Comparing Transvaginal Ultrasound Measurements of Cervical Length to Bishop Score in Predicting Cesarean Section Following Induction of Labor: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION:  Bishop score (BS) has been used to see the favorability of the cervix for induction of labor (IOL), but it has limitations in today's diverse patient population. We aimed to assess the predictive value of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) measurements of cervical length (CL) compared to BS in determining the likelihood of cesarean section (CS) following IOL. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted on 120 women requiring IOL in a tertiary care hospital in central India. The inclusion criteria of the study were antenatal women more than 18 years of age, in need of IOL, having a singleton pregnancy with a gestational age of > 37 weeks as determined from the date of the last menstrual period and confirmed by sonographic measurements in the first trimester, presenting with a cephalic presentation, and having intact fetal membranes. Women with prior uterine scars and those unwilling to IOL were excluded from the study. TVUS was done just before induction. Statistical analyses were done to compare the predictive abilities of CL and BS for CS. RESULTS: The mean age and gestation period were 25.96 years and 39 weeks 3 days, respectively. The majority of the study population comprised multigravida (69, 57.5%), followed by primigravida (47, 39.2%), and grand multigravida (≥ G5) (4, 3.3%). Post-maturity (34, 28.3%), preeclampsia (21, 17.5%), and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (17, 14.2%) were common indications for induction. The overall CS rate was 35.8% (43/120). Women with CS had lower BS (3.60 vs. 4.70, P = 0.010) and higher CL (31.5 mm vs. 23.4 mm, P < 0.001). CL exhibited an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.857, outperforming BS (AUC = 0.643) in predicting CS. Using a CL cutoff of 26.5 mm yielded sensitivity (79.1%), specificity (81.8%), and overall accuracy (80.8%). CONCLUSIONS: TVUS measurement of CL (>26.5 mm) demonstrated superior predictive ability for CS following labor induction compared to BS (≤5). This study highlights the potential of CL measurement as an objective and reliable tool for optimizing decision-making in labor induction.

Balloon Sinus Dilation Versus Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of balloon sinus dilation (BSD) compared to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: A qualified medical librarian conducted a literature search for relevant publications that evaluate efficacy of BSD. Studies were assessed independently by 2 reviewers for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS: From 315 abstracts reviewed, 18 studies were included in qualitative review, and 7 were included in meta-analysis. Quantitative analysis included 4 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 3 cohort studies comparing baseline and post-operative Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-20 scores in BSD and FESS. A meta-analysis restricted to the studies reporting SD for changes from baseline (2 RCTs, 1 cohort) showed the pooled difference in means to be 0.435, less than a clinically meaningful difference of 0.8. A separate sensitivity analysis of the studies including 4 additional studies with imputed values of SD for changes from baseline showed the pooled difference of means to be 0.237 assuming the highest level of correlation (Corr .8) between the pre- and post-intervention scores. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited high-quality evidence that assesses the efficacy of BSD versus FESS in the management of CRS patients. To better inform CRS management, future studies should compare BSD with endoscopic sinus surgery, hybrid procedures, and/or medical management alone using validated objective and patient-reported outcome measures.

Risk Factors for Functional Outcomes in Advanced Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Chemoradiation for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may achieve organ preservation, but appropriate patient selection remains unknown. This study investigates pre-treatment risk factors associated with functional and survival outcomes after radiation-based therapy in patients with advanced laryngeal SCC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 75 adult patients with stage III or IV laryngeal SCC receiving definitive radiation-based therapy from 1997 to 2016 at a tertiary care center. Tracheostomy and gastrostomy dependence were the primary functional outcomes. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to evaluate relationships between pre-treatment factors and tracheostomy and gastrostomy dependence. Time-to-event analyses were performed to determine risk factors associated with overall survival. RESULTS: Among 75 patients included in the analysis, 30 (40%) patients were tracheostomy dependent and 31 (41%) were gastrostomy tube dependent. The median length of follow-up was 31 months (range = 1 to 142 months). Pre-treatment tracheostomy was a significant predictor of post-treatment tracheostomy (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI = 3.35 to 57.5) and moderate-severe comorbidity was a significant predictor of post-treatment gastrostomy dependence (aOR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.04 to 8.43). The five-year overall survival was 51% (95% CI = 38 to 64%). Pre-treatment gastrostomy tube dependence was associated with an increased risk of death (aHR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.09 to 5.53). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline laryngeal functional status and overall health in advanced laryngeal SCC are associated with poor functional outcomes after radiation-based therapy, highlighting the importance of patient selection when deciding between surgical and non-surgical treatment plans. Laryngoscope, 133:594-600, 2023.

