Effects of nuclear interaction corrections and trichrome fragment spectra modelling on dose and linear energy transfer distributions in carbon ion radiotherapy.

Background and Purpose: Nuclear interaction correction (NIC) and trichrome fragment spectra modelling improve relative biological effectiveness-weighted dose (DRBE) and dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) calculation for carbon ions. The effect of those novel approaches on the clinical dose and LET distributions was investigated. Materials and Methods: The effect of the NIC and trichrome algorithm was assessed, creating single beam plans for a virtual water phantom with standard settings and NIC + trichrome corrections. Reference DRBE and LETd distributions were simulated using FLUKA version 2021.2.9. Thirty clinically applied scanned carbon ion treatment plans were recalculated applying NIC, trichrome and NIC + trichrome corrections, using the LEM low dose approximation and compared to clinical plans (base RS). Four treatment sites were analysed: six prostate adenocarcinoma, ten head and neck, nine locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma and five sacral chordoma. The FLUKA and clinical plans were compared in terms of DRBE deviations for D98%, D50%, D2% for the clinical target volume (CTV) and D50% in ring-like dose regions retrieved from isodose curves in base RS plans. Additionally, region-based median LETd deviations and global gamma parameters were evaluated. Results: Dose deviations comparing base RS and evaluation plans were within ± 1% supported by γ-pass rates over 97% for all cases. No significant LETd deviations were reported in the CTV, but significant median LETd deviations were up to 80% for very low dose regions. Conclusion: Our results showed improved accuracy of the predicted DRBE and LETd. Considering clinically relevant constraints, no significant modifications of clinical protocols are expected with the introduction of NIC + trichrome.

Total intravenous anesthesia improves intraoperative visualization during surgery for high-grade chronic rhinosinusitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) has been proposed as a method to reduce blood loss during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Impaired sinonasal visualization due to mucosal bleeding may be burdensome in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with high-grade inflammatory disease, suggesting a role for TIVA in that disease subgroup. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted of adults undergoing ESS at a tertiary medical center. Patients considered for inclusion had high-grade CRS defined as either sinonasal polyposis or a preoperative Lund-Mackay score of ≥12. Subjects were randomized to receive either TIVA or inhaled anesthesia (IA) during ESS. The primary outcome measure was intraoperative visibility as rated by 3 blinded reviewers utilizing the 10-point Wormald Surgical Field Grading Scale. Secondary outcomes included operative blood loss, complications, and change in quality of life evaluated by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were randomized into TIVA (n = 37) and IA (n = 35) study arms. Aggregate median (interquartile range) Wormald scores across all reviewers demonstrated a more favorable visual field with TIVA compared to IA (3.5 [2.4-3.9] vs IA 4.1[3.0-5.8], p = 0.0089). There was significantly less blood loss in the TIVA group compared to the IA group (200 mL [100-450] vs 300 mL [200-500], p = 0.046). Baseline patient characteristics were comparable between cohorts with no significant postoperative complications. No significant changes were detected between postoperative SNOT-22 scores at 3 months (p = 0.278) and at 6 months (p = 0.396) following ESS. CONCLUSION: TIVA contributes to improved intraoperative visualization and decreased blood loss in patients undergoing ESS for high-grade inflammatory sinus disease.

Polypoid Change of the Middle Turbinate and Paranasal Sinus Polyposis Are Distinct Entities.

