Thyroglossal duct cysts: 20 years' experience (1992-2011).

The objective of the present study is to report on the clinical course and management of thyroglossal duct cysts. Retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgery for thyroglossal duct cysts between 2000 and 2013 at a tertiary referral center was carried out. The operations were performed using a modification of the Sistrunk operation: transcervical cystectomy, partial dissection of the hyoid bone, and dissection of all tracts identified during surgery.

Lymph node ratio as a valuable additional predictor of outcome in selected patients with oral cavity cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a potential prognostic predictor in selected patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Study Design: This was a retrospective study that identified 374 patients with OSCC who underwent primary surgery from 1980 to 2010. Of these patients, 148 were identified with regionally metastasized cancer.

Lymph node ratio is of limited value for the decision-making process in the treatment of patients with laryngeal cancer.

The lymph node ratio (LNR) combines two types of information--about the extent of neck dissection and about the extent of the pathological examination of the specimen--and thus represents an interesting variable for risk assessment in patients with head and neck cancer. This retrospective study with data from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 2010, evaluates the utility of the LNR as a potential prognostic predictor in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). A total of 202 consecutive patients with regionally metastasized LSCC who underwent primary surgery with or without adjuvant treatment were included.

Experiences in the treatment of patients with multiple head and neck paragangliomas.

Purpose: To analyze treatment results in the multidisciplinary management of patients with multiple head and neck paragangliomas (HNPs).

Methods: Retrospective analysis including all patients with multiple HNPs (VP, vagal paraganglioma; JTP, jugulotympanic paraganglioma; CBT, carotid body tumor) treated between 2000 and 2013 at a tertiary referral center.

Results: Ten patients (three men, seven women) had 25 HNPs (two VPs, eight JTPs, and 15 CBTs).

Management of locally advanced laryngeal cancer.

Background: Management of advanced laryngeal cancer is complex and ideal strategy is yet to be defined. This study evaluates the experience of a single head and neck oncologic centre in the management of T4 laryngeal cancer.

Methods: Retrospective assessment of cases primarily treated for T4a squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, between 1980 and 2007, at a tertiary referral center.

Treatment of cervical paragangliomas: is surgery the only way?

Purpose: To analyze the results after surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in the treatment of cervical paragangliomas. Against this background, the decision-making algorithm used in the treatment of carotid body tumors (CBTs) and vagal paragangliomas (VPs) was reevaluated relative to the existing literature on the topic.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study between 2000 and 2012.

Results of treatment for pT1/pT2 carcinomas of the floor of mouth.

Conclusion: In pT2 floor of mouth cancer (FOMC), a standardized neck dissection (ND) should be carried out, due to the high risk of occult metastases. In cases of pT1 carcinomas with a clinically negative neck using high imaging standards and expertise a tight 'wait and watch' strategy can be used.

Objective: To report on the oncologic results with primary surgical treatment of pT1/pT2 FOMC and to examine the benefit of elective ND in cN0.

Juvenile recurrent parotitis: a retrospective comparison of sialendoscopy versus conservative therapy.

Objectives/hypothesis: There are several therapeutic approaches to treat juvenile recurrent parotitis. The aim of this study was to compare sialendoscopy, including prophylactic cortisone irrigation, with observation and a conservative approach of antibiotic therapy alone.

Study Design: Retrospective study, tertiary clinical center.

Clinical relevance and prognostic value of radiographic findings in Zenker's diverticulum.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance and prognostic value of preoperative and postoperative oesophagography in patients with Zenker's diverticulum. The medical records of 155 patients who underwent surgical treatment (with an endoscopic or transcervical approach) for Zenker's diverticulum between 1992 and 2010 in a tertiary referral centre were retrospectively evaluated. The size of the diverticula on oesophagography, recognizable muscular septum, and protection of the diverticulum were assessed relative to the surgical procedures performed.

Bone conduction after stapes surgery: comparison of CO2 laser and manual perforation.

Objective: To compare bone conduction after 2 different ways of perforating the stapes footplate during stapedotomy in patients with otosclerosis.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary reference center.

