ELS live surgery: a developing story.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2015, the European Laryngological Society (ELS) has organized on a yearly basis the European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcast. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the increasing worldwide audience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The number of individual computers logged in, number of estimated audience, and number of countries with an active audience were calculated and compared to the numbers in 2015. RESULTS: In 2018, 19 live interventions were performed in three parallel sessions. The surgeons worked in 10 departments in 8 different countries. The number of individual computers logged in increased from 1000 in 2015 to 16000 in 2018. The estimated audience increased from 3000 to 32000 visitors. The number of countries with an active audience increased from 52 to 91. DISCUSSION: The amount of computers logged in is increasing year by year. The audience was presenting despite inconvenient broadcasting times, highlighting the educational importance. The teaching aspect remains visible on videos of this year's and previous year's interventions. They can be seen on website http://els.livesurgery.net/home.php . The organization of the European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcast concurs to the idea that live broadcast of laryngologic surgery is feasible and attractive. Therefore, the ELS is going to continue to organize additional European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcasts in the future.

Simultaneous treatment of intracranial complications of paranasal sinusitis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyse 51 patients with intracranial complications of sinusitis treated in the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngeal Oncology at Poznan University of Medical Sciences from 1964 to 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Males made up a significant portion of study participants at 70.5%. Treatment included simultaneous removal of inflammatory focal points in the paranasal sinuses and drainage of cerebral and epidural abscesses and subdural empyemas under the control of neuronavigation preceded by the implementation of broad-spectrum antibiotics continuously for 4 weeks. Seventy-three intracranial complications were found among 51 patients. Of the 51 patients, 25 had frontal lobe abscesses (including multiple abscesses). Other complications included the following: 16 epidural abscesses, 9 subdural empyemas, 15 meningitis cases, 3 intracerebral abscesses, 3 sinus thrombosis cases and 2 patients with cerebritis. Co-occurrence of these complications worsened the state of the patient and increased the duration of treatment. Patients with frontal lobe abscesses had a better prognosis and less pronounced neurological symptoms in recent years versus earlier treatment approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous treatment of intracranial complications of sinusitis is an effective treatment method that has minimal burden for the patient. From 1964 to 1978, three deaths (17%) were reported among patients with these complications. Since 1978, no deaths were reported in the clinic.

Universal newborn hearing screening: methods and results, obstacles, and benefits.

The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss ranges from 1 to 3 per 1,000 live births in term healthy neonates, and 2-4 per 100 in high-risk infants, a 10-fold increase. Early identification and intervention with hearing augmentation within 6 mo yields optimal effect. If undetected and without treatment, significant hearing impairment may negatively impact speech development and lead to disorders in psychological and mental behaviors. Hearing screening programs in newborns enable detection of hearing impairment in the first days after birth. Programs to identify hearing deficit have significantly improved over the two decades, and their implementation continues to grow throughout the world. Initially based on risk factors, these programs identified only 50-75% of infants with hearing loss. Current recommendations are to conduct universal hearing screening in all infants. Techniques used primarily include automated auditory brainstem responses and otoacoustic emissions that provide noninvasive recordings of physiologic auditory activity and are easily performed in neonates and infants. The aim of this review is to present the objectives, benefits, and results of newborn hearing screening programs including the pros and cons of universal vs. selective screening. A brief history and the anticipated future development of these programs will also be discussed.

Metal concentrations in hair of patients with various head and neck cancers as a diagnostic aid.

Head and neck cancers are one of the most frequent cancers worldwide. This paper attempts to evaluate disturbances of homeostasis of the necessary elements (calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese) and changes in the levels of toxic metals (lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium VI) in hair of patients with head and neck cancers, as well as people without a diagnosed neoplastic disease. In order to quantify the necessary elements and toxic metals, a method using ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques had been developed and validated. The studies have shown that patients with head and neck cancer used to drink alcohol and smoked much more frequently than healthy individuals, both in the past and presently. Statistically significant differences in concentrations of average metal content in the group of patients with head and neck cancers compared to the control group were confirmed. Significant differences in metal content between the group of patients with head and neck cancers and healthy individuals were found which enabled distinguishing between the study groups. To this end, a more advanced statistical tool, i.e. chemometrics, was used. The conducted research analyses and the use of advanced statistical techniques confirm the benefits of using alternative material to distinguish the patients with head and neck cancers from the healthy individuals.

