Auris, nasus, larynx
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Auris, nasus, larynx · Dec 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized trial of standard pain control with or without gabapentin for pain related to radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer.
Radiation-induced mucositis (RIM) in chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) causes severe pain and worsens CRT compliance, QOL and outcome. Following retrospective reports, we conducted a randomized trial of the safety and efficacy of gabapentin for RIM-associated pain during CRT. ⋯ This pilot study is the first prospective randomized trial of gabapentin for RIM-related pain. Gabapentin had no apparent beneficial effect. Further research into agents for RIM-related pain is warranted.
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Auris, nasus, larynx · Oct 2016
Germline RET mutation carriers in Japanese patients with apparently sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: A single institution experience.
Genetic testing for RET germline mutation can be useful to distinguish whether a patient with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is genuinely sporadic or hereditary. Conducting a routine preoperative germline RET genetic screening for all patients with MTC has the clinical benefit, i.e., avoidance of unnecessary total thyroidectomy in the selected patients. We sought to clarify the incidence of germline RET mutation carriers in Japanese patients with apparently sporadic MTC and to address the differences in clinicopathological characteristics between true sporadic MTC and hereditary MTC in these patients, all of whom were treated at Kuma Hospital. ⋯ Germline RET mutations were identified in 14.9% of Japanese patients with apparently sporadic MTC. No clearly decisive clinicopathological characteristics was observed to distinguish whether an apparently sporadic MTC case was genuinely sporadic or unconsciously hereditary. For the treatment strategy decision, it is advantageous to conduct a routine preoperative germline RET genetic screening for all patients with MTC, even if their MTC is apparently sporadic.
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Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disease inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The prevalence of PCD is estimated to be 1 in 20,000 live births. Congenital abnormality of the primary cilia results in situs inversus in 50% of patients. ⋯ At present, no fundamental therapies are available for PCD. Diagnosis in the early stages is important to prevent progression of bronchiectasis and deterioration of lung function by guidance for daily life, immunization, cessation of smoking and prompt therapy at the time of respiratory tract infection. Since PCD is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, genetic counseling is necessary after definite diagnosis.
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Auris, nasus, larynx · Jun 2016
Comparative StudyComparison of different comorbidity measures for oral cancer patients with surgical intervention: A longitudinal study from a single cancer center.
Several comorbid measures have been developed and demonstrated the predictive ability for cancer mortality. We conducted a retrospective study on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients to compare the Charlson comorbidity index score (CCIS) to the Elixhauser comorbidity index score (ECIS). ⋯ Comorbid conditions significantly influenced the clinical outcomes of patient with OSCC post major surgery. A higher ECIS was associated with worse disease specific survival indicative of a valuable prognostic indicator. The ECIS may be considered in further clinical trials for a variety of cancers, including head and neck cancers.
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Hemostasis is difficult in patients with bleeding emanating from the deep regions in the nasal cavity; however, there is no standard treatment method. We studied hemostasis procedures in patients who visited our outpatient department and presented with idiopathic epistaxis extending from the posterior nasal cavity to Kiesselbach's area. ⋯ We propose the treatment procedure for refractory epistaxis. When it is difficult to identify a bleeding point in a patient with refractory epistaxis due to a deviated nasal septum, a bleeding point should be identified after septoplasty; for bleeding from the sphenopalatine artery region, electrocoagulation or endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery should be performed.