The Efficacy and Safety of an Indocyanine Green-Macroaggregated Albumin-Hyaluronic Acid Mixture (LuminoMark™) for Surgical Localization of Recurrent Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of thyroid cancer poses challenges compounded by postoperative fibrosis and anatomic changes. By overcoming the limitations of current localizing dye techniques, indocyanine green-macroaggregated albumin-hyaluronic acid (ICG-MAA-HA) mixture dye promises improved localization. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dye for recurrent thyroid cancer. METHODS: The nine patients in this study underwent surgery and postoperative ultrasonography. The dye was injected into recurrent lesions in all the patients preoperatively. During surgery, the lesions were confirmed with an imaging system before and after excision. If the lesion was unidentifiable with the naked eye, surgical excision was performed under the corresponding fluorescent guide. Side effects related to the dye injection and completeness of the surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: No side effects such as bleeding, skin tattooing, or pain during or after the dye injection were reported, and no discoloration occurred that interfered with the surgical field of view during surgery. In three cases (33.3 %), because it was difficult to localize metastatic lesions with the naked eye, the operation was successfully completed using an imaging system. The completeness of the surgical resection was confirmed by ultrasonography after an average of 5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The study found that ICG-MAA-HA dye effectively located metastatic and recurrent thyroid cancer and had favorable results in terms of minimal procedural side effects and potential for assisting the surgeon. A large-scale multi-institutional study is necessary to prove the clinical significance regarding patient survival and disease control.

Guidelines for the Use of Botulinum Toxin in Otolaryngology From the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics Guideline Task Force.

The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics created a task force to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of botulinum toxin (BT) in otolaryngology. We selected 10 disease categories: spasmodic dysphonia, essential vocal tremor, vocal fold granuloma, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, Frey's syndrome, sialocele, sialorrhea, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, chronic sialadenitis, and first bite syndrome. To retrieve all relevant papers, we searched the CORE databases with predefined search strategies, including Medline (PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed. The committee reported 13 final recommendations with detailed evidence profiles. The guidelines are primarily aimed at all clinicians applying BT to the head and neck area. In addition, the guidelines aim to promote an improved understanding of the safe and effective use of BT by policymakers and counselors, as well as in patients scheduled to receive BT injections.

Novel thrombospondin-1 transcript exhibits distinctive expression and activity in thyroid tumorigenesis.

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is known for its cell-specific functions in cancer progression, such as proliferation and migration. It contains 22 exons that may potentially produce several different transcripts. Here, we identified TSP1V as a novel TSP1-splicing variant produced by intron retention (IR) in human thyroid cancer cells and tissues. We observed that TSP1V functionally inhibited tumorigenesis contrary to TSP1 wild-type, as identified in vivo and in vitro. These activities of TSP1V are caused by inhibiting phospho-Smad and phospho-focal adhesion kinase. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and minigene experiments revealed that some phytochemicals/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs enhanced IR. We further found that RNA-binding motif protein 5 (RBM5) suppressed IR induced by sulindac sulfide treatment. Additionally, sulindac sulfide reduced phospho-RBM5 levels in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, trans-chalcone demethylated TSP1V, thereby preventing methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 binding to TSP1V gene. In addition, TSP1V levels were significantly lower in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma than in those with benign thyroid nodule, indicating its potential application as a diagnostic biomarker in tumor progression.

Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma From MAeSTro Study: Immediate Operation Versus Delayed Operation After Active SurveillanceA Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate surgical, and clinical outcomes in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) according to treatment options [immediate operation (IOP) vs delayed operation after active surveillance (AS) (DOP)]. BACKGROUND: AS has been adopted as an alternative to immediate surgery in patients with low-risk PTMC. Although some patients undergo surgery during AS, there is little information on surgical, and clinical outcomes after delayed operation after AS. METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study including 1177 patients was conducted at 3 tertiary hospitals in Korea from June 2016 to January 2020. Patients with low-risk PTMC were enrolled. The participants were self-assigned into AS or IOP, and during AS, the patients underwent surgery if there were signs of disease progression or if the patient's choice changed. RESULTS: A total of 516 patients underwent operation; 384 (74.4%) in the IOP group and 132 (25.6%) in the DOP group. Compared with the IOP group, the DOP group was significantly associated with a larger tumor size ( P =0.002), higher rates of lymphatic invasion ( P =0.002), and multifocality ( P =0.008). However, the rates of total thyroidectomy, postoperative hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord palsy did not differ significantly between the groups ( P = 0.283, P =0.184, and P =0.284, respectively). Of the 132 patients in the DOP group, disease progression was present in 39 (29.5%) patients. The DOP group with disease progression had a significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis ( P =0.021) and radioiodine therapy ( P =0.025) than the DOP group without disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AS might be considered an alternative treatment option for patients with low-risk PTMC regarding the extent of thyroidectomy and postoperative complications in the DOP group. To assess oncologic outcomes, long-term follow-up will be needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02938702.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean-Translated Version of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale in Cerebellar Ataxia.

OBJECTIVE: The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) is a semiquantitative clinical scale for ataxia that is widely used in numerous countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean-translated version of the ICARS. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients who presented with cerebellar ataxia were enrolled. We investigated the construct validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We also investigated the internal consistency using Cronbach's α and intrarater and interrater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The Korean-translated ICARS showed satisfactory construct validity using EFA and CFA. It also revealed good interrater and intrarater reliability and showed acceptable internal consistency. However, subscale 4 for assessing oculomotor disorder showed moderate internal consistency. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean-translated ICARS. Our results showed excellent construct and convergent validity. The reliability is also acceptable.

Progression of Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma During Active Surveillance: Interim Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in Korea.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) is an alternative to thyroidectomy for the management of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, prospective AS data collected from diverse populations are needed. Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled patients from three referral hospitals in Korea. The participants were self-assigned into two groups, AS or immediate surgery. All patients underwent neck ultrasound every 6-12 months to monitor for disease progression. Progression under AS was evaluated by a criterion of tumor size increment by 3 mm in one dimension (3 mm), 2 mm in two dimensions (2 × 2 mm), new extrathyroidal extension (ETE), or new lymph node metastasis (LNM), and a composite outcome was defined using all four criteria. Results: A total of 1177 eligible patients with PTMC (919 female, 78.1%) with a median age of 48 years (range 19-87) were enrolled; 755 (64.1%) patients chose AS and 422 (35.9%) underwent surgery. Among 755 patients under AS, 706 (female 537, 76.1%) underwent at least two ultrasound examinations and were analyzed. Over a follow-up period of 41.4 months (standard deviation, 16.0), 163 AS patients (23.1%) underwent surgery. Progression defined by the composite outcome was observed in 9.6% (68/706) of patients, and the 2- and 5-year progression estimates were 5.3% and 14.2%, respectively. The observed progression rates were 5.8% (41/706) and 5.4% (38/706) as defined by tumor size enlargement by 3 mm and 2 × 2 mm, respectively, and 1.3% (9/706) and 0.4% (3/706) for new LNM and ETE, respectively. No distant metastases developed during AS. In multivariate logistic regression analysis examining variables associated with progression under AS, age at diagnosis <30 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 - 7.45), male sex (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.47 - 4.20), and tumor size ≥6 mm (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.09 - 3.27) were independently significant. Conclusions: The progression of low-risk PTMC during AS in the Korean population was low, but slightly higher than previously reported in other populations. Risk factors for disease progression under AS include younger age, male sex, and larger tumor size. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02938702.

A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patient Treatment Choice in a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study on Active Surveillance of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro).