The pathophysiological role of bacterial biofilms in chronic sinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a very common disorder that remains poorly understood from a pathogenic standpoint. Recent research on the pathogenesis of CRS has been focused on the potential role of biofilms in this chronic infection. The aim of this study was to assess the sinuses' microflora and biofilm formation on the sino-nasal mucosa in patients with CRS. Paranasal sinus mucosa specimens were harvested at the time of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Classical microbiology techniques for the isolation and identification of sinus mucosa microbial flora were used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to detect biofilm on the surface of mucosa. A microtiter plate assay for in vitro biofilm formation was employed, divided into three aliquots. One part was assessed for bacterial presence, utilizing an API manual system and the Vitek(®) 2 Compact system. The two remaining aliquots were tested by in vitro conventional microbiological assay with the use of the Infinite M200 (Tecan) microtiter plate reader, and also by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A microbiological examination of mucosal specimens had taken during FESS operation revealed the presence of various types of bacteria in 29 out of 30 tested samples. Out of 62 different strains isolated from patients with CRS, 23 strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis and 6 strains of Escherichia coli were the most frequently isolated microorganisms, accounting for 37.1 and 9.7 %, respectively. Among the 62 isolated strains, 58 were used to assess biofilm formation. From the total of 58 isolates, 8.6 % were strong biofilm producers, 20.7 % were moderate, and 70.7 % of isolates were considered to be non- or weak biofilm producers. SEM of the 30 nasal concha mucosal samples taken from patients with CRS revealed biofilm in 23 specimens. A marked destruction of the epithelium was observed, with variation in degrees of severity, from disarrayed cilia to complete absence of cilia. The vast majority of nasal concha mucosal samples of patients affected by chronic sinusitis presented with biofilm formation. Our study showed that 76.7 % of patients having FESS for CRS had evidence of biofilms on SEM micrographs. Although certain detection methods could lead to various discrepancies in the amount of biofilm produced, the consistent demonstration of biofilms in patients with CRS suggests that this convoluted three-dimensional structures might play a significant role in either the pathogenesis or persistence of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Functional results after total cricoidectomy with medial femoral condyle free flap reconstruction.

Our goal was to describe a laryngeal-preserving single-stage procedure for the treatment of low-grade chondrosarcomas of the larynx: a total cricoidectomy with medial femoral condyle flap reconstruction. The study was designed as a case series of three consecutive patients with low-grade chondrosarcomas of the cricoid cartilage lamina, diameter 4.4, 5.2, 3.8 cm, respectively, who underwent total cricoidectomy in 2012. Single-staged reconstruction of the defect with medial femoral condyle flap including the periosteum and thin underlying cortical layer of the bone was conducted. Oncologic and functional results were observed during 3 years of follow-up. No evidence of tumor recurrence was detected during follow-up. One month after surgery, all patients were able to tolerate a soft diet and to speak satisfactorily. None of the patients reported aspiration after surgery nor experienced aspiration-related problems, which was confirmed by means of the Leipzig-Pearson scale. The speech ability was good, maximum phonation time was 14, 18, 21 s, respectively, and the voice handicap index scores ranged from 24 to 36 and had improved noticeably at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Two patients were ultimately decannulated, and one female still has a tracheostomy; however, she is able to keep the tracheostoma closed for most of the time, maintaining good phonatory and swallowing functions. Total cricoidectomy with reconstruction by means of medial femoral condyle flap may replace the total laryngectomy in large low-grade chondrosarcomas of the cricoid cartilage.

The reconstruction of large laryngeal defect with medial condyle femur corticoperiosteal free flap--a case report.

The larynx is a complicated organ with very important functions. Reconstructive operations of the larynx often result in some function reduction caused by scars and stenoses. The aim of this report is to present the results of the one-stage reconstructive operation after a large excision of the chondrosarcoma of the larynx. The patient was male, aged 48 with the history of the operation of the highly mature cartilaginous sarcoma of the thyroid on the right side with tumor recurrence. The one-stage reconstructive surgery using medial condyle femur corticoperiosteal free flap which reshaped the cartilage scaffold and restored an inner layer as the mucosa was made. The flap survived without local and systemic complications. Six months follow-up revealed no local recurrence and good breathing results. There was no restriction of movement of the lower limbs. The patient returned to work previously performed. Results were shown in endoscopic examinations and computer tomography. The medial condyle femur corticoperiosteal free flap may be an option for reconstruction of large laryngeal defect with restoring its shape and inner layers.

