Impact of Psychiatric Symptoms on Nasal Perception in Septorhinoplasty Patients.

Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in the preoperative phase of septorhinoplasty (SRPL), exerting potential influence on both pre- and postoperative aspects of quality of life (QoL). In this prospective study, SRPL patients were systematically screened using two validated questionnaires for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and one each for anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Nasal perception was evaluated utilizing two disease-specific, self-report instruments: The Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17). A total of 95 patients were enrolled. Positive screening rates were 40.4 and 28.3% for BDD, 37.3% for elevated anxiety, 16.4% for depression, and 22.4% for SSD. Mean scores on the ROE and FROI indicated lower QoL in all positive screening groups. Statistically significant differences were observed for anxiety (FROI total score: 47.1 ± 14.6 to 37.8 ± 16.2; p = 0.021) and BDD (ROE: 43.7 ± 15.7 to 32.5 ± 15.5; p = 0.003 and FROI total score: 47.4 ± 15.3 to 37.8 ± 17.1; p = 0.014). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale exhibited a significant correlation with the preoperative FROI score (r = 0.34, p = 0.005). Patients with positive screenings for depression, anxiety, BDD, and SSD demonstrated compromised QoL during preoperative assessments compared with their negative counterparts, reflecting diminished nasal perception in both esthetic and functional dimensions. Surgeons must be cognizant of these psychological aspects during preoperative evaluations.

[Analysis of ENT emergency patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany]. / Analyse von HNO-Notfallpatienten während der COVID-19-Pandemie in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective observational study was undertaken to assess the ENT emergency workload during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory coronavirus­2 (SARS-CoV-2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 3230 patients who were treated as an emergency from 23.01.2020 to 06.08.2020 in the Department of Otolaryngology at the SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn were included in this study. Demographic data, diagnostics, diagnosis, and treatment (in-/outpatient) were retrospectively retrieved. Not only did the physicians on call triage the emergency department (ED) ENT patients, but the patients also self-assessed their urgency of treatment. RESULTS: The number of patients consulting our ED decreased significantly during the pandemic, by 42.2%. However, the top diagnoses remained almost constant, with epistaxis being the most frequent diagnosis before, during, and after COVID-19. Facial trauma remained the second most frequent consultation reason. The hospitalization rate decreased from 21.9% before COVID-19 to 16.2% during the pandemic. Surgical therapy was necessary in 17.6% of patients before COVID-19 and this increased to 23.5% during COVID-19. The self-referral rate increased from 61 to 66% during the pandemic. More men than women consulted the ED during COVID-19. Regarding the triage assessment by the physician on call and the patient's self-assessment, a significant discrepancy was noted before, during, and after COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The reasons for reduction in ENT ED visits are multifactorial. The clinical consequences of decreased hospitalizations remain uncertain. However, health authorities need to advocate the safety of the hospital environment to limit potential damage.

Primary neoplasms of the parapharyngeal space: diagnostic and therapeutic pearls and pitfalls.

PURPOSE: Parapharyngeal space neoplasms (PSNs) are rare tumors of the head and neck region. In this study, we report our institutional experience with PSNs over a 27-years period. METHODS: Patients treated between 1992 and 2018 were identified through our tumor board database. Data concerning demographics, clinical presentation, disease features, treatment, complications and follow-up were obtained retrospectively. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients were identified. Most patients had benign tumors (67.5%), with pleomorphic adenoma and schwannoma being the most frequent entities. Malignant tumors represented the remaining 32.5% of neoplasms. Concerning tissue of origin, 67.5% of neoplasms originated from salivary glands and 17.5% were neurogenic. The vast majority of PSNs required open surgical approaches (77%). The most frequent reversible and irreversible complications included paralysis of facial, vagal, and hypoglossal nerves (transient 62.5%, permanent 31.3%). Tumor recurrences occurred in 16.7% of our patients. CONCLUSION: Neoplasms of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are rare. In our series, consistent with the literature, most patients had benign tumors. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and/or transoral biopsy in selected cases combined with radiographic imaging are helpful to plan the optimal approach (open/transoral) and extent of primary surgery. Close follow-up in malignant neoplasms is crucial to assess recurrence early. We present one of the largest recent studies on PPS tumors treated in a center. Given the low incidence of these tumors, our results contribute to the existing sparse evidence regarding the management and outcome of such tumors.

