Objective Photoanalysis of Feminizing Frontal Cranioplasty Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis at a tertiary care center. Objective: This study describes a method of analyzing postoperative results using lateral view clinical photographs to create normalized projection ratios of the glabella and radix. Methods: We reviewed preoperative and postoperative photographs of 15 patients. All photographs were in the lateral view Frankfort horizontal plane. We calculated the distances between the (a) tragus and cornea, (b) cornea and radix, (c) cornea and glabella, and the (θ) nasofrontal angle. Results: Fifteen sets of patient photographs were analyzed and found that there was a favorable 14% reduction at the radix and an even greater reduction (78.9%) at the glabella. The nasofrontal angle was improved to a more feminine range from 131.84° preoperatively to 145.86° postoperatively. Conclusions: Normalized projection ratios of the glabella and radix, along with the nasofrontal angle, can be used to objectively measure outcomes of frontal feminizing cranioplasty.

Increasing Pedicle Reach with Musculocutaneous Perforator Dissection in Anterolateral Thigh Free Flaps.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the increase in effective pedicle reach with microdissection of musculocutaneous perforators during anterolateral thigh (ALT) free tissue harvest. METHODS: A review of our institution's free flap database was performed to identify ALT free tissue transfers. The distance from pedicle vessel origin to its perforator's insertion at the fascia lata (effective pedicle length [EPL]) was measured prior to and following intramuscular dissection of musculocutaneous perforators. Pertinent clinicopathologic variables were abstracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: A total of 314 ALT free flaps were performed between February 2017 and August 2022. Of these, 85 had documentation of EPL before and after musculocutaneous perforator dissection. ALT reconstruction was primarily performed for reconstruction of oncologic ablative defects (66, 78%). The mean EPL prior to perforator microdissection was 8.8 cm (standard deviation, SD 2.8 cm; range 3-15 cm). Following perforator dissection, mean EPL significantly increased to 14.0 cm (SD 3.0 cm; range 7-22 cm) with a mean net gain of 5.2 cm in distance (95% confidence interval 4.8-5.6 cm; p < 0.001). Nine patients (11%) required operating room take-back for anastomosis revision (3, 3.5%), recipient site hematoma evacuation (4, 4.7%), and wound dehiscence (2, 2.3%); one complete flap loss due to venous thrombosis was observed. CONCLUSION: Dissection of musculocutaneous perforators during ALT free flap harvest can increase effective pedicle reach by 5.2 cm or nearly 60%. This harvest technique can facilitate the performance of tension-free anastomoses when substantial vascular pedicle length or vascular pedicle tunneling is required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:666-670, 2024.

Objective Outcomes of Trichophytic Brow Lift and Hairline Advancement in Facial Feminization Surgery.

Importance: The upper facial third is an important area to address in facial feminization surgery (FFS). Objective: This study seeks to quantify the changes in eyebrow, hairline, and forehead heights associated with brow lift and hairline advancement surgery in the transgender patient population. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cohort study performed at an academic medical center. Main Outcomes and Measures: Pre- and postoperative frontal view photographs underwent computer-aided photograph analysis. Brow position, hairline position, and forehead height were measured. Patient self-identified race, ethnicity, as well as other demographic factors were also collected. Results: Forty-six patients underwent FFS with brow lift and hairline advancement with photographs permitting measurement. Eyebrow analysis was performed in 33 patients. Hairline and forehead analyses were accomplished in 30 patients. The mean brow elevation was 4.6 mm across all locations. The forehead reduction achieved was 9.8-11.3 mm. Conclusion and Relevance: Trichophytic brow lifting with hairline advancement outcomes was able to be reliably quantified from standardized clinical photographs. On average, 4-5 mm of brow lift, 6-7 mm of hairline lowering, and 10-11 mm of forehead reduction were achieved, contributing to a more feminine appearance of the upper facial third.

Multimodal Microvascular Mapping for Head and Neck, Skull Base Research and Education: An Anatomical Donor Study.

Objective This study was aimed to develop a method combining computed tomography (CT) and fluorescence imaging, allowing identification of microvasculature in anatomical donors and facilitating translational research and education. Methods We investigated homogeneity and radiopacity of 30 different mixtures including radiopaque substances povidone-iodine (Betadine), barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ), and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) varying in suspension and dilution with agar, latex, or gelatin. Three candidate mixtures were selected for testing the extent of perfusion in renal vasculature to establish methodology. From these candidate mixtures, two were selected for mixture with fluorescein and infusion into cadavers based on their ability to perfuse renal vasculature. The extent to which these two candidate mixtures combined with fluorescein were able to perfuse vasculature in a cadaver head was used to determine which mixture was superior. Results BaSO 4 and bismuth subsalicylate-based mixtures demonstrated superior opacity in vials. In terms of solidifying agents, gelatin-based mixtures demonstrated increased friability and lower melting points compared with the other agents, so only latex and agar-based mixtures were used moving forward past the vial stage. Combinations of BaSO 4 and latex and BaSO 4 and 3% agar were found to perfuse kidneys superiorly to the mixture containing bismuth subsalicylate. Finally, in cadaver heads, the mixture containing BaSO 4 , agar, and fluorescein was found to perfuse the smallest vasculature. Conclusion A final combination of BaSO 4 , 3% agar, and fluorescein proves to be a powerful and novel combination enabling CT imaging, fluorescence imaging, and dissection of vasculature. This paves the way for future translational research and education.

