Immune-Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Predicts Therapeutic Effect of Pembrolizumab in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: Previously, we proposed that the immune-modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (imGPS), which adds the lymphocyte count to the mGPS, is helpful as a prognostic marker for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the imGPS as a marker for the therapeutic effect of pembrolizumab in treating recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC).

Methods: This study included RMHNC patients who were treated with pembrolizumab from December 2019 to April 2024.

CT scoring system for differentiating of sinonasal inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma arising from inverted papilloma.

Objective: To distinguish squamous cell carcinoma in inverted papilloma (IP-SCC) from IP, the utility of CT scoring system was investigated.

Methods: We extracted cases histopathologically diagnosed with IP and IP-SCC of the sinonasal cavity from June 2004 to May 2021. Preoperative unenhanced CT images were used to evaluate the presence or absence of bone destruction and erosion: Score 1 = positive for bone destruction and/or erosion; Score 0 = negative for bone destruction and erosion.

Concomitant heparin use promotes skin graft donor site healing by basic fibroblast growth factor: A pilot prospective randomized controlled study.

Owing to its mitogenic and angiogenic characteristics, the use of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to promote wound healing has been investigated. However, its clinical efficacy has fallen short of expectations due to its instability. Heparin has been reported to stabilize bFGF.

MRI features of histological subtypes of thyroid cancer in comparison with CT findings: differentiation between anaplastic, poorly differentiated, and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the MRI features of the main histological subtypes of thyroid cancer and enable differentiation between anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Materials And Methods: This study included 79 patients with histopathologically proven thyroid cancer (14 ATCs, 8 PDTCs, and 57 PTCs) who underwent neck MRI. MRI images were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the three pathologies.

Thyroid hemiatrophy associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate CT imaging features, pathological findings, and prognosis in patients with thyroid hemiatrophy (THA) associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 225 patients with histopathologically proven PTC treated by surgical resection who underwent preoperative CT scanning. On CT images, THA was defined as thyroid parenchymal hemiatrophy on the ipsilateral side of PTC.

The cochlear hook region detects harmonics beyond the canonical hearing range.

Ultrasound, or sound at frequencies exceeding the conventional range of human hearing, is not only audible to mice, microbats, and dolphins, but also creates an auditory sensation when delivered through bone conduction in humans. Although ultrasound is utilized for brain activation and in hearing aids, the physiological mechanism of ultrasonic hearing remains unknown. In guinea pigs, we found that ultrasound above the hearing range delivered through ossicles of the middle ear evokes an auditory brainstem response and a mechano-electrical transduction current through hair cells, as shown by the local field potential called the cochlear microphonic potential (CM).

Breathing-Swallowing discoordination after definitive chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers is associated with aspiration pneumonia.

Purpose: Swallowing dysfunction and the risk of aspiration pneumonia are frequent clinical problems in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Breathing-swallowing coordination is an important factor in evaluating the risk of aspiration pneumonia. To investigate breathing-swallowing discoordination after chemoradiotherapy (CRT), we monitored respiration and swallowing activity before and after CRT in patients with HNSCCs.

Expression of Vascular and Tissue Repair Factors in Laryngeal Granulomas.

Voice abuse, chronic cough, laryngeal surgery, and tracheal intubation may lead to injury and subsequent repair/remodeling in the vocal fold mucosa. Periostin is known to be involved in airway remodeling and is also associated with various otolaryngological diseases. D-β-aspartic acid is the major isomer of D-aspartic acid found in tissues of elderly individuals.

Impact of the COVID-19 Infection on Head and Neck Cancer Treatment During Hospitalization.

Objective The after-effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are still unknown; therefore, we investigate the possibility that COVID-19 may interrupt cancer treatment and impact prognosis. Methods We examined the characteristics, prognosis, and changes in treatment options before and after COVID-19 in 11 head and neck cancer patients who were infected with COVID-19 after admission for cancer treatment at Gifu University Hospital. These patients were compared to 110 patients unaffected by COVID-19 during the same period.

FDG uptake in the cervical muscles after neck dissection: imaging features and postoperative natural course on F‑FDG‑PET/CT.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the imaging features and postoperative natural course of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the cervical muscles after neck dissection.

Materials And Methods: This study included 83 patients who underwent preoperative and postoperative F-FDG-PET/CT and were diagnosed with head and neck malignancy after neck dissection. Postoperative F-FDG-PET/CT was performed within 5 years after neck dissection.

Prognostic value of radiological T category using conventional MRI in patients with oral tongue cancer: comparison with pathological T category.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the radiological tumor (T)-category using multiparametric MRI with the pathological T category in patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) and to examine which is a better predictor of prognosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 110 consecutive patients with surgically resected primary OTSCC who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI. T categories determined by maximum diameter and depth of invasion were retrospectively assessed based on the pathological specimen and multiparametric MRI.

Botulinum toxin injection for abductor spasmodic dysphonia under cervical ultrasonography guidance.

Ultrasound (US) imaging effectively provides real-time anatomical information for clinical examinations. In otolaryngology, US imaging can visualize laryngeal muscles as well as cervical muscles. Here we present the case where US imaging was used while injecting botulinum toxin (BT) for the treatment of abductor spasmodic dysphonia, which provided definite results.

A Rare Case of Adult Vocal Cord Hemangioma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Infantile laryngeal hemangiomas are relatively common. However, adult vocal cord hemangiomas are extremely rare. A 46-year-old woman was referred to our department for hoarseness, which continued for 18 months.

Salivary gland cancer organoids are valid for preclinical genotype-oriented medical precision trials.

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are heterogeneous tumors, and precision oncology represents a promising therapeutic approach; however, its impact on SGCs remains obscure. This study aimed to establish a translational model for testing molecular-targeted therapies by combining patient-derived organoids and genomic analyses of SGCs. We enrolled 29 patients, including 24 with SGCs and 5 with benign tumors.

Prognostic Factors of Pretreatment Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Predicting Clinical Outcome in Patients With Parotid Gland Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the utility of pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the clinical outcomes of patients with parotid gland cancer.

Methods: A total of 43 patients with histopathologically confirmed primary parotid gland cancer, who underwent pretreatment MRI, were enrolled in this study. All images were retrospectively reviewed, and MRI features were evaluated as possible prognostic factors influencing the progression-free survival (PFS) using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Comprehensive Genome profile testing in head and neck cancer.

Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a tumor occurring in various primary sites with limited chemotherapy options for its treatment. Recently, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) testing has become clinically widespread. In this study, we examined the utility of CGP in diagnosing and treating HNC.

MRI findings of sporadic/simple lymphoepithelial cyst of the parotid gland.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the MRI features of sporadic/simple lymphoepithelial cyst (SLEC) of the parotid gland.

Methods: Ten patients (seven men, three women; mean age, 60 years; age range, 38-77 years) with histopathologically and clinically proven SLEC of the parotid gland who underwent MRI before surgical resection were enrolled in this study. No enrolled patient had HIV infection or Sjögren syndrome.

Eustachian Tube Functions in Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Ototoxicity is a dose-limiting adverse event for concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with high-dose cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Both irradiation to the Eustachian tube (ET) and weight loss are risk factors for patulous ET. The aim of this prospective, observational study was to elucidate the incidences of patulous ET conditions before and after CCRT in HNSCC patients by means of ET function tests.

Long Non-Coding RNAs Associated with Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Human Pancreatic Cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as a significant player in various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. However, how lncRNAs are aberrantly expressed in cancers is largely unknown. We hypothesized that lncRNAs would be regulated by signaling pathways and contribute to malignant phenotypes of cancer.