Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Hearing Loss and Hearing Intervention in Older US Adults.

Objective: Estimate the prevalence of hearing loss and hearing assistance device use among older adults in the United States, and assess for associations with select social determinants of health (SDOH).

Study Design: Cross-sectional US population-based study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020 (pre-pandemic) data.

Setting: Non-institutionalized civilian adult US population.

Radiotherapy Versus Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Final Results of the ORATOR Randomized Trial.

Radiotherapy (RT) and transoral robotic surgery (TORS) are both curative-intent treatment options for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Herein, we report the final outcomes of the ORATOR trial comparing these modalities, 5 years after enrollment completion. We randomly assigned 68 patients with T1-2N0-2 OPSCC to RT (with chemotherapy if node-positive) versus TORS plus neck dissection (± adjuvant RT/chemoradiation).

The Complications of Osseous Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the postoperative complications of the fibular free flap (FFF), scapula free flap (SFF), and osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) following osseous reconstruction in the head and neck.

Data Sources: PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane.

Review Methods: A literature search and systematic review were performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines.

Management of positive resection margins following transoral laser microsurgery for glottic cancer.

Objectives: The current literature provides limited guidance on the management of positive margins (PMs) following transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Long-term data exploring the treatment of PMs with both initial observation and re-resection are limited. Our objective was to determine the optimal treatment for PM patients following TLM for glottic SCC.

Survival of Patients With Head and Neck Merkel Cell Cancer: Findings From the Pan-Canadian Merkel Cell Cancer Collaborative.

Importance: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Due to its relatively low incidence and limited prospective trials, current recommendations are guided by historical single-institution retrospective studies.

Objective: To evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients in Canada with head and neck MCC (HNMCC) according to American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging and treatment modalities.

Socioeconomic Status Among Cochlear Implant Candidates and Association With Surgical Pursuance.

Importance: Despite the sizeable global burden of hearing loss, cochlear implants have poor penetrance among eligible hearing-impaired individuals. Identifying populations who may benefit from a cochlear implant but among whom penetrance is poor is an important aim in reducing the health-related and economic effects of hearing loss on both individuals and society.

Objectives: To explore the association of socioeconomic status (SES) with cochlear implant candidacy and the decision to undergo cochlear implantation.

Comparison of socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 testing and positivity in Canada: A multi-provincial analysis.

Background: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been more pronounced for socially disadvantaged populations. We sought to determine how access to SARS-CoV-2 testing and the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 were associated with demographic factors, socioeconomic status (SES) and social determinants of health (SDH) in three Canadian provinces.

Methods: An observational population-based cross-sectional study was conducted for the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick between March 1, 2020 and April 27, 2021, using provincial health administrative data.

The impact of national holidays on postoperative radiotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Delays in starting postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) have been established as negative predictors for clinical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Our study aimed to examine the effect of delays during PORT, and the impact of national holidays in Canada, a publicly funded system, on oncologic outcomes such as Overall Survival (OS) and Local Recurrence (LR).

Methods: The provincial cancer registry was queried to obtain demographic, pathologic, and outcomes data from cancer patients treated for all squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region treated between January 1, 2007 and November 30, 2019.

Frequency and accuracy of intraoperative bone margin sampling for T4a cancers of the head and neck at the QEII Health Sciences Centre: a retrospective chart review.

Background: Stage T4a cancers are associated with a 5-year survival of 21.6-59.0%.

Salivary testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the pediatric population: a diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Accurate and timely testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the pediatric population is crucial to control the COVID-19 pandemic; saliva testing has been proposed as a less invasive alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs. We sought to compare the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using saliva versus nasopharyngeal swab in the pediatric population, and to determine the optimum time of testing for SARS-CoV-2 using saliva.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal diagnostic study in Ottawa, Canada, from Jan.

Margin Sampling and Survival Outcomes in Oral Cavity and p16-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: To compare the association of margin sampling technique on survival outcomes in surgically treated cT1-2 oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care academic teaching hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Evaluating the Rising Incidence of Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodule Detection Modes: A Multinational, Multi-institutional Analysis.

