Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumors: Experience of Two Centers.

BACKGROUND: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare but require surgical resection given their potential for growth and malignancy. For some surgical teams, tumor hypervascularity justifies preoperative embolization to facilitate resection and limit complications. The objective of our study was to evaluate 2 different practices of surgical resection with or without preoperative embolization in a 2-center cohort. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients who underwent CBT surgery, from January 2011 to June 2019, were divided into 2 groups, as to whether they were (embolized CBT [ECBT]) or not (nonembolized CBT [NECBT]) preoperatively embolized. Both groups were compared specifically according to the duration of operation, postoperative complications, and length of stay. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with a mean age of 48.5 ± 14.3 years were included. In the series, 23 CBTs were resected: 13 were embolized preoperatively; the mean time between embolization and surgery was 2.62 ± 1.50 days. Both groups were comparable based on characteristics of population and tumor, with a mean size of 33.2 ± 11.9 mm. We noted a significant increase in operation duration in the ECBT group: 151 min (±40.9) vs. 87.0 min (±21); P < 0.01. There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding cranial nerve (50% vs. 46%; P = 1), sympathetic nervous system (20% vs. 23%; P = 1), or vascular nerve (20% vs. 23%; P = 0.18) complications. No cerebrovascular accident was identified. The length of stay was 3.60 days (±1.78) vs. 3.73 days (±1.19; P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects the experience of 2 centers in the management of CBT which is a rare pathology with no standardized treatment. Our series showed no significant difference between the ECBT and NECBT groups regarding postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. The reduction in operating time in the NECBT group remains to be demonstrated.

Porcine model for tracheostomy training: evaluation of the content and construct validity.

PURPOSE: Tracheostomy is a key procedure that residents in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck surgery must master as a fundamental component of their training. Swine is a potential model for tracheostomy training as it mimics human anatomy and provides realistic haptic feedback. The purpose of this study is to evaluate its content and construct validity in surgical tracheostomy training. METHODS: We carried out training sessions on dead swine with three groups of volunteers: young residents [postgraduate year (PGY)-1 to 3], experienced residents (PGY-4 to 6) and senior surgeons. Content validity was studied using questionnaires sent to senior surgeons. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the OSATS score on video analysis, between the three groups. RESULTS: 19 individuals participated in the training sessions. OSATS score were statistically different between groups (p < 0.05) with a mean score of 19 for young residents, 24.7 for experienced residents and 31.3 for senior surgeon, with a good inter-rater reliability (Pearson coefficient > 0.9). Experienced surgeons agreed that the model was a useful training tool, strongly agreed that it improved performance, and that it would be used to train their students. CONCLUSIONS: The dead pig is a suitable model to train for human tracheotomy, with good content and construction validity.

Airway management during transoral robotic surgery for head and neck cancers: a French GETTEC group survey.

PURPOSE: The aim of the survey was to define the indications for preventive tracheostomy in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for head and neck cancers. METHODS: From October 2019 to January 2020, an online questionnaire was e-mailed to French surgical ENT teams with considerable experience of the TORS procedure (Gettec group). A descriptive analysis of the answers was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen French surgical teams answered the questionnaire. For 77.8% of the surgical teams, a past history of radiotherapy with residual edema was an indication for prophylactic tracheostomy, and for 88.9%, > 75 mg of antiplatelet medication or anticoagulation treatment was an indication. CONCLUSION: Early preventive tracheostomy during TORS can protect airway from uncommon but potentially life-threatening complications, such as transoral hemorrhage or airway edema. We recommend it in high-risk situations, such as a past history of radiotherapy or antiplatelet therapy associated with large resections. Further studies are needed to establish evidence-based recommendations.

