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Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of the larynx is an extremely rare tumour which, unlike its nasopharyngeal counterpart, has shown a propensity to affect elderly Caucasian men and is not commonly associated with Epstein-Barr virus. We present a 70-year-old Chinese man who complained of hoarseness and dysphagia. Nasoendoscopy revealed a left supraglottic tumour. Preoperative MRI (in particular Diffusion Weighted Imaging) showed the possibility of two distinct components within a tumour. The patient underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy and bilateral selective neck dissection. The final histology report confirmed the presence of a tumour with two distinct components: predominant LEC with a smaller conventional (keratinising) squamous cell carcinoma component. The patient recovered well after surgery and subsequently underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Final staging was pT3 N2c M0 (AJCC stage IVA). Follow-up over 2 years revealed no tumour recurrence.

Quantum illumination is to discern the presence or absence of a low reflectivity target, where the error probability decays exponentially in the number of copies used. When the target reflectivity is small so that it is hard to distinguish target presence or absence, the exponential decay constant falls into a class of objects called monotone metrics. We evaluate monotone metrics restricted to Gaussian states in terms of first-order moments and covariance matrix. Under the assumption of a low reflectivity target, we explicitly derive analytic formulae for decay constant of an arbitrary Gaussian input state. Especially, in the limit of large background noise and low reflectivity, there is no need of symplectic diagonalization which usually complicates the computation of decay constants. First, we show that two-mode squeezed vacuum (TMSV) states are the optimal probe among pure Gaussian states with fixed signal mean photon number. Second, as an alternative to preparing TMSV states with high mean photon number, we show that preparing a TMSV state with low mean photon number and displacing the signal mode is a more experimentally feasible setup without degrading the performance that much. Third, we show that it is of utmost importance to prepare an efficient idler memory to beat coherent states and provide analytic bounds on the idler memory transmittivity in terms of signal power, background noise, and idler memory noise. Finally, we identify the region of physically possible correlations between the signal and idler modes that can beat coherent states., Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures

The location and distribution of aluminum in zeolites is considered important in determining various properties, such as acidity and reactivity. Controlling the placement of aluminum substitution has therefore been of significant interest, and a number of studies have been conducted, including synthesis methods using either different organic structure-directing agents (OSDAs) or cationic species, and the application of dealumination as post-processing. In addition to experimental developments, computational methods have emerged as a useful tool for analyzing the effects of different types of aluminum siting on catalytic properties, especially by incorporating statistical methods. A review of recent developments and findings related to aluminum siting and its effects is presented in this work. Analysis of the thermodynamic distribution of aluminum, as well as synthetically altered distribution in different zeolite frameworks, has been discussed. Computational studies have revealed that catalytic properties are sensitive to adsorbate-dependent properties such as the size of rings and voids for the residence of aluminum, the relative distribution of acid sites, and the adsorption properties of molecules in different framework motifs. Along with the atomic scale evaluation of synthetic treatments in positioning the aluminum, cases of instrumental analysis methods and their verification with simulations is discussed, demonstrating how theories have complemented and, sometimes modified, experimental perspectives. Lastly, recent progress in incorporating machine learning techiques, its application to zeolites, and directions for future work are introduced.

Concomitant with the virtual ubiquity of dashcams in vehicles, the instantaneous speed of vehicles during accidents can now be measured using dashcam videos to understand the causes of such accidents. In this study, we estimated vehicle speeds using dashcam videos recorded in various road environments and analyzed them by comparing them to ground truth. We also considered various scenarios yielding retaken and re-encoded videos from additional recording devices, depending on the circumstances, wherein the original video can be manipulated in terms of playback speed and/or frames per second. The experimental results revealed that the actual and measured speeds were similar for most user-specific intervals. Moreover, the results suggest that our estimated speed is adequately valid as evidence, regardless of retake and re-encoding states. Furthermore, we adopted a statistical approach (i.e., Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis) to verify the proposed vehicle speed estimation method. The results showed that when playback speed was manipulated in re-encoded or retaken video, the proposed method consistently measured speeds at 99.99 % accuracy. This verified method will play an important role in deriving reliable results from various evidential video sources.

