Voice evaluation before and after laser excision vs. radiotherapy of T1A glottic carcinoma.

Quality of voice after treatment for T1A glottic squamous cell carcinoma was studied in two matched groups of males treated either with CO2 laser cordectomi (n = 18, mean age 65.2 years) or with full dose radiotherapy (n = 18, mean age 65.1 years). All patients had histologically verified invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Fifteen male patients (mean age 63.9 years) without laryngeal disorders were used as controls. Voice recordings prior to treatment, and both at 3 months and at 2 years after completed treatment were analyzed. Acoustic measures of shimmer, jitter, breathiness, harmonic-to-noise ratio and fundamental frequency (F0) average were calculated with the Soundscope program. Two plain measures were also used: time required to read a running speech voice sample, and number of breaths. Perceptual voice analysis was performed blindly by two groups of listeners, Group A (4 experienced listeners) and Group B (4 naive listeners). Group A estimated quality of voice according to a modified GRBAS score, whereas Group B estimated Grade only. We found voice quality both at 3 months and at 2 years after radiotherapy to be significantly better than after laser treatment, as assessed by the acoustic variables breathiness, jitter, F0 average, running speech voice sample reading time and number of breaths. The perceptual variables Grade (Group A and B), Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain were also significantly better after radiotherapy.

Myofibromatosis-like hemangiopericytoma metastasizing as differentiated vascular smooth-muscle and myosarcoma. Myopericytes as a subset of "myofibroblasts".

A thyroid hemangiopericytoma that was resected in a 5-year-old boy recurred insidiously in the larynx 8 years later. Marked cicatricial mucosal inflammation prevented a definitive pathologic diagnosis of recurrence until a nodule grew to obstruct the airway 15 years after initial surgery. After excision of the nodule, a larger sarcomatous metastasis was discovered in the upper esophagus and resected, but the patient eventually succumbed to widespread disease at the age of 20 years. The original tumor contained atypical pericytes and bundles of hyalinizing smooth muscle abutting on "staghorn vessels," a pattern similar to infantile myofibromatosis. Desmin immunostaining was negative in the pericytes but positive in smooth-muscle cells dispersed singly as well as in bundles. Both elements reacted strongly for vimentin and the alpha-isoform of actin (alpha-SMA) found in normal smooth muscle and pericytes. A third cell type showing dendritic processes and immunoreactivity for all three antigens was interpreted as a myopericyte. Spindled cells in multiple subsequent mucosal biopsy specimens stained retrospectively also positive for these antigens. Large bundles of vascular smooth muscle surrounded by radiating myocytes characterized the occluding laryngeal nodule. In the esophageal metastasis, which showed no histologic features typical of hemangiopericytoma, numerous mitotically active, small, vimentin+, desmin+, alpha-SMA+ cells often maintained shortened processes and tended to form nodular aggregates about capillaries. Single rows of pericytes accreted to endothelial tubes. Ultrastructurally, some cells contained myofilaments and irregular dense material or showed rare cell junctions and variable investment by a basal lamina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx treated with cisplatin and accelerated hyperfractionated radiation.

Primary malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon disease, accounting for only 0.5-2% of all malignant melanomas. The primary treatment has been surgery. The frequency of local recurrence is high and recurrence is also the major determinant of treatment failure. Here we report on six patients with locally advanced disease, four of whom were too advanced for surgery, who were treated with accelerated hyperfractionated radiation in combination with cis-platinum. Three of four patients treated for local recurrent disease achieved a local cure and died of disseminated disease after 9-21 months. One patient given preoperative cisplatin and radiation is still alive with no evidence of disease 34 months after the completion of treatment. The present protocol may be a useful approach to obtain local control with the possibility of long-term cure.

Early postoperative basal serum GH level and the GH response to TRH in relation to the long-term outcome of surgical treatment for acromegaly: a report on 39 patients.

