Impact of Olfactory Change on Postoperative Body Weight Loss in Patients with Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy.

Patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer may experience alterations in olfaction, yet the association between olfactory changes and postoperative weight loss remains uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between olfactory changes and postoperative weight loss in patients with gastric cancer. Patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer between February 2022 and August 2022 were included in the study. Those experiencing a higher Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score postoperatively compared to preoperatively were deemed to have undergone olfactory changes. Postoperative weight loss was determined using the 75th percentile as a cutoff value, designating patients surpassing this threshold as experiencing significant weight loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for postoperative weight loss, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Out of 58 patients, 10 (17.2%) exhibited olfactory changes. The rate of postoperative weight loss at one month was markedly higher in the group with olfactory changes compared to those without (9.6% versus 6.2%, respectively; p = 0.002). In addition, the group experiencing olfactory changes demonstrated significantly lower energy intake compared to the group without such changes (1050 kcal versus 1250 kcal, respectively; p = 0.029). Logistic regression analysis revealed olfactory changes as an independent risk factor for significant weight loss at one month postoperatively (odds ratio: 7.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-71.85, p = 0.048). In conclusion, olfactory changes emerged as an independent risk factor for postoperative weight loss at one month in patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy.

Simple and safe resection of the crista galli.

A critical procedure in the transcribriform approach is the resection of the crista galli. However, the standard technique for crista galli resection has several disadvantages. We reviewed the cases of patients with olfactory neuroblastomas who underwent an endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach using a newly developed technique for crista galli resection. We performed a cadaveric study to measure the superior accessibility limits using the proposed method. We included 38 patients with olfactory neuroblastomas in this study. The tumor invaded the posterior crista galli in four patients. The anterior end of the crista galli was not invaded by the tumor. Our cadaveric study showed that the dura was approachable to the point that was 7.4 ± 1.3 mm superior and 23.2 ± 7.2 mm lateral to the foramen cecum following crista galli removal. By resecting the crista galli in advance, manipulation of the superior dura became feasible.

Epidemiology of postoperative bleeding after endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery and factors associated with bleeding.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery is a surgical procedure frequently performed by otolaryngologists. Postoperative bleeding is detrimental to both healthcare providers and patients. We investigated the epidemiology of postoperative bleeding during endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery and explored possible bleeding triggers. METHODS: We evaluated the patients who underwent endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery. Data regarding the age, sex, presence of hypertension, and abnormal coagulability, including oral anticoagulants, diagnoses, operative procedures, intraoperative use of drills and blood loss, and postoperative antimicrobial administration of eligible patients, were extracted from medical records and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-six patients underwent endoscopic nasal or sinus surgery during the study period, and postoperative bleeding occurred in 9 patients (4.8%). Posterior nasal neurotomy (PNN) was the procedure most likely to cause postoperative bleeding (4 surgeries, 13.3%). Postoperative antimicrobial administration significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative bleeding (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative bleeding requiring intervention occurs in 4.8% of cases, and PNN is associated with a high risk of postoperative bleeding. Wound infection is a potential cause of postoperative bleeding, and antimicrobial administration should be considered in addition to local treatment.

Correlation between the preoperative maximum soleal vein diameter and the postoperative bilateral deep venous thrombosis in THA: a case-control study.

Background: Patients with bilateral lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) have a higher risk of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and mortality than patients with unilateral lower limb DVT. Preoperative dilatation of the soleal vein (SV) diameter is a predictor of postoperative DVT. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cutoff value for SV diameter as a risk factor for VTE development. Materials and methods: The authors examined 274 patients with unilateral THA who met the inclusion criteria in a retrospective study. The mean age of the patients was 65.7±11.2 years, with 70 males and 204 females. Bilateral lower limb vein ultrasonography was performed preoperatively and ~1 week after THA. The frequency and localization of DVT were investigated in postoperative ultrasonography. The patients were divided into three groups: no DVT (non-DVT), unilateral lower limb DVT (Uni-DVT), and bilateral lower limb DVT (Bi-DVT). The three groups were compared in terms of preoperative venous vessel maximum diameter. Results: There were 62 patients (22.6%) who had postoperative DVT. There are no symptomatic PTE patients. DVT was found in 44 patients (16.0%) of the Uni-DVT group and 18 patients (6.6%) of the Bi-DVT group. The SV maximum diameter was 6.41±1.79 mm in the non-DVT group, 7.06±2.13 mm in the Uni-DVT group, and 8.06±2.26 mm in the Bi-DVT group, with a significant difference (P=0.001) between the non-DVT and Bi-DVT groups. In the Bi-DVT group, the cutoff value for preoperative SV maximum diameter was 6.75 mm (95% CI: 0.625-0.831; P=0.001; sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 60.4%; area under the curve, 0.728). Conclusions: In THA, preoperative ultrasonography with a maximum SV diameter of 6.75 mm or greater was the risk of bilateral DVT leading to fatal PTE is increased.

