Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid with cervicothoracic venous tumor thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 25%-42% of metastatic thyroid malignancies. Propensity for RCC to demonstrate intravascular extension to the inferior vena cava is well documented. We present an analogous phenomenon of intravascular extension to the internal jugular vein (IJV) from thyroid gland metastasis. METHODS: A 69-year-old male presented with metastatic RCC of the right thyroid lobe. Imaging demonstrated tumor thrombosis of the ipsilateral IJV, extending inferiorly to the junction of the brachiocephalic, subclavian, and internal jugular veins within the mediastinum. RESULTS: Surgical excision required control of both the IJV in the neck and mediastinal venous great vessels via sternotomy, prior to subtotal thyroidectomy and venotomy for en bloc resection. CONCLUSION: This case report describes metastatic RCC to the thyroid gland with cervicothoracic venous tumor thrombosis successfully treated with subtotal thyroidectomy, sternotomy for venotomy and tumor thrombectomy, and preservation of IJV conduit.

Combination Treatment of Withalongolide a Triacetate with Cisplatin Induces Apoptosis by Targeting Translational Initiation, Migration, and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Treatment regimens for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) typically include cisplatin and radiotherapy and are limited by toxicities. We have identified naturally derived withalongolide A triacetate (WGA-TA) from Physalis longifolia as a lead compound for targeting HNSCC. We hypothesized that combining WGA-TA with cisplatin may allow for lower, less toxic cisplatin doses. HNSCC cell lines were treated with WGA-TA and cisplatin. After treatment with the drugs, the cell viability was determined by MTS assay. The combination index was calculated using CompuSyn. The expression of proteins involved in the targeting of translational initiation complex, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and apoptosis were measured by western blot. Invasion and migration were measured using the Boyden-chamber assay. Treatment of MDA-1986 and UMSCC-22B cell lines with either WGA-TA or cisplatin alone for 72 h resulted in a dose dependent decrease in cell viability. Cisplatin in combination with WGA-TA resulted in significant synergistic cell death starting from 1.25 µM cisplatin. Combination treatment with WGA-TA resulted in lower cisplatin dosing while maintaining the downregulation of translational initiation complex proteins, the induction of apoptosis, and the blockade of migration, invasion, and EMT transition. These results suggest that combining a low concentration of cisplatin with WGA-TA may provide a safer, more effective therapeutic option for HNSCC that warrants translational validation.

Advancement of PI3 Kinase Inhibitor Combination Therapies for PI3K-Aberrant Chordoma.

Objectives Targeted inhibitors of the PI3 kinase (PI3K) pathway have shown promising but incomplete antitumor activity in preclinical chordoma models. The aim of this study is to advance methodology for a high-throughput drug screen using chordoma models to identify new combination therapies for chordoma. Study Design Present work is an in vitro study. Setting The study conducted at an academic research laboratory. Materials and Methods An in vitro study on automated high-throughput screening of chordoma cells was performed using a library of 1,406 drugs as both mono- and combination therapies with PI3K inhibitors. Combination indices were determined for dual therapies and synergistic outliers were identified as potential therapeutic agents. T (brachyury) siRNA knockdown in combination with PI3K pathway inhibition was also assessed. Results Fifty-nine combination therapies were identified as having potential therapeutic efficacy. Effective combinations included PI3K inhibitors with GSK1838705A (ALK/IGF-1R inhibitor), LY2874455 (VEGFR/FGFR inhibitor), El1 (selective Ezh2 inhibitor), and (-)-p-bromotetramisole oxalate (alkaline phosphatase inhibitor). The top ranking targets identified included ALK, PDGFR, VEGFR, aurora kinase, and BCL-2. T (brachyury) inhibition produced significant reduction in cell viability and growth; however PI3K inhibition in combination with T (brachyury) knockdown did not result in further reduction in growth and viability in vitro. Conclusion High throughput with in vitro combination screening is feasible with chordoma cells and allows for rapid identification of synergistic dual-therapies. Potential combination therapies and targetable pathways were identified. T (brachyury) knockdown produced significant reduction in cell viability, but did not show additional benefit with PI3K pathway inhibition in this model. Further in vitro and in vivo validation of these therapeutic combinations is warranted.

Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumors of the Sinonasal Area and Skull Base: Experience at a Single Institution.

OBJECTIVES: Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) is a rare, polymorphous neoplasm with a highly variable presentation and natural history and unpredictable clinical course. The primary objective was to describe our clinical experience with and management of 4 markedly different cases of sinonasal and skull base PMT. METHODS: A retrospective case series with chart review, and relevant literature review, was performed at a tertiary academic medical center between 1998 and 2020. Adult patients treated for PMTs of the sinonasal area and skull base were included. Our main outcome measures included postoperative laboratory findings and radiological evidence of disease remission. RESULTS: Four patients (2 Males, 2 Females; Mean Age: 63.5 years) with PMTs of the skull base have been managed at our institution since 1998. Patient presentations varied, ranging from severe phosphorus wasting and osteoporosis to symptoms secondary to mass effect, including nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea. All 4 patients were eventually found to have elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 23. Tumors were located in the sinonasal area (right frontal sinus, right ethmoid sinus, and right nasal cavity, respectively) in 3 patients and in the lateral skull base (right jugular foramen) in 1 patient. All 4 patients underwent complete surgical resection of their tumors. PMT tissue pathology was confirmed in all cases. Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. There was no chemical or radiological evidence of disease recurrence in any patients at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The presentation of skull base PMT is variable, and it may mimic other mass pathologies of the head and neck. Complete surgical resection with negative margins is potentially curative.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the 2021 Otolaryngology Residency Match: Analysis of the Texas STAR Database.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To estimate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the 2021 otolaryngology match with regard to geographic clustering, interview distribution, applicant-reported costs, and matched applicant characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Survey data from applicants to otolaryngology residency programs were obtained from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Applications to Residency database. Applicant differences between the 2021 match year and prior match years (2018, 2019, and 2020) were analyzed using two-sided t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 442 otolaryngology residency applicants responded to the survey, including 329 from the match years 2018 to 2020 and 113 from match year 2021. In 2021, 30.7% of responding applicants reported matching at a program where they had a geographic connection, compared to 40.0% in prior years (P = .139). Matched applicants in 2021 reported attending less interviews than applicants in prior years (mean 12.2 vs. 13.3, P = .040), and 26.1% of responding applicants reported matching at a program where they sent a preference signal. Applicants in the 2021 match reported significantly lower total costs than applicants in prior years (mean difference -$5,496, 95% confidence interval -$6,234 to -$4,759; P < .001). Compared to prior match years, matched applicants in 2021 had no meaningful differences in characteristics such as United States Medical Licensing Exam board scores, clerkship grades, honors society memberships, research output, volunteer experiences, or leadership experiences. CONCLUSION: Based on this sample, there was no evidence of significant interview hoarding or increased geographic clustering in the 2021 otolaryngology match, and the COVID-19 pandemic did not appear to result in significantly different matched applicant characteristics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:1177-1183, 2022.

Evaluation of In-Office Volitional Snore as a Screening Tool for Candidacy for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation.

Candidacy evaluation for hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is resource intensive. This proof-of-concept study investigates use of in-office volitional snore during flexible laryngoscopy as an efficient, cost-effective screening tool for HGNS evaluation. Adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea that failed continuous positive airway pressure treatment (n = 41) underwent evaluation for HGNS from 2018 to 2019. Volitional snore and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) data were collected and scored by VOTE classification (velum/palate, oropharynx, tongue base, epiglottis). A chi-square test of independence was performed that demonstrated a significant relationship between volitional snore and DISE (χ2 = 4.39, P = .036) for velum collapse pattern. Sensitivity and specificity of volitional snore for detecting velum collapse pattern were 93.6% (95% CI, 75.6%-99.2%) and 40% (95% CI, 12.2%-73.8%), respectively, illustrating its utility in screening for HGNS. Patients who demonstrate anterior-posterior velum collapse on volitional snore may be excellent candidates for confirmatory DISE at the time of HGNS implantation.

