[Ultrasound-guided minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment in the head and neck area]. / Sonographiegesteuerte minimal-invasive Diagnostik und Therapie im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

Tumoral lesions in the head and neck region represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in otorhinolaryngologic routine. High-resolution ultrasound is usually able to guide diagnosis. Nevertheless, a definite differentiation between benign and malignant lesions can only be achieved by tissue biopsy. The various options for obtaining samples for histopathological or cytological examination-from minimally invasive ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy to punch biopsy and open surgical biopsy-will be discussed in the first part along with the associated advantages and disadvantages. In the second part of this CME article, minimally invasive ultrasound-guided therapeutic options in the head and neck region which can be performed on an outpatient basis are depicted.

[Quality in the appraisal of head and neck sonography results in university hospitals-a random sample]. / Qualität in der Befundung von Kopf- und Halssonographien an Universitätskliniken ­ eine Stichprobe.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound diagnostics are widely used and are standard for radiologists, otolaryngologists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the diagnostic work-up of various pathologies. There is agreement that digital documentation is urgently needed at present to improve and standardize the quality of sonographic documentation. There are more and more publications on the implementation of standardized documentation of findings in imaging diagnostics, including head and neck sonography. OBJECTIVE: The present work aims to determine the quality of routine head and neck sonography findings on a random basis, according to the criteria of the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) at a selection of German university otolaryngology departments (ENT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 randomly selected anonymized written findings including image documentation from seven ENT departments were retrospectively analyzed by an experienced KVB examiner concerning fulfilment of KVB criteria. The data were evaluated descriptively. RESULTS: Of the 70 reports, 69 were eligible for evaluation. The average documentation completeness was 80.6%. A total of 9 findings were correctly documented in full (13%). The documentation completeness of the individual departments was sorted in ascending order from 68.1% to 93%. With 88.5% vs. 75%, the hospitals with a structured report showed a higher level of completeness. In 75% of the cases the hospitals with structured reports also had digital solutions for reporting and image archiving. CONCLUSION: In general, there is potential for optimization regarding the completeness and quality of routinely prepared head and neck sonography findings at the selected university ENT departments. The implementation of structured reporting masks and the conversion of analogue documentation into digital solutions as well as digital networking with the hospital information systems, picture archiving and communication systems should be promoted. Supervision by senior doctors is required to ensure the quality of findings of inexperienced colleagues and to help to achieve standards in reporting.

[Effects of the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic on the otolaryngology university hospitals in the field of research, student teaching and specialist training]. / Auswirkungen der SARS-CoV­2-Pandemie auf die universitäre Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde im Bereich der Forschung, Lehre und Weiterbildung.

BACKGROUND: From spring 2020, SARS-CoV­2 began to spread worldwide, with what is now known as the first wave of the pandemic, starting in March 2020. This resulted in restructuring and shift of resources at many hospitals. The aim of our work was to detect the effects of the pandemic on the german Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ORL) university hospitals in terms of research, student teaching and further specialist training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The chairmen of the 39 ORL university hospitals in Germany were asked about the effects of the pandemic on research, student teaching and ORL specialist training (residency) in the period from March to April 2020 using a structured online survey. RESULTS: All 39 chairmen took part in the survey. Of these, 74.4% (29/39) stated that their research activities had deteriorated as a result of the pandemic. In 61.5% (24/39) pandemic-related research issues were addressed. All hospitals reported a restriction for in-house teaching and 97.5% (38/39) introduced new digital teaching methods. During the observation period, 74.4% of the chairmen did not see ORL specialist training (residency)at risk. CONCLUSION: Our results provide an insight into the heterogeneous effects of the pandemic. The fast processing of pandemic-related research topics and the introduction of innovative digital concepts for student teaching impressively demonstrates the great innovative potential and the ability of the ORL university hospitals to react quickly in order to maintain their tasks in research, student teaching and ORL specialist training in the best possible way even during the pandemic.

[Current diagnostic imaging and treatment planning for laryngeal cancer]. / Aktuelle Bildgebung bei Diagnostik und Therapieplanung des Larynxkarzinoms.

