Prediction of successful hearing aid treatment in first-time and experienced hearing aid users: Using the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids.

OBJECTIVE: Primarily to understand whether clinically relevant factors affect the International Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA) scores and to examine if IOI-HA scores improve when renewing the hearing aids (HA) for experienced users. Secondly, to estimate the overall HA effectiveness using the IOI-HA. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. STUDY SAMPLE: In total, 1961 patients with hearing loss were included. All patients underwent a hearing examination, were fitted with HAs, and answered the IOI-HA. Factor analysis of IOI-HA separated the items into a Factor 1 (use of HA, perceived benefits, satisfaction, and quality of life) and Factor 2 (residual activity limitation, residual participation restriction and impact on others) score. RESULTS: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, HA usage time, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex were significantly associated with total IOI-HA, Factor 1, or Factor 2 scores. The seven IOI-HA items increased on average by 0.4 (p < 0.001) when renewing HAs. The total median IOI-HA score at follow-up was 29 (7) for experienced (n = 460) and first-time users (n = 1189), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Degree of hearing loss, word recognition score, motivation, tinnitus, asymmetry, and sex may be used to identify patients who require special attention to become successful HA users.

Waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer in Denmark in 2010 compared to 1992 and 2002.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Significant tumour progression was observed during waiting time for treatment of head and neck cancer. To reduce waiting times, a Danish national policy of fast track accelerated clinical pathways was introduced in 2007. This study describes changes in waiting time and the potential influence of fast track by comparing waiting times in 2010 to 2002 and 1992. METHODS: Charts of all new patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx at the five Danish head and neck oncology centres from January to April 2010 (n=253) were reviewed and compared to similar data from 2002 (n=211) and 1992 (n=168). RESULTS: The median time to diagnosis was 13 days (2010) versus 17 days (2002; p<0.001) and 20 days (1992; p<0.001). Median days from diagnosis to treatment start were 25 (2010) versus 47 (2002; p<0.001) and 31 (1992; p<0.001). Total pre-treatment time was median 41 days in 2010 versus 69 days (2002) (p<0.001) and 50 days (1992; p<0.001). Significantly more diagnostic imaging was done in 2010 compared to 2002 and 1992. When compared to current fast track standards the adherence to diagnosis improved slightly from 47% (1992) to 51% (2002) and 64% (2010); waiting time for radiotherapy was within standards for 7%, 1% and 22% of cases, respectively; waiting time for surgery was within standards for 17%, 22% and 48%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study showed a significant reduction in delay of diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer in 2010, but still less than half of all patients start treatment within the current standards.

FDG-PET/CT for detection of the unknown primary head and neck tumor.

The benefit of FDG-PET in addition to standard work-up for carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) and metastatic neck lesions has been widely described. However, most studies have been of retrospective nature with large heterogeneities in terms of workup standards and patient selection leaving several questions to be answered regarding the real value of PET in CUP. We here present an overview of the literature with focus on the current evidence of FDG-PET in detecting a primary in CUP and discuss the rationale of PET/CT in the diagnostic armamentarium of CUP.

Is thyroidectomy necessary in RET mutations carriers of the familial medullary thyroid carcinoma syndrome?

BACKGROUND: The results and consequences of genetic testing in a family with familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) are described. METHODS: In the screening of relatives, serum calcitonin is replaced by RET mutation analysis that was performed in families suspected of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In 4 of 10 families, mutation in exon 10 was found in codon 611. RESULTS: One hundred fifty persons belonging to 30 families were tested, of which 10 families were carriers of RET mutation in exon 10. In 1 of these families with MTC only, 2 brothers were gene carriers of a RET codon 611 mutation and lived without any sign of MTC. One is aged 79 years, and the other died at the age of 71 of other causes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the gene carrier in families with MTC without other endocrine tumors (FMTC) exhibits a highly variable disease course. A 611 codon mutation is most often a rather mild and slow progression form of MTC. Because 2 gene carriers were still alive at age 70 years without showing any sign of the disease, it is tempting to ask if all gene carriers with a 611 codon mutation without other endocrine tumors should be operated on, and if so, at what age? In the authors' opinion, more information is needed to be able to answer these questions. The current guidelines for treatment of patients with hereditary MTC are discussed.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule.

From 1978 to 1992, 66 patients (32 women and 34 men) were treated for carcinoma of the nasal vestibule at Odense University Hospital. The treatment was radiotherapy (41 patients), surgery (13 patients) or a combination of the two modalities (12 patients). Twenty-one patients (32%) developed recurrence. Of these, 17 (81%) were diagnosed within the first two years of follow up. The recurrence rate was found to be correlated to the anatomic site of the tumour-origin; septal site of origin meant higher risk of recurrence. Five-year disease specific and crude survival of all patients were 87.0% and 58.5%, respectively. Several variables (sex, age, anatomic site of origin, Wang-classification, tumour volume and regional lymphnode metastases at time of diagnosis) were evaluated as possible prognostic indicators. In univariate analysis, regional lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis and anatomic site of origin of the tumour showed a significant influence on survival. In multivariate analysis, septal origin of primary tumour was a significant, independent predictive factor of recurrence and the presence of lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis showed to be a highly significant prognosticator of both disease specific and crude survival (p < 0.0001). We conclude that patients with primary lymph node metastases and septal location of primary tumour need intensive primary treatment and close follow up.