Objectives Polypoid change of the middle turbinate (PCMT) is a finding on intranasal examination whose significance is not well understood. We present a comparison of the clinical characteristics of PCMT with paranasal sinus polyposis (PSP), a common condition with potentially similar appearance. Study Design Parallel case series. Setting Tertiary rhinology clinic. Subjects and Methods Data were prospectively compiled from consecutive patients during a 12-month period with either PSP arising from the middle meatus or PCMT limited to the middle turbinate as identified on nasal endoscopy. Recorded data included comorbidities, the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), Lund-Mackay score from computed tomography (CT) imaging, and total eosinophil levels. Results Of 593 patients, 23 (3.9%) had PCMT and 44 (7.4%) had PSP. The PSP group was predominantly male (75% vs 52%, P < .001) with an older mean age (53.4 vs 35.4 years, P < .0001). PCMT was more often associated with allergic rhinitis (83% vs 34%, P < .001), whereas PCMT was rarely associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (10% vs 100%, P < .0001). Mean eosinophil count (7.1 vs 3.1, P = .096) was not significantly different between groups, whereas mean Lund-Mackay score was higher in PSP (14.9 vs 2.8, P < .0008). Mean NOSE score was greater in PSP (65.3 vs 46.8, P = .025), whereas SNOT-22 score was comparable between groups (40.6 vs 34.6, P = .29). Conclusion PCMT is a unique physical finding with clinical associations that distinguish it from PSP. PCMT has greater association with allergic rhinitis than chronic rhinosinusitis, and both PCMT and PSP are associated with impaired quality of life.

Efficacy of a Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Educational Platform in a Diverse Urban Population.

IMPORTANCE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a preventable disease that plays a causative role in a significant proportion of malignant neoplasms of the head and neck. Inner-city populations are at risk for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, are least likely to receive HPV vaccination, and report a lack of information regarding HPV. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an educational platform affects knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV vaccination in an inner-city community. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective cohort study, conducted from March 1 to December 31, 2014, surveyed 128 participants at multiple inner-city community centers regarding their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices regarding HPV vaccination before and after a brief educational presentation. No eligible individuals refused to participate in the educational session. Surveys were excluded from analysis if they were incomplete. INTERVENTIONS: Participants completed two 20-question surveys separated by a 15-minute educational session on HPV-related disease, including a short PowerPoint presentation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Presence of statistically significant differences in survey scores before and after the educational session. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants met eligibility criteria (61 male [70.9%]; 68 with a high school education [79.1%]). Baseline knowledge of HPV, its causal association with cancer, and the existence of a vaccine against HPV were poor: of a total composite score of 20, the mean knowledge score before the educational session was 9.69. Participants' self-rated knowledge regarding HPV disease and vaccination improved significantly as a result of the educational session; the absolute increase in mean knowledge composite score from before the educational session to after the session was 3.52 (17.6%) (95% CI, -2.87 to 9.92; P < .01). Attitudes regarding government involvement in vaccination did not change as a result of the educational session (composite attitudes score before the educational session, 16.57 of 28; score after the session, 15.22; P = .98). Participants' intent to vaccinate their children increased significantly following the educational presentation: before the presentation, 34 respondents (40%) intended to have their children vaccinated; after the presentation, 60 (70%) intended to do so (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Lack of knowledge regarding HPV vaccination and unwillingness to undergo vaccination contribute to low rates of HPV vaccination within urban populations. Community-based educational sessions successfully teach the link between HPV and various cancers, provide information regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination, and increase participants' willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV. Attitudes regarding government involvement in health programs are resistant to change.

Musical hallucinations in a patient with presbycusis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Musical hallucinations are a rare subtype of auditory hallucination characterized by the perception of musical sounds, instrumental music, or songs. They are most commonly seen in older women with age-related hearing loss but are also associated with neurologic and psychiatric conditions. The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood and likely multifactorial. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old woman presented with subjective hearing loss 2-3 years in duration with a recent development of hearing continuous patriotic and children's songs playing in her head. After extensive interviewing and the documentation of a normal otologic/comprehensive head and neck examination, audiologic evaluation revealed evidence of a symmetric high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss consistent with presbycusis. She was counseled on the use of ambient noise and offered a trial of binaural hearing amplification. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of musical hallucinations requires the consideration of numerous possible etiologies. Treatment varies widely, but many patients improve with the use of ambient noise and hearing amplification. Lack of response requires the consideration of pharmacologic treatments such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and anticholinesterases. It is important to reassure patients with a nonpsychiatric etiology that use of these drugs does not imply psychiatric illness.