North Riding Infirmary

Comorbidity has been shown to be a determinant in treatment selection and survival in various cancers. We have previously shown that the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 index is applicable in a United Kingdom setting, and the process of comorbidity grading by retrospective notes evaluation is an accurate and reliable process. The impact of comorbidity and other factors on survival was examined retrospectively in a cohort of 180 patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer. This study shows for the first time that the higher comorbidity burden seen in supraglottic cancers in contrast to glottic tumors might account for the poorer prognosis. This study also externally validates the composite comorbidity-TNM staging system described by Piccirillo and shows the composite system to be a better predictor of outcome than TNM staging system alone. Moderate and severe comorbidity have a greater and statistically significant impact on survival than the TNM staging system.

To study the distribution of anaesthetic fluid during sub-Tenon's block by B-scan ultrasonography using cannulae of three different lengths. A total of 30 patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification and lens implantation were studied after informed consent had been obtained. Ages ranged from 60 to 92 years and globe axial lengths from 21.50 to 27.00 mm. All were given a sub-Tenon's block and the patients were classified into three groups in which either a long, intermediate, or short cannula was used. B-scan ultrasonography was performed before administration of the anaesthetic agent, during injection, and 2 min after completion of the injection. In all patients the optic nerve was identified. During the injection, anaesthetic fluid could be seen tracking behind the globe and opening up the posterior sub-Tenon's space (the previously described 'T'-sign). After 2 min very little or no fluid was seen, suggesting that it had dispersed into the surrounding tissues. There was no discernible difference in the distribution of fluid or in the quality of the block in the three groups. B-scan ultrasonography can reliably identify the distribution of anaesthetic fluid during sub-Tenon's block. Anaesthetic agents can be successfully delivered into the sub-Tenon's space by long, intermediate, or short cannulae.

Not only can botulinum toxin be used for cervical and laryngeal dystonia but in this article its use and complications in the management of oromandibular dystonia, Frey's syndrome, crocodile tears and drooling is described.

Co-existent comorbidity is a major determinant of treatment outcome in head and neck cancer. Most of the work pertaining to this topic has been done in the United States, where the standard practice is for trained cancer registrars to grade comorbidity using validated indexes by retrospective notes review. The adult comorbidity evaluation-27 index (ACE-27) is a validated instrument that has been widely used in head and neck cancer. Although the required clinical data may be available in the notes, a significant amount of historical information is required to grade comorbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and inter-rater reliability of the retrospective notes review process, in a typical setting in the United Kingdom (UK), by comparing the information obtained on notes review alone by a physician to that available after a structured patient interview. The study concludes that the retrospective notes review is an accurate and reliable technique for grading comorbidity whose completeness can be improved by the use of patient questionnaire as part of a structured interview.

A host-mediated assay system for detection of the transforming activity of different chemical carcinogens on peritoneal macrophages has been previously established (1). Directly, as well as indirectly acting carcinogenic substances administered intraperitoneally to NMRI mice could be examined in this way. Resident macrophages were recovered by peritoneal lavage from treated and untreated mice and cultured in soft agar. After 5-6 days normal and transformed cells could be distinguished. By the use of this system an immortalized macrophage-like cell line was derived from the peritoneal cells of NMRI mice treated with 17α-ethinylestradiol. This cell line enabled us to perform additional investigations on the underlying molecular effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol, such as detection of the transformation specific polypeptides as surrogate markers for transformation (2). The investigation reported here describes the cell-transforming and oncogenic potential of 17α-ethinylestradiol.

Lemierre's syndrome is a recognized but infrequently seen complication of acute oropharyngitis. In this case report the patient presented with acute sore throat that led to a bacteraemia with internal jugular vein thrombosis and subsequent cranial nerve palsies.

The foundation of mastoid surgery for cholesteatoma has traditionally been a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and familiarity with landmarks, constant alertness to detect unsuspected complications and the experience to tailor the surgery to the pathology encountered. Whilst not indispensable, computed tomography (CT) scanning is a useful adjunct whose potential predictive value is only truly appreciated by skilled interpretation. We present a guide to analysis to maximize the value of pre-operative radiology.

We present the case of a 51-year-old lady who developed a CSF leak following a Cloward's procedure (anterior cervical surgery with fusion), which settled with conservative management. Two months following the surgery she was assessed by an otolaryngologist for persistent dysphagia and a swelling in the anterior triangle of her neck. A computed tomography (CT) scan identified a fluid-filled mass displacing the trachea and communicating with the anterior cervical vertebrae, thus confirming the persistence of a CSF leak.

The dystonias are a group of movement disorders arising from CNS dysfunction and characterised by involuntary and prolonged spasms of muscle contraction. Recently there has been increasing demand for treatment with botulinum toxin (BT), a relatively expensive neurological paralytic agent. As there has been no systematic assessment of patient benefit from BT, this study was undertaken to develop and test a methodology for assessing the cost utility of BT therapy for patients with dystonias. A generic health status instrument, the EuroQOL, was completed at regular intervals over at least 6 months by 130 patients with a current diagnosis of dystonia. A general population tariff was used to calculate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains from BT treatment, and relevant cost data were obtained from patients and medical records. The cost-per-QALY estimates ranged considerably, depending on the type of dystonia, the duration of BT treatment, type of health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) tariff used and baseline characteristics of participants. The study findings reflect the general clinical impression of BT: that it can benefit patients with dystonia, but the benefit may be small compared with many treatments for other diseases. The nature of the disease and its cyclical treatment caused practical difficulties in recruiting participants, administering questionnaires and in estimating QALY gains.