Intubation with a Tritube to avoid peri-operative tracheostomy in open airway surgery.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports a case of chondrosarcoma deriving from the left arytenoid cartilage that was resected via an anterior laryngofissure using the Tritube in situ, thus eliminating the need for a (temporary) tracheostomy. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old male with a chondrosarcoma deriving from the left arytenoid was treated with local resection of the tumour through an anterior laryngofissure. The intralaryngeal lumen was too small for a normal endotracheal tube. Using the Tritube (outer diameter, 4.4 mm), the patient could be intubated and ventilated adequately during the procedure. The Tritube did not obstruct the surgical view during the procedure. CONCLUSION: The Tritube can be used for intubation and ventilation even in patients with a very narrow airway lumen, and does not obstruct the field of view during open laryngeal surgery, thereby avoiding the need for peri-operative tracheostomy.

Surgical management of deep lobe parotid tumours with and without involvement of the parapharyngeal space.

The diagnosis and treatment of deep lobe parotid tumours is challenging because of the complex surgical accessibility. There is a lack of studies describing the differences between deep lobe tumours that do and do not occupy the parapharyngeal space (PPS). Patients treated for deep lobe tumours occupying the PPS (PPS group) and not occupying the PPS (non-PPS group) were analysed retrospectively. A total of 227 patients were treated surgically for deep lobe parotid tumours between 1990 and 2019. Sixty patients (26.4%) presented with tumours that involved the PPS (PPS group), while 167 (73.6%) presented with tumours that did not occupy the PPS (non-PPS group). The majority of the PPS group tumours were removed using a transcervical or transcervical-transparotid approach. PPS group tumours were larger (P < 0.001), and tumour spill occurred more frequently in this group (benign tumours: P = 0.002; malignant tumours: P = 0.033). Complication rates did not differ between the PPS and non-PPS groups. A transcervical or transcervical-transparotid approach is the preferred method for the management of deep lobe parotid tumours that occupy the PPS in our practice. Tumour spill occurred more frequently in the PPS group, which is most probably due to the larger tumour size and more complex accessibility.

A meta-analysis on the surgical management of paraganglioma of the carotid body per Shamblin class.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk associated with different types of surgery for carotid body paraganglioma of different Shamblin class. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate per tumour class, the local control, cranial nerve damage and complication rates of different techniques using internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA) ligation, clamping or bypassing, as well as the craniocaudal vs caudocranial techniques. DESIGN: A meta-analysis is conducted after a systematic search in PubMed and the Cochrane library, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Local control, cranial nerve damage, complications, function recovery. RESULTS: Out of 3565 articles, 27 were selected. The overall quality of evidence of studies was low. Cranial nerve damage (3%, 17% and 39%) and complication rates (0%, 1% and 10%) were significantly related to Shamblin class (class 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P < .01). For class 3 tumours, an increased risk of complications was found associated with routine ICA manipulation/reconstruction (RR 3.12 with a 95% CI of 1.29-7.59), as well as a trend towards enhanced risk of routine ECA ligation (RR 3.48 with a 95% CI of 0.88-13.81). CONCLUSIONS: For class 1 and 2 tumours, surgery seems a viable treatment option. For class 3 tumours, morbidity in terms of cranial nerve deficit and complications is considerable; particularly, the use of ICA manipulation/reconstruction and potentially ECA ligation seem to be accompanied by high stroke incidence.

Results of a systematic literature review of treatment modalities for jugulotympanic paraganglioma, stratified per Fisch class.

