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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Onset and resolution failure of recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: the role of cervical range of motion

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07226-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To explore possible associations between cervical spine mobility, measured by cervical range of motion (CROM) and a possible earlier onset of recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), as well as an increased failure rate of canalith repositioning procedures.

METHODS: Medical records of 749 patients (247, 253 and 249 patients with a CROM ≤ 45°, between 45.1° and 55° and > 55.1°, respectively) with a first-time diagnosis of non-traumatic BPPV were included in this retrospective study. Age, gender, canal involvement and CROM values were treated as prospective prognostic factors for time of BPPV recurrence onset (RO) and number of manoeuvres needed to achieve resolution (resolution rate, RR). A multiple regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS: A significant increase in the incidence of recur rent BPPV was found in patients with reduced CROM (139 [56.27%;], 102 [40.31%] and 87 [34.93%], respectively, belonging to ≤ 45°, 45.1°-55° and > 55.1° subgroups; X2 = 9.42, p = 0.008). A strong association between age, CROM and recurrent BPPV RO and RR was demonstrated, respectively (multiple correlation coefficients = 0.492678 and 0.593493, respectively, p value < 10-4). Canal involvement was in line with the previous experiences.

CONCLUSION: The results from this retrospective analysis unveiled the previously unexplored relation between reduction in cervical spine mobility and BPPV recurrence and treatment failure. The data from this study do not indicate the mechanisms by which this comorbidity might directly cause recurrent BPPV. However, they may suggest CROM to be evaluated, in association with other known risk factors for increased susceptibility to BPPV recurrence.

PMID:35091829 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07226-1

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The importance of systemic immune-inflammation index in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07227-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the importance of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study planned as a retrospective cohort, the files of the patients who presented with sleep apnea/snoring complaint between 10.01.2017 and 10.01.2021 and underwent polysomnography (PSG) and complete blood count analyses were reviewed. PSG findings (age, sex, body mass index (BMI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), mean oxygen saturation) were compared with SII in 194 patients meeting study eligibility criteria.

RESULTS: Patients included in this study were divided into 4 groups by AHI value. Statistical difference was detected between the groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and mean oxygen saturation (p < 0.05). There is an ap proximately 30% positive statistically significant correlation between the severity of OSA and SII (p < 0.001). As for the mean SII values of the AHI groups, it was observed that the more severe AHI is, the higher the mean SII value is. The correlation between SII and the severity of OSA was found to be more significant than the correlation with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).

CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between SII and the severity of OSA. This correlation is stronger compared to NLR and PLR. SII can be used to demonstrate the chronic systemic inflammation observed in OSA patients, and can be utilized as a simple and inexpensive biomarker as it can be easily calculated from the parameters present in routine blood analyses.

PMID:35091830 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07227-0

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Mediastinal basal pulmonary artery identification and classification by three-dimensional reconstruction

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Surg Radiol Anat. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s00276-022-02889-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the present study was to use CT angiography and 3D reconstruction to assess and to classify the mediastinal pulmonary basal segmental arteries.

METHODS: We report a particular type of bifurcated left lower pulmonary artery, namely, the "mediastinal basal pulmonary artery" type, which is the first branch from the proximal the left pulmonary a rtery (LPA) between the left main bronchus (LMB) and the left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV) and proceeding directly into the lower lobe. There are many types of mediastinal basal pulmonary arteries, and these can be classified worldwide in a unified way and format, which will be beneficial for clinical records, annotation and academic exchange.

RESULTS: The mediastinal basal pulmonary arteries are described either as "supernumerary" when duplicating or "displaced" when replacing the normal arterial branching pattern of the lower lobe. The displaced type is more frequent than the supernumerary type. There are 12 types of left mediastinal basilar arteries.

CONCLUSION: This is the first report to categorize the mediastinal basal pulmonary artery, is the first to suggest a system for mediastinal basal pulmonary artery nomenclature, and creates simplified models for use when planning anatomical segmentectomy. Knowledge and recognition of this rare and special condition may f acilitate better diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

PMID:35092478 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-022-02889-9

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Bereavement Practices Among Head and Neck Cancer Surgeons

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Objectives

Head and neck cancer surgeons frequently interact with dying patients with advanced disease and their families, but little is known about their bereavement practices after a patient's death. The aim of this study is to elucidate the frequency of common bereavement practices, cited barriers to bereavement, and predictive physician factors that lead to an increase in bereavement practices among head and neck cancer surgeons.

