Imaging of Facial Nerve With 3D-DESS-WE-MRI Before Parotidectomy: Impact on Surgical Outcomes

Objective@#The intra-parotid facial nerve (FN) can be visualized using three-dimensional double-echo steady-state waterexcitation sequence magnetic resonance imaging (3D-DESS-WE-MRI). However, the clinical impact of FN imaging using 3D-DESS-WE-MRI before parotidectomy has not yet been explored. We compared the clinical outcomes of parotidectomy in patients with and without preoperative 3D-DESS-WE-MRI. @*Materials and Methods@#This prospective, non-randomized, single-institution study included 296 adult patients who underwent parotidectomy for parotid tumors, excluding superficial and mobile tumors. Preoperative evaluation with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI was performed in 122 patients, and not performed in 174 patients. FN visibility and tumor location relative to FN on 3D-DESSWE-MRI were evaluated in 120 patients. Rates of FN palsy (FNP) and operation times were compared between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI; propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to adjust for surgical and tumor factors. @*Results@#The main trunk, temporofacial branch, and cervicofacial branch of the intra-parotid FN were identified using 3D-DESSWE-MRI in approximately 97.5% (117/120), 44.2% (53/120), and 25.0% (30/120) of cases, respectively. The tumor location relative to FN, as assessed on magnetic resonance imaging, concurred with surgical findings in 90.8% (109/120) of cases. Rates of temporary and permanent FNP did not vary between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI according to PSM (odds ratio, 2.29 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.64–8.25] and 2.02 [95% CI: 0.32–12.90], respectively) and IPTW (odds ratio, 1.76 [95% CI: 0.19–16.75] and 1.94 [95% CI: 0.20–18.49], respectively). Conversely, operation time for surgical identification of FN was significantly shorter with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI (median, 25 vs. 35 min for PSM and 25 vs. 30 min for IPTW, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative FN imaging with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI facilitated anatomical identification of FN and its relationship to the tumor during parotidectomy. This modality reduced operation time for FN identification, but did not significantly affect postoperative FNP rates.

Oncologic Outcomes of T1–T2N0 Glottic Cancer Treatment: Single Center Experiences of 417 Patients Over 20 Years

Background and Objectives@#For T1–T2 early glottic cancer, single modality treatment with radiation therapy (RT) or transoral laser microsurgery is the standard therapeutic option. However, the choice between surgery and RT has been debated for decades. Even though patient selection bias for each modality inherently exists in the retrospective study, this study aimed to compare the oncologic outcomes of the actual treatment of these patients between surgery-based treatment and RT.Materials and Method The medical records of 417 patients with T1–T2N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed who were treated at our institution between 1995 and 2014. The patients were divided into two groups; primarily surgery-based treatment (OP, n=209) or RT (n=208). @*Results@#In the T1 stage, local failure, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were not different between the OP and RT groups. However, in the T2 stage, the local failure rate was higher in the RT group (p65), presence of multiple primary cancer, and treatment modality were significant variables influencing OS and DFS. @*Conclusion@#Surgery-based treatment provided better local control rates, DFS, and OS in patients with T1–T2N0 glottic SCC. In the T1 stage, treatment outcomes were similar between OP and RT groups. In the T2 stage, OP showed better results than RT, suggesting that refined strategies are required to improve the oncologic outcomes of RT for T2 glottic cancer.

Outcomes of Salvage Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer Recurrence Following Upfront Radiation Therapy and Prognostic Factors / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the oncologic outcomes and prognostic factors of salvage treatments in patients with recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after radiotherapy (RT)-based treatment. @*Materials and Methods@#A cancer registry was used to retrieve the records of 337 patients treated with definitive RT or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) from 2008 to 2018 at a single institution. The poor-responder group (PRG) was defined as patients with residual or recurrent disease after primary treatment, and the oncologic outcomes for each salvage treatment method were analyzed. In addition, prognostic indicators of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified in patients who underwent salvage treatment. @*Results@#After initial (C)RT, the PRG comprised 71 of the 337 patients (21.1%): 18 patients had residual disease, and 53 had recurrence after primary treatment (mean time to recurrence 19.5 months). Of these, 63 patients received salvage treatment (surgery 57.2%, re-(C)RT 23.8%, and chemotherapy 19.0%), and the salvage success rate was 47.6% at the last follow-up. The overall 2-year OS for salvage treatments was 56.4% (60.8% for the salvage surgery group and 46.2% for the salvage re-(C)RT). Salvage surgery patients with negative resection margins had better oncologic outcomes than those with close/positive resection margins. Using multivariate analyses, locoregional recurrence and residual disease after primary surgery were associated with poor outcome after salvage treatment. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, p16 status was significantly associated with OS in the initial treatment setting but not in the salvage setting. @*Conclusion@#In recurrent OPSCC after RT-based treatment, successful salvage was achieved in 56.4% patients who had undergone salvage surgery and radiation treatment. Salvage treatment methods should be selected carefully, given recurrence site as a prognostic factor for RFS.

Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Larynx-preserving Surgery for Hypopharyngeal Cancer: A Comparison with Definitive Radiation-based Treatment / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Larynx-preserving surgery (LPS) have recently gained popularity and achieved comparable oncologic outcomes to conventional radical surgery for localized hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC). In the current study, the role of LPS has been assessed thoroughly in comparison with upfront radiation therapy (RT). @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 185 candidates for LPS with cT1-2 disease; 59 patients underwent upfront LPS while 126 patients received upfront RT, respectively. Oncological and functional outcomes were investigated and compared. @*Results@#Following LPS, safe margin (≥ 5 mm) was achieved in 37.3% of patients. Overall, better clinical outcomes at 5 years were achieved following upfront LPS than those following upfront RT: overall survival (OS) (72.7% vs. 59.0%, p=0.045), disease-free survival (DFS) (59.8% vs. 45.0%, p=0.039), and functional laryngeal preservation (100% vs. 89.7%, p=0.010). Although similar outcomes were observed in patients with cT1 disease, better 5-year DFS was achieved following upfront LPS in patients with cT2 disease (57.0% vs. 36.4%, p=0.023) by virtue of better local control. Despite frequent cN2-3 disease in upfront LPS group, comparable outcomes were observed between upfront RT and LPS group. However, multivariable analyses revealed that performance status and double primary cancer diagnosed within 6 months of HPC diagnosis affected OS significantly, while treatment modality per se did not. @*Conclusion@#Although upfront LPS could provide better local control than upfront RT in patients with cT2 disease, overall outcomes were comparable following either modality. Treatment selection of larynx-preserving approach for HPC should be individualized based on tumor and patient factors.

Intravenous cidofovir as an adjuvant therapy for recurrent upper airway papillomatosis with lung involvement in a child

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic disease related to human papillomavirus infection. The standard treatment of RRP is surgical resection of the lesion, but due to frequent recurrence, a combination of various adjuvant therapies has been attempted. Herein, we present the first case of RRP to whom intravenous cidofovir was administered as an adjuvant therapy in Korea. A 9-year-old boy was admitted due to hoarseness, stridor and breathing difficulty. At 10 months of age, he was diagnosed with RRP in the upper airway and thereafter he had repeatedly undergone surgical removal. During this hospitalization, papilloma was found again from the superior glottis to the inferior glottis and surrounding the trachea at the age of 9 years. In addition, well-defined nodular lesions were newly found on both lung fields, and a pathologic examination revealed a squamous papilloma with highgrade dysplasia, human papilloma virus types 6, 11, and 40 (low-risk type). Because of the frequent recurrence of papilloma in the upper airway as well as lung involvement, he underwent 38 injections of intravenous cidofovir for 2 years. During treatment, the intervals required for surgical removal of the mass causing upper airway obstruction were prolonged from an average of 37.3 to 74.6 days without serious side effects. However, intravenous cidofovir treatment had no effect on the lung lesion. This case shows that an intravenous cidofovir administration can be used as an adjuvant therapy in a child with RRP to relieve the upper airway obstruction, although this treatment does not cure the disease.