OBJECTIVE: Key for successful jugulotympanic paraganglioma management is a personalised approach aiming for the best practice for each individual patient. To this end, a systematic review is performed, evaluating the local control and complication rates for the different treatment modalities stratified by the broadly accepted Fisch classification. DESIGN: A systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement was performed. A detailed overview of individual treatment outcomes per Fisch class is provided. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Local control, cranial nerve damage, complications, function recovery. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were selected, resembling 83 patients treated with radiotherapy and 299 with surgery. Excellent local control was found post-surgery for class A and B tumours, and risk of cranial nerve damage was <1%. For class C1-4 tumours, local control was 80%-95% post-surgery (84% post-radiotherapy), and cranial nerve damage was found in 71%-76% (none post-radiotherapy; P < .05). There was no difference in treatment outcomes between tumours of different C class. For class C1-4De/Di tumours, local control was 38%-86% (98% post-radiotherapy; P < .05) and cranial nerve damage/complication rates were 67%-100% (3% post-radiotherapy; P < .05). C1-4DeDi tumours showed lesser local control and cranial nerve damage rates when compared to C1-4De tumours. CONCLUSIONS: An individual risk is constituted for surgery and radiotherapy, stratified per Fisch class. For class A and B tumours, surgery is a suitable treatment option. For class C and D tumours, radiotherapy results in lower complication rates and similar or better local control rates when compared to the surgical group.

Health-related quality of life in 794 patients with a peripheral facial palsy using the FaCE Scale: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the health-related quality of life of patients visiting a tertiary referral centre for facial palsy, and to analyse factors associated with health-related quality of life, using the FaCE Scale instrument. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The Facial Nerve Center at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a tertiary referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a peripheral facial palsy visiting the centre for an initial consultation between August 2007 and June 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The total FaCE score and the FaCE social function subdomain. Multiple regression models were developed to identify factors associated with the total FaCE score and FaCE social function score. RESULTS: A total of 794 patients with a mean age of 47.0 ± 16.0 years were analysed in this study, of which 59.9% were female. The mean House-Brackmann, Sunnybrook, total FaCE and FaCE social function scores were 3.6 ± 1.5, 48.2 ± 21.2, 47.3 ± 19.3 and 55.5 ± 19.2, respectively. Increasing age (r = -0.229, P < 0.001) was associated with a lower total FaCE score. Female gender (r = -4.422, P = 0.033) and increased duration of palsy (r = -0.018, P = 0.041) were associated with lower FaCE social function scores. CONCLUSIONS: While counselling patients on what to expect during the recovery process after facial paralysis is an important part of any clinical visit, FaCE score correlations suggest that female patients with chronic facial palsy and increased age constitute a patient category that may require additional time and attention to prevent or mitigate psychosocial dysfunction.

Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetrical analysis of peristomal fixation of adhesive base plates during hands-free speech among laryngectomised patients related to tracheostoma volumes.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the relation between stoma volumes by means of objective three-dimensional measurements of laryngectomised individuals and peristomal fixation of adhesive baseplates during hands-free speech. DESIGN: A three-dimensional stereophotogrammetrical image was captured of the tracheostoma and its surrounding tissue for each participant. The placement of a baseplate adhesive was virtually simulated. Individual stoma volumes were calculated and related to the duration of lifetime of adhesive baseplates. SETTING: Prospective trial in a university hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four laryngectomised patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stoma volume in cm(3) and adhesive baseplate adherence in minutes. RESULTS: For the 24 three-dimensional images captured, the mean volume of the area under the adhesive (stoma volume) was 9.5 cm(3) (range 3.5-22.5). After relating the different volumes of all patients to their individual fixation score, a significant decrease in duration of adhesive lifetime was found with increasing volumes of the stoma (P = 0.001). An increase of 1 cm(3) in tracheostoma volume resulted in a decrease of 21% in median adhesive lifetime (95% confidence interval 10-31%). CONCLUSIONS: Longer lifetime of the adhesive baseplate in patients with smaller volume outcomes suggests that a more accurate fit between baseplate and stoma leads to better fixation. This should be taken into account when shaping a stoma during laryngectomy. On the other hand, a more custom-made patch that has a more accurate fit could increase the lifetime of fixation. We believe that our three-dimensional volumetric data can contribute to the development of such an adhesive.

