Search

Objective: To characterize Otolaryngology residency program strategies for recruiting underrepresented minorities in medicine (URiM) residents and their perceived effectiveness, and explore perceived barriers to recruitment., Design: We conducted a survey of Otolaryngology program directors (PDs) at the 122 accredited programs within the United States, utilizing a validated and previously published survey utilized within the OB-GYN literature. We solicited information regarding recruitment of underrepresented minorities in medicine (URiM) applicants, effectiveness of strategies, and perceived barriers in recruitment., Setting: A national survey of U.S. accredited residency programs in Otolaryngology in 2022-2023., Results: A total of 42 (34%) PDs responded. 55% of programs reported an increase in URiM residents, of which 18(43%) described an intentional change. Almost all PDs reported placing at least "some" significance in the recruitment of URiM residents (95%). Statistically significant differences were seen in recruitment methods between programs that saw an increase in URiM resident recruitment an those that did not. Additionally, Program Directors believed that increased face-face interaction with applicants were the most effective forms of recruitment. PDs found the biggest challenge to recruitment was a lack of diverse applicants (6.3/10) and faculty (5.8/10). This perception did not change when adjusted for programs that saw an increase in URiM trainee recruitment., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the URiM resident recruitment practices and perceived effectiveness of these strategies within otolaryngology programs nationally. The results and analysis may provide programs who are looking to diversify their workforce with some effective and meaningful strategies to start the process., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Importance: Involvement of deep margins represents a significant challenge in the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer, and given practical limitations of frozen-section analysis, a need exists for real-time, nondestructive intraoperative margin analysis. Wide-field optical coherence tomography (WF-OCT) has been evaluated as a tool for high-resolution adjunct specimen imaging in breast surgery, but its clinical application in head and neck surgery has not been explored., Objective: To evaluate the utility of WF-OCT for visualizing microstructures at margins of excised oral and oropharyngeal tissue., Design, Setting, and Participants: This nonrandomized, investigator-initiated qualitative study evaluated the feasibility of the Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Otis WF-OCT device at a single academic center. Included participants were adults undergoing primary ablative surgery of the oral cavity or oropharynx for squamous cell carcinoma in 2018 and 2019. Data were analyzed in October 2019., Exposures: Patients were treated according to standard surgical care. Freshly resected specimens were imaged with high-resolution WF-OCT prior to routine pathology. Interdisciplinary interpretation was performed to interpret WF-OCT images and compare them with corresponding digitized pathology slides. No clinical decisions were made based on WF-OCT image data., Main Outcomes and Measures: Visual comparisons were performed between WF-OCT images and hematoxylin and eosin slides., Results: A total of 69 specimens were collected and scanned from 53 patients (mean [SD] age, 59.4 [15.2] years; 35 [72.9%] men among 48 patients with demographic data) undergoing oral cavity or oropharynx surgery for squamous cell carcinoma, including 42 tonsillar tissue, 17 base of the tongue, 4 buccal tissue, 3 mandibular, and 3 other specimens. There were 41 malignant specimens (59.4%) and 28 benign specimens (40.6%). In visual comparisons of WF-OCT images and hematoxylin and eosin slides, visual differentiation among mucosa, submucosa, muscle, dysplastic, and benign tissue was possible in real time using WF-OCT images. Microarchitectural features observed in WF-OCT images could be matched with corresponding features within the permanent histology with fidelity., Conclusions and Relevance: This qualitative study found that WF-OCT imaging was feasible for visualizing tissue microarchitecture at the surface of resected tissues and was not associated with changes in specimen integrity or surgical and pathology workflow. These findings suggest that formal clinical studies investigating use of WF-OCT for intraoperative analysis of deep margins in head and neck surgery may be warranted.