Background: Active surveillance (AS) is offered as a choice to patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). This study aimed to identify patient and physician factors associated with the choice of AS. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients with low-risk PTMC who were enrolled in a prospective study comparing outcomes following AS and surgery. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess their prior knowledge of the disease, considerations in the decision-making process, and reasons for choosing the treatment. We also surveyed 19 physician investigators about their disease management preferences. Variables affecting the patients' choice of AS, including patients' characteristics and their decision-making process, were analyzed in a multivariable analysis. Results: The response rate of the patient survey was 72.8% (857/1177). Among the patients who responded to the survey, 554 patients (128 male; mean age 49.4 ± 11.6 years; response rate 73.4%) with low-risk PTMC chose AS (AS group), whereas 303 patients (55 male; 46.6 ± 10.7 years; 71.8%) chose immediate surgery (iOP group). In the AS group, 424 patients (76.5%) used a decision aid, and 144 (47.5%) used it in the iOP group. The choice of AS was associated with the following variables: patient age >50 years (odds ratio 1.713 [confidence interval, CI 1.090-2.690], p = 0.020), primary tumor size ≤5 mm (odds ratio 1.960 [CI 1.137-3.379], p = 0.015), and consulting an endocrinologist (odds ratio 114.960 [CI 48.756-271.057], p < 0.001), and use of a decision aid (odds ratio 2.469 [CI 1.320-4.616], p = 0.005). The proportion of patients who were aware of AS before their initial consultation for treatment decision was higher in the AS group than in the iOP group (64.6% vs. 56.8%). Family members were reported to have influenced the treatment decisions more in the iOP group (p = 0.025), whereas the AS group was more influenced by information from the media (p = 0.017). Physicians' attitudes regarding AS of low-risk PTMC tended to be more favorable among endocrinologists than surgeons and all became more favorable as the study progressed. Conclusions: Emerging evidence suggests that physicians' attitudes and communication tools influence the treatment decision of low-risk PTMC patients. Support is needed for patient-centered decision making. (Clinical trial No: NCT02938702).

Care and Management of Voice Change in Thyroid Surgery: Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics Clinical Practice Guideline.

Voice change is a common complaint after thyroid surgery and has a significant impact on quality of life. The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics assembled a task force to establish guideline recommendations on education, care, and management related to thyroid surgery. The guideline recommendations encompass preoperative voice education, management of anticipated voice change during surgery, and comprehensive voice care after thyroid surgery, and include in-depth information and up-to-date knowledge based on validated literature. The committee constructed 14 key questions (KQs) in three categories-preoperative (KQ 1-2), intraoperative (KQ 3-8), and postoperative (KQ 9-14) management-and developed 18 evidence-based recommendations. The Delphi survey reached an agreement on each recommendation. A detailed evidence profile is presented for each recommendation. The level of evidence for each recommendation was classified as high-quality, moderate-quality, or low-quality. The strength of each recommendation was designated as strong or weak considering the level of evidence supporting the recommendation. The guidelines are primarily targeted toward physicians who treat thyroid surgery patients and speech-language pathologists participating in patient care. These guidelines will also help primary care physicians, nurses, healthcare policymakers, and patients improve their understanding of voice changes and voice care after thyroid surgery.

A Personalized 3D-Printed Model for Obtaining Informed Consent Process for Thyroid Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Study Using a Deep Learning Approach with Mesh-Type 3D Modeling.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a personalized 3D-printed thyroid model that characterizes a patient's individual thyroid lesion. The randomized controlled prospective clinical trial (KCT0005069) was designed. Fifty-three of these patients undergoing thyroid surgery were randomly assigned to two groups: with or without a 3D-printed model of their thyroid lesion when obtaining informed consent. We used a U-Net-based deep learning architecture and a mesh-type 3D modeling technique to fabricate the personalized 3D model. The mean 3D printing time was 258.9 min, and the mean price for production was USD 4.23 for each patient. The size, location, and anatomical relationship of the tumor and thyroid gland could be effectively presented using the mesh-type 3D modeling technique. The group provided with personalized 3D-printed models showed significant improvement in all four categories (general knowledge, benefits and risks of surgery, and satisfaction; all p < 0.05). All patients received a personalized 3D model after surgery and found it helpful to understand the disease, operation, and possible complications and their overall satisfaction (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, the personalized 3D-printed thyroid model may be an effective tool for improving a patient's understanding and satisfaction during the informed consent process.