Objectives Bladder storage symptoms including nocturia is the most common cause of sleep disturbance in all age groups. Sleep disturbance is also a main cause of nocturia so that sleep recovery can clinically improve nocturia. Melatonin has main action to induce sleep and additional effects of smooth muscle relaxation, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammation, et cetera. This study was evaluated the improvement of sleep quality after administrating prolonged-release melatonin in elderly patients with overactive bladder and chronic insomnia. Methods This clinical trial was performed with a randomized single open study. Thirty-seven patients with overactive bladder and chronic insomnia were initially enrolled in this study. After 4 or 12 weeks treating with 2 mg of prolonged-release melatonin, clinical outcomes were evaluated with OABSS, IPSS, PSQI and WHO 5 well-being index. Results Of the 37 patients, 34 (91.9%) were included in the ITT group and 26 (76.5%) in the PP group. In the primary outcome of PP group, significant improvements were observed in total OABSS and nocturia frequencies at 12 weeks, respectively. Secondary outcome measurement including in voiding, storage symptoms, and total IPSS scores showed the improvement at 4 and 12 weeks and in total and sleep quality PSQI scores at 12 weeks, and in quality of life scores of the WHO 5 well-being index at 12 weeks. Only one (3.8%) adverse event was observed. Conclusions These results suggest clearly that prolonged-release melatonin in elderly patients with overactive bladder and chronic insomnia has the potential to control concomitant voiding and sleep difficulty.

Purpose: Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility. Materials and Methods: Sixty practicing urologists/andrologists from 23 countries contributed 382 multiple-choice-questions pertaining to varicocele management. These were condensed into an online questionnaire that was forwarded to clinicians involved in male infertility management through direct invitation. The results were analyzed for disagreement and agreement in practice patterns and, compared with the latest guidelines of international professional societies (American Urological As- sociation [AUA], American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], and European Association of Urology [EAU]), and with evidence emerging from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, an expert opinion on each topic was provided based on the consensus of 16 experts in the field. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 574 clinicians from 59 countries. The majority of respondents were urologists/ uro-andrologists. A wide diversity of opinion was seen in every aspect of varicocele diagnosis, indications for repair, choice of technique, management of sub-clinical varicocele and the role of VR in azoospermia. A significant proportion of the re- sponses were at odds with the recommendations of AUA, ASRM, and EAU. A large number of clinical situations were identi- fied where no guidelines are available. Conclusions: This study is the largest global survey performed to date on the clinical management of varicocele for male in- fertility. It demonstrates: 1) a wide disagreement in the approach to varicocele management, 2) large gaps in the clinical prac- tice guidelines from professional societies, and 3) the need for further studies on several aspects of varicocele management in infertile men.

In November 2013, a case of sustained combustion of a female body was encountered in a Korean farming village. The body was almost completely incinerated from the neck to the knees, and other parts of the body, such as the head, arms, lower legs, and feet, were slightly damaged. The most likely external ignition source was the flame from a matchstick. The elderly woman was found incinerated on the floor of the living room, while other objects in the house were largely undamaged except for having a brown oily or greasy coating. Flammable substances were not detected from the woman’s intact pieces of clothing and socks, and her muscular tissues did not contain toxic chemicals. The concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in her peripheral blood was 11% and that of ethyl alcohol in her aqueous humor was below 0.010%. An autopsy failed to determine the exact cause of death because of excessive charring.