Impact of rocuronium on intraoperative neuromonitoring vagal amplitudes during thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) facilitate endotracheal intubation and reduce related laryngeal morbidity. However, NMBA interfere with intraoperative neuromonitoring amplitudes during thyroidectomy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of rocuronium used for tracheal intubation on early intraoperative neuromonitoring vagal amplitudes observed during first thyroid lobe dissection. METHODS: This is an observational pharmacoepidemiological study with prospective data collection and retrospective analysis. During the study period, all consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery with neuromonitoring were included. Patients underwent endotracheal intubation either using a single dose of rocuronium (NMBA group) or without NMBA (NMBA-free group) according to the anesthesiologist's preference. RESULTS: Six hundred six patients were included (213 NMBA and 393 NMBA-free group patients). At V1, 39 patients (18%) in the NMBA group had an amplitude < 100 µV (need for curarization reversal in 30 patients) and 13 patients (3.3%) in the NMBA-free group (p < 0.001). In the remaining 554 patients, the mean V1 amplitude was significantly decreased in the NMBA group (544 versus 685 µV; p < 0.001). After exclusion of 25 patients with loss of signal types 1 and 2 during dissection, the difference between mean V1 and mean V2 was significantly lower in NMBA group patients (- 22 versus - 86 µV; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: This study provides new data showing how NMBA used for tracheal intubation significantly decrease V1 amplitude baseline and modify amplitude variations from V1 to V2 values during the first thyroid lobe dissection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Pharmacoepidemiological study.

[Chronic rhinosinusitis of adults: new definition, new diagnosis]. / Rhinosinusites chroniques de l'adulte : nouvelle définition, nouveau diagnostic.

Chronic rhinosinusitis of adults: new definition, new diagnosis. The three-nose theory, which is based on evolution and development of the nose, seems useful for a better understanding of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The nose seems in fact to be composed of three noses (one olfactory, one respiratory and one sinusal nose), each of them being able to be affected by specific diseases. The concept of chronic nasal dysfunction (CND) is based on standardized recording of nose and sinus symptoms, irrespectively of their aetiology. Clinical, endoscopic and CT-scan check up is then aimed to look for a specific disease of one or the other of the three noses (nasal polyposis, chronic respiratory rhinitis, sinusitis…) or for a disease affecting simultaneously the three noses (rhinosinusitis), each disease leading if necessary to specific additional tests (allergic tests, tooth check-up, immune balance tests…). This implies specific therapeutic options, the effectiveness of the choosed one being evaluated by comparing the standardized recordings of nose and sinus symptoms.

Rhinosinusites chroniques de l'adulte : nouvelle définition, nouveau diagnostic. Pour mieux comprendre la rhinosinusite chronique, il peut être utile de s'appuyer sur la théorie des trois nez, issue des connaissances sur l'évolution et le développement de l'organe nasal humain. Celui-ci apparaît comme un assemblage de trois nez différents (nez olfactif, nez respiratoire et nez sinusien) qui peuvent développer chacun des pathologies propres. Le concept de dysfonctionnement nasal chronique repose sur l'enregistrement standardisé des symptômes rhinosinusiens, indépendamment de leur étiologie. Le bilan clinique, endoscopique et tomodensitométrique a alors pour but de rechercher une pathologie spécifique à l'un ou l'autre des trois nez (polypose nasale, rhinite respiratoire chronique, sinusite…) ou une pathologie diffuse touchant les trois nez (rhinosinusite), qui dans chaque cas peut conduire si nécessaire à des investigations complémentaires (bilan allergologique, dentaire, immunitaire…). Il en découle des propositions thérapeutiques spécifiques, l'efficacité de celle retenue étant évaluée par comparaison des recueils de symptômes standardisés.

