Rigid Esophagoscopy for Head and Neck Cancer Staging and the Incidence of Synchronous Esophageal Malignant Neoplasms.

Importance: Rigid esophagoscopy (RE) was once an essential part of the evaluation of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) due to the high likelihood of identifying a synchronous malignant neoplasm in the esophagus. Given recent advances in imaging and endoscopic techniques and changes in the incidence of esophageal cancer, the current role for RE in HNSCC staging is unclear.

Objective: To analyze the current role of RE in evaluating patients with HNSCC, and to determine the incidence of synchronous esophageal malignant neoplasms in patients with HNSCC.

Utility of abdominal imaging to assess for liver metastasis in patients with head and neck cancer and abnormal liver function tests.

Purpose: To determine the utility of abdominal imaging to further evaluate abnormal pre-operative liver function tests (LFTs) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: Records of patients evaluated by the head and neck surgery service from January 2004 through December 2009 were reviewed. For patients with abnormal alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, or aspartate transaminase, subsequent abdominal imaging was assessed.

p16, Cyclin D1, and HIF-1α Predict Outcomes of Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Definitive Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy.

We evaluated a panel of 8 immunohistochemical biomarkers as predictors of clinical response to definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). 106 patients with OPSCC were treated to a total dose of 66-70 Gy and retrospectively analyzed for locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). All tumors had p16 immunohistochemical staining, and 101 tumors also had epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) staining.

p16 not a prognostic marker for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of p16 in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) and to evaluate the relationship between p16 and human papillomavirus (HPV). Unlike in oropharyngeal SCC (OPSCC), the prognostic significance of p16 in HPSCC and its association with HPV is unclear.

Design: Retrospective medical chart review.

Immediate postoperative extubation in patients undergoing free tissue transfer.

Objectives/hypothesis: Extubation (cessation of ventilatory support) is often delayed in free flap patients to protect the microvascular anastomosis, presumably by reducing emergence-related agitation. We sought to determine if immediate extubation in the operating room (OR) would improve the postoperative course compared to delayed extubation in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Primary nasopharyngeal interdigitating dendritic cell tumor presentation and response to radiation therapy.

We report the case of a primary nasopharyngeal interdigitating dendritic cell tumor (IDDCT). A 25-year old male presented with bilateral decreased hearing, double vision, and ataxia. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy reviewed a large mass obstructing and filling the entire nasopharynx.

Clinical nodal staging of T1-2 tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma stratified by p16 status and implications for ipsilateral neck irradiation.

Background And Purpose: Previous studies have reported <5% incidence of contralateral nodal metastasis in patients with T1-2 tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. We analyzed the nodal staging of T1-2 tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma stratified for p16 status, a marker of human papillomavirus positivity.

Materials And Methods: Clinical and radiographic nodal staging and p16 status of 41 T1-2 tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma patients who were treated between January 2002 and June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy outcomes for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients stratified by p16 status.

Background: Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were stratified by p16 status, neck dissection, and chemotherapy to correlate these factors with outcomes.

Methods: A total of 112 patients with OPSCC treated with IMRT from 2002 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received RT to 66-70 Gray.

Predicting residual neck disease in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiation therapy: utility of p16 status.

Objective: To identify factors that predict complete response of cervical nodal disease to radiation therapy (RT) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OP-SCCA).

Design: Histologic analysis of prospectively collected specimens and retrospective medical chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Esthesioneuroblastoma: continued follow-up of a single institution's experience.

Objectives: To analyze outcomes and to provide follow-up for our increasing patient cohort with esthesioneuroblastoma.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Patients were examined from September 1, 1976, to May 30, 2004, in a tertiary care academic hospital.

Correlation of pH probe-measured laryngopharyngeal reflux with symptoms and signs of reflux laryngitis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Laryngitis secondary to gastric acid reflux is a prevalent, yet incompletely understood, otolaryngological disorder. Further characterization of the relationship between symptoms and signs and reflux severity is needed.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: the search for a better outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a standardized treatment approach for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC).

Study Design: Single-center, retrospective case series.

Methods: Fifteen patients with newly diagnosed SNUC were seen in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia from 1991 to 2000.

Pitfalls in the endoscopic drainage of subperiosteal orbital abscesses secondary to sinusitis.

Objective: To review the safety and efficacy of endoscopic drainage of subperiosteal orbital abscesses (SPOAs) secondary to sinusitis and to evaluate risk factors that may be associated with failure.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: All patients admitted to the University of the Virginia Health System with a diagnosis of SPOA between 1992 and 1999 were reviewed.