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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Predicting Progression of Oral Lesions to Malignancy Using Machine Learning

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Objective

To use large-scale electronic health record (EHR) data to develop machine learning models predicting malignant transformation of oral lesions.

Methods

A multi-institutional health system database was used to identify a retrospective cohort of patients with biopsied oral lesions. The primary outcome was malignant transformation. Chart review and automated system database queries were used to identify a range of demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables. Machine learning was used to develop predictive models for progression to malignancy.

Results

There were 2192 patients with a biopsied oral lesion, of whom 1232 had biopsy proven oral dysplasia. There was malignant transformation in 34% of patients in the oral lesions dataset, and in 54% of patients in the dysplasia subset. Multiple machine learning-based models were trained on the data in two experiments, (a) including all patients with biopsied oral lesions and (b) including only patients with biopsy-proven dysplasia. In the first experiment, the best machine learning models predicted malignant transformation among the biopsied oral lesions with an area under the curve (AUC) of 86%. In the second experiment, the random forest model predicted malignant transformation among lesions with dysplasia with an AUC of 0.75. The most influential features were dysplasia grade and the presence of multiple lesions, with smaller influences from other features including anemia, histopathologic description of atypia, and other prior cancer history.

Conclusion

With diverse features from EHR data, machine learning approaches are feasible and allow for generation of models that predict which oral lesions are likely to progress to malignancy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2022

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Outcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer

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Outcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer

Limited data exists on the non-surgical management of stage T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients who are not surgical candidates or refuse surgery. This study aims to investigate the clinical and functional outcomes of non-surgical management of T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients. The outcomes reported in this study will provide guidance for those who have unresectable disease or refuse surgery for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients.


Objective

Limited data is available to guide non-surgical management of Stage T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients who have inoperable disease or refuse surgery. We aim to review the nonoperative management of T4 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer and report the long-term therapeutic and functional outcomes.

Methods

We reviewed the nonoperative management of T4 laryngeal (n = 44) and hypopharyngeal (n = 53) cancer from 1997 to 2015 and performed a univariate analysis (UVA).

Results

The 2-/5-year OS rates were 73%/38% for larynx patients and 52%/29% for hypopharynx patients. Locoregional failure (LRF) occurred in 25% and 19% of larynx and hypopharynx patients, respectively. On UVA of the larynx subset, N3 nodal status and non-intensity-modulated radiation therapy were negatively associated with OS; treatment with radiation therapy alone impacted disease-free survival; and age >70 was associated with LRF. On UVA of the hypopharynx subset, only T4b status significantly impacted OS. In the larynx and hypopharynx groups, 68% and 85% received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube and 32% and 40% received a tracheostomy tube, respectively. At the last follow-up visit, 66% of our larynx cohort had neither tracheostomy or PEG placed and 40% of our hypopharynx cohort had neither.

Conclusion

We report better than previously noted outcomes among T4 larynx and hypopharynx patients who have unresectable disease or refuse surgery.

Level of Evidence

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2022

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Practical Implementation of Sleep Endoscopy with Positive Airway Pressure in Clinical Practice

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Practical Implementation of Sleep Endoscopy with Positive Airway Pressure in Clinical Practice

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy with positive airway pressure (DISE-PAP) is a new technique that allows for both the visualization of upper airway collapse as well as to evaluate the degree of airway collapsibility. This DISE-PAP protocol provides an affordable and clinically efficient manner in which to immediately implement this technique in clinical practice. Laryngoscope, 2022


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Dilation, Steroid Injection, and Cough Exercise for Correction of Posterior Glottic Stenosis

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Dilation, Steroid Injection, and Cough Exercise for Correction of Posterior Glottic Stenosis

DISCO (Dilation, Steroid injection and post-operative Cough Exercise) is a novel protocol for correcting posterior glottic stenosis. Post-op cough acts as physical-therapy to improve motion and flexibility. It can restore mobility and expand glottic airway without insufficiency.


Objective

To describe the DISCO protocol (Dilation, Steroid injection, and post-operative Cough Exercise); a novel treatment for posterior glottic stenosis (PGS). Restoring glottic mobility in PGS is a major challenge. In orthopedic and plastic surgery, post-operative physical therapy is associated with improved motion range and flexibility; yet, this principle was never applied to laryngeal surgery.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of PGS adult patients, treated by the DISCO protocol during 2018–2020. DISCO involves the following: scar release, glottic dilation, and steroid injection, followed by post-operative cough as glottic physical therapy. Maximal glottic opening angle (MGOA), relative glottic opening area (RGOA), and relative glottic insufficiency area (RGIA) were calculated before and post-operatively.

Results

Seventeen patients were included; PGS etiology was post-intubation (n = 10), post-irradiation (n = 3), both (n = 1) and joint sclerosis (n = 3). Six patients also had additional airway disorders. Sixteen patients were tracheostomy-dependent. 2 (12%), 8 (47%) and 7 (41%) patients had type II, III and IV stenosis, respectively. Surgery included scar release, dilation and steroid injection alone in 7 patients; and additional unilateral sub-mucosal arytenoidectomy in 10. The mean follow-up was 17.5 months. There were no major complications. Successful outcomes (e.g., decannulation or permanent capping) were achieved in 14 (82%) patients with some restoration of joint movement. None had a persistent voice or swallowing complaints. Both MGOA and RGOA increased in all patients (p < 0.001). RGIA remained unchanged (p = 0.878).

