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Background: Quality of life (QoL) assessment forms an integral part of modern cancer care and research. The aim of this study is to determine patients' preferences and willingness to complete commonly used head‐and‐neck cancer (HNC) QoL questionnaires (QLQs) in routine follow‐up clinics. Methods: This is a randomised control trial of 583 subjects from 17 centres during follow‐up after treatment for oral, oropharyngeal or laryngeal cancer. Subjects completed three structured validated questionnaires: EORTC QLQ‐HN35; FACT‐HN and UW‐QOL, and an unstructured patient‐generated list. The order of questionnaire presentation was randomised, and subjects were stratified by disease site and stage. Patients self‐rated the questionnaires they found most helpful to communicate their health concerns to their clinicians. Results: Of the 558 respondents, 82% (457) found QLQs useful to communicate their health concerns to their clinician (OR = 15.76; 95% CI 10.83–22.94). Patients preferred the structured disease‐specific instruments (OR 8.79; 95% CI 5.99–12.91), while the open list was the most disliked (OR = 4.25; 95% CI 3.04–5.94). There was no difference in preference by treatment modality. More women preferred the FACT‐HN (OR = 3.01, 95% CI 1.05–8.62), and patients under 70 preferred EORTC QLQ‐HN35 (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.3–7.59). However, only 55% of patients expressed preference to complete questionnaires routinely at the clinic. Conclusions: Most patients found QLQs helpful during their follow‐up and 55% supported routine questionnaires in follow‐up clinics. Males and people over 70 years old were the least willing to complete the routine questionnaires and preferred shorter questionnaires (e.g., UW‐QOL). Women preferred FACT‐HN, and younger patients preferred EORTC QLQ‐HN35. Reasons for the reluctance to complete questionnaires require elucidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study describes a technique of measurement for neck cyst amylase content and reviews the experience of a tertiary referral center for cases of suspected plunging ranula. Methods: A retrospective study was performed at the Manukau Surgical Center in Auckland, New Zealand. Patients with a possible diagnosis of plunging ranula based on clinical presentation and diagnostic aspiration of the cyst contents were included. Demographic data, imaging and laboratory findings were collected, along with findings from surgery and histology. The technique for measuring the amylase of the aspirated cyst contents was also carefully recorded. Results: The 37 cases of confirmed plunging ranula included in this study had a submandibular cystic swelling that was aspirated. Imaging features consistent with a plunging ranula were seen in 89% of the study group. All cases had detectable levels of amylase of ≥3 U/L in the ranula contents. There was large variability (range: 5–560 U/L) in the concentration of amylase, with 70% of the cases demonstrating an amylase concentration below 200 U/L. Aspirates were typically described as viscous (87.5%) and yellow or straw‐colored. Conclusion: The combination of clinical presentation, imaging and the presence of amylase in the cyst contents is diagnostic for plunging ranula. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:535–538, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This qualitative systematic review evaluates the evidence in support of the use of oral corticosteroids in patients undergoing sialendoscopy for the treatment of obstructive sialadenitis. Design: Qualitative systematic review. Methods: A literature search was conducted from January 1985 and September 2020. Inclusion criteria embraced peer-reviewed articles in which adult patients undergoing interventional sialendoscopy for obstructive salivary gland disease received oral corticosteroids. The results were initially screened based on title and abstract, and the remaining articles were reviewed for eligibility. Results: About 218 papers were selected by title and abstract, 96 were selected for full-text review, and 9 met the inclusion criteria. Eight published reports were retrospective observational studies and 1 was a prospective comparative study. Overall, the heterogeneity of clinical data stood out in this systematic review. The pooled success rate in the studies was 873/979 (89%). Only 5 studies described a rationale for oral corticosteroid use as part of the post-operative management. In 4 studies, a prednisone total daily dose of 40 to 50 mg was used. One study clearly showed a lower recurrence rate in patients who received oral steroids for more than 7 days in addition to sialendoscopy for management of ductal stenoses. Conclusion: This systematic review showed that most centers that prescribe oral corticosteroids after sialendoscopy are unaware of the specific results with this treatment. For ductal stenoses, only 1 paper clearly showed the benefits of oral corticosteroids after sialendoscopy but more high-quality evidence is required in the form of a comparative study or randomized controlled trial, with appropriate long-term follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Hypothesis: To evaluate clinical outcomes following failed endoscopic extraction of salivary calculi and to assess any relation between clinical outcome and calculi location, number, size, and mobility. If sialendoscopy fails to extract the calculus, subsequent spontaneous passage of the calculus out of the ductoglandular system or secondary effects of sialendoscopy could mitigate the clinical impact of a residual sialolithiasis. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Prospective comparative study of endoscopic procedures for sialolithiasis performed in the Manukau Surgery Center, in Auckland, New Zealand, from 2010 to 2020. The recurrent symptoms and the variables related to the need for additional surgical intervention for salivary calculi were analyzed. Results: Among the 465 sialendoscopy procedures, 154 (33.1%) were for obstructive sialolithiasis. Among these, there were 30 (19.4%) with unsuccessful stone extraction with re‐operation for these failures performed in 14 of the 27 failed submandibular cases (52%) and 2 of the 3 parotids (66.7%). Location of calculi was a significant factor in predicting the need of further surgery. Patients with perihilar stones were 5 times more likely to have a failed procedure (P =.001). If the stone was intraglandular, the likelihood increased to 8.5 times (P =.005). The likelihood for a revision procedure increased almost 11 times if the stone was intraglandular (P =.004). Calculi size, mobility, multiple calculi, and presence of concurrent stenosis did not correlate with need for further surgery. Conclusions: A significant proportion of "failed" sialendoscopy did not require further intervention. Stone location was a significant factor in predicting a failed procedure and the need for re‐intervention. Laryngoscope, 132:1029–1033, 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the Manukau Salivary Symptom Score (MSSS) questionnaire as a validated tool to assess obstructive sialadenitis-specific symptoms to both indicate disease severity and assess the outcome after sialendoscopic procedures. Study Design: A prospective observational study was performed from 2010 to 2019 comprising 164 patients undergoing sialendoscopy for nonneoplastic chronic obstructive salivary gland disease (COSGD). Setting: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Manukau Surgical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, between June 2010 and September 2019. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed from 2010 to 2019 comprising 164 patients undergoing sialendoscopy for nonneoplastic COSGD. Patients completed the MSSS preoperatively and at postoperative follow-up. Statistical tests were used to compare pre- and postoperative answers. Cronbach's α was used to measure internal consistency. Finally, construct validity was determined by comparing the 5-question MSSS questionnaire to the preexisting 20-question Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms (COSS) questionnaire. Results: Postoperatively, patients had significant improvements in pain, eating, talking, swelling, and quality of life (P <.001). The MSSS questionnaire was found to have high internal consistency (α = 0.938). Questions in the MSSS had a very strong positive correlation with 3 COSS questions, a strong positive correlation with 8, a moderate positive correlation with 4, and a weak positive correlation with 1. Four COSS questions were not considered relevant and were not included in the MSSS questionnaire. Conclusion: The MSSS questionnaire is a simple, validated questionnaire that is useful for assessing the impact of sialendoscopy in patients with COSGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]