서비스기업은 시장에서 경쟁우위를 획득하기 위해 고객과의 지속적인 관계를 유지하는 것은 매우 중요하다. 이러한 관계는 서비스종사원의 고객지향적인 태도와 행동이 크게 영향을 미치며, 이에 영향을 줄 수 있는 다양한 변수에 대한 연구가 필요하다. 따라서 본 연구는 사회적 교환이론의 관점에서 서비스기업 고객접점 종사원의 조직공정성지각이 조직신뢰와 고객지향성에 구체적으로 어떤 영향을 미치는지 분석하기 위해 서비스기업 종사원들을 대상으로 설문을 실시하였다. SPSS 19.0을 이용하여 최종 219부가 통계분석에 사용되었으며, 분석결과는 다음과 같다. 조직공정성의 하위요인인 분배공정성, 절차공정성, 상호작용공정성은 조직신뢰의 하위요인인 인지적 신뢰와 정서적 신뢰에 정(+)의 영향을 미쳤고, 조직신뢰의 하위요인 인지적 신뢰만 고객지향성에 정(+)의 영향을 미쳤다. 또한 조직공정성의 절차공정성은 고객지향성에 가장 크게 영향을 미쳤고, 그다음 상호작용공정성이 고객지향성에 정(+)의 영향을 미쳤으나 분배공정성은 고객지향성에 정(+)의 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 조직신뢰의 인지적 신뢰는 조직공정성과 고객지향성의 영향관계에서 매개효과가 나타났다. 따라서 서비스기업은 조직 내 의사결정에 있어서 서비스 종사원의 참여 및 의사표현의 기회로 원활한 의사소통을 통해 서비스 종사원들이 조직의 절차공정성과 상호작용공정성을 인지할 수 있도록 한다. 또한 조직신뢰를 향상시키기 위해 조직공정성이 확보될 수 있는 정책이나 인사관리 등을 우선적으로 고려한 시스템을 도입한다면 서비스 종사원은 높은 고객지향성을 발휘하여 고객과의 지속적인 관계를 유지할 수 있을 것이다

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an established investigation for the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules and is often done under ultrasonography guidance. While its accuracy has been widely reported, there is little evidence in the literature on the approach to non-diagnostic cytology results. In our study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography-guided thyroid FNAC for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer at our institution and evaluate the significance of a non-diagnostic thyroid FNAC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the thyroid ultrasonography studies and medical records of all patients who underwent both thyroid FNAC and subsequent thyroid surgery at our institution from 2011 to 2013. FNAC results were correlated with the final histological diagnosis from surgery and the ultrasonography studies were reviewed for suspicious sonographic features. RESULTS: FNAC predicted malignancy with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false positive rate, false negative rate and total accuracy of 90.7%, 53.6%, 43.3%, 93.7%, 46.4%, 9.3% and 64.1%, respectively. We found that only one of 26 nodules with non-diagnostic FNAC results was proven malignant on a second FNAC and subsequent thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of ultrasonography-guided FNAC at our institution was comparable to that reported in the literature. There appears to be very low probability of malignancy in sonographically benign nodules with initial non-diagnostic FNAC results.

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-her-10.1177_19375867211053861 for Investigating the Feasibility of Multisensory Environments to Improve the Assisted Bathing Experience for Veterans With Dementia: A Clinical Trial by Lesa Lorusso, Sheila Bosch, Nam-Kyu Park, Ronald Shorr, Maureen Conroy, Sherry Ahrentzen and Magaly Freytes in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

Bloodstain pattern analysis, one of the areas of forensic science, is performed to analyze the physical characteristics of bloodstains, including their size, shape, and distribution, to reconstruct a crime scene. A bloodstain pattern analyst should obtain through experiments and education the capabilities to both understand the generation mechanisms of bloodstains and identify the characteristics of the bloodstains. Experiments and education about bloodstain pattern analysis are carried out by using human blood taken from subjects, animal blood (porcine or bovine) supplied from butcheries, and blood substitute products developed in other countries. However, these kinds of blood have many limitations in their application due to various problems. The blood substitute developed in the present study is more similar to human blood than other blood substitute products developed in other countries with regard to the physical properties, including viscosity, viscoelasticity, and surface tension, as well as the drip bloodstain patterns depending on the surface and coordinate characteristics of drip stains impact angle. The blood substitute developed in the present study is more practical, because the materials that are used in its preparation are readily available in the market and do not include chemicals that are harmful to the human body, and the blood substitute has luminol reaction functionality and pattern transfer bloodstain (bloodstain fingerprint, bloodstain footprint, etc.) dyeing functionality.