Urtica dioica pollen allergy: Clinical, biological, and allergomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: The most emblematic members of Urticaceae at allergic risk level are wall pellitories (Parietaria), whereas nettle (Urtica) pollen is considered as poorly allergenic. No allergen from nettle pollen has yet been characterized, whereas 4 are listed for Parietaria pollen by the International Union of Immunological Societies. Clinical and biological profiles of 2 adult men who developed symptoms against nettle pollen and/or leaves were studied. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the allergic reaction and identify the potential nettle pollen sensitizing allergens. METHODS: IgE-mediated reaction to nettle pollen extract was evaluated by skin prick test, immunoassay, nasal provocation, and basophil activation test. To characterize specific nettle pollen allergens, an allergomic (IgE immunoproteomic) analysis was performed combining 1- and 2-dimensional electrophoresis, IgE immunoblots of nettle pollen extract, identification of allergens by mass spectrometry, and database queries. RESULTS: The results of biological and immunochemical analyses revealed that the allergic rhinitis was due to Urtica dioica pollen in both patients. The allergomic analysis of nettle pollen extract allowed the characterization of 4 basic protein allergens: a thaumatin-like protein (osmotin) with a relative molecular mass of 27 to 29 kDa, a pectinesterase (relative molecular mass, 40 kDa), and 2 other basic proteins with relative molecular masses of 14 to 16 kDa and 43 kDa. There is no or only very weak allergen associations between pellitory and nettle pollen. CONCLUSION: Exposure to nettle pollen can be responsible of allergic symptoms, and several allergens were characterized. Unravelling the allergens of this underestimated allergy might help to improve diagnosis and care for patients, to predict cross-reactivities and design adapted specific immunotherapy.

The olfactory fascia: an evo-devo concept of the fibrocartilaginous nose.

PURPOSE: Evo-devo is the science that studies the link between evolution of species and embryological development. This concept helps to understand the complex anatomy of the human nose. The evo-devo theory suggests the persistence in the adult of an anatomical entity, the olfactory fascia, that unites the cartilages of the nose to the olfactory mucosa. METHODS: We dissected two fresh specimens. After resecting the superficial tissues of the nose, dissection was focused on the disarticulation of the fibrocartilaginous noses from the facial and skull base skeleton. RESULTS: Dissection shows two fibrocartilaginous sacs that were invaginated side-by-side in the midface and attached to the anterior skull base. These membranous sacs were separated in the midline by the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid. Their walls contained the alar cartilages and the lateral expansions of the septolateral cartilage, which we had to separate from the septal cartilage. The olfactory mucosa was located inside their cranial ends. CONCLUSION: The olfactory fascia is a continuous membrane uniting the nasal cartilages to the olfactory mucosa. Its origin can be found in the invagination and differentiation processes of the olfactory placodes. The fibrous portions of the olfactory fascia may be described as ligaments that unit the different components of the olfactory fascia one to the other and the fibrocartilaginous nose to the facial and skull base skeleton. The basicranial ligaments, fixing the fibrocartilaginous nose to the skull base, represent key elements in the concept of septorhinoplasty by disarticulation.

Olfactory neuroblastoma behavior inside and outside the olfactory cleft.

PURPOSE: Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare malignant tumor of the nose. The currently available evidence links this disease with cells of the olfactory epithelium. The detailed description of tumor site and its extension is the key of treatment. The aim of the present study was to describe the way ONB develops inside and outside the olfactory cleft. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients treated between 2004 and 2014 for ONB with unequivocal pathologic diagnosis, complete diagnostic imaging and endonasal endoscopy surgery were enrolled in this retrospective study. The site of origin and local extension of each tumor were studied in detail based on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, surgical report, registered videotape of the surgery, and pathological reports. RESULTS: This series shows the behavior of a tumor arising either in the olfactory clefts (11 cases) or in the ethmoidal labyrinth (2 cases). When the setting begins with a tumor located in the olfactory cleft (below or in contact with the cribriform plate), the further step can be the extension to the ethmoidal labyrinth before intracranial or intraorbital extension. When tumors originate inside the ethmoidal labyrinths, the extension can first be into frontal sinus or orbital cavity. CONCLUSIONS: This fine anatomic and radiologic description shows the natural behavior of ONB inside and outside the olfactory cleft. As a consequence, the staging system developed by Kadish seems inadequate and Dulguerov's staging system could be improved. However, the preliminary proposed modification has to be evaluated in a prospective and large, multicenter cohort of patients.