Epstein-Barr Virus Induces Expression of the LPAM-1 Integrin in B Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects the oropharynx but, surprisingly, frequently induces B cell proliferation in the gut of immunosuppressed individuals. We found that EBV infection in vitro induces the expression of the LPAM-1 integrin on tonsillar B cells and increases it on peripheral blood cells. Similarly, LPAM-1 was induced in the tonsils of patients undergoing primary infectious mononucleosis. EBV-induced LPAM-1 bound to the MAdCAM-1 addressin, which allows B cell homing to the gastrointestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Thus, we hypothesized that EBV-induced LPAM-1 could induce relocation of infected B cells from the tonsil to the GALT. In situ hybridization with an EBER-specific probe revealed the frequent presence of EBV-infected cells in the pericolic lymph nodes of healthy individuals. Relocation of infected B cells into the GALT would expand the EBV reservoir, possibly protecting it from T cells primed in the oropharynx, and explain why EBV induces lymphoid tumors in the gut.IMPORTANCE EBV causes tumors in multiple organs, particularly in the oro- and nasopharyngeal area but also in the digestive system. This virus enters the body in the oropharynx and establishes a chronic infection in this area. The observation that the virus causes tumors in the digestive system implies that the infected cells can move to this organ. We found that EBV infection induces the expression of integrin beta 7 (ITGB7), an integrin that associates with integrin alpha 4 to form the LPAM-1 dimer. LPAM-1 is key for homing of B cells to the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting that induction of this molecule is the mechanism through which EBV-infected cells enter this organ. In favor of this hypothesis, we could also detect EBV-infected cells in the lymph nodes adjacent to the colon and in the appendix.

Initial clinical experience performing sialendoscopy for salivary gland protection in patients undergoing 225Ac-PSMA-617 RLT.

PURPOSE: The main side effect of prostate-specific membrane antigen targeting alpha therapy (PSMA TAT) is dry mouth syndrome. Inflammation of the salivary glands and consequent reduced salivary function have been reported in patients after radioiodine therapy. The beneficial effects of sialendoscopy on radiation-induced inflammation in tissue are well known. Thus sialendoscopy with dilatation, saline irrigation and steroid injections (prednisolone) was performed before and after 225Ac-PSMA-617 TAT to reduce inflammatory effects in the salivary glands and to improve or prevent xerostomia. METHODS: Eleven men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mean age 68.5 years, range 58-80 years) underwent sialendoscopy, dilatation, saline irrigation and steroid injection of both submandibular and both parotid glands before or after every cycle of 225Ac-PSMA-617 TAT. Sialendoscopy and steroid injection were performed by a senior ENT physician. Quality of life was evaluated using two health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires, the Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) and the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) before and 3 months after the intervention. RESULTS: In all 11 patients both parotid and both submandibular glands were affected by radiation sialadenitis and sialendoscopy was performed. The patients experienced no complications after sialendoscopy, and showed a significant improvement in HRQOL as measured using the XQ and XI. After sialendoscopy the XQ score decreased significantly from 77.7 ± 13.6 to 42.7 ± 14.8 (p = 0.003) and the XI score decreased from 44.5 ± 6.9 to 25.8 ± 12.8 (p = 0.003). Due to the limited number of patients we only report tendencies. CONCLUSION: Sialendoscopy with dilatation, saline irrigation and steroid injection had beneficial effects on salivary gland function and HRQOL in patients undergoing 225Ac-PSMA-617 RLT. However, even with sialadenoscopic support after multiple cycles of TAT, salivary gland function was reduced and xerostomia was present. Therefore, not only inflammation but also the direct effect of radiation is a putative cause of dry mouth. Further research is necessary to determine the main side effects of PSMA TAT.

Validating the Xerostomia Inventory in a radiation-induced xerostomia population in German language.

OBJECTIVES: Though xerostomia is a frequent oral symptom, there is no validated disease-specific questionnaire in German. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate versions of the Xerostomia Inventory and the Summated Xerostomia Inventory in a German-speaking population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients including 18 patients suffering from radiation-induced xerostomia enrolled in this study. Both questionnaires were translated into German language according to international accepted guidelines. For validation, we evaluated reliability, validity, and responsiveness using the COSMIN manual for cross-cultural adaptation. RESULTS: Cronbach's α was 0.92 for XI and 0.91 for SXI, showing both high internal consistency. Patients suffering from xerostomia showed significantly higher average scores demonstrating its discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis showed excellent "goodness-of-fit" values for SXI and good to moderate values for XI, confirming the assumed factor structures. The Xerostomia Inventory and its summated version both showed excellent test-retest reliability in the non-xerostomia group (ICC = 0.85 and 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: The XI and SXI in their cross-cultural adapted versions are the first validated self-report assessments for xerostomia in German language. They are characterized by practical design and can be easily interpreted by the treating physician.

