Ethnic Disparities for Survival and Mortality in New Zealand Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: It is essential to identify inequitable cancer care for ethnic minority groups, which may allow policy change associated with improved survival and decreased mortality and morbidity.

Objective: To investigate ethnic disparities in survival and mortality among New Zealand (NZ) patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and the association of other variables, including socioeconomic status, tumor stage, and age at diagnosis, with survival rates.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among NZ patients diagnosed with specific HNCs from 2010 to 2020.

Autofluorescence of Parathyroid Glands: A Review of Methods of Parathyroid Gland Identification and Parathyroid Vascular Assessment.

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism may cause significant patient morbidity and even mortality. Emerging technologies centered on autofluorescent properties of parathyroid glands when exposed to near-infrared light hold promise to improve surgical parathyroid gland identification and preservation. Two systems (probe-based and camera-based) are commercially available currently; however, neither system alone provides indication of vascular viability or postoperative parathyroid gland function.

Emerging Imaging Technologies for Parathyroid Gland Identification and Vascular Assessment in Thyroid Surgery: A Review From the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section.

Importance: Identification and preservation of parathyroid glands (PGs) remain challenging despite advances in surgical techniques. Considerable morbidity and even mortality result from hypoparathyroidism caused by devascularization or inadvertent removal of PGs. Emerging imaging technologies hold promise to improve identification and preservation of PGs during thyroid surgery.

In-Office Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Neck Masses/Thyroid Nodules.

Office-based ultrasonography is increasingly becoming an integral part of an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery practice. A thorough knowledge of the ultrasonic appearance of normal and abnormal pathology are key for performing/interpreting office-based head and neck ultrasonography. A focused but systematic approach allows for efficient and effective office-based head and neck ultrasonography.

Upper neck papillary thyroid cancer (UPTC): A new proposed term for the composite of thyroglossal duct cyst-associated papillary thyroid cancer, pyramidal lobe papillary thyroid cancer, and Delphian node papillary thyroid cancer metastasis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is a common congenital anomaly, but TGDC carcinoma is rare. Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma management is controversial, especially that of the orthotopic thyroid gland. We aim to provide an insight into the pathologic basis of this management controversy through the review of 28 TGDC cancer cases, thus far the largest such series to our knowledge.

Normative intra-operative electrophysiologic waveform analysis of superior laryngeal nerve external branch and recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Background: Injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) can occur during superior pole dissection in thyroid surgery; the EBSLN injury rate is reported as high as 28 % (Cernea et al., Head Neck 14:380-383, 1992). Injury to the EBSLN leads to variable symptoms that may be overlooked, but that can be significant, especially to professional speakers and singers.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery: normative vagal and recurrent laryngeal nerve electrophysiological data.

Objective: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) remains a significant cause of morbidity during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is being applied in many centers to facilitate nerve identification. The aim of this study was to elucidate normative human vagal and recurrent laryngeal nerve electromyograhic (EMG) parameters during standard IONM application.

Fibular free flaps in the management of osteomyelitis of the mandible.

Background: Fibular free flaps are an alternative method in the management of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible without osteoradionecrosis.

Methods: A prospective review of 2 cases of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible managed with a fibular free flap was conducted. Patient satisfaction and aesthetic results were examined.

Workup of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) includes three main entities: papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), and Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC). A thorough knowledge of the natural history and presentation of these carcinomas is vital to the thyroid surgeon.

Methods: This review details the preoperative workup of patients having or suspected to have WDTC.