Survival Benefits From Surgery for Stage IVa Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 1,033 Cases

Objectives@#. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCs) are frequently diagnosed at the locoregional advanced stage (stage IVa), but controversy remains regarding whether stage IVa HSNCs should be treated with upfront surgery or definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage IVa HNSC treated primarily by surgery with curative intent with/without (neo)adjuvant treatment (surgery group) versus those treated primarily with CRT (CRT group). @*Methods@#. We reviewed data of 1,033 patients with stage IVa HNSC treated with curative intent at 17 cancer centers between 2010 and 2016. @*Results@#. Among 1,033 patients, 765 (74.1%) received upfront surgery and 268 (25.9%) received CRT. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 64.4% and 62.0% in the surgery group and 49.5% and 45.4% in the CRT group, respectively. In multivariate analyses, OS and DFS were better in the surgery group than in the CRT group (odds ratio [OR] for death, 0.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.592–0.981; OR for recurrence, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.492–0.802). In subgroup analyses, the OS and DFS of patients with oropharyngeal cancer were better in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.548; 95% CI, 0.341–0.879; OR for recurrence, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.377–0.948). In the surgery group, patients with laryngeal cancer showed better OS (OR for death, 0.432; 95% CI, 0.211–0.882), while those with hypopharyngeal cancer DFS was improved (OR for recurrence, 0.506; 95% CI, 0.328–0.780). @*Conclusion@#. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Survival Benefits From Surgery for Stage IVa Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 1,033 Cases

Objectives@#. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCs) are frequently diagnosed at the locoregional advanced stage (stage IVa), but controversy remains regarding whether stage IVa HSNCs should be treated with upfront surgery or definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage IVa HNSC treated primarily by surgery with curative intent with/without (neo)adjuvant treatment (surgery group) versus those treated primarily with CRT (CRT group). @*Methods@#. We reviewed data of 1,033 patients with stage IVa HNSC treated with curative intent at 17 cancer centers between 2010 and 2016. @*Results@#. Among 1,033 patients, 765 (74.1%) received upfront surgery and 268 (25.9%) received CRT. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 64.4% and 62.0% in the surgery group and 49.5% and 45.4% in the CRT group, respectively. In multivariate analyses, OS and DFS were better in the surgery group than in the CRT group (odds ratio [OR] for death, 0.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.592–0.981; OR for recurrence, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.492–0.802). In subgroup analyses, the OS and DFS of patients with oropharyngeal cancer were better in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.548; 95% CI, 0.341–0.879; OR for recurrence, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.377–0.948). In the surgery group, patients with laryngeal cancer showed better OS (OR for death, 0.432; 95% CI, 0.211–0.882), while those with hypopharyngeal cancer DFS was improved (OR for recurrence, 0.506; 95% CI, 0.328–0.780). @*Conclusion@#. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Aberrant Carotid Artery Associated with Throat Discomfort and Retropharyngeal Mass

We present four cases of aberrant carotid arteries manifesting as pharyngeal masses with throat discomfort. The symptoms of this anomaly are very similar to those of laryngopharyngeal reflux or globus pharyngeus. The identification of this anomalous artery is essential for the head and neck surgeon because the anomaly frequently manifests as a symptomatic pulsatile mass in the pharynx. All patients complained of foreign body sensation in the throat and showed protrusion of the posterolateral pharyngeal wall anteromedially. CT scans demonstrated that there were two cases involving the right common carotid artery (CCA) and two cases involving both CCAs in the retropharyngeal space. As conclusion, the aberrant course of the artery can occur on both sides of CCAs, and it can manifest as a pharyngeal mass. When the patients complain of foreign body sensation in the throat without any other abnormal findings in the pharynx, we should consider the possibility that it may be due to the aberrant course of the CCA and its bifurcations in the retropharyngeal space.

Which Plosive Consonant Is More Useful for the Aerodynamic Analysis of Pathologic Voice?

