Birgitta Yee-Hang Wong

Mature miR-184 as Potential Oncogenic microRNA of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tongue

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microRNA expression patterns in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. Experimental Design: Expression levels of 156 human mature microRNAs were examined using real-time quantitative PCR (Taq Man MicroRNA Assays; Human Panel) on laser microdissected cells of 4 tongue carcinomas and paired normal tissues. Expression of mature miR-184 was further validated in 20 paired tongue SCC and the normal tissues. Potential oncogenic functions of miR-184 were evaluated in tongue SCC cell lines (Cal27, HN21B, and HN96) with miR-184 inhibitor. Plasma miR-184 levels were evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. Results: Using 3-fold expression difference as a cutoff level, we identified 24 up-regulated mature miRNAs including miR-184, miR-34c, miR-137, miR-372, miR-124a, miR-21, miR-124b, miR-31, miR-128a, miR-34b, miR-154, miR-197, miR-132, miR-147, miR-325, miR-181c, miR-198, miR-155, miR-30a-3p, miR-338, miR-17-5p, miR-104, miR-134, and miR-213; and 13 down-regulated mature miRNAs including miR-133a, miR-99a, miR-194, miR-133b, miR-219, miR-100, miR-125b, miR-26b, miR-138, miR-149, miR-195, miR-107, and miR-139. Overexpression of miR-184 was further validated in 20 paired tongue SCC and normal tissues (P = 0.002). Inhibition of miR-184 in tongue SCC cell lines could reduce cell proliferation rate. Down-regulation of c-Myc was observed in two cell lines in response to miR-184 inhibitor. Suppressing miR-184 could induce apoptosis in all three cell lines. Plasma miR-184 levels were significantly higher in tongue SCC patients in comparison with normal individuals, and the levels were significantly reduced after surgical removal of the primary tumors. Conclusions: Overexpression of miR-184 might play an oncogenic role in the antiapoptotic and proliferative processes of tongue SCC. In addition, plasma miR-184 levels were associated with the presence of primary tumor. Further studies on the aberrantly expressed miRNAs in tongue SCC as well as using plasma miRNAs as novel tumor markers are warranted.

Prospective randomized study of selective neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of early tongue carcinoma

There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma.

Rabeprazole Is Effective in Treating Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS There is controversy about the efficacy of treating patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). We assessed the effects of high doses of the PPI rabeprazole in patients with LPR. METHODS Patients with LPR symptoms were assigned randomly to receive rabeprazole (20 mg, twice daily, n = 42) or placebo (n = 40) for 12 weeks. All patients completed symptom questionnaires; these provided demographic information and the reflux symptom index before, during, and 6 weeks after cessation of treatment. Videolaryngostroboscopy was used to document the laryngeal findings and determine the reflux finding score. RESULTS Twenty-four patients (57.1%) in the rabeprazole group and 27 patients (67.5%) in the placebo group had pH-documented LPR. The total reflux symptom index score decreased significantly in the group given rabeprazole, compared with patients given placebo, at weeks 6 and 12, but not at week 18. However, there were no significant differences in reflux finding scores between the rabeprazole and placebo groups at any of the time points. CONCLUSIONS Twelve weeks of treatment with rabeprazole (20 mg, twice daily) significantly improved reflux symptoms, compared with placebo, in patients with LPR. Relapse of symptoms was observed 6 weeks after stopping PPI therapy, indicating the requirement for longer treatment duration in patients with LPR.

Surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry serum protein profiling to identify nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at an early disease stage is important for successful treatment and improving the outcome of patients. The use of serum protein profiles and a classification tree algorithm were explored to distinguish NPC from noncancer.

Ultrasonic glossectomy : simple and bloodless

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the feasibility of glossectomy using an ultrasonic‐activated surgical instrument.

Ultrasonographic screening for occult thyroid cancer.

It has been shown that occult thyroid carcinoma can be identified in about 10% of thyroid glands in autopsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic thyroid carcinoma in the Hong Kong Chinese population by ultrasonographic screening.

Neurothekeoma of the paranasal sinuses in a 3-year-old boy

Neurothekeoma is a benign soft tissue tumor commonly located on the skin. In this report, a 3-year-old boy presented with restricted right eye movement and decrease in visual acuity. The patient was found to have a 6-cm neurothekeoma involving the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of neurothekeoma with involvement of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. This uncommon lesion should be considered as the differential diagnosis of pediatric soft tissue tumors in the head and neck region.

Insertion of Provox ® 2 voice prosthesis using the anterograde technique immediately after the secondary tracheoesophageal puncture

Insertion of a voice prosthesis through the tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is one way to restore the voice after total laryngectomy. The second generation Provox voice prosthesis is presently one of the most popular devices. Although TEP can be done primarily, there are many centres that prefer it to be done at a second stage for various reasons. However, secondary TEP for retrograde replacement of prosthesis can be difficult and general anaesthesia is very often necessary. Moreover, the presence of neck stiffness and fibrosis from the surgery or previous radiotherapy could affect the neck extension for proper positioning of the trocar. Similarly, it is difficult to insert the prosthesis if there is stenosis at the pharyngoesophageal segment. We describe a technique in which creation of secondary TEP and insertion of Provox2 is done with local anaesthesia under the same setting. The procedure is well tolerated and can be safely performed on an out-patient basis.

Early resection and reconstruction of head and neck masses in infants with upper airway obstruction

OBJECTIVE Congenital airway obstruction can be caused by tumors or lesions arising from the neck, tongue and oral cavity. Neonates may require prolonged intubation or tracheostomy before curative resection and reconstruction. The aim of the study was to carry out surgical resection and reconstruction with locoregional flap and free bone graft in the neonatal and early infantile period for definitive management of head and neck masses and treatment of potential airway obstruction. METHODS Newborns with obstructive head and neck masses in Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre between 2006 and 2009 were operated on in the neonatal period. RESULTS There were one obstructive neck teratoma, two intraoral teratomas and one neuroglial heterotopia. All tumors were resected within the first 3 months of life without major complication. A local cervical cutaneous flap was first used to reconstruct the lateral pharyngeal wall defect in a neonate with a huge neck teratoma, followed by another infant with a neuroglial heterotopia. A piece of cranial bone was used for reconstruction of the skull base defect. None of them required tracheostomy or prolonged intubation. Oral feeding was resumed in the early postoperative period. CONCLUSION Surgical resection and reconstruction with locoregional flap and bone graft can be performed safely in neonatal and early infantile period as management of head and neck masses and treatment of upper airway obstruction.