Subject(s)
Anemia/blood , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy , Hypoxia/blood , Anemia/genetics , Apoptosis/physiology , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Disease-Free Survival , Environment , Erythropoiesis/physiology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics , Head and Neck Neoplasms/mortality , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Hypoxia/genetics , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit , Oxygen/blood , Signal Transduction , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Treatment FailureABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate quality of life in a cohort of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base, treated with primary surgery, reconstruction and postoperative radiotherapy. Twelve patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study using the University of Washington Quality of Life Instrument (UW-QOL). All patients underwent external beam irradiation following primary resection of their tumour and reconstruction. Patients on average reported their overall and health related QOL to be good. Functionally they had good pain control, speech intelligibility, activity and recreational levels. There were some limitations in chewing, swallowing and taste. The results suggest that surgical resection can offer good functional and overall QOL results for advanced tumours when combined with reconstruction. The morbidity associated with postoperative radiotherapy includes reduced swallowing, taste, saliva production and difficulty chewing.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/psychology , Quality of Life , Tongue Neoplasms/psychology , Tongue/surgery , Adult , Aged , Brachytherapy/adverse effects , Brachytherapy/methods , Brachytherapy/psychology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiotherapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery , Cohort Studies , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Plastic Surgery Procedures/psychology , Surgical Flaps , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tongue Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Tongue Neoplasms/surgerySubject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae/injuries , Spinal Fractures/diagnosis , Accidents, Traffic , Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Cervical Vertebrae/surgery , Electromyography/methods , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Protective Devices , Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Spinal Fractures/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare condition characterized by abnormalities to ectodermal derived tissues although other organs or systems are frequently involved. Patients with HED can have a number of symptoms that may lead them to present to the otolaryngologist. We present a case of a 37-year-old female with HED who initially presented with nasal obstruction but then very rapidly developed stridor due to a tracheal squamous cell carcinoma. We suggest a possible association between HED and carcinoma of the upper respiratory tract that has not previously been reported.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/complications , Ectodermal Dysplasia/complications , Hypohidrosis/complications , Tracheal Neoplasms/complications , Adult , Female , Glottis , Humans , Laryngostenosis/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methodsABSTRACT
There are no published guidelines for the sterilization of the flexible nasendoscope and various techniques exist. We have conducted a randomized, prospective, blinded trial of the barrier Endosheath system versus immersion in Cidex disinfectant. Using a visual analogue assessment, there were no differences at a 99% confidence interval (CI) between the two techniques from the nursing assistant and patient perspectives. Image quality was assessed blinded and no difference could be detected at a 99% CI. The Endosheath offers the advantage of increasing the productivity of each nasendoscope as the sterilization time is reduced. It also provides barrier protection against cross-contamination, including prion diseases.
