Price, Daniel L.

Background. Although alcohol and tobacco use are known risk factors for development of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been increasingly associated with this group of cancers. We describe the case of a married couple who presented with HPV-positive oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma within two months of each other.Methods. Tumor biopsies were positive for p16 and high-risk HPV in both patients. Sanger sequencing showed a nearly identical HPV16 strain in both patients. Both patients received chemoradiation, and one patient also underwent transoral robotic tongue base resection with bilateral neck dissection.Results. Both patients showed no evidence of recurrent disease on follow-up PET imaging.Conclusions. New head and neck symptoms should be promptly evaluated in the partner of a patient with known HPV-positive oropharynx cancer. This case expands the limited current literature on concurrent presentation of HPV-positive oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma in couples.

OBJECTIVE Vagus nerve and sympathetic chain cervical schwannomas (VNCSs and SCCSs) are benign nerve sheath tumors that arise in the head and neck. Despite similar presentations that make accurate preoperative diagnosis more difficult, the potential for morbidity following resection is significantly higher for patients with VNCS. Therefore, the authors analyzed a retrospective case series and performed a comparative analysis of the literature to establish diagnostic criteria to facilitate more accurate preoperative diagnoses. METHODS The authors conducted a blinded review of imaging studies from retrospectively collected, operatively confirmed cases of VNCS and SCCS. They also performed a systematic review of published series that reported patient-specific preoperative imaging findings in VNCS or SCCS. RESULTS Nine patients with VNCS and 11 with SCCS were identified. In the study cohort, splaying of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and internal jugular vein (IJV) did not significantly predict the nerve of origin (p = 0.06); however, medial and lateral ICA displacement were significantly associated with VNCS and SCCS, respectively (p = 0.01 and p = 0.003, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ICA and IJV splaying with medial ICA displacement carried an 86% probability of VNCS (p = 0.001), while the absence of splaying with lateral ICA displacement carried a 91% probability of SCCS (p = 0.006). The presence of vocal cord symptoms or peripheral enhancement significantly augmented the predictive probability of VNCS, as did Horner's syndrome or homogeneous enhancement for SCCS. A review of the literature produced 25 publications that incorporated a total of 106 patients, including the present series. Splaying of the ICA and IJV was significantly, but not uniquely, associated with VNCS (p < 0.0001); multivariate analysis demonstrated that ICA and IJV splaying with medial ICA displacement carries a 75% probability of VNCS (p < 0.0001), while the absence of such splaying with lateral ICA displacement carries an 87% probability of SCCS (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS ICA and IJV splaying frequently predicts VNCS; however, this finding is also commonly observed in SCCS and, among the 9 cases in the present study, was observed more often than previously reported. When congruent with splaying, medial or lateral ICA displacement significantly enhances the reliability of preoperative predictions, empowering more accurate prognostication.

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive primary bone tumor. It is currently treated with multimodality therapy including en bloc resection, which has been demonstrated to confer a survival benefit over intralesional resection. The authors present the case of an 8-year-old girl with a C-1 lateral mass osteosarcoma, which was treated with a 4-stage en bloc resection and spinal reconstruction. While technically complex, the feasibility of en bloc resection for spinal osteosarcoma should be explored in the pediatric population.

