Obstructive sleep apnea -consideration of its pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized not only by obstruction of the pharynx, but also by repeated obstruction. OSA onset is thought to involve four phenotypic traits: pharyngeal muscle responsiveness, respiratory center instability (loop gain), arousal threshold, and anatomical factors. Patients with lower muscle responsiveness are likely to have OSA, whereas those with higher responsiveness are not. When the loop gain is relatively high, reaction and suppression of the respiratory drive are repeated, decreasing ventilation and pharyngeal muscle activity and leading to mixed or central apnea events. Patients with a low arousal threshold tend to have frequent respiratory events and less severe respiratory efforts, whereas those with a high arousal threshold tend to have fewer respiratory events and more severe respiratory efforts. Pharyngeal muscle activity, as well as respiratory drive, increases during apnea and decreases after its release. Patients with a low arousal threshold have lower muscle responsiveness and instability of the respiratory center control, whereas those with a high arousal threshold have higher muscle responsiveness and relatively stable respiratory control. The overshoot and undershoot responses of the chemical drive and pharyngeal muscle tone characterize the periodic repetition of obstructive events, which are enhanced by the arousal response. The presence of certain anatomical factors is prerequisite for the onset of OSA. Also, not only volume and flow, but also stiffness and elasticity may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSA. Mouth breathing also plays an important role in the mechanism of pharyngeal collapse. These four factors influence each other, with the first three—muscle responsiveness, loop gain, and arousal threshold—in particular in a trinity. The era is already close in which not only anatomical treatment, but also treatments for other traits can be selected and combined according to the individual pathophysiological condition of each patient with OSA.     

Therapeutic efficacy of selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer

ObjectiveHuman papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer has not achieved satisfactory outcomes compared with those of human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal cancer. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with the docetaxel and nedaplatin regimen for human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer.MethodsTwenty-two consecutive patients with human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer who had undergone selective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The primary tumor and whole neck were irradiated (50 Gy). Subsequently, the primary site and metastatic lymph nodes were boosted by 20 Gy. The intraarterial chemotherapy regimen comprised a combination of nedaplatin (80 mg/m²) and docetaxel (60 mg/m²), which was initially administered at the start of radiotherapy and was given every 4 weeks for three sessions. Each intraarterial dose of an anticancer agent was determined according to the percentage of the tumor volume supplied by the target artery to the total tumor volume, which was intraoperatively measured via cone-beam computed tomography. The outcome measures were locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsThe median follow-up period was 59 (range, 15–103) months. The T stage was T1/T2 in 5 patients (23%), T3 in 5 patients (23%), and T4 in 12 patients (54%). Cervical lymph node metastasis was staged as ≥N2c in 7 (32%) patients. Complete response was achieved in all patients at the first imaging examination after intraarterial chemoradiotherapy. The 5-year locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 96% (95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.99), 91% (95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.98), and 100% (95% confidence interval, not available), respectively. Regarding serious acute adverse events, grade 4 laryngeal edema and leukopenia were observed in 1 (5%) and 11 patients (50%), respectively. No other serious acute adverse events were observed.ConclusionSelective intraarterial chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin has the potential to achieve favorable locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates in human papilloma virus-negative oropharyngeal cancer.     

Gender difference in association between diabetes mellitus and all-cause mortality in atrial fibrillation patients

ObjectiveThere may be gender difference in correlation of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular events. We attempt to investigate whether there is gender-heterogeneity in one-year outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with DM or not.MethodsPatients who were diagnosed with AF admitted to the emergency departments in the Chinese AF Multicenter Registry study were enrolled. Basic demographics information, initial Blood Pressure and heart rate, medical histories, and treatments of each patient were collected. Follow-up was carried out with a mean duration of one year. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and systemic embolism.ResultsA total of 2016 patients were selected from September 2008 and April 2011. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in male AF patients with DM than those without (21.8 % & 13.6 %, P = 0.014). Cox regression analysis showed that there was an interaction between gender and DM for one-year all-cause mortality (P = 0.049). DM was significantly associated with one-year all-cause mortality regardless of univariate analysis (HR = 1.436, 95%CI:1.079–1.911, P = 0.013) or multivariate analysis (HR = 1.418, 95%CI: 1.059–1.899, P = 0.019). For male patients with AF, DM was significantly associated with one-year all-cause mortality (P = 0.048), but not for female patients with AF (P = 0.362).ConclusionDM was independently associated with one-year all-cause mortality in the entire cohort of AF patients. This association was found mainly in male patients with AF, but not in female patients. DM management programs may need to reflect gender difference.     

