Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Concussion.

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) reflects the change in cerebral blood flow in response to vasodilatory stimuli enabling assessment of the health of the cerebral vasculature. Recent advances in the quantitative delivery of CO2 stimuli with computer-controlled sequential gas delivery have enabled mapping of the speed and magnitude of response to flow stimuli. These CVR advances when applied to patients with acute concussion have unexpectedly shown faster speed and greater magnitude of responses unseen in other diseases that typically show the opposite effects.

Head and neck imaging surveillance strategy for HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma following definitive (chemo)radiotherapy.

Purpose: To describe the utilization pattern of head and neck (HN) surveillance imaging and explore the optimal strategy for radiologic "residual" lymph node (LN) surveillance following definitive (chemo)radiotherapy (RT/CRT) in human papillomavirus (HPV)+ oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC).

Methods: All HPV+ OPC patients who completed RT/CRT from 2012 to 2015 were included. Schedule and rationale for post-treatment HN-CT/MRI were recorded.

F-FDG PET/CT for locoregional surveillance following definitive treatment of head and neck cancer: A meta-analysis of reported studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of F-fluorodeoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ( F-FDG PET/CT) in identifying local failure and regional failure following curative radiotherapy or surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search identified studies published between January 2010 and August 2016. Diagnostic performance of F-FDG PET/CT was evaluated for local failure/regional failure stratified by treatment-to-scan time interval of ≤3 versus >3 months.

Qualitative assessment of pain management in patients undergoing computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung biopsy.

Background: Unpublished questionnaire data collected by the authors' institution (Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario) indicates that patients often experience significant pain while undergoing lung biopsy, yet receive only a fraction of the maximum allowable dosage of analgesic.

Objectives: To qualitatively assess current pain management practices from the patient perspective. Patient education and patient satisfaction were also evaluated.

Is there a role for acupuncture in the symptom management of patients receiving palliative care for cancer? A pilot study of 20 patients comparing acupuncture with nurse-led supportive care.

Purpose: A pilot study to document changes in symptoms after acupuncture or nurse-led supportive care in patients with incurable cancer.

Methods: Patients receiving palliative care with estimated survival of at least 3 months were screened with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Patients (n=20) with significant symptoms were randomised to receive weekly acupuncture or nurse-led supportive care for 4 weeks.