Empowering Communication in Medicine: A Workshop Approach to Improve Presentation Skills for Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists.

Introduction Effective communication is crucial for healthcare professionals, impacting patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration. However, medical education often lacks structured training in communication and presentation techniques. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of structured workshops aimed at enhancing presentation skills among ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors through training in visual material design and concise verbal communication, including elevator pitches.

Insights into balloon pulmonary angioplasty and the WHO functional class of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients: findings from the CTEPH AC registry.

Advances in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) treatment have improved prognosis, shifting focus towards symptom management. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) in CTEPH patients. The CTEPH AC registry is a prospective, multicenter database from 35 Japanese institutions, analyzing data from August 2018 to July 2023.

Changes in swallowing response on patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) often causes dysphagia. The risk of dysphagia increases during CRT tends to become more severe after finishing CRT, and persists for a few weeks thereafter. Thus, understanding the changes in swallowing physiology during and immediately after CRT is essential.

Robust fundamental frequency-detection algorithm unaffected by the presence of hoarseness in human voice.

The fundamental frequency (fo) is pivotal for quantifying vocal-fold characteristics. However, the accuracy of fo estimation in hoarse voices is notably low, and no definitive algorithm for fo estimation has been previously established. In this study, we introduce an algorithm named, "Spectral-based fo Estimator Emphasized by Domination and Sequence (SFEEDS)," which enhances the spectrum method and conducted comparative analyses with conventional estimation methods.

Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct Occurring 37 Years after Surgery for Congenital Biliary Dilatation: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 54-year-old woman who was diagnosed with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) in the remnant intrapancreatic bile duct, 37 years after surgery for congenital biliary dilatation. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a papillary, low-echoic mass in the intrapancreatic bile duct, and peroral cholangioscopy revealed a papillary mucosa. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and the patient was pathologically diagnosed with type 1 pancreatobiliary-type IPNB with associated invasive carcinoma.

Development and Validation of Quality Indicators for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Management in Japan: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study.

Background: Quality indicators (QIs) are used to standardize care and improve outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is important that QIs are validated within specific healthcare contexts. Therefore, this study aimed to validate QIs for PAH management in Japan using a modified Delphi consensus method.

Digital reverse transcription PCR using a simple poly(dimethylsiloxane) microwell array chip for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Digital PCR (dPCR) enables absolute quantitation of nucleic acid without calibration using a standard curve, and is promising for quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 viral load. However, dPCR suffers from the need for complicated and expensive instruments. We previously reported a dPCR system using a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwell array (MWA) chip and common laboratory tools.

Digital peroral pancreatoscopy to determine surgery for patients who have intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas with mural nodules.

Because more than a few patients have intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs) with mural nodules (MNs) that are benign, clinical plans should be determined by using histocytological specimens especially, for patients with high risk for surgery or with a small MN. This study included 27 patients to evaluate the efficacy of peroral pancreatoscopy using a SpyGlass DS system (POPS-DS) for patients with MN-positive IPMN, mainly focusing on the ability of POPS-DS to detect malignancy. Biopsy specimens obtained under POPS-DS guidance could be used for histological evaluation of all patients with MNs in the main pancreatic duct and 67% of the patients with MNs in the branch ducts, whereas fluid specimens collected during POPS-DS could be used for histocytological evaluation for all patients.

Effect of immortal time bias on the association between immune-related adverse events and oncological outcomes following immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are pharmacological agents indicated for recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNCSCC). Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported as predictors of therapeutic response to ICIs. However, previous studies have not adequately addressed the immortal time bias.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related fulminant myocarditis.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has significantly improved cancer treatment. With the increasing use of ICIs, ICI-related myocarditis has been recognized. However, an evidence-based therapeutic strategy has not been established because of the limited knowledge on ICI-related myocarditis.

Cancer as an independent mortality risk in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: The management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has advanced significantly in recent years, thereby improving patient prognosis. However, the impact of cancer on the outcomes of patients with CTEPH under current treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cancer in patients with CTEPH and determine how comorbid cancer affects their prognosis and clinical course.

A Case of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma Suspected as Postoperative Recurrence of Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory disease affecting the nasal and paranasal sinus tissues, classified into two main categories: one associated with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and one without them (CRSsNP). A particular form of CRSwNP, known as eosinophilic CRS (ECRS), is distinguished by the excessive presence of eosinophils in the affected tissues. While surgical intervention and corticosteroids are the standard treatments, high relapse rates have led to increasing interest in biological treatments.

Diagnostic accuracy and added value of dynamic chest radiography in detecting pulmonary embolism: A retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of dynamic chest radiography (DCR) and investigate its added value to chest radiography (CR) in detecting pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Of 775 patients who underwent CR and DCR in our hospital between June 2020 and August 2022, individuals who also underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) of the chest within 72 h were included in this study. PE or non-PE diagnosis was confirmed by CECT and the subsequent clinical course.

Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Ileum With Markedly Elevated Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Levels: A Case Report.

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare and highly malignant tumors with a generally poor prognosis. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is often associated with adenocarcinoma, but its significant elevation in NEC cases is unusual. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in January 2016 due to syncope induced by anemia.

Sex Differences in Predicting Difficult Laryngeal Exposure: Validation and Modification of Predictive Models.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the presence of sex differences in difficult laryngeal exposure and the Laryngoscore, validate the Laryngoscore, mini-Laryngoscore, and Clarysse's model for predicting difficult laryngeal exposure, and modify the Laryngoscore for improved prediction accuracy.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: This study included 153 patients who underwent laryngeal microsurgery at a tertiary laryngology center and university hospital.

Novel and reappraised wide-band EEG findings in migraineurs: Its correlation with several clinical variables.

Objective: Cortical spreading depolarization is one possible pathogenesis of migraine, of which slow neurophysiological change is barely recorded in conventional EEG settings. Using wide-band EEG conditions, we reappraised the features of EEG in migraineurs, including subdelta-band EEG changes.

Methods: This retrospective study included 144 patients with migraine.

Temporal recovery and prognostic factors for dysphagia following cardiovascular surgery: Retrospective analysis and development of predictive score.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common complication associated with cardiovascular surgery (CVS). This study sought to better understand recovery timelines, identify risk factors, and create a prognostic model for oral intake restoration.

Methods: This retrospective study included 134 patients who had CVS between April 2022 and March 2024.

Outcomes of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty and Pulmonary Endarterectomy.

Background: The contemporary outcome of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and outcomes of CTEPH patients treated with BPA and PEA in Japan.

Methods: Among 1,270 participants enrolled between 2018 and 2023 in the CTEPH AC (Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Anticoagulant) registry, a Japanese nationwide CTEPH registry, 369 treatment-naive patients (BPA strategy: n = 313; PEA strategy: n = 56) and 690 on-treatment patients (BPA strategy: n = 561; PEA strategy: n = 129) were classified according to the presence of prior reperfusion therapy.

Respiratory system compliance during anesthesia induction and postoperative mechanical ventilation needs: An observational study.

Background And Aims: Respiratory system compliance (Crs) is a simple indicator of lung flexibility. However, it remains unclear whether a low Crs during anesthesia induction (iCrs) is associated with an increased risk of postoperative mechanical ventilation.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted using a local database.