 propensity score matched pairs, eight (17.4%) out of 46 patients in the 2-OCA prospective cohort and seven (15.2%) out of 46 patients in the control cohort developed postoperative salivary fistulas within the one-month study interval (p = 1.00). The average time to postoperative leak in the 2-OCA group was 12.5 days versus 7.1 days in the control cohort (p = 0.10). In the 2-OCA group, 30 (65.2%) patients were tolerating regular diet at one month post-operatively compared to 33 (71.7%) in the control cohort (p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: Salivary fistula rates after application of a 2-OCA surgical sealant were not improved compared to a control cohort in this single institutional trial. There are several surgical sealants available, each with varying elasticity and adhesiveness. Future studies are needed to identify surgical sealants that are able to provide sufficient strength and adhesion to seal closures and combat corrosive saliva, but elastic enough to handle motion related tension during swallowing and post-operative movements in the head and neck.

The Effects of Viewing an Uplifting 360-Degree Video on Emotional Well-Being Among Elderly Adults and College Students Under Immersive Virtual Reality and Smartphone Conditions.

Positive emotions are important for the physical and mental health of elderly adults. Previous research has suggested that the emotion processing mechanisms of elderly adults differ from those of young people. The current study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the emotional impacts of viewing an uplifting 360° videos under immersive (using a virtual reality [VR] headset) and nonimmersive (using a smartphone) conditions on elderly populations and young people. In Study 1, we conducted a pre-post treatment between-subject field experiment (smartphone vs. VR) among 58 seniors (aged 60 years and above) in a community center in Beijing, China. One-on-one semistructured interviews of each participant were conducted after the experiment. In Study 2, we conducted a between-subject laboratory experiment with the same design among college students. The results show that while both VR and smartphone viewing conditions led to a significant positive effect on the self-reported emotions of the college students, only the smartphone viewing condition had a significant impact on the emotional well-being of the elderly participants. For college students, immersive VR had a stronger effect on inducing positive emotions than smartphone, but for elderly people, the smartphone viewing condition was more effective in improving emotional wellbeing than immersive VR. An analysis of the qualitative data from interviewing the elderly participants also revealed a divergence in the acceptance of VR technologies among elderly adults, and the sense of telepresence had both positive and negative effects on the elderly participants' emotions and experiences.

American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section update on parathyroid imaging for surgical candidates with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Health care consumer organizations and insurance companies increasingly are scrutinizing value when considering reimbursement policies for medical interventions. Recently, members of several American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) committees worked closely with one insurance company to refine reimbursement policies for preoperative localization imaging in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. This endeavor led to an AAO-HNS parathyroid imaging consensus statement (https://www.entnet.org/content/parathyroid-imaging). The American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section gathered an expert panel of authors to delineate imaging options for preoperative evaluation of surgical candidates with primary hyperparathyroidism. We review herein the current literature for preoperative parathyroid localization imaging, with discussion of efficacy, cost, and overall value. We recommend that planar sestamibi imaging, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), SPECT/CT, CT neck/mediastinum with contrast, MRI, and four dimensional CT (4D-CT) may be used in conjunction with high-resolution neck ultrasound to preoperatively localize pathologic parathyroid glands. PubMed literature on parathyroid imaging was reviewed through February 1, 2019.

Percutaneous versus surgical tracheostomy: timing, outcomes, and charges.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to compare timing of procedure, patient characteristics, outcomes, and charges for patients who underwent percutaneous versus surgical tracheostomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients who underwent tracheostomy in 2015 to 2016 in New York State. Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes and stratified to the type of tracheostomy performed. The primary outcome of interest was mortality at index stay. Secondary outcomes of interest included length of stay and total hospitalization charges. RESULTS: Of the 8,682 patients, 2,488 (28.7%) underwent percutaneous and 6,194 (71.3%) underwent surgical tracheostomy. At hospitals where both procedures were performed, percutaneous tracheostomy patients were older, had more comorbidities, and had lower income (P < .05). Timing of the tracheostomy relative to admission did not affect the type of tracheostomy performed. While controlling for patient characteristics and complications during the visit, percutaneous tracheostomy was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.33, P = .0153) and increased hospital charges (OR: + 7.76%, 95% CI: 5.4-10.11, P < .0001). Length of stay was not affected by procedure type. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical tracheostomies are more commonly performed than percutaneous tracheostomies across New York State. Older, lower-income, and sicker patients have a higher chance of receiving percutaneous tracheostomies. Percutaneous approaches were associated with statistically significant increased mortality and higher charges despite no difference in length of stay. Further studies are needed to determine if these differences in outcomes are clinically significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 128:2844-2851, 2018.

