Laryngeal Preservation Strategies.

Over the last 2 decades, the paradigm of laryngeal cancer management has pivoted toward preserving laryngeal function without sacrificing oncologic outcomes. Transoral laser microsurgery has diminished the role of open laryngeal surgery. For early-stage laryngeal cancer, the common primary modalities are endoscopic laryngeal surgery and narrow field radiation. Total laryngectomy followed by either radiation or chemoradiation is option for advanced laryngeal cancer. In experienced hands and following meticulous patient selection, supracricoid laryngectomy may serve as a viable alternative to total laryngectomy to preserve laryngeal function. Total laryngectomy is still the recommended treatment in those with airway compromise and/or laryngeal dysfunction.

Localized delivery of therapeutics impact laryngeal mechanics, local inflammatory response, and respiratory microbiome following upper airway intubation injury in swine.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal injury associated with traumatic or prolonged intubation may lead to voice, swallow, and airway complications. The interplay between inflammation and microbial population shifts induced by intubation may relate to clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate laryngeal mechanics, tissue inflammatory response, and local microbiome changes with laryngotracheal injury and localized delivery of therapeutics via drug-eluting endotracheal tube. METHODS: A simulated traumatic intubation injury was created in Yorkshire crossbreed swine under direct laryngoscopy. Endotracheal tubes electrospun with roxadustat or valacyclovir- loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers were placed in the injured airway for 3, 7, or 14 days (n = 3 per group/time and ETT type). Vocal fold stiffness was then evaluated with normal indentation and laryngeal tissue sections were histologically examined. Immunohistochemistry and inflammatory marker profiling were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory response associated with injury and ETT placement. Additionally, ETT biofilm formation was visualized using scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography, while changes in the airway microbiome were profiled through 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Laryngeal tissue with roxadustat ETT placement had increasing localized stiffness outcomes over time and histological assessment indicated minimal epithelial ulceration and fibrosis, while inflammation remained severe across all timepoints. In contrast, vocal fold tissue with valacyclovir ETT placement showed no significant changes in stiffness over time; histological analysis presented a reduction in epithelial ulceration and inflammation scores along with increased fibrosis observed at 14 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed a decline in M1 and M2 macrophage markers over time for both ETT types. Among the cytokines, IL-8 levels differed significantly between the roxadustat and valacyclovir ETT groups, while no other cytokines showed statistically significant differences. Additionally, increased biofilm formation was observed in the coated ETTs with notable alterations in microbiota distinctive to each ETT type and across time. CONCLUSION: The injured and intubated airway resulted in increased laryngeal stiffness. Local inflammation and the type of therapeutic administered impacted the bacterial composition within the upper respiratory microbiome, which in turn mediated local tissue healing and recovery.

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for laryngeal preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively investigate the pathological response rate, laryngeal preservation surgery (LPS) rate and progression free survival (PFS) of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer (LAHPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, LAHPC patients, who were first diagnosed and underwent surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University between January 2021 and January 2024, preoperatively administered PD-1 inhibitor and TP induction regimen (albumin-bound paclitaxel 260 mg/m2 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2). The primary endpoint was major pathological response (MPR), with ORR rate, LPS rate and PFS as the secondary endpoints. Then, the correlation between MPR and overall response rate (ORR) was further validated. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, with the median follow-up period of 10.5 months. After neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, the ORR was observed to be 71.9 %, and the LPS rate reached 80.4 % (76.5 % in stage IV patients). The pathological response indicated a favorable response, with the MPR ratio at 52.2 % and pathological complete response (pCR) ratio at 32.6 %. The imaging score highly correlated with pathological response (Kappa = 0.058, P<0.001), while the MPR and ORR shared a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.753, P<0.001). The 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 97.1 % and 93.8 % for all patients, with stage IV patients having a 1-year PFS of 92.2 %. Patients who achieved MPR demonstrated a significant prognostic advantage (P=0.008), with no recurrence instances or mortality reported. Grade 3 adverse events were observed in 8.7 % of the cohort. The most common Grade 1-2 adverse events were alopecia, reactive telangiosis and loss of appetite, and no delayed surgery occurred. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant therapy of PD-1 inhibitor combined with TP effectively improved the MPR and LPS rates of LAHPC patients, especially in those at clinical stage IV.

