Predictors of squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk patients in the VATTC trial.

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is one of the most common cancers in the United States, with no proven means for prevention other than systemic retinoids, which have significant toxicity, and sunscreen. We sought to determine the risk factors for invasive SCC on the face or ears in a high-risk population comprising 1,131 veterans in the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention (VATTC) Trial. Participants were required to have been diagnosed with at least two keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) in the 5 years prior to enrollment.

Predictors of basal cell carcinoma in high-risk patients in the VATTC (VA Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention) trial.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the United States today, and patients who have had one are likely to have multiple carcinomas over time. Predictors of new BCCs on the face and ears among those at very high risk have not been studied in detail. We sought to do so prospectively in the context of a 6-year trial.

Biomechanical influences of magnetic resonance imaging on the SOUNDTEC Direct System implant.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the forces experienced by the SOUNDTEC Direct System magnetic implant during 0.3-T MRI.

Study Design: Torsional and linear forces imposed on 8 implants were measured by using calibrated neurologic Von Frey hairs and were compared with finite-element analysis predictions and the forces required to separate the incudostapedial joints of unpreserved temporal bones.

An advanced computer-aided geometric modeling and fabrication method for human middle ear.

This paper presents a practical and systematic method for reconstructing accurate computer and physical models of the entire human middle ear. The proposed method starts with the histological section preparation of human temporal bone. Through tracing outlines of the middle ear components on the sections, a set of discrete points is obtained and employed to construct B-spline curves that represent the exterior contours of the components using a curve-fitting technique.

Three-dimensional modeling of middle ear biomechanics and its applications.

Hypothesis: This study investigated whether combined technologies of finite element (FE) analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction of human temporal bones could be used to construct a computational model, useful in describing normal and pathologic middle ear sound conduction.

Background: FE models for biologic systems have been used in ear biomechanics. Three-dimensional reconstructions have also been made, but not in combination with FE modeling and laser interferometry measuring of human temporal bones.