Function-preserving therapy for jugulotympanic paragangliomas: a retrospective analysis from 2000 to 2010.

Objectives/hypothesis: Treatment for jugulotympanic paragangliomas (JTPs) is shifting from radical toward function-preserving surgery. Alternative primary treatments are available, such as stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and radiosurgery. The aim of this study was to analyze the results after primary function-preserving surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy, or primary SRT, in the treatment of JTPs.

Evaluation of the different transcervical approaches for Zenker diverticulum.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of open surgical techniques in the treatment of Zenker diverticulum.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Academic tertiary referral center.

Defect closure after oral and pharyngeal tumor resection with the superiorly pedicled myocutaneous platysma flap: indications, technique, and complications.

This study evaluated the myocutaneous platysma flap (MPF) as an alternative to free flaps for closing defects after head and neck tumor resection in selected cases. MPFs were used to close small to medium-sized full-thickness oral and pharyngeal defects after surgery for tumors staged cT1-3 (oral cavity 37.1%, oropharynx 24.

Comparison of different surgical approaches in T2 glottic cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the oncologic results of endoscopic and open surgical techniques in treating T2 glottic carcinomas.

Methods: The medical chart of 354 patients with T2 glottic cancer managed with primary surgery were reviewed. Laser microsurgery and frontolateral partial laryngectomy were compared for disease-specific survival and local control rates, incidence of major complications, and related tracheostomies.

T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal cancer treatment with laser microsurgery.

Background And Objective: To assess the oncologic results and functional outcomes of CO(2) laser microsurgery in T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: The files of 119 T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal carcinoma cases primarily managed with laser surgery were reviewed. Cases were assessed for 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) as well as local control (LC) rates, with respect to T and N classification, status of surgical margins, and decision on neck management and adjuvant therapy.

Resection margins and other prognostic factors regarding surgically treated glottic carcinomas.

Background And Objectives: This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of free histopathologic margins in the surgical treatment of glottic cancer. Furthermore, it evaluates other prognostic factors regarding cases that receive surgical management for glottic lesions.

Methods: A retrospective case-series study was conducted at an academic tertiary referral center.

Evaluation of available surgical management options for early supraglottic cancer.

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the oncologic results of endoscopic and open surgical techniques in early supraglottic cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 101 patients surgically treated for stage I or II supraglottic carcinomas. Laser surgery, horizontal laryngectomy, and total laryngectomy were compared for disease-specific survival and local control rates.

Effect of repeated laser microsurgical operations on laryngeal cancer prognosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether repeated sessions of transoral CO(2) laser microsurgery (TLM) aiming to achieve clear histologic margins carry a negative effect on the prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of 763 cases that underwent primary TLM treatment for laryngeal cancer. Cases were compared for overall survival and local control rates with respect to status of surgical margins and number of procedures necessary to achieve these margins.

Treatment of pituitary tumors: surgery.

Following a century of technical developments and refinements, a variety of standard operation techniques to date are available for the surgical treatment of pituitary tumors. The vast majority of the lesions can be dealt with satisfactorily utilizing transsphenoidal approaches. The goal of surgical treatment is rapid eradication of the tumor mass, decompression of visual pathways, and elimination of hormonal oversecretion while preserving the normal gland and avoiding potential surgical complications.

Effects of interferon-alpha-2b on the clinical course, inflammatory skin infiltrates and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with severe atopic eczema.

Increased serum IgE and enhanced susceptibility to viral infections, decreased levels of interferons, lymphocytic skin infiltrates and IgE-bearing epidermal Langerhans cells are striking features in patients with atopic eczema (AE). Since the hyper-IgE syndrome is known to improve under alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) therapy, we treated 7 patients with severe AE and high serum IgE exclusively with 3 x 10(6) units IFN alpha 2b thrice weekly for 3 months. Before treatment the skin infiltrates mainly consisted of CD3+/CD4+/TcR alpha/beta + lymphocytes, whereas the CD3+/CD8+ phenotype was limited to about 10% of cells.