Segmental mandibular reconstruction in patients with poor lower extremity perfusion, vessel-depleted necks and/or profound medical frailty.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Options for segmental mandibular reconstruction in patients poorly suited to undergo fibula free flap (FFF). RECENT FINDINGS: Although FFF is the current 'gold standard' for segmental mandibular reconstruction, other reconstructive options must be considered when FFF is contraindicated or disfavoured and/or patient frailty precludes a lengthy anaesthetic. In addition to various nonvascularized and soft tissue only reconstructions, excellent osseous free flap alternatives for functional segmental mandibular reconstruction may be employed. The subscapular system free flaps (SSSFF) may be ideal in frail and/or elderly patients, as SSSFF allows for early mobility and does not alter gait. In extensive and/or symphyseal defects, functional mandibular reconstruction in lieu of a free flap is extremely limited. Pedicled segmental mandibular reconstructions remain reasonable options, but limited contemporary literature highlights unpredictable bone graft perfusion and poor long-term functional outcomes. SUMMARY: There are several excellent free flap alternatives to FFF in segmental mandibular reconstruction, assuming adequate cervical recipient vessels are present. On the basis of the current literature, the optimal mandibular reconstruction for the medically frail, elderly and/or patients with extreme vessel-depleted necks is limited and debatable. In qualifying (i.e. limited, lateral) defects, soft tissue only reconstructions should be strongly considered when osseous free flaps are unavailable.

Current Practices in Microvascular Reconstruction by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

PURPOSE: Microvascular free tissue transfer (MFTT) is a reliable reconstructive option with variation in perioperative care and a general lack of clinical practice guidelines. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons' (OMSs) current MFTT perioperative practices in the United States have not been described. This study describes these practices including surgeon practice environment, operative practices, perioperative management, and success. METHODS: The study design is cross sectional. The sample is composed of OMSs who completed an Oral/Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship prior to 2018 in the United States. Data were collected by means of a survey of the study sample. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: Forty surgeons responded to the survey for a response rate of 33.9%. Respondents were 97.5% (n = 39) male and worked in private (n = 8), combination (n = 10), and academic practices (n = 23). Surgeons in private and academic practice performed an average of 23.3 (SD 13.9) and 48.6 (SD 28.6) flaps per year, respectively. The 2-team approach was used by 88.2% of surgeons. Immediate dental implants were placed in osteocutaneous free flaps by 28.6% (n = 2) of private practice surgeons and 70% (n = 14) of academic surgeons. Postoperatively, most patients went to an intensive care unit (ICU) (82.7%, average duration 2.6 days). Anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications were routinely used with the most common choice being aspirin (77.4%, n = 24). Antibiotics were universally administered, often for 3 days or longer (74.2%, n = 23). Self-reported success rates were 95.3% (SD 4.1) and 96.0% (SD 1.7) in private and academic settings, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of practice trends by microvascular OMSs in the United States. The results of this study suggest that there is variation in MFTT operative and perioperative practices by individual surgeons and practice environment with minimal variation in self-reported success rates.

Physician Confidence in Neck Ultrasonography for Surveillance of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Recurrence.

IMPORTANCE: Neck ultrasonography, a mainstay of long-term surveillance for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), is routinely used by endocrinologists, general surgeons, and otolaryngologists; however, physician confidence in their ability to use ultrasonography to identify lymph nodes suggestive of cancer recurrence remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physicians' posttreatment surveillance practices for DTC recurrence, specifically their use of and confidence in ultrasonography. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 448 physicians in private and academic hospitals who completed a survey on DTC posttreatment practices from October 2018 to August 2019 (response rate, 69%) and self-reported involvement in long-term surveillance for thyroid cancer recurrence. Physicians were identified by patients affiliated with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program registries in Georgia State and Los Angeles County. Of the respondents, 320 physicians who reported involvement with DTC surveillance were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Physician-reported long-term surveillance practices for DTC, including frequency of use and level of confidence in ultrasonography for detecting lymph nodes suggestive of cancer recurrence. RESULTS: In the cohort of 320 physicians who reported involvement with DTC surveillance, 186 (60%) had been in practice for 10 years to less than 30 years; 209 (68%) were White; and 212 (66%) were men. The physicians included 170 (56%) endocrinologists, 67 (21%) general surgeons, and 75 (23%) otolaryngologists. Just 84 (27%) physicians reported personally performing bedside ultrasonography. Only 57 (20%) had high confidence (rated quite or extremely confident) in their ability to use bedside ultrasonography to identify lymph nodes suggestive of recurrence; 94 (33%) did not report high confidence in either their ability or a radiologist's ability to use ultrasonography to detect recurrence. Higher confidence in ultrasonography was associated with the general surgery subspecialty (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% CI, 2.2-14.4; reference endocrinology) and with treating a higher number of patients per year (>50 patients: OR, 14.4; 95% CI, 4.4-47.4; 31-50 patients: OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.6-26.7; 11-30 patients: OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.5-12.1; reference 0-10 patients). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Given the importance of neck ultrasonography in long-term surveillance for thyroid cancer, these findings of physicians' low confidence in their own ability and that of radiologists to use ultrasonography to detect recurrence point to a major obstacle to standardizing long-term DTC surveillance practices.

