The Neck-Persistency-Net: a three-dimensional, convolution, deep neural network aids in distinguishing vital from non-vital persistent cervical lymph nodes in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after primary concurrent radiochemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance (DP) of the high-resolution contrast computed tomography (HR-contrast-CT) based Neck-Persistency-Net in distinguishing vital from non-vital persistent cervical lymph nodes (pcLNs) in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) following primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and high-resolution contrast-enhanced computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET-CT). Furthermore, the Neck-Persistency-Net's potential to justify omitting post-CRT neck dissection (ND) without risking treatment delays or preventing unnecessary surgery was explored.

Methods: All HNSCC patients undergoing primary CRT followed by post-CRT-ND for pcLNs recorded in the institutional HNSCC registry were analyzed.

CT comparison of the nasal airway anterior and posterior to the piriform aperture in patients with and without nasal obstruction.

Background: Nasal airway stenosis may lie anterior and/or posterior to the piriform aperture. We intended to compare the nasal airway anterior and posterior to the piriform aperture in patients with and without nasal obstruction.

Methods: Segmented computed tomography cross-sectional areas of the nasal airway anterior (CT-CSA) and posterior to the piriform aperture (at the level of the head of the inferior turbinate; CT-CSA) were compared between patients with nasal obstruction (cases) and trauma controls.

Cytotoxic response of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of head and neck cancer slice cultures under mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are highly heterogeneous tumors. In the harsh tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial dysfunction may lead to immunosuppressive phenotypes. Aerobic glycolysis is needed for the activation of cytotoxic T-cells and the absence of glucose may hamper the full effector functions of cytotoxic T-cells.

Rhinoresistometry as a Cost-Efficient and Time-Saving Alternative to Acoustic Rhinometry for Longitudinal Assessment of Nasal Patency in Orthognathic Surgery.

Rhinoresistometry (RRM) is implemented along with active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) and can evaluate nasal dimensions [hydraulic diameter (HD)]. As acoustic rhinometry (AR) is time-consuming, the authors investigated if RRM can be an efficient alternative to AR in nasal dimension assessment in orthognathic surgery. In patients undergoing maxillary advancement and impaction (cases) and removal of maxillary cysts (controls), the authors evaluated RRM and AR, before and 1 year after surgery.

Radiomic Assessment of Radiation-Induced Alterations of Skeletal Muscle Composition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma within the Currently Clinically Defined Optimal Time Window for Salvage Surgery-A Pilot Study.

Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently require primary radiochemotherapy (RCT). Despite intensity modulation, the desired radiation-induced effects observed in HNSCC may also be observed as side effects in healthy tissue, e.g.

The influence of intraoperative auditory brainstem responses on vibroplasty coupling-quality and analysis of the impact of different fixation steps on the coupling.

Purpose: The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is an established active-middle-ear-implant for patients with moderate-to-profound hearing-loss. This surgery is referred to as "Vibroplasty". Sufficient transfer of the VSB's floating-mass-transducers (FMT) energy to the inner ear is a crucial factor influencing the coupling-quality (CQ).

Delayed Reconstruction after Major Head and Neck Cancer Resection: An Interdisciplinary Feasibility Study.

A single immediate reconstruction with free tissue transfer is the method of choice after major head and neck cancer (HNC) resection, but this is frequently associated with long operating hours. Considering regulatory working hour constraints, we investigated whether a two-staged reconstructive approach with temporary defect coverage by an artificial tissue substitute would be feasible. HNC patients underwent either immediate or delayed reconstruction after tumor resection.

Viral infection in chronic otitis media with effusion in children.

Background: The role of respiratory viruses in chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) in children is not clearly defined. In our study we aimed to investigate the detection of respiratory viruses in middle ear effusions (MEE) as well as the association with local bacteria, respiratory viruses in the nasopharynx and cellular immune response of children with COME.

Methods: This 2017-2019 cross-sectional study included 69 children aged 2-6 undergoing myringotomy for COME.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-Up of Sinonasal Leiomyomas: A Systematic Review.