Multicenter study to assess endoscopic resection of 159 sinonasal adenocarcinomas.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the efficacy and morbidity of the endoscopic endonasal approach for the treatment of sinonasal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study of nine French tertiary referral centers, including untreated patients. All patients were operated by an endoscopic approach. Tumors were classified according to the UICC 2002. Demographic, therapeutic, histological, morbidity data, and the course of the disease were recorded. Survival rates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were included with a mean age of 69 years. There were 19T1, 62T2 (1M1), 36T3 (1N1), 26T4a, and 16T4b (1N2a-1N2c). The mean duration of hospitalization was 4.4 days. The histologic outcomes showed that the olfactory cleft, the posterior and anterior ethmoid sinus, and the sphenoid, maxillary, and frontal sinuses were invaded in 95, 64, 55, 19, 7, and 3 % of cases, respectively. Histologic margins were positive in 17 % (1T1, 4T2, 3T3, 2T4a, and 8T4b). In total, 130 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy on the primary tumor site (58 Gy), 24 cases were not irradiated, and 5 refused treatment. The mean follow-up was 32.5 ± 24 months. The complication rate was 19 %: 6 epistaxis, 3 meningitis, 6 CSF leaks, 2 dacryocystitis, and 8 septoplasties. The recurrence rate was 17.6 % (28 cases) within 23 ± 21 months. Eleven patients underwent a second surgical procedure. Nine patients died of their disease (3T2, 2T3, 4T4b). The global and disease-specific, recurrence-free survival rate at 3 years was 74 and 84 % respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach seems to be efficient to remove sinonasal adenocarcinoma with low morbidity.

Carcinomas of the external auditory canal: Management and results: A multicenter REFCOR propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse prognostic factors and survival outcomes of malignant tumors of the external auditory canal, to investigate the role of regional surgery, and adjuvant radiotherapy in early stages and to investigate the role of surgery in operable T4 stage. SETTING: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients prospectively included in the national database of the French Expertize Network for Rare ENT Cancers (REFCOR) from January 2000 to December 2016. PARTICIPANTS: 103 patients from 19 reference centers were included. A propensity score matching analysis was applied to enable comparisons between treatments. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Event-free survival, overall survival and factors of poor prognosis of the cohort were described. The interest of local and regional surgery and postoperative radiotherapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The factors of poor prognosis on event-free survival were immunosuppression (p = 0.002), Karnofsky status less than 90% (p = 0.02), body mass index less than 19 Kg / m2 (p = 0.0009), peripheric facial palsy (p = 0.0016), and positive margin (p = 0.0006). In early stages, locoregional surgery was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.003, HR = 0.21) versus local surgery alone, while postoperative radiotherapy was not associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91) or overall (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91). In locally advanced stages, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.03, HR = 0.39) and overall (p = 0.02, HR = 0.34) versus chemoradiotherapy alone. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Regional surgery is recommended for early stages of cancers of the external auditory canal. In operable cases, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy is recommended.

French translation and validation of the OSATS tool for the assessment of surgical skill.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The OSATS rating scale is one of the tools most widely used in the scientific literature for assessing technical surgical skill. The aim of this study was to translate this scale into French (OSATS-FR) and validate it. METHODS: OSATS was translated into French by two independent translators. The two translations were pooled and back-translated by a third translator into English to produce a consensus version (OSATS-FR). Three independent assessors then used it to assess surgical skill in tracheostomy videos. The reproducibility of the scoring was measured. RESULTS: The OSATS-FR version was easily understood and used by all three assessors. In all, 18 procedures were assessed, performed by 14 interns and 4 senior surgeons. The mean OSATS-FR score was 18.6±4.08 for the interns and 31.6±1.62 for the seniors (p<0.0001). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.937 CI95% [0.867-1.269] between assessors 1 and 2, 0.977 CI95% [0.899-1.149] between assessors 1 and 3, and 0.965 CI95% [0.876-1.196] between assessors 2 and 3. Cronbach's alpha was greater than 0.9 for each assessor. CONCLUSION: OSATS-FR can distinguish between two groups with different surgical expertise and assess surgical skill with an inter-assessor reproducibility and internal consistency comparable to those of the English version.

