Pre-styloid parapharyngeal space masses-Tumor margins as a predictor of benign versus malignant histology on pre-operative CT or MRI.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the frequency of benign versus malignant masses within the prestyloid parapharyngeal space (PPS) and determine if tumor margins on preoperative cross-sectional imaging can predict malignancy status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic health record at UC Davis Medical Center was searched for PPS masses surgically resected between 2015 and 2021. Cases located centrally within the prestyloid PPS with confirmed histologic diagnosis were included and separated into either benign or malignant groups. Margins of the tumors were categorized as "well defined" or "infiltrative" on preoperative cross-sectional imaging. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate relationships between malignancy status and tumor margins. RESULTS: A total of 31 cases met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen separate histologic diagnoses were observed. Benign cases comprised 77% (24/31) and the remaining 23% (7/31) were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common overall diagnosis at 48% (15/31). Adenoid cystic carcinoma 6% (2/31) was the most common malignant diagnosis. Well-defined tumor margins were seen in 81% (25/31) of cases. A benign diagnosis was found in 96% (24/25) of the cases with well-defined margins. Infiltrative tumor margins were displayed in 19% (6/31) of cases, all were malignant. The sensitivity and specificity of infiltrative tumor margins for malignancy were 85.7% and 100%, respectively. The negative predictive value of infiltrative margins for malignancy was 96%. CONCLUSION: Infiltrative tumor margins on preoperative imaging demonstrate high specificity and negative predictive value for malignant histology in prestyloid PPS masses. Margins should therefore be considered when determining clinical management for newly diagnosed PPS tumors.

Diversity in action: Interpersonal networks and the distribution of advice.

Does diversity beget the active dissemination of social support in the form of advice to others? Previous research by Robert Putnam suggests that individuals in compositionally diverse geographical areas become closed off from their social ties and less trusting of others, which are both antithetical to social support exchange. We argue, however, that studies of compositional diversity are ill-suited to reflect diversity as it is actually lived and experienced in social life. Drawing from the first nationally representative study with comprehensive indicators of interactional diversity in social life, we analyze self-reports of advice-giving across a variety of social roles. Results of regression analysis are consistent: greater interactional diversity is positively associated with advice-giving, whether the target is stranger, neighbor, close friend, or family member. These findings hold independent of important covariates such as reciprocity, sociability, and homophily. This research contributes to a growing literature set on identifying the unanticipated benefits of diversity in modern society. In sum, we call future research to consider not only diversity in structure, but also diversity in action.

THE ROLE OF PERCEIVED RELIGIOUS SIMILARITY IN THE QUALITY OF MOTHER-CHILD RELATIONS IN LATER-LIFE: DIFFERENCES WITHIN FAMILIES AND BETWEEN RACES.

Despite evidence of the importance of value similarity in predicting parent-adult child relations, little attention has been given to the unique role of religious similarity. Using 1,407 dyads nested within 390 families, we examine whether religious similarity predicts the quality of mother-child relations in later life, and whether the strength of this association differs by race. Consistent with our hypotheses, religious similarity was found to be an important factor in predicting both closeness and conflict, particularly in Black families. These findings suggest that it may be important to give greater attention to religion when studying patterns of interaction and support in the later years, especially among Black families.