Voice outcomes after laser cordectomies: subjective evaluation using the voice handicap index

INTRODUCTION: A multitude of treatment modalities have been proposed in management of early laryngeal squamous cell cancers(SCC). With the improvement of survival rates of these tumours, the degree of voice impairment after treatment became a deciding parameter in the choice of treatment modality. Many reports based on objective tools showed acceptable voice outcomes in patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). This is a single centre study representing voice outcomes in patients treated with TLM using a patient-self assessment tool.PATIENTS AND METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed medical data of patients treated with TLM between 2012 and 2017. Voice outcomes were evaluated using the Arabic version of the voice handicap index (VHI). Thirty patients participated in the questionnaire.Scores were collected then studied following type of cordectomy, resection of one or both vocal cords, number of laser sessions and age.RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years. Sex ratio was 14:1. We performed 3 type III cordectomies, 10 type IV and 17 type Va (extended to the Anterior commissure). Local control was achieved since the first cordectomy in 27 cases, after 2 laser sessions in 2 cases and after 1 laser session in 1 case. The VHI score was realized in a mean delay of 29 months after surgery. The overall mean VHI was 47 (VHI-F= 15, VHI-P= 17 and VHI-E= 15). The handicap severity was considered mild in 2 cases (overall VHI<30), severe in 2 other cases (overall VHI> 60) and moderate in the remaining cases .The mean VHI following type of cordectomy was 26 ±6, 43 ±5 and 53 ±4 respectively in type III, IV and Va cordectomies. The mean overall VHI was 60 ±10 when the resection was extended to controlateral vocal cord (VC). However, it was 45 ±12 when the resection was limited to a single vocal cord. The mean overall VHI increased from 44 ±11 when a unique laser session was performed to 62 ±8 when extra laser sessions were needed. Older patients had a mean VHI equals to 46 ±14. In younger patients it was 48 ±10.CONCLUSION: The VHI is a reliable self assessment tool based on subjective perception of the quality of voice. TLM in well trained hands offers acceptable functional outcomes

Voice outcomes after laser cordectomies: subjective evaluation using the voice handicap index

INTRODUCTION: A multitude of treatment modalities have been proposed in management of early laryngeal squamous cell cancers (SCC). With the improvement of survival rates of these tumours, the degree of voice impairment after treatment became a deciding parameter in the choice of treatment modality. Many reports based on objective tools showed acceptable voice outcomes in patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). This is a single centre study representing voice outcomes in patients treated with TLM using a patient-self assessment tool.PATIENTS AND METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed medical data of patients treated with TLM between 2012 and 2017. Voice outcomes were evaluated using the Arabic version of the voice handicap index (VHI). Thirty patients participated in the questionnaire. Scores were collected then studied following type of cordectomy, resection of one or both vocal cords, number of laser sessions and age.RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years. Sex ratio was 14:1. We performed 3 type III cordectomies, 10 type IV and 17 type Va (extended to the Anterior commissure). Local control was achieved since the rst cordectomy in 27 cases, after 2 laser sessions in 2 cases and after 1 laser session in 1 case. The VHI score was realized in a mean delay of 29 months after surgery. The overall mean VHI was 47 (VHI-F= 15, VHI-P= 17 and VHI-E= 15). The handicap severity was considered mild in 2 cases (overall VHI<30), severe in 2 other cases (overall VHI> 60) and moderate in the remaining cases .The mean VHI following type of cordectomy was 26 ±6, 43 ±5 and 53 ±4 respectively in type III, IV and Va cordectomies. The mean overall VHI was 60 ±10 when the resection was extended to controlateral vocal cord (VC). However, it was 45 ±12 when the resection was limited to a single vocal cord. The mean overall VHI increased from 44 ±11 when a unique laser session was performed to 62 ±8 when extra laser sessions were needed. Older patients had a mean VHI equals to 46 ±14. In younger patients it was 48 ±10. CONCLUSION: The VHI is a reliable self-assessment tool based on subjective perception of the quality of voice. TLM in well trained hands offers acceptable functional outcomes

Toilet compost and human urine used in agriculture: fertilizer value assessment and effect on cultivated soil properties.