Anatomical variations of interest for posterior nasal nerve cryotherapy in the treatment of chronic rhinitis: A radioanatomic study.

KEY POINTS: An unfavorable insertion of the middle turbinate for cryotherapy was present in 74.2% of cases. Placing cryoprobe 15-30 mm above the nasal floor targets the nerves in 95.8% of cases. Centering the cryoprobe 38 mm behind the inferior turbinate axilla targets the nerves in 94.6% of cases.

Measurement of airborne particle emission during surgical and percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy COVID-19 adapted procedures in a swine model: Experimental report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical tracheostomy (ST) and Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) are classified as high-risk aerosol-generating procedures and might lead to healthcare workers (HCW) infection. Albeit the COVID-19 strain slightly released since the vaccination era, preventing HCW from infection remains a major economical and medical concern. To date, there is no study monitoring particle emissions during ST and PDT in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to monitor particle emissions during ST and PDT in a swine model. METHODS: A randomized animal study on swine model with induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was conducted. A dedicated room with controlled airflow was used to standardize the measurements obtained using an airborne optical particle counter. 6 ST and 6 PDT were performed in 12 pigs. Airborne particles (diameter of 0.5 to 3 µm) were continuously measured; video and audio data were recorded. The emission of particles was considered as significant if the number of particles increased beyond the normal variations of baseline particle contamination determinations in the room. These significant emissions were interpreted in the light of video and audio recordings. Duration of procedures, number of expiratory pauses, technical errors and adverse events were also analyzed. RESULTS: 10 procedures (5 ST and 5 PDT) were fully analyzable. There was no systematic aerosolization during procedures. However, in 1/5 ST and 4/5 PDT, minor leaks and some adverse events (cuff perforation in 1 ST and 1 PDT) occurred. Human factors were responsible for 1 aerosolization during 1 PDT procedure. ST duration was significantly shorter than PDT (8.6 ± 1.3 vs 15.6 ± 1.9 minutes) and required less expiratory pauses (1 vs 6.8 ± 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 adaptations allow preventing for major aerosol leaks for both ST and PDT, contributing to preserving healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak, but failed to achieve a perfectly airtight procedure. However, with COVID-19 adaptations, PDT required more expiratory pauses and more time than ST. Human factors and adverse events may lead to aerosolization and might be more frequent in PDT.

Descriptive analysis of recurrences of nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas after radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite adjuvant radiotherapy, rates of recurrences of endoscopically operated nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITAC) have not been improved in successive series. To better understand how to improve local control, we aimed to investigate the site of local recurrences of ITACs. METHODS: Retrospective study in a reference center in sinonasal malignancies. For all patients with a local recurrence, radiotherapy plans were retrieved and compared to the delineation of local recurrences. RESULTS: Of 63 patients, 54 underwent adjuvant radiotherapy of which 14 (25.9%) had a local recurrence. Eleven of them had their onset in an optimally irradiated area. Difficulty to dissect the cribriform plate and/or the lateral lamina was reported for 11 patients with local recurrences in the operative reports (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of recurrences arose in an optimally irradiated area. A close cooperation between surgeons and radiotherapists is required to define areas at risk and adapt treatment.

Is Revision Surgery Necessary for Patients With High Risk of Recurrence After Parotidectomy? A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Close margin is a frequent situation after parotidectomy. The need for systematic prophylactic revision surgery is a question that arises regularly for malignant tumors, as it exposes to a high risk of facial palsy, while oncological benefits are unclear. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective study. SETTING: Multicentric. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included all patients operated for systematic revision surgery in case of close margins after parotidectomy for a malignant tumor and analyzed the rate of tumor residue and its risk factors. RESULTS: A tumor residue was identified in 43.5% of 23 cases, but none in case of initial complete excision with supra-millimetric margins. Invaded lymph nodes were identified in 6 cases, but none in case of low-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic revision seems mandatory in case of infra-millimetric margins and high-grade tumors or positive lymph node; further studies are needed to confirm whether it can be spared for T1-T2/N0 low-grade tumors, with close margins but complete initial excision.