[Diagnosis of benign laryngeal tumors using neural network]. / Diagnostika dobrokachestvennykh novoobrazovanii gortani s primeneniem neiroseti.

The article describes our experience in developing and training an artificial neural network based on artificial intelligence algorithms for recognizing the characteristic features of benign laryngeal tumors and variants of the norm of the larynx based on the analysis of laryngoscopy pictures obtained during the examination of patients. During the preparation of data for training the neural network, a dataset was collected, labeled and loaded, consisting of 1471 images of the larynx in digital formats (jpg, bmp). Next, the neural network was trained and tested in order to recognize images of the norm and neoplasms of the larynx. The developed and trained artificial neural network demonstrated an accuracy of 86% in recognizing of benign laryngeal tumors and variants of the norm of the larynx. The proposed technology can be further used in practical healthcare to control and improve the quality of diagnosis of laryngeal pathologies.

Quantitative Morphological Study of Larynx APUD-Cells in Asphyxial Type of Drowning in Fresh Water (Experimental Study).

An additional microscopic diagnostic sign has been identified for verification of asphyxial type of drowning. In white non-linear male rats (age 2 months) subjected to free drowning, significant hyperplasia of argyrophilic and morphofunctional activity of serotonin-containing APUD-cells of the laryngeal mucosa were revealed under conditions of acute anoxia in comparison with the intact control. These changes promote the development of laryngospasm, which prevents water penetration into the airways and lungs in asphyxial type of drowning. The presence of statistically significant hyperplasia of argyrophilic and morphofunctional activity of serotonin-containing APUD-cells of the laryngeal mucosa under conditions of acute anoxia can be used as an additional diagnostic criterion for asphyxial type of drowning in experimental studies.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Feasibility of Larynx Preservation and Prognosis in Resectable Locally Advanced Cervical Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy for cervical advanced esophageal cancer remains controversial in terms of oncologic outcome as well as vocal and swallowing function. Recently, in East Asian countries, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been a standard strategy for advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: This study included 37 patients who underwent NAC, and 33 patients who underwent definitive chemoradiation therapy (dCRT) as larynx-preserving treatment for locally advanced cervical esophageal cancer from 2016 to 2021. This study retrospectively investigated outcomes, with comparison between NAC and dCRT for locally advanced cervical esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Larynx preservation was successful for all the patients with NAC and dCRT. After NAC, the rate of complete or partial response was 78.4%, and 30 patients underwent larynx-preserving surgery. On the other hand, after dCRT, the complete response rate was 71.9%, and 4 patients underwent larynx-preserving salvage surgery. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival were similar between the two groups. However, for the patients with resectable cervical esophageal cancer (cT1/2/3), the 2-year OS rate was significantly higher with NAC (79.9%) than with dCRT (56.8%) (P = 0.022), and the multivariate analyses identified only NAC and cN0, one of the two as a significantly independent factor associated with a better OS (NAC: P = 0.041; cN0, 1: P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: The study showed that NAC as larynx-preserving surgery for resectable cervical esophageal cancer preserved function and had a better prognosis than dCRT. The authors suggest that NAC may be standard strategy for larynx preservation in patients with resectable cervical esophageal cancer.

[Epidemiological features papillomatosis of the larynx in adults: a literature review]. / Epidemiologicheskie osobennosti papillomatoza gortani u vzroslykh (obzor literatury).

The literature review presents current data on the epidemiology, drug, and surgical treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis in adults. Possible prospects for further study of the prevalence and incidence of the disease and provoking factors of recurrence of the disease for the development of possible preventive measures are considered.

[Laryngeal carcinosarcoma]. / Kartsinosarkoma gortani.

A clinical case of a rare malignant tumor of the larynx, carcinosarcoma, is described. The features of the clinical picture, diagnostic methods: instrumental and morphological are presented.