Diagnostic accuracy of saliva as a specimen for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR.

Context: COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging pandemic that is rapidly spreading with more than 114 million confirmed cases and 2.5 million deaths by far. Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) in VTM has been used as the gold standard respiratory specimen for SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR (rRT-PCR) tests. But now the virus can also be detected in other clinical specimens like bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, saliva, throat swab, blood, and stool specimens. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of saliva as a sample in comparison to NPS for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 paired samples (NPS and Saliva) received in the Department of Microbiology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur over a period of 2 months. Methods and Material: NPS from individuals were collected in a sterile tube containing Viral Transport Medium™. Before swab collection, whole saliva was collected by spitting from the suspected patient into a sterile container. Both were stored at room temperature and transferred to the diagnostic laboratory within four hours of collection where extraction was done using Perkin Elmer chemagic extractor and rRT- PCR was performed using NIV, Pune mastermix. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in saliva were 84.26%, 100%, 100%, and 54.05%, respectively. The accuracy of detection of COVID-19 by saliva samples compared to the routinely used NPS samples (considered as the standard reference) for RT PCR was 86.72%. Conclusions: Our results show that saliva as a reliable sample type for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Ovarian Tumours: Discordance between Clinical and Radiological Findings: A Case Series.

The five major types of ovarian tumors in females of different age groups are discussed here with respect to discordance between ultrasonography, clinical features and histopathology findings. The importance of clinical examination cannot be denied in such cases as total dependence on investigation modalities may lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment. Five such cases admitted in the year 2017-2018 at Era's Lucknow medical college and hospital were selected for this series. All the cases had varied presentation, and diagnosis in each case was difficult as the nature of the masses differed markedly from the radiological findings. Even in expert hands, a radiological conclusion must go hand in hand with a proper clinical correlation.

Correlation of Serum Homocysteine Levels and Hyperinsulinaemia with Body Mass Index in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies affecting women in reproductive age group. The interrelationship of serum homocysteine, homoeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and body mass index amongst overweight, obese and non-obese PCOS patients is not fully established. Aims: We aimed to study the correlation of serum homocysteine levels and hyperinsulinaemia with body mass index (BMI) in PCOS patients. Study Setting and Design: This was a case-control study in which 35 women with PCOS and 35 non-PCOS women acting as controls were enrolled. Materials and Methods: Cases were identified by Rotterdam's criteria. (IR) indices, HOMA determination and serum homocysteine levels were determined and their correlation with BMI was studied. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test and analysis of variance test were used for statistical analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient was then used to estimate the correlation. Results: On overall evaluation, a significant positive correlation of fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and serum homocysteine) was observed (P < 0.05), however, on evaluating the correlation of these markers independently in cases and controls, only fasting insulin and HOMA-IR showed a significant correlation. In a multivariate model where PCOS was considered a dependent variable with age, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, serum homocysteine and body mass index as the independent variables, only serum homocysteine levels were found to be significantly associated with the dependent variable (odds ratio = 1.172; 95% confidence interval = 1.032-1.330). Conclusion: PCOS women had significantly higher mean fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and homocysteine levels as compared to non-PCOS controls. Mean HOMA-IR, homocysteine and fasting insulin levels showed a significant incremental trend with increasing BMI category in overall evaluation as well as in cases and controls independently.

Outcomes of Patients With Single-Node Metastasis of Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Transoral Surgery.

