Ultrasonography-guided electromagnetic needle tracking in laryngeal electromyography.

Purpose: The clinical evaluation of vocal fold movement disorders should contain the electromyography of the laryngeal muscles (LEMG). The most challenging point in LEMG is the right positioning of the EMG needle in the small target muscles. As the results of the EMG have great influence in the decision of treatment it is important to confirm the results of this examination.

[A group intervention to promote work ability in patients with head and neck cancer].

Introduction: Despite high distress the majority of head and neck cancer patients does not use any psycho-oncological counselling or psychotherapeutic support. Additionally, patients with head and neck cancer have an increased risk of not returning to work compared to other cancer patients. Therefore, we have developed a group intervention program which aims at improving work ability in patients with head and neck cancer as well as their quality of life, self-efficacy and psychological well-being.

Impact of extent of parotidectomy on early and long-term complications: A prospective multicenter cohort trial.

Background: In this prospective nonrandomized multicenter trial, we analyze the incidence of early and late complications after parotidectomy in correlation to the extent of dissection.

Methods: A total of 148 patients underwent a parotidectomy for a benign lesion in the superficial lobe. The number of intraoperatively dissected main facial nerve branches was photo-documented and defined the extent of tissue dissection.

Reliability of grading of facial palsy using a video tutorial with synchronous video recording.

Objective: To determine the intrarater, interrater, and retest reliability of facial nerve grading of patients with facial palsy (FP) using standardized videos recorded synchronously during a self-explanatory patient video tutorial.

Study Design: Prospective, observational study.

Methods: The automated videos from 10 patients with varying degrees of FP (5 acute, 5 chronic FP) and videos without tutorial from eight patients (all chronic FP) were rated by five novices and five experts according to the House-Brackmann grading system (HB), the Sunnybrook Grading System (SB), and the Facial Nerve Grading System 2.

Multicenter prospective study on the use and outcome of rehabilitation after total laryngectomy in Germany.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the use and outcome of rehabilitation after total laryngectomy in Germany.

Methods: We enrolled patients who were scheduled for total laryngectomy, approached them again after surgery, after 3 months and 1 year. Patients completed questionnaires and were interviewed.

Fully convolutional networks in multimodal nonlinear microscopy images for automated detection of head and neck carcinoma: Pilot study.

Background: A fully convolutional neural networks (FCN)-based automated image analysis algorithm to discriminate between head and neck cancer and noncancerous epithelium based on nonlinear microscopic images was developed.

Methods: Head and neck cancer sections were used for standard histopathology and co-registered with multimodal images from the same sections using the combination of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, two-photon excited fluorescence, and second harmonic generation microscopy. The images analyzed with semantic segmentation using a FCN for four classes: cancer, normal epithelium, background, and other tissue types.

In Older Patients Treated for Dizziness and Vertigo in Multimodal Rehabilitation Somatic Deficits Prevail While Anxiety Plays a Minor Role Compared to Young and Middle Aged Patients.

Many patients with dizziness and vertigo are of older age. It is still unclear which age-associated factors play a role in the treatment of dizziness and vertigo. Therefore, age-associated characteristics of patients subjected to an interdisciplinary day care approach for chronic vertigo and dizziness were analyzed.

Identification of Proteomic Markers in Head and Neck Cancer Using MALDI-MS Imaging, LC-MS/MS, and Immunohistochemistry.

Purpose: The heterogeneity of squamous cell carcinoma tissue greatly complicates diagnosis and individualized therapy. Therefore, characterizing the heterogeneity of tissue spatially and identifying appropriate biomarkers is crucial. MALDI-MS imaging (MSI) is capable of analyzing spatially resolved tissue biopsies on a molecular level.

Facial motor and non-motor disabilities in patients with central facial paresis: a prospective cohort study.

Although central facial paresis (CFP) is a major symptom of stroke, there is a lack of studies on the motor and non-motor disabilities in stroke patients. A prospective cohort study was performed at admission for inpatient rehabilitation and discharge of post-stroke phase of 112 patients (44% female, median age: 64 years, median Barthel index: 70) with CFP. Motor function was evaluated using House-Brackmann grading, Sunnybrook grading and Stennert Index.

[Aerobic exercises during mouth breathing do not change the detection threshold of H2S].

