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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Monday, December 20, 2021

Stereotactic radiotherapy as planned boost after definitive radiotherapy for head and neck cancers: Systematic review

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Abstract

Management of locoregionally advanced head and neck cancers (HNCs) remains a challenge. Some groups have attempted to use stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) to deliver "boost" treatment following conventional radiotherapy to improve local control (LC) and overall survival (OS), while aiming for acceptable toxicities. Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were queried for SBRT as curative-intent planned boost in HNC after conventional radiotherapy. Individual studies were reviewed from inception until January 2021, extracting patient, treatment, and outcome data. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, representing 454 unique patients treated with curative intent across multiple head and neck sites with conventional radiotherapy. At 3 years, median LC was 92% (90%–98%), and median OS was 80% (75%–91%). Seven treatment-related grade 5 toxicities (1.5%) were reported. Despite acceptable LC and OS rates, there were severe treatment-related late toxicities. As such, SBRT boost should only be used in investigational settings until more data is available.

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Oligometastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma: Correlating tumor burden and time to treatment with outcomes

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Abstract

Background

There is limited information on the management and outcomes of oligometastases (OM) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).

Methods

Retrospective study of 42 patients with metastatic ACC of the head and neck. Imaging studies were analyzed to identify patients with OM (1–5 lesions) at any point during follow-up.

Results

There was radiographic evidence of OM in 33/42 (79%) patients. Eighteen patients had OM when treated for metastases, with median overall survival (OS) of 36.0 versus 9.2 years for patients with polymetastases (6+ lesions, HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.14–0.89). Earlier locally ablative treatment, but not systemic treatment, of patients with OM predicted improved survival 3 years after metastasis (HR 0.15, 95%CI 0.02–0.63) and postponed systemic treatment by 80 more months (HR 0.22, 95%CI 0.07–0.71).

Conclusions

There is a considerable population of ACC patients with detectable oligometastases, and early locally ablative treatment of oligometastases may be associated with improved outcomes.

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A multi-centred sequential trial comparing PEGASUS, an intervention to promote shared decision making about breast reconstruction with usual care

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Nov 15:S1748-6815(21)00577-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Decision making about breast reconstruction (BR) is complex. The Patients' Expectations and Goals: Assisting Shared Understanding of Surgery (PEGASUS) intervention aims to support shared decision making by helping women and clinicians clarify and discuss their expectations around reconstructive surgery. We conducted a multi-centred sequential trial comparing PEGASUS (n = 52) with usual care (UC) (n = 86) in women considering reconstruction, who completed outcome measures at baseline, and 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. The primary outcome was BR-specific quality of life (Breast-Q) 6 months post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), capabilities (ICECAP-A) and decisional regret, compared using t-tests and Cohen's d. Comparative analyses revealed no significant diff erences between groups in Breast-Q scores at any time point, except for a favourable effect for UC on psychological well-being at 3 months (t = -2.41, p = .019, d= -0.59). Intervention participants reported significantly higher, therefore improved, ICECAP-A (t = -2.13, p = .037, d = -0.45) and EQ VAS (t = -2.28, p = .026, d = -0.49) scores at 12 months compared to UC. Decisional regret was significantly lower in the PEGASUS group compared to the UC group at 6 months (t =2.06, p = .044, d= -0.51), but this was not sustained at 12 months. In conclusion, the PEGASUS intervention offers some benefits to women considering BR. At times, women experienced less decisional regret, improved health-related quality of life and capability well-being. Findings are discussed in the light of fidelity testing and embedding PEGASUS into practice.

PMID:34924325 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.033

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Assessment of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap perfusion with near-infrared fluorescence: A pilot study and description of a standardized working protocol

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Nov 16:S1748-6815(21)00590-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fat necrosis (FN) is a common complication after autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) using a free flap, which can influence reconstruction outcome and patient satisfaction. Intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) permits the visualization of flap perfusion. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of near-infrared fluorescence on FN incidence in patients undergoing an ABR with a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) and to propose a standard working protocol for this technique. In this prospective study, patients undergoing one-sided ABR with a DIEP were included. The standard DIEP procedure was complemented with near-infrared fluorescence imaging using the fluorescent tracer ICG to evaluate flap perfusion. This cohort was compared to a retrospectiv e cohort of DIEP procedures without near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Patients and surgery characteristics, as well as postoperative complications, were registered and compared. In both cohorts, 24 patients were included. No significant differences were present between patients and surgery characteristics, including no difference in duration of surgery. In the prospective and retrospective group, the incidence of FN was 4.2% and 33%, respectively (p-value = 0.023). Moreover, microsurgeons were positive about using near-infrared fluorescence as it either provided additional information about perfusion or confirmed the clinical assessment. Our pilot study showed a significant decrease of FN in patients undergoing an ABR with a DIEP when near-infrared fluorescence imaging was used to assess flap perfusion. This study provides a standardized working protocol for near-infrared fluorescence imaging. In the future, large multicenter studies should focus on the quantification of near-infr ared fluorescence imaging.

