Non-conventional laryngeal malignancies: a multicentre review of management and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Non-conventional laryngeal malignancies (NSCC) often have limited published data to guide management despite individual histopathological subtypes often exhibiting heterogeneous behaviour, characteristics, and treatment responses compared to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aimed to compare oncological outcomes with SCC, specifically disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives were to compare treatment differences and perform a state of the art review. METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective cohort study at four tertiary head and neck centres. Survival outcomes between NSCC and SCC patients were analysed with Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by log rank testing. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to predict survival by histopathological subgroup, T-stage, N-stage and M-stage. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in 3-year DFS (p = 0.499), DSS (p = 0.329), OS (p = 0.360) or Kaplan Meier survival curves (DSS/OS) between SCC and overall NSCC groups. However, univariate Cox regression analysis identified "rare" histopathologies (mostly small cell carcinoma) to be predictive of less favourable OS (p = 0.035) but this result was not observed for other NSCC histopathological subgroups. N-stage (p = 0.027) and M-stage (p = 0.048) also predicted OS for NSCC malignancies. Significant differences in treatment modalities were identified with treatment of NSCC typically involving surgical resection and SCC often managed non-surgically (e.g., primary radiotherapy). CONCLUSIONS: Although overall NSCC is managed differently compared to SCC, there do not appear to be differences in survival outcomes between these groups. N-stage and M-stage appear to be more predictive of OS than histopathology than many NSCC subtypes.

Case of coronary vasospasm caused by hypocalcaemia post parathyroidectomy mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

A man in his 30s with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent an elective four-gland parathyroid exploration with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring. On the fourth postoperative day (POD), the patient presented to the emergency department with severe symptomatic hypocalcaemia. ECG findings were in keeping with inferior-posterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, he was asymptomatic with no chest pain. Biochemistry revealed elevated serial troponin levels. Coronary angiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram were normal, suggesting coronary vasospasm, mimicking STEMI on ECG because of severe hypocalcaemia post parathyroidectomy. This is an uncommon and unreported complication of parathyroid surgery. The patient was successfully managed with intravenous calcium and discharged on oral calcium replacement on the tenth POD.

'A Down and Out Eye': Case Report of a Primary Ethmoid Mucocele.

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are benign, locally expansile masses of the paranasal sinuses that are lined by epithelial cells. They result from obstruction of sinus ostia. The close proximity of paranasal sinus mucoceles to the orbit and skull base predisposing the patient to significant morbidity. We describe the case of a previously healthy 23-year-old gentleman presenting with a five-day history of unilateral (left) eye pain and swelling with an obvious deformity. There was also no history of trauma or prior surgery. He underwent a CT sinus, which showed near complete opacification of the left anterior ethmoid sinus with bony destruction and obvious displacement of the orbit both laterally and anteriorly. This was assessed as to be in keeping with an ethmoid mucocele. Endoscopic marsupialization has become the preferred surgical approach over obliterative procedures for the treatment of paranasal sinus mucoceles. Primary ethmoid mucocele is an uncommon entity, especially in the absence of prior ear, nose and throat (ENT) complaints, and therefore should remain an important differential when a patient presents with a unilateral swelling causing proptosis.

Radioiodine Remnant Ablation for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Postoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) facilitates the early detection of recurrence and represents an adjuvant therapy that targets persistent microscopic disease. The optimal activity of RAI in low- and intermediate-risk DTC remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the long-term cure rate of different RAI activities in low- and intermediate-risk DTC. Secondary outcomes included successful remnant ablation, adverse effects, and hospital length of stay. Data Source: A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared long-term outcomes (>12 months) for American Thyroid Association-classified low- and intermediate-risk DTC based on receipt of either low-activity or high-activity RAI postoperatively. Study Selection: All RCTs or observational studies evaluating patients with low- and intermediate-risk DTC who were treated initially with total/near-total thyroidectomy, followed by remnant RAI ablation with either low or high activities. Eligible studies had to present odds ratio, relative risk (RR), or hazard ratio estimates (with 95% CIs), standard errors, or the number of events necessary to calculate these for the outcome of interest rate. Data Extraction: Two investigators reviewed the literature in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios and continuous data as weighted-mean differences. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scales. Main Outcomes and Measures: Disease recurrence was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included successful ablation, adverse effects, and length of stay. Results: Ten studies that included 3821 patients met inclusion criteria, including 6 RCTs and 4 observational studies. There was no difference in long-term cure recurrence rates (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.62-1.27, P = .50) or successful remnant ablation (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87-1.03; P = .20) between low-activity and high-activity RAI. Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, low-activity RAI was comparable with high-activity RAI regarding successful ablation and recurrence rates. This suggests that low-activity RAI is preferable to high-activity in low- and intermediate-risk DTC because of its similar efficacy but reduced morbidity. Trial Registration: PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020166780.