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Laryngeal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the head and neck region. Endoscopic laryngoscopy with assessment of vocal fold function, microlaryngoscopy with biopsy and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain the cornerstones of diagnostic workup. Thus, in the context of therapy planning, consideration of individual functional and socioeconomic aspects is of major importance. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Due to the short acquisition time and the possibility to perform functional maneuvers, CT is the tool of choice. MRI allows better soft tissue differentiation, but is more susceptible to movement artifacts and is complicated by disease-specific symptoms. The choice of examination method therefore depends on the patient's physical resilience. PERFORMANCE: Depending on the study, the information on the sensitivity of CT with regard to the question of cartilage infiltration varies between 62 and 87% with a specificity between 75 and 98%. For MRI, sensitivity between 64 and 95% and specificity between 56 and 88% are stated. ACHIEVEMENTS: The synthesis of the findings from endoscopy, biopsy and imaging is prerequisite for initiation of stage-appropriate treatment. For image interpretation, knowledge of the anatomical landmarks is essential. However, the assessment of posttherapeutic changes also poses a challenge for the radiologist. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Regular interdisciplinary dialogue between radiologists, otorhinolaryngologists and radiotherapists in the context of primary diagnostics, therapy planning and aftercare is essential.

[Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the otorhinolaryngology university hospitals in the field of medical care]. / Auswirkungen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie auf die universitäre Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde im Bereich der Krankenversorgung.

INTRODUCTION: Since December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been rapidly spreading worldwide. In Germany, an exponential increase in the number of infections was registered at the beginning of March 2020 and led to a call of the Ministry of Health to create more capacity for intensive medical treatment in hospitals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ORL) university hospitals regarding patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was sent out to all chairmen of the 39 ORL university hospitals in Germany. The answers to the questions referred to the defined period from March 15th to April 15th 2020 and were carried out using the online survey tool "SurveyMonkey". 87 questions focused on general information, health care, and structural effects in the respective institution. RESULTS: All chairmen of the 39 university hospitals in Germany participated in the survey. The collected data prove the considerable impact on organizational, structural and medical aspects of patient care. For example, the surveyed clinics reported a decrease in outpatient cases by 73.8 % to 26.2 ±â€Š14.2 % and in surgical treatments by 65.9 % to 34.1 ±â€Š13.9 %. In contrast, emergency treatment remained unchanged or even increased in 80 % of the facilities and surgical treatment of emergency patients remained unchanged or even increased in more than 90 %. Emergency outpatient and surgical treatment of patients was provided throughout the pandemic in all facilities. In total, about 35 000 outpatients and about 12 000 surgical cases were postponed. As a result of the acute structural changes, the potential danger of falling below current treatment standards was seen in individual areas of patient care. DISCUSSION: The assessment of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is heterogeneous. The majority of the chairmen are critically aware of the risk of falling below current medical treatment standards or guidelines. In the phase of an exponential increase in the number of infections, significant changes in treatment processes had to be accepted for understandable reasons. However, with the currently significantly reduced number of infections, falling below treatment standards and guidelines should not be allowed to remain constant and tolerated. SUMMARY: This study shows a differentiated picture with regard to the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on outpatient, inpatient and operative patient care at the ORL university hospitals in Germany and illustrates the importance of these institutions for ensuring patient care during this critical phase.

[Influence of external and endogenous factors on cervical lymph nodes : Sonographic study of size and morphology]. / Einfluss externer und endogener Faktoren auf Halslymphknoten : Sonographische Untersuchung der Größe und Morphologie.

BACKGROUND: Sonographic evaluation of the dignity of cervical lymph nodes is essential for further diagnostics and treatment concepts in various diseases. The aim of this prospective monocenter study was to determine the sonomorphology and size of benign changes of lymph nodes in healthy subjects and patients who had undergone surgery, in order to examine the influence of various factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 205 healthy subjects and 15 patients before and after surgery were analyzed. Sonographically representative lymph nodes were measured in diameter and volumes were calculated; margins, the recognizability of a hilus, and vascularization were documented. A detailed medical history was taken using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In 20-39-year-olds, lymph node diameters were larger than in 40-59- and over 60-year-olds, and in 40-59-year-olds, the lymph nodes were larger than over 60-year-old subjects. Individuals with consumption of less than 10 and 10-20 cigarettes per day showed larger cervical lymph nodes compared to subjects with a consumption of more than 20 cigarettes per day. Smokers who additionally exercised routinely showed larger lymph nodes than those who never smoked or exercised. In addition, we observed that both the size and the number of cervical lymph nodes increased postoperatively compared to preoperative. CONCLUSION: The recorded lymph nodes corresponded to the established sonographic criteria of benign lymph nodes. Our results show that age, smoking intensity, combination of smoking with sporting activity, and surgery influence the size of sonographically measured cervical lymph nodes.

[A different kind of wrestler's ear]. / Das Ringerohr der etwas anderen Art.