Treatment and Outcomes for Cutaneous Periauricular Basal Cell Carcinoma: A 16-Year Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report a single institutional experience with the surgical management of cutaneous periauricular basal cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary academic center. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 71 patients diagnosed with periauricular basal cell carcinoma managed surgically from 2000 to 2016. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 73.0 years (interquartile range, 13.0). Of all lesions, 2.8% (n = 2) were preauricular, 80.3% (n = 57) auricular, and 16.9% (n=12) postauricular. Auricular subsites included conchal bowl (36.6%, n = 26), helix (21.1%, n = 15), antihelix (1.4%, n = 1), peritragus (5.6%, n = 4), triangular fossa (1.4%, n = 1), external auditory canal (2.8%, n = 2), and lobule skin (1.4%, n = 1). Surgical approach included wide local excision (80.3%, n = 57), partial auriculectomy (8.5%, n = 6), and total auriculectomy or other combinations of surgical methods (11.3%, n = 8). Due to aggressive pathology, 3 cases required concurrent parotidectomy, neck dissection, ear canal sleeve resection, or mastoidectomy. In sum, 52.1% (n = 37) of cases had clear margins on first pass in the operating room; 25.4% (n = 18) required further resection; and 12.7% (n = 9) demonstrated final positive/overturned margins read as negative from the frozen sections. Reconstruction included full-thickness (25.4%, n = 18) or superficial-thickness (29.6%, n = 21) skin grafts and local flap reconstruction (25.4%, n = 18), while 5.6% (n = 4) required combinations of free flap and/or other reconstruction techniques; 14.1% (n = 10) did not undergo formal reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Periauricular basal cell carcinoma occurs in anatomically diverse locations in and around the ear, and multiple surgical methods are required for successful treatment.

The Rise of Upper Airway Stimulation in the Era of Transoral Robotic Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Introduced in 2010, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is recognized as an effective treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the setting of lymphoid and muscular tongue base hypertrophy. Upper airway stimulation (UAS) or hypoglossal nerve stimulation has emerged as a promising treatment of patients with moderate to severe OSA who have failed continuous positive airway pressure. UAS has shown favorable success rates and low morbidity compared with traditional soft tissue and skeletal framework surgery. UAS is in its infancy as a surgical procedure and concerns exist regarding narrow candidacy criteria, postimplant device titration, and durability of treatment response.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Melanoma: Long-term Outcomes, Prognostic Value, Accuracy, and Safety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for head and neck cutaneous melanoma (HNCM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary academic medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Longitudinal review of a 356-patient cohort with HNCM undergoing SLNB from 1997 to 2007. RESULTS: Descriptive characteristics included the following: age, 53.5 ± 19 years (mean ± SD); sex, 26.8% female; median follow-up, 4.9 years; and Breslow depth, 2.52 ± 1.87 mm. Overall, 75 (21.1%) patients had a positive SLNB. Among patients undergoing completion lymph node dissection following positive SLNB, 20 (27.4%) had at least 1 additional positive nonsentinel lymph node. Eighteen patients with local control and negative SLNB developed regional disease, indicating a false omission rate of 6.4%, including 10 recurrences in previously unsampled basins. Ten-year overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS) were significantly greater in the negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) cohort (OS, 61% [95% CI, 0.549-0.677]; MSS, 81.9% [95% CI, 0.769-0.873]) than the positive SLN cohort (OS, 31% [95% CI, 0.162-0.677]; MSS, 60.3% [95% CI, 0.464-0.785]) and positive SLN/positive nonsentinel lymph node cohort (OS, 8.4% [95% CI, 0.015-0.474]; MSS, 9.6% [95% CI, 0.017-0.536]). OS was significantly associated with SLN positivity (hazard ratio [HR], 2.39; P < .01), immunosuppression (HR, 2.37; P < .01), angiolymphatic invasion (HR, 1.91; P < .01), and ulceration (HR, 1.86; P < .01). SLN positivity (HR, 3.13; P < .01), angiolymphatic invasion (HR, 3.19; P < .01), and number of mitoses (P = .0002) were significantly associated with MSS. Immunosuppression (HR, 3.01; P < .01) and SLN status (HR, 2.84; P < .01) were associated with recurrence-free survival, and immunosuppression was the only factor significantly associated with regional recurrence (HR, 6.59; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow up indicates that SLNB showcases durable accuracy, safety, and prognostic importance for cutaneous HNCM.