Background: Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that are rarely diagnosed in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the histopathologic and clinical tumor characteristics, surgical management, and follow-up of sinonasal leiomyomas.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on sinonasal leiomyoma was performed by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Optimizing culturing conditions in patient derived 3D primary slice cultures of head and neck cancer.

Background: Three-dimensional primary slice cultures (SC) of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNC) are realistic preclinical models. Until now, preserving structure and viability for several days has been difficult. The aim of this study was to optimize cultivation conditions for HNC SC and analyze the added effects of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) on these conditions.

Evaluation of sleeping parameters with peripheral arterial tonometry in childhood sleep apnea and snoring: a clinical feasibility study.

Purpose: The influence of adenoidectomy ± tonsillotomy/tonsillectomy on objective sleep parameters in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was determined with the help of ambulatory polygraphy (WatchPat300, Neucomed Ltd., Vienna, Austria). These results were compared with the findings of the OSA-18 questionnaire.

Perioperative Blood Transfusion in Head and Neck Cancer Revisited.

Objective: To reevaluate the frequency of perioperative blood transfusion, transfusion triggers, and survival impact in patients with incident, surgically treated head and neck cancer (HNC) in restrictive transfusion regimens.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of surgically treated patients with incident HNC with and without perioperative blood transfusion between 2008 and 2019 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, according to the department's clinical Head and Neck Tumor Registry.

Results: Of the 590 patients included, perioperative transfusions were administered in 6.

Patient-derived head and neck tumor slice cultures: a versatile tool to study oncolytic virus action.

Head and neck cancer etiology and architecture is quite diverse and complex, impeding the prediction whether a patient could respond to a particular cancer immunotherapy or combination treatment. A concomitantly arising caveat is obviously the translation from pre-clinical, cell based in vitro systems as well as syngeneic murine tumor models towards the heterogeneous architecture of the human tumor ecosystems. To bridge this gap, we have established and employed a patient-derived HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) slice culturing system to assess immunomodulatory effects as well as permissivity and oncolytic virus (OV) action.

[Oncolytic virotherapy in head and neck cancer].

Objective: Oncolytic viruses (OV) infect and kill cancer cells and elicit an antitumoral immune response. With their potential to break through tumor immunoresistance, OV might be a future combination treatment option in patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC). Modes of action, biological modifications, handling and side effects of OV for treatment of HNC are reviewed.

ALADA Dose Optimization in the Computed Tomography of the Temporal Bone: The Diagnostic Potential of Different Low-Dose CT Protocols.

Objective: Repeated computed tomography (CT) is essential for diagnosis, surgical planning and follow-up in patients with middle and inner ear pathology. Dose reduction to "as low as diagnostically acceptable" (ALADA) is preferable but challenging. We aimed to compare the diagnostic quality of images of subtle temporal bone structures produced with low doses (LD) and reference protocols (RP).

Modified vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) therapy for treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistula: Case series and a review of the literature.

Background: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a potential life-threatening complication following head and neck surgery. There is only limited evidence about the efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy and endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) therapy for the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistulas.

Methods: In this article, we report on a consecutive case series of six male patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula treated with a modified outside-in EndoVAC technique.

The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transcription Factor Slug Predicts Survival Benefit of Up-Front Surgery in Head and Neck Cancer.

EMT promotes radio- and chemotherapy resistance in HNSCC in vitro. As EMT has been correlated to the transcription factor Slug in tumor specimens from HNSCC patients, we assessed whether Slug overexpression predicts radio- and chemotherapy resistance and favors upfront surgery in HNSCC patients. Slug expression was determined by IHC scoring in tumor specimens from patients with incident HNSCC.

The Role of HPV and Non-HPV Sexually Transmitted Infections in Patients with Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Control Study.

: Certain high-risk (hr) types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men. Hr-HPV can also cause cancers of the oropharynx and anus in both sexes. In the anal and cervical region, a contribution of co-infections with Ureaplasma spp.