Treatment of Parotid Malignancies­10 Years of Experience.

PURPOSE: Operative treatment is the main treatment option for parotid gland tumors. The purpose of this study was to present the authors' experience in the operative treatment of parotid gland malignant tumors, especially regarding feasibility and techniques in the most advanced cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of parotid malignancies. The study included patients treated at the authors' university clinic from 2000 through 2010. The primary predictor variable was stage of disease. The primary outcome variables were 3- and 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates. The secondary predictor variables were nodal status, distant metastases, status of the facial nerve (FN), tumor diameter, extraparotid tumor extension, histology, and surgical procedure. The outcome variable was survival rate. Data were analyzed by χ(2) tests. RESULTS: Of 867 parotid tumors, 103 patients with malignancies (47 female, 56 male; 12 to 88 yr old) underwent 24 partial lateral, 34 lateral, 39 total, and 6 extended parotidectomies. The 3- and 5-year overall survival and 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates for stages T1 and T2 were 100, 99, 91, and 85%, respectively, and those for stages T3 and T4 were 100, 70, 48, and 34%, respectively. Overall and disease-free survival rates were influenced by FN paralysis and histologic type. CONCLUSIONS: Final oncologic outcomes, recurrence, and survival rates in parotid malignancies are considerably affected by local tumor stage, malignancy, and FN paralysis before treatment. Infiltration of adjacent structures is not connected with a poorer prognosis as long as an extended parotidectomy is performed.

Attempt to improve functional outcomes in supracricoid laryngectomy in T2b and T3 glottic cancers.

The goal of this study was to compare the survival rate and functional outcome of an open partial horizontal laryngectomies, Type IIa and modified Type IIa (OPHL Type IIa and OPHL mType IIa), in treatment of moderately advanced glottic carcinoma. Retrospective analysis. 80 Patients underwent OPHL Type IIa and 27, OPHL modified Type IIa (OPHL mType IIa) between the years 2001 and 2009. Clinical staging was performed according to the UICC criteria (2002). Primary endpoints of study were recurrence rate, and 3- and 5-year survival time. Secondary endpoints were laryngeal functions: respiration, swallowing and voice. There were no significant differences within local and regional recurrence rates, organ preservation rate, 3- and 5-year specific disease survival rates between OPHL Type II and OPHL modified Type IIa. Significantly lower need for temporary (OPHL mType IIa 4/27, OPHL Type IIa 30/80) and permanent tracheostomy (OPHL mType IIa 2/27, OPHL Type IIa 16/80) was found. All but one patient (OPHL Type IIa) achieved unrestricted diet. Significantly differed social eating, this ability gained 25/27 OPHL mType IIa and 54/80 OPHL Type IIa (p < 0.05). Voice handicap index revealed a decrease in quality of life in all areas; OPHL Type IIa and OPHL mType IIa differed significantly (31 and 46 points respectively, p < 0.005). The MPT value (longest pitch) for OPHL Type IIa and OPHL mType IIa lasted 8 s and 10, respectively (p < 0.005). There was no significant difference in oncological outcomes between the two types of OPHL succeeded in the earlier extubation, thus significantly lowering the need for temporary and permanent tracheotomy and providing better long-term swallowing. Although the voice was altered in all observed OPHL patients, modified Type IIa technique proved to be superior to the Type IIa in terms of voice quality. Thus, OPHL modified Type IIa is worth promoting, as long as indications were strictly conformed.

Long-term results of the Er-Yag laser used in stapes surgery.

Stapes surgery is performed using both conventional techniques and a variety of laser systems. The Er-Yag laser is a type of pulsation laser deemed by many to be the safest for ear surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of using the Er-Yag laser in stapes surgery and its impact on inner ear function. The study was conducted on 95 ears (48 right and 47 left) that had undergone Er-Yag laser-assisted stapedotomy. The follow-up time was at least 3 years. Pure tone audiometry was performed on all patients. The frequency ranged from 125 to 8,000 Hz. Air conduction and bone conduction were both assessed. Moreover, all patients had their stapedius reflex assessed and were given a Rinne test. The results were evaluated according to the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines and then statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon sequence pair test with a p value of <0.05. A decrease in the hearing threshold of 0.5, 1, and 3 kHz, for both bone and air conduction was observed for all patients (p < 0.0001). The Wilcoxon sequence pair test revealed a statistically significant correlation between the pre- and postoperative treatment mean air-bone gap values (p < 0.0001). No facial nerve paralysis was observed. No Er-Yag laser side effects were observed on inner ear function. The patients also had lower hearing thresholds. These observations demonstrate the usefulness of Er-Yag lasers in stapes surgery.

