Transcutaneous Laryngeal Ultrasound for Assessing Hyaluronic Acid Status in Patients Undergoing Injection Laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) with hyaluronic acid (HA) is an effective treatment for patients with glottic insufficiency. The duration of HA maintenance in the vocal fold remains unknown. In this study, transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUS) was used to evaluate the absorption and migration of HA after IL. Subsequent management might be provided based on the TLUS finding. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) or vocal fold atrophy were recruited. All patients underwent IL with HA in an office-based setting along with TLUS to monitor the status of HA. The schedule of TLUS included assessments before and after IL until non-visualization. RESULTS: The study population comprised 38 women and 17 men. Of the patients, 54.1% underwent IL for UVFP, whereas 45.9% underwent IL for vocal fold atrophy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis for factors affecting HA absorption revealed that the cause of injection was the most important independent predictor (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-4.46; p = 0.040). The duration of HA maintenance was significantly longer in patients with UVFP than in those with vocal fold atrophy (8.77 vs. 4.70 months, HR, 2.33; 95% CI, 5.47-8.18; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: TLUS is an objective assessment method for patients undergoing IL with HA. Subsequent tailor-made management could be offered based on the TLUS findings during follow-up. For patients at high risk of upper respiratory tract infection or who are intolerant to flexible nasopharyngoscopy, TLUS can be used as an alternative tool to evaluate the condition of the glottis after IL with HA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Induction chemotherapy followed by transoral laser microsurgery with or without adjuvant therapy for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer patients: A preliminary result.

BACKGROUND: Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) has the poorest prognosis among head and neck cancers. Its treatment may significantly affect breathing, speaking, and swallowing. Induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) could reduce these adverse effects and achieve good outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 11 patients with advanced HPSCC. All patients underwent ICT and TLM alongside tailor-made adjuvant therapy based on the pathological features. RESULTS: Adjuvant therapy was done in 7 out of 11 patients (64%). The 3-year disease-free survival and laryngeal preservation rates were 78% and 91%, respectively. At the last follow-up, 10 out of 11 patients (91%) had no tracheostomy or feeding tube. CONCLUSION: ICT followed by TLM is an appropriate treatment for good tumor control in select patients with advanced HPSCC while preserving laryngeal function.

Enhancing regional control in p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis of upfront neck dissection and definitive chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The presence of p16 and neck disease is important predictors of prognosis for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Patients who are p16-negative and have clinically node-positive (cN+) disease generally have worse oncologic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether upfront neck dissection (UFND) could provide potential benefits for patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC. METHODS: Through this retrospective study, 76 patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC were analyzed, those who received either definite concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT group) or UFND followed by chemoradiotherapy (UFND group). The primary endpoints were regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). Factors associated with survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival between the two groups was compared by propensity score-matched analysis. RESULTS: Matched 23 patients in each group through propensity analysis, the UFND group showed a significantly better 5-year RRFS (94.1% vs 61.0%, p = 0.011) compared to the CCRT group. Univariate analysis revealed that UFND was the sole factor associated with regional control (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.110; 95% CI, 0.014-0.879; p = 0.037). Furthermore, the study found that the CCRT group was associated with a higher dose of radiotherapy and exhibited a significantly higher risk of mortality due to pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that UFND followed by CCRT may be a potential treatment option for patients with cN+ p16-negative OPSCC, as it can reduce the risk of regional recurrence. Additionally, the study highlights that definite CCRT is connected to a larger dose of radiotherapy and a higher risk of fatal pneumonia. These findings could be beneficial in informing clinical decision-making and improving treatment outcomes for patients with OPSCC.

Ultrasound shear wave elastography for patients with sialolithiasis undergoing interventional sialendoscopy.

