Medical Student Research Forum Posters

In the United States there are approximately 67,000 cases of Head and Neck Cancer annually and 15,400 deaths. The NIH estimates that in 2023 approximately 12, 380 new cases of laryngeal cancer, were diagnosed which has a 61.6% 5-year relative survival rate.The total laryngectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all of the laryngeal structures and sections of the upper trachea. Tracheoesophageal speech is considered the gold standard for voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy. Tracheoesophageal speech utilizes a voice prosthesis (VP) that is inserted through a puncture in the common wall separating the trachea from the esophagus. The current literature has established that many factors that can impact a VP lifespan. In patients with advanced laryngeal cancer (T4a), up to 10% of patients can develop a recurrence, while less severe cases can result in up to 25% of recurrence. However, there is limited information on how the development of a secondary malignancy or recurrence can impact VP device failures or their lifespan. Therefore, understanding the factors that may influence TEP device failures particularly in the context of cancer recurrence or new malignancies is essential in the management of patients.

To develop a deep machine learning model that attenuates CI artifacts from EEG CAEPs. These CAEPs will more faithfully represent auditory cortex signals as compared with current denoising methodologies.

A strong predictor of mortality in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is the stage of tumor at time of diagnosis. Studies suggest that income level is associated with poor putcomes in HNC patients.

A spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs when the CSF egresses from the subarachnoid space of teh anterior or middle cranial fossa into the surrounding sinonasal or middle ear cavities through a dehiscence of the lamia dorsa.

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is the gold standard for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy (TL). TEP voicing can be challenging & unpredictable. The dynamicswallow study is a fluoroscopic swallow study part of standard clinical care prior to TEP placement. The study aimed to determine which objective dynamic swallow study (DSS) parameters predict improved voice outcomes in patients who have TEP placement.

Often, patients that present with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are in the seventh decade of life. The incidence of newly diagnosed HNSCC in the elderly is expected to increase by more than 60% by the year 2030. Optimizing postoperative care is vital for patients as they recover from major head and neck surgery to avoid complications, minimize hospital readmissions, decrease healthcare expenditure, and to surveil for recurrence. The aim of this study is to identify patient factors associated with an increased number of posttreatment visits in the first year after major head and neck oncologic surgery in the elderly.

Often, patients that present with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are in the seventh decade of life with various comorbidities that are linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol abuse. The incidence of newly diagnosed HNSCC in the elderly is expected to increase by more than 60% by the year 2030. Optimizing postoperative care is vital for patients as they recover from major head and neck surgery to avoid complications, minimize hospital readmissions, and decrease healthcare expenditure. To our knowledge, there are no studies that investigate healthcare utilization in the elderly after major head and neck surgery. The aim of this study is to identify patient factors associated with increased postoperative healthcare use in the first year after surgery.

INTRODUCTION: To reduce the risk of complications, immediate surgical treatment of frontal sinus outflow tract (FSOT) fractures has been a standard practice. With surgical and technologic advances, conservative management (i.e. observation) of FSOT fractures has become more common. Unfortunately, complication rates with observation are unknown. This study evaluates these risks.

METHODS: All FSOT injuries, between January 1, 2005, and May 1, 2019, were identified. Patient demographics, fracture patterns, surgical intervention, complications (major - CSF leak & mucocele; minor – sinusitis), and long-term sequelae were recorded. FSOT fractures were classified as either “disrupted” (bony violation of the FSOT with residual patent tract) or “obstructed” (bony obstruction of the FSOT). Patients with follow up imaging >90 days were included. Patients undergoing immediate surgical intervention were excluded.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six patients were identified and 31 met criteria. Eight patients were found to have complications (26%) at 14.2 months median follow up. There were 3 major complications (2 delayed CSF leaks and 1 mucocele) (10%) and 5 minor complications (sinusitis) (16%). Delayed surgical intervention was required in 4 patients (13%) and there were no long-term sequelae. When analyzed by type of injury, FSOT obstruction accounted for all major (11%) and 3 minor complications (11%); while FSOT disruption accounted for only 2 minor complications (7%).

CONCLUSION: No FSOT disruption and 13% of FSOT obstruction patients ultimately required surgical intervention. There were no long-term sequelae. Observation is a viable treatment option in this patient population given reasonable assurance of long-term follow up.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on patient care due to delays in healthcare delivery. We aim to compare wait times of definitive treatment in patients newly diagnosed with HNSCC before the pandemic versus those seen during the pandemic at a single academic institution.

Tracheotomy is a common procedure which is uniquely performed by numerous specialties to manage the airway both acutely and chronically. There is limited consensus regarding tracheotomy procedure and tracheostomy tube management. The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery has proposed best practices based on available evidence and expert consensus.