Mixed infected laryngocoele presenting as airway obstruction: a case report.

Laryngocoele is a rare entity, defined as an abnormal cystic dilatation of saccule of the laryngeal ventricle. Three types of laryngocele have been described, based on their relation to the thyrohyoid membrane: internal, external or mixed type. Symptoms are variable, including neck swelling, shortness of breath, dysphonia and fever, if the laryngocoele becomes infected. Patients may also present in extremis with airway obstruction. We present the case of a healthy 34-year-old gentleman with acute airway obstruction due to a mixed infected laryngocoele. Flexible nasoendoscopy showed a large cystic swelling arising from the laryngeal ventricle. Computed tomography of neck confirmed a right paraglottic collection extending into the ventricle and glottis, causing significant airway compromise. The patient was managed with microlaryngoscopy and cystic decompression. At outpatient follow up, he was completely asymptomatic and is currently under surveillance. Endoscopic decompression is a safe and effective initial management for mixed laryngocoele.

Use of Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone in Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy for Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) is a surgical adjunct that has been increasingly used during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP). Despite its growing popularity, to our knowledge a meta-analysis comparing MIP with ioPTH vs MIP without ioPTH has not yet been conducted. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of MIP with ioPTH for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Data Sources: A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Collaboration was performed to identify studies that compared MIP with and without ioPTH. Data were analyzed between August and September 2019. Study Selection: Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials and observational studies with a retrospective/prospective design, comparing MIP using ioPTH vs MIP not using ioPTH for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Eligible studies had to present odds ratio (OR), risk ratio, or hazard ratio estimates (with 95% CI), standard errors, or number of events necessary to calculate these for the outcome of interest rate. Studies involving patients with secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism or those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome were excluded. Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently reviewed the literature according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Dichotomous variables were pooled as ORs while continuous variables were compared using weighted mean differences. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was rate of cure. Secondary outcomes included need for reoperation, need for bilateral neck exploration, morbidity, and length of surgery. Results: A total of 12 studies, involving 2290 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, were eligible for inclusion. The median (SD) age of participants was 60.1 (11.8) years and 77.3% of participants were women. The median Newcastle-Ottawa score was 7. Patients who underwent MIP with ioPTH had higher cure rates (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 2.12-7.10; P < .001). There was a greater need for reoperation in the group of patients who had surgery without ioPTH (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.86; P = .02). There was a trend toward longer operating times/increased duration of surgery in the ioPTH group; however, this did not reach statistical significance (weighted mean difference, 21.62 minutes; 95% CI, -0.93 to 44.17 minutes; P = .06). The use of ioPTH was associated with higher rates of bilateral neck exploration (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.27-9.92; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: Use of ioPTH is associated with higher cure rates for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing MIP. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy performed without ioPTH is associated with less conversion to bilateral neck exploration at initial surgery but with lower cure rates and an increased risk for reoperation. Trial Registration: PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020148588.

Pre-treatment wait time for head and neck cancer patients in Western Australia: description of a new metric and examination of predictive factors.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged pre-treatment wait times in head and neck cancer are associated with increased morbidity and reduced survival. Traditional metrics exclude delays prior to biopsy, which represents an important and measurable period of time. This study aims to describe total wait time for head and neck cancer patients in our institution, to define a more accurate representation of the clinically relevant pre-treatment wait time, and to evaluate predictive factors for prolonged wait times. METHODS: A retrospective review of head and neck cancer patients treated over 2 years in a tertiary referral centre was conducted. Patient demographics, referral symptoms, tumour details, treatment plan and key dates were analysed to identify total wait time and factors predictive of increased wait time. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-four patients were included. Mean total wait time from initial referral to treatment initiation was 71.6 (median 61) days. The period from referral to biopsy represented 29% of mean total wait time. Factors predictive of increased wait time included presenting symptom of hoarseness, laryngeal cancer and treatment with definitive radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that time from referral to biopsy represents a significant portion of total wait time, and we suggest that this be incorporated into future wait time metrics for improved clinical relevance. Furthermore, we have identified factors predicting increased wait time which can be targeted for future service improvement.