Analysis of Failure Causes of Open Airway Reconstruction in Children With Combined Subglottic and Posterior Glottic Stenosis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#Airway reconstruction surgery in children is still challenging, especially in cases of combined subglottic and posterior glottic stenosis (PGS). The aim of this study was to review the underlying reasons of failure in open airway reconstruction surgeries performed for children with combined subglottic and PGS.Subjects and Method We reviewed medical records of seven children who received more than two open airway reconstruction surgeries to finally achieve and maintain decannulation status for more than one year. Twenty-two reconstructive surgeries were performed and they consisted of 19 laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR), 2 cricotracheal resection with end-toend anastomosis (CTR) and one extended CTR. For each patient, the following potential causes of failure were evaluated; preoperative evaluation (PE), type of reconstruction (TR), single vs. double staging (SDS), type of stent (TS), and perioperative optimization (PO). @*Results@#The median age of patients at the time of surgery was 32 months (range, 4-64 months). Successful decannulation was achieved after the median open surgery of three (range, 2-5 times for each patient). Recognized causes of failure were as follows: 8 insufficient PE, 10 inadequate TR, 3 improper SDS, 8 ill-chosen TS, and 2 inappropriate PO. @*Conclusion@#PE of dynamic airway is important, especially vocal fold mobility and tracheomalacia. Types of reconstruction should be carefully decided after full consideration of potential causes of failure, and adequate laryngotracheal stent is essential.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Elective Neck Dissection: Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Clinically Node-Negative Tongue Cancer

Objectives@#. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) versus elective neck dissection (END) in clinically node-negative (cN0) tongue cancer. @*Methods@#. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cN0 tongue cancer from a single institution, including 91 patients in the SLNB group and 120 patients in the END group. @*Results@#. The overall recurrence rate showed no significant difference between the two groups. The regional control rate was also comparable between the two groups (P=0.490). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was slightly better in the SLNB group than in the END group (P=0.427). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 89.9% in the SLNB group versus 91.9% in the END group (P=0.737). In a propensity-matched subgroup analysis, the type of neck management did not affect RFS or OS. @*Conclusion@#. SLNB showed non-inferior oncologic outcomes compared to END in patients with cN0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus CCRT for locallyadvanced hypopharynx and base of tongue cancer

Clinical trials have not consistently supported the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Hypopharynx and base of tongue (BOT) cancer has shown relatively poor survival. We investigated the role of IC in improving outcome over current chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with hypopharynx and BOT cancer. Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with stage III/IV (M0) hypopharynx or BOT cancer were randomly assigned to receive CRT alone (CRT arm: cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on D1 3-weekly, two times plus radiotherapy 68.4 Gy/30 fractions on weekdays) versus two 21-day cycles of IC with TPF (docetaxel & cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on D1, and fluorouracil 75 mg/m2 on D1-4) followed by the same CRT regimen (IC arm). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: This study closed early after enrollment of 36 patients (19 in the CRT arm, 17 in the IC arm). After a median follow-up of 47.2 months, there was no significant difference in PFS: the median PFS was 26.8 months for the CRT arm and was not reached for the IC arm (p = 0.13). However, the survival curves were widely separated with a plateau after 3 years, suggesting a potential survival benefit from IC: 3-year PFS rates were 45% and 68%, and 3-year overall survival rates were 56% and 86%, in the CRT and IC arms, respectively. Conclusions: This study failed to demonstrate that induction TPF chemotherapy improves survival in patients with BOT and hypopharynx cancer. However, it suggested a favorable outcome with IC to this population.

Risk Factor Analysis of Endoscopic Dilation Procedure for the Management of Subglottic Stenosis in Pediatric Patients

Background@#and Objective Endoscopic airway dilation is the primary treatment for pediatric subglottic stenosis (SGS) due to its feasibility and non-invasiveness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for the failure of endoscopic airway dilation in pediatric patients with SGS. @*Materials and Methods@#This study reviewed medical records of 38 pediatric patients had endoscopic dilation from a single and tertiary referral center, retrospectively. The success of the endoscopic dilation procedure was defined as no dyspneic symptom without tracheostomy or laryngotracheal reconstruction. Demographic profiles, underlying disease, and Myer-Cotton SGS severity grade were recorded. Success rates and risk factors for the failure of treatment were analyzed. @*Results@#The SGS patients with severity grade I was most common. After mean 1.8 numbers of procedures, there were 23 patients (60.5%) in the success group and 15 patients (39.5%) in the failure group. Age, sex, underlying diseases, and SGS severity grade were not significantly different between two groups. In patients who had multiple endoscopic procedures, the failure group showed SGS deteriorated after procedures in 66.7%, compared to 11.1% of the success group. In multivariable analysis, a long-term intubation (≥1 month) was identified as an independent risk factor for failure of endoscopic dilation procedure. @*Conclusion@#Although endoscopic dilation procedure is safe and effective for the management, repetitive endoscopic dilation may not give clinical benefit in patient with long-term intubation. Other airway procedures must be considered in those group of patients.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Thyroid Surgery: The Proven Benefits and Limitations

No abstract available.

