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Objective@#Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. @*Methods@#Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. @*Results@#Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. @*Conclusion@#This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.
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Background@#The most common type of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CPA) is histologically equivalent to salivary duct carcinoma, which has an apocrine phenotype. Invasive CPA is often accompanied by non-invasive or in situ carcinoma, an observation that suggests the presence of precursor lesions. The aim of this study was to identify candidate precursor lesions of CPA within pleomorphic adenoma (PA). @*Methods@#Eleven resected cases of CPA with residual PA and 17 cases of PA with atypical changes were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), androgen receptor (AR), pleomorphic adenoma gene 1, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15), and anti-mitochondrial antibody. @*Results@#Invasive or in situ carcinoma cells in all CPAs were positive for AR, GCDFP-15, and HER2. Atypical foci in PAs corresponded to either apocrine or oncocytic changes on the basis of their reactivity to AR, GCDFP-15, and anti-mitochondrial antibody. Atypical cells in PAs surrounding CPAs had an apocrine phenotype without HER2 expression. @*Conclusions@#Our study identified frequent apocrine changes in residual PAs in CPA cases, suggesting a possible precursor role of apocrine changes. We recommend the use of HER2 IHC in atypical PAs, and that clinicians take HER2 positivity into serious consideration.
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These cases imply that the videofluoroscopic AP view helps the evaluation of the vocal fold movement in patients with vocal fold paralysis on laryngoscopy.
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Pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis occurs by either congenital or acquired causes and usually indicates subglottic stenosis. The main goals of treatment are decannulation, preserving phonation, and normal swallowing function. Various types and degrees of stenosis and combined anomalies would be the main barriers to reaching successful treatment results unless comprehensive understanding of stenosis. Multidisciplinary team approaches encompassing initial assessment, treatment, and postoperative care, are also necessary to achieve the best treatment outcome. Therapeutic approaches are divided into conservative, endoscopic, and open surgical approaches at length, which are not exclusive to each other. Here, an adequate selection of each therapeutic option and postoperative management will be introduced to achieve decannulation without leaving phonatory or swallowing complications.
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Background/Objectives@#Shoulder function is an important aspect of health related quality of life (QOL). Neck dissection impairment index (NDII) is a simple shoulder-specific questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the association between QOL and NDII in patients who underwent neck dissection to validate the Korean version of NDII.Materials & Methods: This study enrolled 74 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent neck dissection from December 2013 to April 2014. Patients completed questionnaires on QOL including the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Core QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and NDII which was translated into Korean. Validity was evaluated by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between NDII and EORTC QLQ-C30. @*Results@#We compared preoperative, postoperative within a week, 1st and 3rd months NDII scores. The total NDII scores were 14.7, 47.4, 33.7 and 34.3 each. Clinical variables including gender, site of primary tumor, performing revision neck dissection, radiotherapy and flap reconstruction were not significantly associated with NDII. However NDII mean score of patients who underwent unilateral neck dissection over 3 levels is most increased after operation. During all periods NDII scores were significantly associated with functioning score. Although other scores are lower correlation than function scores, global health status scores and symptom scores are also correlation with NDII. @*Conclusion@#NDII was valid instrument and can be used not only in the clinical practice to assess shoulder dysfunction but also in the simple instrument to evaluate global QOL in Korea patients with having neck dissection.
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Pharyngeal stenosis (PS) is an unwanted consequence of chemo-radiation treatment of pharyngeal carcinomas, or a rare complication of rheumatic diseases. We present two cases of PS treated with the novel use of transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS). In the first case, a 63-year-old male presented with dysphagia due to PS after adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy. Laryngoscopy revealed fibrotic bands obstructing both pyriform sinuses. Impaired swallowing reflex and weak pharyngeal muscle during the pharyngeal phase were identified in VFSS. To secure the oropharyngeal space, the fibrotic band was removed using a monopolar cautery with TOVS. The second case involved a 49-year-old female afflicted with IgG4-related rheumatic disease who presented with dysphagia. A pharyngeal stricture between the epiglottis and adjacent lateral pharyngeal wall was accountable for stenosis of the oropharynx. Adhesiolysis around the pharyngeal aperture was performed during TOVS. In both cases, steroid was injected into the resection site to prevent subsequent adhesions. Both patients resumed oral intake of a soft meal the day after surgery, and eventually progressed to regular meals. Stable pharyngeal function was demonstrated after 2 months. No major complications from the surgery were observed in both cases. We propose that TOVS is a feasible surgical option to resolve and prevent PS, and the application of TOVS can potentially be expanded for oropharyngeal lesions.
