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FDG PET/CT was prospectively studied in 287 cN0 head and neck cancer patients in ACRIN 6685, and additional analysis of neck FDG uptake upon recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed.Two hundred eight had analyzable data. Survival analysis was performed to compare RFS and OS based on neck FDG visual assessment (VA) and SUV max . For SUV max , the optimal thresholds were calculated using conditional inference trees on a randomly selected 70% training data set and validated using the remaining 30% of data. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests were generated for the patient groups based on VA and optimal SUV max thresholds, and the hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were also calculated. Hypothesis testing was set at a significance level of 0.05.A total of 73.9% of bilateral cN0 and 50.0% of unilateral cN0 were alive at the end of the study with the remaining being dead or lost to follow-up. Overall survival median follow-up time was 24.0 months (interquartile range, 15.8-25.3; range, 0-37.0). A total of 63.3% of bilateral cN0 and 42.5% of unilateral cN0 patients remained disease free during the study. Recurrence-free survival median follow-up time was 23.9 months (interquartile range, 12.4-25.2; range, 0-35.6). Visual assessment of necks by our panel of radiologists was significantly associated with RFS (HR [95% CI], 2.30 [1.10-4.79]; P = 0.02), but not with OS (HR [95% CI], 1.64 [0.86-3.14]; P = 0.13). The optimal SUV max thresholds were 2.5 for RFS and 5.0 for OS. For SUV max assessment, applying the optimal thresholds to the 30% test data yielded HRs (95% CIs) of 2.09 (0.61-7.14; P = 0.23) for RFS and 3.42 (1.03-11.41; P = 0.03) for OS. The SUV max threshold of 5.0 was significantly associated with RFS (HR [95% CI], 5.92 [1.79-19.57]; P0.001).Neck FDG uptake by VA is significant for RFS. An SUV max threshold of 5.0 is significantly associated with OS and RFS.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the use of 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) for characterization of thyroid nodules. METHODS Our study drew from 100 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent 4D parathyroid CT imaging for adenoma localization. Included subjects had tissue sampling of a thyroid nodule within 3 months of 4DCT. RESULTS Twenty subjects (18 women and 2 men) had thyroid nodules that were pathologically confirmed. Precontrast nodule attenuation was significantly lower in malignant nodules when compared with benign nodules (36 vs 61 HU, P = 0.05). Arterial phase and delayed phase nodule attenuations were not significantly different in malignant and benign nodules (128 vs 144 HU, P = 0.7; 74 vs 98 HU, P = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS Our initial experience with a small group of patients was unable to support the use of 4DCT for characterizing thyroid nodules; however, precontrast nodule attenuation was significantly lower in malignant nodules when compared with benign nodules.

Improved microsurgical technique has resulted in a high percentage of successful free tissue transfers. When a tissue transfer fails in the head and neck, however, the results are orocutaneous fistulas, carotid artery exposure, and deformity that adds morbidity, expense, and may delay adjuvant therapy. Postoperative monitoring of tissue perfusion can detect early problems in free tissue transfer that may allow for early intervention and salvage. The authors have demonstrated that reflectance photoplethysmography can detect perfusion changes in free tissue transfer within 5 minutes of a pedicle "insult" intraoperatively. Normative data for viable flaps from various donor sites have been established. The authors now report their initial experience with a newly developed reflectance photoplethysmograph based on a hand-held computer for routine clinical use. Their results are compared with a conventional surveillance protocol that included observation, bleeding to pin prick, and bedside duplex scanning of the vascular pedicle. In a series of 30 free tissue transfers (29 patients), there was one ischemic event (skin paddle loss only), which was detected by the monitor. The monitor was able to predict correctly (one flap) survival of a free tissue transfer even when duplex ultrasonic data were indicative of an absence of perfusion. Personal digital assistant-based photoplethysmography appears to be a promising device for bedside diagnosis of free tissue transfer viability or ischemia.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Symptomatic complications related to screw migration and extrusion after anterior cervical disc fusion are uncommon. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a case of significant dysphagia owing to late screw migration. INTERVENTION: An endoscopic transpharyngeal removal was performed without pharyngeal closure and with relief of symptoms. CONCLUSION: A transpharyngeal endoscopic approach to remove loose anterior cervical hardware is feasible and warrants further evaluation.