Early Injection Laryngoplasty With a Long-Lasting Material in Patients With Potentially Recoverable Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

OBJECTIVES: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is one of the major options for treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Early IL in patients with abrupt-onset UVFP can reduce hoarseness and aspiration-related discomfort and complications. Temporary or short-lasting materials are recommended for the early IL since permanent or long-lasting materials may negatively affect the voice quality when vocal fold motion is spontaneously recovered. METHODS: Patients who received IL with a long-lasting material (ArteSense) within 1 month following development of postoperative UVFP were enrolled for this study. They were categorized into a spontaneously recovered group (n=30) and unrecovered group (n=276) from UVFP. The subjective and objective voice parameters were collected before and 6 months after IL. Patients' demographics and collected voice parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Age and sex distributions were not different between the two groups. Aspiration symptom, maximum phonation time (MPT), jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio (NHR), overall grade (G) and breathiness (B) of GRBAS (grade of dysphonia, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale score, and voice handicap index (VHI) were significantly improved after IL in both groups. The amounts of improvement in MPT, jitter, shimmer, NHR and VHI were significantly greater in the recovered group. There was no IL-related complication including granuloma formation, hypersensitivity to injection material, or worsening of hoarseness. CONCLUSION: Early IL with a long-lasting material can be safely performed to improve voice quality and to reduce aspiration episode for the patients with postoperative UVFP, regardless of recovery from the paralysis. The amounts of improvement in the subjective and objective voice parameters were significantly greater in patients who showed spontaneous recovery from UVFP when compared with those in patients who did not.

Multicenter Evaluation on the Efficacy of N-Acetyl Cystine in Relieving the Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is relatively common disease. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has both mucolytic and antioxidant effect, also may be beneficial in inflammatory airway diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled NAC therapy in LPRD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 525 LPRD patients at 12 medical centers. Finally 401 patients subjected to inhaled NAC therapy for 2 months were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) after use of NAC for 4 weeks and 8 weeks in addition to the patient's compliance of the treatment. RESULTS: The RSI score significantly decreased from 19.87±6.34 to 12.78±6.93 after 4 weeks and to 10.65±7.47 after 8 weeks. The RFS score also significantly decreased from 9.29±3.4 to 7.17±3.41 after 4 weeks and to 6.1±3.73 after 8 weeks (p<0.05). During the treatment periods, 42 patients (10.4%) reported to have 80 episodes of discomfort. Throat discomfort (33%) and nausea (28%) were most common complaints, but the duration of discomfort was usually less than 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Inhaled NAC treatment is highly effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in LPRD patients. This study will provide the evidence of new treatment option for patients with LPRD. However, further studies will be needs to assess the real effect of inhaled NAC therapy as a standard treatment regimen of LPRD.

Genetic Alterations and Their Clinical Implications in High-Recurrence Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) frequently involve genetic alterations. The objective of this study was to investigate genetic alterations and further explore the relationships between these genetic alterations and clinicopathological characteristics in a high-recurrence risk (node positive, N1) PTC group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor tissue blocks were obtained from 240 surgically resected patients with histologically confirmed stage III/IV (pT3/4 or N1) PTCs. We screened gene fusions using NanoString’s nCounter technology and mutational analysis was performed by direct DNA sequencing. Data describing the clinicopathological characteristics and clinical courses were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Of the 240 PTC patients, 207 (86.3%) had at least one genetic alteration, including BRAF mutation in 190 patients (79.2%), PIK3CA mutation in 25 patients (10.4%), NTRK1/3 fusion in six patients (2.5%), and RET fusion in 24 patients (10.0%). Concomitant presence of more than two genetic alterations was seen in 36 patients (15%). PTCs harboring BRAF mutation were associated with RET wild-type expression (p=0.001). RET fusion genes have been found to occur with significantly higher frequency in N1b stage patients (p=0.003) or groups of patients aged 45 years or older (p=0.031); however, no significant correlation was found between other genetic alterations. There was no trend toward favorable recurrence-free survival or overall survival among patients lacking genetic alterations. CONCLUSION: In the selected high-recurrence risk PTC group, most patients had more than one genetic alteration. However, these known alterations could not entirely account for clinicopathological features of high-recurrence risk PTC.