Conclusions

The DISCO protocol is a novel, effective and safe approach for PGS correction that can be easily applied. It can restore vocal fold mobility and may expand the glottic airway without causing glottic insufficiency.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2022

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Ingredients in the Visual Perception of Hypomobile Vocal Fold Motion Impairment

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Ingredients in the Visual Perception of Hypomobile Vocal Fold Motion Impairment

In patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold hypomobility, semi-automated analysis of laryngoscopic videos revealed differences in the vocal fold angular velocity or range of motion between the two vocal folds in a substantial subset, but not a large majority, of the patients. Other visual cues in a laryngoscopic exam likely contribute to the perception of unilateral vocal fold hypomobility.


Objectives

The clinical determination of vocal fold (VF) hypomobility based on laryngoscopy is subjective. Previous studies point to VF motion anomaly as the most commonly reported factor in the diagnosis of hypomobility. This study tested the hypotheses that VF angular velocities and angular range of motion (ROM) differ between the two VFs in cases of unilateral VF hypomobility.

Study Design

Retrospective.

Methods

Semi-automated analysis of laryngoscopic videos of 18 subjects diagnosed with unilateral VF hypomobility and 13 subjects with normal VF mobility was performed to quantify/compare the VF angular velocity and ROM between the two VFs during /i/−sniff and laugh.

Results

In the hypomobile VF group, 7 out of 15 (47%) videos with /i/−sniff and 5 out of 8 (63%) with laugh had a statistically significant difference in the angular velocities between the VFs in either abduction or adduction. For VF ROM, 8 out of 15 (53%) /i/−sniff videos and 4 out of 8 (50%) with laughter had a statistically significant difference between VFs. In the group without the diagnosis of VF hypomobility, 9 out of 13 subjects (69%) had no difference in VF angular velocity and ROM during either /i/−sniff or laugh.

Conclusions

Differences in VF angular velocity or ROM are measurable in a substantial subset of subjects diagnosed with unilateral VF hypomobility. Clinicians' ability to gauge VF motion goes beyond what can be extracted from frame-by-frame analysis. Other visual cues, in addition to VF angular velocity and ROM, likely contribute to the perception of unilateral VF hypomobility.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2022

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Hospira Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of Propofol Injectable Emulsion, USP (Containing Benzyl Alcohol), Due to the Potential Presence of Visible Particulate

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Propofol Injectable Emulsion, USP (containing benzyl alcohol) to the user level due to a visible particulate observed in a single vial during annual examination of retain samples
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Polymethylmethacrylate denture base layering as a new approach for the addition of antifungal agents

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Purpose

To introduce a new technique, denture base layering, for the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and to investigate the effects of the layering technique on Candida albicans (C. albicans) adhesion and on surface roughness, hardness, translucency, and flexural strength.

Materials & Methods

In total, 210 heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were prepared as discs (15 × 2 mm) for testing C. albicans adhesion (n = 70) and surface roughness, hardness, and translucency (n = 70); and as acrylic plates (65 × 10 × 2.5 mm) for testing flexural strength (n = 70). Specimens were divided into 4 groups: control (n = 30), one-layer (n = 60), double-layer (n = 60), and dotted-layer (n = 60) according to the packing and layering technique. Each group was divided according to the concentration of TiO2NPs 1% and 2.5% (n = 10). The control group comprised one layer of unmodified resin. The one-layer group comprised one layer of a mixture of PMMA/TiO2NPs packed conventionally. The double-layer group consisted of two different layers packed in two steps, as follows: unmodified resin first, followed by a continuous thin layer of the PMMA/TiO2NPs mixture. Similarly, the dotted-layer group consisted of two di fferent layers packed in two steps, as follows: unmodified resin first, followed by a thin layer of the PMMA/TiO2NPs. However, the second mixture was added in a dotted manner. The direct culture method for C. albicans adhesion before and after ultraviolet light activation, and surface roughness, hardness, translucency, and flexural strength were measured. An analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for data analysis (α = 0.05).

Results

The addition of TiO2NPs reduced C. albicans adhesion (P ˂.001). However, no significant difference was found between both concentrations within the same group before and after ultraviolet light activation (P >0.05), except in the 1% dotted-layer (P = .022). Surface roughness and hardness were not affected by the additions of different concentrations of TiO2NPs (P = .905) and (P = .059), respectively. Translucency was significantly reduced in all the groups (P ˂.001) except in the 1% dotted-layer (P = .332). Flexural strength decreased as the TiO2NPs concentration increased, with the greatest reduction in strength observed in the one-layer group (P ˂.001).

Conclusions

The double and dotted layering techniques were effective in reducing C. albicans adhesion, without affecting surface roughness, hardness, or flexural strength. However, translucency was reduced in all the groups, except the 1% dotted-layer group.

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