PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Calcaterra

Publications and source records attributed to T Calcaterra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma: are we making progress? A series of 220 patients and a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed treatment results in patients with nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma from a large retrospective cohort and conducted a systematic literature review. METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients who were treated between 1975 and 1994 with a minimum follow-up of 4 years were reviewed retrospectively. A systematic review of published articles on patients with malignancies of the nasal and paranasal sinuses during the preceding 40 years was performed. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was 40%, and the local control rate was 59%. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 63%, and the local control rate was 57%. Factors that were associated statistically with a worse prognosis, with results expressed as 5-year actuarial specific survival rates, included the following: 1) histology, with rates of 79% for patients with glandular carcinoma, 78% for patients with adenocarcinoma, 60% for patients with squamous cell carcinoma, and 40% for patients with undifferentiated carcinoma; 2) T classification, with rates of 91%, 64%, 72%, and 49% for patients with T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors, respectively; 3) localization, with rates of 77% for patients with tumors of the nasal cavity, 62% for patients with tumors of the maxillary sinus, and 48% for patients with tumors of the ethmoid sinus; 4) treatment, with rates of 79% for patients who underwent surgery alone, 66% for patients who were treated with a combination of surgery and radiation, and 57% for patients who were treated exclusively with radiotherapy. Local extension factors that were associated with a worse prognosis included extension to the pterygomaxillary fossa, extension to the frontal and sphenoid sinuses, the erosion of the cribriform plate, and invasion of the dura. In the presence of an intraorbital invasion, enucleation was associated with better survival. In multivariate analysis, tumor histology, extension to the pterygomaxillary fossa, and invasion of the dura remained significant. Systematic review data demonstrated a progressive improvement of results for patients with squamous cell and glandular carcinoma, maxillary and ethmoid sinus primary tumors, and most treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS: Progress in outcome for patients with nasal and paranasal carcinoma has been made during the last 40 years. These data may be used to make baseline comparisons for evaluating newer treatment strategies.

Adolescent↗

Subglottic paraganglioma.

Paragangliomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors. In the head and neck region they are most commonly associated with the carotid body, vagus nerve, jugulotympanic paraganglia, and occasionally the superior and inferior laryngeal paraganglia. Laryngeal paragangliomas and subglottic paragangliomas are rare. There have been nine reported cases in the English literature of subglottic paragangliomas. We present a case of this unusual lesion and discuss histologic characteristics and surgical treatment.

Female↗

Cost and outcome of osteocutaneous free-tissue transfer versus pedicled soft-tissue reconstruction for composite mandibular defects.

Thirty-nine patients underwent reconstruction of composite mandibular defects following resection for squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty-four underwent immediate reconstruction, while 5 were reconstructed secondarily. Twenty-one received soft-tissue reconstruction only with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, 14 underwent osteocutaneous free-tissue transfer, and 4 received a reconstruction plate with free-tissue transfer for soft-tissue coverage. The mandibular defects in the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap group tended to be posterolateral, while free-tissue transfer defects were more severe, usually involving the anterior mandible. Length of surgery and duration of intensive care unit care were significantly longer for free-tissue transfer patients, while flap complications were more common in the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap patients. Facial appearance scores were higher for the free-tissue transfer group by both patient and physician assessment. Social function, speech, and oral function did not differ significantly. Patients reconstructed secondarily with free-tissue transfer reported significant improvement in appearance, oral continence, and social function, with little change in speech intelligibility, deglutition, or diet tolerance. The cost of the main hospitalization was significantly higher in the free-tissue transfer group than in the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap group, although when the costs of subsequent hospitalizations are included, the difference in total cost narrows. Despite more adverse defects, free-tissue transfer provided more predictable aesthetic results and expeditious return to normal social function than did pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction. The fiscal impact of these complex reconstructions is, however, significant. Cost-containment issues are presented and recommendations are made.

Aged↗

Surgical stents for composite mandible reconstruction.

Surgical stents have improved and simplified our ability to predictably restore maxillomandibular relationships after composite oromandibular resections. Bimaxillary relationships are optimized, the aesthetic result is enhanced, and successful dental rehabilitation follows.

Aged↗

Achieving mandibular continuity with vascular bone flaps: a comparison of primary and secondary reconstruction.