Objectives@#. Both acoustic and aerodynamic analyses are essential to evaluate the phonetic characteristics of voice pathology. The purpose of the study is to determine the magnitude of their correlation with the different types of bilabial plosive consonants. @*Methods@#. A controlled prospective study of 35 patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold paralysis was performed. The sustained vowel /a/ and bilabial voiceless consonants were used. Three common acoustic parameters were measured from a sustained vowel /a/ and aerodynamic parameters from a set of syllables /pi/, /phi/, and /p’i/. We determined the correlation coefficients between acoustic and aerodynamic measurements for the bilabial plosive consonants /pi/, /phi/, and /p’i/. @*Results@#. The mean values of acoustic parameters were higher than the thresholds of pathology. The mean values of aerodynamic parameters varied according to the types of consonants. The correlation between acoustic and aerodynamic parameters was significantly larger with the consonant /phi/ compared with the consonants /p’/ and /p/. The magnitudes of correlation were higher with the consonant /phi/ compared with the consonants /p’/ and /p/. @*Conclusion@#. The plosive consonant /phi/ may represent a more valuable investigative consonant than the consonants /p/ or/p’/ for aerodynamic analysis of voice pathology, especially in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Long-Term Results of Intraoral Excision for Submandibular Mixed Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Generally, the benign mixed tumors of the submandibular gland are successfully removed via transcervical approach. Recently, however, an alternative to the standard transcervical approach, such as an intraoral approach, has been reported. The surgical results of intraoral excisions for submandibular mixed tumors are discussed here.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was carried out for 24 patients with submandibular mixed tumors who were past 3 years of follow-up. Surgical morbidities and benefits were studied using these data.@*RESULTS@#All patients successfully received an excision of the submandibular gland with tumor via an intraoral approach. Early postoperative complications of temporary lingual sensory paresis were developed in 75% of patients, followed by 54% of patients with temporary limitation of tongue movement. In contrast, there were no permanent paresis. Late complications were developed in two cases of mild deviation of tongue due to scar contracture on the floor of mouth, whereas two cases of tumor recurrence and one case of post-gustatory sweating syndrome were observed after surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#This approach might be safe, if used with proper expertise, for the treatment of submandibular mixed tumors. The main advantages of this approach are that no external scars nor permanent injury are incurred to the related nerves. However, disadvantages are temporary lingual paresis and temporary limitation of tongue movement. Unfortunately, there were two cases showing recurrence after surgery and thus required more follow-up.

Perceptual and Acoustic Outcomes of Early-Stage Glottic Cancer After Laser Surgery or Radiotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

Laser surgery (LS) or radiotherapy (RT) is normally recommended in early glottic cancer. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of acoustic and perceptual outcomes to compare voice quality of LS or RT in early-stage glottic cancer. Data sources were obtained after searching PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and RISS using the following search terms: glottic cancer, glottic carcinoma, endoscopic surgery, laser surgery, radiotherapy, radiation, voice, voice quality, and grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale. Articles that compared voice outcomes between LS and RT were identified. This meta-analysis included 15 articles with 744 patients, including 400 in the LS group and 344 in the RT group. Random effects models were selected. Forest plots included standardized mean differences, standard errors, variance, 95% confidence intervals (lower limit to upper limit), z-values, and P-values. In perceptual analysis, grade (G) and asthenia (A) of RT were significantly better than LS. There was no statistically significant difference in roughness (R), breath (B), or strain (S) between LS and RT groups. Jitter, shimmer, and noise to harmonic ratio measurements showed significant differences, resulting in enhanced posttreatment effect of RT compared to LS. Results of our meta-analysis suggested that RT might lead to superior voice quality than LS in early glottic cancer.

Long-Term Results of Intraoral Excision for Submandibular Mixed Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Generally, the benign mixed tumors of the submandibular gland are successfully removed via transcervical approach. Recently, however, an alternative to the standard transcervical approach, such as an intraoral approach, has been reported. The surgical results of intraoral excisions for submandibular mixed tumors are discussed here. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was carried out for 24 patients with submandibular mixed tumors who were past 3 years of follow-up. Surgical morbidities and benefits were studied using these data. RESULTS: All patients successfully received an excision of the submandibular gland with tumor via an intraoral approach. Early postoperative complications of temporary lingual sensory paresis were developed in 75% of patients, followed by 54% of patients with temporary limitation of tongue movement. In contrast, there were no permanent paresis. Late complications were developed in two cases of mild deviation of tongue due to scar contracture on the floor of mouth, whereas two cases of tumor recurrence and one case of post-gustatory sweating syndrome were observed after surgery. CONCLUSION: This approach might be safe, if used with proper expertise, for the treatment of submandibular mixed tumors. The main advantages of this approach are that no external scars nor permanent injury are incurred to the related nerves. However, disadvantages are temporary lingual paresis and temporary limitation of tongue movement. Unfortunately, there were two cases showing recurrence after surgery and thus required more follow-up.

