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Objectives Our objective was to determine if decreased contrast enhancement on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with an increased risk of complication in patients who have undergone nasoseptal flap (NSF) reconstruction. Design/Setting This was a single-institution retrospective study of patients who underwent a first-time endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) with NSF reconstruction. Participants Patients underwent an EEA to the skull base with NSF reconstruction and received postoperative MRI within 3 weeks of the operation. Main Outcome Measures MR exams were scored on the degree of contrast enhancement at first postoperative MRI. An enhancement score of 4 indicated ≥75% enhancement of the NSF. A score of 3 indicated enhancement ≥50% and <75% enhancement of the NSF. A score of 2 indicated ≥25% and <50% enhancement of the NSF. Complications (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] leak, meningitis, empyema, cerebritis, brain abscess, flap necrosis, and flap migration) were retrieved from our institution's skull base database. Logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the MRI enhancement score on the odds of developing a complication. Results Out of 99 patients in the study, six had complications. Patients who underwent NSF reconstruction of skull base defects were found to have 19 times higher odds of complication (p = 0.007) if they had had an NSF enhancement score of 2 on their postoperative MRI when compared with patients with complete or near complete NSF enhancement (score 4). Conclusion Quantifying NSF enhancement with an MRI may help surgeons better predict which of their patients are at an increased risk of complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare sinonasal malignancy with comparatively positive prognosis and survival, but with a range of biological behaviors that can be difficult to prognosticate with current means of risk stratification. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been found across a diverse range of malignancies to be associated with poorer outcomes. This paper aims to elucidate the relationship of NLR with olfactory neuroblastoma to assess its prognostic value in this setting. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: A single tertiary care academic hospital. Methods: The study cohort included all patients treated for initial presentation of olfactory neuroblastoma from 2004 to 2020. NLR was calculated from preoperative labs, and each patient was evaluated for Kadish staging, Hyams grade, intraoperative positive margin, use of adjuvant therapy, posttreatment recurrence, and death. All statistical analysis was conducted using R and relationship between NLR and variables was assessed via binomial logistic regression. Results: Forty‐four patients were included, 24 were male. Average age 52.8, average length of follow‐up was 9.6 years. Patients were grouped by low (Kadish A/B) and advanced (Kadish C/D) stage, n = 23 and n = 21, respectively, and low (Hyams I/II) and high (Hyams III/IV) risk, n = 15 and n = 11, respectively. Advanced Kadish stage was associated with elevated NLR, odds ratio 5.69 [2.30, 20.7], P =.001. No other variables were associated with elevated NLR including Hyams grade, margin status, recurrence, and mortality. Conclusion: Higher Kadish grade is associated with elevated NLR which may provide novel prognostic value to current risk‐stratifying systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sinonasal malignancies with orbital invasion have dismal prognosis even when treated with orbital exenteration (OE). Sugawara et al. developed a surgical strategy called "extended‐OE (EOE)," showing encouraging outcomes. We hypothesized that a similar resection is achievable under endoscopic guidance through the exenterated orbit (endoscopic‐EOE). Methods: The study was conducted in three institutions: University of Vienna; Mayo Clinic; University of Insubria; 48 orbital dissections were performed. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate feasibility and safety of each step, scoring from 1 to 10, ("impossible" to "easy," and "high risk" to "low risk," respectively), most likely complication(s) were hypothesized. Results: The step‐by‐step technique is thoroughly described. The questionnaire was answered by 25 anterior skull base surgeons from six countries. Mean, median, range, and interquartile range of both feasibility and safety scores are reported. Conclusions: Endoscopic‐EOE is a challenging but feasible procedure. Clinical validation is required to assess real‐life outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Our objective was to elucidate the demographic, academic, and career attributes of North American Skull Base Society (NASBS) presidents and determine how leadership of this society has changed over time. Design Thirty-one NASBS presidents have served between 1990 and 2021. Demographic and scholarly variables were recorded from publicly available sources. To