Long-term quality of life and sensory impact of great auricular nerve preservation in parotid surgery as measured with the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory-8.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate sensory dysfunction resulting from great auricular nerve (GAN) sacrifice versus preservation in parotid surgery for benign lesions and its imact on long-term health-related quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING/MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were divided into two groups (GAN and non-GAN), and both short-term (two postoperative weeks) and long-term (at least 5 years) QOL were assessed. The second item of the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory-8 (POI-8) was used to analyse postoperative sensory loss. All items of the POI-8 questionnaire were used to determine health-related QOL.We used t test for dependent samples and Mann-Whitney U-test to compare patient groups PARTICIPANTS: A total of 137 patients (65 male and 72 female) enrolled in this study. Average age at the time of surgery was 53 years (±12.8). RESULTS: The GAN preservation group had significantly better sensation than the GAN sacrifice in short term (2.8 vs 2.1; P = 0.017). Both groups experienced improved sensation in the long term, and there was a trend towards better QOL in the GAN-preservation group. However, the difference in sensation was not statistically significant (1.7 vs 1.3; P = 0.145). Health-related QOL also increased in the long term (compared to short term) for both groups (7.6 ± 6.2 to 12 ± 7.6; P < 0.0001) postoperatively. GAN preservation did not significantly improve sensation in long term, nor did it increase health-related QOL postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although GAN preservation was easily feasible, it only improved sensation in short term. We report a negative result: GAN preservation did not significantly improve sensation in long-term, nor did it increase health-related QOL postoperatively when compared to GAN sacrifice.

Long-term quality of life changes after primary septorhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life measurements are gaining in importance in clinical medicine. Little is known about the long-term quality of life changes after septorhinoplasty. This study was designed to analyse the long-term quality of life impacts of septorhinoplasty, using disease-specific instruments-rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) and Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17); as well as a generic instrument-Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). METHODS: Patients completed the FROI-17, the ROE and the SF-36 preoperatively and at 12 and 60 months postoperatively. General demographic and clinical information (age, gender, allergies, medication, medical and surgical history) were collected from all patients. RESULTS: We report a significant increase in disease-specific QOL after primary septorhinoplasty (as measured with the ROE & FROI-17) and in two scales of the SF-36 generic instrument (role-functioning physical and mental health) 1 year after surgery. Our patients showed further significant increase in disease-specific QOL (FROI-17) after their primary septorhinoplasty (1 year vs. 5 years postoperatively). SF-36 results showed significant improvements 5 years postoperatively (compared to preoperative scores) in six out of eight scales (physical functioning, role-functioning physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning and mental health). CONCLUSION: Septorhinoplasty can improve disease-specific and non-disease-specific QOL in the short- and long-term postoperative period. These improvements remain measurable 5 years after surgery.

Quality of Life Gain After Septorhinoplasty: An Analysis of Health Utility and Cost Utility Values Associated with Septorhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: Septorhinoplasty is a common procedure performed in rhinology and facial plastic surgery. Despite this, the health benefits associated with the procedure remain controversial. In this study, a health utility assessment of patients undergoing septorhinoplasty was performed. Health gains associated with the procedure, and the cost at which they were acquired, were also determined. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients undergoing septorhinoplasty at a German tertiary-level hospital were included in the study. Study participants completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and satisfaction questionnaires before and 12 months after septorhinoplasty. The Short Form six-dimensional (SF-6D) instrument was used to acquire quality-adjusted life year (QALY) values from SF-36 responses, thus allowing estimation of pre- and post-operative health utilities. Health utility gains after septorhinoplasty were determined and combined with cost data to estimate cost per QALY gained. RESULTS: Patients undergoing septorhinoplasty reported mean pre-operative health utility values of 0.70 pre-operatively and 0.74 post-operatively resulting in health gains of 0.04 QALYs. Patients satisfied with their procedures had significant health utility gains, while dissatisfied patients did not experience any significant gains. The cost of septorhinoplasty to statutory health insurance was €3487.69. When compared to the baseline, the incremental utility ratio for septorhinoplasty was €94,797.30 per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: This study successfully estimated the health utilities and gains associated with septorhinoplasty. The findings indicate that the procedure has associated health gains but at a high cost-utility ratio. These values provide a reference point for further much-needed economic evaluations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Modified facelift incision for partial parotidectomy versus bayonet-shaped incision: a comparison using visual analog scale.