Toilet compost (TC) and human urine are among natural fertilizers, which raise interest due to their double advantages to combine sanitation and nutrient recovery. However, combination of urine and TC is not so spread probably because the best ratio (urine/TC) is still an issue and urine effect on soil chemical properties remains poorly documented. This study aims to determine the best ratio of urine and TC in okra cultivation, by targeting higher fertilization effect combined with lower impact on soil chemical properties. Based on Nitrogen requirement of okra, seven treatments were compared: (T0) no fertilizer, (T1) chemical fertilizer (NPK: 14-23-14), (T2) 100% urine, (T3) 100% TC, (T4) ratio of 75% urine+25% TC, (T5) 50% urine+50% TC and (T6) 25% urine+75% TC. Results indicated that T4 (75% urine+25% TC) gave the highest plant height and yield. In contrast, T2 (100% urine) gave the lowest results among all treatments, indicating toxicity effects on plant growth and associated final yield. Such toxicity is confirmed by soil chemical properties at T2 with soil acidification and significant increase in soil salinity. In contrast, application of urine together with TC mitigates soil acidification and salinity, highlighting the efficiency of urine and TC combination on soil chemical properties. However, further investigation is necessary to refine better urine/TC ratio for okra production.

[Small cell carcinoma of the ovary]. / Carcinome à petites cellules de l'ovaire.

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary of the hypercalcemic type is a rare tumor. We report a case in a 34-year-old patient, revealed by a pelvic pain. The imaging found a large mass of the right ovary. The patient had right oophorectomy and total hysterectomy, a left oophorectomy, pelvic and a para-aortic lymphadenectomy. She subsequently received 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiation therapy. The hypercalcemic small cell carcinoma of the ovary is a rare disease of poor prognosis. Treatment approaches include surgery, chemotherapy with the addition of radiotherapy.

Phenotypic abnormalities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with Behçet's disease and association with HLA-B51 expression.

The aim of this study was to investigate the subclasses and the immunophenotypic profile of peripheral mononuclear cells in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and to assess associations between the expression of HLA-B51 antigen and that of other cell markers. Thirty healthy volunteer blood donors and forty patients with BD were enrolled into this study. Phenotyping was performed using two color flow cytometry. HLA-B51 typing was performed using the complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay. Unlike controls, patients with BD presented a modified immunophenotypic profile of lymphocytes. Compared to those in the remission phase, patients with active BD showed an increased mean of MFI ratio of CD56 on CD16+CD56+ cells (32.47 ± 14.26 versus 23.87 ± 10.3; p = 0.032), increased absolute numbers of CD4(-)CD8(bright) and CD4(+)CD8(+) cells (657.1 ± 463.6 cells/µL versus 319.24 ± 116.4 cells/µL; p = 0.017 and 40.77 ± 36.41 cells/µL versus 10.77 ± 9.78 cells/µL; p < 0.0001, respectively) and an elevated mean of MFI ratio of CD19 on B cells (252.3 ± 56.7 versus 205.67 ± 32.3; p = 0.021). However, expression of HLA-B51 was not associated with any specific immunophenotypic profile. In conclusion, abnormal immunophenotypic profile of peripheral lymphocytes was found in patients with BD, especially in active phase, reflecting an immune dysregulation. Moreover, HLA-B51 expression was not found to be related to the expression of other cell markers.

[Breast cancer in woman younger than 35 years in Tunisia: retrospective study about 124 cases]. / Cancer du sein chez la femme jeune de moins de 35 ans en Tunisie: étude rétrospective à propos de 124 cas.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to report the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of breast cancer in young women and to evaluate the therapeutic results in the central part of Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the results of a retrospective study including 124 patients under 35years old treated for breast cancer between 1995 and 2007 in the Radiotherapy Department of CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 31.3years. T2N0, node positive (N+), high grade (SBRII and III) and endocrine responsive tumors were the most frequent. Fourteen patients had metastatic disease. One hundred and fifteen patients underwent a surgical treatment, which was conservative in 35 cases and radical for the others followed by radiotherapy on 114 patients. Chemotherapy, especially based on the FEC protocol, was administrated to 89% of all patients. Forty-five patients received also hormonotherapy. After a median follow-up of 48.5months, 51 patients remained free of disease. The 5years overall survival was 67.7%, the 5years free disease survival was 58.2%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The 5years overall survival of breast cancer in young women varies between 55 and 75%, it was 67.7% on our study. These results can be improved by early diagnosis, adapted treatment and nowadays with targeted therapies.