Long-term survival outcomes in patients with surgically treated oropharyngeal cancer and defined human papilloma virus status.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated long-term survival outcomes in surgically treated oropharyngeal cancer patients with known human papilloma virus status. METHODS: A case note review was performed of all patients undergoing primary surgery for oropharyngeal cancer in a single centre over a 10-year period. Human papilloma virus status was determined via dual modality testing. Associations between clinicopathological variables and survival were identified using a log-rank test. RESULTS: Of the 107 cases in the study, 40 per cent (n = 41) were human papilloma virus positive. The positive and negative predictive values of p16 immunohistochemistry for human papilloma virus status were 57 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively. At a mean follow up of 59.5 months, 5-year overall and disease-specific survival estimates were 78 per cent and 69 per cent, respectively. Human papilloma virus status (p = 0.014), smoking status (p = 0.021) and tumour stage (p = 0.03) were significant prognostic indicators. CONCLUSION: The long-term survival rates in surgically treated oropharyngeal cancer patients were comparable to other studies. Variables including human papilloma virus status and tumour stage were associated with survival in patients treated with primary surgery; however, nodal stage and presence of extracapsular spread were non-prognostic.

Management of airway obstruction with nebulised adrenaline resulting in takotsubo cardiomyopathy: case report.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been associated with the use of catecholamines; however, its development after the use of nebulised adrenaline for the management of acute airway obstruction has not previously been described. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, with tumour-node-metastasis staging of T3N2cM0, confirmed by biopsy and computed tomography, presented to the emergency department with acute airway obstruction. He was treated twice with nebulised adrenaline and intravenous dexamethasone. After a period of 24 hours, cardiac rhythm changes were noted on telemetry. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed widespread T-wave inversion and QT prolongation suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography demonstrated no coronary artery disease, but left ventricular angiography showed marked apical ballooning and apical wall akinesia consistent with a diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can mimic true ischaemic heart disease and the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion in patients managed with nebulised adrenaline.

Management of isolated cricopharyngeal dysfunction: systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different therapeutic interventions available for the management of isolated cricopharyngeal dysfunction. METHODS: Studies were identified using the following databases: Ovid (Medline, Embase), the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Google Scholar. An initial search identified 339 articles. All titles and abstracts were reviewed. Fifty-six relevant articles were inspected in more detail; of these, 47 were included in the qualitative analysis. RESULTS: No relevant randomised trials were found. A range of case series were used to perform a qualitative analysis. Botulinum toxin A injection and cricopharyngeal dilatation were associated with a higher risk of recurrence, but appear to be more suitable in elderly and co-morbid patients. In those patients requiring formal myotomy, endoscopic approaches appear to be as effective but less morbid when compared with classical open surgery. CONCLUSION: There is good evidence for the safety and efficacy of the different therapeutic options for isolated cricopharyngeal dysfunction. However, further studies are required to compare the efficacy of the various treatment modalities.

Functional outcomes following endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with mucosal repair.

Endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy is an effective treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction, but concern remains over the risk of serious complications following the procedure. Some authors have therefore considered endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with mucosal repair; however, outcome data for the procedure is scanty. This study aims to identify functional outcomes in a series of patients following endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with mucosal repair. Endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with mucosal repair was performed on 38 subjects in two centres over a period of 33 months. Pre- and post-operative outcomes were evaluated in 32 subjects using the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire and Reflux Symptom Index. An improvement in swallowing scores was seen in 30 subjects (94%, p < 0.001). The Reflux Symptom Index improved 28 subjects (88%, p < 0.001). Mean procedure time was 58 min. One subject (2.6%) developed mediastinitis following surgery, and four experienced (12.5%) a recurrence of dysphagic symptoms. Endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with mucosal repair is an effective treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction. The complication rate observed in this study was comparable or lower than previously reported studies into endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy without mucosal repair. Larger studies may be required to determine the additional benefit of mucosal repair over endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy alone.

Descending necrotising mediastinitis: a case report illustrating a trend in conservative management.

The mortality rate from descending necrotising mediastinitis (DNM) has declined since its first description in 1938. The decline in mortality has been attributed to earlier diagnosis by way of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scanning and aggressive surgical intervention in the form of transthoracic drainage. We describe a case of DNM with involvement of anterior and posterior mediastinum down to the diaphragm, managed by cervicotomy and transverse cervical drainage with placement of corrugated drains and a pleural chest drain, with a delayed mediastinoscopy and mediastinal drain placement. We advocate a conservative approach with limited debridement and emphasis on drainage of infection in line with published case series.

An evidence based review of the assessment and management of penetrating neck trauma.

