Endoscopic transnasal transethmoid ligation of the anterior ethmoid artery.

Background: The current otolaryngologic literature is lacking in basic science investigation regarding endoscopic anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) ligation as part of the armamentarium for epistaxis control. This investigation provides the anatomic rationale for endoscopic ligation of the AEA in the surgical treatment of epistaxis. In addition, it provides tools for identification of this vessel during routine endoscopic sinus surgery.

Abnormalities of molecular regulators of proliferation and apoptosis in carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Objective: Abnormalities in genes regulating cell proliferation and death may affect disease outcome in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck.

Methods: Proliferative activity (Histone H3 in-situ-hybridization (HISH) labeling index (LI)) and the genes and/or gene products of Cyclin D-1, c-erbB-2, Bcl-2, p21, and p53, were investigated in 35 patients with SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx, previously studied for p27 expression.

Results: Overexpression or very low expression of Cyclin D-1 was associated with unfavorable disease outcome and shorter time-to-recurrence.

The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To identify the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients treated for head and neck cancer. Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common and highly morbid condition that affects 9.1% of male and 4% of female middle-aged adults.

Prognostic significance of Bcl-2 and p53 expression in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Proteins regulating the cell cycle and cell death are frequently abnormally expressed in cancer. Several of these, particularly p53 and Bcl-2, have been widely suggested as possible prognostic markers in diverse human malignancies. Their role in predicting outcome in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck is unclear and may depend on the location, stage, and treatment of the tumor.

Improved airway healing using transforming growth factor beta-3 in a rabbit model.

Laryngeal wound healing is essential following laryngotracheal surgery. Patients with poor wound healing develop poor epithelial closure and increased granulation tissue which cause a stenosis of the repaired airway. Transforming growth factor-beta3 has been shown to enhance wound healing in cutaneous wounds, but has never been used in the airway.