The impact of the voice in relation to psychosomatic well-being after education in female student teachers: a longitudinal, descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: Voice handicap in relation to psychosomatic well-being after education in female student teachers. METHODS: A longitudinal survey among 90 female students using Voice Handicap Index and Symptom Check List-90 at the start and end of education. RESULTS: Student teachers in fourth grade showed lower VHI Total and lower SCL-90 Total scores compared to first grade. Students with higher VHI scores in fourth grade had higher risk on "Anxiety" (OR=1.8 to 4.8), "Agoraphobia" (OR=1.9 to 3.9) and "Insufficiency in thinking and acting" (OR=1.6 to 3.2). Students with respectively higher VHI-Total and VHI-Emotional subscale scores had higher risk on "Depression" (OR=1.7, resp. 3.9), "Interpersonal sensitivity and mistrust" (OR=1.6, resp. 3.2), "Hostility" (OR=1.7, resp. 2.1) and SCL-Total (OR=3.1 resp. 4.0). CONCLUSIONS: Student teachers at the end of education showed more well-being and were less vocally handicapped. A tendency for a positive relation between higher emotional voice handicap and more psychosomatic complaints was found. SUGGESTIONS: The VHI has proven to be useful and special attention to VHI Emotional scale is advised in screening. This study might have implications for the preventive care and a multi-dimensional approach with attention to physical, mental and social voice care in future teachers is suggested. In contrast to the group score comparisons a closer look at individual reports on specific VHI items in relation to SCL-90 may be fruitful to detect tendencies. Student teachers can benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration between a psychologist and voice therapist in reducing psychosocial risk factors.

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance lymphography in preoperative staging of clinically negative necks in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: a pilot study.

Pilot study evaluating the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) compared with conventional imaging techniques in the preoperative staging of the clinically (palpable) negative neck (cN0) in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (SCCOC). Patients with SCCOC without clinical evidence of lymph node metastasis and scheduled for surgery underwent MRL in combination with ultrasound with or without fine needle aspiration cytology and multi-detector computer tomography. MRL images were interpreted by 2 independent radiologists. All patients were planned for resection of the primary tumor and a selective neck dissection of levels I-III. Histopathologic results were evaluated as the gold standard and compared with preoperative findings. One of nine evaluated patients had a metastatic node on histopathologic analysis. In all but 1 patient, MRL showed possible metastatic spread in at least 1 node. On a node-to-node basis, negative predictive value (NPV) and sensitivity reached 100% for 1.5- en 3Tesla (T) MRL, specificity reached 92% at 1.5T and 93% at 3T MRL, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 8% at 1.5T MRL, for both radiologists. PPV at 3T MRL was 10% and 9%, for radiologists I and II, respectively. This pilot study shows that MRL has a high NPV based on a node-to-node analysis. However, its PPV was only 10%, and therefore its use as a single imaging technique in the preoperative staging of the cN0 neck in SCCOC seems to be limited. Further studies are needed to confirm these data.

Assessment of preoperative ultrasonography of the neck and elective neck dissection in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Estimating the value of our preoperative workup in the treatment of patients with clinically N0 (cN0) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Retrospective analysis. Results of preoperative palpation, ultrasound (US) and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were compared to the histological findings after unilateral or bilateral elective selective neck dissection of level I-III (SND I-III) in patients with cN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Occult metastases were detected by in 50 (22%) out of the 224 cN0 patients. No metastases were found beyond level III in extended neck dissections. T1N0M0 tumors and T2N0M0 tumors metastasized in 8 out of 77 cases (10%) and 32 out of 112 (29%) cases, respectively. Staging of the cN0 neck by palpation and US (+/-ultrasound-guided FNAC) missed occult lymph node metastases in 22% of the patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. The use of SND I-III therefore still is warranted. Frozen section sampling seemed to be redundant in this selected group of patients, because no additional metastases were found in extended neck dissection specimens. It might not be necessary to perform elective neck dissection in patients with T1 tumors.

