Faculty Bibliography

IMPORTANCE: The optimal reconstruction of total glossectomy defects with or without total laryngectomy is controversial. Various pedicled and free tissue flaps have been advocated, but long-term data on functional outcomes are not available to date. OBJECTIVES: To compare various total glossectomy defect reconstructive techniques used by multiple institutions and to identify factors that may lead to improved long-term speech and swallowing function. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multi-institutional, retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients undergoing total glossectomy at 8 participating institutions between June 1, 2001, and June 30, 2011, who had a minimal survival of 2 years. INTERVENTION: Total glossectomy with or without total laryngectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Demographic and surgical factors were compiled and correlated with speech and swallowing outcomes. RESULTS: At the time of the last follow-up, 45% (25 of 55) of patients did not have a gastrostomy tube, and 76% (42 of 55) retained the ability to verbally communicate. Overall, 75% (41 of 55) of patients were tolerating at least minimal nutritional oral intake. Feeding tube dependence was not associated with laryngeal preservation or the reconstructive techniques used, including flap suspension, flap innervation, or type of flap used. Laryngeal preservation was associated with favorable speech outcomes, such as the retained ability to verbally communicate in 97% of those not undergoing total laryngectomy (35 of 36 patients) vs 44% (7 of 16) in those undergoing total laryngectomy (P < .001), as well as those not undergoing total laryngectomy achieving some or all intelligible speech in 85% (29 of 34 patients) compared with 31% (4 of 13) undergoing total laryngectomy achieving the same intelligibility (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with total glossectomy, feeding tube dependence was not associated with laryngeal preservation or the reconstructive technique, including flap innervation and type of flap used. Laryngeal preservation was associated with favorable speech outcomes such as the retained ability to verbally communicate and higher levels of speech intelligibility.

Reconstruction of the lateral mandibular defect presents a complex challenge to the reconstructive surgeon, often involving interconnected soft-tissue and bone requirements. This review examines the current literature on functional outcomes of lateral mandibular reconstruction and presents an algorithm on selecting an optimal reconstructive choice for patients with lateral mandibular defects resulting from oncologic ablative surgery or trauma. PubMed and Medline searches on reconstructing lateral mandibular defect were performed of the English literature. Search terms included lateral mandibular defect, outcomes of mandibular reconstruction, and free flap reconstruction of mandible. Although most of the articles presented are retrospective reviews, priority was given to the articles with high-quality level of evidence. Restoration of function, including speech and swallow, and acceptable cosmetic result are the primary objectives of lateral mandibular reconstruction. When reconstructing the mandible in a patient following tumor extirpation, the patient's overall prognosis, medical comorbidities, and need for adjuvant therapy should be considered. In the patient with aggressive malignant disease and a poor prognosis, a less complex reconstruction, such as soft-tissue flap with or without a reconstruction plate, may be adequate. In a dentate patient with favorable prognosis, a durable reconstruction, such as osseocutaneous microvascular free flap, is often preferred. Various reconstructive options are available for patients with lateral mandibular defects. Depending on the predominance of the soft-tissue or bony components of the defect, with consideration of the patient's characteristics and functional and aesthetic goals, the surgeon can wisely select from these reconstructive possibilities.

IMPORTANCE: Otolaryngology residents need concise, easily accessible modules to expand educational opportunities between surgical cases. These modules should be inexpensive to create and improve learning outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether otolaryngology residents at multiple institutions used online video modules to supplement their studying for the Otolaryngology Training Exam, whether the modules had any effect on their Otolaryngology Training Examination Scores, and to obtain survey feedback about the modules. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized trial was conducted in 3 academic departments of otolaryngology in the United States among 37 residents enrolled in 3 otolaryngology residency programs. INTERVENTIONS: Residents were randomized into 2 groups, one with access to the educational modules and the other with no access. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Otolaryngology training examination scores were obtained from the year prior to the intervention (2012) and the year following module access (2013). Residents with access to the modules were also surveyed to assess use and obtain feedback about the modules. RESULTS: Otolaryngology training examination scores improved significantly from 2012 to 2013 among both residents who had access to the modules and those who did not in the sections of head and neck, laryngology, and sleep medicine. However, scores in the sections of pediatric otolaryngology (8% increase, P = .03), otology (7% increase, P = .02), and facial plastic surgery (10% increase, P = .02) improved from 2012 to 2013 only among residents with access to the modules. All respondents rated the videos as very helpful, with a rating of 4 of 5 on a Likert scale. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Online otolaryngology educational modules are an inexpensive way to expand resident learning opportunities. Despite the lack of quantifiable improvement in otolaryngology training examination scores in this study, use of online modules sends a message to otolaryngology residents that their education is a priority; self-study outside the hospital and clinics is necessary and expected; and that instructors are willing to try more nontraditional or progressive forms of education to increase resident knowledge.

PURPOSE: Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a long-term side effect of external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. It results in a multitude of symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Understanding the mechanisms of RIF-induced changes is essential to developing effective strategies to prevent long-term disability and discomfort following radiation therapy. In this review, we describe the current understanding of the etiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, treatment, and directions of future therapy for this condition. METHODS: A literature review of publications describing mechanisms or treatments of RIF was performed. Specific databases utilized included PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov, using keywords "Radiation-Induced Fibrosis," "Radiotherapy Complications," "Fibrosis Therapy," and other closely related terms. RESULTS: RIF is the result of a misguided wound healing response. In addition to causing direct DNA damage, ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that lead to localized inflammation. This inflammatory process ultimately evolves into a fibrotic one characterized by increased collagen deposition, poor vascularity, and scarring. Tumor growth factor beta serves as the primary mediator in this response along with a host of other cytokines and growth factors. Current therapies have largely been directed toward these molecular targets and their associated signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: Although RIF is widely prevalent among patients undergoing radiation therapy and significantly impacts quality of life, there is still much to learn about its pathogenesis and mechanisms. Current treatments have stemmed from this understanding, and it is anticipated that further elucidation will be essential for the development of more effective therapies.