Prognostic factors in papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas: p53 expression is a significant indicator of prognosis.

To identify clinical and histologic prognostic factors and to investigate whether immunohistochemical detection of p53 expression might contain prognostic information, a retrospective study of patient and tumor characteristics was performed in 225 cases of papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas. The analyses were based on cause-specific and crude survival. In univariate analysis, age at diagnosis, tumor size, presence of distant metastases, histology (papillary contra follicular type), extrathyroidal invasion, necrosis in primary tumor, and p53 expression were significant prognostic indicators. For 211 patients (96%) all information was available and Cox's proportional hazard model was applied. The authors found that age, distant metastases, necrosis in primary tumor, extrathyroidal invasion, and p53 expression were significant prognostic factors. Analyses of cause-specific and crude survival gave similar results. The authors conclude that age at diagnosis, presence of distant metastases, necrosis in primary tumor, and extrathyroidal invasion are important prognostic factors, and that immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein in the primary tumor is a significant and independent prognostic indicator, which might be of value in the treatment planning in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinomas.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: correlations between prognosis, age, and clinicopathological and histomorphological findings.

The age influence on the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma was analyzed in a group of 67 patients. A marked decline in cause-specific survival was found for patients older than 60 years of age at the time of diagnosis. In order to find a tumor-biological explanation of the prognostic difference between patients below and above 60 years of age, several clinicopathological and histomorphological features were analyzed. Tumors from patients older than 60 years of age showed significantly more mitotic activity and nuclear polymorphism, fewer psammoma bodies, and more frequent extrathyroidal invasion and distant metastases. The results indicate that 60 years of age the time of diagnosis may be the "prognostic break-point" for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

[Peritonsillar abscess. Occurrence of disease requiring surgery in the remaining tonsil after unilateral tonsillectomy à chaud]. / Peritonsillaer absces. Forekomst af operationskraevende sygdom i tilbageblevne tonsil efter unilateral tonsillektomi à chaud.

The occurrence of disease requiring surgery of the remaining tonsil after unilateral tonsillectomy à chaud in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess was studied in 536 patients. None of the patients histories of previous severe tonsillitis at the time of the unilateral had tonsillectomy. 9.3% of the patients under 30 years of age were readmitted for surgery on the remaining tonsil during the follow up period. Only 0.5% of the patients over 30 years were readmitted. Previous investigations have shown increasing frequency of pharyngitis after bilateral tonsillectomy. The present authors suggest bilateral tonsillectomy in all patients under 30 years of age who suffer from peritonsillar abscess irrespectively of previous tonsillar disease. In patients over 30 years, unilateral ablation is recommended unless clear indication for bilateral tonsillectomy are present.

Peritonsillar abscess: risk of disease in the remaining tonsil after unilateral tonsillectomy à chaud.

The occurrence of disease in the remaining tonsil after unilateral tonsillectomy à chaud in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess, was studied in 536 patients. No patient had a history of previous severe tonsillitis at the time of the unilateral tonsillectomy, 6.1 per cent of the patients were readmitted for surgery of the remaining tonsil during the follow-up period. Ninety-seven per cent of these patients were younger than 30 years of age. Previous investigations have shown increasing frequency by age of pharyngitis after bilateral tonsillectomy. We suggest bilateral tonsillectomy in all cases of patients younger than 30 years old who suffer from peritonsillar abscess irrespective of previous tonsillar disease. Patients older than 30 should be treated with unilateral ablation, unless there is a clear indication for bilateral tonsillectomy.

[Transient abnormal Q-waves]. / Forbigående patologiske Q-takker.

We present a case of transient abnormal Q-waves (TAQ) and a review of the literature. TAQ are defined as abnormal Q-waves, which disappear within ten days. They are most often seen in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) but are also seen in other conditions. Brief episodes of myocardial ischemia giving rise to reversible biochemical and ultrastructural myocardial changes, resulting in transient ECG changes, provide an accepted theory for the pathogenesis of TAO. Investigations have shown that the occurrence of exercise-induced TAQ may be a symptom of IHD. It is impossible to distinguish TAQ from Q-waves induced by myocardial infarction. Appearance of TAQ during exercise-testing frequently indicates IHD.

[Congenital laryngo-tracheo-esophageal cleft]. / Kongenit laryngo-trakeo-øsofageal spalte.

A typical case of congenital laryngo-trachea-esophageal cleft (LTEC) is presented with a Review of the literature. LTEC is a rare congenital anomaly caused by defective fusion of the septum between larynx/trachea and hypopharynx/esophagus. The septum is formed by fusion of two lateral folds growing medially in very early foetal life. Fusion progresses in a cranial direction. Disturbances in septum formation result in LTEC. The disease gives respiratory problems with aspiration and excessive salivary production. The diagnosis is best made by intubating the larynx and examining the postcricoid region and anterior wall of the esophagus endoscopically. Stapling of the stomach, tracheostomy and secondary operative closure of the cleft has proved effective in the treatment of LTEC.