Surveillance Imaging Following Head and Neck Cancer Treatment and Microvascular Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the accuracy and utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence after microvascular reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Analysis of HNC patients who underwent microvascular reconstruction at a single, tertiary academic center following ablative surgery from 1998 to 2015. Forty-six patients aged 61.4 ± 15.8 years with both PET/CT and MRI examinations were identified. Two radiologists were blinded and interpreted each imaging study. Recurrence certainty scores were determined via continuous (0-100) and Likert ("Likely" to "Unlikely") scales, with larger values indicating a higher likelihood of recurrence. Pathologic confirmation of recurrence was confirmed in 23 patients (50%). RESULTS: Among those with primary site recurrences, mean recurrence certainty was significantly higher with PET/CT versus MRI on the continuous scale (63.9 vs. 44.4, P = .006). A receiver operating characteristic analysis for predicting primary site recurrence demonstrated a significantly larger area under the curve of 0.79 for PET/CT compared to 0.64 for MRI (P = .044). Categorization of "Likely" primary site recurrence on PET/CT, versus MRI, had higher sensitivity (0.63 vs. 0.40), but lower specificity (0.90 vs. 1.0). MRI demonstrated higher sensitivity (1.0 vs. 0.78) at detecting regional site recurrences. CONCLUSION: PET/CT demonstrates greater sensitivity than MRI as a surveillance tool for primary site recurrence following microvascular reconstruction where clinical evaluation is hindered by anatomical distortion. Therefore, PET/CT should be pursued as first-line imaging, with MRI utilized for confirmation of positive imaging findings at the primary site. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 131:2713-2718, 2021.

Communication Chaos from Discrepancies in Personal Protective Equipment and Preoperative Guidelines.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines, specifically respirator use, among international public health agencies, academic hospitals, and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) departments in the United States for the care of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) patients. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. METHODS: Review of publicly available public health and academic hospitals guidelines along with review of communication among otolaryngology departments. RESULTS: Among 114 academic institutions affiliated with OHNS residencies, 20 (17.5%) institutions provided public access to some form of guidance on PPE and 73 (64%) provided information on screening or diagnostic testing. PPE guidelines were uniquely described based on several variables: location of care, COVID-19 status, involvement of aerosol generating or high-risk procedures, and physical distance from the patient. Six hospital guidelines were highlighted. Across these six institutions, there was agreement that N95 respirators were needed for high-risk patients undergoing high-risk procedures. Variations existed among institutions for scenarios with low-risk patients. Definitions of the low-risk patient and high-risk procedures were inconsistent among institutions. Three of the highlighted institutions had OHNS departments recommending higher level of airway protection than the institution. CONCLUSIONS: OHNS departments typically had more stringent PPE guidance than their institution. Discrepancies in communicating PPE use were frequent and provide inconsistent information on how healthcare workers should protect themselves in the COVID-19 pandemic. Identification of these inconsistencies serves as an opportunity to standardize communication and develop evidence-based guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V Laryngoscope, 131:E746-E754, 2021.

Temporalis Tendon Transfer/Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty for Midfacial Static and Dynamic Reanimation After Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery.