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Pharyngeal stenosis (PS) is an unwanted consequence of chemo-radiation treatment of pharyngeal carcinomas, or a rare complication of rheumatic diseases. We present two cases of PS treated with the novel use of transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS). In the first case, a 63-year-old male presented with dysphagia due to PS after adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy. Laryngoscopy revealed fibrotic bands obstructing both pyriform sinuses. Impaired swallowing reflex and weak pharyngeal muscle during the pharyngeal phase were identified in VFSS. To secure the oropharyngeal space, the fibrotic band was removed using a monopolar cautery with TOVS. The second case involved a 49-year-old female afflicted with IgG4-related rheumatic disease who presented with dysphagia. A pharyngeal stricture between the epiglottis and adjacent lateral pharyngeal wall was accountable for stenosis of the oropharynx. Adhesiolysis around the pharyngeal aperture was performed during TOVS. In both cases, steroid was injected into the resection site to prevent subsequent adhesions. Both patients resumed oral intake of a soft meal the day after surgery, and eventually progressed to regular meals. Stable pharyngeal function was demonstrated after 2 months. No major complications from the surgery were observed in both cases. We propose that TOVS is a feasible surgical option to resolve and prevent PS, and the application of TOVS can potentially be expanded for oropharyngeal lesions.
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Objective@#To report our experience with management of fetuses with congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS). @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the cases of fetuses who were prenatally diagnosed and postnatally confirmed with CHAOS between 2010 and 2019 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. @*Results@#Of 13 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with CHAOS, 7 were lost to follow-up and 6 were postnatally confirmed as having CHAOS. All fetuses, except one were delivered via cesarean section with an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure. Two patients had coexisting congenital heart diseases requiring several cardiac surgeries following birth. Both of these patients demonstrated developmental delay; however, the remaining 4 had a normal development except for expressive language. Two infants died of respiratory complications, and the remaining 4 were alive at the end of the follow-up period. All 4 live patients underwent tracheostomy with planned reconstruction surgery. Three children are now able to phonate, and 1 can maintain a conservation. @*Conclusion@#The proper management of CHAOS using the EXIT procedure results in high survival and low hypoxemia-induced complication rates. Therefore, an accurate prenatal diagnosis is necessary for an appropriate perinatal management.
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Background and Objectives@#Scalp angiosarcoma is a rare but aggressive vascular malignancy. It is often found in the advanced state and tends to cause distant metastasis at an early stage. There is no consensus on a treatment modality, although wide excision followed by adjuvant therapy is currently used. The purpose of this study was to analyze the treatment results and disease progress pattern of scalp angiosarcoma in a single institution.Subjects and Method We enrolled patients who diagnosed with scalp angiosarcoma at Asan Medical Center from March 2011 to September 2019. Disease course and prognostic factors were analyzed by estimating overall survival rate and disease free survival. @*Results@#A total 12 patients were enrolled in this study. The median overall survival was 16.0 months. The 3-year-survival rate was 10.6%, and the median disease free survival was 5.0 months. On the average, it took 11.4 months till death after recurrence. @*Conclusion@#Although wide surgical excision and multiple adjuvant therapies are employed, scalp angiosarcoma showed frequent recurrences and metastasis which led to poor outcomes. Further investigations for scalp angiosarcoma are necessary to improve treatment outcomes.