Importance: Regional lymph node metastasis remains an important prognostic factor in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Although survival among patients with regional metastasis in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related OPSCC is more favorable compared with patients who are HPV negative, prognostic variables associated with failure in patients with single-node metastasis are not known. Objective: To evaluate recurrence and survival in patients with HPV-related OPSCC with single-lymph node metastasis treated with transoral surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 207 adults with newly diagnosed p16-positive OPSCC and pathology-confirmed single-node disease who underwent surgical resection with or without adjuvant therapy at 2 tertiary academic medical centers from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016. Statistical analysis was performed from September 1, 2018, to September 1, 2020. Interventions: Surgery alone (n = 59), surgery with adjuvant radiation (n = 75), or surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation (n = 73). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was regional recurrence. Secondary outcomes included overall survival, any recurrence, and identification of factors associated with regional recurrence and overall survival. Results: Among 207 patients, 178 (86%) were men, with a median age of 57 years (range, 35-82 years) at the time of surgery. Median follow-up was 36.2 months (range, 7-127 months). Regional recurrence occurred in 11 patients (5%). Of these, 1 patient (9%) was lost to follow-up after diagnosis, 1 (9%) was treated with palliative chemotherapy, and 9 (82%) were treated with curative intent. Ultimately, 7 patients received successful salvage treatment, and 3 died with disease. Overall, there were 21 patients (10%) with any recurrence, with 4 patients (19%) experiencing local recurrence, 11 (52%) experiencing regional recurrence, and 6 (29%) experiencing distant metastasis. The 5-year overall survival was 95% (95% CI, 89%-98%) for all patients. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2), advanced T stage (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 0.9-14.0), and positive margins (OR, 10.9; 95% CI, 1.8-67.5) were associated with increased regional recurrence. Extranodal extension (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04-0.8), lymph node size greater than 3 cm (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7), and adjuvant therapy (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.4) were associated with decreased regional recurrence. Advanced comorbidities (hazard ratio, 6.20; 95% CI, 1.4-27.7), lymphovascular invasion (hazard ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.0-21.2), and regional recurrence (hazard ratio, 16.0; 95% CI, 3.1-82.0) were associated with worse overall survival. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that patients with HPV-related OPSCC and single-node disease undergoing surgical resection with or without adjuvant treatment have excellent survival. Adjuvant therapy appears to improve regional control. Among patients with regional recurrence of OPSCC, there is a high rate of successful salvage treatment.

Long-term analysis of transorally resected p16 + Oropharynx cancer: Outcomes and prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: We observed high survival in a previous report of a p16-positive, oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) cohort treated primarily with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) ± adjuvant therapy and followed for ≥ 12 months. To address long-term outcomes of primary transoral surgery for this unique disease, we present an updated analysis of our cohort with extended follow-up. METHODS: A prospectively assembled TLM cohort of 171 OPC patients was analyzed for disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survival (disease-free survival [DFS], disease-specific survival [DSS], overall survival [OS]) and functional outcomes, with a minimum follow-up of 60 months or to death. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 103 (60-201) months. Five-year DFS, DSS, and OS estimates were 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80%-91%), 93% (95% CI: 89%-97%), and 90% (95% CI: 86%-95%). Recurrence occurred in 20 (12%; 7 locoregional, 13 distant); median time to recurrence was 18.8 months; and 90% occurred within 48 months. Age, smoking, American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition clinical tumor-category, pathologic tumor (pT)-category, pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM), and any adjuvant were significantly associated with disease-free survival in multivariable analyses, whereas pT-category, pN-category, TNM grouping, and angioinvasion were associated with DSS. A second primary developed in six (3.5%) patients. Indications for gastrostomy were recurrence/second primary (11), postadjuvant esophageal stenosis (6), comorbidities (3), and osteo/chondroradionecrosis (3); only seven (4%) had a gastrostomy tube in the absence of these factors, all of whom received adjuvant therapy. Two had a tracheostomy tube [chondoradionecrosis (1), recurrence (1)]. CONCLUSION: High 5-year survival and locoregional control were observed, with recurrence occurring more commonly as distant metastasis. The observed time to recurrence suggests posttreatment oncologic surveillance for at least 48 months. Identified prognosticators will inform adjuvant treatment considerations, trial planning, and patient counseling for long-term outcomes. Laryngoscope, 2018 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b Laryngoscope, 129:1141-1149, 2019.

Outcomes of relapsed human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with curative intent.

BACKGROUND: With most centers reporting excellent disease control following transoral surgery for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer, data are still lacking regarding management and outcomes in patients who relapse. We describe the treatment outcomes after curative intent therapy for locoregional and distant relapse following transoral surgery for HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). METHODS: A single institution retrospective study in which patients were identified with curatively treated loco-regional or single site distant relapse of HPV-related OPSCC treated initially with transoral surgery (TOS) between 1996 and 2014. RESULTS: Among 279 patients, 38 (13.6%) relapsed. 21 (7.5%) had local-regional relapse and 18 were treated with curative intent. Three-year overall survival for loco-regional recurrence with curatively intended treatment was 75.3% (95% confidence intervals 54.3-96.0) with a median follow-up 33 (range: 5-65) months. Among 4 patients with isolated distant metastasis who were treated with curative intent, all subsequently developed second relapse of disease. CONCLUSION: Salvage curative treatment of isolated local-regional relapse after TOS is associated with favorable prognosis and should be offered in appropriate candidates.