Background: In a previous study, the detection threshold for H2S during aerobic exercise worsened with forced nasal breathing. The cause remained unclear. It is to be examined how the detection threshold changes with exclusive mouth breathing.

Management of the facial nerve in parotid cancer: preservation or resection and reconstruction.

Purpose: Management of the facial nerve is instrumental in the surgical treatment of parotid cancer.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect database. A total of 195 articles were finally included into the analysis, based on relevance, scientific evidence and actuality.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Application to the Severed Femoral Nerve Modulates Spinal Synaptic Responses to Axotomy and Enhances Motor Recovery in Rats.

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are known for their ability to influence synaptic inputs to neurons. Here, we tested if these drugs can modulate the deafferentation of motoneurons following nerve section/suture and, as a consequence, modify the outcome of peripheral nerve regeneration. We applied drug solutions to the proximal stump of the freshly cut femoral nerve of adult rats to achieve drug uptake and transport to the neuronal perikarya.

The impact of motor impairment on the processing of sensory information.

Sensorimotor adaptation is driven by mismatch errors between desired movements and actual movement outcomes. A mismatch error can be minimized by adjusting movements or by altering the interpretation of sensory information. While the effect of mismatch errors on the motor system has received much attention, the contribution of somatosensory feedback, particularly the sensory-motor interplay in the process of adaptation, remains poorly understood.

Weather, Weather Changes and the Risk of Bell's Palsy: A Multicenter Case-Crossover Study.

Background: To evaluate if weather or changes in weather are risk factors for Bell's palsy (BP) as exposure to draught of cold air has been popularly associated with the occurrence of BP.

Methods: Using a multicenter hospital-based case-crossover study, we analyzed the association between ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative air humidity or their 24 h changes and the risk for BP in 825 patients or subgroups.

Results: One day following a 24 h increase in atmospheric pressure of more than 6 hPa, the risk for BP increased by 35% (OR 1.

Cost-effectiveness of allergic rhinitis treatment: An exploratory study.

Allergic rhinitis is serious public health problems and one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of clinically relevant treatment options for allergic rhinitis using evidence-based literature. In addition, we aimed to develop recommendations for allergic rhinitis treatment based on health economic facts.

Vocal fold paresis: Medical specialists' opinions on standard diagnostics and laryngeal findings.

Purpose: There is still no clear consensus on the diagnostic value of specific laryngeal findings in patients with suspected vocal fold paresis (VFP). The aim of the study was to establish expert opinion on criteria for the diagnosis of VFP in Europe.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey using the questionnaire introduced by Wu and Sulica for US American experts was addressed to laryngeal experts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and in a second survey wave to members of the European Laryngological Society.

[Current trends in surgery for benign parotid lesions].

Parotidectomy is the standard procedure for treatment of benign parotid tumors. Nowadays, one of the main objectives of surgery is to minimize morbidity. However, the debate about the appropriate surgical technique in parotid surgery is still ongoing.

[Influence of a structured follow-up on CPAP adherence in patients with an OSAS].

Objective: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the reference therapy for moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, CPAP adherence is dissatisfying. We analyzed influencing factors on CPAP adherence and we evaluated if a structured follow-up enhances its adherence.

[Not Available].

There are numerous reasons for facial palsy, which range from idiopathic palsy (Bell's palsy) to destruction of the facial nerve by a malignant salivary gland tumor. If the chance of spontaneous recovery is low or there is no drug therapy available, surgery is a therapeutical option. Recently, larger studies were published by specialized centers which enable a more individualized therapeutical concept to achieve tone, symmetry and movement of the paralyzed face based on a detailed preoperative assessment.

Contemporary Management of Benign and Malignant Parotid Tumors.

To report the standard of care, interesting new findings and controversies about the treatment of parotid tumors. Relevant and actual studies were searched in PubMed and reviewed for diagnostics, treatment and outcome of both benign and malignant tumors. Prospective trials are lacking due to rarity of the disease and high variety of tumor subtypes.

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the salivary glands: reappraisal and update.

Although relatively rare, polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) is likely the second most common malignancy of the minor salivary glands (MiSG). The diagnosis is mainly based on an incisional biopsy. The optimal treatment comprises wide surgical excision, often with adjuvant radiotherapy.