Objective: Ultrasound shear wave elastography is an objective tool to evaluate the stiffness of human tissues. Patients with sialolithiasis could be treated by interventional sialendoscopy with a high success rate. Sialolithiasis could be extracted, and the diseased gland could be preserved and evaluated after treatment. Whether ultrasound shear wave elastography could be used for objective outcome measurement and short-term follow-up of the parenchyma of gland in patients with sialolithiasis remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective self-controlled study was conducted. Patients with sialolithiasis treated by interventional sialendoscopy and followed by high-resolution ultrasound shear wave elastography were selected between January and September 2017. Results: Seventeen patients with sialolithiasis (mean age: 39.63 ± 12.49 years), including 10 women and 7 men, were enrolled. Fifteen patients had sialolithiasis in the submandibular gland and two in the parotid gland. The preoperative value of shear wave velocity was significantly higher in the diseased gland than in the contralateral normal gland (p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3915-0.6046). After successful treatment by interventional sialendoscopy surgery, the shear wave velocity of the diseased gland decreased significantly (p = 0.001; 95% CI, -0.38792 to -0.20474). However, there was a significant difference between the diseased and contralateral normal glands (p = 0.001; 95% CI, 0.0423-0.2895) after 1.55 months of surgery. Conclusion: Ultrasound shear wave elastography could be an adjuvant tool to distinguish sialolithiasis-affected diseased glands from contralateral normal glands and assess the short-term treatment outcome objectively. The changing trend of shear wave velocity could help monitor the healing process of the parenchyma in the diseased gland after treatment. Level of Evidence: 4.

Perineural invasion/lymphovascular invasion double positive predicts distant metastasis and poor survival in T3-4 oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Postoperative adjuvant therapy has been indicated by advanced T classification for T3-4 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the significance of perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in treatment for T3-4 OSCC remains unclear. Ninety-eight cumulative patients with T3-4 OSCC who underwent curative surgery between Jan 2002 and Dec 2010 were recruited and analyzed. Twenty-seven (27.6%) patients were PNI/LVI double positive. PNI/LVI double positive demonstrated independent predictive values for higher neck metastasis (LN+), higher distant metastasis (DM) and low 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates (p < 0.001, p = 0.017, and p < 0.001, respectively) after controlling for other pathologic features of the primary tumors. A high DM rate of 33.3% was noted in PNI/LVI double-positive patients. Among the PNI/LVI double negative, single positive to double positive subgroups, increasing LN+, DM rates and decreasing DSS rate were observed. Among the 44 LN+ patients, PNI/LVI double positive remained associated with a markedly high DM rate of 42.9% and a poor 5-year DSS of 27.7%. PNI/LVI double positive plays important roles in prognostication and potential clinical application for T3-4 OSCC by independently predicting LN+, DM, and poor DSS, and can be used as a good marker to select DM high-risk patients for novel adjuvant therapy trials.

Botulinum toxin for chronic parotid sialadenitis: A case series and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate salivary gland chemodenervation with botulinum toxin in chronic parotid sialadenitis. METHODS: Patients who underwent parotid gland chemodenervation for chronic sialadenitis due to duct stenosis refractory to siaendoscopy were reviewed (case series). Additionally, a systematic review of the literature on botulinum toxin injection for chronic parotid sialadenitis was performed. Inclusion criteria included studies containing original data on botulinum toxin injections in patients with chronic sialadenitis symptoms. RESULTS: Sialadenitis symptoms from 10 patients with 13 affected parotid glands were examined. All had duct stenosis diagnosed on sialendoscopy, refractory sialadenitis symptoms, and received parotid onabotulinum toxin injection(s) (median dose 65U). Of patients with 3-month follow-up, 78% reported significant improvement in symptoms. Mean Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms (COSS) Score improved at 3 months post-injection (47-25.9, P = .039) with significant reduction in gland pain frequency and gland swelling severity. No patients had a facial nerve paralysis or increased xerostomia. With the systematic review, 518 abstracts were reviewed and 11 studies met inclusion criteria and included case series or case reports with a total of 40 patients treated with botulinum toxin for chronic parotitis. Thirty-four out of a total of 35 patients in the studies (97%) reported complete (9, 26%) or partial (25, 71%) improvement in sialadenitis symptoms with minimal complications. CONCLUSION: Parotid gland chemodenervation with botulinum toxin is a minimally invasive treatment option for symptomatic chronic sialadenitis refractory to medical treatment or sialendoscopy. Botulinum toxin injections alleviate gland pain and swelling associated with salivary obstruction and provide an alternative to parotidectomy for recurrent sialadenitis.Level of evidence: 4.

Image-enhanced endoscopy for detection of second primary esophageal neoplasms in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer: Prevalence, risk factors, and characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal second primary neoplasms (ESPNs) are common in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) patients and are associated with poor prognoses. The effectiveness of image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) has not been well established. METHODS: We reviewed the patients between April 2016 and April 2018 with HPSCC receiving ESPNs screening via white-light imaging, narrow-band imaging, and Lugol chromoendoscopy. RESULTS: Of 99 eligible patients, ESPNs prevalence was 31%. Of the 69 patients assigned to the follow-up group, 23 with positive findings showed significantly increased previous histories of second primary malignancies in the upper aerodigestive tract. Among them, patients without symptoms at the time of IEE screening showed less advanced T stages and higher percentages of receiving minimal invasive therapy. CONCLUSION: The present study represented the clinical utility of routine IEE screening in HPSCC patients and proposed routine surveillance may help identify and properly manage early-stage ESPN.

Modified technique of submandibular gland transfer followed by intensity modulated radiotherapy to reduce xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is one of the most common long-term adverse effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients. Contralateral submandibular gland transfer (SMG-T) before radiotherapy was shown to reduce xerostomia compared to pilocarpine. We sought to evaluate a modification of this surgery preserving the ipsilateral facial artery and vein to simplify the SMG-T. METHODS: Eighteen patients planned for head and neck intensity modulated radiotherapy to both necks were reviewed. Surgical complications were recorded. The grade of xerostomia was assessed after treatment completion. RESULTS: There were no minor or major complications resulting from the modified SMG-T. At 24.5-months follow up, the incidence of post-treatment moderate to severe xerostomia was 16.7%. No locoregional recurrence occurred. Only one patient had distant solitary lung metastasis. CONCLUSION: The modified SMG-T technique is a practical and effective method to reduce the dose of radiation to the contralateral SMG and limit post-treatment xerostomia.

Predictors of local recurrence of glottic cancer in patients after transoral laser microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is used to treat early and select cases of moderately advanced glottic cancer, with results equivalent to those of conventional conservative surgery and radiotherapy (RT). As surgeons and researchers become more experienced and familiar with TLM, they can focus on mechanisms to earlier detect local recurrence, to more effectively preserve laryngeal function. This study analyzed the predictors of local recurrence in glottic cancer patients who underwent TLM. METHODS: Our study focused on 93 consecutive patients with glottic cancer who received TLM between 2003 and 2009, and were analyzed retrospectively. All of these patients were treated by the same surgeon. The local control and survival rate were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Additionally, the Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 5-year local control, overall survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 87%, 95%, and 96%, respectively. The final laryngeal preservation rate was 98%. Independent predictors of local recurrence were arytenoid cartilage invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-26.6), difficult laryngeal exposure (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5-17.3), previous microlaryngoscopic surgery (HR 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-10.5), positive surgical margin (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-9.7), and endophytic tumors (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1-7.6). CONCLUSION: TLM is a reliable modality to treat early and select cases of moderately advanced glottic cancer with good final laryngeal preservation rate. Our study found that independent factors of local recurrence included arytenoid cartilage invasion, difficult laryngeal exposure, previous microlaryngoscopic surgery, positive surgical margin and endophytic tumors. These findings may help to follow-up glottic cancer patients after TLM.

Neck dissection and stroke in patients with oral cavity cancer: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancers in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for stroke after surgery in patients with oral cavity cancer with a focus on the effect of neck dissection. METHODS: Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for newly diagnosed oral cavity cancer between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007, were included. RESULTS: Neck dissection did not increase the risk of stroke after treatment. Patients with ages older than 44 years, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, previous stroke, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy had a significantly higher risk of stroke (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that neck dissection does not increase the risk of stroke in patients with oral cavity cancer. Patients have higher risk of stroke after cancer treatment because of their older age, specific comorbidities, and/or type of postoperative treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 63-70, 2017.

Relationship between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and subsequent stroke.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The correlation between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and subsequent stroke is unclear. This study aimed to review stroke incidence after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss among patients admitted to a tertiary referral center and aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with and without stroke. STUDY DESIGN: Individual retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Between January 2000 and April 2004, a total of 349 patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and followed up until May 31, 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: a stroke group and a nonstroke group. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for analysis after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and prior stroke history. RESULTS: The average follow-up duration was 81.7 ± 15.0 months, and the average annual stroke incidence rate was 0.6%. The number of patients with older age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and prior stroke history was significantly higher in the stroke group than in the nonstroke group. Prior stroke history was the most important risk factor for stroke after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss did not increase stroke risk. The average annual stroke incidence rate after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was comparable with that in the general Taiwanese population. The study patients experienced stroke because they carried the risk factors for stroke. In patients with modified risk factors for stroke, efforts should be made to prevent stroke rather than idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Partial laryngopharyngectomy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx: analysis of the oncologic results and laryngeal preservation rate.

