The Laryngoscope
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In patients who present with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer, airway management is difficult because of bilateral vocal cord paralysis or tracheal invasion by the tumor. Airway management can be extremely complex in these patients. ⋯ Airway management was the most critical issue in patients who presented with anaplastic thyroid cancer and initial airway distress. Cricothyrotomy was helpful in avoiding acute airway catastrophe. It is important to distinguish between poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer and lymphoma for appropriate airway management.
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The etiology of paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction (PVFD) has been unclear, but it has long been hypothesized that there is a significant psychological component. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the psychological profiles of patients newly diagnosed with PVFD using psychometrically-sound psychological assessment instruments. ⋯ On average, in both male and female adults, PVFD is associated with conversion disorder, representing a physical manifestation of underlying psychological difficulty. There also appears to be a subset of PVFD that is not associated with psychopathology. PVFD patients with a previous psychological history are prone to more depressive and anxious symptomatology. Patients with PVFD and a history of asthma or GERD are more likely to excessively complain about physical symptoms. Overall levels of stress are not higher in PVFD patients compared to a general population. However, females report more negative stress, and both males and females may have trouble coping with the amount of stress that they do have. PVFD is more common among women, more prevalent among older individuals, and can be comorbid with asthma, GERD, and previous abuse. These results have implications for treatment- psychotherapy directed for somatoform and conversion disorders may be added to traditional speech therapy for increased efficacy.
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Comparative Study
Effect of radiation techniques in treatment of oropharynx cancer.
To compare the toxicity and outcomes of three radiotherapy techniques-three-dimensional conformal (3D-RT), accelerated fractionation with concomitant boost (AFxCB), and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)-in the combined modality treatment of stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx. ⋯ Compared to AFxCB and 3D-RT, IMRT confers an improvement in toxicity and appears to have similar efficacy in patients with SCC of the oropharynx.
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Comparative Study
Treatment outcomes for radiotherapy alone are comparable with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
To analyze the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) on the treatment of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) as compared with radiotherapy (RT) alone. ⋯ In our retrospective analysis, the use of neoadjuvant CT showed no additional benefit to treatment with RT alone. Neoadjuvant CT may cause deleterious effect on stage IIB disease by delaying RT.
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To assess the residency experience in pediatric otolaryngology, determine the impact of pediatric fellowship programs on residency training, and evaluate the need for fellowship training in pediatric otolaryngology. ⋯ The residency experience in pediatric otolaryngology is perceived as comprehensive by graduating chief residents participating in this survey. The presence of a fellowship program does not appear to negatively impact the residency experience. Based on the reported comfort levels, the management of complex issues in pediatric otolaryngology may require additional training.