Moore, Eric J.

Objective Olfactory preservation after resection of esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) has been reported, however, the ability to predict tumor involvement of the olfactory system is critical to this surgical strategy. This study aims to answer the question: Can a surgeon predict, based on preoperative imaging, whether there is unilateral involvement of the olfactory system allowing for safe attempt of olfactory preservation? Methods This is a retrospective review of post-resection ENB meeting inclusion criteria of having bilateral olfactory tracts and bulbs submitted at the time of primary resection for pathologic margins. Five board-certified skull base surgeons blinded to the pathology individually reviewed the preoperative MRI scans to predict degree of tumor involvement. Results Olfactory bulb involvement occurred in both bulbs in 35% of cases and unilateral in 39% of cases, and there was no involvement in 26% of cases sampled. When comparing physician prediction of involved tracts or bulbs, involvement was appropriate or over-called (i.e., called positive when pathology was in fact negative) in 96% of cases. Conclusion This study demonstrates unilateral or no pathologic olfactory involvement of the olfactory system in 65% of cases. Our ability to predict this involvement, which may allow for a management strategy that attempts to preserve olfactory function, was accurate at 96%. Therefore, interpretation of imaging and proceeding with smell preservation in ENB appears reasonable in this cohort.Level of Evidence: Level 2b.

ObjectiveTo determine if the laterality of primary tumors in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) influenced the pattern and development of neck disease.MethodsUsing a retrospective cohort study design from 1994 to 2015, the primary tumors of patients who either presented with or developed neck disease were volumetrically analyzed using iPlan software (version 3.0.0, BrainLAB, Feldkirchen, Germany) by two independent observers. Agreement of volume‐derived sidedness was assessed with a kappa statistic, whereas agreement in volume‐derived degree of tumor laterality was evaluated with an intraclass correlation coefficient. A one‐sample t test was used to assess the difference in dominant percentage between the two observers.ResultsSixty‐one patients with histological diagnosis and treatment of ONB at our institution were identified. Twenty‐four patients exhibited neck involvement, 13 of whom could be volumetrically analyzed. Tumors that were greater than 75% eccentric to one side all exhibited contralateral disease, whereas the majority of unilateral neck disease was associated with relatively midline masses. Within the entire cohort, ipsilateral level 2 lymph nodes displayed the highest involvement (83%, 20 of 24), followed by ipsilateral level 1 (54%, 13 of 24), contralateral level 2 (46%, 11 of 24), contralateral level 1 (21%, 5 of 24), and ipsilateral level 3 (21%, 5 of 24).ConclusionIpsilateral neck involvement frequently was observed; however, the degree of ONB primary site laterality did not appear to have implications on the development of contralateral neck disease. Therefore, when considering elective therapy to the neck, ONB laterality should not be used to justify unilateral neck treatment.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:864–870, 2018

Objectives/HypothesisSarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. No consensus exists on its management. Our aim was to present our outcomes.Study DesignRetrospective study. Median follow‐up 45 months.MethodsThere were 38 patients with pathologically confirmed sarcomatoid carcinoma of the larynx treated at the Mayo Clinic from 1990 to 2014. Statistical analysis of overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were conducted using the Kaplan‐Meier method.ResultsThe majority of patients were elderly males (92%) with a smoking history (74%) presenting with early‐stage disease (71%). Surgery alone was the primary treatment in 27 patients (71%). Nine patients (25%) were treated with adjuvant radiation due to initial stage or high‐risk pathologic features. Median radiation dose to the primary/surgical bed was 65 Gy (range, 60.3–75.0 Gy). A total of 15 patients (39%) had tumor recurrence, majority being local (n = 12). Sixty percent (n = 9) had multiple local recurrences. Five‐year OS, PFS, and LC were 63%, 46%, and 72%, respectively. Subgroup analysis by stage I versus higher stages (II–IV) showed an OS of 80% versus 43% (P = .030), PFS of 65% versus 18% (P = .003), and LC of 84% versus 57% (P = .039).ConclusionsSarcomatoid carcinoma of the larynx is rare, and frequently presents at an early stage in older men with history of smoking. Based on our outcomes and patterns of failure, it appears early‐stage tumors are treated appropriately with single‐modality therapy, whereas more advanced tumors require multimodality therapy. Validation in a larger cohort is warranted.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:373–377, 2018