Comparison of Voice Outcomes between Medialization Thyroplasty and Arytenoid Adduction with or without Injection Laryngoplasty in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP), medialization thyroplasty (MT), arytenoid adduction (AA) and injection layrngoplasty (IL) are the most common procedures to correct phonatory problems. There is no consensus that which procedure is superior to the other for correcting the glottal insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to compare the phonatory parameters between MT, AA and AA with IL (AA+IL) in patients with unilateral VFP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients from 2005 to 2016. Total 72 patients (49 male, 23 female, mean age 54.5 years) were classified into three groups ; MT (n=28), AA (n=12), and AA+IL (n=32). GRBAS scales, maximum phonation time (MPT), jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio (NHR), and voice handicap index (VHI)-10 and VHI-30 were preoperatively and postoperatively collected and compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Age, gender and cause of VFP were not significantly different between the three groups. In MT and AA groups, MPT, VHI, G (overall grade) and B (breathiness) were significantly improved. In AA+IL group, jitter, shimmer, NHR, MPT, VHI, G and B were significantly improved. In analysis of differences (pre-postoperative values), Δ jitter (p < 0.001), Δ shimmer (p=0.031), and Δ NHR (p=0.002) were significantly different and AA+IL group showed the greatest improvement. CONCLUSION: Analysis of voice parameters showed that all the three procedures for patients with unilateral VFP are effective in the improvement of voice ; especially in MPT, VHI-10, G and B scales. Compared to the others, AA+IL provided the better acoustic values including jitter, shimmer and NHR.

Discrepancies between the ultrasonographic and gross pathological size of papillary thyroid carcinomas

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to investigate the level of agreement between tumor sizes measured on ultrasonography (US) and in pathological specimens of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and to identify the US characteristics contributing to discrepancies in these measurements. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the US findings and pathological reports of 490 tumors in 431 patients who underwent surgery for PTC. Agreement was defined as a difference of <20% between the US and pathological tumor size measurements. Tumors were divided by size into groups of 0.5-1 cm, 1-2 cm, 2-3 cm, and ≥3 cm. We compared tumors in which the US and pathological tumor size measurements agreed and those in which they disagreed with regard to the following parameters: taller-than-wide shape, infiltrative margin, echogenicity, microcalcifications, cystic changes in tumors, and the US diagnosis. RESULTS: The rate of agreement between US and the pathological tumor size measurements was 64.1% (314/490). Statistical analysis indicated that the US and pathological measurements significantly differed in tumors <1.0 cm in size (P=0.033), with US significantly overestimating the tumor size by 0.2 cm in such tumors (P<0.001). Cystic changes were significantly more frequent in the tumors where US and pathological tumor size measurements disagreed (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Thyroid US may overestimate the size of PTCs, particularly for tumors <1.0 cm in size. This information may be helpful in guiding decision making regarding surgical extent.

Analysis of 130 Cases of Pectoralis Major Flap for the Head and Neck Reconstruction / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pectoralis major flap is the most versatile and reliable flap in the head and neck reconstruction. Owing to the recent development of microsurgical techniques, free flap reconstruction is gaining its popularity as a primary option for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. However, pectoralis major flap is a useful workhorse for the wide variety of situations including heavily irradiated neck, failure of prior reconstruction, and poor recipient vascular status. This study aimed to review our experience of pectoralis major flap surgery and to evaluate its clinical usefulness. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We reviewed medical records of 113 patients (130 cases) who underwent pectoralis major flap surgery from 1995 to 2014. Indications and complications of pectoralis major flap surgery were evaluated. Association between complication rates and clinical factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Reconstruction of primary surgical defect was the most common indication (n=81/130, 62.3%). Complications developed in 17 cases (13.1%). Flap failure was observed in 2 cases (1.5%). The length of flap pedicle was closely related with complication rate (p=0.01). However, other factors including flap size, types of flap, radiation history did not influence complication rate. CONCLUSION: Pectoralis major flap is still a very useful option with a relatively low risk of complication for the head and neck reconstruction even in the era of frequent free flap surgery and heavy irradiation.

