Single-Arm Phase 2 Trial of Elective Nodal Dose Reduction for Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

Purpose: To evaluate a novel chemoradiation therapy (CRT) regimen for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) incorporating a lower intensity modulated radiation therapy dose to electively treated neck lymph nodes than is currently standard.

Methods And Materials: Eligible patients had locally advanced SCCHN of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx. The 7-week CRT course consisted of weekly cisplatin at 35 mg/m concurrently with sequential-boost intensity modulated radiation therapy: 36 Gy to high- and low-risk planning target volumes followed by a sequential boost to the high-risk planning target volume to 70 Gy.

The role of immunomodulatory oligonucleotides in prevention of OVA-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the potential role of immunomodulatory oligonucleotides (IMO) in the prevention of OVA-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in a rat model.

Methods: Brown-Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and randomized to receive pre-treatment with IMO or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). After systemic sensitization, subjects received a transtympanic OVA challenge followed by evaluation of the Eustachian tube's dynamic function.

Analysis of methods to assess frontal sinus extent in osteoplastic flap surgery: transillumination versus 6-ft Caldwell versus image guidance.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare three common methods (transillumination, plain radiographs, and computerized tomography [CT] image guidance) for estimating the position and extent of pneumatization of the frontal sinus in osteoplastic flap surgery.

Methods: Axial CT scans and 6-ft Caldwell radiographs were performed on 10 cadaver heads. For each head, soft tissue overlying the frontal bone was raised and the anticipated position and extent of the frontal sinus at four points was marked using three common methods.

A comparison of computer-aided surgery registration methods for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Stereotactic computer-aided surgery has provided the surgeon with a means to navigate more safely through diseased or surgically altered sinus anatomy. Accurate registration is vital to successful image-guided surgery. This study compared the accuracy and performance of three registration methods: fiducial, anatomic landmarks, and surface registration.

Gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction in an animal model.

Objective: To explore the possible relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction in an animal model.

Study Design: Randomized trial.

Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two groups, the control (phosphate-buffered saline, n = 10) and experimental (hydrochloric acid [HCl]/pepsin, n = 10) groups.