The aim of this study is to show differences between a modified facelift incision (MFI) for partial parotidectomy versus a bayonet-shaped incision (BSI). 24 patients presenting with a parotid tumor were surgically treated with a partial parotidectomy using a MFI. We generated a "matched pair control group" regarding age, tumor size and gender, who received a BSI. A questionnaire was sent to all patients and relevant data reviewed. The cosmetic satisfaction on a VAS with a MFI was 9.74 (±0.47) compared to BSI with 7.63 (±2.44, p = 0.004). The scoring in the two subgroups "visible scar" and "people noticed my surgery" was significantly better in the MFI group The postoperative skin numbness, skin depression, facial nerve function postoperatively showed no statistical differences. The MFI for parotid tumors has a better outcome than the BSI regarding cosmetic satisfaction and visible scarring.

Quality of life in functional rhinoplasty: rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation German version (ROE-D).

The aim of this study was to validate a German version of the rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation (ROE) questionnaire. A prospective study was conducted and a German translated ROE (ROE-D) questionnaire administered to 100 patients preoperatively, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The translation was performed according to internationally accepted guidelines. To validate this instrument, we evaluated its reliability, validity and sensitivity. ROE-D was completed by 54 patients after 6 months and by 69 patients 1 year after functional rhinoplasty. Cronbach's α indicated good internal consistency. Reliability was tested with a split-half-reliability, showing significant correlation. Discrimination validity was demonstrated by a comparison with healthy controls. Sensitivity to change showed medium to large effects. ROE-D is a reliable, validated and sensitive German instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients after rhinoplasty. The ROE-D focuses mainly on the aesthetic aspects of the rhinoplasty surgery.

Quality of life after septorhinoplasty measured with the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory 17 (FROI-17).

BACKGROUND: Quality of life measurements in septorhinoplasty patients so far have taken place only to a small extent. The aim of the present study was a prospective measurement of disease-specific quality of life with a newly developed and validated instrument, the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory 17 (FROI-17). METHODS: The patients completed the FROI-17 and the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) as disease-specific instruments preoperatively as well as 12 months postoperatively. As a general instrument, the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used. Furthermore, additional general questions were answered at both time points. RESULTS: Out of the 103 patients, 69 patients (32 men, 37 women) responded after 12 months (response rate 67%). Thirteen patients (18%) were not satisfied with the result of surgery. However, all scales of FROI-17 and also ROE showed a significant postoperative improvement of subjective assessments by the patients. In the SF-36, this was true in 2 out of 8 scales (mental health and role-functioning physical). Furthermore, we found significant correlations between the FROI-17 and the SF-36 scales but not between the ROE and the SF-36 scales. CONCLUSION: The disease-specific quality of life was significantly improved by septorhinoplasty. FROI-17 scales detect more functional aspects compared with the ROE thus establishing significant correlations with general quality of life measured by SF-36. The application of both FROI-17 and ROE in future clinical trials in septorhinoplasty patients is recommended.

Clinical and molecular characteristics of HNSCC patients with brain metastases: a retrospective study.

Among the metastasis patterns of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), intracranial spread is a rare but dreaded event. To date only very few cases have been reported and clinical and molecular data are sparse. We screened our archives for HNSCC patients from 1992 to 2005 who were diagnosed with brain metastases (BM). For retrospective analysis, all clinico-pathological data including disease-free survival (DFS), local progression-free survival (LPFS), and overall survival (OS) were compiled. Additionally, we assessed the mutational status of the TP53 gene and the prevalence of HPV serotypes by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect p16INK4A expression levels as surrogate marker for HPV infection. The prevalence rate of BM in our cohort comprising 193 patients with advanced HNSCC was 5.7%. Of 11 patients with BM, 3 were female and 9 were male. Seven of the primary tumors were of oropharyngeal origin (OPSCC). LPFS of the cohort was 11.8 months, DFS was 12.1 months and OS was 36.0 months. After the diagnosis of BM, survival was 10.5 months. Five tumors showed a mutation in the TP53 gene, while five of the seven OPSCC tumors had a positive HPV status displaying infection with serotype 16 in all cases. Compared with patients who harbored TP53wt/HPV-positive tumors, patients with TP53 mutations showed a poor prognosis. Compared with the whole cohort, the interval between diagnosis of the primary and the detection of BM was prolonged in the HPV-infected OPSCC subgroup (26.4 vs. 45.6 months). The prognosis of HNSCC patients with BM is poor. In our cohort, most tumors were OPSCC with the majority being HPV positive. Our study points toward a putatively unusual metastatic behavior of HPV-positive OPSCC.