Supine or non-supine apnea; which can be treated better with expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty?

ObjectivesExpansion sphincter pharyngoplasty is a well-known palatal correction surgery applied for obstructive sleep apnea patients. Even though high success rates are reported, in some patients, the desired outcome cannot be achieved. Therefore, patient selection is crucial to avoid undesirable outcomes. In this study we present our results with expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty, and we aim to show the difference between supine and non-supine apnea in terms of their response to the surgery, in order to utilize position dependency for selection of surgical candidates.MethodsPre- and post-operative polysomnography results of patients who underwent expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty were analyzed retrospectively. Total AHI, supine AHI, non-supine AHI, supine/non-supine AHI ratio and surgical success values are compared.Results85 patients were included to the study. Mean AHI significantly decreased from 48.7 ± 27.99 to 26.37 ± 21.16 with the surgery. Surgical success rate was found to be 51.8%. Both supine and non-supine apnea decreased significantly with the surgery, but the decrease was significantly higher in non-supine apnea (20.6% to 39.1% respectively, p = 0.016). There was significant negative correlation between pre-operative supine to non-supine AHI ratio and the change in AHI, showing that supine dominant patients had less improvement with the surgery (r = 0.274, p = 0.01).ConclusionExpansion sphincter pharyngoplasty is an effective surgery which achieves significant improvement in AHI. Non-supine respiratory events respond better to the surgery than supine events.     

Acoustic and perceptual voice parameters in subclinical and overt primary hypothyroidism

ObjectiveHypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder affecting various systems of the body. Only a few studies have focused on the effect of primary hypothyroidism on voice with objective parameters, and none of them compared the effect of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism on voice. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the acoustic and perceptual parameters of voice in patients newly diagnosed with subclinical and overt hypothyroidism.MethodsThe study included 26 subclinical hypothyroidism, 26 overt hypothyroidism patients and 30 euthyroid control participants. Perceptual evaluation of voice with GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale, voice handicap index (VHI)-10, and acoustic voice analysis by using Multi-Dimensional Voice Program were performed for all the participants.ResultsThe voice parameters which showed a statistically significant difference between the groups were frequency parameters (Fo; p= 0.003, Fhi; p=0.010, Flo; p= 0.002) and VHI-10 (p= 0.047). A statistically significant decrease in frequency parameters and a statistically significant increase in VHI-10 were found in overt hypothyroidism group comparing with control group (Fo; p= 0.002, Fhi; p=0.009, Flo; p= 0.001 and VHI-10; p= 0.046). Voice parameters in subclinical hypothyroidism group did not show a statistically significant difference comparing with both control and overt hypothyroidism groups.ConclusionIn the present study, overt hypothyroidism is found to affect frequency parameters and patients’ own subjective assessment of voice. Primary hypothyroidism does not seem to have significant effect on voice parameters until thyroxine levels are affected.     