본 연구의 목적은 상사의 비인격적 감독과 고객지향성, 직무탈진에 대한 선행연구들을 검토하고 상사의 비인격적 감독이 서비스기업 종사원의 고객지향성에 미치는 영향관계에서 직무탈진의 매개효과에 대한 영향관계를 검증하였다. 서울소재 서비스기업 일선 서비스 종사원들을 대상으로 한 설문 및 검증 결과를 보면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 상사의 비인격적 감독과 일선 서비스 종사원의 직무탈진의 관계를 검증한 결과 비인격적 감독은 직무탈진의 하위요인인 소진과 직무비관여에 정의 영향을 미치는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 둘째, 일선 서비스 종사원의 직무탈진과 고객지향성의 관계를 검증한 결과 직무탈진의 하위요인인 소진과 직무비관여 모두 부의 영향을 미치는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 마지막으로 상사의 비인격적 감독과 일선 서비스 종사원의 고객지향성의 관계에서 직무탈진의 매개효과를 검증한 결과 직무탈진의 하위 요인 소진은 두 개념과의 관계를 부분 매개하는 것으로, 그리고 직무비관여는 두 개념과의 관계를 완전 매개하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 본 연구를 통해서 서비스 질 및 고객만족에 영향을 미치는 중요한 개념의 하나라고 할 수 있는 고객지향성에도 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 서비스 기업에서 상사의 비인격적 감독에 관련된 이해의 폭을 넓혔다고 할 수 있다.

사물인터넷(Internet of Things)시대에는 다양한 사물이 연결되어 사물들 스스로가 데이터를 획득하여 이를 바탕으로 학습하고 동작한다. 이는 사물이 사람의 모습을 닮아가고 있다고 볼 수 있고 변화한 사물과 사람이 어떻게 소통하는가를 설계하는 것이 핵심 이슈로 떠오르고 있다. 이러한 IoT 환경이 도래함에 따라 UI 디자인 분야에서도 많은 연구가 진행되었다. 멀티모달리티(Multi-modality)와 인터유저빌리티(Interusability) 등의 키워드를 통해서 UI 분야에서도 복합적인 요소를 고려하려는 연구가 진행됐음을 알 수 있다. 하지만 기존의 UI 디자인 방법론으로는 IoT 환경에서 사용자 인터페이스(UI)를 설계할 때 사물, 사람, 데이터가 상호작용하는 방식에 대해서 구조화하고 테스트하는데 한계가 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서 새로운 UI 프로토타이핑 방법을 제안하였다. 본 논문의 주요 분석과 연구는 다음과 같다：（１）먼저 사물의 행동 프로세스를 정의하였다．（２）행동 프로세스를 토대로 기존의 IoT 제품을 분석하였다.（３）사물성격(Personality of Things)유형을 구분 지을 수 있는 프레임워크를 제작하였다.（４）프레임워크를 바탕으로 사물성격(Personality of Things) 유형을 도출하였다．（５）3개의 대표 사물성격(Personality of Things)을 실제 스마트 홈 서비스에 적용하여 프로토타이핑 테스트를 해보았다. 본 연구는 새로운 UI 프로토타이핑 방법을 제안하여 더 총체적인 방식으로 IoT 서비스에 대한 사용자 경험(UX)을 확인할 수 있었다는 데 의의가 있다. 또한, 향후 본 연구를 발전시켜 인공지능(AI) 기술이 발전한 환경에서 지능화된 서비스의 정체성(Identity) 확립의 도구로 사물성격(Personality of Things) 개념을 활용할 수 있을 것이라 생각한다.

Sounds recorded by a dashboard camera presents essential evidence on a vehicle's driving condition for analyzing car accidents. In reality, when a direct impact of a vehicle equipped with a dashboard camera occurs, the power supply to the dashboard camera is abruptly terminated, and the digital video being recorded at that time may be incompletely stored; thus, there is no information such as the location or size to be read for the image and audio decoding. In this paper, we propose a method for recovering the linear pulse code modulation (PCM) audio from the impaired MP4 file partially stored in a video event data recorder (VEDR), known as a dashboard camera, during road vehicle accidents. This method is based on the principle of extracting an actual audio signal using the energy of each frame in the pseudo audio, which is generated from all data in the “mdat” area of the impaired MP4 file. For performance evaluation, the various video files with linear PCM audio format in the MP4 container were obtained through the different dashboard cameras. As the objective evaluation, we measured the audio recovery ratio, distance based on dynamic time warping (DTW) and comparison of the waveform and spectrogram. Moreover, the performance of the proposed method was evaluated using the multiple stimuli with a hidden reference and anchor (MUSHRA) test as the subjective assessment. As a result, it is shown from the evaluation that the proposed method can recover significantly better the linear PCM audio signal than the conventional methods from an impaired MP4 file.

