A systematic review and meta-analysis on the outcomes of type I thyroplasty in the irradiated neck.

BACKGROUND: Type I thyroplasty has been well-documented as a safe and effective treatment modality for vocal fold motion impairment, as well as other select cases of persistent glottic insufficiency. However, history of prior radiation to the neck has traditionally been viewed as a relative, if not formal contra-indication to this procedure. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze all available data in the literature on type I thyroplasty in previously irradiated patients and perform a meta-analysis assessing whether complications and revision rates are significantly different between radiated and non-irradiated patients. Secondary outcomes were to compare voice outcomes between these cohorts. METHODS: Several databases were screened for relevant citations using the PICO process. The quality of studies and risk of bias were evaluated using the MINORS scoring system. Main endpoints for analysis in this study were complication rate and revision rate. Secondary endpoint was reported voice outcome. RESULTS: Three articles were included in the analysis. Zero major complications were reported, including no instances of implant extrusion or explantation. There was an 11.8 % rate of minor complications. There were similar rates of revision between radiation and control groups. There was no significant difference in voice outcomes between groups. The average MINORS score of the studies suggested a high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Based on limited quality evidence, this review suggests that type I thyroplasty is safe and feasible in carefully selected irradiated patients, with comparable complication and success rates as their non-irradiated cohorts. Further large-scale studies are warranted.

Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Google Search Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: No studies describe what patients search for online in relation to retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD). Our objectives were to describe the Google search volume for RCPD, identify the most common queries related to RCPD, and evaluate the available online resources. STUDY DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: Google Database. METHODS: Using Ahrefs and Search Response, Google search volume for RCPD and "People Also Ask" (PAA) questions were documented. PAA questions were categorized based on intent, and the websites were categorized on source. The quality and readability of the sources were determined using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, Flesch Reading Ease score, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. RESULTS: Search volume for RCPD-related content has continually increased since 2021, with a combined average volume of 6287 searches per month. Most PAA questions were related to technical details (61.07%) and treatments (32.06%) for RCPD. Websites provided to answer these questions were most often from academic (25.95%) and commercial (22.14%) sources. None of the sources met the criteria for universal readability, and only 15% met all quality metrics set forth by JAMA. CONCLUSION: Interest in RCPD is at an all-time high, with information related to its diagnosis and treatment most popular among Google users. Significantly, none of the resources provided by Google met the criteria for universal readability, preventing many patients from fully comprehending the information presented. Future work should aim to address questions related to RCPD in a suitable way for all patient demographics.

Virtual Reality for Pain Management During High-Resolution Manometry: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: High-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders. HRM is typically performed in the office with local anesthesia only, and many patients find it unpleasant and painful. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the use of a virtual reality (VR) headset on pain and anxiety outcomes in patients with dysphagia undergoing HRM. METHODS: Patients with dysphagia were prospectively recruited and randomized to undergo HRM with and without VR distraction. Data collected included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 (STAI-6), the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, heart rate, and galvanic skin response (GSR) tracings. RESULTS: Forty subjects completed the study, including 20 subjects in the intervention arm and 20 in the control arm. There was evidence of a significant positive effect of VR on calmness (p = 0.0095) STAI-6 rating, as well as on physiologic measures of pain with significantly decreased GSR rise time (p = 0.0137) and average rate of change of conductance change (p = 0.0035). CONCLUSION: The use of VR during HRM catheter insertion increased calmness compared to control. Change of skin conductance was also reduced in the VR group, suggesting decreased physiologic pain. This study supports the consideration of the use of VR as a distraction tool to improve patient comfort during HRM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 134:1118-1126, 2024.

Pilot Study: Pneumatic Compression Garment Therapy for Postradiotherapy Laryngopharyngeal Edema.

OBJECTIVES: Pneumatic compression garment therapy (PCGT) has been established as treatment for postradiotherapy lymphedema, and its use in head and neck patients is becoming more common. Although effects on interstitial edema of the cervical soft tissues have been studied, effects on internal laryngopharyngeal edema, as well as associated symptoms of dysphagia and dysphonia, have yet to be published. METHODS: We surveyed 7 patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer (HNC) who had also been prescribed PCGT for cervical lymphedema. Patients were asked about subjective experience with the device, and also administered the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) surveys regarding their symptoms after using PCGT. Laryngoscopy videos from these same periods were also reviewed and scored using a validated tool for assessing laryngopharyngeal edema. RESULTS: 85% of patients reported at least some improvement in dysphagia and dysphonia following PCGT. Average EAT-10 score after PCGT was 11.4 and average VHI-10 score after PCGT was 8.7. These compare more favorably to historical scores for the same questionnaires in similar patient populations. Laryngeal edema scores on endoscopic examination were not significantly different after at least 3 months of therapy (pre: 20.15, post: 20.21, P = .975); however, the utility of this result is limited by a low inter-rater reliability (Krippendorff α = .513). CONCLUSIONS: While we are unable to show any difference in objective assessment of laryngopharyngeal edema on endoscopic examination in this small pilot study, patients report substantial subjective improvement in postradiotherapy dysphagia and dysphonia following cervical PCGT that warrants more formal investigation.