Application of the Eighth Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System for HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Transoral Robotic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze patients treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the context of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including 110 human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+OPC) patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up treated with TORS between 2007 to 2016. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate 3-year disease-free survival and assess differences in recurrence. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients with a median follow-up of 54 months were analyzed. Of those, 85% of patients were male, with a median age of 60. Twenty-two percent of patients received no adjuvant therapy; 43% received adjuvant radiation; and 35% underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. Extracapsular spread was identified in 24% of patients. Overall survival was 100%, with estimated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (95% confidence interval) of 87% (77, 93). Under the seventh edition of the AJCC, 5% of patients were stage I; 11% were stage II; 26% were stage III; and 57% were stage IVa. Twenty-seven patients (25%) were upstaged on final pathology, whereas 15 patients (14%) were downstaged. Under the eighth edition of the AJCC, 94% of patients were stage I for both clinical and pathologic staging systems. Six patients (6%) were upstaged on final pathology, whereas six patients (6%) were downstaged. No factors demonstrated statistical significance for DFS. Within pathologic stage I, Kaplan-Meier estimates for DFS did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients undergoing TORS for HPV + OPC are stage I under the eighth edition of the AJCC staging system, with limited pathologic re-staging compared with the prior system. Oncologic outcomes are favorable for this group. No clinicopathologic features are significant for DFS within pathologic stage I. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1133-1139, 2018.

A Rare Case of Vagus Nerve Schwannoma Presenting as a Neck Mass.

BACKGROUND Vagus nerve schwannoma is a benign neoplasm that usually presents as an asymptomatic slow growing mass, and its presentation as a neck mass is rare. The diagnosis can be difficult to make and complete surgical excision is challenging due to the proximity of the vagus nerve fibers from which it originates. The most common symptom associated with vagus nerve schwannoma arising in the neck is hoarseness due to vocal cord palsy. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 55-year-old woman who presented to the clinic complaining of throat irritation and feeling of something stuck in her throat for the past three months. On examination, a bulging left parapharyngeal mass was noted, displacing the left tonsil and uvula medially. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck showed a large, hypervascular soft tissue mass with splaying of the left internal carotid artery. Intraoperatively, the tumor was found to be arising from the vagus nerve. Macroscopic surgical pathology examination showed a tan-red, ovoid, and firm mass. Histopathology showed a benign spindle cell tumor with Antoni A areas with palisading cell nuclei and some degenerative change, confirming the diagnosis of vagus nerve schwannoma. CONCLUSIONS Vagus nerve schwannomas should be distinguished from other tumors that arise in the neck before planning surgery, to minimize the risk of nerve injury. Physicians need to be aware of the differential diagnosis of a neck mass, investigations required, the surgical treatment and the potential postoperative complications.

Retrosternal Goiter: 30-Day Morbidity and Mortality in the Transcervical and Transthoracic Approaches.

OBJECTIVE: Retrosternal goiters pose a significant challenge in determining the indications and appropriate approach for surgical removal while limiting postoperative morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to use the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to compare outcomes of transcervical and transthoracic approaches for retrosternal goiter removal and to review the literature regarding the varying indications for the 2 surgical approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Administrative database analysis. SETTING: NSQIP database. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The NSQIP database was queried for all cases of retrosternal thyroid: 2716 patients were included, which represents one of the largest data reviews of patients with retrosternal thyroid pathology who underwent surgery. Data were analyzed to examine morbidity and mortality of the cervical and transthoracic approaches. RESULTS: Patient demographics and preoperative comorbidities were similar between groups. Patients undergoing a transthoracic approach experienced increased rates of unplanned intubations and need for transfusion and length of stay postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: A transthoracic approach is associated with increased rates of several critical postoperative morbidities, and the data indicate the potential of increased overall mortality. Given equivalent retrosternal extension, a transcervical approach should be attempted whenever anatomically possible, regardless of pathology.