Predictors of distant metastasis in acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland.

BACKGROUND: AiCC is a primarily indolent disease process. Our aim with this study is to determine characteristics consistent with rapidly progressive AiCC of the parotid gland. AIM: To report on patients with metastatic lung disease from AiCC and potential correlative factors. METHODS: Single-institution retrospective review of patients treated at the University of Michigan between 2000 and 2017. Univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were identified. There were 6 patients (10.9%) with primary AiCC of the parotid gland who developed lung metastases. The mean age at diagnosis for patients with lung metastases was 57.8 years of age, in comparison to 40.2 years for those without metastases (P = 0.064). All 6 of the patients with lung metastases demonstrated gross perineural invasion intraoperatively, in comparison to none of those in the non-lung metastases cohort. Worse disease-free and overall survival were significantly associated with gross perineural invasion, high-grade differentiation, and T4 classification (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: AiCC of the parotid gland is viewed as a low-grade neoplasm with good curative outcomes and low likelihood of metastasis. With metastasis, however, it does exhibit a tendency to spread to the lungs. These patients thereby comprise a unique and understudied patient population. In this retrospective study, factors that have been shown to be statistically significant in association with worse disease-free survival and overall survival include presence of gross facial nerve invasion, higher T-classification, and high-grade disease.

Cranial nerve outcomes in regionally recurrent head & neck melanoma after sentinel lymph node biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: Characterize long-term cranial nerve (CN) outcomes following sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) based management for head and neck cutaneous melanoma (HNCM). METHODS: Longitudinal review of HNCM patients undergoing SLNB from 1997-2007. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six patients were identified, with mean age 53.5 ± 19.0 years, mean Breslow depth 2.52 ± 1.87 mm, and 4.9 years median follow-up. One hundred five (29.4%) patients had SLNB mapping to the parotid basin. Eighteen patients had positive parotid SLNs and underwent immediate parotidectomy / immediate completion lymph node dissection (iCLND), with six possessing positive parotid non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLNs). Fifty-two of 356 (14.6%) patients developed delayed regional recurrences, including 20 total intraparotid recurrences: five following false negative (FN) parotid SLNB, three following prior immediate superficial parotidectomy, two following iCLND without parotidectomy, and the remaining 12 parotid recurrences had negative extraparotid SLNBs. Parotid recurrences were multiple (4.9 mean recurrent nodes) and advanced (n = 4 extracapsular extension), and all required salvage dissection including parotidectomy. Immediate parotidectomy/iCLND led to no permanent CN injuries. Delayed regional HNCM macrometastasis precipitated 16 total permanent CN injuries in 13 patients: 10 CN VII, five CN XI, and one CN XII deficits. Fifty percent (n = 10) of parotid recurrences caused ≥1 permanent CN deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Regional HNCM macrometastases and salvage dissection confer marked CN injury risk, whereas early surgical intervention via SLNB ± iCLND ± immediate parotidectomy yielded no CN injuries. Further, superficial parotidectomy performed in parotid-mapping HNCM does not obviate delayed intraparotid recurrences, which increase risk of CN VII injury. Despite lack of a published disease-specific survival advantage in melanoma, early disease control in cervical and parotid basins is paramount to minimize CN complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 (retrospective case series) Laryngoscope, 130:1707-1714, 2020.