Survival for HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with surgical versus non-surgical treatment approach: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The optimal management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with primary surgical versus non-surgical treatment is unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature and compare survival for primary surgical versus non-surgical treatment of HPV-positive OPSCC. We performed a comprehensive literature search of multiple electronic databases for relevant articles up to February, 2017. Studies reporting mortality or hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) in primary HPV-positive OPSCC patients were eligible. Seventy-three articles were eligible, of which 66 included single-modality (19 surgical, 47 non-surgical), and 7 included both surgical and non-surgical modalities. There were no randomized studies comparing outcomes between both modalities. In a meta-analysis of both-modality studies, OS with surgical treatment was not significantly different from non-surgical treatment (pooled HR 1.12; 95% CI: 0.35, 3.57). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 82.4%). Among single-modality studies, the mortality rate was lower with surgical [pooled proportion 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.21)] versus non-surgical treatment [0.20 (95% CI:0.15, 0.24)]. In a subgroup analysis, OS was higher for HPV-positive versus HPV-negative OPSCC, irrespective of the treatment modality. We conclude that there is an absence of high-quality studies that compare survival for HPV-positive OPSCC treated with primary surgical versus non-surgical approach. The available data suggest no statistical or clinically meaningful difference in survival between the two approaches. HPV-positivity was a key prognostic factor irrespective of treatment modality. Further high-quality studies with consistent data reporting are needed to inform the choice for optimal treatment modality for HPV-positive OPSCC.

Baseline Cognition Assessment Among Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Using PROMIS and NIH Toolbox.

Importance: Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is recognized by the American Cancer Society as a treatment effect in head and neck cancer, but the extent of this problem at baseline in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), the most common subsite in current practice, to our knowledge has never been studied. Objective: To assess the baseline cognition of patients with OPC using National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored instruments of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB-CB). Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary academic center. Of 83 consecutive patients, newly diagnosed as having OPC from September 2016 to May 2017, 16 were ineligible, 8 refused to participate, and 3 were lost to follow-up after screening, resulting in 56 study participants. Main Outcomes and Measures: Self-perceived and objective cognition with PROMIS and NIHTB-CB standardized T scores, respectively, were main outcomes. Impairment was defined as (1) T scores less than 0.5 SD for PROMIS; (2) T score less than 1.5 SD in at least 1 cognitive domain or less than 1 SD in 2 or more domains for NIHTB-CB total cognition; and (3) T score per previously published criteria for NIHTB-CB intelligence-stratified cognition. Results: Of the 56 study participants (52 men, 4 women; median age, 59 years [range, 42-77 years]), 19 (34%) had a college degree, and 20 (36%) had a professional or technical occupation. Thirty (about 53%) were never-smokers, 26 (46%) were never-drinkers, 29 (52%) were obese, 13 (23%) had a moderate to severe comorbidity, 3 (5%) used antidepressants, and 25 (52%) had hearing loss. Impaired self-reported, NIHTB-CB total, and intelligence-stratified cognition scores were observed in 6 (11%), 18 (32%), and 12 (21%), respectively. Among all variables, objective impairment was more common in men (23% vs 0%) and those with p16-negative OPC (33% vs 20%), moderate to severe comorbidity (31% vs 18%), and hearing loss (31% vs 12%). Conclusions and Relevance: Impaired objective cognition was more common at baseline than self-reported, and was more frequent in men, participants with p16-negative OPC, moderate to severe comorbidity, and hearing loss. NIHTB-CB allowed immediate scoring of demographically adjusted cognitive function. In clinical practice, these scores can be used to identify patients with impaired cognition at baseline who may be susceptible to developing further impairment after treatment. Identification of impairment at baseline will help to institute early cognitive interventions, which may lead to an improved posttreatment quality of life.

A 3-Dimensional-Printed Short-Segment Template Prototype for Mandibular Fracture Repair.