Quality of Life Improvement in Concurrent Septorhinoplasty and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Septorhinoplasty (SRPL) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) are two frequently performed surgeries to improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasal symptoms. It has been demonstrated as a safe combination regarding complication rates, but patient satisfaction in concurrent surgery has not been adequately studied yet. METHODS: Patients undergoing sole FESS due to chronic rhinosinusitis (n = 57), sole SRPL (n = 148), and concurrent surgery (n = 62) were prospectively evaluated for their disease-specific QoL before and one year after surgery. Each procedure was performed by the same surgeon (OCB). For SRPL, the patient-reported outcome measures Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17) were utilized, and for chronic rhinosinusitis, the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT22). RESULTS: All three groups showed significant improvement in the postoperative QoL measurements (all p < 0.01). The postoperative improvements were slightly smaller in the concurrent surgery group compared with the single surgery groups measured with ROE (combined: +55.2 ± 9.3, single: +58.8 ± 9.8, p = 0.02), FROI total score (combined: +47.6 ± 5.2, single: +49 ± 5.4; p = 0.08) and SNOT22 (combined: +33.1 ± 6.7, single +34.5 ± 7, p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: SRPL, FESS, and combined surgery improve disease-specific QoL. When applicable, surgeons may offer the benefits of a combined procedure without compromising the QoL gain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1239-1245, 2024.

Quality of Life and Screening on Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Depression, Anxiety in Septorhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Septorhinoplasty (SRPL) can improve quality of life (QoL) in functional and aesthetical aspects of the nose. A key factor compromising postoperative satisfaction is symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined by excessive concerns and distress over slight or imagined physical defects. Although a high prevalence of BDD in SRPL patients is evident, the effect of positive screening on BDD and other psychiatric disorders is understudied. It was hypothesized that patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety do not show increased postoperative QoL. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study including 259 patients. For psychiatric evaluation, the BDD concern questionnaire-aesthetic version and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used; for disease-specific QoL the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17). RESULTS: In preoperative evaluation, 32.5% had a positive screening for BDD, 42.2% for increased anxiety, and 32.9% for depression. Mean QoL improved in the whole cohort (FROI total score: 54.4 ± 21.8 to 32.8 ± 23.7 and ROE: 32.3 ± 15.6 to 69.8 ± 23.1, both p < 0.001). Patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety did show an increased postoperative QoL, but to a significantly lower degree and with lower pre- and postoperative QoL levels. CONCLUSIONS: SRPL patients show a high prevalence of BDD symptoms, elevated anxiety, and depression. These subgroups show lower QoL levels and an impaired QoL increase after surgery. Rhinoplasty surgeons must be aware of the disorders and their symptoms, discuss potential concerns with the patients, and potentially refer them to a specialist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2187-2193, 2024.

Can Sex Improve Nasal Function?-An Exploration of the Link Between Sex and Nasal Function.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the impact of sexual activity on nasal breathing and compare such effect to that of a nasal decongestant. METHODS: We evaluated nasal breathing at 5 different times: (1) before sexual activity (baseline), (2) immediately after sexual activity, (3) 30 minutes, (4) 1 hour (5), and 3 hours after sexual climax. Same measurements were taken on the second day following application of nasal decongestant spray. For evaluation of nasal breathing, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS). Additionally, we used a portable rhinometric device to measure resistance and nasal flow. RESULTS: Nasal breathing improved significantly after sexual intercourse with climax to the same degree as after application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes, as measured subjectively with the VAS (sex -3.6, P < .001; spray -3.2, P < .001). This was confirmed in the objective rhinometric data as mean nasal flow (mL/s) increased while resistance decreased immediately (flow sex +214, P < .001; flow spray +235, P < .001), 30 (flow sex +249, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001), and 60 minutes (flow sex +180, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001) post-intervention. Nasal breathing was back to the baseline level after 3 hours following sexual intercourse, while it continued to be improved for longer after application of nasal decongestant. Only participants having nasal obstruction (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score >30) showed nasal function improvement after sex. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual intercourse with climax can improve nasal breathing to the same degree as application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes in patients having nasal obstruction.