Development and Multidisciplinary Preliminary Validation of a 3-Dimensional-Printed Pediatric Airway Model for Emergency Airway Front-of-Neck Access Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric-specific difficult airway guidelines include algorithms for 3 scenarios: unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation, difficult mask ventilation, and cannot intubate/cannot ventilate. While rare, these instances may require front-of-neck access (FONA) to secure an airway until a definitive airway can be established. The aim of this study was to develop a pediatric FONA simulator evaluated by both anesthesiology and otolaryngology providers, promoting multidisciplinary airway management. METHODS: A 3-dimensional-printed tracheal model was developed using rescaled, anatomically accurate dimensions from a computerized tomography scan using computer-aided design software. The medical grade silicone model was incorporated into a mannequin to create a low-cost, high-fidelity simulator. A multidisciplinary team of anesthesiology, otolaryngology, and simulation experts refined the model. Experts in airway management were recruited to rate the realism of the model's characteristics and features and their own ability to complete specific FONA-related tasks. RESULTS: Six expert raters (3 anesthesiology and 3 otolaryngology) were identified for multidisciplinary evaluation of model test content validity. Analysis of response data shows null variance within 1 or both specialties for a majority of the content validity tool elements. High and consistent absolute ratings for each domain indicate that the tested experts perceived this trainer as a realistic and highly valuable tool in its current state. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to practice front-of-neck emergency airway procedures safely and subsequently demonstrate proficiency on a child model has great implications regarding both quality of physician training and patient outcomes. This model may be incorporated into curricula to teach needle cricothyroidotomy and other FONA procedures to providers across disciplines.

Energy level and fatigue after surgery for thyroid cancer: A population-based study of patient-reported outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer and patient-report of decreased energy and fatigue remains unclear. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer from 2014 to 2015 included in the Georgia and Los Angeles, California cancer registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program were surveyed 2 to 4 years after diagnosis, and responses were linked to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Multivariable logistic regression analysis determined characteristics associated with the report of worse energy level at 2 to 4 years compared to before treatment and current fatigue severity using adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 2,584 respondents, 988 (38.2%) reported much worse or somewhat worse energy and 1,310 (50.7%) reported moderate to very severe fatigue. The majority of patients were treated with total thyroidectomy with or without nodal dissection (total thyroidectomy with lymph node removal [49.3%] or total thyroidectomy [38.3%]). Only 12.3% had a thyroid lobectomy. Just over half were treated with radioactive iodine therapy (56.7%) and thyroid hormone suppression (50.2%) after the thyroidectomy. Younger age, history of depression, thyroid hormone suppression (odds ratio 1.48 [confidence interval 1.21-1.82]), and receipt of radioiodine (odds ratio 1.31 [confidence interval 1.10-1.56]) correlated with worse energy. Similarly, correlates of substantial fatigue included younger age, more comorbidities, history of depression, and thyroid hormone suppression (odds ratio 1.63 [confidence interval 1.34-1.99]). The presence of low serum calcium levels for >3 months after thyroidectomy was associated with worse energy (odds ratio 1.26 [confidence interval 1.02-1.54]) and substantial fatigue (odds ratio 1.49 [confidence interval 1.21-1.84]). CONCLUSION: In addition to accepted risk factors such as depression and comorbidities, receiving radioactive iodine and reporting low calcium after thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer were associated with reports of worse energy compared to preoperative levels; thyroid hormone suppression was associated with reports of both worse energy and substantial post-treatment fatigue.

