19 research outputs found

    An unusual case of nasal sarcoidosis

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    Subcutaneous sarcoidosis is rare. As such, clinicians need a high index of suspicion when examining patients presenting with cosmetically unsightly lumps on the face. Sino-nasal manifestations of the disease should be sought with an endo-nasal examination, but definitive diagnosis requires histology. Even with good biopsy samples, the diagnosis may be elusive. We present a case from our clinic, which despite multiple biopsies, took almost 4years to diagnose. Level of Evidence: Level V, diagnostic stud

    Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy

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    Pre-operative tracheostomy (POT) to secure a critical airway up to several weeks before definitive laryngectomy in patients with laryngeal cancer has been proposed as a risk factor for poor oncologic outcome. Few modern papers, however, examine this question. The aim of this study is therefore to determine whether POT affects oncologic outcome with an emphasis on stomal/peristomal recurrence. This is a retrospective case note review of 60 consecutive patients undergoing curative primary total laryngectomy (TL) for advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Demographic, staging, treatment and outcome data were collected. 27/60 (45%) patients had POT and 33/60 did not. No patient underwent laser debulking. Median age was 62years (39-90years) and median follow-up of survivors was 31months. 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of patients undergoing POT versus no POT was 28 versus 39% (p=0.947), 55 versus 46% (p=0.201) and 96 versus 88% (p=0.324) respectively. No statistically significant difference in OS, DSS and LRFS was found between patients undergoing POT and those not. Despite the relatively small case series, this evidence should reassure surgeons without the ability to perform trans-oral debulking that they should not hesitate to perform tracheostomy on a patient with airway obstruction due to laryngeal cancer. Appropriate definitive treatment meant that POT was not a risk factor for poor oncological outcome in our serie

    Arterial calcification on preoperative computed tomography imaging as a risk factor for pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after total laryngectomy

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    BACKGROUND: Research in esophageal surgery showed that computed tomography (CT) assessed arterial calcification (AC) is associated with postoperative complications. We investigated the association between AC and pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation after laryngectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing laryngectomy. AC was scored at 10 different anatomical locations on CT imaging, blinded for PCF occurrence. Association with PCF was investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The 224 patients were included; 62 (27.7%) developed a PCF. Moderate to severe AC was widespread in patients undergoing TL; 7.1% of patients had at most mild AC, of whom 1 experienced a PCF (p = 0.05). A higher cumulative calcification score was associated with PCF in univariable (OR 1.11, p = 0.04) and multivariable analysis (OR 1.14, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: AC is widespread in patients undergoing laryngectomy and its burden is associated with PCF. Extensive AC on preoperative imaging may be considered a risk factor for PCF

    Sialendoscopy: what is it and what is its awareness?

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    In expanding the scope of sialendoscopy across the globe and assessing the impact of training activities at the European Sialendoscopy Training Centre, this study was conducted to find out the knowledge and attitude among respondents as well as identify potential obstacles to the initiation of the procedure. Delegates attending the 2011 International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies meeting received a set of five questions. There were a total of 257 responses from 57 countries. Nearly all (238/257) were practising in the academic setting. A significant number of respondents had heard about sialendoscopy (231/257). An equal number found it interesting and were keen to learn more about the procedure (233/257). More than 85 % (219/257) respondents expressed their desire to start sialendoscopy. Hurdles to overcome included financial limitations (110) and “not enough knowledge” (100). Awareness about the existence of the procedure was rather high although the knowledge was limited. Several of the responders seemed keen on starting it, but had not done so due to financial limitations. However, there was a high rate of bias owing to the limited number of responders per country precluding a country-wise inference of awareness. Moreover, meetings of this nature tend to be attended by academics who in general seem to be more aware of new developments than their non-academic peers. Future surveys can address these issues as part of ensuring the universal adoption of sialendoscopy

    Sialendoscopy: what is it and what is its awareness?