What is the impact of continuous neuromonitoring on the incidence of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy?

BACKGROUND: Continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring may facilitate reversal of intraoperative injurious operative maneuvers in comparison with intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the routine use of continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring on intraoperative injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. METHOD: This study was a prospective case series with retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy from August 2013 to August 2019. During this period, intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring (before Mar 2016) and continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (after Mar 2016) were used in all patients. RESULTS: We reviewed the outcomes of 603 patients (466 female patients) comprising 236 who underwent intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring and 367 who underwent continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring. Intraoperative adverse electromyography events (>50% decrease in amplitude between VN1 and VN2) were observed in 87 patients (14.5%) and were less frequent in the continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring group (10.6 vs 20.3%, P = .001). Intraoperative loss of signal (electromyography events with VN2 ≤100µV) were observed in 35 patients (5.8%) without any difference between the 2 groups of patients (5.2 vs 6.8%, P = .415). Postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies were observed in 36 patients (5.9%) without any difference between the 2 groups of patients (4.9 vs 7.6%, P = .168). CONCLUSION: The routine use of continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring improves the rate of intraoperative adverse electromyography events but does not impact significantly the rates of loss of signal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.

Characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with partial laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The impacts of partial laryngectomy on sleep-disordered breathing were rarely investigated and reported in a limited number of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with partial laryngectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: All patients undergoing partial laryngectomy by open approach (frontolateral vertical partial laryngectomy and supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy) for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx between January 2006 and December 2019 were enrolled. Listed patients were contacted via telephone to propose participating in the study and plan a sleep study: self-assessments of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) following a home sleep recording using respiratory polygraphy. Daytime sleepiness was also self-assessed by using the Epworth sleepiness scale. RESULTS: Twenty patients with sleep record were included to the analyses. There were 11/20 patients (55%) diagnosed with moderate to severe OSASH. No relationship between OSAHS severity and age as well as body mass index (BMI) was observed. The Epworth sleepiness score was not necessarily high in patients with moderate/severe OSASH. Type of partial laryngectomy did not influence apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) results. There was no difference in terms of age, BMI, gender, type of partial laryngectomy, and the presence of adjuvant radiotherapy between two groups AHI < 15/h and AHI ≥ 15/h. CONCLUSION: A sleep study screening for OSAHS should be considered in patients with partial laryngectomy in order to improve their sleep quality and quality of life even though they did not exhibit daily sleepiness and obesity.

Integrative genomics analysis of nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas demonstrates the major role of CACNA1C and paves the way for a simple diagnostic tool in male woodworkers.