Characteristic Laryngeal Findings in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is a rare autoimmune disease that could cause laryngeal lesions; however, only a few studies have described the localization of the laryngeal lesions associated with this disease owing to its rarity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the localization of laryngeal lesions in patients with PV. METHODS: Fourteen patients with PV accompanied by laryngeal or pharyngeal lesions, who underwent flexible laryngeal endoscopy performed by laryngologists, were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: The arytenoid area was the most frequently affected site in the larynx, followed by the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds. Vocal folds and ventricular bands were the least affected. CONCLUSION: Lesions in the arytenoid area were observed more frequently in this study than in previous studies. This result suggests that a more careful inspection of arytenoid lesions in patients with PV is required under laryngeal fiber observation. Moreover, we proposed a novel classification system for laryngeal findings in patients with PV and a systematic observation method. This novel classification and method would be useful not only for determining the lesions but also for careful inspection in this field. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3719-3725, 2024.

Laryngeal clefts in Prader-Willi syndrome: Feeding difficulties and aspiration not always caused by hypotonia.

Feeding difficulties, aspiration, and failure to thrive in infancy are commonly seen in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and attributed to hypotonia. Patients with PWS and laryngeal clefts were identified by review of medical records at three tertiary care children's hospitals between 2017 and 2022. We present three patients with PWS with feeding difficulties who were also found to have laryngeal clefts which likely contributed to their feeding difficulties. Additional factors such as airway anomalies should be considered in patients with PWS, especially when swallowing dysfunction, dysphagia, or abnormal swallow evaluations are present.

Prediction of a Difficult Airway Using the ARNE Score and Flexible Laryngoscopy in Patients with Laryngeal Pathology.

Background and Objectives: The ARNE score was developed for the prediction of a difficult airway for both general and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery with a universal cut-off value. We tested the accuracy of this score in the case of laryngeal surgery and provided an insight into its effects in combination with flexible laryngoscopy. Materials and Methods: This prospective pilot clinical study included 100 patients who were being scheduled for microscopic laryngeal surgery. We calculated the ARNE score for every patient, and flexible laryngoscopy was provided preoperative. Difficult intubation was assessed according to the intubation difficulty score (IDS). Results: A total of 33% patients had difficult intubation according to the IDS. The ARNE score showed limited accuracy for the prediction of difficult intubation in laryngology with p < 0.0001 and an AUC of 0.784. Flexible laryngoscopy also showed limitations when used as an independent parameter with p < 0.0001 and an AUC of 0.766. We defined a new cut-off value of 15.50 for laryngology, according to the AUC. After the patients were divided into two groups, according to the new cut-off value and provided cut-off value, the AUC improved to 0.707 from 0.619, respectively. Flexible laryngoscopy improved the prediction model of the ARNE score to an AUC of 0.882 and of the new cut-off value to an AUC of 0.833. Conclusions: It is recommended to use flexible laryngoscopy together with the ARNE score in difficult airway prediction in patients with laryngeal pathology. Also, the universally recommended cut-off value of 11 cannot be effectively used in laryngology, and a new cut-off value of 15.50 is recommended.

LA-ViT: A Network With Transformers Constrained by Learned-Parameter-Free Attention for Interpretable Grading in a New Laryngeal Histopathology Image Dataset.

Grading laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) based on histopathological images is a clinically significant yet challenging task. However, more low-effect background semantic information appeared in the feature maps, feature channels, and class activation maps, which caused a serious impact on the accuracy and interpretability of LSCC grading. While the traditional transformer block makes extensive use of parameter attention, the model overlearns the low-effect background semantic information, resulting in ineffectively reducing the proportion of background semantics. Therefore, we propose an end-to-end network with transformers constrained by learned-parameter-free attention (LA-ViT), which improve the ability to learn high-effect target semantic information and reduce the proportion of background semantics. Firstly, according to generalized linear model and probabilistic, we demonstrate that learned-parameter-free attention (LA) has a stronger ability to learn highly effective target semantic information than parameter attention. Secondly, the first-type LA transformer block of LA-ViT utilizes the feature map position subspace to realize the query. Then, it uses the feature channel subspace to realize the key, and adopts the average convergence to obtain a value. And those construct the LA mechanism. Thus, it reduces the proportion of background semantics in the feature maps and feature channels. Thirdly, the second-type LA transformer block of LA-ViT uses the model probability matrix information and decision level weight information to realize key and query, respectively. And those realize the LA mechanism. So, it reduces the proportion of background semantics in class activation maps. Finally, we build a new complex semantic LSCC pathology image dataset to address the problem, which is less research on LSCC grading models because of lacking clinically meaningful datasets. After extensive experiments, the whole metrics of LA-ViT outperform those of other state-of-the-art methods, and the visualization maps match better with the regions of interest in the pathologists' decision-making. Moreover, the experimental results conducted on a public LSCC pathology image dataset show that LA-ViT has superior generalization performance to that of other state-of-the-art methods.

