Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of pre-treatment prognostic-nutritional index (PNI) in patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective series of HPV-negative, Stages II-IVB, HNSCCs treated with upfront surgery was evaluated. Correlation of pre-operative blood markers and PNI with 5-year overall (OS) and relapse-free (RFS) survival was tested using linear and restricted cubic spline models, as appropriate. The independent prognostic effect of patient-related features was assessed with multivariable models.
Results: The analysis was conducted on 542 patients. PNI ≥ 49.6 (HR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.74) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) > 4.2 (HR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.06-2.35) confirmed to be independent prognosticators of OS, whereas only PNI ≥ 49.6 (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29-0.66) was independently associated with RFS. Among pre-operative blood parameters, only higher values of albuninaemia and lymphocyte count (> 1.08 x 103/microL), and undetectable basophile count (= 0 103/microL) were independently associated with better OS and RFS.
Conclusions: PNI represents a reliable prognostic tool providing an independent measure of pre-operative immuno-metabolic performance. Its validity is supported by the independent prognostic role of albuminaemia and lymphocyte count, from which it is derived.
Objective: With the increased prevalence of incidental thyroid cancer, determining the predictors of thyroid malignancy has become a source of debate. This study aimed to determine the impact of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on rates of thyroid cancer in euthyroid patients.
Methods: A retrospective study included 421 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at a tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2020. Patients' demographics, history of cancer, pre-operative workup and final histology reports were obtained. The study sample was divided into two groups based on the final histopathology (benign vs malignant). The two groups were compared using the appropriate statistical tests to determine the predictors of thyroid cancer in euthyroid patients.
Results: TSH levels were significantly higher in patients with malignant nodules compared to those with benign nodules (1.94 vs 1.62, p = 0.002). It was 1.54 times more likely for thyroid nodules to be malignant when TSH levels were higher (p = 0.038). Meanwhile, larger nodules (> 4 cm) were significantly more prevalent in benign nodules (43.1%) than in malignant nodules (21.1%). Larger nodules decreased the possibility of thyroid cancer by 24% (OR = 0.760, p-value = 0.004).
Conclusions: High TSH levels in euthyroid patients were significantly correlated with the risk of thyroid malignancy. In addition, as Bethesda category proceeded toward malignancy, TSH levels increased. High TSH levels and small nodule diameters can be used as additional parameters in predicting thyroid cancer in euthyroid patients.
Objective: To our knowledge, the spatial access of naris to olfactory cleft has not been quantified. We aimed to study the relationship and space of middle turbinate, septum, anterior nasal spine and cribriform plate to improve topical medication delivery and drug applicators.
Methods: One hundred CT scans of patients (50 males, 50 females) over the age of 18 were included. Subjects with radiographic sinonasal pathology, previous surgery, or specific variant nasal anatomy were excluded. Scans were independently reviewed and bilateral measurements on bony landmarks were taken by two blinded authors. Inter-rater reliability was analysed with intraclass correlation.
Results: The average age was 46.26 years (σ = 14.0). Average distance from the anterior nasal spine to olfactory cleft was 52.3 mm (σ = 4.2 mm), and the average length of cribriform plate was 18.8 mm (σ = 3.8) with an angle relative to hard palate averaging -8.8 degrees below parallel (σ = 5.5 degree). The widths of the olfactory cleft at anterior and posterior edges of cribriform plate were 2.3 mm (σ = 0.7 mm) and 2.0 mm (σ = 0.7 mm).
Conclusions: The findings suggest a 52.3 mm distance from the naris to the anterior border of cribriform plate. The average width along this path was 3.2 mm, suggesting devices narrower than this could potentiate direct drug delivery access.
Objective: This narrative review analyses factors affecting recurrence of Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) after surgery, such as type, extension and completeness of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We also described new implications in the management of recurrences after the advent of biologics.
Methods: We identified four topics: definition of disease state; factors linked to recurrence of polyps; evaluation and management of recurrence in clinical practice.
Results: We analysed the differences between exacerbation and recurrence, as well as the concept of "controlled disease". We focused on potential predictors of recurrence after ESS, such as type 2 inflammation, asthma, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, incomplete initial surgery and lack of adherence to long-term post-operative local corticosteroids. We discussed the new aspects of diagnosis and treatment of recurrences after surgery, summarising our suggestions in a detailed algorithm for practical management of patients with recurrent disease.
Conclusions: The results emphasised the importance of accurate evaluation of patients with CRSwNP recurrence, focusing on the reasons of failure and risk of disease progression, in order to guide personalised interventions. It is crucial to define the concept of appropriate surgery, which affects the choice between starting a biologic or repeating surgery.