Increased accessibility of computer-based testing for residency application to a hospital in Brazil with item characteristics comparable to paper-based testing: a psychometric study.

Purpose: With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, online high-stakes exams have become a viable alternative. This study evaluated the feasibility of computer-based testing (CBT) for medical residency applications in Brazil and its impacts on item quality and applicants’ access compared to paper-based testing.

Methods: In 2020, an online CBT was conducted in a Ribeirao Preto Clinical Hospital in Brazil.

Is galactomannan a useful tool for triage and diagnosis of oral invasive aspergillosis?

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the galactomannan serum test in diagnosing oral invasive aspergillosis.

Methods: This prospective observational study included oncohematological neutropenic patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis, but without signs of pulmonary involvement. These patients underwent nasofibroscopy, biopsy, galactomannan serum testing, and maxillofacial high-resolution computed tomography to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.

Assessment of oral health condition in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Introduction: The optimization of oral health before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is important for preventing infectious complications during treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health condition and dental treatments performed in patients in pre-allogeneic HCT.

Method: The records of patients treated during 2018 at a Brazilian HCT service were reviewed.

Evaluation of the correlation between side effects to oral mucosa, salivary glands, and general health status with quality of life during intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of acute clinical complications that involve the oral cavity (oral mucositis and salivary flow), general health status (Karnofsky performance status scale (KPS) and weight), and quality of life using the worst performance throughout radiotherapy treatment by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the head and neck region and to evaluate the correlation between these variables.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study evaluated 32 patients who were undergoing IMRT for head and neck tumors. The measures were collected weekly through standardized protocols and a quality of life questionnaire (UW-QOL version 4).

Topical pilocarpine for xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate a pilocarpine spray as a treatment for xerostomia in patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial of patients complaining of dry mouth after RT for HNC. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either placebo or pilocarpine (1.

Laryngeal Cancer Attributable Factors and the Influence on Survival Rates: A Single Brazilian Institution Experience.

 Epidemiological studies focused on prognostic factors associated with laryngeal cancer in the Brazilian population are poorly reported in the literature.  To evaluate the influence of certain risk factors on the survival rates of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx.  This retrospective study was conducted on adult patients who were admitted to the outpatient clinic of the head and neck department in a tertiary care hospital.

SWALLOWING IN PATIENTS WITH LARYNGITIS.

Background: Dysphagia is described as a complaint in 32% of patients with laryngitis.

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate oral and pharyngeal transit of patients with laryngitis, with the hypothesis that alteration in oral-pharyngeal bolus transit may be involved with dysphagia.

Methods: Videofluoroscopic evaluation of the swallowing of liquid, paste and solid boluses was performed in 21 patients with laryngitis, 10 of them with dysphagia, and 21 normal volunteers of the same age and sex.

Quantitative ultrasound at the hand phalanges in patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.

Patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) who received intravenous or oral bisphosphonates (BP) were selected for determination of their bone microarchitecture as a risk predictor of BRONJ development. The diagnosis of BRONJ was made based on clinical and radiographic findings. The control group consisted of healthy patients.

Phonatory function after prolonged voice use in Brazilian woman.

Objectives: To evaluate the behavior of the phonatory function and the perceived strain in Brazilian young women, before and after a test of prolonged voice use test, for a period of one continuous hour.

Methods: Twenty young women without laryngeal disorders participated in the study and were submitted to vocal acoustic analysis (MDVP-Advanced, CSL-Kay Pentax®), perceptual voice assessment, carried out by five judges, and the measurement of speech-strain level using a visual analog scale before and after a prolonged use of the voice, from the reading of a standardized text for one hour in usual vocal intensity and frequency, without breaks for hydration or vocal rest. The description and comparison between the variables and the appropriate statistical analysis were carried out.

Correlation of intraluminal esophageal pressure with the dynamic extension of tracheoesophageal voice in total laryngectomees.

Purpose: To evaluate and correlate the amplitude of esophageal contractions triggered by swallowing water with dynamic extension and habitual, strong and weak sound intensity in total laryngectomees wearing a tracheoesophageal prosthesis.

Methods: Thirty total laryngectomees using tracheoesophageal voice with a phonatory prosthesis were evaluated by measuring the amplitude of contractions in the proximal, middle and distal esophagus and the pressure of the pharyngoesophageal transition by manometry. In order to measure vocal intensity the subject was asked to emit phonation of the vowel /a/ at habitual, strong and weak intensity which was captured with a sound pressure meter.

Effect of singing training on total laryngectomees wearing a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis.

Purpose: To assess the effect of a program of singing training on the voice of total laryngectomees wearing tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, considering the quality of alaryngeal phonation, vocal extension and the musical elements of tunning and legato.

Methods: Five laryngectomees wearing tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis completed the singing training program over a period of three months, with exploration of the strengthening of the respiratory muscles and vocalization and with evaluation of perceptive-auditory and singing voice being performed before and after 12 sessions of singing therapy.

Results: After the program of singing voice training, the quality of tracheoesophageal voice showed improvement or the persistence of the general degree of dysphonia for the emitted vowels and for the parameters of roughness and breathiness.

Swallowing Evaluation in Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility.

Background: Unilateral vocal fold immobility is the neurological disorder most frequently seen in the larynx that may cause swallowing dysfunction. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility.

Methods: It was evaluated by videofluoroscopy of the swallowing of 14 patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility and 11 control subjects.

Do foreign bodies migrate through the body towards the heart?

Unlabelled: Fixation of foreign bodies (FB), in the mucosa, can favor its migration, giving origin to the popular saying: 'FB walk to the heart'.

Aim: Describe the mechanisms involved in FB migration and how to diagnose them.

Methodology: From a sample of 3,000 foreign bodies, during 40 years, we analyzed four which had extra-lumen migration.

Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma: report of 2 cases.

Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare mandibular neoplasm. The objective of this paper was to report two cases.

Midfacial translocation, a variation of the approach to the rhinopharynx, clivus and upper odontoid process.

Objective: A surgical variation of the technique of facial translocation procedure is proposed, which has been called midfacial translocation for approach to the entire medial and lateral region of the middle third of the face, including the rhinopharynx, sphenoid sinus, pterygomaxillary fossa, odontoid process, and clivus.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of five treated patients accordingly were reviewed for an analysis of the surgical technique, the disease, the topography of the lesion, and the complications.

Results: The approach permitted ventral decompression of the bulbomedullary junction with resection of the C1 arch and the odontoid process in four patients and resection of a chordoma of the clivus located along the midline and extending intradurally in the fifth patient.

Vestibular fold flap for post-cordectomy laryngeal reconstruction.

Objectives: The development of techniques causing fewer sequelae without compromising oncologic control has led to better phonation, breathing, and postoperative swallowing in patients submitted to cordectomy. The objective of the present study was to describe post-cordectomy laryngeal reconstruction with a vestibular fold flap and to analyze the resulting laryngeal functions.

Study Design: Prospective study.