Oncocytic papillary cystadenoma of the larynx: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cystadenoma of the salivary glands is a rare benign clinical condition affecting both major and minor salivary glands equally. It constitutes approximately 2% of total neoplasms and 4.2-4.7% of benign formations in minor salivary glands. Typically presenting as a slow-growing, painless neoplasm, it can be distinguished from Cystadenolymphoma (Whartin's Tumor) by the absence of lymphoid elements in histological examination. While mostly located in the oral cavity and oropharynx, it can also be found in sinonasal mucosa, and rare cases have been identified in the larynx. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the ear, nose, and throat department with complaints of dysphonia and headaches persisting for several months. Dysphonia had developed months after an unspecified vocal cord surgery elsewhere. Flexible laryngoscopy identified a left-sided cystic swelling affecting the supraglottic space, leading to respiratory obstruction and dysphonia. Head and neck computed tomography confirmed a 1.9 × 1.7 cm bilobed cystic mass originating from the left Morgagni ventricle. Microlaryngoscopy with CO2 laser excision and biopsy revealed a histopathological diagnosis of oncocytic papillary cystadenoma. Post-surgery, the patient fully recovered from dysphonia, with no significant complications noted. Long-term clinical surveillance was advised to detect potential recurrences promptly. CONCLUSION: Ectopic minor salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant, should be taken into consideration as potential differential diagnosis for any swelling arising within the upper digestive tract mucosa. Ears, nose, and throat clinical examination completed by videolaryngoscopy can easily point out the location of the mass. Imaging is mandatory for differential diagnosis and for surgical planning. Surgical excision can provide both diagnosis and definitive cure.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx - Case report.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx is an extremely rare entity accounting for 0.04-0.45% of malignant tumours of the larynx. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the diagnosis and management of a unique case such as this. A 77-year-old gentleman presented with complaints of hoarseness for 1 year. Computed tomography image revealed a soft tissue mass lesion involving the right true vocal cord. Direct laryngoscopic biopsy was performed and subjected to histopathological examination, which showed collection of plasma cells. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of Kappa and Lambda cells. Multiple myeloma (MM) was ruled out. The patient received radical intent radiation therapy using 3DCRT technique with a dose of 50Gy in 25# over 5 weeks. He experienced improvement in hoarseness on subsequent follow-up visits. At 1-year follow up, positron emission tomography computed tomography showed near total resolution of disease with no progression to MM. Radiation therapy alone is known to achieve good local control, recurrence free survival, and organ preservation in such cases.

Discrimination of vocal folds lesions by multiclass classification using autofluorescence spectroscopy: An ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Autofluorescence spectroscopy is effective for noninvasive detection but underutilized in tissue with various pathology analyses. This study evaluates whether AFS can be used to discriminate between different types of laryngeal lesions in view of assisting in vocal fold surgery and preoperative investigations. METHODS: A total of 1308 spectra were recorded from 29 vocal fold samples obtained from 23 patients. Multiclass analysis was performed on the spectral data, categorizing lesions into normal, benign, dysplastic, or carcinoma. RESULTS: Through an appropriate selection of spectral components and a cascading classification approach based on artificial neural networks, a classification rate of 97% was achieved for each lesion class, compared to 52% using autofluorescence intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The ex vivo study demonstrates the effectiveness of AFS combined with multivariate analysis for accurate classification of vocal fold lesions. Comprehensive analysis of spectral data significantly improves classification accuracy, such as distinguishing malignant from precancerous or benign lesions.