This retrospective study was performed to compare the functional and aesthetic results achieved in two distinct groups of patients undergoing composite reconstruction of complex head and neck defects using vascularized bone flaps. Fourteen consecutive patients undergoing reconstruction over a 30-month period (January 1988 through June 1991), nine primary and five secondary, were analyzed. The two groups were similar with respect to age, physical status, tumor type and stage, exposure to radiation, and previous history of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. The bone defect was similar between the two groups, but the soft tissue deficit was greater in the group of patients reconstructed secondarily. Surgery time and blood loss tended to be less in the patients reconstructed secondarily, but length of hospitalization was similar. Flap survival was 100%, although the complication rate approached 60%. Restoration of mandibular continuity and orofacial soft tissue defects with vascularized composite free flaps had a favorable impact on function and aesthetics in the group of patients reconstructed primarily. In those reconstructed secondarily the benefit was primarily cosmetic. Continued emphasis on primary reconstruction of the composite defect with composite free tissue transfers is advised.

Aged↗

Minimally invasive palliative tumor therapy guided by imaging techniques: the UCLA experience.

Imaging-guided palliative therapy of recurrent and/or inaccessible head and neck tumors may soon become clinically practical since sensitive and noninvasive monitoring techniques of energy deposition in tissues are now available. Interstitial tumor therapy (ITT) is a technique whereby a source of energy (laser, radiofrequency, ultrasonic, cryoenergy, etc.) is directly applied into tumors at various depths. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficiency of ultrasound (UTZ) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for real and/or "near" real time tumor and vessel identification as well as monitoring and quantifying energy-induced tissue damage. We now report our initial clinical experience with patients in which UTZ and/or MRI-guided ITT techniques were successfully applied for the treatment of recurrent, nonresectable, local, and/or metastatic head and neck carcinomas. Patients were treated on an outpatient basis either in the operating room or in an upgraded specially equipped SIGNA 1.5T MR suite. Most patients tolerated these procedures well and were successfully palliated for periods ranging from 3 months to 5 years posttreatment. The upgrades introduced in a standard MRI suite, the clinical experience, and future perspectives will be reviewed.

Aged↗

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. A report of 18 cases with stage IE disease.

During a 26-year period (1961-1987), a total of 18 patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity received radiation therapy at (University of California at Los Angeles) UCLA Medical Center. At the time of diagnosis and using the available diagnostic methods, none of these patients had clinically detectable disease beyond the paranasal sinuses. All 18 patients were staged IE by the Ann-Arbor system. When the patients were staged according to the AJC staging system from epithelial tumors, half presented with advanced T3-4 disease. Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma was the most common histology (eight cases) and maxillary sinus, the most common site of origin (11 cases). All nine T1-2 tumors received radiation therapy alone, while radiation and chemotherapy was used in seven of nine advanced T3-4 staged tumors. The mean follow-up was 71 months. At last follow-up, eight of nine T1-2 patients were rendered disease-free. In contrast, only four of nine T3-4 patients had long-term disease-free survival. Seventy-five percent of the failure occurred within 2 years. Radiation therapy alone achieves high local control in small tumors (T1-2), while large tumors (T3-4) require aggressive combined treatment, i.e., radiation and chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Esthesioneuroblastoma: the UCLA experience 1970-1990.

A retrospective review was conducted of all esthesioneuroblastoma cases treated at UCLA Medical Center from 1970 through 1990. Patients were staged according to the staging systems of Kadish, et al., Biller, et al., and a new staging system proposed by the authors. Of 26 patients treated, 74% were alive at 5 years and 60% were alive at 10 years. Combined treatment with surgery and radiation is advocated since a recurrence-free status was achieved in 92% of the patients, compared with 14% for surgery alone and 40% for radiation alone. A craniofacial resection was performed in 7 patients, all of whom have remained disease free. Negative prognostic factors included: age over 50 years at presentation, female sex, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. The proposed new staging system predicted disease-free status better than the other staging systems.

Adolescent↗

The deep inferior epigastric rectus abdominis muscle and myocutaneous free tissue transfer: further applications for head and neck reconstruction.

The rectus abdominis muscle and myocutaneous free tissue transfer is a well-recognized donor site for reconstruction of complex head and neck defects. Four composite deformities were successfully managed using this donor site. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous "sandwich" flap was used for closure of a pharyngocutaneous fistula and to provide intraoral lining and external coverage for a composite mandibular defect. The rectus muscle flap was used to obliterate a compound frontal sinus injury and an orbitomaxillary defect. All flaps were based on the deep inferior epigastric vascular pedicle.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Vocal cord function following short term endotracheal intubation.