We report the case of a 19-year-old patient who presented with recurrent circular and scaly skin changes. The patient reported wrestling as his main leisure activity. After an unsuccessful attempt at local antibiotic treatment, detailed dermatological work-up revealed the skin changes to be tinea corporis gladiatorum. According to dermatological guidelines for dermatophytosis, systemic treatment with fluconazole and local ointments containing ciclopirox olamine and ketoconazole were administered, which rapidly led to significant improvement.

[Follow-up ultrasound of head and neck cancer]. / Sonographie in der Nachsorge bei Kopf- und Halskarzinomen.

In Germany high-resolution sonography using the color duplex mode in addition to computed tomography (CT) is a well-established and proven method in the context of restaging after primary therapy of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). There are no international evidence-based restaging guidelines. Decisions concerning neck dissection (ND) after primary radiochemotherapy (RCT) are often individually derived in the respective tumor conferences and are therefore subject to variance. Compared to the UK or USA, in Germany there is a high level of expertise in the use of ultrasound in combination with CT for the routine restaging of HNSCC after RCT. Using high-resolution sonography (B-mode and color duplex) morphological changes in neck lymph nodes can be clearly detected. Another important aspect in the field of sonographic follow-up is the accurate and standardized documentation of findings and control of dynamic changes during follow-up. In summary, clinical presentation and sonography enable therapeutic decisions and treatment from one source.

[Interpretation of ultrasound findings in otorhinolaryngology : Skin, soft tissue of the neck, lymph nodes, and oncologic follow-up]. / Interpretation von Ultraschallbefunden in der HNO-Heilkunde : Haut, Halsweichteile, Lymphknoten und Tumornachsorge.

A major advantage of head and neck sonography over other imaging methods is that the attending physician performs the examination himself/herself and can directly compare the imaging findings with other clinical and endoscopic findings. Given the "big picture," the physician is thus able to interpret the sonographic findings correctly. The first part of this article gives an exemplary overview of lesions of the skin, neck, and lymph nodes as well as the ensuing oncologic follow-up with ultrasound. In the second part the focus lies on salivary glands, paragangliomas, the esophagus, and vascular pathologies.

[Interpretation of ultrasound findings in otorhinolaryngology. Salivary glands, paraganglioma, angioma, esophagus, hypopharynx, extra cranial vessels and temporomandibular joint]. / Interpretation von Ultraschallbefunden in der HNO-Heilkunde. Speicheldrüsen, Paragangliome, Angiome, Ösophagus, Hypopharynx, Halsgefäße und Kiefergelenk.

The second part of this continuing medical education article focuses on sonographic assessment of the salivary glands, cervical paraganglioma, angioma, esophagus, extra cranial blood vessels and the temporomandibular joint. The currently available minimally invasive therapeutic options (e. g. sialendoscopy, lithotripsy, therapeutic duct lavage and extracapsular dissection) for salivary gland disease presuppose a precise imaging modality. Modern ultrasound is able to meet this challenge, making additional imaging a rare necessity. Regions of the neck with a difficult topography (esophagus and hypopharynx) can often be successfully portrayed sonographically. Furthermore, ultrasound enables functional evaluation of swallowing in the cervical parts of the esophagus in dysphagia patients. In addition to the branchial cleft anomalies and lymph nodes discussed in part 1, paraganglioma, angiomatosis and neurogenic tumors are important differential diagnoses of solid lesions of the neck. Finally, venous and arterial alterations of the extracranial vessels of the neck relevant to clinical routine are depicted, as are pathological conditions of the temporomandibular joint relevant to the otorhinolaryngologist.

[Today's importance of ultrasound in ENT]. / Importance de l'échographie en ORL à l'heure actuelle.

Since ultrasound has been established for diagnosis in ENT several new techniques have been introduced. But also ultrasonography has technically developed and thus has earned even more importance and indications. This was to be shown by this paper as well as the advantages and pitfalls. Ultrasound is quite useful in inflammatory, infectious and tumor pathology in order to make a better diagnosis or staging and to help the surgeon for punture or incision of a pathologic lesion (cytology, bacteriology, drainage). Especially in ENT oncology and post-treatment follow up ultrasound is a very precious technique. Ultrasound can be realized by the ENT specialist himself anywhere and at any time. It is a non aggressive, non invasive technique and its cost is relatively low. Unfortunately by itself it is not very performant to distinguish benign and malignant lesions. But its specificity can be considerably enhanced by combinating it with cytology (UGFNAB, ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy). Another important field of ultrasound is the examination of salivary glands.