ObjectiveTo describe management and oncologic outcomes for patients who develop locoregional recurrence (LRR) or distant metastasis (DM) following transoral robotic surgery for human papilloma virus (HPV)–positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care referral center.Subjects and MethodsA total of 286 patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC who underwent transoral robotic surgery–based treatment from May 2007 to May 2015.ResultsOf 286 patients (12.2%), 35 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 19 experienced an LRR and 16 developed a DM; 2 patients with LRR subsequently developed DM. In those patients with an LRR, 79% had T1/T2 tumors, and 47% had N0/N1 nodal disease, compared with 75% and 6% in the DM group, respectively. The median time to LRR or DM was 0.6 years (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4‐1.0) and 1.8 years (IQR, 1.0‐2.1), respectively. Salvage treatment with intent to cure was attempted in 23 patients (16 LRR, 7 DM). The median time from LRR or DM to last follow‐up for the 18 patients who were still alive after salvage was 1.9 years (IQR, 0.4‐3.8; range, 7 days–6.2 years). Estimated cancer‐specific survival rates at 3 years following intent‐to‐cure treatment were 63% (95% CI, 39‐100; number still at risk, 5) in the LRR group and 100% (95% CI, 100‐100; number still at risk, 2) in the DM group.ConclusionOverall, LRR and DM for HPV‐positive OPSCC following transoral robotic surgery–based therapy are infrequent. In our subset of patients who underwent intent‐to‐cure treatment, cancer‐specific survival rates were favorable. Therefore, aggressive salvage treatment for LRR and DM for HPV‐positive OPSCC should be recommended for appropriate candidates.

ObjectivesIdiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is rare, and its cause remains elusive. Treatment options include empiric medical therapy and endoscopic or open surgery. We present our results for open surgical technique.Study DesignCase series with chart review (1978‐2015).SettingTertiary academic center.Subjects/MethodsThirty‐three patients (32 female; median age, 51 years) met inclusion criteria and underwent cricotracheal resection with thyrotracheal anastomosis, tracheal resection with primary anastomosis, or laryngotracheoplasty with rib grafting. Continuous variables were summarized using medians and ranges while categorical features are presented using frequency counts and percentages.ResultsSixteen patients (48%) underwent a single‐stage approach with immediate extubation or temporary intubation following surgery (median, 1 day; range, 1‐3 days). Seventeen patients (52%) underwent a double‐staged approach with a median time to decannulation of 35 days (range, 13‐100 days). Twenty‐four (73%) patients underwent a previous intervention. Median stay in the intensive care unit was 1 day (range, 0‐3 days), with a median hospital stay of 4 days (range, 2‐7 days). Recurrence requiring further surgical intervention was observed in 12 patients (36%). The median time to recurrence was 8 years over an average follow‐up of 9.7 years. The most common complaint following surgery was change in voice quality (fair to poor; n = 10; 30%).ConclusionsOpen surgery should be reserved for refractory cases of iSGS; cricotracheal resection with thyrotracheal anastomosis is the preferred open technique. Recurrence may occur after open treatment, highlighting the importance of long‐term follow‐up. Patients should be counseled about the potential for worsening voice quality with the open approach.