    No full text
    In expanding the scope of sialendoscopy across the globe and assessing the impact of training activities at the European Sialendoscopy Training Centre, this study was conducted to find out the knowledge and attitude among respondents as well as identify potential obstacles to the initiation of the procedure. Delegates attending the 2011 International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies meeting received a set of five questions. There were a total of 257 responses from 57 countries. Nearly all (238/257) were practising in the academic setting. A significant number of respondents had heard about sialendoscopy (231/257). An equal number found it interesting and were keen to learn more about the procedure (233/257). More than 85 % (219/257) respondents expressed their desire to start sialendoscopy. Hurdles to overcome included financial limitations (110) and “not enough knowledge” (100). Awareness about the existence of the procedure was rather high although the knowledge was limited. Several of the responders seemed keen on starting it, but had not done so due to financial limitations. However, there was a high rate of bias owing to the limited number of responders per country precluding a country-wise inference of awareness. Moreover, meetings of this nature tend to be attended by academics who in general seem to be more aware of new developments than their non-academic peers. Future surveys can address these issues as part of ensuring the universal adoption of sialendoscopy

    Success of salvage treatment: a critical appraisal of salvage rates for different subsites of HNSCC

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    OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in interdisciplinary treatment protocols, the chance of cure for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) following failed primary therapy is poor and often entails a high morbidity. Recurrence rates vary widely in the literature depending on tumor localization, primary tumor stage, and treatment modality, and only a minority of patients can be salvaged. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: This study valuates the outcomes of patients treated for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity in the largest tertiary referral center of Switzerland to find predictors for survival in salvage surgery with curative intent. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Included were 176 consecutive patients with recurrent disease after primary curative treatment of HNSCC, in locations mentioned previously. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses with log-rank testing were performed depending on T and N stage, gender, treatment, and location of first relapse to evaluate the impact on overall survival, disease specific survival, and recurrence free survival. RESULTS: Overall successful salvage rates were 49.2% for laryngeal recurrence, 35.1% for oral cavity, 32.7% for oropharyngeal, and a mere 17.4% for hypopharyngeal recurrences. Predictive factors for better outcome were location of recurrence, female gender, lymph node status, and extent of salvage treatment. CONCLUSION: In case of recurrent disease, laryngeal cancers showed the best salvage rates, whereas in hypopharyngeal relapses, very few patients could be successfully salvaged. Patients therefore should be carefully selected and counseled for salvage treatment according to patient motivation, age, type of previous treatment, surgical resectability, and exclusion of distant recurrence

    Does airway intervention before primary nonsurgical therapy for T3/T4 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma impact on oncological or functional outcomes?

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    QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Even today, some patients with laryngeal cancer present with airway obstruction necessitating an intervention in the form of either a tracheostomy or transoral laser debulking (TOL). Controversy exists as to whether such an intervention is a risk factor for poor oncological or functional outcome in patients who then undergo primary (chemo)radiotherapy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing primary curative nonsurgical treatment for T3/T4 laryngeal squamous cell cancer at the University Hospital Zurich between 1981 and 2011. RESULTS: A total of 29/114 patients had an airway intervention before initiation of (chemo)radiotherapy (21/29 tracheostomies, 8/29 TOL). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no statistical difference in oncological outcomes between the groups with and without intervention (5 year overall survival: 52% vs 70%, disease specific survival: 73% vs 79%, recurrence free survival: 53% vs 63%). In functional terms, we report an overall functional larynx rate of 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Airway intervention was not found to be a risk factor for poor oncological or functional outcome in this patient group

    Preoperative low skeletal muscle mass as a risk factor for pharyngocutaneous fistula and decreased overall survival in patients undergoing total laryngectomy

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    BACKGROUND: Low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is associated with postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay, and short overall survival (OS) in surgical oncology. We aimed to investigate this association in patients undergoing total laryngectomy (TL). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of patients undergoing TL. SMM was measured using CT or MRI scans at the level of the third cervical vertebra (C3). RESULTS: In all, 235 patients were included. Low SMM was observed in 109 patients (46.4%). Patients with low SMM had more pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) than patients with normal SMM (34.9% vs 20.6%; P = .02) and prolonged hospital stay (median, 17 vs 14 days; P < .001). In multivariate analysis, low SMM (hazards ratio, 1.849; 95% confidence interval, 1.202-2.843) and high N stage were significant prognosticators of decreased OS. CONCLUSION: Low SMM is associated with PCF and prolonged hospital stay in patients undergoing TL. Low SMM is an independent prognostic factor for shorter OS
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