IMPORTANCE: After reduction of complex mandibular fractures, contouring of the fracture plates to fixate the reduced mandibular segments can be time-consuming. OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential application of a 3-dimensional (3-D)-printed short-segment mandibular template in the management of complex mandibular fractures. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A feasibility study was performed at a tertiary academic center using maxillofacial computed tomography data of 3 patients with comminuted mandibular fractures who required preoperative planning with a perfected complete mandible model. INTERVENTIONS: Thresholding, segmentation, and realignment of the fractured mandible were performed based on computed tomography data. Each reduced mandible design was divided to create 3-D templates for 6 fracture sites: right and left angle, body, and symphyseal/parasymphyseal. Sessions were conducted with junior otolaryngology and plastic surgery residents, during which mandibular fracture plates were contoured in a "preoperative" setting against the 3-D-printed short-segment templates, and an "intraoperative" setting against the previously manufactured, complete mandible model. The previously manufactured, complete model served as a surrogate for the intraoperative mandible with the fracture site reduced. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The time for 3-D template printing, the "preoperative" (measure of the time consumed preoperatively), and "intraoperative" (measure of the time saved intraoperatively) times were recorded. Comparisons were made for cost estimates between a complete model and the 3-D-printed short-segment template. The operating room charge equivalent of the intraoperative time was also calculated. RESULTS: Of the 3 patients whose data were used, 1 was a teenager and 2 were young adults. The total time for 3-D modeling and printing per short-segment template was less than 3 hours. The median (range) intraoperative time saved by precontouring the fracture plates was 7 (1-14), 5 (1-30), and 7 (2-15) minutes, and the operating room charge equivalents were $350.35 ($50.05-$700.70), $250 ($50.05-$1501.50), and $350.35 ($100.10-$750.75) for the angle, body, and symphyseal/parasymphyseal segments, respectively. The total cost for a single 3-D-printed template was less than $20, while that for a perfected complete model was approximately $2200. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We demonstrate that patient- and site-specific 3-D-printed short-segment templates can be created within the timeframe required for mandibular fracture repair. These novel 3-D-printed templates also demonstrate cost efficiency in the preoperative planning for complex mandibular fracture management compared with perfected models and facilitate plate contouring in a similar fashion. Estimation of reduced operative room cost and time with the application of these short-segment templates warrants studies in actual patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Use of Hysteroscopy in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: An Edge Over Histopathological Examination.

Purpose of the Study: To assess the efficacy of hysteroscopy in diagnosis of AUB. Method: A total of 56 women in reproductive and peri-menopausal age group (20-50 years) with complaints of abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in the study. All the patients underwent hysteroscopic examination followed by biopsy/histopathological evaluation. Hysteroscopic findings were compared against histopathological findings. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of hysteroscopy were calculated. Results: Mean age of patients was 36.4 ± 7.6. Majority (60.7%) presented within 6 months of complaints. Clinically, 66.1% were diagnosed as menorrhagia, 30.4% polymenorrhoea and 3.6% intermenstrual bleeding. Hysteroscopically 53.6% presented with abnormal pathology, it diagnosed polyps in 16.1%, calcification in 12.5%, submucous fibroma in 10.7%, necrotic mass in 7.1%, adhesion and forgotten IUCD in 5.4% cases each. However, on histopathology, 33 (58.9%) cases had normal/proliferative/atrophic endometrium, 12 (21.4%) had hyperplasia, 7 (12.5%) had calcified endometrium, and 12 (21.4%) had polyp. No significant difference between two modalities was observed with respect to number of normal/proliferative/atrophic endometrium (p = 0.185). Histopathology diagnosed hyperplasia in significantly higher proportion of patients as compared to hysteroscopy (p = 0.042). Hysteroscopy diagnosed significantly higher proportion of patients with submucous myoma (p = 0.012) and necrotic mass (p = 0.042). Statistically, no significant difference between two modalities was observed with respect to other pathologies (p > 0.05). Overall agreement between two modalities was 62.5%. For pathological abnormalities in general, hysteroscopy had sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy values of 78.3, 63.6, 60, 80.8 and 69.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Hysteroscopy provided additional information for some of the pathologies, otherwise remaining undiagnosed by HPE.

Comparison of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and the Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Screening.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in the early detection of cervical cancer and compare it with the Pap smear. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 3 months. A total of 316 patients who attended the Gynecology Outpatient Department of Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and gave their informed consent were included. RESULTS: VIA was found positive in 38 patients (12.6%). Pap smear was positive in 31 patients (10.3%). Twenty-eight patients had a positive VIA and a positive Pap smear, 3 had a negative VIA and a positive Pap smear, 10 had a positive VIA and a negative Pap smear, and 34 had a negative VIA and a negative Pap smear. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of VIA and the Pap smear was found to be nearly equal, 93.3 and 93.8%, respectively. The Pap smear was found to be more specific than VIA, i.e., 72.9 versus 60%. In terms of test accuracy, the Pap smear was found to have greater test accuracy, i.e., 77.3 versus 66.7% for VIA.

