Long-term pharyngeal dysphagia after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer-an investigation using videofluoroscopic swallow studies.

Dysphagia is a common symptom of esophageal cancer (EC). Esophagectomy should relieve the presenting dysphagia as the mechanical obstruction caused by the tumor is removed. However, the new onset oropharyngeal dysphagia develops after esophagectomy and the deficit may persist increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia and mortality as well as adversely affecting quality of life (QOL). This study investigates the persistent swallowing deficits in long-term postesophagectomy patients and explores the factors associated with dysphagia severity, penetration, and aspiration. A better understanding of the swallowing function can aid future management of the condition. A total of 29 patients who were more than six months postesophagectomy for EC, had no history of disease that would likely affect swallowing function or vocal cord palsy underwent detailed videofluoroscopic swallow studies and completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and OES18 QOL questionnaires. Swallowing deficits were analyzed and rated using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) and the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS). These variables were correlated with the clinical and QOL parameters to determine which factors would affect swallowing function. Our cohort consisted of 27 males and 2 females. The mean duration after esophagectomy when the swallowing study was performed was 3.2 years (range: 0.5-18.4 years). Swallowing deficits were mainly found in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. The mean total VDS score was 36.1 (SD = 15.2, range: 11.0-69.5) out of a possible 100. The mean PAS score was 4.1 (SD = 2.5, range: 1-8) and 1.5 (SD = 0.9, range: 1-4) for thin and semisolids, respectively. Dysphagia was significantly more severe in males, those of more advanced age at esophagectomy and at swallowing assessment. Increasing pathological N stage significantly correlated with worse PAS score for thin fluid. Self-reports of more pain and less troubles with coughing were also associated with less penetration and aspiration. This study demonstrated that a mild to moderate pharyngeal dysphagia is present late after esophagectomy even in patients without VC palsy or anastomotic stricture. The long-term aspiration rate is comparable to the figures in the literature for those early after esophagectomy. It is suggested that damage to the intercostal nerves and the pulmonary vagus may affect oropharyngeal swallowing function in this population.

[Application of functional parotidectomy via retroauricular hairline incision in the excising superficial parotid tumor].

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of retroauricular hairline incision (RAHI) in partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP) by comparison with modified Blair incision (MBI). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 64 medical records for patients with benign parotid tumors who underwent partial superficial parotidectomy was undertaken (28 were in MBI group, 36 in RAHI group). Size and location of tumors, operative time, occurrence of facial nerve paralysis and Frey's syndrome, and cosmetic outcomes were compared between RAHI and MBI groups. Results: Compared with MBI group, RAHI group showed better cosmetic results for benign parotid tumors in mean satisfaction score(P<0.001). There were no significant differences in size and location of tumors, operative time, incidence of transient or permanent facial nerve paralysis and Frey's syndrome between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Partial superficial parotidectomy can be performed safely via RAHI in most cases of benign parotid tumors. Compared with MBI, RAHI for benign parotid tumorscan improve the cosmetic outcome, without increasing the operative time or operative morbidity.

Biopsy of deep-seated head and neck lesions under intraoral ultrasound guidance.

Although transcutaneous ultrasound combined with fine-needle aspiration is often used as initial modality for evaluating superficial neck masses, its role in management of deep-seated neck masses is limited. Intraoral ultrasound and guided biopsy helps in obtaining tissue from deep-seated neck masses for an accurate histologic diagnosis, providing useful information in treatment planning. This article discusses the role of intraoral ultrasound and presents 3 cases in which biopsy of deep-seated neck masses under intraoral ultrasound guidance helped in diagnosis and management.

Magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic guided biopsy (EGB) is performed after an initial endoscopy for the investigation of patients with suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of the study was to determine whether MR imaging has the potential to replace invasive EGB in patients with a normal endoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 2 groups of patients was reviewed, group 1 with proved NPC for MR staging (n = 456) and group 2 with suspected NPC (n = 77). The sensitivity was calculated for group 1 and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for group 2. RESULTS: In group 1, which included 118 of 456 (26%) with stage 1 disease, cancer was detected in all patients, giving a sensitivity of 100%. In group 2, MR imaging was negative for NPC in 70 (91%) patients, and no cancer has been detected on follow-up (follow-up range, 1-90 months; mean, 36 months). MR imaging was positive for NPC in 7 (9%) patients and NPC was confirmed by biopsy in 3 (4%). Two of these 3 patients had undergone negative endoscopy and biopsy before the MR imaging. NPC was not present in the remaining 4 patients, 2 of whom were found to have lymphoid hyperplasia. MR imaging had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 95%, NPV of 100%, PPV of 43%, and accuracy of 95%. CONCLUSION: MR imaging has the potential to screen healthy patients who do not require EGB and direct the site of biopsy in small cancers that may be missed by endoscopy. On the basis of these results, a prospective study is planned.

Resistance to apoptosis of HPV 16-infected laryngeal cancer cells is associated with decreased Bak and increased Bcl-2 expression.

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) plays an etiological role in human laryngeal carcinoma. Apoptosis is closely associated with various biological processes including oncogenesis. This study investigated how HPV 16 oncoproteins E6 and E7 affect apoptosis in human laryngeal cancer cells. We established two human laryngeal cancer cell lines that expressed HPV 16 E6 and E7, respectively. Using these two cell lines, we found that both E6 and E7 exhibited an inhibitive effect on apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha and cycloheximide. In both transfected cell lines, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bak was reduced and that of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was over-expressed. However, the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was not significantly different between the E6- and E7-transfected cells and the control cells without HPV 16. p53 Protein was not detected in either the transfected or the non-transfected cells. Our study indicates that: (1) HPV 16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins are capable of inhibiting apoptosis in laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells; (2) the mechanism modulated by E6 and E7 involves the over-expression of Bcl-2 and the down-regulation of Bak; (3) the anti-apoptotic pathway is not related to the level of p53, caspase-3, or caspase-8. These results suggest that the dysregulation of apoptotic molecules Bak and Bcl-2 by HPV 16 E6 and E7 plays a role in the prolongation of cell survival, which may subsequently contribute to the development of human laryngeal cancer.

Compartmentalized maxillary sinus mucocele.

A rare case of compartmentalized maxillary sinus mucocele 12 years after a Caldwell-Luc operation is reported. The two separate mucoceles were drained intranasally by endoscopic sinus surgery. The clinical features of this mucocele are presented and the incidence, presentation and theories on formation of post-operative mucoceles are reviewed.

Dural cavernous angiomas in a child.

Dural-based cavernous angiomas are rare intracranial vascular lesions. Most of the reported cases are located in the middle cranial fossa, and those located outside the middle fossa are even more uncommon. Thus far, only 3 pediatric cases have been reported and all of them were found outside the middle fossa of a neonate. We would like to add the fourth pediatric case of a dural-based cavernous angioma located in the posterior fossa of a 5-year-old boy.

Acute renal failure in a healthy young adult after dextran 40 infusion for external-ear reattachment surgery.

Dextran 40 is used to improve the microcirculation after certain surgical procedures. We report a rare case of acute anuric renal failure in a healthy young adult after administration of dextran 40 to improve the microcirculation following ear-reattachment surgery. The renal failure was subsequently reversed by plasmapheresis and intensive care support. Although rare in the young and fit, the risk of developing acute anuric renal failure exists with administration of dextran 40 and appropriate monitoring is essential.