Aberrant lymphatic drainage and risk for melanoma recurrence after negative sentinel node biopsy in middle-aged and older men.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant lymphatic drainage is believed to contribute to the high recurrence rate of head and neck melanomas. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical significance of unexpected lymphatic drainage patterns. METHODS: A single institution retrospective analysis was performed of middle-aged and older men (mean age, 66.2 years; range, 41-87 years) who underwent successful lymphoscintigraphy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) from 1997 through 2012. Node status, distribution, and recurrence were assessed comparing patients with expected and unexpected drainage patterns. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were identified with 55.8 months median follow-up (range, 5.6-206.1 months). Unexpected sentinel lymph node drainage was associated with multiple basin drainage (p < .01) and greater recurrence after negative SLNB (p = .03). Both groups had similar anatomic distribution, sentinel lymph node sampling, histopathologic characteristics, follow-up, and survival. CONCLUSION: Lymphatic drainage differing from expected patterns is associated with greater recurrence after negative SLNB in middle-aged and older men. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E754-E760, 2016.

Radiographic Thrombus within the External Jugular Vein: Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature.

We are reporting a case of a 91-year-old male with a primary malignancy of the right parotid gland with radiographic thrombus extension within the right external jugular vein. He was treated with palliative radiation therapy to the right parotid mass with a marked clinical response. The rarity of this occurrence as documented in the review of the literature provides for uncertainty with regard to proper management. Radiographic evidence of thrombus in the absence of clinical manifestations, the role of anticoagulation, and the proper radiation target delineation were all challenges encountered in the care of this patient. Our case represents a rare occurrence with unique radiologic findings that has implications for management.

The influence of personality, parental behaviors, and self-esteem on Internet addiction: a study of Chinese college students.

A survey of 2,095 college students in five major cities in China was conducted to examine the influence of personality, parental behaviors, and self-esteem on Internet addiction. We found that psychoticism and neuroticism were both positively related to Internet addiction. The influence of parental behaviors on Internet addition was also significant. However, fathers' and mothers' behaviors had different impacts on their children's likelihood of being addicted to the Internet. Specifically, we found that fathers' rejection and overprotection, and mothers' rejection would increase the risk for Internet addiction. Furthermore, the influence of emotional warmth from parents on Internet addiction was partially mediated by self-esteem. Finally, we found that parental behaviors of mothers and fathers affected males and females differently in terms the risk of being addicted to the Internet.

Impact of positron emission tomography/computed tomography surveillance at 12 and 24 months for detecting head and neck cancer recurrence.

BACKGROUND: In head and neck cancer (HNC), 3-month post-treatment positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) reliably identifies persistent/recurrent disease. However, further PET/CT surveillance has unclear benefit. The impact of post-treatment PET/CT surveillance on outcomes is assessed at 12 and 24 months. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective analysis of HNC patients was carried out with long-term serial imaging. Imaging at 3 months included either PET/CT or magnetic resonance imaging, with all subsequent imaging comprised of PET/CT. PET/CT scans at 12 and 24 months were evaluated only if preceding interval scans were negative. Of 1114 identified patients, 284 had 3-month scans, 175 had 3- and 12-month scans, and 77 had 3-, 12-, and 24-month scans. RESULTS: PET/CT detection rates in clinically occult patients were 9% (15 of 175) at 12 months, and 4% (3 of 77) at 24 months. No difference in outcomes was identified between PET/CT-detected and clinically detected recurrences, with similar 3-year disease-free survival (41% vs 46%, P = .91) and 3-year overall survival (60% vs 54%, P = .70) rates. Compared with 3-month PET/CT, 12-month PET/CT demonstrated fewer equivocal reads (26% vs 10%, P < .001). Of scans deemed equivocal, 6% (5 of 89) were ultimately found to be positive. CONCLUSIONS: HNC patients with negative 3-month imaging appear to derive limited benefit from subsequent PET/CT surveillance. No survival differences were observed between PET/CT-detected and clinically detected recurrences, although larger prospective studies are needed for further investigation.

