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Objective: This study evaluated the significance of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in detecting recurrences or other primary malignancies in patients treated for oro- and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Method: A retrospective analysis of the follow up of 132 patients was performed and 370 PET/CT scans were assessed for their accuracy. Results: All asymptomatic clinical occult recurrences were detected by PET/CT and accounted for 28 per cent of recurrences. Asymptomatic patients with metastases detected by PET/CT had a significant survival benefit compared to patients diagnosed in a symptomatic stage. For locoregional recurrence, no significant difference in overall survival could be demonstrated. In total, 33 primary malignancies were discovered, of which 48 per cent were first detected by PET/CT. The specificity and negative predictive value of the PET/CT scans had ranges of 85–100 and 83–100 per cent, respectively. Conclusion: The role of PET/CT scans in detecting primary malignancies, clinical occult recurrences and especially asymptomatic metastases was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In our center (UZ Brussel), a small modification of the “Converse and Wood-Smith technique” is used to correct prominent ears in children. We present our results and complication rate. We also investigated the influence of a temporarily introduced medical fee on the number of operations and satisfaction of the patients/parents. Methods: Out of all children that were operated (otoplasty) on between January 2005 and December 2016, we included all minors with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Data about complications were collected retrospectively from their medical files. Data about satisfaction of the patient/parent and surgeon were prospectively collected by questionnaire. Patients were excluded from the study if they were previously operated elsewhere, if the questionnaire was incomplete, if their auricle could not be classified as a grade I dysplasia (Weerda) or as a class V dysplasia (Tanzer’s classification), and if the protrusion was secondary to any genetic disease, trauma, or infection. Results: The parent’s/patient’s satisfaction differed significantly from the surgeons’ satisfaction, with the patient/parent being more satisfied than the surgeon. In 9 out of 105 ears (8.6%), revision surgery under general anesthesia was needed to resolve a complication such as recurrence of protrusion. The introduction of a medical fee did not have a significant influence on the mean number of surgeries performed each year and did not alter patient’s/parent’s satisfaction. Conclusion: The results of our modified Converse and Wood-Smith technique were satisfying for correction of prominent ears. The introduction of a medical fee did not seem to have an influence on satisfaction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study analyzed cognitive differences between hearing-aid (HA) and non-HA users. We hypothesized that HA-use attenuates the auditory-cognitive cascade, thereby, the latter is more conspicuous in non-HA users. Since hearing impairment (HI) shows male predominance, we hypothesized gender differences within the auditory-cognitive relationship., Methods: Non-frail community-dwellers ≥ 80 years were assessed for HI (pure tone audiogram-PTA; speech reception threshold-SRT) and global and domain-specific cognitive impairments (Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE; Montreal Cognitive Assessment-MOCA; Reaction Time Test-RT1-4). Pearson and partial correlations (correcting for age and PTA) assessed auditory-cognitive associations within gender and HA subgroups. Fisher's z test compared correlations between HA and non-HA users., Results: 126 participants (age range 80-91 years) were included. HA-use prevalence was 21%. HA-users were older with worse HI (mean PTA 49.5dBHL). HA-users exhibited no significant auditory (PTA, SRT) and cognitive (MMSE, MOCA, RT1- RT4) correlations. Male non-HA users, displayed a significant association between HI and global cognition, processing speed, selective and alternating attention. Significant differences were noted between MMSE and PTA and SRT (z-score 2.28, 3.33, p  = 0.02, <0.01, respectively) between HA and non-HA users., Conclusion: Male non-HA users displayed an association between HI and global and domain-specific (processing speed; selective and alternating attention) cognitive decline. Associations between global cognition and HI were significantly different between HA and non-HA users. This may be partially attributable to underlying subgroups sample sizes and statistical power disparity. If larger scale longitudinal or interventional studies confirm these findings, timely HI assessment and management may be the cornerstone for delaying cognitive decline.