BACKGROUND: Although relatively uncommon, penetrating neck trauma has the potential for serious morbidity and an estimated mortality of up to 6%. The assessment and management of patients who have sustained a penetrating neck injury has historically been an issue surrounded by significant controversy. OBJECTIVES OF REVIEW: To assess recent evidence relating to the assessment and management of penetrating neck trauma, highlighting areas of controversy with an overall aim of formulating clinical guidelines according to a care pathway format. TYPE OF REVIEW: Structured, non-systematic review of recent medical literature. SEARCH STRATEGY: An electronic literature search was performed in May 2011. The Medline database was searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms 'neck injuries' and 'wounds, penetrating' in conjunction with the terms 'assessment' or 'management'. Embase was searched with the terms 'penetrating trauma' and 'neck injury', also in conjunction with the terms 'assessment' and 'management'. Results were limited to articles published in English from 1990 to the present day. EVALUATION METHOD: Abstracts were reviewed by the first three authors to select full-text articles for further critical appraisal. The references and citation links of these articles were hand-searched to identify further articles of relevance. RESULTS: 147 relevant articles were identified by the electronic literature search, comprising case series, case reports and reviews. 33 were initially selected for further evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Although controversy continues to surround the management of penetrating neck trauma, the role of selective non-operative management and the utility of CT angiography to investigate potential vascular injuries appears to be increasingly accepted.

Malleo-incudal osteoma: an unexpected finding during surgery for presumed otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of a symptomatic malleo-incudal osteoma, and to highlight the difficulties in making the clinical diagnosis. METHOD: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: Malleo-incudal osteoma is a rare cause of unilateral conductive hearing loss. Its symptoms may mimic those of other otological causes of conductive hearing loss, such as otosclerosis. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the challenges involved in establishing a clinical diagnosis of malleo-incudal osteoma. It also emphasises the importance of assessing the mobility of the divided ossicular chain during a planned stapedectomy.

Challenges encountered in the diagnosis of tuberculous otitis media: case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of tuberculous otitis media, and to highlight barriers to clinical and microbiological diagnosis. METHOD: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: Tuberculous otitis media is a rare cause of chronic ear infection in the UK. Its symptoms may mimic a range of other otological conditions, including otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, cholesteatoma and necrotising otitis media. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the challenges of obtaining a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous otitis media, and emphasises the fact that screening for acid-fast bacilli is not sufficient, in isolation, to rule out mycobacterial infection.

The use of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions as a hearing screen following grommet insertion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing as a screening tool for hearing loss in children, after grommet insertion. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted of 48 children (91 ears) aged three to 16 years who had undergone grommet insertion for glue ear. At post-operative review, pure tone audiometry was performed followed by transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Outcomes for both tests, in each ear, were compared. RESULTS: The pure tone audiometry threshold was ≤ 20 dB in 85 ears (93.4 per cent), 25 dB in two ears (2.2 per cent) and ≥ 30 dB in four ears (4.4 per cent). Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were detected in 69 ears (75.8 per cent). The sensitivity of transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing for detecting hearing loss was 100 per cent for ≥ 30 dB loss but only 66.7 per cent for ≥ 25 dB loss. CONCLUSION: Transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing offers a sensitive means of detecting hearing loss of ≥ 30 dB following grommet insertion in children. However, the use of such testing as a screening tool may miss some cases of mild hearing loss.

Laryngeal sensory testing in the assessment of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is commonly encountered in the ENT out-patient setting. It leads to impaired sensory capacity of the laryngeal mucosa. The sensory integrity of the laryngopharynx can be evaluated through endoscopic administration of pulsed air, which stimulates the laryngeal adductor reflex. The pressure of air needed to elicit this reflex indicates the degree of sensory impairment. Such laryngeal sensory testing gives a quantifiable means of assessment in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux, and can be used to measure the response to treatment. Laryngeal sensory testing is safe and well tolerated by patients.

Incidence of intramammary nodes in completion mastectomy specimens after axillary node sampling: implications for breast conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: Axillary node sampling (ANS) is widely used in conjunction with breast conserving surgery in the treatment of primary breast cancers in the UK. Some evidence suggests that axillary staging techniques can miss intramammary nodes contained within the axillary tail of the breast. This study aims to assess the incidence of such nodes in completion mastectomy specimens in women who have had previous breast conserving surgery and ANS. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven completion mastectomy specimens were obtained from women who had previous breast conserving surgery and ANS, at the Nottingham Breast Institute over a 3-year period. The pathology samples underwent detailed histological examination to identify lymph nodes, and determine their disease status. RESULTS: Seventy-six (48%) of completion mastectomy specimens contained intramammary lymph nodes. Fifteen patients were upstaged (lymph node stage) because of the histological findings at completion mastectomy. One patient from the study population received additional systemic treatment, as a result of the upstaging. CONCLUSION: The incidence of intramammary nodes in this series correlates with previous data. This study shows that in breast cancer patients who undergo ANS, intramammary nodes, if present and more so positive, are unlikely to change systemic treatment decisions, but may increase the number of patients needing radiotherapy and or further axillary dissection.