Masseter muscle defined sarcopenia and survival in head and neck cancer patients.

Sarcopenia is increasingly recognised as a poor prognostic factor in older patients undergoing cancer treatment. Recently, masseter muscle cross sectional area (MMCSA) has been shown to accurately identify sarcopenic patients. We aimed to apply this novel technique to a head and neck cohort to identify any potential relationship with survival. A retrospective review was undertaken of patients over 65 years, diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and treated with curative intent in our unit between October 2009 and October 2017. MMCSA was measured on staging CT scans using a validated technique. Patients were categorised into tertiles and also high and low MMCSA groups based on gender based tertile and mean MMCSA values. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. A total of 111 patients were included in the study. The average age was 74 years (range 65-92 years) and 69% were male. The majority of patients had malignancies of the oral cavity (41%) or larynx (37%). The overall survival was 46% with a follow-up between 24 and 60 months. MMCSA was significantly associated with worse overall survival when defined using a gender based mean cut-off point (p=0.038) or tertile groupings (p=0.026), but did not maintain significance in multivariable analysis. Masseter muscle defined sarcopenia was associated with worse survival in our cohort in univariate analysis.Opportunistic measurement of this new factor on staging scans may aid prognostication and management in older patients.

Comparison of three different methods of internal sinus lifting for elevation heights of 7 mm: an ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Various techniques are available for elevating the sinus membrane. The aim of this study is to evaluate three methods of indirect sinus floor elevation regarding elevation heights of 7 mm on the outcomes of membrane perforation, length of perforation, and time required to perform the procedure. METHODS: Three different methods for indirect sinus lifting, bone added osteotome sinus floor elevation (BAOSFE), sinus floor elevation with an inflatable balloon, and crestal approach system (CAS kit) from OSSTEM, were assessed for their ability to lift the sinus without causing laceration of the Schneiderian membrane. The study was performed on 18 freshly slaughtered sheep heads (36 sinus lifts were done, 12 for each method). CBCT images of the heads were taken to assess the best location for the sinus lift. Then, the heads were bisected and the membrane was exposed from the medial aspect. After that, each method was performed. The intended elevation height was 7 mm. If the 7 mm were not reached, the maximum height of elevation was measured. RESULTS: The method used was significantly associated with the occurrence of perforation (p value = 0.014) where BAOSFE was associated with the largest number of perforations (58.4%, n = 7) compared to 8.3% and 8.3% for the balloon and CAS kit methods, respectively. The odds ratio for perforation occurrence from BAOSFE compared to the CAS kit was significant (OR = 0.091, p = .022). No significant odds ratio was found for the balloon method compared to CAS kit. Additionally, the method used was significantly associated with time of operation and with the length of perforation (p value < 0.001) where CAS kit required the longest time and BAOSFE caused the biggest perforations. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that both the balloon and the CAS kit were superior to the BAOSFE in terms of safety in elevating the sinus membrane. Further, in vivo studies have to prove these findings.