Methods

A 20-item survey was sent to 827 active surgeons of the American Head and Neck Society. Approval was obtained and the survey was distributed through the American Head and Neck Society. Demographics, frequency of common bereavement practices, empathy, and barriers were assessed. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine physician factors associated with more frequent bereavement follow-up.

Results

There were 156 respondents (18.9% response rate). Overall, surgeons were more likely to usually/always call (48.5%) or send a letter (42.4%) compared with other practices such as attending funerals (0%), offering family meetings (18.6%), or referring family members to counseling (7.7%). Many barriers were cited as being at least somewhat important: being unaware about a patient's death (67.3%) was the most cited, whereas 51.3% cited a lack of mentorship/training in this area. Scoring higher on empathy questions (P ≤ .001) was associated with more frequent surgeon bereavement follow-up with the family of deceased patients.

Conclusion

There is substantial practice variation among surgeons suggesting a lack of consensus on their roles in bereavement follow-up. Having higher empathy was predictive of higher engagement.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2022

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Diagnostic accuracy of conventional oral examination for detecting oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in patients with clinically evident oral lesions: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

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Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of conventional oral examination (COE) versus incisional or excisional biopsy for the diagnosis of malignant and/or dysplastic lesions in patients with clinically evident lesions. Searches were conducted across five electronic databases from inception to January 2020. Meta-analyses were undertaken, where appropriate. Among 18 included studies, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis, giving summary estimates for COE of 71% sensitivity and 85% specificity for the diagnosis of dysplastic and/or malignant lesions. The pooled diagnostic accuracy of identifying malignant-only lesions was reported in seven studies, giving a pooled estimate of 88% sensitivity and 81% specificity. Diagnostic accuracy of different types of dental/medical professionals in identifying dysplastic or malignant lesions gave varying estimates of sensitivity and specificity across three studies. Further research is needed to improve the diagnostic acc uracy of COE for early detection of dysplastic and malignant oral lesions.

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Thursday, January 27, 2022

Functional Outcomes Following Total Laryngectomy and Pharyngolaryngectomy: A 20-Year Single Center Study

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Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Jan 26:34894211072987. doi: 10.1177/00034894211072987. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal cancer accounts for 1% of all cancers in men and 0.3% of all cancers in women. Pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) and total laryngectomy (TL) are central surgical techniques in the management of advanced laryngeal malignancies but are associated with significant morbidity. In addition, optimal reconstruction following TPL remains an area of acti ve research.

METHODS: Here, we compared speech and swallowing outcomes following circumferential and partial pharyngeal resection alongside total laryngectomy in patients with laryngeal and hypolaryngeal tumors. We performed a systemic analysis of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modality, and pharyngeal reconstruction technique following TPL and TL, leveraging data collected over a 20-year period at a large tertiary referral center.

RESULTS: Analyzing 155 patients the results show circumferential pharyngeal defects and prior radiotherapy have a significant impact on surgical complications.

CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal resection carries a substantial risk of incurring impaired speech and swallowing in patients. Moreover, our results support poorer functional outcomes with more radical pharyngeal resections and show a clear trend toward worse swallowing outcomes in salvage surgery.

PMID:35081778 | DOI:10.1177/00034894211072987

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Obesity as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Adverse Events in Skull Base Surgery

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Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Jan 26:34894221074745. doi: 10.1177/00034894221074745. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the implications of obesity on postoperative adverse events following skull base surgery.

METHODS: The 2005-2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for adverse events in skull base surgery cases. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) into normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30) cohorts. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of overweight or obese BMI with various 30-day postoperative adverse events.

RESULTS: A total of 2305 patients were included for analysis, of which 732 (31.8%) and 935 (40.6%) were overweight or obese, respectively. The mean age was 53.8 ± 15.3 years and 1214 (52.7%) patients were female. Obese patients were younger (P = .033) and possessed higher frailty (P < .001) and ASA scores (P < .001). Operation times and lengths of hospitalization were not significantly different across patient cohorts (all P > .05). On propensity score-adjusted multivariable analysis, only bleeding (OR = 0.42, P < .001) and deep vein thrombosis (OR = 6.46, P = .015) were significantly associated with obesity. There were no significant differences in rates of readmission, reoperation, or mortality be tween normal weight and obese patients (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with decreased postoperative bleeding and increased deep vein thromboses. Obese patients were otherwise at no higher risk for medical or surgical complications. Elevated BMI did not confer an increased risk for readmission, reoperation, or death. Thus, patient obesity should not be a major determinant in offering skull base surgery in individuals who would otherwise benefit from treatment.

PMID:35081772 | DOI:10.1177/00034894221074745

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