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Biomedical subjects

S F Hall

Publications and source records attributed to S F Hall.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Using TNM staging to predict survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head & neck.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a classification system for prognosis based on the TNM system for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck such that patient groupings are homogeneous within and heterogeneous between. METHODS: Six hundred fifty-five consecutive patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck followed prospectively are split into a training set and a test set. Using the training set, the Cox Proportional Hazards Model and the outcome of dead with disease, we created homogeneous prognostic levels (PLs) based on RR. Using the test set, we compare our model to others in the literature. RESULTS: Using the training set, we identified five PLs, and using the test set, we demonstrated that our model is superior to others for both within-group homogeneity and between-group heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: A simple classification system can be used to group patients for survival and is valid for future study in prognostication.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Does TANIS (T And N Integer Score) help predict survival?

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to validate the TANIS model as a predictor of survival. DESIGN: Using Cox Proportional Hazards model, we examined the subgroups of the TANIS score levels to see if they were homogeneous on survival. SETTING: The Departments of Otolaryngology and Oncology and the Radiation Oncology Research Unit at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. METHODS: Five hundred and ninety-four patients with cancer of the head and neck classified by TNM and TANIS were analyzed for the outcome dead of disease using estimates of relative risk. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The stages of TNM and the levels of TANIS contain subgroups of patients with different survival rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Particle repositioning maneuver: effective treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess short-term and long-term outcomes of the particle repositioning maneuver (PRM). DESIGN: This is a prospective study of 68 cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in 65 consecutive patients. RESULTS: Initially, 57 (83.8%) cases had no evidence of residual symptoms, 10 (14.7%) had a partial improvement, and only 1 (1.5%) failed treatment. In the long-term (18.7 month mean follow-up period), 43 (67.2%) cases had no history of recurrence, and 22 (34.4%) cases had recurrences, of which 14 (21.9%) experienced only mild symptoms, and 8 (12.5%) were no better than before the PRM. Of the eight who were no better, five had repeat PRMs that successfully relieved their symptoms. The final overall outcome was that 59 (95.2%) patients had either mild symptoms or no symptoms, and 3 (4.8%) patients were treatment failures. Factors that did not seem to be predictive of outcome were secondary nystagmus, gender, and duration of symptoms. In both the short and long terms, the self-limited form of BPPV was found to have the best outcome, the episodic type had an intermediate outcome, and the prolonged type had the worst outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that outcomes are best in those cases where free-floating canaliths are the mechanism of disease, which includes patients with self-limited BPPV. Patients with episodic or prolonged BPPV may have varying degrees of underlying cupulolithiasis that cannot be entirely corrected with PRM alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Does N stage predict survival?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between N stage and survival in head and neck cancer to see if N stage has prognostic value. DESIGN: Database analysis using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. METHOD: Five hundred and twenty-three consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck prospectively entered into a clinical database are analyzed for the outcome of dead with disease. RESULTS: There is no difference in survival between some increments of N stage, specifically N1 and N2, controlling for T stage and site. CONCLUSION: A modified N stage system consisting of N0, N(limited), and N(extended) appears to have a better prognostic value.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1994

What we learn from a clinical database.

A clinical database documents caseload, assesses treatments, compares treatments, follows patients, and can be used for effective teaching. The database and software used at Kingston Regional Cancer Clinic are described, and a few pertinent findings are presented.

Database Management Systems↗
PubMed1993

Cystic cervical metastases are not branchiogenic carcinomas.

This paper examines the issues of the existence, the diagnosis and the management of carcinoma in a cervical cyst. Five cases highlight a discussion of the problems facing the pathologist and the surgeon. Patients with a cystic squamous carcinoma in the neck likely have a primary in the oropharynx and a meticulous investigation is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Is head-shaking nystagmus a sign of vestibular dysfunction?

It has been proposed that head-shaking nystagmus is a reliable test or indicator of vestibular dysfunction. Using a series of 340 patients and 20 controls, this paper compares the vestibular test data to head-shake test data to answer some of the questions about this poorly understood response. Head-shaking nystagmus appears to reflect the underlying spontaneous nystagmus and its direction has no relationship to the side of the vestibular asymmetry.

Caloric Tests↗
PubMed1990

Peritonsillar abscess: the treatment options.

Peritonsillar abscess is the second most common ENT emergency admission at our hospital. The optimal management has been a subject of discussion for years. This paper reviews 51 patients and the literature to question the traditional medical/surgical managements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Ludwig's-like angina (pseudo-angina Ludovici).

Ludwig's angina and its variants (referred to as pseudo or Ludwig's-like angina) are a group of classical space infections in the head and neck. Recent papers have emphasized the bacteriology and complications. This paper, using three case studies, further examines relevant investigations and treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Significance of tomography in Meniere's disease: visualization and morphology of the vestibular aqueduct.

The revival of endolymphatic sac surgery has led to many investigations in Meniere's disease, including lateral tomography of the vestibular aqueduct. Contrary to recent literature, we found no difference in the presence and morphology of the vestibular aqueduct when assessed radiologically in a group of Meniere's patients and a control group. Our assessment of this information in regard to etiology and treatment of Meniere's disease is presented.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Significance of tomography in Meniere's disease: periaqueductal pneumatization.

The revival of endolymphatic sac surgery has led to many investigations in Meniere's disease, including lateral tomography of the periaqueductal pneumatization. We radiologically assessed a series of Meniere's patients and a control group, and found hypocellularity to be more common in Meniere's disease as the literature has stated. However, we found this finding bilaterally in patients with unilateral disease. Our assessment of this information in regard to the etiology and treatment of Meniere's disease is presented.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

The mechanics of benign paroxysmal vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) is a disorder of the vestibular labyrinth. The clinical features can be explained by an abnormality in the posterior semicircular canal. Under the influence of gravity, a density differential between the endolymph and the cupula will cause displacement of the cupula when changes in head position occur. The presence or absence of fatiguability is a useful test as it helps define etiology, prognosis, and therapy. At the risk of adding yet another classification of nystagmus to the literature, we submit that division of BPV into two types (fatiguable and nonfatiguable) will simplify and rationalize the management of this common complaint.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using the TNM system to predict survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: To create a classification system for prognosis based on the TNM system for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the Head and Neck such that patient groupings are homogeneous within and heterogenous between. METHOD: 655 consecutive patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the Head and Neck followed prospectively are split into a training set and a test set. Using the training set, the Cox Proportional Hazards Model and the outcome of dead with disease, we create homogenous prognostic levels based on relative risk. Using the test set, we compare our model to others in the literature. RESULTS: Using the training set we identify 5 prognostic levels and using the test set we demonstrate that our model is superior to others for both within group homogeneity and between group heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: A simple classification system can be used to group patients for survival and is valid for future study in prognostication.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