Purpose of Review: Provide an up to date review of the diagnosis, workup and treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). DFSP can be a challenging disease to manage and adequate understanding of the most up to date literature can help provide comprehensive treatment strategies., Recent Findings: DFSP is an infiltrative cutaneous sarcoma. It tends to have deep local invasion with a high risk of local recurrence, but a low risk of distant metastasis. It presents typically as a slow growing, asymptomatic skin lesion. It presents rarely in the head and neck, only 15% of the time. Recent data has discussed the role of wide local excision (WLE) vs. Mohs surgery. In addition, for unresectable disease the role of systemic therapy and immunomodulatory agents such as Imatinib has shown success., Summary: Typically, surgical management is the first line for DFSP, however the risk for local recurrence still remains high with negative margins. Due to this risk, lifelong surveillance is required after initial diagnosis and management. Similar to other head and neck tumors, most recurrences happen within the first 3 years after treatment. DFSP can be treated with WLE or Mohs. For aggressive disease that is considered unresectable systemic therapy does exist, including molecular targeted therapies., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Report a unique case of absent posterior belly of digastric muscle, with a literature review and discussion of its clinical importance., Methods: Present a case report and review the current literature including PUBMED search terms; "absent posterior digastric", "digastric muscle", "posterior belly"., Results: While there were multiple reports of accessory anterior and posterior bellies and absence of anterior belly, there is a paucity of literature on absence of posterior belly of digastric muscle., Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an absent posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle is an important landmark in neck dissection, and its absence makes knowledge of other anatomic landmarks critically important. Laryngoscope, 131:1501-1502, 2021., (© 2020 American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society Inc, "The Triological Society" and American Laryngological Association (ALA).)

Objective: To compare rates of unexpected high-risk pathologic features between Chinese and non-Asian patients who underwent thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary academic urban medical center. Patients who underwent thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma from 2015 to 2017 were included. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and tumor histopathology were analyzed. Primary outcome was the presence of adverse histopathologic features such as lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or microscopic/minimal extrathyroidal extension (mETE). Differences between the groups were analyzed using multivariate logistical regression analysis and propensity score-weighted analysis., Results: One hundred seventy-nine patients were included: 58 Chinese-born and 121 non-Asian. The median age of the cohort was 47 years old (36-58). Twenty-nine percent of patients were male, and 71% were female. There was no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts in rates of LVI, multifocality, extent of surgery, or presence of thyroiditis. Patients with mETE were more likely to have larger tumors (P = 0.00247). Both the multivariate and propensity-weighted models demonstrated that Chinese ancestry was independently associated with an increased rate of unexpected mETE (adjusted prevalence ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.82-3.48)., Conclusion: mETE is significantly higher in the immigrant Chinese compared to the non-Asian population. Given the high prevalence of unexpected mETE in the Chinese population, the added risk of this finding should be brought into the discussion during initial surgical planning., Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 130:1844-1849, 2020., (© 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Palatomaxillary reconstruction presents a unique challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The maxillofacial skeleton preserves critical aerodigestive functions-it provides a stable hard palate to support mastication and separate the nasal and oral cavities, and buttress support to provide adequate midface contour. Free tissue transfer has become a routine part of the reconstructive ladder in managing palatomaxillary defects. While there is a wide variety of options for bony reconstruction within the head and neck, the fibula and the scapula, and their variations, have become two of the most commonly used options for midface reconstruction. This review will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both in specific regard to reconstruction of the palatomaxillary area., (© Thieme Medical Publishers.)

