The effect of insurance status on treatment modality in advanced oral cavity cancer.

Background: Insurance status has been shown to impact survival outcomes. We sought to determine whether insurance affects the choice of treatment modality among patients with advanced (T4) oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: This is a retrospective, population-based cohort study using the Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database.

Endoscopic Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects Using Tutoplast.

Background: Various graft materials that are classified as autografts, xenografts, and allografts based on their origin have been used to endoscopically repair skull base defects. Tutoplast® (Tutogen Medical GmbH), an allogeneic natural collagen matrix, is processed through chemical sterilization that preserves tissue biocompatibility and structural integrity.

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of Tutoplast Fascia Lata and Tutoplast Temporalis Fascia® as primary graft materials in the endoscopic reconstruction of skull base defects of different sizes and etiologies and to compare the outcomes with those of other traditional graft materials based on our experience.

The Functional & Quality of Life Outcomes of Total Glossectomy with Laryngeal Preservation.

Background: The tongue is an essential organ for human interaction, communication and survival. To date, there is a paucity of objective functional, patient reported, or quality of life outcomes of patients undergoing a total glossectomy with preservation of the larynx (TGLP).

Objective: To examine prospectively collected objective, self-reported functional and quality of life (QOL) data in patients undergoing TGLP and free flap reconstruction.

The Alberta Reconstructive Technique: An Occlusion-Driven and Digitally Based Jaw Reconstruction.

Objectives/hypothesis: The free flap reconstructive protocols of the jaws have been refined over the years and presently are based on bone-driven approaches that generally use the lower border of the mandible or the anterior surface of the maxilla as the templates for reconstruction because these contours are deemed important to the eventual cosmetic outcomes of patients. The ultimate goal of functional jaw reconstruction, however, is the reconstruction of the dental occlusion and oral rehabilitation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the Alberta reconstructive technique (ART), which is a new approach of occlusion-driven jaw reconstruction with digitally planned immediate osseointegrated implant installation.

Late free flap failure in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review.

Our objectives were to review all reported cases of late flap failure in head and neck surgery and describe any relevant patterns. We conducted a systematic review of all published cases of free flap failure after postoperative day 7 in head and neck surgery from January 1990 to January 2018. Data were collected with respect to flap type, site of reconstruction, reason for failure, and time to failure.

Ultrasensitive detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal tissue swabs.

Background: The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is rising worldwide. HPV-OPSCC is commonly diagnosed by RT-qPCR of HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins or by p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC). Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has been recently reported as an ultra-sensitive and highly precise method of nucleic acid quantification for biomarker analysis.

Serum microRNA profiling to distinguish papillary thyroid cancer from benign thyroid masses.

Objectives: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increasing in incidence. Fine needle aspiration is the gold standard for diagnosis, but results can be indeterminate. Identifying tissue and serum biomarkers, like microRNA, is therefore desirable.

CO(2) laser versus cold steel margin analysis following endoscopic excision of glottic cancer.

Objective: To compare the suitability of CO2 laser with steel instruments for margin excision in transoral laser microsurgery.

Methods: Prospective randomized blinded study. Patients with glottic cancer undergoing laser resection were randomized to margin excision by either steel instruments or CO2 laser.

A long-term analysis of auricular position in pediatric patients who underwent post-auricular approaches.

Objective: Post-auricular approach is commonly used in otologic surgery. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether post-auricular approach alters the position of the auricle.

Methods: All patients who underwent post-auricular approach for mastoidectomy or tympanoplasty from October 2010 to June 2012 were enrolled.

Differential expression of transforming growth factor-beta in benign vs. papillary thyroid cancer nodules; a potential diagnostic tool?

Background: Thyroid nodules are common, but only 5% of nodules are found to be malignant. In North America, the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Fine needle aspirate (FNA) biopsy is the diagnostic test of choice.

Serum biomarkers of papillary thyroid cancer.

Objective: To identify serum biomarkers of papillary thyroid cancer.

