Development and validation of a novel TNM staging N-classification of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: For oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), extent of extranodal extension (ENE) (minor, ≤2 mm; major, >2 mm) is differentially prognostic, whereas limitations exist with the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer TNM N-classification (TNM-8-N).

Methods: Resected OSCC patients at four centers were included and extent of ENE was recorded. Thresholds for optimal overall survival (OS) discrimination of lymph node (LN) features were established.

Remission: does it already exist in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis?

Background: Remission, defined as absence of symptoms and objective markers of disease, is emerging as the penultimate goal in the management of several chronic diseases. The concept of remission, well-established in Rheumatology as well as Gastroenterology, is currently emerging in Respiratory Medicine for asthma. It is interesting to consider whether the disease remission concept might successfully be applied to Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

Mepolizumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (SYNAPSE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps affects approximately 2-4% of the general population, and long-term use of systemic corticosteroids is associated with adverse effects. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in adults with recurrent, refractory severe bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Methods: SYNAPSE was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 trial done at 93 centres, mainly hospitals, in 11 countries.

Canadian Rhinology Working Group consensus statement: biologic therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that biologic therapy with targeted activity within the Type 2 inflammatory pathway can improve the clinical signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). There remains a population in CRSwNP that despite medical therapy and endoscopic sinus surgery have persistent signs and symptoms of disease. Therefore, biologics, monoclonal antibody agents, could be beneficial therapeutic treatments for these patients.

Quality Indicators for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis.

Background: Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) is a highly prevalent disease that is treated by a variety of specialties, including but not limited to, family physicians, emergency physicians, otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and allergy and immunologists. Unfortunately, despite high-quality guidelines, variable and substandard care continues to be demonstrated in the treatment of ABRS.

Objective: This study aimed to develop ABRS-specific quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate the diagnosis and management that reduces symptoms, improves quality of life, and prevents complications.

Quality indicators for the diagnosis and management of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been identified as a high-priority disease category for quality improvement. To this end, this study aimed to develop CRS-specific quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate diagnosis and management that relieves patient discomfort, improves quality of life, and prevents complications.

Methods: A guideline-based approach, proposed in 2012 by Kötter et al.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

Prolonged postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is reported to occur frequently after cardiac surgery. However, it is rarely assessed in routine clinical practice and receives little attention. Although the cerebral consequences of cardiopulmonary bypass have been measured clinically, insights into the resulting molecular and pathologic events within the brain have only begun to be investigated.