BACKGROUND: [(99m)Tc]Tilmanocept, a novel CD206 receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical, was evaluated in an open-label, phase III trial to determine the false negative rate (FNR) of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) relative to the pathologic nodal status in patients with intraoral or cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing tumor resection, SLNB, and planned elective neck dissection (END). Negative predictive value (NPV), overall accuracy of SLNB, and the impact of radiopharmaceutical injection timing relative to surgery were assessed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00911326) enrolled 101 patients with T1-T4, N0, and M0 HNSCC. Patients received 50 microg [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept radiolabeled with either 0.5 mCi (same day) or 2.0 mCi (next day), followed by lymphoscintigraphy, SLNB, and END. All excised tissues were evaluated for tissue type and tumor presence. [(99m)Tc]Tilmanocept identified one or more SLNs in 81 of 83 patients (97.6 %). Of 39 patients identified with any tumor-positive nodes (SLN or non-SLN), one patient had a single tumor-positive non-SLN in whom all SLNs were tumor-negative, yielding an FNR of 2.56 %; NPV was 97.8 % and overall accuracy was 98.8 %. No significant differences were observed between same-day and next-day procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Use of receptor-targeted [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept for lymphatic mapping allows for a high rate of SLN identification in patients with intraoral and cutaneous HNSCC. SLNB employing [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept accurately predicts the pathologic nodal status of intraoral HNSCC patients with low FNR, high NPV, and high overall accuracy. The use of [(99m)Tc]tilmanocept for SLNB in select patients may be appropriate and may obviate the need to perform more extensive procedures such as END.

One challenge facing postlingually deafened cochlear implant (CI) users is the frequency mismatch between the incoming acoustic signal and the characteristic frequency of the electrically stimulated neurons. Current CI will require extensive effort in fine tuning to help users to adapt to this mismatch. A recent work [1] attempts to address this issue using a closed- loop CI system with evoked potentials as feedback. However, the stimulus artifact produced by CI and the limitation of subcortical responses in assessing speech perception are yet to resolve. In this paper we present our proposed cortical auditory evoked potential (AEP) evolved from a study [2] that addresses this mismatch. We describe the background then the experiments involved in the development of the AEP with recordings from 3 normal hearing (NH) listeners and 2 CI users. We also discuss how the AEP could be used in a closed- loop CI system.

Cervical lymphadenopathy in adults has a broad differential diagnosis, including bacterial and viral infections, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various neoplasms. Many of its etiologies share similar symptomatology and presentations, which complicates the diagnosis. A thorough history and a comprehensive physical examination, to include nasopharyngoscopy and imaging as indicated by the specific case, are key to determining the origin of the lymphadenopathy and to avoid a missed or delayed diagnosis. Based on our review of the literature, we present the second reported case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma presenting in an adult with an obstructing adenoid/nasopharyngeal mass and lymphadenopathy. The mass, which occurred in a 19-year-old woman of Asian descent, caused nasal airway obstruction in the setting of cervical lymphadenopathy that was initially ascribed to mononucleosis.

OBJECTIVES: Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) is an uncommon, benign disease consisting of submucosal, osteocartilaginous nodules that project into the tracheal lumen. Far less commonly, these nodules can occur outside the tracheal cartilage. This case series discusses the wide range of symptoms and treatments of the disease. METHODS: Three patients presented to the laryngology clinic with 3 varied presentations of TPO, including dyspnea, dysphonia, and cough. These patients were evaluated, subsequently diagnosed with TPO, and treated accordingly. RESULTS: Two of the 3 patients presented with extratracheal lesions presenting in the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. The patient presenting with symptoms of dysphonia was found to have bilateral TPO exclusively within the thyroid cartilage, which has never been reported previously. After undergoing a partial thyroid cartilage resection removing the bulk of the lesion, the patient's symptoms drastically improved. CONCLUSION: While TPO may be a rare diagnosis in the general otolaryngologist practice, symptoms frequently bring patients into the otolaryngologist's clinic, and an awareness of the disease can help minimize unnecessary interventions and allow the surgeon to appropriately counsel patients.

Objectives. (1) Report the case of a 5-year-old female with trichotillomania and trichophagia that suffered airway compromise during esophagogastroduodenoscopy for removal of a trichobezoar. (2) Provide management recommendations for an unusual foreign body causing extubation and partial airway obstruction. Methods. Case report of a rare situation of airway compromise caused by a trichobezoar. Results. A 5-year-old patient underwent endoscopic retrieval of a gastric trichobezoar (hairball) by the gastroenterology service under general endotracheal anesthesia in a sedation unit. During removal, the hairball, due to its large size, dislodged the endotracheal tube, effectively extubating the patient. The bezoar became lodged at the cricopharyngeus muscle. Attempts to remove the bezoar or reintubation were unsuccessful. The child was able to be mask ventilated while the otolaryngology service was called. Direct laryngoscopy revealed a hairball partially obstructing the view of the glottis from its position in the postcricoid area. The hairball, still entrapped in the snare from the esophagoscope, was grasped with Magill forceps and slowly extracted. The patient was then reintubated and the airway and esophagus were reevaluated. Conclusions. Trichobezoar is an uncommon cause of airway foreign body. Careful attention to airway management during these and similar foreign body extractions can prevent inadvertent extubations.