The Phonetic Characteristics in Patients of Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Without Tracheotomy

OBJECTIVES: Patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) theoretically have difficulty producing voiceless consonants. However, perceptual studies have revealed clear production of voiceless consonants with good articulation scores in nontracheostomized patients. The purpose of this study was to clarify the production of voiceless stops during articulation in patients with BVFP compared to normal speakers. METHODS: The perceptual, acoustic, and aerodynamic characteristics of patients with BVFP and those with normal speech were investigated with special reference to voiceless stop consonants. Test words were prepared to place the stop consonants in different phonological environments, and were all nonsense words. RESULTS: The patients with BVFP perceptually produced the three types of stops successfully. However, they acoustically varied voice onset time to produce phonetically representative stops but decreased voice onset time of /ph/ and /p/ compared to those of normal speakers. These patients may properly control air pressure to produce the three types of stop consonants similar to normal speakers. CONCLUSION: The patients with BVFP realized the distinctions between the three types of stops similar to the normal speakers. Although vocal mobility was absent in the patients with BVFP, voice onset time, vowel duration, closure duration, and air pressure were similar to those of normal speakers.

Changes in Oral Vowel Sounds and Hyoid Bone Movement After Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVES: Voice and speech alterations after total thyroidectomy may be associated with other extralaryngeal factors, such as neck muscle dysfunction and neck scar contracture. We evaluated the acoustic characteristics of oral vowel sounds and changes in hyoid bone movement before and after thyroidectomy. METHODS: Twenty-nine female patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were included. Fundamental frequencies (Fo), formants and vowel space areas were evaluated before surgery and 7 days and 3 months after surgery to acoustically analyze the oral vowel sounds. Videofluoroscopic images were taken at the same times to evaluate hyoid bone movement. RESULTS: The Fo levels of seven vowels decreased significantly after surgery. The vowel formant changes the F1 of vowel /[e]/ decreased significantly from baseline at 3 months postoperatively, and the F3 of vowel /[i]/ decreased significantly from baseline 7 days postoperatively. The change in the vowel space area was not observed. The Y coordinate of the vowels /[i]/ and /[e]/ decreased significantly from baseline 7 days postoperatively due to changes in hyoid movement. CONCLUSION: The damage to the neck muscles after thyroidectomy changes in Fo, formant and hyoid bone position. These quantitative results could be used as basic data for voice management in patients who undergo thyroidectomy.

Huge Subglottic Polyp Treated with Tracheotomy and Laryngofissure

Vocal polyps are benign laryngeal lesions which arise from the Reinke's space abd hoarseness is the most common symptom. However, airway compromised is rarely presented in the vocal polyp. A rare case of large subglottic polyp causing dyspnea is reported. Tracheostomy was performed under local anesthesia and then the mass was resected under general anesthesia using a laryngofissure approach. The dyspnea and hoarseness disappeared after surgery immediately. The histopathological findings indicated a diagnosis of vocal cord polyp with chronic inflammatiuon. We consider that tracheostomy is the safest and most useful procedure to guarantee the upper airway in cases of large vocal polyp showing dyspnea. We hereby report a case of huge subglottic polyp in which a tracheostomy and laryngofissure was required for removing the subglottic mass successfully.

Preoperative Lymph Node Staging by FDG PET/CT With Contrast Enhancement for Thyroid Cancer: A Multicenter Study and Comparison With Neck CT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare lymph node (LN) staging using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with contrast-enhancement (CE) PET/CT and contrast-enhanced neck CT (neck CT) in patients with thyroid cancer with level-by-level comparison with various factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study. A total of 85 patients were enrolled. Patients who underwent a preoperative evaluation by CE PET/CT and neck CT for thyroid cancer were enrolled. The gold standard for LN was the combination of surgical pathology and clinical follow-up. We compared CE PET/CT with neck CT using a level-by-level method. Factors, including age, sex, camera, arm position, tumor size, extra-thyroidal extension, tumor location, number of primary tumors, primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value, and the interval from scan to operation were also analyzed. RESULTS: Overall accuracy was 81.2% for CE PET/CT and 68.2% for neck CT. CE PET/CT was more sensitive than neck CT (65.8% vs. 44.7%). Also, CE PET/CT showed higher negative predictive value (77.2% vs. 66.1%). CE PET/CT showed good agreement with the gold standard (weighted kappa [κ], 0.7) for differentiating N0, N1a, and N1b, whereas neck CT showed moderate agreement (weighted κ, 0.5). CE PET/CT showed better agreement for the number of levels involved with the gold standard (weighted κ, 0.7) than that of neck CT with the gold standard (weighted κ, 0.5). The accuracies for differentiating N0, N1a, and N1b were 81.2% for CE PET/CT and 68.2% for neck CT. Level-by-level analysis showed that CE PET/CT was more sensitive and has higher negative predictive value for detecting ipsilateral level IV and level VI LNs than neck CT. Other analyzed factors were not related to accuracies of both modalities. CONCLUSION: CE PET/CT was more sensitive and reliable than neck CT for preoperative LN staging in patients with thyroid cancer.