The Factors Related to the Time for Sinus Debridement after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery - A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Post-operative care after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is essential for managing the long-term success of chronic rhinosinusitis. Post-operative sinus debridement promotes proper wound healing, but the procedure can be accompanied by discomfort and pain. Hence, we analysed the clinical factors related to sinus debridement time after FESS. Materials and Methods: We evaluated retrospectively the clinical factors affecting the time taken for post-operative sinus debridement on the first visit after the discharge. We reviewed 101 patients who underwent FESS at our hospital by the same surgeon and extracted patient information. The time for post-operative sinus debridement at the first outpatient clinic was measured. Results: The days of putting the cotton ball in the operated nostril were negatively associated with sinus debridement time (coefficient - -16.4 ± 5.7 seconds/day, P = 0.005). In contrast, current or history of asthma, amount of bleeding during the surgery, number of opened sinuses by the operation or the number of eosinophils in resected tissues under a microscope at ×400 was not associated. Discussion: We recommend the use of a cotton ball in the nostril after FESS because it shortens the sinus debridement time. Placing cotton balls in the nostril helps to maintain a humid wound environment and reduce crusting, leading to easier sinus debridement and better wound healing.

Application of Digital Subtraction Angiography in Predicting the Outcomes of Intraoperative Hemorrhage of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma.

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a very rare hemorrhagic vascular tumor that predominantly affects adolescent boys. The tumor is relatively large when detected, and the risk of intraoperative bleeding is high. We aimed to examine factors associated with intraoperative blood loss in JNA surgery. METHODS: Thirteen patients with JNA who underwent surgery at the Jikei University Hospital between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed, and factors associated with blood loss were examined by single regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.8 ± 7.7 years. Preoperative angiographic images were evaluated in 9 of the 13 cases. The 6 patients with the largest bleeding volumes, all had residual nutrient vessels from the internal carotid artery (ICA), with an average number of 2.5 vessels. The mean blood loss of patients with residual nutrient vessels from the ICA was 3037 ± 2568 mL. Single regression analysis of bleeding volume against the number of remaining nutrient vessels from the ICA and the total peak contrast density of nutrient vessels (Cmax) standardized by region of interest showed that the coefficient was positive (P < 0.05 for both), confirming a significant correlation between the 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of bleeding significantly correlated with the number of remaining nutrient vessels from the ICA after preoperative embolization and with the total Cmax/region of interest. The ability to predict the amount of preoperative blood loss using this study will facilitate proposals for external incisions in patients with JNA.

Septochoanal Polyp on the Concave Side of the Deviated Nasal Septum.

The septochoanal polyp is one of the choanal polyps derived from the nasal septum. They rarely occur, with only a few cases reported in the English literature. The etiology is still uncertain though it is thought to be associated with inflammation. Pathological findings generally show chronic inflammatory polyps and should be differentiated from other tumors. We report a case of a 32-year-old man diagnosed with a septochoanal polyp on the concave side of the deviated nasal septum. Previous reports have not mentioned the relationship between septochoanal polyp and the direction of septal deviation. This case is a practical example when considering the potential causes of the septochoanal polyp.

A Preoperative Imaging Evaluation to Avoid Orbital Complications in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has become popular worldwide. However, serious complications have been reported with it. A preoperative imaging evaluation is thus essential to avoid complications. The authors compared 0.5 mm slice computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed from sinus CT data with conventional 2 mm slice CT images. The authors evaluated patients who underwent endoscopic surgery. Data regarding age, sex, history of craniofacial trauma, diagnosis, operative procedure, and CT findings of eligible patients were extracted from medical records and retrospectively reviewed. One hundred twelve patients underwent endoscopic surgery during the study period. Six patients (5.4%) had orbital blowout fractures, and half of them could only be identified by 0.5 mm slice CT images. The authors presented the usefulness of 0.5 mm slice CT images in the preoperative imaging evaluation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Surgeons should also recognize that a small number of patients have "stealth" (asymptomatic and unrecognized) blowout fractures.