determine how trends in NASBS presidents have changed over time, linear and logistic regressions were conducted on continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Setting Virtual setting was used for this study. Participants There were no active participants in the study. Main Outcome Measures Academic metrics of NASBS presidents were the main outcome measure. Results NASBS presidents had a mean age of 53.3 ± 6.1 years at election and were all male. The most common institution at which former presidents trained (n = 4) and practiced (n = 3) was the University of Pittsburgh. Otolaryngologists comprised 41.9% (n = 13) of the cohort, neurosurgeons made up 38.8% (n = 12), and the remaining 19.3% (n = 6) were from other specialties. NASBS presidents from neurosurgery (p = 0.033) and other specialties (p = 0.014) were more likely to hold the rank of chair compared with those from otolaryngology. Over time, there has been a linear increase in years of research experience at the time of election (p = 0.048). There remains a lack of diversity of gender and race. Conclusion NASBS presidents have demonstrated increased research activity over time, favoring long-term academic careers. Knowledge of these trends and attributes, which demonstrate an increase in skull base literature, growth of the NASBS, and a need for increased diversity in the field, is important for stewarding the future of the NASBS and promoting equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and cephalometric risk factors associated with decreased postoperative olfaction in patients in whom the transplanum and transtuberculum expanded endonasal approach (EEA) was performed. Methods A retrospective cohort of 41 patients treated with the transplanum and transtuberculum EEA was divided into two groups based on the maximum change in the postoperative 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT22) olfaction score: prolonged olfactory loss group (n = 5) with a ΔSNOT22 olfaction score of ≥ 4 without a return to baseline and a preserved olfaction group (n = 36) with a ΔSNOT22 olfaction score ≤ 3 with return to baseline on follow-up of at least 3 months. Demographics, operative details, and cephalometric measurements were compared between the two groups. Results There were no differences in terms of the type of surgical approach (transplanum and transtuberculum), resection of turbinates (middle and superior), use of reconstructive flap (nasoseptal flap and reverse flap), or tumor pathology between the two groups. In the prolonged olfactory loss group, there was a smaller angle between the planum and the face of the sella (89.75 ± 9.18 vs. 107.17 ± 16.57 degrees, p = 0.05) and a smaller angle between the anterior nasal spine and the sphenoid sinus face (21.20 ± 2.49 vs. 25.89 ± 4.90 degrees, p = 0.047) compared with the preserved olfaction group. Conclusion Patients with a narrow angle between the planum and the face of the sella or that between the anterior nasal spine and the sphenoid sinus face are at a higher risk of prolonged olfactory dysfunction with the transplanum and transtuberculum approaches. Level of Evidence IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this work is to comprehensively review and synthesize the literature related to sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) treatment with immunotherapy, including potentially targetable genetic mutations, survival outcomes, and adverse events. Data Sources: Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. Review Methods: The study protocol was designed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis statement. Databases were searched from inception through May 23, 2023. Results: A total of 42 studies met inclusion criteria. Twenty‐four of the included studies reported genetic mutations for a combined 787 patients with SNMM. 8.1% (95% confidence interval, CI: 7.6‐8.6), 18.9% (95% CI: 18.1‐19.8), and 8.5% (95% CI: 8.1‐9.0) of reported patients were positive for BRAF, NRAS, and KIT mutations, respectively. The presence of brisk tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes was associated with improved recurrence‐free survival and overall survival (OS). Six studies reported a combined 5‐year OS after adjuvant immunotherapy treatment of 42.6% (95% CI: 39.4‐45.8). Thirteen studies encompassing 117 patients reported adjuvant or salvage immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy response rates: 40.2% (95% CI: 36.8‐43.6) had a positive response (tumor volume reduction or resolution). Eleven studies reported direct comparisons between SNMM patients treated with or without immunotherapy; the majority (7/11) reported survival benefit for their entire cohort or select subgroups of SNMM patients. With the transition to modern ICIs, there is a stronger trend toward survival improvement with adjuvant ICI. Tumors with Ki67 <40% may respond better to ICI's. Conclusion: ICI therapy can be an effective in select SNMM patients, especially those with advanced/metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]