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Background: Fibre-optic laryngoscopy is still widely used in daily clinical practice; however, high-definition laryngoscopy using narrow band imaging could be more reliable in characterising pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions. Methods: Endoscopic videos were assessed in a tertiary referral hospital by 12 observers with different levels of clinical experience. Thirty pairs of high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging and fibre-optic laryngoscopy videos were judged twice, with an interval of two to four weeks, in a random order. Inter- and intra-observer reliability, sensitivity and specificity were calculated in terms of detecting a malignant lesion and a specific histological entity, for beginners, trained observers and experts. Results: Using high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging, inter-observer reliability for detecting malignant lesions increased from moderate to substantial in trained observers and experts (high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging κ = 0.66 and κ = 0.77 vs fibre-optic laryngoscopy κ = 0.51 and κ = 0.56, for trained observers and experts respectively) and sensitivity increased by 16 per cent. Conclusion: Inter-observer reliability increased with the level of clinical experience, especially when using high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: High definition laryngoscopy (HDL) could lead to better interpretation of the pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa than regularly used fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FOL). The primary aim of this study is to quantify the diagnostic advantage of HDL over FOL in detecting mucosal anomalies in general, in differentiating malignant from benign lesions and in predicting specific histological entities. The secondary aim is to analyse image quality of both laryngoscopes. Design: Retrospective paired analysis with multiple observers evaluating endoscopic videos simulating daily clinical practice. Setting: A tertiary referral hospital. Participants: In 36 patients, both FOL and HDL videos were obtained. Six observers were provided with additional clinical information, and 36 FOL and HDL videos were evaluated in a randomised order. Main outcome measures: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of observers using both flexible laryngoscopes were calculated for detection of mucosal lesions in general and uncovering malignant lesions. Sensitivities were calculated for prediction of specific histological entities. Image quality (scale 1‐10) was assessed for both flexible laryngoscopes. Results: HDL reached higher sensitivity compared to FOL for detection of mucosal abnormalities in general (96.0% vs 90.4%; P =.03), differentiating malignant from benign lesions (91.7% vs 79.8%; P =.03) and prediction of specific histological entities (59.7% vs 47.2%; P <.01). Image quality was judged better with HDL in comparison with FOL (mean: 8.4 vs 5.4, P <.01). Conclusions: HDL is superior to FOL in detecting mucosal anomalies in general, malignancies and specific histological entities. Image quality is considered as superior using HDL compared to FOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: 18F FDG‐PET is superior to other imaging techniques in revealing residual laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy. Unfortunately, its specificity is low, due to FDG uptake in inflammation and in anaerobic conditions. PET imaging with the amino acid‐based radiopharmaceutical C11‐methionine (MET) should be less influenced by post‐radiation conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of MET in diagnosing recurrent laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy as compared to 18F‐FDG. Methods: Forty‐eight patients with a clinical suspicion of local residual disease at least 3 months after completion of radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for a T2‐4 laryngeal carcinoma, along with an indication for direct laryngoscopy, were included. They received MET‐PET and FDG‐PET prior to the direct laryngoscopy. One senior nuclear medicine physician assessed both the FDG‐PET and MET‐PET images visually for the degree of abnormal uptake. The gold standard was a biopsy‐proven recurrence 12 months after PET. The nuclear physician had no access to the medical charts and was blinded to the results of the other PET. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Results: The sensitivity of FDG was 77.3% and the specificity 56.0% after the conservative reading, with these values equalling 54.5% and 76.0% for MET. The positive predictive value of FDG was 60.7% and the negative predictive value 73.7%. The PPV of MET was 66.7%, and the NPV was 65.5%. The McNemar test within diseased (sensitivity comparison) shows a p‐value of 0.125, and the McNemar test within non‐diseased (specificity comparison) shows a P‐value of 0.180. Conclusion: MET‐PET is not superior to FDG‐PET in terms of identifying recurrent laryngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary goal was to study the diagnostic potential of narrow‐band imaging (NBI), and the secondary goal was to evaluate the most common mistakes when using and interpreting NBI. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University Medical Center Groningen, tertiary referral hospital, the Netherlands. Participants: Three hundred and seventy patients who underwent rigid endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract. Two observers assessed all lesions. Twelve observers assessed a selection of 100 lesions. All observers were provided with both white light imaging and NBI. Main outcome measures: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy and reasons for insufficient photograph quality. Results: When using NBI, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for detecting invasive carcinoma, carcinoma in situ or high‐grade dysplasia were 92%, 68%, 61%, 94% and 77%, respectively. In multiple‐observer analysis, values were 76%, 58%, 53%, 83% and 65% with the evaluation strictly based on type V patterns of Ni's classification, vs 83%, 68%, 64%, 85% and 74% when evaluation was also based on lesion‐specific clinical characteristics. Lesions that caused misinterpretations were leukoplakia, papillomas and mucosal lesions after irradiation. In total, 185 photographs were assessed to be of suboptimal quality due to blurring (36%), bleeding (6%), insufficient zooming (15%) and/or insufficient lighting (17%). Conclusion: NBI is a relatively reliable screening method for detecting malignancy. Evaluation based on Ni's classification alone is not sufficient. To optimise NBI photograph quality, we recommend sufficient zooming and prevention of bleeding, blurring and inadequate lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We aimed to investigate the potential of 3D virtual planning of tracheostomy tube placement and 3D cannula design to prevent tracheostomy complications due to inadequate cannula position.Materials and methods: 3D models of commercially available cannula were positioned in 3D models of the airway. In study (1), a cohort that underwent tracheostomy between 2013 and 2015 was selected (n = 26). The cannula was virtually placed in the airway in the pre-operative CT scan and its position was compared to the cannula position on post-operative CT scans. In study (2), a cohort with neuromuscular disease (n = 14) was analyzed. Virtual cannula placing was performed in CT scans and tested if problems could be anticipated. Finally (3), for a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and complications of conventional tracheostomy cannula, a patient-specific cannula was 3D designed, fabricated, and placed.Results: (1) The 3D planned and post-operative tracheostomy position differed significantly. (2) Three groups of patients were identified: (A) normal anatomy; (B) abnormal anatomy, commercially available cannula fits; and (C) abnormal anatomy, custom-made cannula, may be necessary. (3) The position of the custom-designed cannula was optimal and the trachea healed.Conclusions: Virtual planning of the tracheostomy did not correlate with actual cannula position. Identifying patients with abnormal airway anatomy in whom commercially available cannula cannot be optimally positioned is advantageous. Patient-specific cannula design based on 3D virtualization of the airway was beneficial in a patient with abnormal airway anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinonasal carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (SCND) is a rare group of tumors known for their aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment. The data in the literature are sparse and cover a wide range of therapeutic approaches over a protracted timeline. Therefore, it is important that institutions report on their experience with these rare neoplasms. Clinical data, such as age at diagnosis, gender, tumor subtype and stage, treatment intention and modality, recurrence, salvage treatment, and survival of patients with a SCND, diagnosed at our department between 1980 and 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients were available for analysis; eight with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), five with sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC), and two with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SmCC). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 68 years (range 28-87). Treatment consisted of surgery (2), radiotherapy (4), a combination of these modalities (6) and palliation (3). The estimated 5-year overall survival was 60 % for SNEC, 44 % for SNUC and 0 % for SmCC. According to our institutional experience an aggressive multi-modality approach incorporating (neoadjuvant) chemoradiotherapy, radical surgery and elective treatment of the neck is the best treatment strategy for SCND. The high propensity for distant metastasis and poor prognosis of SmCC warrants consideration of the impact of treatment on the remaining quality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Original Article Detection of high‐grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and squamous cell carcinoma in the upper aerodigestive tract: Recommendations for optimal use and interpretation of narrow‐band imaging, by Manon A. Zwakenberg et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/coa.13229. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Visualization by endoscopy is essential in the diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract lesions. Recent studies showed that narrow band imaging (NBI) increases the diagnostic potential of conventional white light imaging (WLI) by highlighting the superficial vessels. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the use of NBI would influence inter- and intraobserver agreement while making diagnostic decisions using rigid endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract., Study Design: Retrospective study., Methods: One hundred routinely collected pictures of laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal lesions were used. Rigid endoscopies and patient data collection were performed according to standard protocol. Twelve observers, grouped in different levels of experience, assessed all lesions twice with a 2 to 4 week interval. Fleiss and Cohen's kappa (κ) values were calculated to assess inter- and intraobserver agreement., Results: Overall interobserver agreement increased from κ = 0.34 to κ = 0.40 by adding NBI to WLI (WLI and WLI + NBI, respectively). In experienced observers, an improvement from κ = 0.39 to κ = 0.43 was observed; in less-experienced observers an improvement from κ = 0.30 to κ = 0.37 was observed. Overall intraobserver agreement increased from moderate (κ = 0.54) to substantial (κ = 0.63) with addition of NBI. Intraobserver agreement for less-experienced observers improved remarkably when WLI was combined with NBI (κ = 0.51 vs. κ = 0.67)., Conclusions: Addition of NBI during rigid endoscopies of the upper aerodigestive tract led to improvement of both inter- and intraobserver agreement., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2276-2281, 2016., (© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)