Importance: There is epidemiologic evidence that the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is associated with subclinical disease detection. Evidence for a true increase in thyroid cancer incidence has also been identified. However, a true increase in disease would likely be heralded by an increased incidence of thyroid-referable symptoms in patients presenting with disease.

Injection laryngoplasty during transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transoral laser microsurgery is widely used for treating T1/T2 glottic cancers. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used in vocal cord augmentation. We investigated the impact of intra-operative injection laryngoplasty on voice outcomes in early glottic cancer.

Oncological and functional outcomes following treatment of T1a glottic squamous cell carcinoma with transoral laser microsurgery.

Background: Laryngeal cancers of glottic origin comprise a large proportion of head and neck malignancies. Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiation therapy are mainstays in the treatment of early stage glottic cancer, but debate persists as to which modality is functionally superior. Furthermore, there is a paucity of North American data related to functional and oncological outcomes in T1a glottic cancer.

Randomized Trial of Radiotherapy Versus Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Results of the ORATOR Trial.

Purpose: The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has risen rapidly, because of an epidemic of human papillomavirus infection. The optimal management of early-stage OPSCC with surgery or radiation continues to be a clinical controversy. Long-term randomized data comparing these paradigms are lacking.

Salivary HPV Persistence Following Treatment of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection following treatment of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV + OPSCC).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken at The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, ON, Canada), a tertiary academic hospital and regional cancer center. Adult patients who were diagnosed with HPV + OPSCC between the years of 2014 and 2016 and treated with curative intent, and who were alive and willing to consent were eligible for inclusion.

Functional and Oncologic Outcomes of Octogenarians Undergoing Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Laryngeal Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for glottic cancers in patients ≥80 years.

Study Design: Prospectively collected case series.

Setting: QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Canada.

Management of Peritonsillar Abscesses in Adults: Survey of Otolaryngologists in Canada and the United States.

Objective: The management of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) has evolved over time. We sought to define contemporary practice patterns for the diagnosis and treatment of PTA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Treatment Choices in Managing Bethesda III and IV Thyroid Nodules: A Canadian Multi-institutional Study.

Objective: Patient-centered decision making is increasingly identified as a desirable component of medical care. To manage indeterminate thyroid nodules, patients are offered the options of surveillance, diagnostic hemithyroidectomy, or molecular testing. Our objective was to identify factors associated with decision making in this population.

A Protocol for a Pan-Canadian Prospective Observational Study on Active Surveillance or Surgery for Very Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: The traditional management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is thyroidectomy (total or partial removal of the thyroid). Active surveillance (AS) may be considered as an alternative option for small, low risk PTC. AS involves close follow-up (including regularly scheduled clinical and radiological assessments), with the intention of intervening with surgery for disease progression or patient preference.

Proceedings of the Canadian Thyroid Cancer Active Surveillance Study Group 2019 national investigator meeting.

Active surveillance (AS) in the management of small, low risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) as an alternative option to thyroidectomy, is an area of active research. A national Canadian study is proposed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with small, low risk PTC who choose AS or surgery. This letter describes the proceedings of a national investigator meeting to plan the study.

Psychosocial Distress in Adult Patients Awaiting Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Cancer causes substantial emotional and psychosocial distress, which may be exacerbated by delays in treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased wait times for many patients with cancer. In this study, the psychosocial distress associated with waiting for cancer surgery during the pandemic was investigated.

Salivary testing of COVID-19: evaluation of serological testing following positive salivary results.

Background: Salivary detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been proposed as an alternative to nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab testing. Our group previously published a study demonstrating that both testing methods identified SARS-CoV-2 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection methodology. We therefore conducted a follow-up study using antibody testing to evaluate the accuracy of saliva versus swabs for COVID-19 detection and the durability of antibody response.

Carbon footprint reduction associated with a surgical outreach clinic.

Background: Healthcare systems generate substantial carbon footprints that may be targeted to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Outreach clinics may represent tools to assist in this reduction by optimizing patient related travel. Therefore, we sought to estimate the carbon footprint savings associated with a head and neck surgery outreach clinic.