Holger Sudhoff

Balloon dilatation eustachian tuboplasty: A clinical study†

To assess the feasibility of balloon dilatation eustachian tuboplasty (BET) as an option for treatment of patients with eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction.

Psoriasin (S100A7) up-regulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relation to clinicopathologic features

Proteomic analysis recently suggested aberrant psoriasin (S100A7) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, OSCC specimens and matching normal oral tissues from 45 patients who had undergone ablative surgery were examined. Increased psoriasin expression at mRNA level was observed in OSCC samples by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (p=0.015). Immunofluorescence analysis with psoriasin antibody confirmed these observations. Moreover, significantly increased mRNA ratios between malignant and normal samples were correlated with early UICC stage (p=0.006), T1/T2 tumour classification (p=0.043), absence of cervical lymph node metastasis (p=0.027) and age under 65 (p=0.009). Additionally, well-differentiated tumour tissues demonstrated a significantly higher psoriasin expression than moderate and poor differentiated carcinomas (p=0.018). Based on this data, we conclude that psoriasin is a positive marker for oral cancerogenesis and early tumour progression.

Evidence for a causal association for HPV in head and neck cancers

Current data have now attributed a viral etiology and causality of Human papillomavirus (HPV). Epidemiological analysis of the last decade demonstrates a rapid increase of HPV-associated HNSCC. Genomic detection of HPV DNA in the nuclei of certain oro-pharyngeal cancer cells gives strong evidence of a viral etiology in HNSCC. Non-smokers, non-drinkers, and a sexual debut at a younger age and other sexual risk factors have an increased risk of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Sexual transmission is considered to play a causal role. In contrast to HPV-negative HNSCC most studies reveal a favorable prognosis for HPV-positive tumors. There is evidence of alterations in the p53 pathway through expression of E6 oncogene with subsequent induction of tumor cell proliferation. Synergies between viral oncogenes and other carcinogens are hypothesized. HPV alone appears to be insufficient as the sole cause of HNSCC; this may explain the long latency period between HPV infection and cancer development. There is now sufficient evidence for a causal role for HPV in HNSCC. As in cervical cancer, HPV requires oncogenes and co-factors for tumor development. Thus, inhibition or loss of such co-factors may lead to tumor regression. The vast amounts of epidemiological, molecular pathological and in vitro experimental data are consistent with the hypothesis that HPV does indeed have a causal role. We await final validation from animal experimentation in which regression of HPV-positive tumors will follow from loss or inhibition of E6 and E7.

A novel diagnostic tool for chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction—the eustachian tube score.

The purpose of this study was to introduce a new tool for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and as a follow‐up tool for eustachian tube therapy using objective and subjective elements.

Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty: a retrospective cohort study

Eustachian tube dysfunction is regarded as a ‘black box’ term, reflecting a spectrum of dysfunction. The key to its diagnosis and management is in identifying the aetiology and exact pathophysiology of the dysfunction.

Schwannoma of the larynx

ObjectivesNeurogenic tumors of the larynx are extremely rare. The goal of this report is to advert to this rare disease, to review and discuss diagnostics, differential diagnoses and treatment options. Study Design: Retrospective case report and review of the literature. Methods: Case report of a schwannoma of the supraglottic larynx and review of the English- and German-language literature regarding neurogenic tumors of the larynx. Results: Neurogenic laryngeal tumors typically involve the supraglottic larynx, rarely the glottis. They can course globus sensation, dysphagia, dysphonia and upper airway obstruction. Imaging does not yield a definite diagnosis. The only curative treatment option is complete surgical resection. Conclusions: A definite diagnosis can only be made histologically. Endoscopic (laser-) resection for smaller lesions and external approaches for larger lesions are recommended treatment options.

Evaluation of tubomanometry as a routine diagnostic tool for chronic obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the reliability of tubomanometry (TMM) described by Estéve in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction.

TNFA deletion alters apoptosis as well as caspase 3 and 4 expression during otitis media

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor (TNFA) is the canonical member of the TNF superfamily, which plays a major role in both inflammation and apoptosis. To evaluate the role of TNFs in otitis media (OM), the most common disease of childhood, we evaluated middle ear (ME) expression of genes encoding the TNF and TNF receptor superfamilies during bacterial OM in the mouse, characterized OM in TNFA-deficient mice, and assessed apoptosis during OM in normal versus TNF-deficient MEs.ResultsTNFs and TNF receptors were broadly regulated during OM, with TNFA showing the highest level of up-regulation. TNF deficient mice exhibited mucosal hyperplasia even in the absence of infection and exuberant growth of the mucosa during OM, including the formation of mucosal polyps. Mucosal recovery during OM was also delayed, in parallel with a delay in mucosal apoptosis and reduced caspase gene expression.ConclusionsThe TNF and TNF receptor superfamilies mediate both inflammation and apoptosis during OM. TNF appears to be critical for the maintenance of mucosal architecture in both the normal and infected ME, since excessive accumulation of mucosal tissue is seen in TNFA-/- MEs both before and after bacterial inoculation of the ME. TNFA is also required for appropriate regulation of caspase genes.

Laser‐mediated fixation of collagen‐based scaffolds to dermal wounds

Collagen scaffolds are popular for the reconstitution of dermal equivalents. Usually, these scaffolds are fixed with sutures or staples and in many cases these devices have to be removed in a second procedure. Laser‐mediated tissue welding in a wet environment is a potential alternative for collagen scaffold fixation and may be advantageous to suture, staple, and tissue glue fixation.

Oral sex, cancer and death: sexually transmitted cancers

We briefly highlight the growing body of recent evidence linking unprotected oral sex with the development of some types of head and neck cancer in younger patients. These tumours appear to be increasing in incidence although the development of more sensitive methods of HPV detection may be a confounding factor.