In the case of building collapses and overturned structures, a three-dimensional (3D) collapse or overturn model is required to reconstruct the accident. As construction sites become increasingly complex and large, 3D laser scanning is sometimes the best tool to accurately document and store the site conditions. This case report presents one case of a structure collapse and one case of an overturned crane reconstructed by a 3D laser scanner. In the case of structural collapse of a prefabricated shoring system, a 3D model reconstructed all the members successfully, a task that is nearly impossible using a scale such as a tape measure. The reconstructed prefabricated shoring system was verified through a structural analysis through comparison with the construction drawings to investigate faults in construction. In the case of the overturned crane, the jib angle and other major dimensions were successfully acquired through 3D laser scanning and used to estimate the working radius. As a result, the propriety of the working radius with the given lifting load was successfully determined.

This study presented a Ferris wheel accident case. A Ferris wheel is composed of many parts, and the outmost ring of it is assembled using a lock pin. This accident occurred because the lock pin caught the door of a gondola and the gondola overturned. Five of the seven passengers in the gondola fell to the ground, along with the gondola's viewing window. The investigation revealed that the gondola became stuck when its door was caught by a lock pin at the Ferris wheel's three o'clock position. The contact between the door and the lock pin was due to a structural problem: There was not enough space allotted between the door and the lock pin. Therefore, if a passenger pushed on the gondola's door, the potential existed for contact between the door and the lock pin.

This study aimed to assess the magnetic resonance (MRI) features of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and to track changes to it induced using radiotherapy across a long-term follow-up. In total, 75 patients who underwent radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies and who were studied with MRI were recruited from two centers. MRI was performed before and after radiotherapy, with a median long-term follow-up of 4.5 years. Baseline SCG features were assessed. Changes in axial cross-sectional area, T2-normalized signal, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (the latter available in about half of the patients) were analyzed. Repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni’s correction was used to analyze changes in the aforementioned parameters (significance level 0.05). Out of a potential 149 SCGs, 136 were visible at baseline MRI. A variable spatial relationship with the internal carotid artery was found. SCGs showed the “black dot” sign in almost all of the patients. ADC was higher in SCGs than in regional lymph nodes. Cross-sectional area, normalized T2, and ADC increased in the period up to 1 year after radiotherapy and then remained stable in subsequent longer-term follow-up. The SCG has unusual features that allow differentiation from the regional lymph nodes. Changes in morphology and signal after radiotherapy must be taken into account by radiologists to avoid misdiagnosis as recurrent nodal disease. Changes induced using radiotherapy are stable in long-term follow-up and are thus likely attributed to other factors (such as Schwann cell hypertrophy/proliferation) rather than edema.

A 42-year-old man with multiple comorbidities, including gout, presented to the emergency department with severe odynophagia for 4 days with intermittent dysphagia for 1–2 months. A CT scan of the neck showed right longus colli tendinitis and partially calcified excrescences from the right thyroid cartilage which raised suspicion of a cartilaginous tumour. He underwent an MRI scan of the neck to better evaluate the thyroid cartilage findings, which showed a heterogeneous mass suspicious for a chondroid tumour. He then underwent a positron-emission tomography-CT scan which showed a fluorodeoxyglucose-avid mass containing foci of calcification involving the right thyroid cartilage and adjacent strap muscle, with high standardised uptake value of 7.7. He subsequently underwent a CT-guided biopsy and an open biopsy of the right thyroid cartilage, and the results revealed gouty tophi. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of laryngeal gout with longus coli tendinitis, both of which are rare conditions.

