Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Significantly Reduces Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a frequently observed clinical manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the function of the Eustachian tube following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in adult CRS patients with confirmed preoperative ETD symptoms. (2) Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases was conducted.

Long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for intrathoracic goiter up to 5 years: evaluated by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.

Objectives: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for intrathoracic goiter (ITG) over a follow-up period exceeding six months.

Methods: From 2017 to 2022, 22 patients (6 males, 16 females) with 24 ITGs treated with RFA at a single medical center were evaluated. All patients underwent ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before RFA.

Post-irradiation dysbiosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma having received radiotherapy - A pilot study.

Objective: To compare the changes in the sinonasal mucosa microbiome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) before and after radiotherapy (RT), and to explore the pathogenesis of post-irradiation chronic rhinosinusitis (PI-CRS) and its association with dysbiosis.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Unicenter, Tertiary referral hospital.

Salvage radiofrequency ablation followed by external beam radiotherapy for inoperable recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer.

Purpose: The treatment of recurrent thyroid cancer with critical organ invasion is challenging. The combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been proposed as an effective option. This study evaluates outcomes for inoperable residual/recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer (rDTC) patients treated with RFA followed by EBRT.

The risk of free flap revision and subsequent medical costs in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Few studies have examined the preoperative risks and healthcare costs related to free flap revision in hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) patients.

Methods: A 20-year retrospective case-control study was conducted using the Chang Gung Research Database, focusing on HPC patients who underwent tumor excision and free flap reconstruction from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2019. The impacts of clinical variables on the need for re-exploration due to free flap complications were assessed using logistic regression.

Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing Reveals the Upregulation and Resolution of Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Lidocaine-Treated Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line THP-1.

Lidocaine, a local anesthetic widely used in dentistry, is esteemed for its efficacy and safety. Recent research reveals its additional role in modulating the immune system, and particularly in reducing inflammation crucial for protecting tooth-supporting tissues. Notably, monocytes and macrophages, essential cellular components overseeing various physiological and pathological processes, stand as potential mediators of lidocaine's effects.

The Value of the Nutritional Indicators in Predicting Free Flap Failure From a Multicentre Database.

Objective: Nutritional and inflammatory statuses have been associated with complications in microvascular-free flaps during head and neck surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of nutritional indicators in predicting postoperative free flap complications.

Study Design: We conducted a 20-year retrospective, case-control study within a defined cohort.

A Joint Model Based on Post-Treatment Longitudinal Prognostic Nutritional Index to Predict Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: a low PNI in patients with NPC is linked to poor survival, but prior studies have focused on single-timepoint measurements. Our study aims to employ joint modeling to analyze longitudinal PNI data from each routine visit, exploring its relationship with overall survival.

Methods: In this retrospective study using data from the Chang Gung Research Database (2007-2019), we enrolled patients with NPC undergoing curative treatment.

Comparison of contraction-type and noncontraction-type lymphatic vessels in lymphaticovenous anastomosis for cancer-related unilateral lower limb lymphedema: a retrospective cohort propensity-score-matched outcome analysis.

Background: Contraction-type lymphatic vessels (LV) are considered suboptimal for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA). However, despite these pathological changes, their functionality and link to outcomes have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the impact on outcomes when contraction-type LVs were used for LVA compared to the noncontraction-type (normal + ectatic) counterpart for treating lower limb lymphedema.

The Impact of Clinical Prognosis of Viral Hepatitis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and examined the prognostic impact of antiviral therapies. In a 19-year retrospective analysis of 8224 HNC patients treated with CCRT, 29.8% (2452) were diagnosed with HBV or HCV, of whom 714 received antiviral therapy.

Association of Autonomic Symptom Burden with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: To investigate the autonomic symptom burden in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and its association with the severity and prognosis.

Study Design: Observational prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center.

Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid Bethesda III nodules: preliminary results.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for thyroid nodules with cytological atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS, Bethesda III).

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 adults presenting with 30 initial Bethesda III nodules underwent thyroid RFA at a single medical center. Thyroid nodules with Bethesda IV or V according to the second aspiration were excluded.

Comparison of Fungal and Non-Fungal Rhinosinusitis by Culture-Based Analysis.

Background: Incidence of fungal rhinosinusitis has increased in recent few years. We investigated the differences in microbiological findings between patients with fungal and non-fungal rhinosinusitis by growing microbiological cultures from samples obtained from sinus surgery.

Methods: Using the Chang Gung Research Database, we enrolled all chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients who had ever undergone sinus surgery from 2001 to 2019 and had microbiological culture during sinus surgery.

Prognosis of Midkine and AT1R expression in resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Research studies have demonstrated that Midkine (MDK) can influence the expression and activity of Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components. Angiotensin II is involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis in different cancers. We previously observed Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) improve the survival rates of patients with oral cancers.

Evaluation of Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) Domains in the Assessment of the Quality of Life in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: Few instruments are available for assessing the otorhinologic-related quality of life (QOL) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Therefore, we evaluated whether the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) could be applied to these patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with NPC, who had been treated with standard protocol and followed up in our institute between 2019 and 2022, were invited to join the cross-sectional study during their clinic visits.

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus.

Improving detection of impacted animal bones on lateral neck radiograph using a deep learning artificial intelligence algorithm.

Objective: We aimed to develop a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to detect impacted animal bones on lateral neck radiographs and to assess its effectiveness for improving the interpretation of lateral neck radiographs.

Methods: Lateral neck radiographs were retrospectively collected for patients with animal bone impaction between January 2010 and March 2020. Radiographs were then separated into training, validation, and testing sets.

Opioid-Sparing Analgesic Effects from Interscalene Block Impact Anesthetic Management During Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Purpose: Ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block (UISB) is commonly used to alleviate postoperative pain during shoulder arthroscopy. This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative advantages and analgesic effects of preoperative UISB.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, a total of 170 patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy at a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan throughout 2019.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Genes Associated with Oxidative Stress in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients with Nasal Polyps: Identifying Novel Genes Involved in Nasal Polyposis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complicated inflammatory disease, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. While some reactive oxygen/nitrogen species-related gene products are reported to participate in CRSwNP, a systemic and full analysis of oxidative-stress-associated genes in CRSwNP has not been extensively studied. Therefore, this study sought to catalog the gene-expression patterns related to oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in control and CRSwNP patients.