[Use of a portable ultrasound system in the perisurgical assessment of head and neck patients]. / Nutzen von portablen Sonographiesystemen im perioperativen Einsatz im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

PURPOSE: The use of high resolution ultrasound is an established diagnostic method. A disadvantage of current high end systems is that transporting the device into the operating theatre or an intensive care unit requires time and logistic effort. We report results of an evaluation of a portable ultrasound system in the diagnosis and treatment of the head and neck area. Indications and value of a portable device in the clinical setting of an operation theatre and intensive care unit were assessed. METHODS: Within a period of 5 months, 48 patients were included in this prospectively designed study using a portable ultrasound system with B-scan/color Doppler mode (SonoSite TITAN, Firma SonoSite® Germany) and an 7.5 MHz broadband linear array transducer. Two experienced physicians recorded the location and examination conditions, imaging mode, time expenditure, indication and diagnosis. The examiner also commented about whether the use of a portable laptop system considerably improved the therapy decision. The analysis included descriptive statistics for interpretation of the results. RESULTS: The most frequent use of the ultrasound system was the pre- or intrasurgical "pinpointing" of tumours in the soft tissues of the neck or in salivary glands. The average time for the examination was 6 min. In 79 % of the cases, the examiner stated a definite improvement of the therapy decision through the use of the portable ultrasound. CONCLUSION: We could demonstrate that a portable ultrasound system is a time-saving, economic and ubiquitously applicable method of imaging. Diagnosis and surgical planning are optimized. Thus, in larger hospitals and clinics, a portable ultrasound device is a logical complement to a stationary unit.

[Ultrasound of foreign bodies in the head and neck. Cases compared with an in vitro model]. / Ultraschallphänomene von Fremdkörpern der Kopf-, Halsweichteile. Vergleich von Kasuistik und Phantom.

BACKGROUND: High resolution ultrasound is an accepted method in identification and classification of various head and neck alterations. Foreign bodies are a seldom encountered entity and are supposed to have a characteristic echogenicity. In literature there are numerous publications describing diagnosing foreign bodies in other specialities like gynaecology or surgery with ultrasound. The aim of the study was to examine these findings and to reproduce them in the head and neck area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes the retrospective analysis of 6 cases. 3 cases have been reconstructed in a cadaver dissection model and a selfmade gel model. The findings were compared to the clinical cases and interpreted. RESULTS: In ultrasound foreign bodies have characteristic reflexions and artefacts. The diagnosis foreign body could be made in every case. The foreign body could not only be identified but also precisely localized. The findings were reproducable in both the cadaver and gel model. CONCLUSION: High resolution ultrasound is a dynamic, 3-dimentional, inexpensive, portable and readily available imaging method, facilitating the identification of lesions in the superficial soft tissues. In the hands of an experienced operator ultrasound may be the first imaging modality to be used for detection of radiolucent foreign bodies in head and neck area.

Digital tomosynthesis and ground glass nodules: Optimization of acquisition protocol. A phantom study.

INTRODUCTION: Ground-glass nodules may be the expression of benign conditions, pre-invasive lesions or malignancies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the capability of chest digital tomosynthesis (DTS) in detecting pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs). METHODS: An anthropomorphic chest phantom and synthetic nodules were used to simulate pulmonary ground-glass nodules. The nodules were positioned in 3 different regions (apex, hilum and basal); then the phantom was scanned by multi-detector CT (MDCT) and DTS. For each set (nodule-free phantom, nodule in apical zone, nodule in hilar zone, nodule in basal zone) seven different scans (n = 28) were performed varying the following technical parameters: Cu-filter (0.1-0.3 mm), dose rateo (10-25) and X-ray tube voltage (105-125 kVp). Two radiologists in consensus evaluated the DTS images and provided in agreement a visual score: 1 for unidentifiable nodules, 2 for poorly identifiable nodules, 3 for nodules identifiable with fair certainty, 4 for nodules identifiable with absolute certainty. RESULTS: Increasing the dose rateo from 10 to 15, GGOs located in the apex and in the basal zone were better identified (from a score = 2 to a score = 3). GGOs located in the hilar zone were not visible even with a higher dose rate. Intermediate density GGOs had a good visibility score (score = 3) and it did not improve by varying technical parameters. A progressive increase of voltage (from 105 kVp to 125 kVp) did not provide a better nodule visibility. CONCLUSION: DTS with optimized technical parameters can identify GGOs, in particular those with a diameter greater than 10 mm. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: DTS could have a role in the follow-up of patients with known GGOs identified in lung apex or base region.

