Using arterial spin labeling blood flow and its histogram analysis to distinguish early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma from lymphoid hyperplasia

To investigate the feasibility of arterial spin labeling (ASL) blood flow (BF) and its histogram analysis to distinguish early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (NPLH).Sixty-three stage T1 NPC patients and benign NPLH patients underwent ASL on a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging system. BF histogram parameters were derived automatically, including the mean, median, maximum, minimum, kurtosis, skewness, and variance. Absolute values were obtained for skewness and kurtosis (absolute value of skewness [AVS] and absolute value of kurtosis [AVK], respectively). The Mann–Whitney U test, receiver operating characteristic curve, and multiple logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.The mean, maximum, and variance of ASL BF values were significantly higher in early-stage NPC than in NPLH (all P < 0.0001), while the median and AVK values of early-stage NPC were also significantly higher than those of NPLH (all P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the minimum and AVS values in early-stage NPC compared with NPLH (P = 0.125 and P = 0.084, respectively). The area under the curve (AUC) of the maximum was significantly higher than those of the mean and median (P < 0.05). The AUC of variance was significantly higher than those of the other parameters (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that variance was the only independent predictor of outcome (P < 0.05).ASL BF and its histogram analysis could distinguish early-stage NPC from NPLH, and the variance value was a unique independent predictor.     

Metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid lymph nodes

Parotid lymph node (PLN) metastasis greatly worsens the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and poses a great challenge for further treatment of OSCC. The clinicopathological characteristics and treatment strategies for PLN metastasis from OSCC need to be comprehensively elucidated. A retrospective review of OSCC patients who experienced postoperative PLN metastasis in our department between 2000 and 2018 was performed in this study. A total of 47 OSCC patients with postoperative PLN metastasis were identified. PLN with metastasis were divided into three groups based on the location: parotid tail (PLN-t), superficial lobe (PLN-sl), and deep lobe (PLN-dl). Most of the patients experienced PLN metastasis within less than 12 months after the primary surgery for OSCC. Comparatively, patients with PLN-sl metastasis were more prone to have infiltration of the facial nerve. The tongue and buccal mucosa were the most frequent primary sites associated with PLN metastasis from OSCC. PLNs in the parotid tail were most commonly affected by the metastasized OSCC. Consequently, we recommend a series of strategies for the prevention and treatment of PLN metastasis for OSCC patients. In conclusion, PLNs should not be overlooked during preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up examinations for OSCC patients.     

Thinned-out skin paddle versus collagen matrix as an optimized peri-implant soft tissue following fibula osteoseptocutaneous free flap: 3-year retrospective study

The objective of this study was to compare the implant longevity following two methods of peri-implant soft tissue optimization following free fibula flap (FFF): thinning of skin paddle (SP) and collagen matrix (CM). All patients who underwent rehabilitation with dental implants after mandibular reconstruction with FFF between June 2009 to May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Two methods of peri-implant soft tissue optimization were applied: (1) SP group, (2) CM group. Outcome measurements were: modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), marginal bone loss (MBL), implant success rate and complication rates. A total of 24 patients with 69 implants were included in the study, with 8.7% (n = 6) of implants lost in 3 years. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the outcome measurements in both groups. Failed implants presented with statistically significant higher mPI, mSBI, PD and MBL scores during prosthesis delivery and subsequent follow-ups (P<0.03). In the SP group, one patient experienced SP necrosis which later underwent soft tissue optimization using CM. CM is an alternative peri-implant soft tissue, while thinning of SP is feasible if thickness is well controlled.     

A novel extraoral registration method for a dynamic navigation system guiding zygomatic implant placement in patients with maxillectomy defects

Zygomatic implants (ZIs) are used for the oral rehabilitation of patients with maxillectomy defects as an alternative to extensive bone grafting surgeries. New technologies such as computer-assisted navigation systems can improve the accuracy and safety of ZI placement. The intraoral anchorage of fiducial markers necessary for navigation registration is not possible in the case of a severe maxillary defect and lack of residual bone. This technical note presents a novel extraoral registration method for a dynamic navigation system guiding ZI placement in patients with maxillectomy defects. Titanium microscrews were inserted in the mastoid process, supraorbital ridge, and posterior zygomatic arch as registration markers. The mean fiducial registration error (FRE) was 0.53 ± 0.20 and the deviations between the planned and placed ZIs were 1.56 ± 0.54 mm (entry point), 1.87 ± 0.63 mm (exit point), and 2.52 ± 0.84° (angulation). The study results indicate that the placement of fiducial markers at extraoral sites can be used as a registration technique to overcome anatomical limitations in patients after maxillectomy, with a clinically acceptable registration accuracy.     