Wireless parathyroid detection device using autofluorescence and smart glasses: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Autofluorescence imaging technology has been utilized for preserving or identifying parathyroid glands (PTGs) during thyroid surgery. We developed a wireless PTGs detection device linked with smart glasses that allows for real-time video recording and screen switching according to the light source. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to confirm the feasibility of the device and whether it would help preserve the PTG during the surgery. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 30 patients with 66 PTGs. The device's agreement with the physician's judgment was evaluated, and we determined how many PTGs were preserved from thyroidectomy. RESULTS: The positive agreement rate for PTGs detection between the surgeon and device was 70.9%. Inadvertent parathyroidectomy was identified in surgical specimens of 6 patients (20%). No PTG was removed when it was confirmed by the device (0/39). Of the 27 glands not detected by the device, there was inadvertent removal of 6 PTGs. CONCLUSIONS: PTGs can be preserved successfully when the detection of them by the device is consistent with the surgeon's discretion. A large-scale controlled study is necessary to demonstrate the practical effect of this device on hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy.

The emergence of oral cavity cancer and the stabilization of oropharyngeal cancer: Recent contrasting epidemics in the South Korean population.

BACKGROUND: By analyzing the recent epidemiologic trajectory of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in South Korea, we tracked 2 findings that have been reported recently in other countries: the stabilization of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related HNSCC incidence and the acceleration of oral cavity cancer incidence. METHODS: We analyzed data from the comprehensive population-based Korean Central Cancer Registry for the period 1999 to 2017. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR), annual percent change (APC), and relative survival were calculated. RESULTS: The ASR of total HNSCC decreased from 1999 to 2017 (APC, -0.2 [95% CI, -0.3 to -0.0]), as did the ASR of HPV-unrelated HNSCC (APC, -0.6 [95% CI, -0.8 to -0.5]); however, the ASR of HPV-related HNSCC increased (APC, 2.9 [95% CI, 2.5 to 3.2]). The rapidly increasing incidence of tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, which was the main subsite of HPV-related HNSCC, stabilized after 2011 (APC pre-2011, 6.8 [95% CI, 5.0 to 8.3]; APC post-2011, 1.6 [95% CI, -2.1 to 5.5]), and the difference was significant (P = .017). In contrast, oral cavity cancer incidence demonstrated the only increase among HPV-unrelated subsites, with the increase occurring after 2006 (APC pre-2006, 1.6 [95% CI, 0.3 to 2.8]; APC post-2006, 2.8 [95% CI, 2.2 to 3.5]); the main cause of this change was an increase in the ASR of tongue cancer. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the recent stabilization of tonsil cancer incidence and the contrasting increase in oral cavity cancer incidence, unlike other HPV-unrelated cancers. These trends require further surveillance and understanding in terms of tumor biology and prevention.

Factors Affecting Central Node Metastasis and Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing evidence that metastatic lymph node ratio (MLNR) is a valuable predictor for the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma, it has not yet been fully determined which factors give the ratio predictive value independent of the number of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: Recurrence and clinicopathologic factors were analyzed in 2409 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy and central node dissection. RESULTS: Cutoff values of MLNs ≥2 and MLNR ≥28.2% increased the recurrence risk (hazard ratio [95% CI], 9.97 [4.73-21.0] and 11.4 [5.53-23.3], respectively). Younger age, male sex, multifocality, tumor size, lymphatic and vascular invasion, and gross extrathyroidal extension positively correlated with MLN and MLNR (all P < .05). Meanwhile, lymphocytic thyroiditis negatively correlated with MLNR in female patients (P < .001), by increasing total lymph node yields as compared with papillary thyroid carcinoma without lymphocytic thyroiditis. In multivariate analysis, younger age, tumor size, and lymphatic invasion remained significant in male and female patients for MLN and MLNR; lymphocytic thyroiditis was also significantly correlated with MLNR in female patients. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that MLN and MLNR are independently observed prognostic markers for tumor recurrence. However, lymphocytic thyroiditis in female patients seems to have lower MLNR by increasing total lymph node yields. In light of their association, a different cutoff for MLNR needs to be applied according to the presence or absence of underlying lymphocytic thyroiditis in the use of MLNR for predicting the recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer who are receiving radiation therapy: a prospective non-randomized controlled multi-center study.