Neonatal airway obstruction caused by rapidly growing nasopharyngeal teratoma.

UNLABELLED: A case report is presented of a rapidly growing congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) in a preterm infant, leading to severe upper airway obstruction. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography did not reveal the condition because the tumour masses were initially small and there was no polyhydramnios. Epignathus is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction of the newborn that can grow rapidly in the neonatal period and should be treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Epignathus is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction of the newborn that can grow rapidly in the neonatal period.

[The practice guideline 'Sore throat' (second revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of otorhinolaryngology]. / De standaard 'Acute keelpijn' (tweede herziening) van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap; reactie vanuit de kno-heelkunde.

In this comment, the practice guideline 'Sore throat' (second revision) is discussed. This guideline, composed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners, offers general practitioners a well-appreciated overview of the common practices regarding diagnostic tests and treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

[Subglottal stenosis as the first symptom of Wegener's granulomatosis]. / Subglottische stenose als eerste uiting van de ziekte van Wegener.

A 51-year-old woman presented with a sore throat, hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing. On physical examination she was found to have stridor. Laryngoscopy revealed a subglottal stenosis. Infection was thought to be the cause but this was not confirmed by sputum or laryngeal cultures. Because of the clinical course and the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic proteinase-3 antibodies, Wegener's granulomatosis was diagnosed. Immunosuppressive therapy led to improvement. At 4-year follow-up the patient had scleritis but no ENT problems. Wegener's granulomatosis should always be considered in a patient with a subglottal stenosis; it can be the first symptom of this disease.

The hypoxic tumour microenvironment, patient selection and hypoxia-modifying treatments.

Tumour hypoxia has been found to be a characteristic feature in many solid tumours. It has been shown to decrease the therapeutic efficacy of radiation treatment, surgery and some forms of chemotherapy. Successful approaches have been developed to counteract this resistance mechanism, although usually at the cost of increased short- and long-term side-effects. New methods for qualitative and quantitative assessment of tumour oxygenation have made it possible to establish the prognostic significance of tumour hypoxia. The ability to determine the degree and extent of hypoxia in solid tumours is not only important prognostically, but also in the selection of patients for hypoxia-modifying treatments. To provide the best attainable quality of life for individual patients it is of increasing importance that tools be developed that allow a better selection of patients for these intensified treatment strategies. Several genes and proteins involved in the response to hypoxia have been identified as potential candidates for future use in predictive assays. Although some markers and combinations have shown potential benefit and are associated with treatment outcome, their clinical usefulness needs to be validated in prospective trials. A review of published studies was carried out, focusing on the assessment of tumour hypoxia, patient selection and the possibilities to overcome hypoxia during treatment.

Difficulties in the fixation of prostheses for voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy.

In most patients with advanced or recurrent laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, total laryngectomy is indicated. This means the loss of three main functions: phonation; respiration; and the prevention of aspiration during deglutition. Laryngectomy patients have various options to restore phonation: an oesophageal voice; an electrolaryngeal voice; or a tracheo-oesophageal voice. In the last case a silicone rubber shunt valve is placed in the tracheo-oesophageal wall and phonation is generated when exhaled air is forced through the oesophagus and neopharynx. This method is widely applied in Western Europe. In this paper we review the literature on fixation problems with shunt valves, tracheostoma valves and heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters. Tracheo-oesophageal speech without a valve is not considered. Despite 22 years of experience with the implantation of tracheo-esophageal shunt valves and many improvements in the design, problems still remain, such as biofilm formation with subsequent leakage through the valve, the need for frequent and inconvenient replacements, fistula enlargement leading to leakage around the device and reduced fixation, and infections. The high cost of shunt valves is a drawback to their use worldwide. To enable hands-free speech, different types of tracheostoma valve have been developed. These valves are fixed to the skin or to the tracheostoma by means of an intra-tracheal device. An HME filter is used to protect the airway and maintain physiological balance. Such devices are only suitable for a selected group of patients as fixation to the skin or trachea can be a major problem. Speaking and coughing cause pressure increases, which often result in mucous leakage and disconnection of the valve and/or HME filter. Recommendations are made for future improvements in fixation techniques.

