Transoral Endoscopy-Assisted Tongue-Lip Adhesion With Modified Tongue Base Suspension in a Pierre-Robin Sequence: A Safe and Effective Technique.

Life-threatening airway obstruction is a major concern in patients with Pierre-Robin sequence. Tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) has been used to manage airway obstruction. The authors present the case of a female neonate with Pierre-Robin sequence who presented with airway obstruction and a cleft palate. She underwent a TLA procedure with modified tongue base suspension (TBS). Endoscopy was used to check and control the traction of the tongue base to enable unobstructed self-ventilation. Positive outcomes including improved O2 saturation and weight gain were noted. The effectiveness of TLA was enhanced by using TBS with real-time endoscopy to evaluate the oropharyngeal airway space required to alleviate airway obstruction. The use of endoscopy enabled us to check and determine how much the tongue base should be tracted by manipulating the tongue anteriorly and posteriorly. The authors report transoral endoscopy-assisted TLA and modified TBS.

Detection of MAGE and SSX gene expressions by RT-nested PCR using common primers in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) and synovial sarcoma on X chromosome (SSX) gene families are silent in most normal adult tissues, but are expressed in a variety of malignant lesions. Therefore, detection of MAGE and SSX transcription may be useful for the diagnosis of head and neck cancers. The aim of this study is to detect MAGE and SSX gene transcripts of head and neck cancers using the MAGE 1-6 assay and the SSX 1-9 assay. METHODS: The transcripts of MAGE 1-6 and SSX 1-9 genes were detected by the MAGE 1-6 assay and the SSX 1-9 assay respectively, in cancer cell lines, cancer tissue, and induced sputum specimens from head and neck cancer patients. RESULTS: The transcripts of MAGE 1-6 and SSX 1-9 genes were detected in 82.8% and 75.9% of head and neck cancer tissues (N=29) respectively, and 96.6% of cancer tissues expressed at least one of MAGE 1-6 or SSX 1-9 genes. In the induced sputum of head and neck cancer patients (N=18), the transcripts of MAGE 1-6 and SSX 1-9 genes were detected in 72.2% and 77.8%, respectively, and 94.4% of the sputum specimens were positive for either the MAGE 1-6 or the SSX 1-9 assay. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of MAGE 1-6 and SSX 1-9 assays may be useful in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer.