The use of artificial intelligence in reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) in head and neck cancer (HNC) management is increasing, but postoperative complications remain prevalent and are the main factor that impact prognosis after surgery. Hence, recent studies aim to assess new AI models to evaluate their ability to predict free flap complications more effectively than traditional algorithms. This systematic review aims to summarize current evidence on the utilization of AI models to predict complications following reconstructive surgery for HNC. METHODS: A combination of MeSH terms and keywords was used to cover the following three subjects: "HNC," "artificial intelligence," and "free flap or reconstructive surgery." The electronic literature search was performed in three relevant databases: Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane. Quality appraisal of the included study was conducted using the TRIPOD Statement. RESULTS: The review included a total of 5 manuscripts (n = 5) for a total of 7524 patients. Across studies, the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) value achieved was 0.824 by the Auto-WEKA model. However, only 20% of reported AUROCs exceeded 0.70. One study concluded that most AI models were comparable or inferior in performance to conventional logistic regression. The highest predictors of complications were flap type, smoking status, tumour location, and age. DISCUSSION: Some models showed promising results. Predictors identified across studies were different than those found in existing literature, showing the added value of AI models. However, the algorithms showed inconsistent results, underlying the need for better-powered studies with larger databases before clinical implementation.

Predictors of prolonged treatment time intervals in oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Delays in treatment time intervals have been associated with overall survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). The aim of this study was to identify bottlenecks leading to prolonged treatment intervals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using a cohort of OCSCC patients who underwent surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy. The endpoints of interest were prolonged treatment intervals. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for patient and tumour characteristics. RESULTS: Median diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) and surgery to initiation of postoperative radiation therapy interval (S-PORT) were 39 days (IQR 30-54) and 64 days (IQR 54-66), respectively. Prolonged DTI was associated with older age, worse Charlson Comorbidity index scores and worse T stages. Patients with prolonged DTI had longer times to preoperative imaging reports (25 vs 9 days; P < 0.01). Time to preoperative pathology did not differ. Prolonged S-PORT was associated with longer times to pathology report (28 vs 18 days; P < 0.01), to maxillofacial consult (38 vs 15 days; P < 0.01) and to maxillofacial approval of radiation (50 vs 28 days; P < 0.01). In patients requiring medical oncology consults, those with prolonged S-PORT had longer waiting times until consultation (58 vs 38 days; P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed independent predictors of prolonged DTI: time to preoperative imaging; and prolonged S-PORT: time to pathology report, time to maxillofacial consult, and time to medical oncology consult. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies targeting these organizational bottlenecks may be effective for shortening treatment time intervals, hence representing potential opportunities for improving oncological outcomes in OCSCC patients.

Patterns of alaryngeal voice adoption and predictive factors of vocal rehabilitation failure following total laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine patterns of alaryngeal voice acquisition and predictive factors of vocal rehabilitation (VR) failure following total laryngectomy (TL) at a large Canadian tertiary care center. METHODS: All consecutive patients having undergone a TL between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2019, at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal were included. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-seven laryngectomized patients were identified. Successful VR was achieved in 86 (59.0%) patients, while 59 (41.0%) failed to use a method of alaryngeal voice as their principal means of communication at 1 year postoperatively. The use of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) was associated with higher VR success rates (70.6%) when compared with the artificial larynx (48.6%), and esophageal voice (18.8%). The only independent predictor of VR failure on multivariate analysis at all time points was a low socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Failure to adopt an alaryngeal voice following TL is highly prevalent, despite comprehensive and free speech language pathologist services being offered at our center. A low resort to TEP at our institution and a poor acceptability and accessibility of alternative VR methods may contribute to this trend. The challenges of VR may be further exacerbated by the barriers linked to a lower socioeconomic status, which in turn may contribute to reduced candidacy for TEP.

Assessment of surgical competence for neck dissection: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Progressive implementation of the milestone competence-based curriculum has created a need for new objective and validated means to assess resident surgical proficiency. A previous systematic review of the literature by our group has highlighted a shortage of tools assessing surgical competence in oncologic procedures in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery. METHODS: We developed a procedure-specific assessment tool for neck dissection using a modified Delphi method. The 2-part design was modelled on the previously validated Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills checklist. The tool was then validated through a 1-year multicentric prospective study in collaboration with the residents and faculty from our academic centre. Additionally, we developed an online survey to assess the acceptability by residents and staff before and after the validation studies. RESULTS: A total of 29 evaluations were completed throughout the 2016-2017 academic year. Acceptability ranked high for both residents and staff, with a single discrepancy in responses regarding a potential formative as opposed to summative use of the tool. Validation study results showed significantly higher checklist scores among senior residents than junior residents, as well as a significant score progression over time (p < 0.05). Trends in scores on the task-specific tool correlated highly to results obtained on a validated global rating scale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The first tool assessing surgical competence in oncologic otolaryngology - head and neck surgery has been developed and shows promising validity.

Reconstruction of medium-size defects of the oral cavity: radial forearm free flap vs facial artery musculo-mucosal flap.

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is the most commonly used flap for defects of the oral cavity. The facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) is a safe and effective method to reconstruct medium sized defects of the oral cavity. No comparison exists between the FAMM flap and RFFF. METHODS: 1) Retrospective chart review from 2007 to 2016. 2) Cost difference analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen FAMM flap cases and 18 RFFF met inclusion criteria. The FAMM flap showed a tendency to lower rates of return to the operating room (p = 0.065) as well as lower rates of complications not requiring return to the OR with 1 complication in 1 patient as opposed to 10 patients with 15 complications (p = 0.008). Also, FAMM flap had shorter operative times compared to the RFFF group (7.2HR and 8.9 HR respectively, p = 0.002). The average operative room related costs for a FAMM flap were 6510 CAD vs 10,703 CAD for RFFF (p < 0.0005). Speech and swallowing outcomes were similar (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The FAMM flap can be used for reconstruction of medium-size defects of the oral cavity with functional outcomes similar to the RFFF while decreasing the associated costs and morbidity.

A Protocol for a Pan-Canadian Prospective Observational Study on Active Surveillance or Surgery for Very Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: The traditional management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is thyroidectomy (total or partial removal of the thyroid). Active surveillance (AS) may be considered as an alternative option for small, low risk PTC. AS involves close follow-up (including regularly scheduled clinical and radiological assessments), with the intention of intervening with surgery for disease progression or patient preference. Methods: This is a protocol for a prospective, observational, long-term follow-up multi-centre Canadian cohort study. Consenting eligible adults with small, low risk PTC (< 2cm in maximal diameter, confined to the thyroid, and not immediately adjacent to critical structures in the neck) are offered the choice of AS or surgery for management of PTC. Patient participants are free to choose either option (AS or surgery) and the disease management course is thus not assigned by the investigators. Surgery is provided as usual care by a surgeon in an institution of the patient's choice. Our primary objective is to determine the rate of 'failure' of disease management in respective AS and surgical arms as defined by: i) AS arm - surgery for progression of PTC, and ii) surgical arm - surgery or other treatment for disease persistence or progression after completing initial treatment. Secondary outcomes include long-term thyroid oncologic and treatment outcomes, as well as patient-reported outcomes. Discussion: The results from this study will provide long-term clinical and patient reported outcome evidence regarding active surveillance or immediate surgery for management of small, low risk PTC. This will inform future clinical trials in disease management of small, low risk papillary thyroid cancer. Registration details: This prospective observational cohort study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04624477), but it should not be considered a clinical trial as there is no assigned intervention and patients are free to choose either AS or surgery.

Proceedings of the Canadian Thyroid Cancer Active Surveillance Study Group 2019 national investigator meeting.

Active surveillance (AS) in the management of small, low risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) as an alternative option to thyroidectomy, is an area of active research. A national Canadian study is proposed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with small, low risk PTC who choose AS or surgery. This letter describes the proceedings of a national investigator meeting to plan the study.

Université de Montréal Objective and Structured Checklist for Assessment of Audiovisual Recordings of Surgeries/ techniques (UM-OSCAARS): a validation study.

Background: Use of videos of surgical and medical techniques for educational purposes has grown over the last years. To our knowledge, there is no validated tool to specifically assess the quality of these types of videos. Our goal was to create an evaluation tool and study its intrarater and interrater reliability and its acceptability. We named our tool UM-OSCAARS (Université de Montréal Objective and Structured Checklist for Assessment of Audiovisual Recordings of Surgeries/techniques). Methods: UM-OSCAARS is a grid containing 10 criteria, each of which is graded on an ordinal Likert-type scale of 1 to 5 points. We tested the grid with the help of 4 voluntary otolaryngology - head and neck surgery specialists who individually viewed 10 preselected videos. The evaluators graded each criterion for each video. To evaluate intrarater reliability, the evaluation took place in 2 different phases separated by 4 weeks. Interrater reliability was assessed by comparing the 4 topranked videos of each evaluator. Results: There was almost-perfect agreement among the evaluators regarding the 4 videos that received the highest scores from the evaluators, demonstrating that the tool has excellent interrater reliability. There was excellent test-retest correlation, demonstrating the tool's intrarater reliability. Conclusion: The UM-OSCAARS has proven to be reliable and acceptable to use, but its validity needs to be more thoroughly assessed. We hope this tool will lead to an improvement in the quality of technical videos used for educational purposes.

Contexte: Au fil des ans, l'utilisation de vidéos pour l'enseignement de techniques chirurgicales et médicales s'est répandue. À notre connaissance, il n'existe aucun outil pour évaluer spécifiquement la qualité de ces types de vidéos. Notre objectif était de créer un outil d'évaluation et d'analyser sa fiabilité interévaluateurs et son acceptabilité. Notre outil a pour nom UM-OSCAARS (Université de Montréal Objective and Structured Checklist for Assessment of Audiovisual Recordings of Surgeries/Techniques). Méthodes: L'outil UM-OSCAARS est une grille qui contient 10 critères; chacun est noté sur une échelle de type Likert de 1 à 5 points. Nous avons testé la grille avec l'aide de 4 volontaires, spécialistes en otorhinolaryngologie/chirurgie de la tête et du cou, qui ont visionné 10 vidéos présélectionnées. Les évaluateurs ont noté chacun des critères pour chaque vidéo. Afin de vérifier la fiabilité interévaluateurs, l'évaluation s'est déroulée en 2 phases, à 4 semaines d'intervalle. La fiabilité interévaluateurs a été mesurée en comparant les 4 vidéos les mieux cotées par chaque évaluateur. Résultats: La concordance a été quasi parfaite entre les évaluateurs pour les 4 vidéos qu'ils ont les mieux cotées, ce qui montre que l'outil a une excellente fiabilité interévaluateurs. La corrélation test­retest a été excellente, ce qui démontre la fiabilité interévaluateurs de l'outil. Conclusion: L'outil UM-OSCAARS et son utilisation se sont révélés fiables et acceptables, mais il faut évaluer davantage sa validité. Nous espérons que cet outil permettra d'améliorer la qualité des vidéos techniques destinées à l'enseignement.

Development, translation, and preliminary validation of the neck dissection assessment tool.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to develop an assessment tool to evaluate residents' competency for neck dissection and provide preliminary evidence of feasibility, reliability, and validity. METHODS: Six surgeons developed a neck dissection assessment tool using a modified Delphi method and evaluated 58 neck dissections from six junior and six senior otolaryngology residents. RESULTS: The assessment tool uses a double checklist: a previously validated global rating scale (GRS) and a task-specific checklist (TSC). Use of the instrument appeared feasible and the average scores on the GRS and TSC differed significantly between junior and senior residents. The Pearson correlation coefficient between both checklists was 0.87. Intraclass correlation (ICC) for inter-rater reliability was 0.69 for the GRS, and 0.80 for the TSC. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence of feasibility, reliability, and validity for the first neck dissection assessment tool and provides a foundation for further psychometric analysis and research.

Phase II study of de-intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin/5-fluorouracil in lateralized p16-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess cancer control and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after de-intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in lateralized p16-associated oropharyngeal cancer (p16-OPC). METHODS: Lateralized p16-OPC treated with radiotherapy and concurrent Carboplatin/5-fluorouracil between 2011 and 2014 were enrolled. De-intensified IMRT consisted in elective neck dose of 43.2 Gy/24 fractions and omission of contralateral retropharyngeal/level IV nodes. PROs were assessed using the EORTC QLC-C30 and QLQ-HN35 scales. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included. Median follow-up was 44 months. As per AJCC 7th Ed, 7%, 83% and 10% of patients had stage III, IVa and IVb. 5-year locoregional control and overall survival rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. Rates of acute were 52% and 35%, respectively. At 2 years post-treatment, 50% and 14% of patients had grade 1 xerostomia and dysgueusia, respectively. Most PROs scores returned to baseline within 8 months post-treatment. CONCLUSION: De-intensified IMRT was associated with excellent cancer outcomes, and rapid recovery of PROs in lateralized p16-OPC.

Dual Inhibition of Autophagy and PI3K/AKT/MTOR Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Genomic analyses of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have highlighted alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, presenting a therapeutic target for multiple ongoing clinical trials with PI3K or PI3K/MTOR inhibitors. However, these inhibitors can potentially increase autophagy in HNSCC and indirectly support cancer cell survival. Here, we sought to understand the relationship between the PI3K signaling pathway and autophagy during their dual inhibition in a panel of HNSCC cell lines. We used acridine orange staining, immunoblotting, and tandem sensor Red Fluorescent Protein- Green Fluorescent Protein-, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (RFP-GFP-LC3B) expression analysis to show that PI3K inhibitors increase autophagosomes in HNSCC cells, but that chloroquine treatment effectively inhibits the autophagy that is induced by PI3K inhibitors. Using the Bliss independence model, we determined that the combination of chloroquine with PI3K inhibitors works in synergy to decrease cancer cell proliferation, independent of the PIK3CA status of the cell line. Our results indicate that a strategy focusing on autophagy inhibition enhances the efficacy of therapeutics already in clinical trials. Our results suggest a broader application for this combination therapy that can be promptly translated to in vivo studies.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs6942067 Is a Risk Factor in Young and in Non-Smoking Patients with HPV Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Genetic factors behind the increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in young non-smokers are suspected, but have not been identified. Recently, rs6942067, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located upstream of the DCBLD1 gene, was found associated with non-smoking lung adenocarcinoma. To validate if this SNP is also implicated in HNSCC, participants of The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSCC cohort were investigated for rs6942067 status, associated DCBLD1 expression, and clinical characteristics. Occurrence of the rs6942067 GG genotype is significantly higher in young and in HPV negative non-smoking HNSCC than in other HNSCC. Additionally, rs6942067 GG is associated with higher DCBLD1 expression in HNSCC and patients with high DCBLD1 expression have a worse overall survival at three years, both in univariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore, high DCBLD1 expression is associated with activation of the integrin signaling pathway and its phosphorylation with EGFR and MET. Collectively, these findings suggest that DCBLD1 plays a critical role in HNSCC and demonstrate an association between rs6942067 and clinical characteristics of young age and HPV negative non-smoking status in HNSCC patients.

Rapid head and neck tissue identification in thyroid and parathyroid surgery using optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging modality that may reproduce the microarchitecture of tissues in real-time. This study examines whether OCT can render distinct images of thyroid, parathyroid glands, adipose tissue, and lymph nodes in both healthy and pathological states. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients undergoing thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and/or neck dissection for thyroid cancer were recruited prospectively for imaging prior to histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Based on 122 imaged specimens, qualitative OCT descriptions were derived for healthy thyroid, parathyroid gland, adipose tissue, and lymph node. The frequencies at which distinguishing features were present for each tissue type were 88%, 83%, 100%, and 82%. OCT appearance of pathological specimens were also described. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy neck tissues have distinct OCT appearances, which could facilitate parathyroid identification during thyroidectomies. However, images of parathyroid adenomas could be confused with those of lymph nodes, and benign and malignant thyroid nodules could not be differentiated.

Cystic masses of the lateral neck: Diagnostic value comparison between fine-needle aspiration, core-needle biopsy, and frozen section.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of fine-needle aspiration (FNA), core-needle biopsy (CNB), and frozen section (FS) for assessing lateral cystic neck masses (LCNM) remains unclear. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting with a LCNM was undertaken. RESULTS: In total, 135 patients were included. FNA had a lower sensitivity then CNB (59% vs 83%; P = .036) and FS (59% vs 93%; P = .01). FS had a better negative predictive value (NPV) when compared to FNA (92% vs 40%; P < .001) and CNB (92% vs 50%; P = .062). Positive predictive values (PPV) and sensitivities were similar among all groups. CONCLUSION: Given its adequate PPV (92%), FNA should be used initially on LCNM. Because of its high sensitivity, CNB should be considered if FNA is not diagnostic of malignancy. FS should always follow a CNB indicative of malignancy, because of low NPV. A diagnosis of malignancy on FNA, CNB, or FS strongly indicates presence of malignancy.

Free versus pedicled flaps for reconstruction of head and neck cancer defects: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The present review focuses on comparative studies of reconstruction with free flaps (FF) versus pedicled flaps (PF) after oncologic resection. METHOD: A systematic review was developed in compliance with PRISMA guidelines and performed using the Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Amed and Biosis databases. RESULTS: A total of 30 articles were included. FF are associated with a longer operative time, a higher cost and a higher incidence of postoperative revisions compared to PF. FF are associated with a longer stay at the intensive care unit than the supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) and with a more extended hospital stay compared to the submental island flap (SMIF). FF are associated with fewer infections and necrosis compared to the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF). CONCLUSION: The comparison of both type of flaps is limited by the inherent design of the studies included. In sum, FF seem superior to the PMMF for several outcomes. SMIF and SCAIF compare favorably to FF for some specific indications achieving similar outcomes at a lower cost.

Phase I/II trial of Durvalumab plus Tremelimumab and stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic head and neck carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has previously been demonstrated in metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) aims at ablating metastatic lesions and may play a synergistic role with immunotherapy. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of triple treatment combination (TTC) consisting of the administration of durvalumab and tremelimumab in combination with SBRT in metastatic HNSCC. METHOD: This is a phase I/II single arm study that will include 35 patients with 2-10 extracranial metastatic lesions. Patients will receive durvalumab (1500 mg IV every 4 weeks (Q4W)) and tremelimumab (75 mg IV Q4W for a total of 4 doses) until progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient withdrawal. SBRT to 2-5 metastases will be administered between cycles 2 and 3 of immunotherapy. The safety of the treatment combination will be evaluated through assessment of TTC-related toxicities, defined as grade 3-5 toxicities based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v 4.03), occurring within 6 weeks from SBRT start, and that are definitely, probably or possibly related to the combination of all treatments. We hypothesize that dual targeting of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways combined with SBRT will lead to < 35% grade 3-5 acute toxicities related to TTC. Progression free survival (PFS) will be the primary endpoint of the phase II portion of this study and will be assessed with radiological exams every 8 weeks using the RECIST version 1.1 criteria. DISCUSSION: The combination of synergistic dual checkpoints inhibition along with ablative radiation may significantly potentiate the local and systemic disease control. This study constitutes the first clinical trial combining effects of SBRT with dual checkpoint blockade with durvalumab and tremelimumab in the treatment of metastatic HNSCC. If positive, this study would lead to a phase III trial testing this treatment combination against standard of care in metastatic HNSCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03283605 . Registration date: September 14, 2017; version 1.

Decreasing Revision Surgery in FAMM Flap Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity: Traditional Versus Modified Harvesting Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical and functional outcomes between two harvesting techniques for the inferiorly based facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap for oral cavity and oropharynx reconstructions. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective chart review. RESULTS: We reviewed 55 cases of FAMM flap, including 29 traditional cases and 26 performed using the modified harvesting method. The overall rate of surgical re-intervention in the traditional group was 31% (n = 9 of 29) and 15% (n = 4 of 26) in the modified group (P = 0.196). The specific re-intervention rate for pedicle sectioning was 27% (n = 8 of 29) in the traditional group versus 0% (n = 0 of 26) in the modified group. The overall rate of complications was 21%. Nine out of 10 dentate patients in the traditional group and four out of five in the modified group needed tooth extraction. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of tracheostomy duration (P = 0.338) and time to first oral intake (P = 0.629). Speech and feeding outcomes were similar among groups (P = 0.922; P = 0.700, respectively). Dental rehabilitation was achieved in 67% and 78% of patients in the traditional and modified groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The FAMM flap offers a low morbidity approach to reconstruct the oral cavity. The modified approach to harvesting the flap is a safe and effective technique, with similar functional results and equally low morbidity profile as the traditional technique. It has the added advantage of lower rates of secondary surgical interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 1802-1805, 2018.

Four PTEN-targeting co-expressed miRNAs and ACTN4- targeting miR-548b are independent prognostic biomarkers in human squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value and oncogenic pathways associated to miRNA expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue and to link these miRNA candidates with potential gene targets. We performed a miRNA screening within our institutional cohort (n = 58 patients) and reported five prognostic targets including a cluster of four co-expressed miRNAs (miR-18a, miR-92a, miR-103, and miR-205). Multivariate analysis showed that expression of miR-548b (p = 0.007) and miR-18a (p = 0.004, representative of co-expressed miRNAs) are independent prognostic markers for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue. These findings were validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n = 131) for both miRNAs (miR-548b: p = 0.027; miR-18a: p = 0.001). Bioinformatics analysis identified PTEN and ACTN4 as direct targets of the four co-expressed miRNAs and miR-548b, respectively. Correlations between the five identified miRNAs and their respective targeted genes were validated in the two merged cohorts and were concordantly significant (miR-18a/PTEN: p < 0.0001; miR-92a/PTEN: p = 0.0008; miR-103/PTEN: p = 0.008; miR-203/PTEN: p = 0.019; miR-548b/ACTN4: p = 0.009).

High-resolution cone-beam computed tomography for assessment of bone invasion in oral cancer: Comparison with conventional computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Radiologic assessment of mandibular bone invasion is critical in evaluating the extent of bone resection required in patients with oral cancer. There are a few reports of improved sensitivity with cone-beam CT (CBCT) over conventional CT. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas adjacent to the mandible requiring marginal or segmental mandibular resection was performed. Patients were treated based on clinical assessment and conventional cross-sectional imaging. Patients and surgeons were blinded to the results of CBCT performed preoperatively. Pathologic examination served as the gold standard. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included in the study. Thirty-three percent of the patients underwent segmental mandibulectomy and 37% had bone invasion. The sensitivity and specificity of CBCT were 91% and 60%, respectively, compared to 86% and 68% for CT with bone windows. CONCLUSION: A CBCT offers marginally improved sensitivity at the cost of reduced specificity for assessment of bone invasion compared to CT.