Targeted endoscopic salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite modern radiotherapy and open surgical techniques, treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains challenging, with substantial morbidity involved. Targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy was evaluated as a viable oncologic alternative to open nasopharyngectomy or radiation for recurrent NPC. METHODS: Thirteen patients who underwent endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC between August 2005 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Average age at surgery was 55.7 years, with mean follow-up period 24.2 months. Two-year disease-free survival, 2-year overall survival, margin status, and complication rate were measured. RESULTS: Including resections for subsequent recurrences, 19 endoscopic procedures were performed with curative intent. Mean operating room (OR) time was 278 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 197 mL, and mean length of hospitalization was 1.0 days. Negative margins were obtained in 78.9% of procedures: positive margins involved the parapharyngeal space, oropharynx, fossa of Rosenmuller, and infratemporal fossa. Stereotactic radiation was given postoperatively for localized positive margins. Four patients required repeat endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for re-recurrence, despite having their margins cleared or controlled with adjuvant treatment. Two-year local disease-free and overall survival rates were 69.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The overall minor complication rate was 52.6%, with no major complications. CONCLUSION: Targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is beneficial in locally recurrent NPC, with favorable morbidity and complication rates. Endoscopic surveillance and serial imaging together facilitate the early identification of re-recurrences, which often may be treated with additional directed resection. Postoperative stereotactic radiation may serve as an appropriate adjunct modality for disease control at positive margins.

A novel aldehyde dehydrogenase-3 activator leads to adult salivary stem cell enrichment in vivo.

PURPOSE: To assess aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) expression in adult human and murine submandibular gland (SMG) stem cells and to determine the effect of ALDH3 activation in SMG stem cell enrichment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Adult human and murine SMG stem cells were selected by cell surface markers (CD34 for human and c-Kit for mouse) and characterized for various other stem cell surface markers by flow cytometry and ALDH isozymes expression by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Sphere formation and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation assays were used on selected cells to confirm their renewal capacity and three-dimensional (3D) collagen matrix culture was applied to observe differentiation. To determine whether ALDH3 activation would increase stem cell yield, adult mice were infused with a novel ALDH3 activator (Alda-89) or with vehicle followed by quantification of c-Kit(+)/CD90(+) SMG stem cells and BrdUrd(+) salispheres. RESULTS: More than 99% of CD34(+) huSMG stem cells stained positive for c-Kit, CD90 and 70% colocalized with CD44, Nestin. Similarly, 73.8% c-Kit(+) mSMG stem cells colocalized with Sca-1, whereas 80.7% with CD90. Functionally, these cells formed BrdUrd(+) salispheres, which differentiated into acinar- and ductal-like structures when cultured in 3D collagen. Both adult human and murine SMG stem cells showed higher expression of ALDH3 than in their non-stem cells and 84% of these cells have measurable ALDH1 activity. Alda-89 infusion in adult mice significantly increased c-Kit(+)/CD90(+) SMG population and BrdUrd(+) sphere formation compared with control. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to characterize expression of different ALDH isozymes in SMG stem cells. In vivo activation of ALDH3 can increase SMG stem cell yield, thus providing a novel means for SMG stem cell enrichment for future stem cell therapy.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the anterior maxilla: an unusual case and review of the literature.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the head and neck is rare, and lesions isolated to the anterior maxilla are obviously even more rare. The diagnosis of intraosseous carcinoma can be difficult, and it must be based on strict criteria. We report the case of a 40-year-old man who was referred for definitive treatment of a cancerous lesion of the anterior maxilla. The patient's mass had initially been thought to be a benign odontogenic cyst. The patient was treated with surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation. We describe the clinical presentation, pertinent workup including imaging, and the treatment of this case, and we review the literature.