Methods: Prospective analysis was performed of banked tumor and serum specimens from 99 patients with thyroid masses. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of five serum proteins previously demonstrated to be up-regulated in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC): angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), cytokeratin 19 (CK-19), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), chitinase 3 like-1 (YKL-40), and galectin-3 (GAL-3).

Prognostic factors for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid.

Objective: To explore the prognostic significance of patient and disease characteristics on the survival of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland at a tertiary care center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Methods: A retrospective chart review for all patients diagnosed with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid gland from January 2000 to December 2010. Multiple variables were examined related to: patient demographics, surgical details, non-surgical procedure details, and tumor pathologic description.

Effects of tensor tympani muscle contraction on the middle ear and markers of a contracted muscle.

Objectives/hypothesis: Many otologic disorders have been attributed to dysfunction of the tensor tympani muscle, including tinnitus, otalgia, Meniere's disease and sensorineural hearing loss. The objective of this study was to determine adequate stimuli for tensor tympani contraction in humans and determine markers of the hypercontracted state that could be used to detect this process in otologic disease.

Study Design: Multiple types of studies.

Cochlear implant rehabilitation for patients with vestibular schwannoma: report of two cases.

Objective And Importance: The objective of this paper is to highlight two main points. The primary aim is to demonstrate that cochlear implants can function in the presence of retrocochlear pathology, even after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and hence to introduce this as a management option in selected patients with retrocochlear pathology, such as Neurofibromatosis type II (NFII) patients. A secondary aim is to act as a caveat that computed tomography (CT) scanning alone may not be sufficient imaging in subjects undergoing cochlear implantation (CI).

Anatomic analysis of the mastoid tegmen: slopes and tegmen shape variances.

Objectives: To examine the dural slope shapes and slope depths in different axes in the mastoid. These are important for surgical guidance.

Study Design: Setting-Tertiary care otologic center.

Transmastoid resurfacing of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe a new and fast surgical technique in treating superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome by resurfacing the canal defect via the transmastoid approach without retraction of the whole temporal lobe and to demonstrate the clinical and audiologic results of the superior canal dehiscence repair. Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome is a well-described pathology. Surgical procedures through the middle fossa approach to resurface the superior canal and transmastoid plugging are considered the main surgical therapeutic options for patients with debilitating symptoms.

Current practice patterns in the management of glottic cancer in Canada: results of a national survey.

Objective: In this study, we sought to determine current trends in the management of glottic cancer in Canada. We further sought to determine the approach to margin status following treatment of glottic cancer.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to all head and neck (H&N) surgeons and all radiation oncologists (ROs) in Canada.

Audiometric thresholds measured with single and dual BAHA transducers: The effect of phase inversion.

The bone-anchored-hearing-aid (BAHA) transduces airborne sound into skull vibration. Current bilateral BAHA configurations, for sounds directly facing listeners, will apply forces that are in-phase with each other and directed roughly towards the center of the head. Below approximately 1000 Hz the two cochleae respond in approximately the same direction and with approximately the same phase to each BAHA, thus it may be preferable to drive bilateral BAHAs such that when one pushes, the other pulls.

Lateral ectopic thyroid goiter with a normally located thyroid.

Background: Midline ectopic thyroid tissue is a common pathological entity. In contrast, laterally located ectopic thyroid tissue with a normally located thyroid gland is a very rare condition in head and neck surgery.

Summary: We report the association of laterally located multinodular thyroid tissue and a normally located multinodular goiter.

Surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology.

Objective: To obtain baseline data on the most common surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This report is a retrospective study of all children presenting to the pediatric otolaryngology emergency service at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Between January 2001 to January 2006 data were carefully collected and then analyzed for patients requiring emergent surgical intervention by the pediatric otolaryngology service.

Nasopharyngeal teratoma associated with cleft palate in a newborn.

Teratomas of the head and neck are rare congenital lesions comprising less than 10% of reported cases. Nasopharyngeal teratomas (NPT) are even rare. A case presented of a newborn with NPT associated with cleft palate.