Embellishing Emotrics for a More Complete Emotion Analysis: Addition of the Nasolabial Fold.

The nasolabial fold (NLF) greatly contributes to facial aesthetics; changes to NLF depth and vector are disfiguring in patients with facial paralysis (FP). NLF parameters are integral to clinician-graded outcomes, but automated programs currently lack NLF identification capabilities. To incorporate an automated NLF identification and quantification function into the facial landmark program, Emotrics, and to compare new Emotrics-derived NLF data to clinician-graded electronic facial paralysis assessment (eFACE) data for accuracy.

The Role of the Cross Face Nerve Graft in Facial Reanimation and Endoscopic Harvest of the Sural Nerve.

Cross-face nerve grafting (CFNG) allows for spontaneous, involuntary facial movement for patients with irreversible hemifacial paralysis. This technique uses an intact contralateral facial nucleus and nerve as an input and axon source, allowing donor neural input to be routed through a nerve graft across the face. The sural nerve is well equipped for use as a nerve graft due to its length and minimal donor site morbidity.

Lower Eyelid Sling for Primary and Revision Correction of Paralytic Lagophthalmos.

Lateral tarsal techniques alone for lower eyelid correction in paralytic lagophthalmos may yield suboptimal outcomes. To describe a lower eyelid sling technique for primary and revision correction of lower eyelid ptosis and ectropion and evaluate outcomes as measured by margin reflex distance 2 (MRD2). A retrospective review of patients with long-standing unilateral paralytic lagophthalmos who underwent primary or revision lower eyelid ptosis correction by sling suspension between January 2016 and August 2020 at a tertiary medical center was performed.

Haller's Ansa: An Unrecognized Route of Facial Movement After Skull Base Surgery.

A direct communication between the glossopharyngeal and facial nerves known as Haller's ansa exists in a minority of patients. Clinical manifestations of this anastomosis are not commonly observed. We describe post-operative facial movement with swallowing after facial nerve sacrifice in two patients who underwent surgery for skull base tumors.

Effect of age, electrode array, and time on cochlear implant impedances.

To determine the impact of age, electrode array, and time on impedance patterns in cochlear implant (CI) patients. A retrospective case review was performed on 98 patients implanted with the CI24RE perimodiolar (PM) and CI422 lateral wall (LW) arrays between 2010 and 2014 to assess impedances at the 1 week and 3-6 month visit after initial stimulation (IS). With respect to age, impedances were higher in young patients compared to older patients in the middle and apical turns.

Modulation of BDNF-TRKB Interactions on Schwann Cell-induced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Dispersion .

Background/aim: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a significant pathological feature in head and neck cancer. The molecular mechanisms of PNI are poorly understood. Contrary to the previous belief that cancer cells invade nerves, recent studies have shown that Schwann cells (SC) can dedifferentiate, intercalate between cancer cells, and promote cancer dispersion.

Inhibition of tropomyosine receptor kinase B on the migration of human Schwann cell and dispersion of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vitro.

Background: Schwann cells (SC) may play an important role in perineural invasion (PNI) by promoting cancer cell dispersion. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may contribute to these cellular events by activating tropomyosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). This study examines the effect of TrkB inhibition on SC migration and oral cancer cell dispersion in vitro.

Update on anterior skull base reconstruction.

Purpose Of Review: Anterior skull base reconstruction has rapidly evolved over the past few years as endoscopic approaches to resect tumors in this region have become more established. The present review evaluates the robust amount of new literature on this topic over the past year with particular attention to minimally invasive methods for reconstruction.

Recent Findings: Although vascularized local flaps remain the mainstay reconstructive choice when available for the anterior skull base, innovative techniques for all types of reconstruction, ranging from free grafts to free flaps continue to emerge.

Controversies in free tissue transfer for head and neck cancer: A review of the literature.

Background: Microvascular free tissue transfer provides superior functional outcomes when reconstructing head and neck cancer defects. Careful patient selection and surgical planning is necessary to ensure success, as many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient and technical factors may affect outcome.

Aims: To provide a concise, yet thorough, review of the current literature regarding free flap patient selection and management for the patient with head and neck.

Fluorescent Detection of Merlin-deficient Schwann Cells and Primary Human Vestibular Schwannoma Cells Using Sodium Fluorescein.

Hypothesis: Merlin-deficient Schwann cells (MD-SC) and primary human vestibular schwannoma (VS) cells exhibit selective uptake of sodium-fluorescein (SF), allowing for fluorescent detection and improved visualization of tumor cells, when compared with Schwann cells (SC).

Background: SF is a fluorescent compound used for fluorescence-guided resection of gliomas. The utility of SF for VS surgery has not been assessed.