Bisphosphonates are among several drugs known in modern medicine to have a potentially deleterious effect on the mandible with chronic use. While purportedly causing a necrotic reaction in the bone, the complete mechanism is not fully elucidated yet as cases are quite rare in the general public. Despite the esoteric nature of this entity, patients suffering from bisphosphonate induced necrosis have a complicated and prolonged course often involving varying degrees of mandibular debridement with severe cases requiring reconstruction. In this report, we present the unique case of a patient with a progressive mandibular osteonecrosis requiring complete mandibulectomy and fibula flap reconstruction., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Analyze patients treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the context of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system., Methods: Retrospective cohort study including 110 human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+OPC) patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up treated with TORS between 2007 to 2016. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate 3-year disease-free survival and assess differences in recurrence., Results: One hundred and ten patients with a median follow-up of 54 months were analyzed. Of those, 85% of patients were male, with a median age of 60. Twenty-two percent of patients received no adjuvant therapy; 43% received adjuvant radiation; and 35% underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. Extracapsular spread was identified in 24% of patients. Overall survival was 100%, with estimated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (95% confidence interval) of 87% (77, 93). Under the seventh edition of the AJCC, 5% of patients were stage I; 11% were stage II; 26% were stage III; and 57% were stage IVa. Twenty-seven patients (25%) were upstaged on final pathology, whereas 15 patients (14%) were downstaged. Under the eighth edition of the AJCC, 94% of patients were stage I for both clinical and pathologic staging systems. Six patients (6%) were upstaged on final pathology, whereas six patients (6%) were downstaged. No factors demonstrated statistical significance for DFS. Within pathologic stage I, Kaplan-Meier estimates for DFS did not reach statistical significance., Conclusion: The majority of patients undergoing TORS for HPV + OPC are stage I under the eighth edition of the AJCC staging system, with limited pathologic re-staging compared with the prior system. Oncologic outcomes are favorable for this group. No clinicopathologic features are significant for DFS within pathologic stage I., Level of Evidence: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1133-1139, 2018., (© 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objective: A subset of patients previously diagnosed with idiopathic chronic cough were found to have an elongated uvula contacting the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and inducing a cough reflex. These patients were successfully treated with an in-office modified uvulopalatoplasty procedure (mUPP) at our institution. We aim to further categorize this subset of patients and describe the mUPP that can potentially offer this group of patients cure for their chronic cough., Study Design: Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review., Methods: Patient demographics, medical history, associated symptoms, prior treatment remedies, and response to mUPP were recorded and analyzed for 30 patients who underwent an in-office mUPP., Results: The majority of patients were middle-aged, nonsmoking females with symptoms of globus sensation and a gag reflex when lying supine. 96.7% of patients reported complete resolution or noticeable improvement of their cough following mUPP. There were no complications from this in-office procedure in our study., Conclusions: The authors' main goals are to make other physicians aware of this under-recognized subset of patients with chronic cough who have an identifiable and treatable cause for their symptoms and to provide the steps of a simple and effective surgical solution to chronic cough in this group of patients., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Sarcoidosis is a complex disorder that often times involves the head and neck. Despite the presence of strong clinical evidence, tissue diagnosis and imaging is needed for confirmation of the disease. Although typically managed medically, when found in the sinonasal tract or intracranially, it may necessitate the intervention of a rhinologist-skull base surgeon. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive review of head and neck sarcoidosis, as this fascinating disorder often poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A brief discussion of surgical treatment for pituitary lesions is also provided. Articles from 1997 to 2013 were selected and reviewed by three researchers utilizing the most recent literature regarding sarcoidosis in the head and neck. PubMed searches were conducted using search terms such as "sarcoidosis", "neurosarcoid", and "extra-pulmonary sarcoid", among many others. A large collection of articles was generated and reviewed by the team of authors, and appropriate information was extracted to compose a thorough and expansive review of the subject. 10-15 % of patients with sarcoidosis have head and neck manifestations. Sinonasal and pituitary sarcoidosis presents a diagnostic challenge owing to its non-specific symptoms. Although systemic steroid therapy is often the first time treatment, endoscopic surgery is commonly used to treat advanced pituitary sarcoidosis refractory to medical management. As tissue diagnosis and imaging is key, a multi-disciplinary team approach is advantageous. Our study collates the available literature on head and neck sarcoidosis to provide a comprehensive review of the subject. This provides helpful information to guide all practitioners involved in the care of these challenging patients, namely pathologists, radiologists, otolaryngologists, and skull base surgeons, in the workup and management of head and neck sarcoidosis.

Objectives: The molecular underpinnings of Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) are diverse. This article codifies the most recent findings in this complex area of research to further current understanding of the disease process. Elucidating the genetic causes of the disorder can be useful in earlier detection and better treatment planning., Design: Articles from 1991 to 2013 were selected and reviewed by five researchers utilizing the most recent literature of the genetics and pathophysiology of TCS., Results: Mutations in TCOF1, POLR1C and POLR1D have all been implicated in causing TCS. The association of the TCOF1 gene product, Treacle, and gene products of POLR1C and POLR1D with ribosome biosynthesis suggests that a loss of function mutation in these genes disrupts ribosome biosynthesis in constituent neural crest cells and neuroepithelium leading to apoptosis. However, recent data illustrating that P53 heterozygosity is protective against TCS, and that P53 and TCOF1 hemizygous embryos do not affect ribosomal function, implicates P53 or elements downstream of P53 as playing a role in TCS pathogenesis., Conclusion: Our study codified nascent findings of the molecular determinants of TCS. These findings add to a burgeoning database of TCS-associated mutations, and as such, can be used to establish TCS diagnosis and further clarify TCS pathogenesis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)