Neurophysiology of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Brainstem Reflex

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is different with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) possesses an intrinsic nervous plexus that allows the LES to have a considerable degree of independent neural control. Sympathetic control of the LES and stomach stems from cholinergic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord (T6 through T9 divisions), which impinge on postganglionic neurons in the celiac ganglion, of which the catecholaminergic neurons provide the LES and stomach with most of its sympathetic supply. Sympathetic regulation of motility primarily involves inhibitory presynaptic modulation of vagal cholinergic input to postganglionic neurons in the enteric plexus. The magnitude of sympathetic inhibition of motility is directly proportional to the level of background vagal efferent input. Recognizing that the LES is under the dual control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, we refer the reader to other comprehensive reviews on the role of the sympathetic and parasympatetic control of LES and gastric function. The present review focuses on the functionally dominant parasympathetic control of the LES and stomach via the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

The Perceptual and Consonant Analysis for the Voice with Hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is to clarify perceptual and acoustic analysis for the patients with hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy especially focused on the characteristics of speech articulation with special reference to the consonant production. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of the research were 40 male and female adults (males : 5, females : 35). They were all received radioactive iodine treatment which after total thyroidectomy. Voice samples were collected during the three stages of after surgery, pre-radioisotope treatment (RIT), and post-RIT. The acoustic analysis was conducted by using Pratt (ver.5.2.21) after measuring voice onset time (VOT). The subjective evaluation of the voices used CAPE-V. RESULTS: A significant decrease in overall severity was displayed in the CAPE-V following RIT. It may be conjectured that this is connected to the change in voice following RIT. The loudness of the sound displayed a significant decrease in the CAPE-V following RIT. It is conjectured that this is connected to the decrease in vocal intensity following RIT. No statistically significant results were revealed for the comparative analysis on the voice onset time (VOT) in all plosives during the three periods. CONCLUSION: Perceptually, the overall severity of the voice with hypothyroidism was changed significantly before and after RIT. Eventhough VOT were not significantly changed, it tended to decrease VOT in patients with hypothyroidism.

Cepstral Analysis of Voice in Patients With Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVES: The vocal changes after a thyroidectomy are temporary and nonsevere, therefore, obtaining accurate analytical results on the pathological vocal characteristics following such a procedure is difficult. For a more objective acoustic analysis, this study used the cepstral analysis method to examine changes in the patients' voices during the perioperative period regarding sustained vowel phonation. METHODS: The sustained phonation of the five vowels (i.e., /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, and /u/) by 35 patients with thyroidectomy were recorded by using a Multi-Speech program. Of the 35 patients, 10 were men and 25 were women, with an average age of 51.5 years. Voice data were collected a total of 3 times (preoperatively, 5-7 days after the operation, and 6 weeks after the operation) and were edited according to each fragment (on-set, mid, and off-set) for cepstral analysis. RESULTS: The cepstral analysis on the patients' voices revealed no significant differences between the examination periods of all vowel phonations. However, analysis of the on-set fragment of the vowel /i/ revealed pathological characteristics in which the cepstral measurements of the voice were significantly lower after the operation than before the operation, with the cepstral measurements of the voice increasing further 6 weeks following surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of the acoustic analysis on the on-set fragment of the vowel /i/ will be important data for characterizing the vocal changes during the perioperative period. This study contributes to future research on the mechanisms underlying changes in the voice of patients with a history of thyroid or neck surgery.

Thyroid Hemiagenesis Associated with Papillary Carcinoma

This paper reports a rare case of a left sided thyroid hemiagenesis associated with papillary carcinoma. Thyroid hemiagenesis is a rare congenital anomaly resulted from failure of development on one of the thyroid lobes. Among several thyroid developmental anomalies, hemiagenesis is considered to be the rarest anomaly. In world literature to date, only about 310 cases have been reported. We present a case of thyroid hemiagenesis of the left lobe and isthmus in a 51-year-old female, along with radiological and operative findings. Our report can give the idea that the thyroid hemiagenesis may not influence the development of parathyroid glands.