Adverse histopathological findings in glottic cancer with anterior commissure involvement.

Open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL) specimens include cartilage and lymph nodes. Pathological adverse findings (PAF): perichondrium, cartilage, perineural invasion, microvessel spread and prelaryngeal metastases can be detected histologically. We aimed at examining PAF in OPHL specimens and examining the interdependence with oncological outcomes. Prospective analysis of 254 glottis cancers: 87-T2a, 77-T2b and 90-T3 with anterior commissure (AC) involvement treated by OPHL at tertiary referral centre between 2001 and 2008. In 38/254 patients (15 %) PAF were found (16 prelaryngeal metastases, 22 other); more often in stage T2b/T3 versus T2a (p = 0.008). PAF other than prelaryngeal metastases were found more often in T2b than T2a tumours (p = 0.005). Outcomes revealed that out of 36 patients with local recurrence, 19 had PAF. Comparison of 216 patients with no PAF and 16 patients with prelaryngeal metastases revealed, respectively: 7.9 versus 81.3 % local recurrences (p = 0.034), 3.2 versus 68.8 % nodal recurrences (p = 0.011), 90.7 versus 43.8 % of 5-year organ preservation (p = 0.021) and 92.6 versus 75 % 5-year overall survival (p = 0.022). Out of 10 patients with close margins, 1 developed the local recurrence; impact for organ preservation and overall survival was not significant. In 22/254 cases including the cartilage into the operating specimen were therapeutically meaningful; in 16/254 with prelaryngeal metastases, the impact for larynx preservation and overall survival was significant. T2b patients had higher probability of PAF than T2a. PAF significantly influenced higher local recurrence rate. This finding ensures the authors, that OPHL type II is not the "overtreatment" compared to the TLM.

Prognostic factors in oral and oropharyngeal cancer based on ultrastructural analysis and DNA methylation of the tumor and surgical margin.

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers are characterized by relatively low 5- year survival rates due to many factors, including local recurrence. The identification of new molecular markers may serve for the estimation of prognosis and thus augment treatment decisions and affect therapy outcome. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics and the DNA methylation status of the CDKN2A,CDH1, ATM, FHIT and RAR- genes in the central and peripheral part of the tumor and the surgical margin and evaluate their prognostic significance. 53 patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer were enrolled to the prospective study, and had been primarily treated surgically. Correlations between morphological data, hypermethylation status and clinicopathological data, as well as prognosis, were assessed. Nuclei polymorphism highly correlated with T stage (p < 0.0001), N stage (p < 0.046), and metastases to the lymph nodes pN (p < 0.004 ). Also, the number of cells in irregular mitosis correlated with T stage (p < 0.004), and highly with pN (p < 0.009). The significance of CDKN2A hypermethylation as a good prognostic factor was also established in the Kaplan-Meir test. The ultrastructural analysis showed that none of the examined tumors had homogenous texture and that resection margin specimens clean in HE stained tissue samples frequently contained single tumor cells or few cells in groups surrounded by connective tissue. This indicates the superiority of electron microscopy over standard histopathological analysis. Thus, a combination of such morphological examination with epigenetic parameters described herein could result in the discovery of promising new prognostic markers of the disease.

Sonoelastography--a useful adjunct for parotid gland ultrasound assessment in patients suffering from chronic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is widely used in breast, liver, prostate and thyroid evaluations. Elastography provides additional information if used to assess parotid gland pathology. We assessed parotid glands by means of SWE to compare the parenchyma properties in different types of inflammation. MATERIAL/METHODS: Prospective analysis included 78 consecutive patients with parotid gland pathology: sialolithiasis (33), Stensen's duct stenosis (15), chronic inflammation (10), and primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) (20) treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of PUMS. The primary predictor variable was type of parotid pathology, and secondary predictor variables were patient age and the duration and intensity of complaints. Ultrasound pictures were compared with elastography values of parotid parenchyma. RESULTS: Mean elasticity values for pSS (111 Kilopascals (kPa), Stensen's duct stenosis (63 kPa), sialolithiasis (82 kPa), and chronic inflammation (77 kPa) were significantly higher than the mean value for healthy patients (24 kPa). Elasticity increased proportionally to the intensity of complaints: mild (51 kPa), moderate (78 kPa), and strong (90 kPa). Increased elasticity did not correspond with ultrasonographic pictures. In pSS the parenchyma was almost twice as stiff as in chronic inflammation (p=0.02), although subjective complaints were mostly mild or moderate, and the ultrasonographic picture did not present features of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Sonoelastography, by improving routine ultrasonographic assessment, might be a useful tool for parotid evaluations during the course of chronic inflammation. An extraordinarily high degree of stiffness was revealed in pSS despite lack of fibrosis by ultrasonography and moderate subjective complaints, suggesting that sonoelastography could be a valuable diagnostic tool.