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After FDA approval of cetuximab at 2006, receptor tyrosine kinase, including an epidermal growth factor receptor, blocking agents have been evaluated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Agents targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, IL-6/JAK/STAT3, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and cyclin D-CDK-4/6-INK4/Rb pathway have developed. Most of them have failed to demonstrate better treatment outcome in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC than conventional chemotherapy. Since a pivotal role of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in immunological tumor microenvironment was revealed, the immune checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have opened new paradigm of cancer treatment modality and propagates other immune-based therapies for R/M HNSCC. Various types of combination trials consisting of immunotherapy with other class of immunotherapy, targeted agents, radiation therapy, or conventional chemotherapy have been under investigation to improve treatment outcome. Biomarker studies to find an optimal candidate for the newly developed agents are accompanied. These clinical trials lead to tailored approach based on immunotherapy with precision medicine is expected to lead to promising results.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine whether radiologic extranodal extension (ENE) appearing on pretreatment CT and MRI could predict the prognosis in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was obtained from a historical cohort diagnosed with HPV-related OPSCC. A total of 134 OPSCC patients who had a metastatic lymph node on pretreatment CT or MRI were included, and radiologic ENE was evaluated by two experienced head and neck radiologists. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of radiologic ENE on progression-free survival (PFS). The diagnostic performance of CT and MRI for the diagnosis of ENE was also evaluated in patients who underwent neck dissection. RESULTS: Seventy patients (52.2%) showed radiologic ENE-positive findings. Although patients showing radiologic ENE had a worse 3-year PFS (83.7% vs. 95.3%, p = 0.023), the association between radiologic ENE and PFS was not statistically significant on multivariate analysis (p = 0.141; hazard ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–9.97). CT or MRI had a sensitivity of 62%, specificity of 77.8%, and accuracy of 71.9% for predicting pathologic ENE. CONCLUSION: Radiologic ENE on CT or MRI did not predict poor PFS in patients with HPV-related OPSCC, although there was a trend towards worse PFS. Further studies are warranted to determine whether radiologic ENE is a useful imaging biomarker to risk-stratify patients with HPV-related OPSCC.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Cohort Studies , Diagnosis , Disease-Free Survival , Epithelial Cells , Head , Lymph Nodes , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Multivariate Analysis , Neck , Neck Dissection , Prognosis , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
After FDA approval of cetuximab at 2006, receptor tyrosine kinase, including an epidermal growth factor receptor, blocking agents have been evaluated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Agents targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, IL-6/JAK/STAT3, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and cyclin D-CDK-4/6-INK4/Rb pathway have developed. Most of them have failed to demonstrate better treatment outcome in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC than conventional chemotherapy. Since a pivotal role of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in immunological tumor microenvironment was revealed, the immune checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have opened new paradigm of cancer treatment modality and propagates other immune-based therapies for R/M HNSCC. Various types of combination trials consisting of immunotherapy with other class of immunotherapy, targeted agents, radiation therapy, or conventional chemotherapy have been under investigation to improve treatment outcome. Biomarker studies to find an optimal candidate for the newly developed agents are accompanied. These clinical trials lead to tailored approach based on immunotherapy with precision medicine is expected to lead to promising results.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Cetuximab , Cyclins , Drug Therapy , Epithelial Cells , Head , Immunotherapy , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Neck , Precision Medicine , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , ErbB Receptors , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor , Treatment Outcome , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to determine the correlation between nutritional status upon presentation and disease severity, as well as treatment and survival outcomes. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with deep neck infection, underwent at least one surgical drainage/debridement, and had more than 1 week of hospitalization at a tertiary medical center from 2007 to 2015 were retrospectively included. Thereafter, initial serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and body mass index (BMI) were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were included in the final analysis. Accordingly, the proportion of patients with simultaneous mediastinitis (21.0%), necrotizing fasciitis (12.9%), disease extent >1 cervical level (72.6%), mean CRP (22.4 mg/dL), mean length of hospitalization (25.0 days), and mean 1-week follow-up CRP (7.2 mg/dL) was significantly higher in the hypoalbuminemia group (initial serum albumin 1 cervical level (2.12), initial serum CRP over 20 mg/dL (3.79), hospitalization of more than 14 days (4.10), 1-week follow-up CRP over 5 mg/dL (3.78), and increased duration for an over 50% decrease in initial CRP (2.70) (all P < 0.05). Although intravascular albumin replenishment decreased the proportion of patients with hypoalbuminemia after 2 weeks (P < 0.05), it did not significantly predict better treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among the markers reflecting an individual's nutritional state, an initial serum albumin of less than 3.0 g/dL was an independent serologic marker predicting increased disease severity and complications in patients with deep neck infection.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Mass Index , C-Reactive Protein , Comorbidity , Drainage , Fasciitis , Fasciitis, Necrotizing , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization , Hypoalbuminemia , Malnutrition , Mediastinitis , Neck , Nutritional Status , Odds Ratio , Retrospective Studies , Serum AlbuminABSTRACT
The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure was introduced to reduce fetal hypoxic damage while establishing an airway in fetuses with upper and lower airway obstruction. Delivery of the fetal head and shoulders while maintaining the uteroplacental circulation offers time to secure the fetal airway. Here, we report two cases of EXIT procedure for fetal airway obstruction, which were successfully managed with extensive preoperative planning by a professional multidisciplinary team.
Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction , Fetal Therapies , Fetus , Head , Laryngeal Diseases , Lymphangioma , Placental Circulation , Prenatal Diagnosis , ShoulderABSTRACT
Caustic injury and spinal cord injury may induce pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction, which frequently elicit dysphagia. Among the causes of dysphagia, these types of injury are related to anatomical and functional deterioration of the peripheral muscles and nerves. Various types of chemical materials cause upper aerodigestive tract burns, which induces stricture and dysphagia by scar formation. Endoscopic evaluation within 48 hours helps to predict the occurrence of stricture and dysphagia. The extent of injury or other additional complications should be assessed by plain X-ray and comupterized tomography (CT). The prevention of stricture, perforation, and dysphagia is a mainstay of treatment to reduce morbidity, and serial dilation with esophagogram and flap reconstruction should be considered in failure cases. Cervical spine injury itself causes mucosal tears or neuromuscular dysfunction, which can occur even during corrective surgery. Perforation should be evaluated by laryngoscopy, swallowing studies, plain X-ray, and CT. Both mechanical and functional obstruction that occur during the healing process can be managed by rehabilitative or surgical approaches. Dysphagia caused by chemical burns or cervical spine injury can provoke secondary complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Thus, adequate evaluation and management of anatomical and functional changes are required to prevent dysphagia and further complications, as well as to increase the quality of life of patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Burns , Burns, Chemical , Cicatrix , Constriction, Pathologic , Deglutition , Deglutition Disorders , Laryngoscopy , Malnutrition , Muscles , Pneumonia, Aspiration , Quality of Life , Spinal Cord Injuries , Spine , TearsABSTRACT
Primary airway tumors are rare in children and no literature reviewed their characteristics each location. We evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean children with primary airway tumors, from the larynx to bronchi. A retrospective chart review of children with primary tumors of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi at Asan Medical Center from January 2000 to July 2016 was conducted. Nineteen children were diagnosed with primary airway tumors of the larynx (47.4%), trachea (10.5%), and bronchi (42.1%). Median follow-up duration was 2.8 years and there were recurrences in 21.1%. Laryngeal tumors were associated with a younger median age at onset (2 months) and diagnosis (4 months), and most were relatively small (median size = 5.3 mm) and symptomatic. Tracheal and bronchial tumors were found in older children (age at onset and diagnosis > 11 years) and large (> 15.0 mm). Most (75%) patients with bronchial tumors were asymptomatic and all the patients with tracheal tumors were symptomatic. This study suggests that we should consider different the locations in primary airway tumor based on the age at onset and diagnosis, initial symptoms or signs, and size of tumor.