ObjectiveTo prospectively analyze quality‐of‐life outcomes following transoral diverticulotomy with cricopharyngeal myotomy (DCPM) for Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD).Study DesignProspective single‐group study.SettingsTertiary academic institution.Subjects and MethodsA prospective multicenter study performed from January 1, 2012, to July 1, 2014, included 18 patients presenting with ZD undergoing DCPM. Standardized questionnaires—including the 10‐item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT‐10), Functional Outcome of Swallowing Scale (FOSS), and the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI)—were completed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Videofluoroscopic studies were obtained and analyzed by our senior speech‐language pathologist, who was blinded to the clinical outcomes.ResultsEighteen patients were included (11 women; mean age, 72.6 years; range, 53‐86 years). All patients had ZD on preoperative videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. The most common comorbidities included hypertension (10 of 18, 55.6%), dyslipidemia (8 of 18, 44.4%), hiatal hernia (6 of 18, 33.3%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (5 of 18, 27.8%). Median preoperative RSI was 27 (interquartile range [IQR], 22.5‐31.5); FOSS, 2 (IQR, 2‐3); and EAT‐10, 21.5 (IQR, 13.5‐27.5). The 3‐month questionnaire (88.9% completion) demonstrated an improved median RSI of 5 (IQR, 1‐7.5; P <. 001), FOSS of 0 (IQR, 0; P <. 001), and EAT‐10 of 0 (IQR, 0‐3; P <. 001). Fourteen patients (77.8%) completed the 6‐month questionnaire, demonstrating a median RSI of 4 (IQR, 0‐8), FOSS of 0 (IQR, 0‐0.5), and EAT‐10 of 1 (IQR, 0‐3). While regurgitation decreased following surgery (P =. 007), nighttime cough did not (P =. 25).ConclusionThis study supports an improvement in functional outcome and quality of life in patients with ZD undergoing DCPM.

Objectives/HypothesisWe sought to analyze key factors that influence the management of lateral skull base defects and implement an algorithm to improve outcomes of reconstruction.Study DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingSingle tertiary academic referral center.MethodsAdults who underwent temporal bone resection were included. Variables included tumor characteristics, ablative procedure, reconstructive method, and wound complications.ResultsSeventy‐one patients were studied. Lateral temporal bone resection was performed in 55 patients (77%), subtotal temporal bone resection in 14 (20%), and total petrosectomy in two (3%). Primary closure was achieved in 46 patients (35%), with rotational muscle flaps in 21 (46%). The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) was used in nine patients (13%) without major complications. Single‐stage free tissue transfer was undertaken in 10 patients (14%) with no flap failures. Primary closure was achieved in 16 of 32 of previously untreated cases (50%) compared to nine of 39 cases of previously treated disease (23%) (P = 0.03). Pedicled or free flaps were used in 18 of 39 cases of previously treated disease (46%) compared to three of 32 previously untreated cases (9%) (P < 0.001). Pedicled or free flaps were used in 13 of 22 cases (59%) in which partial or total auriculectomy was performed, whereas primary closure was achieved in 39 of 49 cases (80%) in which the pinna was preserved (P < 0.001).ConclusionAdvanced tumors that require adjuvant therapy, revision cases for recurrent disease, and cases involving auriculectomy warrant free flap or PMMF reconstruction, with the latter preferred in poor free flap candidates.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1911–1917, 2016