Comparison of unilateral versus bilateral intensity-modulated radiotherapy for surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil.

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that unilateral intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) would decrease toxicity compared with bilateral IMRT for patients with lateralized palatine tonsillar cancer and a neck classification of N0 to N2b, with similar oncological outcomes. METHODS: A total of 154 patients were treated with postoperative IMRT from 1997 through 2013. Data were collected prospectively from 2005 to 2013 and retrospectively collected before 2005. Of those patients with lateralized primary and N0 to N2b disease, 48 received unilateral IMRT (group 1) and 59 received bilateral IMRT (group 2); a total of 47 patients had nonlateralized primary or N2c to N3 disease and received bilateral IMRT (group 3). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 5.5 years. The 5-year locoregional control rates were similar in group 1, group 2, and group 3 (100%, 96%, and 94%, respectively; pooled comparison: P = .39 and group 1 vs group 2 comparison: P = .19). The 5-year overall survival rates were similar in group 1, group 2, and group 3 (85%, 79%, and 76%, respectively; pooled comparison: P = .60 and group 1 vs group 2 comparison: P = .25). There were no contralateral neck recurrences noted among unilaterally treated patients. Unilateral IMRT reduced acute toxicity and improved patient-reported quality of life compared with bilateral IMRT. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral IMRT appears to reduce acute toxicity and achieves oncological outcomes similar to those of bilateral IMRT in selected patients with lateralized palatine tonsillar cancer with a neck classification of N0 to N2b. Cancer 2017;123:4594-4607. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Reporting of Effect Size and Confidence Intervals in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Importance: Effect sizes and confidence intervals (CIs) are critical for the interpretation of the results for any outcome of interest. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of reporting effect sizes and CIs in the results of analytical studies. Design, Setting, and Participants: Descriptive review of analytical studies published from January 2012 to December 2015 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Methods: A random sample of 121 articles was reviewed in this study. Descriptive studies were excluded from the analysis. Seven independent reviewers participated in the evaluation of the articles, with 2 reviewers assigned per article. The review process was standardized for each article; the Methods and Results sections were reviewed for the outcomes of interest. Descriptive statistics for each outcome were calculated and reported accordingly. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes of interest included the presence of effect size and associated CIs. Secondary outcomes of interest included a priori descriptions of statistical methodology, power analysis, and expectation of effect size. Results: There were 107 articles included for analysis. The majority of the articles were retrospective cohort studies (n = 36 [36%]) followed by cross-sectional studies (n = 18 [17%]). A total of 58 articles (55%) reported an effect size for an outcome of interest. The most common effect size used was difference of mean, followed by odds ratio and correlation coefficient, which were reported 17 (16%), 15 (13%), and 12 times (11%), respectively. Confidence intervals were associated with 29 of these effect sizes (27%), and 9 of these articles (8%) included interpretation of the CI. A description of the statistical methodology was provided in 97 articles (91%), while 5 (5%) provided an a priori power analysis and 8 (7%) provided a description of expected effect size finding. Conclusions and Relevance: Improving results reporting is necessary to enhance the reader's ability to interpret the results of any given study. This can only be achieved through increasing the reporting of effect sizes and CIs rather than relying on P values for both statistical significance and clinically meaningful results.

Structural Violence on Women: An Impediment to Women Empowerment.

Violence on women has been present in our society since times immemorial. The ethics, the values, the morals, the culture of the society has been framed in such a way or we can say structured in such a way so as to promote exploitation of this segment which is in reality the root of the society. The concept of STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE was introduced by Johan Galtung in 1969. It refers to a form of violence wherein some http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-sciences/sociology/370-social-institution-definitions-a-structure-of-social-institution social institution may harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs. Violence against women has taken the form of a global epidemic which has taken its toll on the physical, psychological, sexual and economic life of the female. Johan Galtung in "Violence, Peace and Peace Studies", 1969 has rightly remarked "when one husband beats his wife, there is a clear case of personal violence, but when one million husbands keep one million wives in ignorance, there is structural violence". India has been slow in its pace for action against violence on women, but the brutal gang- rape of a 23 year old Delhi girl on December 2012 aroused the Indians from their deep slumber on this issue. Structural violence is a demon against women that is devouring the society. The combined efforts of Government NGO's and most important, the sufferers of this violence, the women have to take a major step to fight this dragon.