During a 10-year period 39 patients with acromegaly, aged 23-73 years, underwent selective adenomectomy via a trans-sphenoidal or transfrontal (one case) approach. Six to 12 months after the operation, the serum level of growth hormone (GH) was reduced to less than 5 micrograms l-1 in 28 patients (74%) in at least two of three random samples and/or suppressed to less than 3 micrograms l-1 during an oral glucose load, thus fulfilling the commonly used criteria for a successful operation. In 10 patients these criteria for adequate GH reduction were not fulfilled, but their median S-GH level was reduced from 38 to 11 micrograms l-1 (P less than 0.01) after the operation. Surgery was successful in 11 of 13 (85%) patients with a microadenoma (less than 10 mm in diameter), in 10 of 14 (71%) patients with an adenoma of diameter greater than 10 mm but still enclosed in the sella, and in seven of 11 (64%) patients with locally invasive tumours. Impaired pituitary function was observed in 23% of the patients after surgery, independent of tumour size. In one patient the postoperative period was complicated by a lethal intracranial infection. During follow-up for 1-10 years, four patients relapsed, after 1, 1.5, 6 and 9 years, respectively. Patients for whom surgery appeared to have been ineffective at the evaluation 6-12 months postoperatively, or who later relapsed were identified by early (within 7 d) postoperative serum GH with a sensitivity of 90%. The accuracy for identification of a satisfactory outcome of surgery was 85%, and the predictive value was 90%. The corresponding values for the GH response to TRH measured 6-12 months postoperatively were 47, 40 and 54%, respectively. It is concluded that the basal level of serum GH measured 1-7 d postoperatively has higher sensitivity and specificity than the GH response to TRH 6-12 months postoperatively for evaluation of the effect of surgery on GH overproduction, and that it has a higher predictive power with regard to the long-term outcome of surgery for acromegaly.

Induction chemotherapy (cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil) and radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

A phase II study was made of 58 consecutive patients with previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. The induction chemotherapy consisted of 3 courses of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and a subsequent 120-h infusion of 5-fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2/24 h) repeated every 3 weeks. It was followed by radiotherapy to a median target dose of 66 Gy and surgery for residual tumour. A total of 91 per cent received all 3 courses of chemotherapy, which was well tolerated. Complete response (CR) was obtained in 20 patients (35%) after chemotherapy and in 40 patients (69%) after subsequent radiotherapy. The median observation time was 28 months (range 15-57). The actuarial survival at 2 years for complete responders to chemotherapy was 83 per cent, implying a prolonged survival (p = 0.002) compared to those with less than CR. Complete responders after chemotherapy had also a significantly longer recurrence-free survival, though 19 out of 20 did not undergo surgery. Complete response after this induction therapy is thus an important prognostic predictor.

[Immediate relief in malignant respiratory tract neoplasms by endoscopic neodymium-YAG laser treatment]. / Omedelbar lindring vid maligna tumörer i luftvägarna med endoskopisk neodym-YAG-laserbehandling.

Primary and secondary malignant tumours in the central airways can cause obstruction or chronic haemoptyses. Conventional forms of treatment are insufficient. Bronchoscopic Neodymium-YAG laser treatment, hitherto unused in Sweden, can give immediate palliation, Indications and contraindications are given, and the first fourteen patients treated are presented.

Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare tumor in the temporomandibular joint region. This article deals with a 32-yr-old male who suffered from pain and swelling in the right temporomandibular joint region associated with restricted mouth opening. Computed tomography showed a tumor lateral to the temporomandibular joint. Arthrography revealed a displaced temporomandibular joint disk. Fine-needle aspiration cytology showed characteristic cellular changes, including rounded or oval cells with abundant cytoplasm and intracytoplasmatic hemosiderin deposits and numerous multinucleated giant cells without nuclear atypia. A benign mesenchymal lesion suggestive for pigmented villonodular synovitis was diagnosed and later verified at histologic examination. Fine-needle aspiration cytology seems to be useful for this diagnosis.

Cineradiography identifies esophageal candidiasis in progressive systemic sclerosis.

Cineradiography of the esophagus showed signs of esophageal candidiasis in 11 out of 71 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) - both in diffuse scleroderma and the CREST syndrome. Culture of esophageal brushings confirmed the presence of Candida albicans in eight of these 11 patients. Antimycotic treatment decreased the cineradiographic signs of candidiasis and the degree of dysphagia. Since impaired esophageal motility and treatment with immunosuppressive drugs may predispose to candida esophagitis, and since dysphagia will decrease after antimycotic treatment esophageal mycosis should always be sought in patients with PSS.

Carbon dioxide laser as primary treatment of glottic T1S and T1A tumours.

A series of 31 glottic T1 tumours, 18 T1A and 13 T1S, treated endoscopically by carbon dioxide laser surgery is presented. There were 3 recurrences in each group which were successfully treated by repeated laser surgery or radiotherapy. A comparison of the quality of the voice with T1A tumours primarily treated by radiotherapy using a GRBAS score is made. The quality changed for the worse permanently after laser excision.

Caudal musculocutaneous trapezius flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects.