Case with translating to multiple myeloma at 8 years after radiation therapy for extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx.

We report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx that was eradicated by radiotherapy; however, 8 years later, the disease had progressed to multiple myeloma. A mid -60s Japanese woman presented with a right-sided arytenoid mass in the larynx who underwent biopsy at another hospital. Based on the biopsy results, the patient was diagnosed with extramedullary plasma cell tumour and was referred to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at our hospital. She received radiotherapy (50.4 Gy) and the laryngeal tumour was eradicated. Positron emission tomography/CT (PET-CT) revealed no abnormal accumulation in the larynx or whole body. After radiotherapy, the department of otorhinolaryngology, in consultation with Ddepartment of haematology performed follow-ups using laryngoscope, blood examination and PET-CT. Five years after the end of radiotherapy, the patient had no local recurrence or transition to multiple myeloma. However, 8 years later, blood examination and PET-CT revealed multiple myeloma. Laryngoscopy did not reveal any recurrent laryngeal tumour. Therefore, chemotherapy for multiple myeloma was administered at the department of haematology. Three months after the initiation of chemotherapy, the accumulation had disappeared in PET-CT. Three years have passed since chemotherapy initiation. At present, no recurrence or metastasis was observed in the larynx or whole body.

An Unknown Foreign laryngeal Object: an exotic complication of skull base osteoradionecrosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the skull base is a rare complication after head and neck radiation with a broad variety of subsequent complications. METHODS: A 68-year-old woman with a complex oncological history (right-sided sphenoid meningioma; left-sided neck metastasis of a Cancer of Unknown Primary-CUP) was admitted with a right-sided epi-/ oropharyngeal mass and severe pain exacerbations for further evaluation. CT scan revealed an advanced ORN of the skull base with subsequent abruption of the ventral part of the clivus. This dislocated part of the clivus wedged in the oropharynx for 48 h and then moved towards the larynx, resulting in dyspnea and almost complete airway obstruction. RESULTS: Due to the dangerous airway situation, an urgent exploration and removal of the dislocated clivus was necessary. After a potential cervical spine instability was ruled out, the patient's airway was initially secured with an awake tracheotomy and the clivus was removed transorally. The tracheostomy tube was removed during the ongoing inpatient stay, and the patient was discharged with significant pain relief. CONCLUSIONS: The present case illustrates an orphan complication of skull base ORN resulting in a major airway emergency situation.

Pedicled flaps reconstruction of hypopharynx and laryngeal defects: Successful preservation of laryngeal function in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preserving laryngeal function and reconstructing the hypopharynx in advanced hypopharyngeal cancer pose significant challenges for head and neck surgeons. METHODS: A 48-year-old male patient was diagnosed with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer originating from the left pyriform sinus. The tumor extended into the hypopharynx, left vocal cord, ventricular fold, partial aryepiglottic fold, and a segment of the cervical esophagus. A curative tumor resection was performed, and a well-thought-out strategy was employed for hypopharyngeal repair and laryngeal reconstruction. RESULTS: Following the surgery, the patient demonstrated exceptional flap survival, and the tracheostomy tube was removed at the 6-month mark. No surgery-related complications were observed, and both swallowing and vocal functions exhibited a robust recovery. CONCLUSION: Our reconstruction strategy proves effective in preserving laryngeal function among patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) spreading to the larynx: an unusual condition.

A man in his mid-70s, heavy smoker with chronic alcohol consumption and a chronic exposure to insecticides and burning of crop residues was referred to the surgical oncology department because of a 4-month onset of hoarseness, dyspnoea and laryngeal stridor. He had a history of left nephrectomy due to Fuhrman IV clear cell renal cancer 2 years ago. The patient underwent a bronchoscopy which identified a deforming tumour of the left vallecula, occlusion of 90% of the lumen and did not allow a safe biopsy. Following discussion between the oncological team, total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection of levels II, III, IV and V were performed, finding a transglottic tumour of approximately 4×3 cm with extension to the right anterolateral thyroid cartilage. The pathology report described metastatic RCC. The patient recovered well postoperatively and started systemic therapy with a vascular endothelial growth factor receptors inhibitor.