Malignant Epithelioid Mesenchymal Neoplasm with FUS::CREM Gene Fusion Arising in the Tongue: A Case Report Detailing Clinicopathological, Imaging, and Molecular Features.

FUS::CREM fusion is a distinct primary driver in rare neoplasms of the head and neck and other anatomic sites. Herein, we describe the clinicopathological, imaging, and molecular features of a malignant epithelioid mesenchymal neoplasm harboring FUS::CREM fusion, arising in the tongue of a 46-year-old male. Clinically, the patient presented with a left upper neck mass.

Modified Technique for Retrograde Placement of the Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis in the Office.

For total laryngectomy patients with tortuous tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) tracts, anterograde placement of the voice prosthesis can be challenging. This article describes an updated and straightforward technique for in-office retrograde placement of the voice prosthesis in patients with such challenging TEP tracts. Laryngoscope, 135:121-123, 2025.

Salvage surgery for recurrent or residual hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review.

Background: This systematic review aggregates the data of studies that include site-specific analyses of patients undergoing salvage surgery for residual or recurrent hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: The primary outcomes are disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survival (DFS, DSS, and OS, respectively). Secondary outcomes include complications and postoperative feeding requirements.

Early Weight-Bearing After Fibula Free Flap Surgery.

Importance: Despite the widespread use of fibula free flap (FFF) surgery for head and neck reconstruction, there are no studies assessing if early weight-bearing (EWB) affects postoperative recovery, and the timing of weight-bearing initiation following FFF surgery varies considerably across institutions. Therefore, it is important to understand the effect of EWB in these patients and whether it could improve postoperative recovery.

Objective: To assess the association of EWB after FFF surgery with donor-site complications, length of stay, and discharge to home status.

Predictors of multiple dilations and functional outcomes after total laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy.

Background: Following total laryngectomy (TL) or laryngopharyngectomy (TLP), patients may develop strictures that require multiple dilations to treat. However, the risk factors associated with dysphagia refractory to a single dilation are unknown.

Methods: Single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent at least one stricture dilation after TL/TLP between March 2013 and March 2022.

Depth of resection predicts loss of tongue tip sensation after partial glossectomy in oral tongue cancer: A pilot study.

Objective(s): To characterize the change in sensory function following partial glossectomy for oral tongue cancer (OTC) and to identify predictors of loss of tongue-tip sensation (LoTTS).

Materials And Methods: Patients with at least three months follow-up after partial glossectomy for primary OTC were included. All patients underwent a qualitative tongue sensation assessment and an objective tongue sensory exam of the native tongue tip.

Regional Flap Donor Sites in Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Regional flaps are vital to head and neck reconstruction, allowing surgeons to harvest numerous reliable flaps without the need for microvascular anastomosis. These flaps are very useful in cases of vascular depletion and may prove superior to free flaps as a primary option in certain circumstances. Numerous harvest options are available, and the described harvest techniques are safe and straightforward for an experienced reconstructive surgeon to learn.

Development and Content Validity of a Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Total Laryngectomy: The LARY-Q.

Objectives: To develop a patient-reported outcomes measure (PROM) for total laryngectomy.

Study Design: Qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of patients with total laryngectomy, followed by cognitive debriefing interviews with patients and expert feedback.

Methods: Concept elicitation was performed using in-depth qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of patients who had undergone total laryngectomy.

Comparison of patient-reported upper extremity disability following free flaps in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Comparisons of patient-reported donor site morbidity based on the Disabilities in Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) instrument across upper trunk free flaps in head and neck surgery, including radial forearm (RFFF), osteocutaneous radial forearm (OCRFF), scapular tip (STFF), and serratus anterior (SAFF) free flaps, may help inform donor tissue selection.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, 12 studies were included and the primary outcome was average DASH score.

Results: The pooled DASH scores were 12.

Comparison of Preoperative DOI Estimation in Oral Tongue Cancer With cN0 Disease.

Objective: To understand the accuracy of pre- and intraoperative estimation of tumor depth of invasion (DOI).

