Criteria for the diagnosis of extranodal extension detected on radiological imaging in head and neck cancer: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations.

Extranodal extension of tumour on histopathology is known to be a negative prognostic factor in head and neck cancer. Compelling evidence suggests that extranodal extension detected on radiological imaging is also a negative prognostic factor. Furthermore, if imaging detected extranodal extension could be identified reliably before the start of treatment, it could be used to guide treatment selection, as patients might be better managed with non-surgical approaches to avoid the toxicity and cost of trimodality therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy together).

Designing a co-productive study to overcome known methodological challenges in organ donation research with bereaved family members.

Background: Co-production of research into public health services has yet to demonstrate tangible benefits. Few studies have reported the impact of co-production on research outcomes. The previous studies of organ donation have identified challenges in engaging with public organizations responsible, gaining ethical approval for sensitive studies with the recently bereaved and difficulty in recruiting bereaved family members who were approached about organ donation.

Conjugated linoleic acid impairs endothelial function.

Objective: To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, endothelial function, and markers of cardiovascular risk.

Methods And Results: Forty healthy volunteers with BMI >27 kg/m2 were randomized to receive a CLA isomeric mixture or olive oil in a 12-week double-blind study. Subcutaneous body fat and abdominal/hepatic fat content were assessed using skin-fold thicknesses and computed tomography scanning, respectively.

Sclerotome distribution of melorheostosis and multicentric fibromatosis.

A case of melorheostosis affecting the C7 sclerotome is described, in association with synchronous multicentric fibromatosis. The foci of fibromatosis also affected the C7 sclerotome, suggesting a similar underlying pathogenesis for both diseases.

The effect of adenoid and tonsil surgery on nasalance.

The change in nasalance following adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy was studied in 44 children. A subjective assessment of each child's naso-pharyngeal airway was made preoperatively based on a questionnaire completed by the parents. There was no significant change in the nasalance of children following adenoidectomy, but there was a significant increase in the nasalance following tonsillectomy (P = 0.

Aspirating middle ear effusions when inserting ventilation tubes: does it influence post-operative otorrhoea, tube obstruction or the development of tympanosclerosis?

This prospective study examined the influence of aspirating middle ear effusions, immediately prior to ventilation tube insertion, upon the subsequent development of otorrhoea and tympanosclerosis. 50 children were studied and aspiration of effusions did not influence the incidence of purulent otorrhoea or ventilation tube obstruction within 1 month of surgery. The development of tympanosclerosis did not correlate with effusion aspiration, but in those ears which had an effusion aspirated there was a relation between operative bleeding and the development of tympanosclerosis.