Comparison of Voice Quality of Life in Early Stage Glottic Carcinoma Treated with Endoscopic Cordectomy Using Radiofrequency Microdissection Electrodes, Laser Cordectomy, and Radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To compare the quality of life of patients with early glottic carcinoma who have been treated using three treatment modalities: endoscopic cordectomy using radiofrequency microdissection electrodes (ECRM), transoral laser cordectomy, and radiotherapy (RT). ECRM, transoral laser cordectomy, and RT can all be used as alternatives to invasive open surgery to treat the early stages of glottic cancer such as stage T1. Patients treated using these different modalities could have different outcomes with respect to voice quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The voice quality of life was measured in patients who underwent ECRM, transoral diode laser excision, or RT for early laryngeal cancer. Post-treatment quality of voice was assessed using the Turkish version of the Voice-Related Quality of Life questionnaire in all patients after 1 year of cancer-free survival. A comparison was then made between the outcomes of the three groups. RESULTS: The total score of the ECRM group, when compared independently to that of the laser and the RT groups, was found to be statistically higher in both cases. However, no statistically significant differences were found between laser and RT groups in terms of any parameters. There was a statistically significant difference between the RT group and the other groups in terms of percentage jitter, percentage shimmer, and fundamental frequency (F0) (P < 0.05). While the RT group had the longest maximum phonation time (P < 0.001), no significant differences were found between the maximum phonation time of the ECRM and the laser groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the worst outcome with respect to voice quality of life is seen with ECRM. Since there were no significant differences in quality of life between the other two treatment modalities, it is recommended to leave the choice between RT and laser surgery up to the patient.

YouTube™ as an information source for larynx cancer: a systematic review of video content.

PURPOSE: The increasing availability of Internet as a health-care source causes both positive and negative effects on public health. Though reaching to information about diseases is faster and easier, the contents are not always correct and might be misleading. In our study, we aim to investigate the quality of YouTube™ videos on larynx cancer. METHODS: A YouTube™ search by using terms "throat cancer" and "larynx cancer" was done and, after eliminating the irrelevant videos, the first 200 videos were evaluated by three authors on quality, content and usefulness by using a pre-developed questionnaire. Videos were categorized according to the type and uploader separately to two (testimonial and educational) and five groups (health care, university, individual users, television channel/news and undetermined), respectively. RESULTS: Videos that are uploaded by university-affiliated accounts have significantly better audiovisual quality score and have significantly higher accuracy and usefulness score results. Furthermore, the accuracy and usefulness scores of the educational group were found to be statistically higher than those of the testimonial group. CONCLUSIONS: Videos uploaded by universities and videos that are created for educational purposes are superior to other sources in terms of quality, accuracy and content. Patient information videos discussing common health problems should be prepared and disseminated only by universities or health-care institutions.

A Very Rare Complication of Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Medialization Laryngoplasty: A Case With Laryngeal Abscess.

Hyaluronic acid injection for medialization laryngoplasty is a safe procedure performed on patients with glottic incompetence. Laryngeal abscess formation as a complication of injection laryngoplasty is a very rare complication, and, as we know from the literature, there has been only one case of laryngeal abscess after injection laryngoplasty in a patient with a type-I laryngeal cleft. We document for the first time a laryngeal abscess resulting from hyaluronic acid injection laryngoplasty for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Prompt evaluation of the patient was necessary. Our patient was treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids without a need for intubation. One year after injection, the patient's Voice Handicap Index-10 score was still good and within the range of normal values.