Fluorescence microscopy of parathyroid and thyroid tissues for localization of autofluorescent substances using near-infrared wavelengths.

Objective: The parathyroid gland emits autofluorescence with a peak at 822 nm when excited using near-infrared light at 785 nm; this observation of autofluorescence using a near-infrared detection device is useful for identifying the parathyroid gland during surgery. We aimed to clarify the localization of autofluorescent substances in parathyroid and thyroid tissues by observing them under a fluorescence microscope through filters that selectively pass specific near-infrared wavelengths.

Methods: Four cases of parathyroid and three cases of thyroid were examined under a fluorescence microscope.

Efficacy of Chemotherapy After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Discontinuation in Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become widely used becuse of their effectiveness and relatively low rate of severe adverse events. However, active treatment should be continued after discontinuation of ICI as response rates are lower than that of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of treatment after ICI discontinuation.

p16 status and high-risk human papilloma virus infection in squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule.

Objective: The status of human papilloma virus (HPV) and p16 overexpression for nasal vestibule squamous cell carcinoma (NVSCC) is unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the presence of HPV and the role of p16 overexpression as a surrogate marker in cases of NVSCC.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients who were diagnosed and treated for NVSCC at the University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan.

Yersinia enterocolitica Enteritis Diagnosed with Erythema Nodosum.

We herein report a rare case of Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis with a fever and abdominal pain followed by erythema nodosum (EN) a few days later. The diagnosis was confirmed based on characteristic colonoscopy and computed tomography findings, pathology, and mucosal culture. Yersinia enteritis is a curable disease provided a proper diagnosis and treatment are performed.

Tumor-stroma ratio can predict lymph-node metastasis in cT1/2N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma independent of tumor budding grade.

Background: cT1/2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) often metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes. However, predicting neck lymph-node metastasis (NLM) remains challenging. Pathomorphological evaluation of tumor budding grade (TBG) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) reportedly can predict lymph-node metastases.

Usefulness of circulating tumor DNA by targeting human papilloma virus-derived sequences as a biomarker in p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

In head and neck cancer, early detection of recurrence after treatment is important. The contemporary development of therapeutic agents have improved the prognosis after recurrence; however, no biomarker has been established for evaluating therapeutic effects or detecting recurrence. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which comprises DNA derived from tumor cells and exists in the form of cell-free DNA in the blood, has attracted attention as a minimally invasive and repeatable biomarker for detecting cancer.

Persistent collection of antibiotic ointment masquerading as a lipoma arising at a surgical site.

Antibiotic ointments are often used to treat or prevent infections in surgical wounds. However, due to a dearth of reports on adverse effects, the complications of the use of such ointments, especially possible long-term effects, are largely unknown. We experienced a unique case of a cystic lesion that developed after surgical site infection treated with gentamicin ointment in a 62-year-old man who underwent subtotal glossectomy for tongue cancer.

The prognostic value of TP53 mutations in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers. Previous studies reported that TP53 mutations correlated with poor prognoses in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the relationship between TP53 mutations and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) is not known.

Prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion of the primary tumor in hypopharyngeal carcinoma after total laryngopharyngectomy.

Background: We aimed to determinate the prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion in the specimens resected during total laryngopharyngectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Patients who underwent total laryngopharyngectomy at our institution between 2004 and 2014 were included in this study and retrospectively analyzed. We then discriminated for vascular invasion and lymphatic invasion of the primary tumor in all cases.

Survival impact of local extension sites in surgically treated patients with temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a rare malignancy. Due to its low incidence rate, studies involving TSCC treatment are limited. The aim of this study is to define the prognostic factors of surgery for TSCC by evaluating our clinical experience.

Maxillary carcinosarcoma: Identification of a novel MET mutation in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components through next generation sequencing.

Background: Carcinosarcoma is a rare tumor with biphasic growth of the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Prognosis is generally poor and characterization of the molecular mechanisms may provide information for the development of novel antitumor agents and biomarkers.

Methods And Results: We present the case of 66-year-old man with a complaint of nasal obstruction.

Detection of lung tumors in mice using a 1-tesla compact magnetic resonance imaging system.

Due to their small size, lung tumors in rodents are typically investigated using high-field magnetic resonance (MR) systems (4.7 T or higher) to achieve higher signal-to-noise ratios, although low-field MR systems are less sensitive to susceptibility artifacts caused by air in the lung. We investigated the feasibility of detecting lung tumors in living, freely breathing mice with a 1-T compact permanent magnet MR system.

[Frequency and distributions of cervical lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objectives: To examine the frequency and distribution of cervical lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the necessities of prophylactic treatment of the neck.

Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study of 242 patients with SCC of the oropharynx treated by surgery as the initial therapy at the National Cancer Center East Hospital from 1994 to 2008, excluding 53 patients who had local recurrences and 9 patients who had previously undergone neck dissection for metastasis from an unknown primary. We defined "potential lymph node metastases" as cases pathologically positive for lymph node metastases and/or secondary lymph node metastases and analyzed the necessity of prophylactic neck dissection for cases clinically negative for cervical metastases.

Clinical significance of KRAS gene mutation and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in Japanese patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Purpose: The significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling has been recognized in various cancers and anti-EGFR therapies in Japan are currently under consideration in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) similar to colorectal cancer. However, there was no established survey regarding heterogeneous EGFR protein expression in Japanese SCCHN patients. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between EGFR expression or KRAS mutation (related to the alteration of EGFR pathway) and the clinicopathological characteristics of SCCHN.

Stroke rehabilitation and long leg brace.

Although a short leg brace (SLB) is mainly used for stroke rehabilitation, we should also remember the value of a long leg brace (LLB). The indications for LLB are discussed. For example, a LLB provides stability for the knee.

General view of orthoses.

Braces and/or orthoses are one of the useful tools for treating stroke patients. Orthoses work to substitute for mechanical and/or functional impairments. This article discusses what orthoses are, what the purposes of orthoses are, how the orthoses are made, how long it takes to make the braces, and who makes them.