Transoral Laser Microsurgical Excision of a Laryngeal Schwannoma Located in the Paraglottic Space.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To report the first case of transoral excision of a paraglottic laryngeal schwannoma. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Laryngeal schwannomas are rare tumors, with approximately 75 cases reported to date worldwide. Most cases involve superficial supraglottic tumors excised transorally, and some have been found in deeper compartments and treated using transcervical approaches. This report describes the first excision of a schwannoma of the paraglottic space via endoscopic laser laryngotomy. The procedure allowed return to normal function, without recurrence within 8 months, after which the patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transoral excision of benign paraglottic tumors is safe and feasible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:2729-2731, 2021.

Incidence of contralateral-bilateral nodes in the human papillomavirus era.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has a more favorable prognosis when compared to HPV-negative disease, regardless of the presence of nodal metastases. However, the importance of contralateral neck treatment based on HPV status has not been well studied. Given the historically poor prognostic implications of cervical nodal metastases, this study sought to elucidate the relationship between HPV status and contralateral/bilateral nodal metastasis in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. METHODS: Data were collected on patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from 2001 to 2014. Nodal status was determined by contrast-enhanced computed tomography, positron emission tomography, or surgical pathology when available. Survival rates and associations between HPV status and demographic/tumor characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Of 178 total patients, 46 (26.0%) had contralateral/bilateral metastases. There was no significant difference in incidence of contralateral/bilateral nodal metastases between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients (24.6% vs. 29.1%, P = .53). Tonsil primaries had significantly lower incidence of contralateral/bilateral nodal metastases compared to tongue base (20.9% vs. 34.3%, P = .048). On multivariate regression, tumor size was the only factor associated with contralateral/bilateral nodal metastases (T4 vs. T1-3 odds ratio = 5.15, 95% confidence interval: 2.4-11.2). Five-year overall survival among all patients with and without contralateral/bilateral nodal metastases was 45.4% and 65.2%, respectively (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not show a significantly different incidence of contralateral/bilateral nodal metastases between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients. T4 stage and tongue base location, however, were associated with contralateral disease. These data suggest treatment of bilateral necks might be warranted in these cases, regardless of HPV status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 127:1328-1333, 2017.

Long-term Voice Outcomes of Early Thyroplasty for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Following Aortic Arch Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe this institution's experience with and the long-term outcomes of early type 1 thyroplasty for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) following surgery on the aortic arch. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review with telephone questionnaire. SETTING: Academic tertiary care center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred forty-eight patients with UVFP following surgery on the aortic arch since 1999 were identified; 40 were available for follow-up. The number of revision procedures following initial thyroplasty was ascertained, and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) was administered by telephone. The hypothesis that early thyroplasty produced voice outcomes and revision rates comparable to injection laryngoplasty was established prior to the initiation of data collection. RESULTS: Six out of the 40 patients (15%) required revision thyroplasty following their initial procedure. Mean VHI of all patients was 36.0 (SD, 27.2). Mean VHI was significantly different in the 18 to 39 age group (13.1) when compared to the 40 to 59 (51.8) and 60+ (37.7) age groups (P = .013). Mean follow-up since initial thyroplasty was 46.5 months (SD, 42.2). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of aortic arch surgery with injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, early thyroplasty produces voice outcomes comparable to those achieved in the literature with repeated injection and delayed thyroplasty and can be considered in select populations.

Surgical Management of a Functional Paraganglioma of the Infratemporal Fossa.

Background Paragangliomas are rare neural crest tumors that can manifest in the head and neck as either functional or more commonly as nonfunctional lesions. Paragangliomas of the infratemporal fossa are exceedingly rare, with no more than a handful of documented cases. Like other tumors of this space, surgical management is challenging on account of complex anatomy and nearby critical structures. Methods A 44-year-old man presented with a right infratemporal fossa functional paraganglioma. Following preemptive embolization and autonomic pharmacotherapy, his tumor was successfully resected via a transfacial maxillary swing approach. Results This case highlights the surgical management of a functional paraganglioma of the infratemporal fossa while demonstrating the effectiveness of a transfacial maxillary swing approach for both exposure and resection. Conclusion Although this report summarizes much of the literature on paragangliomas, there is still much to uncover regarding the fundamental features and genetic etiology of these lesions.

Compliance and quality of life in patients on prescribed voice rest.

OBJECTIVES: To determine patient compliance with voice rest and the impact of voice rest on quality of life (QOL). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Demographics, self-reported compliance, QOL impact on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), and communication methods were collected from 84 participants from 2 academic voice centers. RESULTS: Of 84 participants, 36.9% were men, 63.1% were women, and 64.3% were singers. The mean age of participants was 47.2 years. The mean duration of voice rest was 8.8 days (range, 3-28), and the median was 7 days. Overall compliance was 34.5%. Postoperative voice rest patients were more compliant than non-postoperative patients (42.4% vs 16.0%, P = .04, χ(2)). Voice rest had an impact on QOL (mean ± SD, 68.5 ± 27.7). Voice rest also had a greater impact on singers than nonsingers (mean VAS 77.2 vs 63.6, P = .03, t test) and on those age <60 years than those age ≥ 60 years (mean VAS 74.4 vs 46.7, P < .001, t test). More talkative patients and those with longer periods of voice rest had worse QOL scores (Spearman correlation = 0.35, P = .001 and Spearman correlation = 0.24, P = .03, respectively). Restrictions in personal and social life were noted in 36.9% of patients, 46.4% were unable to work, 44.0% felt frustrated, and 38.1% reported feeling handicapped while on voice rest. CONCLUSIONS: Given poor patient compliance and the significant impact of voice rest on QOL, further studies are warranted to examine the efficacy of voice rest and factors that may contribute to patient noncompliance with treatment.