CO2 laser cordectomy for T1-T2 glottic cancer: oncological and functional long-term results.

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of CO2 laser cordectomy in the treatment of early glottic cancer and to determine the impact of margin status on disease-free survival and of the operation on voice quality. This is a retrospective review of 169 patients. Quantitative and qualitative variables were statistically compared. The impact on overall and disease-free survivals of different variables was calculated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Ten-year overall and disease free-survivals were 75 % and 60 %, respectively. Age and clinical stage showed a significant negative impact on overall survival, while margin status both on overall and disease-free survivals. The degree of dysphonia was directly related to the extension of the resection. This series confirms the good oncologic and functional outcomes of laser surgery for Tis, T1 and selected T2 glottic tumors. Patients with positive margins should undergo a further treatment or a very close follow-up.

Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT): Technical Background and Cardio-Vascular Applications.

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is a new advanced imaging technique that is going to transform the standard clinical use of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Photon-counting detectors resolve the number of photons and the incident X-ray energy spectrum into multiple energy bins. Compared with conventional CT technology, PCCT offers the advantages of improved spatial and contrast resolution, reduction of image noise and artifacts, reduced radiation exposure, and multi-energy/multi-parametric imaging based on the atomic properties of tissues, with the consequent possibility to use different contrast agents and improve quantitative imaging. This narrative review first briefly describes the technical principles and the benefits of photon-counting CT and then provides a synthetic outline of the current literature on its use for vascular imaging.

Dual Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography-Part II: Clinical Overview of Neurovascular Applications.

Photon-counting detector (PCD) is a novel computed tomography detector technology (photon-counting computed tomography-PCCT) that presents many advantages in the neurovascular field, such as increased spatial resolution, reduced radiation exposure, and optimization of the use of contrast agents and material decomposition. In this overview of the existing literature on PCCT, we describe the physical principles, the advantages and the disadvantages of conventional energy integrating detectors and PCDs, and finally, we discuss the applications of the PCD, focusing specifically on its implementation in the neurovascular field.

Dual-Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography-Part I: Clinical Overview of Cardiac CT and Coronary CT Angiography Applications.

The photon-counting detector (PCD) is a new computed tomography detector technology (photon-counting computed tomography, PCCT) that provides substantial benefits for cardiac and coronary artery imaging. Compared with conventional CT, PCCT has multi-energy capability, increased spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast with near-null electronic noise, reduced radiation exposure, and optimization of the use of contrast agents. This new technology promises to overcome several limitations of traditional cardiac and coronary CT angiography (CCT/CCTA) including reduction in blooming artifacts in heavy calcified coronary plaques or beam-hardening artifacts in patients with coronary stents, and a more precise assessment of the degree of stenosis and plaque characteristic thanks to its better spatial resolution. Another potential application of PCCT is the use of a double-contrast agent to characterize myocardial tissue. In this current overview of the existing PCCT literature, we describe the strengths, limitations, recent applications, and promising developments of employing PCCT technology in CCT.

Dual-Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography-Part III: Clinical Overview of Vascular Applications beyond Cardiac and Neuro Imaging.

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging technology that is expected to radically change clinical CT imaging. PCCT offers several advantages over conventional CT, which can be combined to improve and expand the diagnostic possibilities of CT angiography. After a brief description of the PCCT technology and its main advantages we will discuss the new opportunities brought about by PCCT in the field of vascular imaging, while addressing promising future clinical scenarios.

Preventive nasal bacteriotherapy for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and sleep disordered breathing in children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of Streptococcus salivarius 24SMBc administered as a nasal spray in children affected by recurring infections of the upper airways, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and sleep disordered breathing (SDB). METHODS: Prospective study on 42 children with SDB. Anamnestic and general examination data were collected using the 'Sleep Clinical Record' (SCR) questionnaire during the first inspection and after three months of treatment with Streptococcus salivarius 24SMBc nasal spray. Quantitative variables were statistically compared. RESULTS: After three months, the enrolled patients showed lower SCR scores than during the first inspection (6.0 vs 7.5 p < 0.000), with a significant reduction of nasal obstruction (p = 0.001) and oral breathing (p = 0.04), and a positive Brouillette Score (p = 0.001). The children and parents did not declare any adverse reactions during the three months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This series confirms the effectiveness and safety of Streptococcus salivarius 24SMBc treatment in children affected by recurring upper respiratory tract infections, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and sleep disordered breathing.