Comparison of mucus and serum biomarker sampling in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze advantages and disadvantages of mucus and serum for biomarker analysis.

Methods: This study includes prospective study of 61 CRS with nasal polyps patients who were followed over 24 months and over nine time points after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. At each time points, the nasal polyp score (NPS) was assessed and mucus as well as serum was collected.

A comparison between p16-positive head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HPV-HNCUP) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC): are they the same disease?

Introduction: The following study aimed to answer the question if HPV-HNCUP and HPV-OPSCC are the same disease. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare the oncological outcomes of both groups, in particular the 5-year overall survival rate (OS), the 5-year disease specific survival rate (DSS) and the 5-year progression free survival rate (PFS).

Materials And Methods: Firstly, between January 1st, 2007, and March 31st, 2020 a total of 131 patients were treated with HNCUP at our Department.

Locoregional metastatic behavior in a complex mosaic of primary malignant tumors of the parotid gland.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate primary locoregional metastatic behavior in a large sample of various malignant tumors of the parotid gland with varying grades following surgical treatment consisting of complete parotidectomy and neck dissection.

Methods: The records of all patients treated for primary malignant tumors of the parotid gland by means of complete parotidectomy and neck dissection between 2007 and 2022 were studied retrospectively.

Results: 196 patients formed our study sample (98 females, 98 males).

Effect of postoperative systemic prednisolone on short-term and long-term outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A multi-centered randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether postoperative additive systemic steroid administration in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) impacted selected endoscopic, subjective and objective outcome measures.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority multicenter trial of n=106 patients with CRSwNP. All patients underwent primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) followed by topical nasal steroids.

Limited parotid surgery as sole form of treatment for carefully selected malignant tumours of the parotid gland: Still sufficient on the long-term?

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the oncological and functional outcome following extracapsular dissection as the sole form of treatment in locally limited low-grade malignant parotid tumours in the long term.

Methods: The records of all patients treated for T1-T2 low-grade malignant tumours of the parotid gland solely by means of extracapsular dissection between 2005 and 2017 were studied retrospectively.

Results: A total of 16 cases formed our study sample (7 men, 9 women).

Factors Influencing the Outcome of Head and Neck Cancer of Unknown Primary (HNCUP).

Background: This study on patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) assesses the impact of surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities and the tumour biology on the oncological outcome. Methods: A total of 80 patients with HNCUP (UICC I−IV) were treated with simultaneous neck dissection followed by adjuvant therapy, between 1 January 2007 and 31 March 2020. As the primary objective, the influence of treatment modalities on the overall survival (OS), the disease-specific survival (DSS) and the progression-free survival (PFS) were analysed in terms of cox regression and recursive partitioning.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for the diagnosis and therapy of head and neck malignancies.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures accompanying it have been accused of having a negative influence on the frequency and methods of treatment of various diseases including head and neck cancer (HNSCC). To go further into this assumption, the diagnoses made, and treatments performed at one of Germany's largest head and neck cancer centres were evaluated.

Patients And Methods: This study consisted of one single centre and involved a retrospective review of all patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent HNSCC.

Relevance of the time interval between surgery and adjuvant radio (chemo) therapy in HPV-negative and advanced head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP).

Introduction: In contrast to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the effect of treatment duration in HNSCC-CUP has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of the time interval between surgery and adjuvant therapy on the oncologic outcome, in particular the 5-year overall survival rate (OS), in advanced stage, HPV-negative CUPs at a tertiary referral hospital. 5-year disease specific survival rate (DSS) and progression free survival rate (PFS) are defined as secondary objectives.

Investigation of Sonographic Criteria for Reliable Identification of T1-T2 Low-Grade Malignant Tumors of the Parotid Gland.

The aim of this study was to investigate sonographic findings of low-grade malignant tumors of the parotid gland. The sonographic findings of all patients treated for T1-T2 low-grade carcinomas of the parotid gland between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively examined and compared with those of patients with pleomorphic adenomas for the following parameters: definition of tumor margins, echotexture, echogenicity, shape and vascularization. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ test.

Influence of p16 status on indication and outcome of salvage neck dissection in oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)+ and HPV- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) are separate tumor entities.

Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to examine if the p16 status influences the need and outcome of a salvage neck dissection (SND) after primary radiochemotherapy (pRCT).

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of 164 patients ( = 108 p16-,  = 56 p16+) who underwent pRCT for OPSCC between 2009 and 2016.

Impact of delayed adjuvant therapy after surgery in p16 positive oropharyngeal cancer: a retrospective analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the impact of delayed adjuvant therapy on the outcome of HPV associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC).

Patients And Methods: A total of 157 patients with HPV-OPSCC treated by surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiation therapy were analyzed retrospectively. We divided participants into two groups implementing adjuvant therapy within or after 50 days.

Escalation in mucus cystatin 2, pappalysin-A, and periostin levels over time predict need for recurrent surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is treated using oral/topical steroids and surgery. Despite maximal medical therapy, some patients remain recalcitrant. Mucus cystatin 2, pappalysin-A, and periostin can predict the presence of CRSwNP and correlate with disease severity.

Outcome and management of rare high-grade "salivary" adenocarcinoma: the important role of adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy.

Purpose: To determine survival and management strategies for high-grade adenocarcinoma of salivary glands (ASG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2015 from our single tertiary referral center was performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with survival.