BACKGROUND: Nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITAC) are strongly related to chronic wood dust exposure: The intestinal phenotype relies on CDX2 overexpression but underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Our objectives were to investigate transcriptomic and methylation differences between healthy non-exposed and tumor olfactory cleft mucosae and to compare transcriptomic profiles between non-exposed, wood dust-exposed and ITAC mucosa cells. METHODS: We conducted a prospective monocentric study (NCT0281823) including 16 woodworkers with ITAC, 16 healthy exposed woodworkers and 13 healthy, non-exposed, controls. We compared tumor samples with healthy non-exposed samples, both in transcriptome and in methylome analyses. We also investigated wood dust-induced transcriptome modifications of exposed (without tumor) male woodworkers' samples and of contralateral sides of woodworkers with tumors. We conducted in parallel transcriptome and methylome analysis, and then, the transcriptome analysis was focused on the genes highlighted in methylome analysis. We replicated our results on dataset GSE17433. RESULTS: Several clusters of genes enabled the distinction between healthy and ITAC samples. Transcriptomic and IHC analysis confirmed a constant overexpression of CDX2 in ITAC samples, without any specific DNA methylation profile regarding the CDX2 locus. ITAC woodworkers also exhibited a specific transcriptomic profile in their contralateral (non-tumor) olfactory cleft, different from that of other exposed woodworkers, suggesting that they had a different exposure or a different susceptibility. Two top-loci (CACNA1C/CACNA1C-AS1 and SLC26A10) were identified with a hemimethylated profile, but only CACNA1C appeared to be overexpressed both in transcriptomic analysis and in immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Several clusters of genes enable the distinction between healthy mucosa and ITAC samples even in contralateral nasal fossa thus paving the way for a simple diagnostic tool for ITAC in male woodworkers. CACNA1C might be considered as a master gene of ITAC and should be further investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NIH ClinicalTrials, NCT0281823, registered May 23d 2016, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/NCT0281823 .

Tutor-Student Partnership in Practice OSCE to Enhance Medical Education.

BACKGROUND: Training of examiners is essential to ensure the quality of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). We aimed to study a perceived effectiveness of tutor-student partnership in a practice OSCE module by novice OSCE tutors and medical students. METHOD: We implemented a practice OSCE at a medical faculty in France with novice tutors and third year medical students as partners. Each tutor (n = 44) served as a partner for the group of 5 students in the conception of the scenario and as an evaluator of the tutored station. Students (n = 303) were involved in the conception of a case and the roles of a physician, evaluator and a simulated patient. Data were obtained through self-assessment questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze items of the questionnaires. Free-form answers were coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: A total of 36 tutors (82%) and 185 students (61%) responded to the questionnaires. The intervention was well perceived. Thirty-two percent of the tutors reported some difficulties in the assessment of student performance and were disposed to receive further training. Fifty-five percent of the students considered the participation in the OSCE case development appropriate to their level of knowledge, and 70% perceived it as beneficial allowing them to set their learning goals. CONCLUSION: This initiative provides a relevant method beneficial to OSCE tutors, medical students, and the faculty. Tutors learn how to assess student performance according to expected achievement levels. It allows students to be engaged as partners in co-creation of learning and teaching. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01421-9.

Spherical depth-sensing nanoindentation of human anterior skull base bones: Establishment of a test protocol.

The mechanical properties of anterior skull base (ASB) bones are not well understood due to their complex geometry and deep location. However, it is of particular interest for skull base surgeons to appraise the force range they can apply during procedures and know what kind of haptic feedback a simulation device should produce in order to be realistic for trainees. The aim of this study was to establish a measurement protocol to set the level of hydration state, temperature and curve analysis method for spherical depth sensing nanoindentation of ASB bones. A definitive screening design method was used to test the different possible combinations of these factors. Two samples of ASB bones from the heads of two human body donors (two specimens) were selected according to their microstructure as assessed by micro-CT (microtomography): low-porosity (16.87%, sphenoid bone) and high-porosity (79.85%, ethmoid bone). Depth measurement series of 36 nanoindentations (n = 288) were performed on specimen 1 according to the L8 Taguchi orthogonal array to study the effect of temperature (two levels: 20 or 37 °C), hydration state (dry or immerged in physiological saline sodium chloride), and loading curve analysis according to the Hertzian contact theory (fitting at the start or at the end). The mean values of reduced Young's (E*) modulus varied significantly depending on the hydration status and bone microstructure. In order to obtain the physiological properties of ASB bones, we thus propose performing immersion tests. To simplify the experimentation protocol, future experiments must include a room temperature level and a fit of the curve at the end of the load. A validation series was performed on the second specimen to assess the set of parameters. The E* in dry bone gave mean values of 994.68 MPa, versus 409.79 MPa in immerged bones (p < 0.00001). This is the first time a study has been carried out on ASB bones, defining the experimental parameters related to physiological conditions.