Steroids in otolaryngology.

Steroids are increasingly being used to treat a wide spectrum of otolaryngological disorders. It is important for ear-nose-throat surgeons to understand the short- and long-term complications associated with steroid use. The aim of this study was to review the role of steroids in common ear-nose-throat disorders.

p14ARF protein expression is a predictor of both relapse and survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior tongue.

Purpose: The INK4A-ARF locus at chromosome 9p21 is frequently altered in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and encodes two distinct tumor suppressors, p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF). This study addressed the role of p14(ARF) as a potential prognostic marker in this disease.

Experimental Design: p14(ARF) protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 140 patients with SCC of the anterior tongue.

Total pharyngolaryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: a review.

Objectives: To evaluate our experience with total pharyngolaryngectomy in the treatment of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of consecutively treated patients in an academic otolaryngology, head and neck department.

Methods: One hundred eighty patients who had total pharyngolaryngectomy performed for hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this study.

Parotidectomy: review of treatment and outcomes.

Background: Parotidectomy is a common surgical procedure performed for a wide array of benign and malignant tumours. The aim of the present study was to review a single-institution experience with parotidectomy over a 10 year period.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 170 patients who had parotidectomy performed.

Total glossectomy: is it justified?

Background: The treatment of advanced malignancies of the tongue with total glossectomy is controversial.

Methods: The present study retrospectively reviews 20 patients that had total glossectomy with or without laryngectomy performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia) over the past 10 years. The clinicopathologic parameters, perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed.

Overexpression of E2F-1 is associated with increased disease-free survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior tongue.

Purpose: Overexpression of E2F-1 is associated with increased invasiveness in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro, but its significance in vivo is unknown. This study sought to determine the relationship between E2F-1 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) expression and disease outcome in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anterior tongue.

Experimental Design: pRb and E2F-1 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 145 patients with SCC of the anterior tongue.

EDD, the human orthologue of the hyperplastic discs tumour suppressor gene, is amplified and overexpressed in cancer.

EDD (E3 isolated by differential display), located at chromosome 8q22.3, is the human orthologue of the Drosophila melanogaster tumour suppressor gene 'hyperplastic discs' and encodes a HECT domain E3 ubiquitin protein-ligase. To investigate the possible involvement of EDD in human cancer, several cancers from diverse tissue sites were analysed for allelic gain or loss (allelic imbalance, AI) at the EDD locus using an EDD-specific microsatellite, CEDD, and other polymorphic microsatellites mapped in the vicinity of the 8q22.

Retropharyngeal abscess in children.

Background: Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an uncommon, potentially fatal condition found more frequently in children than adults. Prompt diagnosis and surgical management of this condition is imperative to prevent complications including airway obstruction and mediastinitis. Few studies have been dedicated to paediatric retropharyngeal abscess.