Patient Selection for Surgery vs Radiotherapy for Early Stage Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Surgery and radiation therapy are both commonly used in the treatment of early stage (AJCC stages T1-T2 N0-M0) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have been reported to result in similar survival and disease control outcomes. However, their side effect profiles widely differ.

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer prevalence in a middle eastern population using E6/E7 PCR.

Background: Given the paucity of data and widely variable rates that have been reported, the main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of HPV-positivity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in Middle Eastern patients presenting to one of the region's largest tertiary care centers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the HPV E6/E7 oncogenes, a highly sensitive and specific method of detection.

Methods: Medical charts and archived pathological specimens were obtained for patients diagnosed with biopsy proven oropharyngeal cancer who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 1972 and 2017. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded specimens and tested for 30 high-risk and low-risk papilloma viruses using the PCR-based EUROarray HPV kit (EuroImmun).

A Patient With a Protuberant Fibro-Osseous Lesion of the Temporal Bone.

Protuberant fibro-osseous lesion of the temporal bone, otherwise known as "Bullough's lesion", is a rare, benign exophytic fibro-osseous tumor. In this brief report, we present a case of a 61-year-old woman with a history of a right-sided skull mass that had been increasing in size for approximately 6 years before presentation. Clinical, radiological and histological features are examined and discussed.

Nasal Basal Cell Carcinoma with Matrical Differentiation: Risk of Metastasis and Impact on Management.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. Microscopically, BCC can be classified into indolent-growth and aggressive-growth subtypes. Additionally, uncommon variants have been described in the literature including adamantinoid, granular, clear cell, and BCC with matrical differentiation (BCCMD).

Old World Leishmaniasis: an ancient disease with nonstandardized microscopic and clinical classifications.

Background: Microscopic and clinical classifications of cutaneous leishmania have been set in the 1980s. Since then, they have been used invariably. Lebanon, a nonendemic country, is suffering from a leishmaniasis epidemic because of the massive population influx from endemic Syria.

Mandibular melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: a role for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) is a rare, locally aggressive neoplasm with a predilection for the head and neck area, most commonly occurring in the maxilla. The vast majority of treatment modalities for all cases of MNTI to date have involved surgical intervention only, with just 9.6 % involving some sort of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of the prior mentioned modalities.

Head and neck cutaneous leishmania: clinical characteristics, microscopic features and molecular analysis in a cohort of 168 cases.

Lebanon, an underendemic area for cutaneous leishmania (CL), is suffering from a CL outbreak brought by the massive population influx from endemic Syria. CL affects mainly exposed areas; therefore, the head and neck (HN) region is highly susceptible. Individuals diagnosed and speciated with CL (n = 168) using molecular and microscopic analysis on punch biopsy/scrapings were studied.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: An Overlooked Etiology of Midfacial Destructive Lesions.

Background: Midline destructive lesions of the face (MDL) have a wide range of etiologies. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is rarely reported as a possible cause.

Methods: Fifteen patients with solitary nasal lesions caused by CL were studied.

Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors of the head and neck: comprehensive imaging-based review with pathologic correlation.

Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors of the head and neck are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, or both. These tumors may be further subclassified on the basis of their behavior as benign, intermediate with malignant potential, or malignant. There are different types of fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors that can involve the head and neck including desmoid-type fibromatosis, solitary fibrous tumor, myofibroma/myofibromatosis, nodular fasciitis, nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, fibromatosis coli, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, ossifying fibroma, fibrous histiocytoma, nodular fasciitis, fibromyxoma, hyaline fibromatosis and fibrous hamartoma.

Transglottic basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Objective: To report a rare case of Transglottic Basaloid Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and review the pathologic features of these lesions.

Case Report: A 64 year old male, heavy smoker and alcohol abuser, presented with a 6 month history of hoarseness. Laryngoscopy revealed a right transglottic lesion involving the epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold, ventricle and true vocal fold.

Angiofibroma of the nasal septum.

Angiofibromas originate predominantly in the nasopharynx. Extranasopharyngeal sites such as the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity are less frequent. Angiofibroma of the nasal septum is extremely rare and the site of origin is either anterior, at the bony cartilaginous junction or posterior.

A novel tool for the objective measurement of neck fibrosis: validation in clinical practice.

Background: Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat neoplasms of the head and neck, and fibrosis is a known side effect. The Cutometer is a device that quantifies properties of the skin. The goal of the study was to validate the Cutometer in normal neck tissues and then quantify fibrosis in radiated necks.

The N3 neck: outcomes following primary chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: To study the treatment outcomes of N3 neck disease following primary chemoradiotherapy.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Tertiary care centre.

Voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) outcomes in laryngectomees.

Background: Laryngeal cancer has a significant impact on patients. This study compared the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) outcomes specific to 3 different postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation methods.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 75 patients with laryngectomy from our V-RQOL questionnaire database.

The scapular free flap: when versatility is needed in head and neck reconstruction.

Objective: To review the experience with scapular free tissue transfer at the University of Western Ontario and to describe the various applications of both the fasciocutaneous and osteocutaneous versions.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care centre.

Neck and shoulder disability following reconstruction with the pectoralis major pedicled flap.

Objectives/hypothesis: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of shoulder and neck function following the pectoralis major pedicled flap (PMPF) for head and neck reconstruction.

Design: Case-control study.

Methods: The study group consisted of laryngectomized patients who underwent PMPF and a control group of those who underwent standard laryngectomy.

Tracheal schwannoma: a misleading entity.

Primary tracheal tumors are rare with the majority being malignant. Benign lesions are less frequent with primary tracheal schwannomas accounting for less than 0.5% of tracheal tumors.

Computer-assisted teaching of epistaxis management: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To determine whether computer-assisted learning (CAL) is an effective tool for the instruction of technical skills.

Study Design: Prospective blinded randomized-control trial conducted on a cohort of 47 first-year medical students.

Methods: Students were instructed on two techniques of nasal packing (formal nasal pack and nasal tampon) for the management of epistaxis, using either a standard text-based article or a novel computer-based learning module.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx: a 40-year experience.

Background: Laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease. We reviewed our experience at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) with its treatment.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 15 cases treated at PMH between 1963 and 2005.

The glottis and subglottis: an otolaryngologist's perspective.

The complexity of the glottic and subglottic region in terms of anatomy and function make this region challenging in evaluation and treatment. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy is necessary for the management of patients who have dysphonia, vocal fold paralysis, glottic or subglottic stenosis, or complications, which may present after prolonged intubation or surgical interventions in the upper airway and the thorax.

Paradoxical vocal cord motion: an alarming stridor for a benign condition--case reports.

Paradoxical vocal cord motion presents a challenge to medical practitioners in various specialties. Physicians in general and anesthesiologists should suspect this condition in a patient presenting with stridor or a history of choking or asthma not responding to medical treatment. Women are usually more affected than men and more often there is history of anxiety and/or a precipitating factor such as cough or hyperventilation.

Laryngeal biomechanics in Middle Eastern singing.

Unlabelled: We would like to describe the muscle tension patterns observed in Middle Eastern singing and correlate these findings with demographic data.

Material: A total of 42 candidates were included in this study. The medical charts and video records of their fiberoptic nasopharyngeal laryngoscopy were reviewed.