Importance: Facial nerve paralysis is an unfortunate, yet relatively common sequela in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Static options for reanimation of the paralyzed midface and oral commissure offer limited quality-of-life improvement and may stretch over time. Reinnervation offers a prolonged recovery and may not be possible among patients with advanced cancer or in salvage situations. Objective: To determine the improvement in resting tone and dynamic excursion gained by use of temporalis tendon transfer (TTT) and lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM) for facial nerve reanimation among patients undergoing oncologic head and neck cancer surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: We present the largest series of primary and secondary TTT operations with prolonged photographic and video-based data with analysis enabled by FaceGram open-source quantitative methodology. This was achieved using preoperative and postoperative digital photographs of each patient at rest and full smile excursion. Using the JAVA-based program Facegram v1.0, measurements were taken of the oral commissure in relation to a line tangent to the inferior border of the lower lip. All operations were performed at the University of California, San Francisco, following oncologic resections between April 2011 and June 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Quantitative analysis of facial measurement with Facegram. Results: Of the 32 patients in our series, 19 (59.4%) were male and 13 (40.6%) were female. The average age was 71.3 ± 10 years. There was a mean 4.89 mm (p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.78-6.99) increase in height of affected side oral commissure compared with preoperative measurements during full smile excursion, and a 3.05 mm (p < 0.04, 95% CI: 0.22-5.87) increase in horizontal excursion of smile vector. There was also a significant increase in static support at rest, measuring an average of 5.45 mm (p < 0.01, 95% CI: 2.56-8.33) and 2.71 mm (p < 0.04, 95% CI: 0.18-5.25) increase in affected oral commissure vertical and horizontal positions at rest, respectively. The average postoperative follow-up was 11.4 months (95% CI: 5.6-14.11). In addition, when compared with patients treated with postoperative radiation therapy (9 patients), those who received preoperative radiation (15 patients) had a significant improvement in the resting vertical height of the affected side (mean 5.32 mm (p < 0.05, 95% CI: 0.06-10.57)). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings encourage the use of TTT/LTM for facial nerve paralysis in appropriately selected head and neck oncologic patients.

Long-Term Stability of Vascularized Adipofascial Flaps in Facial Reconstruction.

Objectives: To determine the quantitative volume change over time of vascularized adipofascial anterolateral thigh (AFALT) free flaps in facial reconstruction, and to evaluate patient factors that are associated with changes in volume. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent AFALT reconstruction for large volume parotid and midface defects after head and neck cancer surgery at a single tertiary care hospital from 2011 to 2018. Flap volume was measured at different time points using 3D Slicer, a free open source software for medical image computing. Trends in volume change over time were evaluated. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze patient factors associated with mean final volume change. Results: Twenty-one patients were included. The median follow-up period from surgery was 17 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 9-25 months). The first imaging study was obtained a median of 3 months after surgery (IQR = 1-4 months). The majority of patients underwent postoperative radiation (20/21, 95%). Mean final total volume percentage change over time was 96.6% (standard deviation = 21.7%). After controlling for age, smoking history, recurrence, and length of follow-up, a reduction in body mass index (BMI) ≥1.5 U from baseline had the greatest association with mean final volume percentage change (ß -31, 95% confidence interval: -52 to -11, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Free tissue transfer using AFALT flaps in the head and neck provided relatively stable volume maintenance over time, even after postoperative radiation. The volume of transplanted fat can change depending on patient factors, such as BMI.

Receptor-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles for molecular MR imaging of inflamed atherosclerotic plaques.

In a number of literature reports iron oxide nanoparticles have been investigated for use in imaging atherosclerotic plaques and found to accumulate in plaques via uptake by macrophages, which are critical in the process of atheroma initiation, propagation, and rupture. However, the uptake of these agents is non-specific; thus the labeling efficiency for plaques in vivo is not ideal. We have developed targeted agents to improve the efficiency for labeling macrophage-laden plaques. These probes are based on iron oxide nanoparticles coated with dextran sulfate, a ligand of macrophage scavenger receptor type A (SR-A). We have sulfated dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (DIO) with sulfur trioxide, thereby targeting our nanoparticle imaging agents to SR-A. The sulfated DIO (SDIO) remained mono-dispersed and had an average hydrodynamic diameter of 62 nm, an r(1) relaxivity of 18.1 mM(-1) s(-1), and an r(2) relaxivity of 95.8 mM(-1) s(-1) (37 °C, 1.4 T). Cell studies confirmed that these nanoparticles were nontoxic and specifically targeted to macrophages. In vivo MRI after intravenous injection of the contrast agent into an atherosclerotic mouse injury model showed substantial signal loss on the injured carotid at 4 and 24 h post-injection of SDIO. No discernable signal decrease was seen at the control carotid and only mild signal loss was observed for the injured carotid post-injection of non-sulfated DIO, indicating preferential uptake of the SDIO particles at the site of atherosclerotic plaque. These results indicate that SDIO can facilitate MRI detection and diagnosis of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis.

PET Imaging and Biodistribution of Silicon Quantum Dots in Mice.

Investigation of nanomaterial disposition and fate in the body is critical before such material can be translated into clinical application. Herein a new macrocyclic ligand-(64)Cu(2+) complex was synthesized and used to label dextran-coated silicon quantum dots (QD), with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 15.1 ± 7.6 nm. The chelate showed exceptional stability, demonstrated by no loss radiolabel under a ligand competition reaction with EDTA. The QDs' biodistribution in mice was quantitatively evaluated by in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and ex vivo gamma counting. Results showed that they were excreted via renal filtration shortly postinjection and also accumulated in the liver.