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate outcomes for patients with pathological N3 (pN3) neck disease from human papillomavirus (HPV)–related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and determine variables predictive of survival.Study DesignRetrospective case series with chart review.MethodsThis study was conducted between 1998 and 2013 and included patients with HPV‐related OPSCC treated with surgery with or without adjuvant therapy and who had pN3 nodal disease. The primary outcome was disease‐specific survival (DSS). Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), adverse events, and gastrostomy tube rates.ResultsThirty‐nine patients were included, of whom 36 (90%) underwent adjuvant therapy. Median follow‐up was 39 months (range, 2–147 months). Mean age was 56 years, and 87% were male. Seventeen patients (44%) underwent selective neck dissection, whereas six (15%) underwent radical (n = 2) or extended radical (n = 4) neck dissection. Ninety‐two percent had extracapsular extension. Five‐year Kaplan‐Meier estimated DSS, OS, and DFS were 89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 79%–99%), 87% (95% CI: 75%–99%), and 84% (95% CI: 72%–96%), respectively. The disease recurrence rate was 10% (5% regional, 5% distant metastasis). Patients with less than 5 pathologically positive lymph nodes (P = .041) had improved DFS.ConclusionsPatients with HPV‐related OPSCC and pN3 nodal disease treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy have very favorable long‐term survival and regional control. Patients with five or more pathologically positive lymph nodes may be at higher risk for recurrence.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2033–2037, 2017

ObjectivesTo elucidate the clinical behavior, treatment, and outcomes of tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT) involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and adjacent temporal bone.Study DesignRetrospective case series with histopathologic review.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed identifying and collecting data from all cases of TGCT involving the TMJ and adjacent temporal bone that were treated at the authors' center between January 1960 and December 2015.ResultsEleven histopathologically confirmed cases met inclusion criteria. The median age at diagnosis was 49 years, eight patients were men, and the median follow‐up was 116 months. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging revealed a lytic expansile mass centered on the TMJ. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) most commonly exhibited hypointense signal on precontrast T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences and variable postcontrast enhancement. The median delay in diagnosis was 24 months, and the most common presenting symptoms were hearing loss and pain. All patients underwent surgical resection, eight receiving gross total removal, one receiving near total removal, and two patients from early in the series receiving subtotal resection with neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation. Histopathological review of surgical specimens revealed chondroid metaplasia in seven tumors. Eight of nine cases receiving gross total or near total resection have no evidence of recurrence to date.ConclusionsTGCT of the TMJ and temporal bone are rare and locally aggressive tumors that commonly present with nonspecific symptoms. A careful review of CT and MRI followed by early biopsy is critical in establishing an accurate diagnosis and facilitating appropriate treatment. TGCT of the TMJ more commonly contain chondroid metaplasia when compared to TGCT at other anatomic locations. Gross total resection is achievable in most cases and offers long‐term cure. Radiation may be considered for recurrent disease or adjuvant therapy following subtotal resection.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2340–2346, 2017

Objectives/HypothesisDiscuss current techniques utilizing the scapular tip and subscapular system for free tissue reconstruction of maxillary defects and highlight the impact of medical modeling on these techniques with a case series.Study DesignCase review series at an academic hospital of patients undergoing maxillectomy + thoracodorsal scapula composite free flap (TSCF) reconstruction. Three‐dimensional (3D) models were used in the last five cases.Methods3D modeling, surgical, functional, and aesthetic outcomes were reviewed.ResultsNine patients underwent TSCF reconstruction for maxillectomy defects (median age = 43 years; range, 19–66 years). Five patients (55%) had a total maxillectomy (TM) ± orbital exenteration, whereas four patients (44%) underwent subtotal palatal maxillectomy. For TM, the contralateral scapula tip was positioned with its natural concavity recreating facial contour. The laterally based vascular pedicle was ideally positioned for facial vessel anastomosis. For subtotal‐palatal defect, an ipsilateral flap was harvested, but inset with the convex surface facing superiorly. Once 3D models were available from our anatomic modeling lab, they were used for intraoperative planning of the last five patients. Use of the model intraoperatively improved efficiency and allowed for better contouring/plating of the TSCF. At last follow‐up, all patients had good functional outcomes. Aesthetic outcomes were more successful in patients where 3D‐modeling was used (100% vs. 50%). There were no flap failures. Median follow‐up >1 month was 5.2 months (range, 1–32.7 months).ConclusionsReconstruction of maxillectomy defects is complex. Successful aesthetic and functional outcomes are critical to patient satisfaction. The TSCF is a versatile flap. Based on defect type, choosing laterality is crucial for proper vessel orientation and outcomes. The use of internally produced 3D models has helped refine intraoperative contouring and flap inset, leading to more successful outcomes.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:E8–E14, 2017