Abstract Background: Traditional adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) consists of 60-66 Gy of radiation therapy (XRT) given in 2 Gy daily fractions along with high dose cisplatin if the patient has high risk factors. Despite the excellent cure rates for HPV+ OPSCC, one in three patients treated with conventional treatment will develop grade &gt;3 long-term sequelae from therapy. There is intense interest in de-intensifying adjuvant therapy for this patient population in order to maximize quality of life while maintaining excellent historical rates of disease control. Methods: MC1273 is a phase II non-randomized trial open at Mayo Clinic Rochester testing a novel course of aggressive therapy de-escalation following surgery for HPV+ OPSCC. The primary endpoint is local/regional control at 2 years while secondary endpoints include toxicity and quality of life (QOL). The eligibility criteria include all patients with p16-positive OPSCC with less than a ten pack-year smoking history who have had a complete surgical resection. Exclusion criteria include positive surgical margins, prior history of malignancy, and history of connective tissue disorders. Patients are divided into two prospective cohorts depending upon risk factors found at surgery. Patients with intermediate risk disease (≥T3, ≥N2, lymphovascular invasion, or perineural invasion) are enrolled in MC1273A while patients with extracapsular extension (ECE) are enrolled in MC1273B. Patients on MC1273A receive 30 Gy of radiation delivered in 1.5 Gy twice-daily fractions over the course of two weeks along with weekly docetaxel (15 mg/m2) given on day 1 and day 8. Patients on MC1273B receive a similar treatment regimen but also have the nodal level with positive ECE concurrently boosted to 36 Gy in 1.8 Gy twice-daily fractions. In addition to standard of care follow-up, patients receive a swallowing assessment with speech therapy immediately before XRT, one month post-XRT, and one year post-XRT. Patients also have QOL assessment consisting of the XeQOLS, Eq-5D, FACT H&N (Vers 4) and Dermatology Life Quality Index assessed at pre-XRT and 3, 12, and 24 months post-XRT. Results: Each cohort of MC1273 is powered to detect a 10% local/regional failure rate with 85% confidence. Each cohort will accrue 35 evaluable patients and 5 additional patients to account for ineligibilities and violations (40 patients total per cohort.) MC1273A began accrual in September 2013. The first five patients were monitored for grade ≥4 acute toxicities before proceeding to open accrual. MC1273B began accrual in May 2014 and has also proceeded to open accrual. Accrual will also begin in Mayo Clinic Scottsdale in the first quarter of 2015. Conclusions: MC1273 is meeting its accrual targets and should finish accrual by 2016. We anticipate that preliminary results for toxicity will be available by 2017 and local/regional data will be available by 2018. Citation Format: Daniel J. Ma, Katharine A. Price, Eric J. Moore, Joaquin J. Garcia, Scott H. Okuno, Daniel L. Price, Jeff A. Sloan, Nathan R. Foster, Robert L. Foote. MC1273: Phase II evaluation of aggressive dose de-escalation for adjuvant chemoradiation in HPV associated oropharynx cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT227. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT227

Object Swallowing dysfunction is common following transoral (TO) odontoidectomy. Preliminary experience with newer endoscopic transnasal (TN) approaches suggests that dysphagia may be reduced with this alternative. However, the reasons for this are unclear. The authors hypothesized that the TN approach results in less disruption of the pharyngeal plexus and anatomical structures associated with swallowing. The authors investigate the histological and gross surgical anatomical relationship between pharyngeal plexus innervation of the upper aerodigestive tract and the surgical approaches used (TN and TO). They also review the TN literature to evaluate swallowing outcomes following this approach. Methods Seven cadaveric specimens were used for histological (n = 3) and gross anatomical (n = 4) examination of the pharyngeal plexus with the TO and TN surgical approaches. Particular attention was given to identifying the location of cranial nerves (CNs) IX and X and the sympathetic chain and their contributions to the pharyngeal plexus. S100 staining was performed to assess for the presence of neural tissue in proximity to the midline, and fiber density counts were performed within 1 cm of midline. The relationship between the pharyngeal plexus, clivus, and upper cervical spine (C1-3) was defined. Results Histological analysis revealed the presence of pharyngeal plexus fibers in the midline and a significant reduction in paramedian fiber density from C-2 to the lower clivus (p < 0.001). None of these paramedian fibers, however, could be visualized with gross inspection or layer-by-layer dissection. Laterally based primary pharyngeal plexus nerves were identified by tracing their origins from CNs IX and X and the sympathetic chain at the skull base and following them to the pharyngeal musculature. In addition, the authors found 15 studies presenting 52 patients undergoing TN odontoidectomy. Of these patients, only 48 had been swallowing preoperatively. When looking only at this population, 83% (40 of 48) were swallowing by Day 3 and 92% (44 of 48) were swallowing by Day 7. Conclusions Despite the midline approach, both TO and TN approaches may injure a portion of the pharyngeal plexus. By limiting the TN incision to above the palatal plane, the surgeon avoids the high-density neural plexus found in the oropharyngeal wall and limits injury to oropharyngeal musculature involved in swallowing. This may explain the decreased incidence of postoperative dysphagia seen in TN approaches. However, further clinical investigation is warranted.