Quality of life outcome in revision rhinoplasty in regards to number of revision surgeries and cartilage donor site.

OBJECTIVES: Rhinoplasty with or without combined septoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures in facial plastic surgery. Patient satisfaction and improvement in quality of life (QoL) is the primary goal. This prospective study was conducted to analyse Qol outcome in revision rhinoplasty in regards to number of revision surgeries and cartilage donor site using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). METHODS: Preoperative and at least 12-months postoperative scores on the Nasal Obstruction Symptome Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire (range 0-100, lower scores indicate better outcome) and the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire (range 0-100, higher scores indicates better outcome) were obtained. Additionally, data on age, gender and number of previous rhinoplasties were assessed. All revision rhinoplasties were performed by one surgeon (author, F.R.) between 2014 and 2017. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (11 (17.2%) male, 53 (82.8%) female) prospectively enrolled in this study. In 41 (64.1%) cases septal cartilage and in 23 (35.9%) patients ear cartilage was the donor site in revision surgery. Patients with more than one previous surgery (n=18) started with a lower preoperative ROE score (28.2 ± 12.8) compared to patients who had received only one previous surgery. The difference however was not significant (p=0.06). This subgroup still showed significant postoperative improvement (ROE-postop 61.9 ± 24.2; p<0.05). Both cohorts (septal cartilage and ear cartilage) improved significantly in regards to their ROE and NOSE scores after surgery and therefore showed improved health-related QoL. We could not detect any differences in health-related QoL postoperatively in regards to cartilage donor site in revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Revision rhinoplasty improves health-related QoL. There are no differences in ROE- or NOSE-scores postoperatively in regards to graft material (ear- versus septal cartilage). Both subgroups show significantly higher scores postoperatively.

The role of organ- and function-preserving radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate clinical outcome and functional larynx preservation after radiotherapy (RT) for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the larynx. METHODS: Eleven patients with primary ACC of the larynx, who received RT definitely (n = 5/11) or postoperatively (n = 6/11), were analyzed regarding survival and treatment-related toxicity with the focus on functional larynx preservation. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 45 months. RT offered an excellent 5-year local control (LC) rate of 100%. Eight of 11 patients were treated with a laryngeal preservation approach (LPA). At last follow-up, only one of these eight patients developed a local recurrence requiring a total laryngectomy 11 years after treatment. Severe toxicity was uncommon, with only one patient with LPA, requiring a temporary tracheostomy during therapy. CONCLUSIONS: RT is an effective treatment method for laryngeal ACC with excellent LC rates, preservation of the laryngeal function and voice formation, representing a valuable therapy alternative to total laryngectomy.

Differential Activation of ERK Signaling in HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) forms a distinct tumor entity with better survival clinical outcome. Numerous underlying molecular mechanisms have been postulated for differences in treatment response, but the impact of MEK/ERK signaling, a main driver of carcinogenesis in various cancers including OPSCC and key player mediating therapy resistance remains elusive. In a retrospective experimental cohort study, primary tumor samples from OPSCC patients (n = 124) were available on tissue microarrays (TMAs) and expression levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Correlations of pERK1/2 expression patterns with clinicopathological features and clinical outcome were evaluated by statistical analysis. A low pERK1/2 expression was strongly associated with HPV-related OPSCC, while primary tumors with high pERK1/2 staining showed a distinctly worse survival outcome and were associated with higher cellular differentiation. Co-activation of both ERK1/2 and AKT was a common event and was associated with unfavorable prognosis in our cohort. However, the combinatorial analysis of pAKT (Ser473) and pERK1/2 did not strengthen the predictive power of pERK1/2, suggesting that pERK1/2 plays a more significant function in OPSCC. In summary, our data provide a compelling experimental and statistical evidence that low levels of tumor cell intrinsic ERK1/2 activation contribute at least in part to the favorable outcome of HPV-related OPSCC. On the other hand, presented findings indicate that non-HPV-related OPSCC with elevated ERK phosphorylation are at high risk for treatment failure and might benefit from targeted therapy of MEK/ERK signaling.