This study was undertaken to determine whether brief periods of vocal cord paralysis might commonly occur as a result of tracheal intubation. The vocal cords of 100 patients were examined prior to and after intubation for operation. Although soft tissue trauma was observed in nearly all patients none had evidence of vocal cord paralysis.

Humans↗

Immunologic evaluation of patients with advanced head and neck cancer receiving weekly chemoimmunotherapy.

Patients with advanced head and neck cancer have significant reduction in their circulating lymphocyte mass which is reflected in decreased numbers of T cells, Fc receptor cells, and in derangements of T lymphocyte functions, i.e., decreased responsiveness to several dilutions of phytohemagglutinin and lack of development of delayed hypersensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (70% of patients were DNCB (-)). A population of phagocytic cells capable of decreasing lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens were demonstrated. Removal of these cells resulted in an increment in lymphocyte responsiveness. Immunological impairment seemed to correlate with patients' ability to become sensitized to DNCB. Those patients who were DNCB (+) had less derangement in their immunological parameters. Weekly administration of Corynebacterium parvum in conjunction with chemotherapy did not have a discernible effect on patient's immune reactivity.

Adult↗

Phase I studies of C. parvum given intravenously: effects of dexamethasone on its biologic and toxic properties.

Three biologic effects were clearly associated with C. parvum infusions: a) granulocytosis with lymphomonocytopenia, b) increase in responsiveness to phytohemmagglutinin and c) increase of specific antibodies to C. parvum antigens. Addition of dexamethasone moderately altered the kinetics of leukocyte changes without affecting other properties. Side effects after intravenous administration of C. parvum (2.5 mg/m2) consisted primarily of chills and fever which lasted for periods of 6-24 hours. Side effects occurred in 77% of the infusions. Addition of dexamethasone (4 mg IVP) reduced significantly the frequency (only 22% of patients) and intensity (fever 102 F and chills for only 30-60 minutes) of side effects. Clearly, dexamethasone of the dosage employed did not abrogate C. parvum effects while reducing significantly its toxic properties.

Adult↗

Unexpected complications following therapeutic embolization.

Unexpected complications may follow therapeutic embolization, even though no apparent technical errors have occurred. This report includes four cases of facial palsy following middle meningeal artery embolization, one case of aspiration pneumonia following glomus tumor embolization, and a case of pulmonary embolization following embolization of a spinal arteriovenous malformation.

Aged↗

Recurrences from malignant parotid salivary gland tumors.

The clinical course of 130 patients treated for malignant parotid tumors at the three institutions have been reviewed. Fifty-six of these 130 patients developed recurrences following their primary treatment by a surgical procedure. There were a total of 109 recurrences among these 56 patients. The average number of recurrences was two per patient. The average survival from first recurrence was 3.7 years, with the median survival 2 years. The range of survival was 0.5 to 17 years. Once recurrence developed, treatment was by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. Of 56 patients with recurrence, 33 are dead and 9 patients are alive with disease. Fourteen patients are alive and well with no evidence of disease. These NED patients had an average number of 1.6 recurrences and a median survival to date of only 3 years. Our study indicates that for the majority of patients who develop recurrence, survival is relatively short and treatment is usually ineffective in three of four patients. The authors conclude that after a surgical procedure for malignant salivary gland tumors, a trial of wide field postoperative radiation therapy to high dose should be considered as part of the initial treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dysphagia secondary to cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction, Surgical Management.

Neuromuscular dysfunction of the cricopharyngeus muscle is becoming increasingly recognized as a cause of dysphagia, particularly in the growing geriatric population. The disorder may occur primarily, or as part of a generalized neurologic syndrome. This debilitating and potentially lethal type of dysphagia, formerly managed by nasogastric tube or gastrostomy feeding, is usually correctable by simple section of the cricopharyngeus muscle. We report a series of six successfully managed patients to illustrate important aspects of diagnosis and treatment.

Adult↗

Advances in endoscopic techniques for examination of the larynx and nasopharynx.

The development of the new Hopkins rod indirect laryngoscope with the polished glass rod lens system and fiberoptic lighting promise to revolutionize the indirect examination of the larynx and nasopharynx. The improved optics and lighting facilitate the acquisition of still and moving picture photography for permanent records. Examples of the superior photographic resolution are presented.

Humans↗