Treatment of the donor site of free radial flaps: vacuum sealing versus conventional wound care.

Introduction: Radial forearm flap donor side defects can be treated by vacuum therapy and conventional wound dressing. The aim of this study was to compare different wound management considering wound healing, including risk factors and cost effectiveness.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study including patients treated with radial flaps in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery in Erlangen from January 2005 to August 2013.

Stereotactic radiotherapy of vestibular schwannoma : Hearing preservation, vestibular function, and local control following primary and salvage radiotherapy.

Objective: The aim of this publication is to present long-term data on functional outcomes and tumor control in a cohort of 107 patients treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (RT) for vestibular schwannoma.

Patients And Methods: Included were 107 patients with vestibular schwannoma (primary or recurrent following resection) treated with stereotactic RT (either fractioned or single-dose radiosurgery) between October 2002 and December 2013. Local control and functional outcomes were determined.

Management of advanced hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer with and without cartilage invasion.

Objective: To compare efficacy, in terms of disease control/survival in advanced hypopharyngeal and laryngeal lesions, according to treatment strategy (primary surgery, PS or primary chemoradiotherapy, CRT) and invasion pattern (cartilage, CAI or soft tissue involvement, STI).

Methods: Records from 463 patients with T3 and T4a carcinoma with CAI (n=221) or STI (n=242) treated at a university clinic over 18 years were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Disease-specific survival (DSS) for the CAI group was 70.

A novel nasopharyngeal stent for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a case series of nasopharyngeal stenting versus continuous positive airway pressure.

The objective of the study was to investigate the first-night treatment success of a nasopharyngeal stent compared to standard nCPAP-titration. This is a case series and a single-center study. Eight participants (n = 8) were selected with untreated obstructive sleep apnea with a prestudy AHI ≥ 10.

Lymph node ratio as a valuable additional predictor of outcome in selected patients with oral cavity cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a potential prognostic predictor in selected patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Study Design: This was a retrospective study that identified 374 patients with OSCC who underwent primary surgery from 1980 to 2010. Of these patients, 148 were identified with regionally metastasized cancer.

Early stage oropharyngeal carcinomas: comparing quality of life for different treatment modalities.

Objective: To compare long-term quality of life outcomes after treating early stage oropharyngeal carcinoma either with surgery, surgery combined with radiotherapy, or surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Questionnaire based method: 111 eligible patients agreed to fill out a quality of life questionnaire.

Results: Of the 32 scales contained in the EORTC's combined QLQ-C30 and HN35, 11 scales show significantly better results for the surgery-only treatment group when compared to either surgery combined with radiotherapy or surgery combined with any type of adjuvant therapy.

Lymph node ratio is of limited value for the decision-making process in the treatment of patients with laryngeal cancer.

The lymph node ratio (LNR) combines two types of information--about the extent of neck dissection and about the extent of the pathological examination of the specimen--and thus represents an interesting variable for risk assessment in patients with head and neck cancer. This retrospective study with data from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 2010, evaluates the utility of the LNR as a potential prognostic predictor in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). A total of 202 consecutive patients with regionally metastasized LSCC who underwent primary surgery with or without adjuvant treatment were included.

Viral determinants predicting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients.

The aim of this retrospective study was the identification of clinically useful viral determinants for the prediction of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and sustained virological response in hepatitis B virus/human immunodeficiency virus (HBV-/HIV)-coinfected patients receiving HBV-active combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Quantification of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA before and after initiation of HBV-active cART in a cohort of 59 HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients was performed. Calculations of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for the identification of predictors of HBsAg seroclearance for HBeAg-positive [HBeAg(+); n = 36] and HBeAg-negative [HBeAg(-);n = 23] patients.

Juvenile recurrent parotitis: a retrospective comparison of sialendoscopy versus conservative therapy.

Objectives/hypothesis: There are several therapeutic approaches to treat juvenile recurrent parotitis. The aim of this study was to compare sialendoscopy, including prophylactic cortisone irrigation, with observation and a conservative approach of antibiotic therapy alone.

Study Design: Retrospective study, tertiary clinical center.

Lymph node ratio as a predictor of outcome in patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

To evaluate the utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a potential prognostic predictor and to test whether LNR may be useful as a potential selection criterion for adjuvant treatment in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSSC). This retrospective study included 384 patients with regionally metastasized OPSCC who underwent primary surgery with or without adjuvant therapy from 1980 to 2010. LNR was calculated as the ratio of positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes removed during neck dissection.

Chelidonium majus and its effects on uterine contractility in a perfusion model.

Objective: The herbal agent celandine is thought to have mainly spasmolytic effects, but in the uterus it is regarded as promoting contractions, which can offer promising and innovative options for optimizing artificial reproduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of celandine on the uterine muscle, using a perfusion model of swine uteri.

Study Design: Sixteen swine uteri were perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution.

The perfused swine uterus model: long-term perfusion.

Background: It has previously been shown that the viability of swine uteri can be maintained within the physiological range in an open perfusion model for up to 8 hours. The aim of this study was to assess medium- to long-term perfusion of swine uteri using a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution (KRBB) in the established open perfusion model.

Methods: In an experimental study at an infertility institute, 30 swine uteri were perfused: group 1: n = 11, KRBB; group 2: n = 8, modified KRBB with drainage of perfusate supernatant; group 3: n = 11, modified KRBB with drainage of perfusate every 2 h and substitution with fresh medium.