Ototoxicity in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Therapy.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and T-cell therapies are a modern, well-established cancer treatment. The priority of oncological treatment is to cure cancer. However, treatment-related toxicities, i.e. immune-related adverse events (irAEs), continue to emerge and are not that well understood yet. ICIs can cause profound, multiple, and diverse irAEs - the sequelae of unknown mechanisms. One of the organs susceptible to collateral damage is the hearing organ. Complications related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders are extremely burdensome and significantly impair many aspects of the quality of life of patients and survivors.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the work is to review the literature in the area of ototoxicity of ICIs.</br> <b><br>Materials and method:</b> A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases for studies published until 1 March 2022 was conducted.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> Reported clinical symptoms ranged from sudden bilateral hearing loss and imbalance to mild hearing loss or tinnitus with preserved hearing. It was found that the median time from ICI initiation to hearing loss development was 3 months. The hearing impairment was secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in the majority of patients (>60%), and at least one other irAE accompanied the hearing loss in 2/3 of patients. Hearing loss significantly improved in 45.7% of the patients.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> The majority of cases of ICI-related hearing loss presented in the literature were reversible. Therefore, it is important to develop and implement routine therapeutic algorithms. Further research is needed to define the true prevalence of ICI-related hearing loss, optimal diagnostics, and management.</br>.

Heterogeneity of 11q13 region rearrangements in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma analyzed by microarray platforms and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

We reinvestigated rearrangements occurring in region q13 of chromosome 11 aiming to: (i) describe heterogeneity of the observed structural alterations, (ii) estimate amplicon size and (iii) identify of oncogenes involved in laryngeal cancer progression as potential targets for therapy. The study included 17 cell lines derived from laryngeal cancers and 34 specimens from primary laryngeal tumors. The region 11q13 was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and gene expression microarray. Next, quantitative real time PCR was used for chosen genes to confirm results from aCGH and gene expression microarray. The observed pattern of aberrations allows to distinguish three ways, in which gain and amplification involving 11q13 region may occur: formation of a homogeneously staining region; breakpoints in/near 11q13, which lead to the three to sevenfold increase of the copy number of 11q13 region; the presence of additional copies of the whole chromosome 11. The minimal altered region of gain and/or amplification was limited to ~1.8 Mb (chr.11:69,395,184-71,209,568) and comprised mostly 11q13.3 band which contain 12 genes. Five, out of these genes (CCND1, ORAOV1, FADD, PPFIA1, CTTN) had higher expression levels in comparison to healthy controls. Apart from CCND1 gene, which has an established role in pathogenesis of head and neck cancers, CTTN, ORAOV1 and FADD genes appear to be oncogene-candidates in laryngeal cancers, while a function of PPFIA1 requires further studies.

Sialoendoscopy and combined approach for the management of salivary gland stones.

UNLABELLED: The introduction of minimally invasive surgical procedures has significantly reduced the rate of major salivary gland removal due to sialolithiasis. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of sialoendoscopy, rate of salivary fistula or natural ostium stenosis in parotid sialolithiasis treatment. The endpoint was to analyse the efficiency of a combined transcutaneous and endoscopic approach in the removal of refractory and impacted stones in most difficult cases. STUDY DESIGN: prospective study, tertiary university centre, between XII 2008 and XI 2011, 185 sialendoscopies (SE) were performed in 162 patients. Within the group of 29 patients with parotid sialolithiasis endoscopy was the definite treatment in 15 cases (53 %), in 9 cases lithotripsy (ESWL) was necessary and in 5 patients who failed SE and lithotripsy, a combined approach was performed. This approach comprised both SE and open surgery. We observed no salivary fistula formation after the incision of the duct. Stenosis of the natural ostium thanks to the insertion of stent was observed only in one case. Sialoendoscopy is the method of choice with a high rate of success and gland preservation in small and medium stones. The combined transcutaneous and endoscopic approach is indicated for large stones, for complications after and contraindications in using minimally invasive procedures. Short and medium term follow up shows that surgery can be performed with a high rate of success.