To date trapezius flaps have been utilized only to a limited extent in reconstructive surgery. We present the experience we have gained of caudal trapezius flaps in the reconstruction of tissue defects on the neck and shoulders. We have operated on a total of 6 patients. The anatomy of the trapezius muscle and its function are presented in brief. The surgical technique is explained and case studies of 3 patients are presented.

Intra-arterial mitomycin C and intravenous bleomycin as induction chemotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer--a phase II study.

Fifty-six patients with previously untreated, unresectable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region were treated with repeated intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C using a selective or super-selective angiographic technique, and bleomycin given i.v., followed by radical radiotherapy. In addition, restricted tumour-reductive surgery was done in 18 of these patients. The response rate (CR + PR) after completion of the integrated treatment was 89%, with 63% of the patients showing CR. The toxicity of this regimen was, however, far from negligible. The median survival for this series of patients with advanced head and neck cancers is 19 months, and 17 are still alive after 16 + -66 + months.

The effect of provoked allergic reaction and histamine on nasal mucosal blood flow in humans.

The allergic reaction in the nasal mucosa is a complex pathophysiological process with several chemical mediators involved. One of the primary mediators is histamine. This investigation was performed to study separately the effects of an allergic reaction and of histamine on the human nasal mucosal blood flow with the 133Xe wash-out method. An allergic reaction was provoked by pollen allergens and blood flow was estimated before and after provocation. In healthy subjects and in subjects with allergic rhinitis and off pollen season, the effect of histamine injected into the mucosa was studied. The allergic reaction decreased the blood flow but histamine had a converse effect in both allergic and normal subjects. This indicates that histamine alone is not responsible for the vascular effects in allergic rhinitis. Different mechanisms responsible for the decreased blood flow in the allergic reaction are discussed.

Patency of the nasofrontal duct during frontal sinusitis.

In a series of frontal sinuses trephined due to frontal sinusitis the airway resistance of the nasofrontal duct was tested during the healing period as well as in a long-term follow-up study up to one year. The nasofrontal duct was more resistant to passage for air than for saline during the healing period. A high incidence of recurrences was found in cases with high airway resistance of the duct, a prolonged primary healing period and when major nasal pathology was found.

The airway resistance of the naso-frontal duct during and after acute frontal sinusitis. A long term follow-up of 49 trephined frontal sinuses.

A new pressure flow method for function tests and calculation of the airway resistance in the naso-frontal duct is presented. With this pressure flow technique the function and airway resistance of the naso-frontal duct was tested in 49 patients who were trephined for acute frontal sinusitis. The tests were performed during the primary healing period (0-16 days) and in a long term study 2, 6 and 12 months after operation. The patients were also checked radiologically and clinically. A prolonged healing period (more than 6 days) corresponded significantly to a high incidence of recurrent disease. With this method it is possible to define groups where recurrences might be expected because of impaired function of the naso-frontal duct.

Hemifacial spasm: electrophysiological findings and the therapeutic effect of facial nerve block.

Twenty patients with cryptogenic hemifacial spasm have been examined electrophysiologically and treated with blockade of the facial nerve with phenol injections after localization of the nerve by electrical stimulation. The electrophysiological findings suggested a central origin of the spasms. The phenol injections abolished the spasms, but they recurred in most patients after 6 to 12 months. A few patients appeared to get permanent relief after one or more phenol injections. We used phenol blockade of the facial nerve as our first therapeutic treatment of choice in patients with distressing hemifacial spasm because it is a safe, simple, and repeatable procedure.

Ameloblastoma of the maxilla. Report of three cases.

Three cases of ameloblastoma of the maxilla are presented. Symptoms, diagnostic procedures and therapy are discussed in relation to these cases. It is stressed that surgery of a maxillary ameloblastoma must be radical from the beginning. Otherwise the tumour may spread to the pterygopalatine fossa, temporal fossa or base of skull. Such tumour extensions are not resectable. The tumour is slowly-growing and a careful follow-up is mandatory.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy of malignant head and neck tumours with superselective angiographic technique.

A technique is described for repeated superselective angiographic infusion of anticancer drugs into advanced malignant tumours of the head and neck region. The technique allows for a high concentration of the drug in the tumour and, furthermore, it is possible to ensure that the infused anticancer drug adequately reaches the tumour. Mitomycin C was given to 15 patients with advanced malignant tumours of the head and neck region. In 16 patients a partial remission was seen, and in another 5 patients a subjective improvement was reported. No complications were observed.