Institutional Experience of Treatment and Outcomes for Cutaneous Periauricular Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To report our institutional experience, management, and outcomes of cutaneous periauricular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary academic center. SUBJECTS: Patients undergoing treatment of cutaneous periauricular SCC from 2000 to 2016. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients had a median follow-up of 24.5 months, a mean ± SD age of 75.7 ± 10.6 years, and a strong male predominance (93.8%). Site distribution shows 87 (77.7%) auricular, 26 (23.2%) preauricular, and 10 (8.8%) postauricular lesions. Of auricular lesions, tumors involved the tragus (n = 3, 3.4%), helix/antihelix (n = 47, 54.0%), conchal bowl (n = 31, 35.6%), external auditory canal (n = 18, 16.1%), and lobule (n = 3, 3.4%). Most patients presented at stage I (52.7%) versus stages II (28.6%), III (6.3%), and IV (12.5%). Patients were largely treated surgically with primary tumor resection ranging from wide local excision to lateral temporal bone resection (± parotidectomy and neck dissection), with 17.0% and 5.4% receiving adjuvant radiation and chemoradiation, respectively. Metastatic spread was seen to the parotid (25.9%) and neck (26.8%), with most common cervical spread to level II. Overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival at 3 years were 62%, 89%, and 56%, respectively. Nodal disease was associated with worse disease-specific survival (P < .001) and disease-free survival (P = .042). Pre- and postauricular sites were associated with worse overall survival (P = .007) relative to auricular sites. CONCLUSION: Among cutaneous SCC, periauricular subsites pose treatment challenges related to surrounding anatomy and represent a unique tumor population. The reported propensity toward recurrence and patterns of metastasis may better guide treatment of aggressive tumors to include regional nodal dissection.

Machine Learning Diagnosis of Peritonsillar Abscess.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a difficult diagnosis to make clinically, with clinical examination of even otolaryngologists showing poor sensitivity and specificity. Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence that "learns" from data to make predictions. We developed a machine learning classifier to predict the diagnosis of PTA based on patient symptoms. We retrospectively collected clinical data and symptomatology from 916 patients who underwent attempted needle aspiration for PTA. Machine learning classifiers were trained on a subset of the data to predict the presence or absence of purulence on attempted aspiration. The performance of the model was evaluated on a holdout set. The accuracy of the top-performing algorithm, the artificial neural network, was 72.3%. Artificial neural networks can use patient symptoms to exceed human ability to predict PTA in patients with clinical suspicion for PTA. Similar models can assist medical decision making for clinicians who have suspicion of PTA.

Optimal Timing of Entry-Level Otolaryngology Simulation.

OBJECTIVE: Appropriate timing of subspecialty simulation is critical to maximize learner benefit and guide resource utilization. We aimed to determine optimal timing of a simulation-based curriculum designed to teach entry-level procedural skills for otolaryngology residency. STUDY DESIGN: Simulation curriculum intervention tested among 3 comparison groups of varying clinical levels. SETTING: Academic otolaryngology training program and medical school. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We developed a simulation-based technical skills curriculum incorporating the following task trainers: flexible laryngoscopy, peritonsillar abscess drainage, and myringotomy and tube insertion. Preclinical medical students (n = 40), subintern rotators (n = 35), and midyear interns (n = 8) completed the simulation-based curriculum. Pre- and postintervention knowledge/confidence and "level appropriateness" were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, and effect size was calculated. RESULTS: Overall self-reported knowledge/confidence levels improved in all 3 groups preintervention (1.05, 2.15, 3.17) to postintervention (2.79, 3.45, 4.38, respectively; all P < .01). Preclinical medical students uniformly reported very little to no familiarity with the procedures prior to the curriculum, while interns approached independence following the intervention. Large effect sizes were seen in all tasks for preclinical students (d = 3.13), subinterns (d = 1.46), and interns (d = 2.14). Five-point Likert scale measures of level appropriateness (1 = too challenging, 5 = too easy) for preclinical students, subinterns, and interns were 2.70 (95% CI, 2.56-2.84), 3.11 (95% CI, 2.97-3.25), and 3.75 (95% CI, 3.35-4.15), respectively. CONCLUSION: Subinternship may represent the optimal timing for entry-level skills simulation training. The proposed curriculum shows utility for clinical levels ranging from medical students to postgraduate year 1 resident levels, with large effect sizes for all tested groups.