Algorithm changes in treatment of submandibular gland sialolithiasis.

Our research was conducted to determine the algorithm changes during the treatment of submandibular sialolithiasis. Two time periods were compared between 2004-2008 and 2009-2012. The turning point was December 2008, when sialendoscopy procedure was introduced. In the first period, 48 patients were treated: 31 outpatient duct incisions with stone evacuation and 17 surgical excision of submandibular gland. In the second period, 207 sialendoscopy procedures were performed on 197 patients. Out of this particular group, 158 patients were diagnosed with pathological obstruction of salivary glands and 64 of them were confirmed to have sialolithiasis of submandibular gland. Deposits of calcifications in 40 individuals (62.5 %) affected by sialolithiasis were removed endoscopically; however, in 21 patients, due to the increased circumference of the stone, the intimate association of deposits within the wall of the duct along with its presence inside the deep portions of the gland, double approach (incision of the floor of the mouth in hilar area and sialendoscopy) was performed. Three individuals had their salivary glands totally removed due to the presence of calcified deposits within the glandular parenchyma. Our results allow us to affirm that sialendoscopy is the current treatment of choice for submandibular glands affected by sialoliths. Indication for a complete removal of the gland is becoming uncommon as a first line treatment although still indispensable in chosen cases.

Observations on hearing preservation in patients with hybrid-L electrode implanted at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland.

The objective of the paper is to evaluate the hearing preservation rate in patients with high frequency hearing loss, treated with Cochlear Nucleus Freedom Hybrid-L implant in the Otolaryngology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland. Study was designed as the retrospective analysis. Twenty-one patients were operated and implanted with Nucleus Freedom Hybrid-L implant. Pure tone thresholds were recorded prior to the surgery and at the time of speech processor switch-on. Patients were subdivided into two groups with respect to their PTA thresholds: group A-classic indications and group B-extended indications. Average PTA for three frequencies (250, 500, 1,000 Hz) were calculated for each patient pre- and postoperatively. In the group of 21 implanted patients in 17 cases we have observed preservation of hearing (12 patients from group A, 5 patients from group B) with a mean value of 13.1 dB. In 4 out of 21 patients deafness on the implanted ear was noted. Our results clearly indicate that with standard procedure hearing preservation can be obtained in majority of patients. Hearing preservation was not achieved in 19 %, but owing to design of the electrode of the Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid-L that enables to work as CI platform alone, in patients who lost their hearing after surgery re-implantations were not required. This proves that EAS is a safe and reliable method to help patients with specific type of hearing loss.

Head and neck squamous carcinomas with exophytic and endophytic type of growth have the same prognosis after surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by exophytic or endophytic growth. We hypothesized that the growth pattern predicts outcome and associates with distinct clinical and immunological profiles. Tumors obtained from 60 HNSCC patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were identified as exophytic or endophytic. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 42 months was determined. In a subsets of 30 patients (22 exophytic and 8 endophytic) tumor stroma and parenchyma were evaluated for infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T, dendritic, myeloid and FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and expression of immunosuppressive cytokines by immunohistochemistry. The localization and frequency of positive cells were determined microscopically and analyzed by hierarchical clustering to distinguish exophytic versus endophytic tumors. 34/60 patients had exophytic and 26/60 endophytic tumors. No differences in clinicopathologic data, disease progression or RFS were seen between the two cohorts. Infiltrates of CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells were larger in endophytic than exophytic tumors, while FOXP3(+) Treg, TGF-ß(+), IL-10(+), Arg-1(+), CD11b(+) cells were equally prominent in both. FOXP3(+) Treg accumulated in endophytic tumor nests, while the exophytic tumor stroma was enriched in IL-10(+) cells (both at p < 0.05). Hierarchical clustering based on immunophenotyping failed to identify different clusters in these two tumor types. However, CD68(+) macrophages and FOXP3(+) Treg showed a distinct distribution. The HNSCC growth pattern did not predict RFS. Although higher numbers and differences in localization of immunosuppressive cells in endophytic versus exophytic tumors were observed, no significant relationship was established between the growth pattern and the immune profile of infiltrating lymphocytes.