Are hand biomechanics affected following radial forearm flap harvest? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Donor site morbidity following radial forearm flap (RFF) harvest remains a controversial issue. The aim of this meta-analysis was to answer the question “Are the range of wrist movements (range of motion, ROM) and hand strength affected after RFF harvesting?” The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched (to December 2019). Self-controlled studies evaluating hand biomechanics after RFF harvest were included. Weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model. The outcome variables were ROM, forearm movements, grip, and pinch strengths. Thirteen studies involving a total of 335 patients were included. With the exception of grip strength and supination, which showed statistically significant reductions of about 2.40 kg and 2.86° (P < 0.05), all other ROM, forearm movements, and pinch strengths showed an insignificant difference when the operated hand was compared to the non-operated hand (P > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the method of donor site closure and size of the donor site defect had an insignificant impact on hand biomechanics. This study confirms the lack of discernible biomechanical morbidity after RFF transfer. The minimal reduction in hand biomechanics after RFF is considered to be clinically negligible.     

艾烟的作用与安全性评价＊

艾灸作为中医学最古老的疗法之一，作用多样，应用广泛，疗效显著。随着科技的发展，人们对灸法的认识逐渐深入，其中艾烟的相关研究也硕果累累，其安全性广受关注。通过对艾烟作用和安全性评价研究中取得的成果进行归纳分析，以期为艾灸临床安全应用提供指导。     

Did quality of life for older cancer survivors improve with the turn of the century in the United States?

ObjectivesAlthough survival after a cancer diagnosis has improved considerably over the past 20 years, little is known about trends in health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) for older prostate, breast, and lung cancer survivors.MethodsUsing a population-based registry with longitudinal patient reported outcomes (the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database linked to Medicare Health Outcomes Survey), we analyzed Medicare Advantage patients diagnosed with cancer during 1998–2011, who completed surveys regarding HRQOL through 2013. ‘Early Era’ patients were treated during 1998–2003; ‘Late Era’ patients were treated during 2006–2011. After propensity score matching, post-diagnosis changes in health utility (HU), Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were calculated and compared between the two eras.ResultWe identified 208 older patients with prostate, 276 with breast and 76 with lung cancer who were treated in the ‘Early Era’ and matched to equal numbers in the ‘Late Era’. Mean age of patients in early and late era was 72 and 73 years, respectively. The mean post-diagnosis decline in health utility for patients treated in the ‘Late Era’ was not significantly different from the ‘Early Era’ for any cancer (Prostate [early vs. late]: ?0.06 vs. -0.03, p = .09; Breast: ?0.03 vs. ?0.04, p = .65; Lung: ?0.07 vs. ?0.07, p = .95); nor for Physical Component Summary or Mental Component Summary scores.ConclusionOlder patients treated for prostate, breast or lung cancer in the later era reported similar outcomes of changes in HRQOL compared to earlier era patients.     

子宫内膜功能亢进性疾病的“异病同治”诊治研究思路＊

笔者根据现代临床子宫内膜的病理演变过程结合中医“异病同治”理念，提出“子宫内膜功能亢进性疾病”概念，涵盖5种常见的子宫内膜疾病：无排卵性异常子宫出血（Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Ovulatory dysfunction，AUB-O），子宫内膜息肉（Endometrial Polyp，EP），子宫内膜异位症（Endometriosis，EMs），子宫腺肌病（Adenomyosis，AM），子宫内膜癌（Endometrial Carcinoma，EC）。基于文献的汇总，分析得到此类疾病的子宫内膜病理演变与中医病因病机的关联性，为寻找关键通路、创新性治疗此类疾病提供了重要的参考方向，对深化中医妇科学常见疾病的共性病因病机提供了理论依据和探索思路。