METHOD: This was a retrospective clinical record review study carried out at a tertiary centre from June 2013 until May 2017. A total of 55 locally recurrent NPC patients (rT1-rT4) underwent EETN performed by single skull base surgeon with curative intention with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy but without postoperative radiotherapy.
RESULTS: There were 44 (80.0%) males and 11 (20.0%) females, with mean age of 52.5 years. The mean operating time was 180 min (range 150-280 min). 85% (47/55) of patients achieved en bloc tumour resection. 93% (51/55) of patients obtained negative microscopic margin based on postoperative histopathological evaluation. Intraoperatively, one (1.8%) patient had internal carotid artery injury which was successfully stented and had recovered fully without neurological deficit. There were no major postoperative complications reported. During a mean follow-up period of 18-month (range 12-48 months) postsurgery, five patients (9.1%) had residual or recurrence at the primary site. All five patients underwent re-surgery. One patient at rT3 passed away 6 months after re-surgery due to distant metastasis complicated with septicaemia. The 1-year local disease-free rate was 93% and the 1-year overall survival rate was 98%.
CONCLUSIONS: EETN is emerging treatment options for locally recurrent NPC, with relatively low morbidity and encouraging short-term outcome. Long-term outcome is yet to be determined with longer follow-up and bigger cohort study. However, a successful surgical outcome required a very experienced team and highly specialised equipment.
METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to clinicians working in the audiovestibular field.
RESULTS: Ninety-three respondents participated in the survey. Most professionals were aware of potential vestibulotoxicity associated with cisplatin chemotherapy. Thirty-three percent of the respondents reported that they had seen patients with cisplatin vestibulotoxicity. Forty percent of them were confident in making the diagnosis and in managing the patient in this situation. The prevalence and impact of vestibulotoxicity including practicality of the assessment should be considered when designing an effective vestibulotoxicity screening protocol.
CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of cisplatin vestibulotoxicity from the perspectives of audiovestibular clinicians, which will underpin appropriate detection and management of the condition.
METHODS: In this case-control observational study, 32 adults with post-TBI olfactory dysfunction (cases) were matched with 32 TBI patients with intact olfactory function (controls). All subjects self-rated their olfactory function using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Cases also underwent objective olfactory function assessment with the Sniffin' Sticks test, which generated a Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification (TDI) score. QoL was assessed with the Questionnaire for Olfactory Disorders (QOD). Factors evaluated included age, gender, smoking, TBI severity and duration, lesion localisation, and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) score.
RESULTS: Cases had a higher mean QOD score than controls at 26.31 ± 14.37 and 9.44 ± 8.30, respectively (F = 16.426, p
METHODOLOGY: A 10-year retrospective review was carried out on MOE in a single otology institution from January 2011 to December 2020. The MOE was classified based on proposed Tengku's radiological stratification according to HRCT and TBPS findings. Phase I is defined as inflammation limited to the soft tissue in the external auditory canal, without involvement of the bone. Phase II is the inflammation beyond the soft tissue, involving bone, but limited to the mastoid. Phase III is when the inflammation extends medially, involving the petrous temporal bone or temporomandibular joint, with or without parapharyngeal soft tissue involvement. Phase IV refers to inflammation extending medially to involve the nasopharynx, with or without abscess formation. Finally, Phase V is inflammation that further extends to the contralateral base of the skull.
RESULTS: A sample of 49 patients was involved in this study. Majority of the patients were having Phase III (36.7%) of the disease, followed by Phase V (24.5%), Phase II (18.4%), Phase IV (16.3%), and Phase I (4.1%). A comprehensive treatment algorithm was drafted based on our institution's experience in managing MOE. The mortality rate was low (8.2%), mainly involving patients in advanced phase of the disease (Phases IV and V).
CONCLUSION: This study has revealed the evidence of progression of MOE based on the proposed radiological stratification. This stratification is simple and practically applicable in clinical settings. We suggest the use of our proposed treatment algorithm as a standard diagnostic and treatment protocol for MOE.