Investigation of endolymphatic hydrops positivity rates in patients with recurrent audiovestibular symptoms using inner ear magnetic resonance imaging

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the endolymphatic hydrops (EH)-positivity rates among patients with recurrent audiovestibular symptoms using intravenous injection of gadolinium-enhanced inner ear magnetic resonance imaging (ieMRI).MethodsWe reviewed 710 successive patients with recurrent audiovestibular symptoms at the Vertigo/Dizziness Center of Nara Medical University and other related hospitals, between May 2014 and April 2020. We performed ieMRI on 153 patients with unilateral recurrent cochleovestibular symptoms (rCV), 51 with recurrent vertigo symptoms (rVO), and 84 with unilateral recurrent cochlear symptoms (rCO).ResultsEH was observed in 69.4% of the participants: 81.7% in the rCV group, 19.6% in the rVO group, and 77.4% in the rCO group. The participants were divided into two groups according to the disease duration: short-duration and long-duration groups. In the short-duration group (less than 4 years), EH was observed in 82.3%, 42.9%, and 71.4% of the patients in rCV, rVO, and rCO groups, respectively; in the long-duration group (more than 5 years), EH was observed in 81.1%, 10.8%, and 81.6% of the patients in rCV, rVO, and rCO groups, respectively.ConclusionsThe longer the duration of the disease, the larger the EH-positivity rates in patients with rCO, smaller in those with rVO, and unchanged in those with rCV. Although ieMRI could not detect EH with 100% accuracy in Ménière's disease, the present pathological statistics of patients with recurrent audiovestibular symptoms might be helpful in considering the pathology-based treatment strategy.     

Metastatic incidence of (PET)CT positive lung hilar and retroperitoneal lymph nodes in esophageal cancer patients

BackgroundExtra-regional lymph node metastases strongly determine treatment options in patients with esophageal cancer. Staging modalities such as (FDG-PET) CT scanning frequently show activity in retroperitoneal and lung hilar lymph nodes. This study evaluated the incidence of histologically confirmed metastases, treatment approach and recurrence patterns in patients with (FDG-PET) CT positivity in these regions.MethodsAll patients with (FDG-PET-) CT positive hilar and/or retroperitoneal lymph nodes at primary staging or restaging discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board meeting for staging of esophageal cancer between January 2012–December 2017 were included. Biopsies and follow-up were evaluated to determine the presence of metastases and progression rates.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2017, 65 of 857 patients (7.6%) were selected with positive retroperitoneal and/or hilar lymph nodes. A total of 47/65 (72.3%) patients had positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes, which contained metastases in 19 (29.2%). When no biopsy was performed and curative treatment was given (n = 14), 9 patients had progression or locoregional and distant recurrence. Positive hilar lymph nodes were identified in 21 (32.3%) patients; 4 were biopsied and none contained metastases. In these patients no recurrence of disease was seen during follow-up.ConclusionsThe majority of biopsied (PET)CT-positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes at staging contained metastases, while biopsied (PET)CT-positive hilar nodes did not. Histological evaluation of (PET)CT -positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes at staging imaging is recommended, while based on this small series, (PET)CT-positive hilar lymph nodes most likely represent reactive lymphadenopathy.     

电针联合骨质疏松治疗仪对脊髓损伤患者骨代谢指标的影响

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field on bone metabolism in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsThe 60 SCI patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups by means of a random number table. In the control group, 30 patients were treated with osteoporosis treatment apparatus. In the observation group, 30 patients were treated with osteoporosis treatment apparatus and electroacupuncture at the foot-shaoyangacupoints [Yánglíngquán (阳陵泉GB 34) and Xuánzhōng (悬钟GB 39) of both sides].The treatment was applied once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks.Before and after treatment, the changes of indexes in the two groups, including the bone mineral density (BMD), bone gla-containing protein (BGP), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), procollagen type I C-peptide (PICP), and 25‑hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D], were observed for comparison.ResultsAfter treatment, in the two groups, the BMD and 25(OH)D indexes of the femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward's triangle region were not significantly changed in comparing with those before treatment (P>0.05), while the BGP, ALP, and PICP indexes were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, in the observation group, the BGP and ALP indexes were significantly increased in comparing with those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), whilst the BMD, PICP, and 25(OH)D indexes of the femoral neck, greater trochanter, and wards triangle region, were not significantly different in comparing with the control group (P>0.05).ConclusionThe osteoporosis treatment apparatus can improve bone metabolism in SCI patients, and the curative effect can be enhanced when combined with electroacupuncture at foot-shaoyangacupoints.