[Radiotherapy of the neck as a risk factor for stroke]. / Radiotherapie van de hals als risicofactor voor een beroerte.

A man (78 years) and a woman (55 years) experienced one-sided weakness and a woman (61 years) had language-expression problems between 4 and 37 years after having received radiotherapy for carcinoma of the larynx. All three patients had a significant degree of stenosis of the carotid artery. In two patients angioplasty and stenting was carried out. It was decided not to operate or stent the younger woman as her right internal carotid artery was occluded. No new symptoms developed in any of the patients. Radiation-induced stroke is not an uncommon disorder after radiotherapy for a laryngeal carcinoma in the past. The interval between radiation treatment and occurrence of stroke varies, but after a follow-up period of more than 5 years the risk of stroke is significantly increased. In the first instance the work-up should be similar to that in stroke patients with classical age-related atherosclerosis. However treatment of symptomatic radiation-induced carotid stenosis is often a challenge due to fibrotic changes and alterations of the anatomical layers within the radiation field. Screening and modification of additional cerebrovascular risk factors is recommended before radiation treatment is started, in order to prevent worsening of atherosclerotic changes.

Emergency cricothyrotomy: a randomised crossover trial comparing the wire-guided and catheter-over-needle techniques.

In a randomised crossover trial, we compared a wire-guided cricothyrotomy technique (Minitrach) with a catheter-over-needle technique (Quicktrach). Performance time, ease of method, accuracy in placement and complication rate were compared. Ten anaesthesiology and 10 ENT residents performed cricothyrotomies with both techniques on prepared pig larynxes. The catheter-over-needle technique was faster than the wire-guided (48 compared to 150 s, p < 0.001) and subjectively easier to perform (VAS-score 2.1 vs. 5.6, p < 0.001). Correct positioning of the cannula could be achieved in 95% and 85%, respectively (NS). There was one complication in the catheter-over-needle group compared to five in the wire-guided group. We conclude that the wire-guided minitracheotomy kit is unsuitable for emergency cricothyrotomies performed by inexperienced practitioners. On the other hand, the catheter-over-needle technique appears to be quick, safe and reliable.

Salivary gland carcinoma: independent prognostic factors for locoregional control, distant metastases, and overall survival: results of the Dutch head and neck oncology cooperative group.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the records of patients with malignant salivary gland tumors, as diagnosed in centers of the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology Cooperative Group, in search of independent prognostic factors for locoregional control, distant metastases, and overall survival. METHODS: In 565 patients, we analyzed general results and looked for the potential prognostic variables of age, sex, delay, clinical and pathologic T and N stage, site (332 parotid, 76 submandibular, 129 oral cavity, 28 pharynx/larynx), pain, facial weakness, clinical and pathologic skin involvement, histologic type (WHO 1972 classification), treatment, resection margins, spill, perineural and vascular invasion, number of neck nodes, and extranodal disease. The median follow-up period was 74 months; it was 99 months for patients who were alive on the last follow-up. RESULTS: The rates of local control, regional control, distant metastasis-free and overall survival after 10 years were, respectively, 78%, 87%, 67%, and 50%. In multivariable analysis, local control was predicted by clinical T-stage, bone invasion, site, resection margin, and treatment. Regional control depended on N stage, facial nerve paralysis, and treatment. The relative risk with surgery alone, compared to surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, was 9.7 for local recurrence and 2.3 for regional recurrence. Distant metastases were independently correlated with T and N stage, sex, perineural invasion, histologic type, and clinical skin involvement. Overall survival depended on age, sex, T and pN stage, site, skin and bone invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Several prognostic factors for locoregional control, distant metastases, and overall survival were found. Postoperative radiotherapy was found to improve locoregional control.