Sialographic Analysis of Radioiodine-Associated Chronic Sialadenitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To apply a novel sialography classification system to identify parotid and submandibular ductal findings following I-131 therapy and to assess correlates to dose and duration of symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective single-center case series. METHODS: Patients who underwent sialography between February 2008 and February 2019 after previously receiving I-131 treatment were identified via a retrospective chart review. Their sialograms were systematically evaluated and scored by applying the Iowa parotid sialogram scale to also include submandibular gland analysis. RESULTS: From 337 sialograms, 30 (five submandibular, 25 parotid) underwent analysis. Ductal stenosis was identified in all sialograms and was graded as moderate (>50%-75%) in 7/30 cases and severe (>75%) in 15/30 cases. The distal (main) duct was narrowed in 23/30 cases. No association was identified between degree of ductal stenosis and I-131 dose (P = .39), age (P = .81), or time from I-131 therapy to sialogram (P = .97). CONCLUSIONS: The Iowa parotid sialogram scale was successfully applied to report abnormalities of the parotid and submandibular ductal system. The most common manifestation of I-131-associated sialadenitis was a severe stenosis within the distal salivary duct. No statistically significant association was found between degree of ductal stenosis and dose of I-131, age, or duration of symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1450-E1456, 2021.

Thyroid cancer histological subtypes based on tumor size: National perspective.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid tumor size is an important prognostic factor. The aim of this study is to examine the histological subtypes and management of thyroid cancer based on tumor size (≤4 cm vs >4 cm). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database, 2004-2014. RESULTS: A total of 152 387 patients were included, 13 614 (8.9%) of whom had a tumor size >4 cm. Histological subtypes of tumors >4 cm were: 69.6% papillary thyroid carcinoma, 17.5% FTC, 7.9% HCC, and 2.8% medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). High-volume hospitals for thyroid surgery were less likely to perform two-stage thyroidectomy, particularly for tumors ≤4 cm. Low-volume hospitals had a higher risk of staged thyroidectomy for MTC ≤4 cm (19.8%) compared with high-volume hospitals (8.7%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the prevalence of thyroid cancer subtypes. In the era of a conservative approach to differentiated thyroid carcinoma, there could be a potential increase in the risk of staged thyroidectomy.

Sialographic analysis of parotid ductal abnormalities associated with Sjogren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the location and degree of parotid ductal abnormalities associated with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and to correlate findings with the duration of the disease. To develop a classification system based on contemporary sialography techniques and employ the system to grade findings on sialograms. To assess the role for therapeutic intervention in patients with SS. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of 337 sialograms done by the senior investigator over a 10-year period identified 26 sialograms in patients who met the criteria for SS as defined by the American-European Consensus Group (2002). A classification system was developed to grade the degree of ductal abnormalities identified on the sialograms. Individual, initial blinded review of these sialograms was performed by two head and neck radiologists to identify and grade abnormalities. Radiographic findings were correlated with patient history including symptom duration. RESULTS: All patients with SS had stenoses within the ductal system. About 73.1% of patients had stenoses in each branch of the ductal system (primary, secondary, and tertiary ducts). In 19% of patients, the main duct was of normal caliber despite the presence of stenosis in the more proximal ducts (secondary and tertiary ducts). Peripheral (proximal) duct dilation was characterized among those affected in patterns classified as destructive (34.6%), cavitary (26.9%), globular (11.5%), or punctate (11.5%). A statistically significant positive correlation (p = .0360) was identified between symptom duration and degree of main ductal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Sialography may be useful to objectively assess the degree of parotid ductal damage in SS employing a newly proposed classification system. This assessment may assist clinicians in tailoring management to selectively include ductal dilation.

Cricoarytenoid joint abscess associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cricoarytenoid joint arthritis is an uncommon manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. We encountered a 68-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with odynophagia, dysphagia, and progressive shortness of breath. Examination findings showed diminished mobility of the left vocal cord and right arytenoid swelling associated with an immobile right vocal cord. Computed tomography (CT) imaging identified a ring-enhancing lesion of the right lateral cricoarytenoid joint. Microdirect laryngoscopy with drainage of the cricoarytenoid abscess and tracheotomy were performed. Development of a laterally based cricoarytenoid joint abscess is identified as a complication of chronic rheumatoid arthritis with successful management described.

Intracochlear fibrosis and the foreign body response to cochlear implant biomaterials.

OBJECTIVE: To report current knowledge on the topic of intracochlear fibrosis and the foreign body response following cochlear implantation (CI). METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed to identify peer-reviewed articles. Search components included "cochlear implant," "Foreign body response (FBR)," and "fibrosis." Original studies and review articles relevant to the topic were included. RESULTS: Ninety peer-reviewed articles describing the foreign body response or intracochlear fibrosis following CI were included. CONCLUSIONS: Intracochlear fibrosis following CI represents a significant limiting factor for the success of CI users. Several strategies have been employed to mitigate the foreign body response within the cochlea including drug delivery systems and modifications in surgical technique and electrode design. A better understanding of the FBR has the potential to improve CI outcomes and the next generation of cochlear prostheses.

Medial Approach for the Resection of Goiters with Suprahyoid, Retropharyngeal, or Substernal Extension.

BACKGROUND: Resection of massive goiters with suprahyoid, retropharyngeal, and substernal extension may not be amenable to standard approaches. This study evaluates a surgical approach allowing resection of massive goiters with minimal substernal and deep neck dissection. METHODS: Cases of thyroidectomy for goiters with substernal, retropharyngeal, or suprahyoid extension at a single institution from 2006 to 2017 were reviewed. The technique involves initial complete division of the medial thyroid tracheal attachments after identification of the RLN medial-inferiorly or superiorly. Deep components are then delivered into the superficial paratracheal region of the neck. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, 46 of which had substernal and 14 had only suprahyoid or retropharyngeal extension. Mean substernal extension was 3.7 cm (range 1.5-7.5 cm). The medial approach was successful in identifying the RLN in 70 (83%) of 84 goiter sides (71% medial-inferiorly and 29% superiorly). Standard inferior/lateral approaches were used in 12 (14%) nerves or not found until after goiter removal in 2 (2.5%). No patients required sternotomy or tracheotomy. Complications included postoperative seroma/hematoma (n = 9, 15%) with one re-exploration, transient RLN injury (n = 4, 4% of all lobectomies), transient hypocalcemia (n = 6, 16% of total thyroidectomies), permanent hypocalcemia (n = 2, 5% of total thyroidectomies), and permanent RLN paralysis (n = 1, 1% of all lobectomies). CONCLUSION: Large suprahyoid, retropharyngeal, and substernal goiters were resected transcervically with low morbidity. Early complete division of Berry's ligament after medial-inferior RLN identification was achieved in a high proportion of patients, facilitating goiter delivery with minimal mediastinal and deep neck dissection.