The pre-lacrimal window approach (PLWA) is a promising technique in approaching lesions of the anterior wall and floor of the maxillary sinus. Simmen et al. previously reported that this approach is feasible in only 2/3 of their patients. This percentage appears to be lower than that of our local (mainly Chinese) population based on our clinical experience. Our study aims to measure the distance between the anterior maxillary wall and lacrimal duct in ethnic Chinese. A higher incidence of sphenoid-ethmoidal cells has been reported in Orientals. We postulate that there is also a higher incidence of wider pre-lacrimal recesses in Orientals thus making the PLWA more feasible to perform in Orientals.100 consecutive sinus CT scans of adult patients with various rhinologic diseases that did not distort the bony anatomy of the maxilla were reviewed (2 sides each). The distance between the anterior maxillary wall and the anterior border of the lacrimal duct was measured in 200 sides. We have adopted the methodology of measurements previously published by Simmen et al. This is so that we could compare between Oriental and Occidental paranasal sinuses.A distance of more than 7 mm was found in 39.5% of our subjects and a distance of 3-7 mm was seen in 53.5%. In 6.5% of our subjects we found a prelacrimal recess 3 mm.The PLWA could have been performed without removal of the bony lacrimal canal in 39.5% of our subjects ( 7 mm). Good access to the anterior maxilla wall could also have been possible for 53.5% with sub-periosteal removal of the bony lacrimal canal and medial maxillary wall. Thus, the PLWA would have been feasible for 93% of our subjects. These percentages are significantly higher than Simmen's study of 68.5% in an Occidental population.

Considering the widespread use of mobile phones, audio recordings of crime scenes are widely used as digital evidence; however, it is important to authenticate the audio recordings before consideration as legal evidence. This study aimed to develop a method to authenticate audio recordings generated using the iPhone through three steps: 1) bitrate/audio latency time analysis of audio recordings, 2) comparison of the file structure/timestamp on audio recordings, and 3) device-based log history examinations for the provenance of audio recordings. Herein, we analyzed audio recording samples from ten different models of mobile handsets of the iPhone with Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), through the Voice Memos application depending on the iPhone Operating System (iOS). To analyze the characteristics of these audio recordings, we compared features including audio latency, file format/structure, and timestamps between the audio recordings generated in the iPhone and those edited through the built-in audio editing function. Furthermore, we investigated the log history registered in devices during the generation of the audio recordings. Differences in the audio latency, file size, timestamps, bitrate, and log history were confirmed on the iPhone when manipulating the audio recordings. The present results show that it is possible to verify the authentication of audio recordings generated using the Voice Memos application on iPhone.

The incidence of otosclerosis in nonendemic patients is low, and preoperative diagnosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with otosclerosis and determine their correlation with audiometric findings and surgical outcome in a nonendemic population. We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients from August 2011 to August 2013 with surgically confirmed otosclerosis who underwent preoperative high-resolution CT scans and pre- and postoperative audiometry. Otosclerotic foci were identified on the scans. The density ratio of these foci was calculated and compared with pre- and postoperative audiometric parameters. One patient with Paget disease was excluded from the study. A total of 19 ears were operated on and included in the data analysis. CT scans were normal in 4 ears (21.1%). Hypodense lesions were detected in the remaining 15 (78.9%) ears and the region of interest mapped out. The density ratio was obtained between the hypodense area and adjacent normal labyrinthine bone. No statistically significant correlation was found between the density ratio and any of the audiometric parameters tested (p > 0.05). The diagnosis of otosclerosis in nonendemic areas is challenging. A preoperative CT scan can be useful when otosclerotic foci are present. However, the density ratio of the otosclerotic foci did not correlate with audiometric parameters or surgical outcome.

To describe the unique MRI findings of superior cervical ganglia (SCG) that may help differentiate them from retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs). A retrospective review of post-treatment NPC patients from 1999 to 2012 identified three patients previously irradiated for NPC that were suspected of having recurrent nodal disease in retropharyngeal lymph nodes during surveillance MRI. Subsequent surgical exploration revealed enlarged SCG only; no retropharyngeal nodal disease was found. A cadaveric head specimen was also imaged with a 3T MRI before and after dissection. In addition, SCG were also harvested from three cadaveric specimens and subjected to histologic analysis. The SCG were found at the level of the C2 vertebral body, medial to the ICA. They were ovoid on axial images and fusiform and elongated with tapered margins in the coronal plane. T2-weighted (T2W) signal was hyperintense. No central elevated T1-weighted (T1W) signal was seen within the ganglia in non-fat-saturated sequences to suggest the presence of a fatty hilum. Enhancement after gadolinium was present. A central “black dot” was seen on axial T2W and post-contrast images in two of the three SCG demonstrated. Histology showed the central black line was comprised of venules and interlacing neurites within the central portion of the ganglion. The SCG can be mistaken for enlarged RPLNs in post-treatment NPC patients. However, there are features which can help differentiate them from RPLNs, preventing unnecessary therapy. These imaging findings have not been previously described.