CONCLUSION: Partial laryngopharyngectomy (PLP) provides acceptable oncologic results and laryngeal preservation rate in selected patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. Even when local recurrence develops, the chance of successful salvage is still high. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oncologic results and laryngeal preservation rate in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx who underwent PLP. METHODS: The results of 39 patients who underwent PLP were compared with those of 91 patients who underwent total laryngectomy (TL). RESULTS: The distribution of the primary T stages were 23 (59%) pT2, 9 (23%) pT3, and 7 (18%) pT4; the pathologic stages were 8 patients (21%) stage II, 9 (23%) stage III, and 22 (56%) stage IV. All of the patients also had ipsilateral or bilateral neck dissections. Eighteen patients (46%) received postoperative adjuvant therapy. After a median follow-up of 39 months, 17 patients (44%) had recurrence, including 12 local, 2 regional, and 3 distant lesions. The 5-year overall and disease-specific survival were 44% and 56%, respectively; functional preservation was 62%. The recurrence rate was similar in patients treated with PLP and TL (44% vs 36%, p = 0.431); the local recurrence rate was higher after PLP than after TL (31% vs 8%, p = 0.001). The salvage surgery was successful in four of the six patients (67%). After salvage treatment, the 5-year overall survival (44% vs 47%) and disease-specific survival (56% vs 62%) were similar in the two groups.

Extra-major salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma of the head and neck: a 10-year experience and review of the literature.

Pleomorphic adenomas, or benign mixed tumors, make up 65% of all salivary gland tumors. They also can be found as solid tumors in other parts of the head and neck region, such as the auditory canal, the eyelids, and the orbital area. In this study, we investigated extra-major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas of the head and neck region retrospectively at a tertiary care center. Between March 1998 and June 2009, 37 patients underwent primary surgery for extra-major salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma of the head and neck. The duration of symptoms, radiographic findings, operative procedures, and pathologic findings were documented. Of the 37 patients enrolled, 22 were male and 15 were female, with a median age of 57 years. Tumors were found in the soft palate, hard palate, nasopharynx, orbital area, trachea, buccal mucosa, cheek, nasal septum, upper lip, lower eyelid, and external auditory canal. Cellular variant of the pleomorphic adenoma was found in four patients, while the remaining patients presented with the classic variant. No myxoid subgroup was noted in our study. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was observed only in one patient for whom radical surgery was performed. Twenty-eight patients (76%) had long-term follow-ups, with the average follow-up period being 4.5 years. Local recurrence was observed in three patients, and they underwent revision surgery during the follow-up period. Our results indicate that extra-major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas are most commonly found in the soft palate. Wide excision was the treatment of choice, although its efficacy might be compromised with cosmetics and functional structures of the head and neck. Therefore, long-term follow-up of patients is necessary.

Sino-nasal neuro-endocrine carcinoma.

CONCLUSION: Patients with sino-nasal neuro-endocrine carcinoma should be managed by multi-modality treatment that includes surgery and postoperative chemo-radiotherapy as described in our treatment plan. Even though current combined therapy results in good disease control and survival rate, long-term follow-up is necessary. OBJECTIVE: Neuro-endocrine carcinoma is an aggressive and rare malignant tumor of the sino-nasal tract, and its management remains divergent. The aim of this paper is to present our experience in the management of this kind of aggressive tumor and compare different treatment plans in order to draw up an effective strategy. Various treatment strategies were reviewed and assessed. METHODS: Seven patients with biopsy-proven primary sino-nasal neuro-endocrine carcinoma from July 2004 to December 2006 were evaluated. The staging system was based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual of 2002. All of the patients underwent endoscopic or open surgery with curative intent. Six patients received postoperative chemo-radiotherapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up after surgery was 43.5 months (range 26.9-57.7 months). One patient was T2N0M0, one was T3N0M0, four were T4aN0M0, and one was T4bN0M0. After endoscopic or open surgery and postoperative chemo-radiotherapy, six patients were alive with no evidence of recurrence. One patient had persistent tumor without clinical and imaging changes for 36.9 months. After the whole treatment course, one patient had sino-cutaneous fistula and underwent flap reconstruction. None had regional failure or distant metastasis during follow-up.