The relationship between safety-net hospital status and outcomes among elderly head and neck cancer patients.

Background: The impact of safety-net status, case volume, and outcomes among geriatric head and neck cancer patients is unknown.

Methods: Chi-square tests and Student's t tests to compare head and neck surgery outcomes of elderly patients between safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals. Multivariable linear regressions to determine predictors of outcome variables including mortality index, ICU stays, 30-day readmission, total direct cost, and direct cost index.

A case of true vocal fold jaundice.

Objectives: While jaundice is frequently described in the sclera and skin, there are few reports of true vocal fold jaundice in patients with high bilirubin, and no reports by otolaryngologists in the literature. Here we describe a case of a patient with bilateral true vocal fold jaundice and discuss the potential pathogenesis and implications of this finding.

Methods: A 29-year-old man with history of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome presented with cough and difficulty breathing and was incidentally found to have persistent yellow discoloration of the true vocal folds bilaterally.

Awareness, Utilization, and Preferences of Harm Reduction Interventions among Street-Involved Young Adults in Boston.

Objectives: This study explores knowledge and utilization of, barriers to, and preferences for harm reduction services among street-involved young adults (YA) in Boston, Massachusetts.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey of YA encountered between November and December 2019 by a longstanding outreach program for street-involved YA. We report descriptive statistics on participant-reported substance use, knowledge and utilization of harm reduction strategies, barriers to harm reduction services and treatment, and preferences for harm reduction service delivery.

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.