Evaluation of the revised TNM classification in advanced laryngeal cancer.

The latest revision of the UICCs TNM classification in 2002 subdivided advanced laryngeal carcinoma into the subcategories T4a and T4b, in order to emphasise the poor prognosis and inoperability of the latter group. Our study aims at evaluating the prognostic relevance of this subclassification. This retrospective analysis includes 163 patients treated for advanced laryngeal carcinoma between 1980 and 2002. The disease-free 5-year-survival rates for patients suffering from T4a and T4b laryngeal carcinoma were 32.4 and 6.7%, respectively (P = 0.003). The T-category and free margins proved to be significant prognostic factors. The survival of patients suffering from T4a carcinoma proved to be independent of specific location and number of invaded structures. This study confirms the much poorer prognosis for patients suffering from T4b carcinoma and thus supports the modified TNM classification.

[Unilateral neck mass, dysphagia and dyspnea]. / Einseitiger Halstumor, Dysphagie und Dyspnoe.

Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, arising from skin and salivary glands. An important differential diagnosis in the head and neck region is metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma. Using case histories, the clinical and histological findings as well as the therapeutic principles of this entity are described. Only a few cases of this malignancy in the ENT area are published in the literature.

[Soft tissue navigation and image-guided removal of foreign bodies in head and neck surgery]. / Weichteilnavigation im Kopf-Hals-Bereich und navigierte Fremdkörperentfernung.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue navigation has traditionally been neglected in computer-aided surgery (CAS) because of unpredictable margins of error. In our study, we examined clinical cases in which standard CAS was applied in soft tissue surgery in the head and neck region. Its extended applicability, margins of error, and general performance are described and discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CAS was applied in surgical procedures for six patients. Five patients had foreign bodies in the head and neck region, and one patient displayed uncertain cervical lymph node enlargement. An optoelectrical navigation system (VectorVision(2), BrainLAB) was used in all cases. RESULTS: Using CAS, 10 out of 11 total foreign bodies were identified. Only one glass splinter attached to the eyeball could not be detected by the navigation system. One glass splinter that was deeply buried within the sphenoid bone was easily found but was left untouched. The parapharyngeal lymph node was identified and extracted in a minimally invasive transpalatinal approach. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue navigation was successfully applied in all but one case; the success was due to the altered demands in soft tissue navigation as opposed to skull-base surgery. Easy identification of foreign bodies and lymph nodes was possible in the soft tissues of the head and neck, with an acceptable margin of error.

[Vitamin C as contrast agent in diagnosis of salivary duct obstruction]. / Vitamin C als Kontrastverstärker bei der sonografischen Diagnostik der obstruktiven Speicheldrüsenerkrankungen.

In obstructive diseases of the salivary glands ultrasound is routinely used. In obstructive sialadenitis of the parotid and submandibular glands, diagnostic assessment of the origin and location of impediment is sometimes difficult. We studied sonographic visibility of the duct before and after stimulation with oral ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), the diagnosis compared to sialoendoscopy. In 43 patients with obstructive salivary gland diseases ultrasound examination of the parotid and submandibular glands was carried out before and after oral ascorbic acid stimulation. Before stimulation the duct system was depicted in 27 patients (63%). After ascorbic acid stimulation the duct system became visible in now 41 patients (95%). Application of ascorbic acid as part of ultrasound assessment improves diagnostic capabilities in patients with obstructive salivary gland diseases.

Identification and characterization of C3orf6, a new conserved human gene mapping to chromosome 3q28.

This study reports the characterization of a novel human gene, chromosome 3 open reading frame 6 (C3orf6), mapped to chromosome 3q28, within the critical region of hereditary spastic paraplegia SPG14 locus. Based on computational "spliced" EST alignment and RT-PCR, two C3orf6 transcript variants were identified. The longer C3orf6 transcript contains a 1449-nt ORF, encoding a protein of 482 aa, while the shorter variant contains a 921-nt ORF, encoding for a protein of 306 aa. C3orf6 gene is organised on 12 exons and the shorter transcript comes from an alternative splicing event skipping exon 6. The two mRNA are differentially expressed in brain and in several other human tissues with a predominant level for the shorter transcript. By database analysis, EST assembling and RT-PCR, we identified the transcripts of mouse and rat C3orf6 orthologous genes. The involvement of C3orf6 in the spastic paraplegia was investigated by sequencing all coding exons and flanking sequences in the SPG14 family, excluding the presence of causative mutations.