PMID:34924327 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.043

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Preliminary experience using the VITOM-3D system for microvascular anastomosis in DIEP free flap breast reconstruction

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Dec 3:S1748-6815(21)00644-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.099. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Free tissue transfer has become routine practice in modern plastic surgery. The technique permits surgeons the flexibility to transfer the most suitable tissue for reconstruction. This has become possible largely due to the continued advances in microscope technology. There are however several drawbacks with even the newest traditional operating microscopes. They are usually large, heavy and although highly adjustable often require surgeons to adopt an unnatural and uncomfortable position which many of us have simply learned to live with. We describe the use of a new high-definition 3D camera system (Stortz VITOM 3D) in place of a traditional microscope to perform DIEP flap breast reconstructions in two patients. The use of this equipment has been described in other surgical specialities where a number of it s benefits, including improved ergonomics for surgical team, have been highlighted. We explore the specific benefits and considerations for its use in free flap reconstruction of the breast .

PMID:34924322 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.11.099

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Efficacy of Endoscopic Posterior Nasal Neurectomy in Treating Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis

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Objectives: Recent guidelines have revealed that eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) exhibits a strong tendency for recurrence after surgery and impairs quality of life. Neuropeptides play an important neuroimmunological role. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) for the treatment of ECRS by inhibiting type 2 cytokine expression. Methods: Forty-six patients were divided into group A and group B according to a ran dom number table. Group A underwent conventional functional endoscopic sinusitis surgery (FESS) combined with PNN, and group B underwent conventional FESS alone. The subjective and objective symptoms included a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), 22-item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score, nasal speculum Lund-Kennedy score, and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) Lund-Mackay score at the 1-year postoperative follow-up. Results: Postoperative VAS (10.33 ± 2.18 vs. 8.38 ± 2.11, p #x3c; 0.01) and Lund-Kennedy score (1.95 ± 1.32 vs. 3.14 ± 1.35, p #x3c; 0.01) were significantly improved. The rhinorrhea score (1.76 ± 0.83 vs. 2.90 ± 1.14, p #x3c; 0.001) in the VAS and the discharge (0.43 ± 0.51, vs. 0.95 ± 0.67, p #x3c; 0.01) and edema (0.57 ± 0.60 vs. 0.95 ± 0.59, p #x3c; 0.05) scores in the Lund-Kennedy score were observed to have improved significantly in group A compared with those in group B. Conclusions: FESS combined with PNN suppresses edema symptoms, which might significantly decrease the surgical recurrence rate of ECRS in the long term.
ORL
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Three-dimensional cell culture for the study of nasal polyps

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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Nov 26:S1808-8694(21)00191-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2021.11.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have many applications such as stem cell biology research, new drug discovery, cancer, and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP). This disease is characterized by a significant impact on quality of life and productivity. The diversity of factors that act in the progression of CRSwNP point to the creation of a cell culture model that allows the integration of different cell types with extracellular matrix. This work aimed to create a cell culture model in 3 dimensions (spheroids) for the study of Nasal Polyposis.

METHODS: Nasal polyp tissue from patients diagnosed with CRSwNP was mechanically dissociated using tweezers and a scalpel and the solution containing cells and small aggregates of nasal polyps was transferred to a Petri dish containing 5 mL of culture medium at the concentration of 106 cells/mL.

RESULTS: The spheroids were cultivated for 20 days, fixed and analyzed using confocal microscopy. In a 3D culture environment, the spheroids were formed both by clustering cells and from small tissue fragments. In the cultures analyzed, the ciliary beat was present from the dissociation of the cells up to 20 days in culture.

CONCLUSION: Our findings also point to these characteristics showing the environment generated in our study, the cells remained differentiated for a longer time and with ciliary beating. Thus, this work shows that nasal polyp-derived cells can be maintained in a 3D environment, enabling better strategies for understanding CRSwNP in situations similar to those found in vivo.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Laboratory studies.

PMID:34924329 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjorl.2021.11.001

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