Study Design: A retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Patients who presented at 1 institution with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma that underwent oncologic resection between 2017 and 2019 were identified.

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies a paracrine interaction that may drive oncogenic notch signaling in human adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, biologically unique biphasic tumor that consists of malignant myoepithelial and luminal cells. MYB and Notch signaling have been implicated in ACC pathophysiology, but in vivo descriptions of these two programs in human tumors and investigation into their active coordination remain incomplete. We utilize single-cell RNA sequencing to profile human head and neck ACC, including a comparison of primary ACC with a matched local recurrence.

Rate of atypical nodal metastases in surgically treated HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Understanding of nodal metastasis in patients with HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is warranted.

Methods: Patients with HPV+ OPSCC who underwent neck dissection (ND) between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. Pathology reports were reviewed for lymph node (LN) metastases.

Chemoradiation therapy alters the PD-L1 score in locoregional recurrent squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

PD-L1 testing guides therapeutic decision-making for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We sought to understand whether chemoradiation therapy (CRT) influences the PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) and other biomarkers of response to immunotherapy. PD-L1 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry, and bulk RNA sequencing was performed on 146 HNSCC patients (65 primary sites, 50 paired local recurrences, and 31 paired regional recurrences).

Multiplexed single-cell analysis of FNA allows accurate diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

Diagnosing salivary gland tumors (SGTs) through fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies is challenging due to the overlapping cytomorphologic features between benign and malignant tumors. The authors developed an innovative, multiplexed cycling technology for the rapid analyses of single cells obtained from FNA that can facilitate the molecular analyses and diagnosis of SGTs. Antibodies against 29 protein markers associated with 7 SGT subtypes were validated and chemically modified via custom linker-bio-orthogonal probes (FAST).

Head and neck cancer survivorship consensus statement from the American Head and Neck Society.

Objectives: To provide a consensus statement describing best practices and evidence regarding head and neck cancer survivorship.

Methods: Key topics regarding head and neck cancer survivorship were identified by the multidisciplinary membership of the American Head and Neck Society Survivorship, Supportive Care & Rehabilitation Service. Guidelines were generated by combining expert opinion and a review of the literature and categorized by level of evidence.

Cell-free human papillomavirus DNA kinetics after surgery for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: New ultrasensitive methods for detecting residual disease after surgery are needed in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+OPSCC).

Methods: To determine whether the clearance kinetics of circulating tumor human papillomavirus DNA (ctHPVDNA) is associated with postoperative disease status, a prospective observational study was conducted in 33 patients with HPV+OPSCC undergoing surgery. Blood was collected before surgery, postoperative days 1 (POD 1), 7, and 30 and with follow-up.

An equity-based narrative review of barriers to timely postoperative radiation therapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not commence postoperative radiation treatment (PORT) within the recommended 6 weeks. We explore how delayed PORT affects survival outcomes, what factors are associated with delayed PORT initiation, and what interventions exist to reduce delays in PORT initiation.

Methods: We conducted a PubMed search to identify articles discussing timely PORT for HNSCC.

Submental Island Flap After Prior Contralateral Neck Dissection: A Case Series and Technical Considerations.

Objectives: The submental island flap is a dependable workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. However, the viability of this flap has not been established for oral cavity reconstruction when a contralateral neck dissection has already been performed in an earlier surgical setting. The aim of this study is to highlight technical considerations and outcomes of this approach with a small case series.

Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, and Clostridioides difficile infection following major head and neck free and pedicled flap surgeries.

Objectives: Medical postoperative infections (MPIs) are important causes of morbidity following major head and neck free and pedicled flap reconstruction, but the incidence, time of onset, and microbiology are not well characterized.

Materials And Methods: Medical records were reviewed of all head and neck flap surgeries performed 2009-2014 at an academic medical center. Postoperative pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), bloodstream infection (BSI), Clostridioides difficile (CDI), and surgical site infections (SSI) were noted.