Small access postaural parotidectomy: an analysis of techniques, feasibility and safety.

For cosmetic consideration of parotidectomy, the surgical approaches have evolved from Blair incision through modified facelift incision to postaural-hairline incision. The present study aims at evaluating the feasibility and safety of the new technique of postaural approach. Parotidectomy was performed with a 4-5 cm incision in the postaural sulcus.

Efficient immortalization of primary nasopharyngeal epithelial cells for EBV infection study.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is common among southern Chinese including the ethnic Cantonese population living in Hong Kong. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is detected in all undifferentiated type of NPC in this endemic region. Establishment of stable and latent EBV infection in premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cells is an early event in NPC development and may contribute to its pathogenesis.

Idiopathic cervical fibrosis--a new member of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases: report of 4 cases, 1 complicated by composite lymphoma.

Idiopathic cervical fibrosis is a rare tumefactive inflammatory-sclerosing lesion involving the soft tissues of the head and neck, and a proportion of patients also have synchronous or metachronous inflammatory fibrosclerosing lesions in other anatomic sites. The latter finding suggests that this entity may represent a member of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases. We report 4 cases to support this postulation.

Ultrasonographic screening for occult thyroid cancer.

Background: It has been shown that occult thyroid carcinoma can be identified in about 10% of thyroid glands in autopsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic thyroid carcinoma in the Hong Kong Chinese population by ultrasonographic screening.

Methods: Volunteer subjects without symptoms of thyroid disease were recruited for ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer.

Early resection and reconstruction of head and neck masses in infants with upper airway obstruction.

Objective: Congenital airway obstruction can be caused by tumors or lesions arising from the neck, tongue and oral cavity. Neonates may require prolonged intubation or tracheostomy before curative resection and reconstruction. The aim of the study was to carry out surgical resection and reconstruction with locoregional flap and free bone graft in the neonatal and early infantile period for definitive management of head and neck masses and treatment of potential airway obstruction.

Prospective randomized study of selective neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of early tongue carcinoma.

Background: There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma.

Method: This is a prospective randomized study of elective selective I, II, III neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of stage I to II oral tongue carcinoma. There were 35 patients on the observation arm and 36 patients on the END arm.

Lateral thoracic flap for donor site repair of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.

Objective: To study the use of the lateral thoracic flap to repair a pectoralis major flap donor site defect when primary closure is not possible.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Subjects And Methods: All patients requiring pectoralis major flap reconstruction after tumour extirpation in the head and neck region, whose chest wall donor defects could not be closed primarily, were recruited to the study; lateral thoracic flaps were performed to close the wounds.

Mature miR-184 as Potential Oncogenic microRNA of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tongue.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microRNA expression patterns in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue.

Experimental Design: Expression levels of 156 human mature microRNAs were examined using real-time quantitative PCR (Taq Man MicroRNA Assays; Human Panel) on laser microdissected cells of 4 tongue carcinomas and paired normal tissues. Expression of mature miR-184 was further validated in 20 paired tongue SCC and the normal tissues.

Clinical implications of anterolateral thigh flap shrinkage.

Objective: To evaluate anterolateral thigh flap shrinkage after elevation and to develop a predictive model for flap design.

Method: A prospective study was conducted in a university teaching hospital. The skin islands from anterolateral thigh flaps were outlined on a transparent sheet before and after the reconstruction procedure.

Lupeol suppresses cisplatin-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and inhibits local invasion and nodal metastasis in an orthotopic nude mouse model.

A poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is commonly associated with the presence of regional metastasis. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy concurrent with radiation therapy is commonly used in the treatment of locally advanced HNSCC. However, the result is dismal due to common acquisition of chemoresistance and radioresistance.

Preoperative measurement of tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma with intraoral ultrasonography.

Background: Tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma is an important independent prognostic factor for local recurrence, subclinical nodal metastasis, and survival. An accurate preoperative assessment of tumor thickness is therefore essential in optimizing treatment algorithm. The present study aims at evaluating the accuracy of intraoral ultrasonography in preoperative measurement of tumor thickness.

Thyroid dysfunction in laryngectomees-10 years after treatment.

Background: Hypothyroidism is 1 of the complications that follow treatment of various head and neck cancers. In the literature, reviews using different primary sites and differences in treatment modalities make comparison of post-treatment hypothyroidism not possible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in a homogenous group of patients who were treated with total laryngectomy and irradiation for laryngeal carcinoma and to assess the importance of different variables in the occurrence of hypothyroidism.

Fascin over-expression is associated with aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with a high potential of tumor recurrence and metastasis, leading to poor prognosis. Cell motility is an important factor in the progression and metastasis of cancers. Recently, Fascin has been linked to tumor progression by induction of cell motility.

The skin prick test results of 977 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of aetiological allergens identifiable by skin prick test alone in patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong, and also compare the clinical history and symptoms of skin prick test-positive versus skin prick test-negative patients.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Otorhinolaryngology clinic in Queen Mary Hospital of Hong Kong.

Surgical techniques and results of lateral thoracic cutaneous, myocutaneous, and conjoint flaps for head and neck reconstruction.

Background: This paper aims at presentation of our surgical techniques and results of the lateral thoracic (LT) flaps for head and neck reconstructions.

Method: There were seven LT cutaneous, seven LT myocutaneous, and two LT conjoint myocutaneous flaps for reconstruction of head and neck mucosal or cutaneous defects.

Results: The largest flap size was 22 cm x 13 cm.

Regulation of angiogenesis by Id-1 through hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor up-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Metastasis is commonly associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Being an important angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a central role in HCC growth and metastasis. Recently, Id-1 (inhibitor of differentiation/DNA synthesis) has been suggested to be a key factor in cancer progression but the molecular mechanism remains unknown.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 5b activation enhances hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness through induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a high potential of vascular invasion and metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key event in the tumor invasion process. Recently, signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) has been linked to tumor progression by EMT induction.

Twist overexpression correlates with hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rapidly growing tumor associated with a high propensity for vascular invasion and metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key event in the tumor invasion process. Recently, Twist has been identified to play an important role in EMT-mediated metastasis through the regulation of E-cadherin expression.

Rac activation is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a propensity for vascular invasion and metastasis, which contribute to poor prognosis. Angiogenesis is a crucial process contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. Recently, Rac has been suggested to play a role in angiogenesis.

Outcome analysis of patients with craniofacial resection: Hong Kong experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients who underwent craniofacial resection for tumour in the anterior skull base at the University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong between January 1993 and June 2003.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted. The duration of follow up ranged from 1.

Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry serum protein profiling to identify nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at an early disease stage is important for successful treatment and improving the outcome of patients. The use of serum protein profiles and a classification tree algorithm were explored to distinguish NPC from noncancer.

Methods: Serum samples were applied to metal affinity protein chips to generate mass spectra by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).

Long-term performance of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy.

Objectives: To assess the use of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy, to identify the clinicopathologic factors for favorable outcome, and to evaluate the factors that determine prosthesis lifetime.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.

Ultrasonic glossectomy--simple and bloodless.

Background: The aim of the study was the evaluation of the feasibility of glossectomy using an ultrasonic-activated surgical instrument.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 13 consecutive patients who underwent glossectomy (12 partial and one total) for carcinoma of tongue with the use of ultrasonic scissors.

Results: All 13 patients had glossectomy, with median blood loss of 0 mL.