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Child , Humans , Age of Onset , Bronchi , Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Larynx , Pediatrics , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , TracheaABSTRACT
Facial nerve paralysis is one of the complications of parotid abscess. Although a few cases of benign tumor and inflammatory condition of parotid gland with the facial nerve paralysis have been reported, the occurrence of facial nerve palsy following parotid abscess without coexisting tumor is very rare. The mechanism of facial nerve paralysis is not clear, but facial nerve paralysis is usually improved after the treatment of parotid abscess. The treatment of parotid abscess is composed of antibiotics based on proper culture study and drainages. Most of parotid abscess is drained by surgical approach, but catheter drainage is also recommended for selected patients. Here, we report a case of parotid abscess treated by pig-tail catheter drainage.
Subject(s)
Humans , Abscess , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Catheters , Drainage , Facial Nerve , Paralysis , Parotid GlandABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the relation between the preservation status of the parathyroid glands and the risk of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was carried out for the medical records of 63 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), who satisfied our inclusion criteria and received treatment at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital from May 2010 to December 2011. Patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection (CLND) were included and grouped according to the number of preserved parathyroid glands as follows: Group 1 (with four intact glands), Group 2 (three intact glands), Group 3 (less than two intact glands). The total and ionized serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone levels of each group were monitored after the surgery. Patients with postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia were considered to have postoperative hypoparathyroidism and received calcium/vitamin D therapy. The hypoparathyroidism was considered to be permanent when calcium/vitamin D therapy was still required six months after surgery. RESULTS: Out of 63 cases of total thyroidectomy with CLND, 31 (49.2%) showed postoperative hypoparathyroidism as demonstrated by laboratory findings. Permanent hypoparathyroidism, however, was not observed in these cases. The development of hypoparathyroidism was not significantly related with the number of preserved parathyroid glands. CONCLUSION: To prevent postoperative hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy and CLND, at least two parathyroid glands should be preserved in situ with an intact blood supply in order to prevent permanent hypoparathyroidism after the surgery.
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Humans , Calcium , Carcinoma , Factor IX , Hypocalcemia , Hypoparathyroidism , Lymph Node Excision , Lymph Nodes , Medical Records , Neck , Parathyroid Glands , Parathyroid Hormone , Retrospective Studies , Thyroid Gland , Thyroid Neoplasms , ThyroidectomyABSTRACT
Synovial sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in the extremities of young adults. Only 10% originates from the head and neck region, where the hypopharynx and retropharynx are the most common involved. Fewer than 100 cases of synovial sarcoma have been reported in this area. The infratemporal region, by virtue of its relatively concealed location, is a difficult site to access. It is considered a mainstay to design an appropriate technique to provide maximum exposure with minimal morbidity and preserve hearing ability, which may be achieved by the subtemporal-infratemporal fossa approach. We experienced a 50-year-old female patient who was suffering from right infratemporal fossa mass. We report this rare case that was successfully removed via this approach with a literature review.
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Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Extremities , Head , Hearing , Hypopharynx , Neck , Sarcoma, Synovial , Stress, Psychological , VirtuesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in the development and growth of tumor cells. However, the effect of human MSCs on the growth of human tumors is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to confirm the growth effect of palatine tonsil-derived MSCs (TD-MSCs) on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and to elucidate the mechanism of their action. METHODS: TD-MSCs were isolated from patient with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy. Two human HNSCC cell lines (PNUH-12 and SNU-899) were studied and cocultured with isolated palatine tonsil-derived MSC. The growth inhibitory effect of MSCs on HNSCC cell lines was tested through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The apoptosis induction effect of MSCs on cell lines was assessed with flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. RESULTS: Palatine tonsil-derived MSCs exhibited a growth inhibitory effect on both cell lines. Cell cycle analysis showed an accumulation of tumor cells predominantly in G0/G1 phase with an increase in concentration of TD-MSCs, which was confirmed by increased mRNA expression of cell cycle negative regulator p21. Apoptosis of tumor cells increased significantly as concentration of cocultured TD-MSCs increased. Additionally, mRNA expression of caspase 3 was upregulated with increased concentration of TD-MSCs. CONCLUSION: TD-MSCs have a potential growth inhibitory effect on HNSCC cell lines in vitro by inducing apoptotic cell death and G1 phase arrest of cell lines.