A randomized pilot study using calcitriol in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The systemic illness associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection results in hospitalization rate of 380.3 hospitalizations per 100,000 population, overwhelming health care systems. Vitamin D regulates expression of approximately 11,000 genes spanning many physiologic functions that include regulation of both innate and adaptive immune function.

A Case of COVID-19 Vaccine Causing a Myasthenia Gravis Crisis.

Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease of the neuromuscular junction subsequently affecting the bulbar, respiratory, and extremity skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies target the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), preventing transmission of the excitatory cascade during muscle contraction. Myasthenia gravis is typically well controlled using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, steroids, immunosuppressant agents, and/or thymectomies.

The Effects of Diabetes and Diabetic Medications on Bone Health.

The incidence and prevalence of diabetes continues to increase, and proper understanding of the adverse effects on bone metabolism is important. This review attempts to discuss the pathophysiology of the effects of diabetes and diabetic medications on bone metabolism and bone health. In addition, this review will address the mechanisms resulting in increased fracture risk and delayed bone healing to better treat and manage diabetic patients in the orthopedic clinical setting.

Lymph node ratio influence on risk of head and neck cancer locoregional recurrence after initial surgical resection: implications for adjuvant therapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if lymph node ratio is associated with locoregional recurrence for patients with oral cavity or laryngeal cancer treated with initial surgical management.

Methods: The study included 350 patients with oral cavity (73%) or laryngeal cancer (27%) who underwent initial surgery. All analyses were multivariable, adjusting for primary site, pathologic prognostic factors, and adjuvant therapy.

Chemoprevention of head and neck cancer with celecoxib and erlotinib: results of a phase ib and pharmacokinetic study.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and COX-2 inhibitors synergistically inhibit head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis in preclinical studies. We conducted a phase I and pharmacokinetic study with the erlotinib and celecoxib combination in patients with advanced premalignant lesions. Thirty-six subjects with oral leukoplakia, mild, moderate, or severe dysplasia, or carcinoma in situ were screened for study participation; 12 consented and received therapy for a median of 5.

Acetylated tubulin (AT) as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Acetylated tubulin (AT) expression has been proposed as a marker for sensitivity to taxane chemotherapy. We wanted to explore AT as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We assessed AT expression in archival tissue from our institutional tissue bank of primary SCCHN specimens.

Paranasal sinus squamous cell carcinoma incidence and survival based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data, 1973 to 2009.

Background: Paranasal sinus squamous cell carcinomas (PNSSCC) account for 3% of all head and neck malignancies. There has been little information on the trends in incidence and survival, and no randomized trials have been conducted to guide therapy.

Methods: Patients with PNSSCC reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program from 1973 through 2009 were categorized by sex, age, year of diagnosis, primary site, stage, and treatment.

Chemoprevention of head and neck cancer by simultaneous blocking of epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 signaling pathways: preclinical and clinical studies.

Purpose: We investigated the efficacy and underlying molecular mechanism of a novel chemopreventive strategy combining EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (COX-2I).

Experimental Design: We examined the inhibition of tumor cell growth by combined EGFR-TKI (erlotinib) and COX-2I (celecoxib) treatment using head and neck cancer cell lines and a preventive xenograft model. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of these agents and examined the affected signaling pathways by immunoblotting analysis in tumor cell lysates and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analyses on the mouse xenograft tissues and blood, respectively.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: Incidence and survival trends based on 1973-2007 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data.

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck (ACCHN) is a rare tumor of minor salivary, parotid, and submandibular glands. The biologic behavior of the disease is poorly understood, and nonsurgical treatment strategies have yet to be standardized. The long-term prognosis continues to be guarded, with an estimated 10-year survival of <60%.

Gender and ethnic disparities in incidence and survival of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue, base of tongue, and tonsils: a surveillance, epidemiology and end results program-based analysis.

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral tongue (OT) and of the base of the tongue and tonsils (BTT) differ with respect to etiology, treatment and prognosis. Human papillomavirus has been linked to the increased incidence of BTT, yet, the trends in incidence of BTT and OT tumors among gender and ethnic origin groups have not been well examined. We sought to examine the trend in gender-, ethnic origin- and age-specific incidence of these tumors over time.

Surgical management of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy.

Purpose: The increased use of radiation in the primary management of laryngeal carcinoma has resulted in an increase in pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation after salvage laryngectomy. The impact of this practice on surgical management strategies has been analyzed.

Methods: A retrospective review of 177 patients treated by total laryngectomy for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was performed.

Cervical tracheal resection: new lessons learned.

Background: Cervical tracheal stenosis can be a difficult condition to manage. Depending on the etiology, location, and extent of the stenosis, tracheal or cricotracheal resection may be required. Intraoperative decisions may predict outcome.

The accuracy of virtual surgical planning in free fibula mandibular reconstruction: comparison of planned and final results.

Purpose: The concept of virtual surgery uses surgical simulation rather than relying exclusively on intraoperative manual approximation of facial reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree to which surgical outcomes in free fibula mandibular reconstructions planned with virtual surgery and carried out with prefabricated surgical plate templates and cutting guides correlated to the virtual surgical plan in a series of 11 patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 11 consecutive patients (6 males and 5 females) with an average age of 50.

Prognostic accuracy of computed tomography findings for patients with laryngeal cancer undergoing laryngectomy.

Purpose: The indications for upfront laryngectomy in the management of laryngeal cancer are a functionless larynx and extralaryngeal extension. Practically, clinicians rely on imaging to predict which patients will have T4 disease. Our goal was to review the accuracy of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning in determining the necessity for initial laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer.

Percutaneous feeding tubes in patients with head and neck cancer: rethinking prophylactic placement for patients undergoing chemoradiation.

Objectives: Although intensified therapy has contributed to improved outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, acute toxicity has increased as well. To lessen the severity of nutritional compromise in these patients, our institutional protocol has been to routinely place feeding tubes before the initiation of therapy. This investigation details the toxicities associated with feeding tube placement and predictors for duration of tube dependence.

Concurrent chemotherapy with intensity-modulated radiation therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and oropharynx: a retrospective single-institution analysis.

Background: We present outcome data from concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx and oropharyx.

Methods: Eighty patients with laryngeal (n = 15) or oropharyngeal (n = 65) SCC underwent concurrent IMRT and chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin/paclitaxel).

Results: The 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 81.

Frequency of esophageal stenosis after simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: Chronic esophageal toxicity after radiotherapy alone for cancer of the head and neck (HNCa) is rare: 2.6% for strictures and 0.8% for stenosis after a 60-Gy dose.

Aggressive destructive midfacial lesion from cocaine abuse.

Since the first reported case in 1912 of cocaine-induced perforation of the palate, an additional 7 cases have been reported describing extensive palatal destruction. The clinical presentation shares similarities with nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, Wegener's granulomatosis, and infectious diseases. We describe a 50-year-old woman with a progressively destructive midfacial process that initially appeared as a small, localized palatal defect.