The Effect of Total Thyroidectomy on the Speech Production

OBJECTIVES: Voice and speech alternations that can occur after total thyroidectomy are usually due to recurrent or superior laryngeal nerve injury. These alterations may also be associated with other extralaryngeal factors, such as neck muscle dysfunction and scar contracture of the neck. We performed a prospective acoustic analysis on speech changes after surgery, in the absence of laryngeal nerve injury. METHODS: Patients aged 19 to 58 years undergoing total thyroidectomy, in the absence of laryngeal/pulmonary disease, previous neck surgery, or other malignant diseases, were recruited prospectively. For the running speech analysis, the speaking fundamental frequencies (SFo), range of SFo and speaking intensity were evaluated before surgery, 7 days, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. For consonant analysis, the acoustic distinctions of stop consonant, the voice onset time (VOT), vowel duration and closure duration were evaluated at the same periods. RESULTS: SFo and range of SFo were specifically diminished after surgery, while speaking intensities were not changed significantly after surgery. The thyroidectomized speakers displayed systematically varied VOT for the consonant production, which was phonetically representative. However, VOT after surgery could be longer in the strong aspirated and glottalized stops, but not in the lax stop than before surgery. The vowel and closure durations were not affected before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients with thyroidectomy have some difficulty of pitch control and consonant articulation during speaking. VOT is also one of the meaningful acoustic parameters and provide a reference for comparing acoustic measures before and after thyroidectomy.

Post-Thyroidectomy Syndrome / 대한이비인후과학회지

Phonatory and swallowing symptoms after thyroidectomy are well-known implications of laryngeal nerve injuries. The laryngeal nerve injuries, superior and inferior, are major complication that results in changes both to voice quality and production of high-pitched sounds, which is of utmost importance for voice professionals. However, these functional and subjective voice and swallowing symptoms were often neglected by clinicians. Most voice and swallowing alterations after thyroidectomy are self limited and are not related to demonstrable impaired nerves function. Several causes have been supposed to interpret these symptoms. They have been attributed to arytenoid trauma after endotracheal intubation, surgical trauma, modification of the vascular supply of the larynx, local pain in the neck, cricothyroid dysfunction, strap muscle mal-function, laryngotracheal fixation with impairment of vertical movement, and psychologic reaction to the operation. Because of the impact of patient's perception on postoperative outcome in recent years, some groups have extensively investigated this functional post-thyroidectomy syndrome. All the published studies demonstrate that most patients who undergo thyroidectomy have at least some subjective vocal and/or swallowing complaints early after the opera-tion. Despite increasing interest, prospective data about the long-term outcomes of functional postthyroidectomy syndrome are lacking. This paper is to review the long-term trend and evolution of voice and swallowing symptoms after thyroidectomy in the absence of laryngeal nerve injury.

Retropharyngeal Spindle Cell/Pleomorphic Lipoma

Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma is an uncommon benign adipose tissue tumor most frequently arising from the subcutaneous tissue of the back, shoulder, head and neck, and extremities. The deep cervical spaces are the rarely affected locations. Herein we report on the imaging findings of spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma involving the retropharyngeal space in an elderly woman.

A Case of Ectopic Lingual Thyroid with Situs Inversus Totalis / 대한갑상선학회지

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital condition in which the viscera are transposed as a mirror of normal physiologic arrangement. We describe a rare case of lingual thyroid associated with SIT. A 64-year-old female who was diagnosed with SIT, visited our clinic due to pharyngeal foreign body sensation. Physical examination revealed a 2.5x2.5x2.0 cm sized, pinkish, round mass in the base of the tongue. Computed tomography suggested the diagnosis of lingual thyroid. She has been on regular follow up with levothyroxine therapy. To our best knowledge, this is the first case of lingual thyroid (LT) associated with SIT. The literature is reviewed and clinical features about LT and SIT are presented.

A "Boxer Glove" Contoured Laryngeal Amyloidosis

Laryngeal amyloidosis is uncommon and poorly understood, with limited long-term studies. Although primary localized laryngeal amyloidosis is extremely rare, it frequently involves the ventricles and the false and true vocal cords. We present a 58-year-old woman with localized laryngeal amyloidosis who presented no symptoms. On indirect laryngoscopic examination, the mass involved both arytenoids only, and had a likeness to a "boxer glove." She was treated surgically by microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia and the mass was excised using a carbon dioxide laser. We present this case and a review of literature.