Adam Jacobson

Trimodality management of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and review of the literature.

Objective:Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with optimal management remains unclear. We performed a review of the impact of trimodality approach on SNUC outcome. Methods:This is a single-institution retrospective study of 18 patients, who were managed between 1997 and 2009. The median age at presentation was 52 years (28 to 82). Nine patients (50%) were female. Three patients had stage II disease and underwent surgery alone, 12 had stages III and IVa and underwent surgery combined with chemoradiation, and 3 had stage IVb and underwent definitive chemoradiation. Patients who underwent preoperative, postoperative, and definitive chemoradiation received 60, 66, and 70 Gy of radiation, respectively. In all patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation, cisplatin was used, at a dose of 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 3 cycles. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy included docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) every 3 weeks for 2 to 3 cycles. Results:After a median follow-up of 26 months (16 to 120), a total of 8 patients (44%) have experienced the following: 1 persistent disease (5.5%), 4 local failure (22%), and 3 distant metastases (DM, 16.5%). Five of the 8 patients had preexisting cranial nerve deficits or gross cranial invasion. The 2-, 3-, and 4-year local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were 78%, 72%, and 56%; 75%, 65%, and 52%; and 75%, 50%, and 48%, respectively. Trimodality approach provided 83% LC and 92% DM-free survival, whereas other modalities provided 50% LC and 33% DM-free survival. The causes of death for the entire cohort were DM and local invasion. Acute chemoradiotherapy toxicity was 100% grades 1 and 2 dermatitis, mucositis, and fatigue, 55% developed grades 1 and 2 dysphagia, and 6% had grade 3 mucositis. Long-term toxicity was 28% grade 1 xerostomia, 11% retinopathy and optic neuropathy, and 6% orbital exenteration and grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. Conclusions:SNUC is an aggressive neoplasm that frequently presents at an advanced stage. Our data show that trimodality approach in the form of surgery combined with chemoradiation seems to offer better LC and lower DM compared with other modalities.

Intraoperative high-dose-rate radiotherapy in the management of locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer†

The purpose of this article was to present the Beth Israel Medical Center experience using high‐dose‐rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR‐IORT) in the management of recurrent head and neck cancer.

Tongue Strength as a Predictor of Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life after Tongue Cancer Surgery

Objectives: Surgical resection of oral cancer can result in altered speech, swallowing, and quality of life (QOL). To date, the oral outcome variables of tongue strength, tongue and jaw range of motion, and saliva production have not been extensively assessed. This pilot study was done to assess tongue strength along with other oral outcomes and their relationship to performance status for speech, swallowing, and QOL after partial glossectomy. Our aim was to create a norm for what should be considered a normal tongue strength value in this population. We hypothesized that patients with tongue strength of 30 kPa or greater would perform better on the performance status scale and various QOL measures than do patients with tongue strength of less than 30 kPa. Methods: We used a cross-sectional design in this study. The postoperative assessment included 1) Performance Status Scale and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale; 2) oral outcome variables of tongue strength, jaw range of motion, and saliva production; and 3) patient-rated QOL ratings via Eating Assessment Tool, M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, EORTC-H&N35, and Speech Handicap Index. Results: Patients with tongue strength of at least 30 kPa performed better on the performance status scales and various QOL measures. The cutoff score of 30 kPa for tongue strength measures revealed a trend in predicting performance on the scales and QOL measures. Conclusions: The oral outcome variables correlated with performance status for speech, swallowing, and QOL. We propose a norm for tongue strength in this population, based on the trend seen in this group of patients, as none previously existed. Future studies are under way that incorporate a larger sample size to further validate this norm. Future studies will also examine oral functional outcome measures in a larger population by including other oral and oropharyngeal sites to help predict speech and swallow performance status and QOL.

Subscapular system of flaps: An 8‐year experience with 105 patients

Review patient and defect factors in which this donor site is an optimal choice for reconstruction and to discuss strategies to overcome the perceived drawbacks of this system of flaps.