BACKGROUNDS AND PURPOSE: Radiation therapy is an important mode of treatment for patients with head and neck cancers, but some associated complications can reduce the quality of life. We investigated whether N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy improved the quality of life of such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective, non-randomized controlled multi-center study involving 10 institutions. We enrolled 120 patients (80 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group). Patients in the experimental group inhaled nebulized liquid N-acetylcysteine (2400 mg daily) for 8 weeks from the start of radiation therapy. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire H&N 35. RESULTS: N-acetylcysteine inhalation was not associated with any side effect or discomfort. The reduction in painkiller use from the end of N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy to the 1-month follow-up was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.014). Dry mouth symptoms also improved significantly in the experimental group (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: N-acetylcysteine inhalation improves the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancers who are receiving radiation therapy, without any specific side effect.

Effect of Initial Treatment Choice on 2-year Quality of Life in Patients with Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

CONTEXT: The long-term quality of life (QoL) in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) underwent active surveillance (AS) and immediate surgery is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of initial treatment choice on 2-year QoL in patients with low-risk PTMC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed 2652 QoL surveys from 1055 subjects enrolled in ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study on active surveillance of PTMC, in which the median follow-up duration was 24.4 months. MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURE: We evaluated QoL of patients with low-risk PTMC according to their treatment modality using generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-four subjects (male = 161; mean age = 48.8 ± 11.9 years) with low-risk PTMC chose AS while 381 subjects (male = 75; mean age = 45.7 ± 10.4 years) chose immediate surgery, including lobectomy/isthmusectomy (L/I) and total thyroidectomy (TT). Among the 817 subjects who completed baseline QoL surveys, 2-year QoL was good in order of AS (n = 500), L/I (n = 238), and TT (n = 79) groups after adjustment for age, sex, baseline tumor size, and baseline QoL scores. Among the 101 subjects who changed their treatment from AS to surgery during the follow-up period, 35 subjects who changed treatment due to disease progression had better QoL than 66 subjects who had no disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified QoL as a major issue in choosing an initial treatment of low-risk PTMC and highlighted the possibility of using AS as the primary treatment.

Singing voice range profile: New objective evaluation methods for voice change after thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: After surgery in the thyroid region, patients may present with phonation or singing difficulty, even within their vocal range. We designed a novel voice evaluation method that reflects subjective and objective voice complications of the surgery. METHODS: This tool recorded patients' voice ranges while singing, which was named the singing voice range profile (singing VRP). Patients were asked to sing "Happy Birthday," which has a one-octave scale, at a comfortable tone and intensity. The singing VRP, standard VRP and voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) results were recorded before thyroidectomy and 1 and 3 months after thyroidectomy for 128 patients. For subgroup analysis, a group where the maximum F0 of standard VRP in 1 month postoperatively was lower than the highest singing F0 of the preoperative singing VRP was defined as "Collapsed group" and the other group was "Preserved group." RESULTS: The changes in the highest, lowest and range of singing fundamental frequency (F0 ) had decreased at 1 month postoperatively. Subsequently, they had improved significantly at 3 months postoperatively but were lower than those preoperatively (all P < .05, except for the change in the lowest singing F0 between 1 and 3 months postoperatively, P = .274). In the subgroup analysis, the singing range of the collapsed group (n = 65) showed significantly lower VHI-10 scores, range of vocal F0 and singing F0 than those of the preserved group (n = 63) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively (all P < .001). At 3 months postoperatively, the singing F0 range in the preserved group had recovered to the range before surgery (13.0 ± 1.3 vs. 13.1 ± 1.4, P = .746 for the preserved group, and 13.0 ± 1.3 vs 11.5 ± 2.4, P < .001 for the collapsed group). CONCLUSIONS: Parameters measured by singing VRP showed a trend similar to the change in VHI-10 and the maximum F0 of standard VRP. In addition, singing VRP allowed a qualitative classification of the postoperative voice function when combined with standard VRP. Therefore, it can be used as a supplementary voice evaluation tool to reflect the physiologic and functional aspects of voice.

Prognostic Implication of SOX2 Expression Associated with p16 in Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Study of Consecutive Tissue Microarrays and TCGA.

For oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), there are not enough additional robust biomarkers for subgrouping after the distinct classification using p16. As SOX2 is an emerging biomarker for cancer treatment, its clinical implication in OPSCC was evaluated using a consecutive tissue microarray (TMA) cohort consisting of 111 patients who underwent surgery as an initial treatment from May 2002 to December 2016 and 79 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. In both datasets, p16+/SOX2High (HPV+/SOX2High in TCGA) showed the best prognosis among the four groups classified by SOX2 and p16 for 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence (all p < 0.05), but SOX2 did not make a significant difference in the prognosis of the p16- group. In the TMA cohort, SOX2High was significantly correlated with response to radiotherapy and lower pathologic T classification in the p16+ group (p = 0.001). In TCGA, correlations between SOX2 and tumor stage classification or radiotherapy were not observed; however, HPV+/SOX2High had a significantly low tumor mutation burden among the four groups (all p < 0.05). In summary, SOX2 was proven to be a potential marker to predict overall survival and recurrence in p16+ OPSCC. However, the role of SOX2 has not yet been confirmed in p16- OPSCC patients.

Novel robot-assisted thyroidectomy by a transaxillary gas-insufflation approach (TAGA): a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted transaxillary approaches to thyroidectomy have been well described. They have an advantage over the breast approach in that a circumareolar incision is avoided. However, they require a single long axillary incision to accommodate all 3 robotic arms and provide adequate visualization of the area around the thyroid. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of the robot-assisted transaxillary gas-insufflation approach (TAGA) and to attempt reducing the size of the scar. METHODS: We evaluated 47 patients who underwent robot-assisted thyroid lobectomy via TAGA from July 2015 to Aug 2017. The following variables were studied: patients' demographics, operative time according to each operation step, volume of drainage, duration of hospitalization, and perioperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 42.4±9.1 years. The mean total volume of drainage was 195.4±70.9 mL, and the duration of postoperative stay was 3.0±1.1 days. Two cases (4.3%) of transient vocal cord palsy and 2 cases (4.3%) of seroma were identified postoperatively. There was no post-operative cosmetic problem at the skin incisions made in the axilla. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted thyroid lobectomy via TAGA is technically feasible while achieving good cosmetic results. TAGA can be an alternative robot-assisted method for thyroidectomy.

Homocysteinemia is Associated with the Presence of Microbleeds in Cognitively Impaired Patients.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Homocysteine is possibly associated with cerebral small vessel diseases such as leukoaraiosis, silent brain infarction and cerebral microbleeds, which are in turn associated with cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to examine the relationships between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and cognitive function. METHODS: A total of 819 patients with memory disturbance who visited a dementia clinic consecutively were included in this study. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical and laboratory data including tHcy level, MTHFR C677T polymorphism and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All patients underwent brain MRI including fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image and T2*-weighed gradient-echo (GRE) image. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between risk factors and the presence of microbleeds. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-one (19.7%) patients had CMBs, of whom 88 (54.7%) had CMBs in the lobar region. CMBs were more common in older hypertensive male patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. In multivariable analysis, plasma tHcy remained an independent predictor of the presence of CMBs after adjusting other confounders (OR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.009-1.062, p = 0.009). Higher plasma tHcy level was also associated with number of CMBs, TT MTHFR genotype, and lower MMSE scores. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated plasma tHcy level is related to high prevalence of CMBs and cognitive dysfunction. Lowering plasma tHcy could be helpful in cognitively impaired patients who have CMBs or the MTHFR TT genotype.

Guidelines for the Management of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis From the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics.

The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics appointed a task force to establish clinical practice guidelines for the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). These guidelines cover a comprehensive range of management-related factors, including the diagnosis and treatment of UVFP, and provide in-depth information based on current, up-to-date knowledge. Detailed evidence profiles are provided for each recommendation. The CORE databases, including OVID Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed, were searched to identify all relevant papers, using a predefined search strategy. When insufficient evidence existed, expert opinions and Delphi questionnaires were used to fill the evidence gap. The committee developed 16 evidence-based recommendations in six categories: initial evaluation (R1-4), spontaneous recovery (R5), medical treatment (R6), surgical treatment (R7-14), voice therapy (R15), and aspiration prevention (R16). The goal of these guidelines is to assist general otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists who are primarily responsible for treating patients with UVFP. These guidelines are also intended to facilitate understanding of the condition among other health-care providers, including primary care physicians, nurses, and policy-makers.