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Prolonged high intake of any alcohol-containing beverage can lead to bilateral parotid gland (PG) swelling. The diagnosis of this PG abnormality (PG sialosis) is facilitated by the patient’s clinical history, PG findings and imaging study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aims of this study were to investigate temporal patterns and potential risk factors for severe hyposalivation (xerostomia) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), and to test the two QUANTEC (Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) guidelines. Patients and methods Sixty-three patients treated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 2006 and 2015, who had a minimum of three stimulated whole mouth saliva flow measurements (WMSFM) at a median follow-up time of 11 (range: 3–24) months were included. Xerostomia was defined as WMSFM ≤25% compared to relative pre-radiotherapy. Patients were stratified into three follow-up groups: 1: <6 months; 2: 6–11 months; and 3: 12–24 months. Potential risk factors were investigated (Mann–Whitney U test), and relative risks (RRs) assessed for the two QUANTEC guidelines. Results The incidence of xerostomia was 27%, 14% and 17% at follow-up time points 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At <6 months, the mean dose to the contralateral and the ipsilateral parotid glands (Dmean contra , Dmean ipsi ) was higher among patients with xerostomia (Dmean contra : 25 Gy vs. 15 Gy; Dmean ipsi : 44 Gy vs. 25 Gy). Patients with xerostomia had higher pre-RT WMSFM (3.5 g vs. 2.4 g), and had been treated more frequently with additional chemotherapy (93% vs. 63%; all 4 variables: p < 0.05). At 6–11 months, Dmean contra among patients with xerostomia was higher compared to patients without (26 Gy vs. 20 Gy). The RR as specified by the one- and two-gland QUANTEC guideline was 2.3 and 1.4 for patients with <6 months follow-up time, and 2.0 and 1.2 for patients with longer follow-up (6–11 + 6–24 months). Conclusion Xerostomia following IMRT peaks within six months post-radiotherapy and fades with time. Limiting the mean dose to both parotid glands (ipsilateral <25 Gy, contralateral <25 Gy) and reducing the use of chemotherapy will likely decrease the rate of xerostomia. Both QUANTEC guidelines are effective in preventing xerostomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The aim of this study was to describe our experiences of a mini-preauricular transparotid approach for direct reduction and plating of condylar neck fractures. Materials and methods A retrospective study was conducted on 58 patients from 2009 to 2011 with 69 condylar neck fractures in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The fractures were treated surgically either with a 2-cm mini-preauricular and transparotid approach in 29 patients with 36 fractures, or via endoscope-assisted intraoral, or facelift or retromandibular approaches in a control group of 29 patients with 32 fractures. The postoperative hospital stay, occlusion status, mouth opening and facial nerve and parotid gland related complications were compared between the two groups. Results In both groups around 90% of patients had good restoration of preinjury occlusion. Postoperative mouth opening was 39.8 mm and 39.9 mm in the mini-preauricular approach and the other approaches group, respectively. Facial symmetry was achieved in all of the patients. There was no incidence of facial nerve palsy, infection or hemorrhage in the mini-preauricular group. One patient in the control group had a persistent weakness due to frontal nerve palsy. Conclusion Based on the results, the mini-preauricular approach can be an alternative, safe and effective method in the management of condylar neck and high subcondylar fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]