Evaluating the incidence, clinical significance and predictors for vocal cord palsy and incidental laryngopharyngeal conditions before elective thyroidectomy: is there a case for routine laryngoscopic examination?

Background: Routine preoperative laryngeal examination remains controversial. We aimed to assess the utility of preoperative routine flexible laryngoscopy (FL) by looking at the incidence, clinical significance and predictors for preoperative vocal cord paresis (VCP) and incidental laryngopharyngeal conditions (LPC) in our consecutive cohort.

Methods: A total of 302 patients underwent laryngeal examination by an independent otorhinolaryngologist and were specifically asked about voice/swallowing symptoms suggestive of VCP 1 day before surgery.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Neurothekeoma of the paranasal sinuses in a 3-year-old boy.

Neurothekeoma is a benign soft tissue tumor commonly located on the skin. In this report, a 3-year-old boy presented with restricted right eye movement and decrease in visual acuity. The patient was found to have a 6-cm neurothekeoma involving the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.