Clinical Factors Associated With the Outcomes of Long-Term Middle Ear Ventilation Tube Insertion in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Ventilation tube (VT) insertion is the most common treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME). However, OME recurrence and persistent tympanic membrane (TM) perforation after VT removal are encountered in a certain percentage of such children. METHODS: This study was performed to determine the outcomes of children who underwent long-term VT insertion. A total of 326 ears from 192 patients were analyzed. The associations among the patient age, sex, history of OME, history of repeated acute otitis media, placement duration, whether the VT had been removed intentionally or spontaneously, and the outcome (persistent TM perforation or OME recurrence) were analyzed. The outcomes of multiple VT tube insertions were also reviewed. We also analyzed whether or not local or general anesthesia was associated with the early spontaneous extrusion of the VT. RESULT: The OME recurrence and TM perforation rates were 29% (96/326 sides) and 17% (57/326 sides), respectively, for first insertions. In addition, 96 (29%) sides underwent ≥2 insertions. The shorter the duration for which the VT was retained in the middle ear, the more significant the rate of increase in OME recurrence. The OME recurrence was observed more often when VT was spontaneously removed than when intentionally removed. The rate of persistent TM perforation was significantly associated with male sex. Persistent TM perforation was not observed in patients who underwent 4 or 5 insertions. The anesthesia method did not significantly influence the timing of spontaneous extrusion of VT. CONCLUSION: The retention period of VT should be at least 2 years, and VT removal at the age of 7 might be a viable strategy. Multiple VT insertions are recommended for patients with recurrent OME. Ventilation tube under local anesthesia is an effective option for tolerable children.

Endoscopic-assisted total maxillectomy with precise surgical margins.

In traditional open maxillectomy, identifying the posterior margin is difficult because of its deep location and bleeding from the pterygoid venous plexus. Here, we present our endoscope-assisted total en bloc maxillectomy technique and discuss its merits and demerits compared to previously reported methods. We developed an endoscope-assisted total en bloc maxillectomy procedure. We reviewed a series of total maxillectomies performed with and without endoscopic assistance to verify the advantages of endoscopic assistance over conventional total maxillectomy. We analyzed (1) the precision using the distance of the remaining pterygoid process, (2) the operation time, and (3) blood loss. The length of the remnant pterygoid process was significantly shorter in the endoscopic assistance group. The operation time and blood loss were not significantly different between the two groups. Endoscopic assistance makes total maxillectomy more precise without requiring additional time and is a reasonable option for total maxillectomies.

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Bloodstream Infections in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Decadal Observational Study.

This retrospective study aims to describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and the risk factors in patients with head and neck cancer (n = 227) treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Hospital between April 2011 and March 2021. Overall, 23.3% of blood cultures were positive. In the culture-positive group, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) were the most common (38.8%), followed by respiratory tract infections (19.4%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (6.0%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (26.9%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (17.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.4%) infections were common. The most frequent treatment for head and neck cancer was surgery (23.9%), followed by treatment interval or palliative care (19.4%), and single radiotherapy (13.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the BSI than in the non-BSI group (10.4% vs. 1.8%, respectively). CRBSIs are the most frequent source of BSIs in patients with head and neck cancer. In conclusion, central venous catheters or port insertion should be used for a short period to prevent CRBSIs. The risk of developing BSI should be considered in patients with pneumonia. Understanding the epidemiology of BSIs is crucial for diagnosing, preventing, and controlling infections in patients with head and neck cancer.

Fibroepithelial Polyps Originating from the Posterior Nasal Septum: A Case Report.

Fibroepithelial polyps are benign tumors of mesodermal origin. They rarely occur in the nasal cavity, with only four such cases reported in the relevant English literature. The location was the inferior turbinate in three cases and anterior nasal septum in one case. The etiology has been suggested in other organs; however, it is entirely unknown in the nasal cavity. Pathological findings play an essential role in the diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with fibroepithelial polyps originating from the posterior part of the nasal septum. The fibroepithelial polyps were white-yellow lobular masses that differed from a common inflammatory polyp. We made the diagnosis by excluding the other possible tumors based on a pathological examination. This is the first report about fibroepithelial polyps arising from the posterior nasal septum. She had no potential risk factors that might trigger fibroepithelial polyps in the nasal cavity. This case is a valuable example when considering the potential causes (e.g., female hormones and mechanical pressure) of nasal fibroepithelial polyps.

Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma Showing a Misleading Finding on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is the most common benign tumor in sinonasal cavities. Treatment involves excising the whole tumor, so it is essential to evaluate the extent of the tumor by preoperative radiographic findings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to computed tomography (CT) for determining a tumor's location as MRI can discern the difference between mucus and IP. We herein report a 51-year-old man with sinonasal IP treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Preoperative MRI showed findings resembling a convoluted cerebriform pattern on T2-weighted imaging, but this site was not enhanced by intravenous gadolinium at all. We preoperatively suspected that this site was not part of the tumor but rather the accumulation of mucus, and indeed, we found no tumor at this site when we performed the surgery. This patient is a valuable example of misleading findings of IP on T2-weighted imaging and underscores the importance of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging to determine the extent of IP.

Paranasal sinus actinomycosis treated with a combination of surgery and long-term low-dose macrolide.

Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by actinomyces. Although almost 50% of cases are related to the head and neck region, those in the nose and paranasal sinuses (PNS) are rare. Actinomycosis of the PNS is presumed to be typically caused by dental caries, dental manipulation, and maxillofacial trauma, which facilitate the penetration of oral pathogens into the sinus, and should thus be treated by the combination of surgical removal and potent antibiotics for at least two months. The current use of these antibiotics might be redundant, considering the nature of actinomycosis of the PNS, which does not invade the mucosal surface. We herein report a 67-year-old female treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and diagnosed with actinomycosis of the PNS by pathological findings. She had no history of dental impairment or treatment. She was given routine perioperative prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin) during the surgery, followed by low-dose clarithromycin. The mucosa of the PNS normalized without any discharge by three months after the operation. The patient is a valuable example that should prompt reconsideration of the commonly accepted pathogenesis and treatment of actinomycosis of the PNS.

Outcome of the 'waiting until spontaneous extrusion' strategy for long-term tympanostomy tube placement in children with cleft palate.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with cleft palate (CP) is known to be refractory to treatment and most of these patients undergo surgery for ventilation tube (VT) placement. OBJECTIVES: To identify the outcomes of children with CP using long-term VT with a 'waiting until spontaneous extrusion' strategy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all children with CP who visited our department from December 2016 to November 2017 and who received long-term VT placement in our department. Risk factors related to residual perforation and recurrence of OME were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 106 children were included in this study. Our statistical analysis of 94 ears followed for more than three months after VT loss revealed that longer VT placement was associated with residual perforation, and shorter VT placement was associated with OME recurrence. Although a longer duration of VT placement was associated with an increased rate, extremely long-term VT placement was not associated with residual perforation, as expected. Half of the VTs were spontaneously extruded at 40 months after insertion. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Long-term VT insertion using a waiting until spontaneous extrusion strategy is a potential option for children with CP.

Effect of treatments for head and neck cancer on sinus shadow on computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck surgeries may cause changes in the nasal airflow, and radiotherapy irreversibly damages paranasal sinus epithelial cells. Some chemotherapeutic drugs have been reported to negatively affect airway ciliary activity in mice, and chronic rhinosinusitis could be an adverse effect of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. To evaluate whether HNC treatment is a risk factor for developing sinonasal mucosal thickening that may reflect paranasal sinus inflammation, we compared pre- and post-treatment paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images of patients treated for HNC at a single university hospital. METHODS: The patients who received curative treatment for HNC (oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers) and started receiving first-line therapy between January 2015 and December 2019 were included. Data on age, sex, primary lesion, clinical stage, treatment, smoking history, drinking history, comorbidities (diabetes and chronic lung disease), and pre- and post-treatment (three months and one year after the final treatment) paranasal sinus CT images were analyzed from medical records. Pre- and post-treatment paranasal sinus CT images were scored using the Lund-Mackay (LM) staging system. RESULTS: In total, 245 patients participated in this study. Three months after the final treatment, 80.4% of patients had no change in their total LM scores (p=0.621). Almost 80% of patients who underwent total laryngectomy also had no change in their total LM scores (p=0.833). One-third of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) had worse LM scores after treatment (5/15), although no significant difference was observed (p=0.171). None of the various factors collected were significantly related to changes in LM scores three months after the completion of treatment. One year after the final treatment, 211 patients were included and no significant changes in the pre-and post-LM scores were observed in the same analyses, while changes in LM scores were significantly different between T categories (T1-2 vs. T3-4) (p=0.020). CONCLUSION: We found no significant changes in the LM scores after HNC treatment in all the patients, which implies that HNC treatment may not be an apparent risk factor for sinonasal mucosal inflammation.