Association Between PD-L1 and HPV Status and the Prognostic Value of PD-L1 in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been recognized as an immunosuppressive disease. Various mechanisms have been proposed for immune escape, including dysregulation of immune checkpoints such as the PD-1:PD-L1 pathway. We investigated the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in HPV-negative and HPV-positive OSCC to determine its prevalence and prognostic relevance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, 133 cases of OSCC were evaluated for expression of PD-L1. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples were stained with monoclonal antibody (clone 5H1) to PD-L1. PD-L1 positivity was defined as membrane staining in ≥20% of tumor cells. Correlations between PD-L1 expression and HPV status and survival parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 133 patients, 68% showed PD-L1 expression, and 67% of patients were positive for p16 expression by immunohistochemistry. No significant difference in PD-L1 expression was observed between HPV(-) and HPV(+) tumors (61% vs. 71%, p=0.274). No significant difference in age, gender, smoking history, location of tumor origin, or stage was observed according to PD-L1 status. With a median follow-up period of 44 months, older age (≥65) (p=0.017) and T3-4 stage (p<0.001) were associated with poor overall survival (OS), whereas PD-L1 expression did not affect OS in univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 expression was observed in the majority of OSCC patients regardless of HPV status. Further large prospective studies are required to determine the role of PD-L1 expression as a prognostic or predictive biomarker, and clinical studies of immune checkpoint inhibitors in OCSS are warranted regardless of HPV status.

Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio of Central Neck Compartment Has Predictive Values for Locoregional Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the significance of metastatic lymph node ratio (the ratio between the metastatic lymph node and the harvested lymph nodes; MLNR) in the central neck for the prediction of locoregional recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. METHODS: After reviewing medical records of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients who received total thyroidectomy with central neck node dissection, 573 consecutive adult patients were enrolled in this study, with a follow-up period of more than 36 months. Regarding the risk of recurrence, multivariate analyses were performed with the following variables; sex, age, multiplicity of the primary tumor, presence of pathological extrathyroidal extension, the level of postoperative stimulated serum thyroglobulin, the number of harvested lymph nodes, the number of lymph node metastasis and MLNR. RESULTS: The MLNR showed a predictive significance for the locoregional recurrence (P<0.05). Most recurrences were occurred in the lateral neck (n=12, 80%) with a median interval of 20 months. The lowest cutoff value of the MLNR for a meaningful separation of disease recurrence was 0.44 (hazard ratio, 8.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.49 to 52.58; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: When the MLNR is higher than 0.44, there is an increased risk of locoregional recurrence mostly in the lateral neck. Therefore, MLNR of the central neck in a permanent or frozen biopsy may be helpful in decision making in the extent of thyroidectomy and/or the need for contralateral central neck lymph nodes dissection.

Microsurgical Extirpation of Intracordal Cyst with a Microflap Technique

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microsurgical resection of intracordal cysts is technically difficult and challenging because the wall of cysts may be tightly attached to underlying vocal ligament and/or overlying epithelium, and therefore their thin wall will easily rupture during surgical dissection. We aimed to evaluate the voice outcomes of standard microflap subepithelial resection and the recurrence rate depending on the intraoperative rupturing of the cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, were reviewed for sixty-four consecutive patients who received surgical resection of vocal cyst using microflap subepithelial dissection technique between the year 2004 and 2013. Meticulous dissection was performed to completely remove the cyst wall while preserving the mucosa and the lamina propria as much as possible. Voice outcomes and recurrence rates were compared according to the type, size and the intraoperative rupture of cyst. RESULTS: Presence or absence of cyst rupture was clearly described in the operation records of 41 patients. Intraoperative rupture of the cyst occurred in 32 of 41 (78%) patients. The recurrence was detected in 5 of 64 (7.8%) total cases and 4 of 32 (12.5%) cases of ruptured cyst, but not in 9 cases of intact extirpation. Rupture was more common in case of mucous retention cyst compared with epidermoid cyst (p=0.036). Subjective and objective voice parameters were measured at before and 3 months after surgery, which improved regardless of the cyst rupture. CONCLUSION: Although complete microsurgical extirpation of intracordal cyst while keeping the cyst wall intact is technically difficult, meticulous dissection with maximal preservation of surrounding tissue may warrant the improvement of voice outcomes.

Prognostic Value of Volume-Based Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of volume-based metabolic parameters measured by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Forty-four NPC patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging work-up before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were retrospectively evaluated. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV), mean SUV, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the primary tumors were measured. The prognostic significance and predictive performance of these parameters were assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that American Joint Committee on Cancer stage 7th edition (hazard ratio [HR], 1.525; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.062 to 2.188; P=0.022), and TLG (HR, 7.799; 95% CI, 2.622 to 23.198; P< or =0.001) were independent predictive factors associated with decreased disease-free survival (DFS). Time-dependent ROC curve analysis indicated that TLG was a better predictor of DFS than MTV (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: The TLG of the primary tumor was a significant independent metabolic prognostic factor of DFS in patients with NPC treated with CCRT.