Computer-Assisted Implant Rehabilitation of Maxillomandibular Defects Reconstructed With Vascularized Bone Free Flaps

IMPORTANCE Functional recovery for patients who undergo maxillomandibular reconstruction with vascularized bone free flaps (VBFFs) is potentially more attainable with computer-assisted implant rehabilitation. This prosthodontic-driven approach uses software planning and surgical templates for implant placement supporting fixed dental prostheses (FDP). Implant success with immediate load (IL) provisional and definitive FDP restorations in VBFFs is reported for the first time in a patient cohort. OBJECTIVES To determine implant success for FDP restorations and IL restorations. To determine factors that may influence success and predictability to provide FDP restorations in VBFFs. DESIGN A retrospective medical chart review was conducted of patients who underwent VBFF reconstruction and computer-assisted planning (CP) for FDP implant rehabilitation. This study was conducted with approval from the institutional review board at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York. SETTING Clinical procedures were conducted in operating room and outpatient facilities in a tertiary referral medical center. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight consecutive patient treatments were reviewed. Inclusion criteria for all patients were VBFF reconstruction and CP for FDP restoration prior to stage 1 implant surgery. Patients were evaluated for implant success, surgical templates, IL provisional restorations, and prosthodontic framework design. A comparison is made between patients with IL provisional restorations and those patients who did not receive an immediate restoration. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Implants that achieved osseointegration and used for prosthetic reconstruction determined success. Prosthodontic design considerations included whether the patient received an IL provisional restoration and 3 categories of FDP metal framework design. RESULTS Ninety-nine implants of 116 implants placed were used for prosthetic restorations, achieving an 85.4% success rate. Twenty-five of 28 patients received FDP restorations. Thirteen of 28 patients received IL provisional restorations at stage 1 implant surgery. Fifty of 56 implants were successful (89.3%) in the IL group. CONCLUSIONS Computer-assisted implant rehabilitation of reconstructed defects can achieve superior results to provide FDP and IL provisional restorations. This prosthodontic-driven approach also uses unique framework design to account for mandible height discrepancy after fibula free flap reconstruction. Patient management for FDP rehabilitation is also dependent on radiation status, soft-tissue modification, and patient selection.

Internal Mammary Artery and Vein as Recipient Vessels in Head and Neck Reconstruction

IMPORTANCE Free-tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction has evolved since the mid-1950s. A variety of different recipient arteries and veins have been described for use in head and neck reconstruction. In our experience, the internal mammary artery (IMA) and internal mammary vein (IMV) have become increasingly important for achieving successful microvascular reconstruction. OBJECTIVE To illustrate the efficacy of the IMA and IMV recipient vessels in head and neck reconstruction, highlighting the different techniques used to harvest these vessels and outline decision making when approaching a neck where commonly used vessels are unavailable. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING Outpatient clinic setting. PARTICIPANTS All free-tissue transfers performed between 2005 and 2011. All patients in whom the IMA or IMV recipient vessels were used were included. INTERVENTIONS Twelve cases were performed with IMA and IMV harvest. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Donor site, flap used, recipient artery and vein, success of transfer, flap survival, and presence of donor site complications. RESULTS The IMA and IMV were harvested in 12 patients, with 11 successful free-tissue transfers. In 1 patient, the vessels were unusable, and a regional tissue transfer was performed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The IMA and IMV are excellent recipient vessels for use in head and neck reconstruction and should be considered for use in challenging reconstructive cases.

Five-year outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil treated with radiotherapy.

Purpose:To retrospectively review our single institution experience of patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. Material and Methods:Between 1999 and 2005, a total of 79 patients were identified. Stage distribution was as follows: stages I-II, III, IVA, and IVB were in 6, 14, 43, and 16 patients, respectively. Sixty-three patients (80%) were male. Median age was 55.5 years. Treatment generally consisted of external beam radiation therapy (RT) (median dose, 70 Gy), concomitant chemotherapy (CCRT) (cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 22, and 43), and neck dissection (ND), and was administered as follows: stages I/II, 6 patients received RT alone; stages III/IVA, 20, 5, and 32 patients received RT alone, CCRT, and CCRT followed by ND, respectively; stage IVB, 9 and 7 patients received CCRT and CCRT plus ND, respectively. Results:After a median follow-up of 56 months (range, 12 to 122 mo), the 5-year local control (LC), regional control (RC), distant control (DC), and overall survival (OS) by stage were as follows: stage I-II 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%; stage III-IVA 98%, 96%, 95%, and 88%; stage IVB 100%, 100%, 69%, and 66%, respectively. Among stage IVB patients, DC was significantly lower (P=0.01) and a trend toward lower OS was noted (P=0.08). Long-term percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy dependence was noted in 3% of them who had received CCRT. The effect of both chemotherapy and ND on treatment outcomes was analyzed; in stage III/IVA patients treated with or without chemotherapy, LC was 97% and 100% (P=0.43); RC was 92% and 100%(P=0.27); and DC was 91% and 94% (P=0.92), respectively. In stage III/IVA, patients treated with CCRT with or without ND, RC was 100% and 88%, respectively (P=0.087). Conclusions:Primary radiotherapy with or without CCRT followed by ND provides excellent tumor control with acceptable toxicity in treating squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.