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What is the relationship between the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and the common carotid artery (CCA) during a thyroidectomy?
23%RLN goes posterior to CCA
52%RLN goes anterior to CCA
10%RLN goes posterior to ICA
14%RLN goes anterior to ICA
77 votes • Final resultsIdentification of Masseteric Nerve.
· Found within the sub-zygomatic triangle bound by the zygomatic arch, frontal branch of the facial nerve, and the anterior temporomandibular joint.
· Can be localised to 3cm anterior to the tragus &1cm below the zygomatic arch.
Calcium Bioavailability (BA).
Calcium Carbonate (CC)
• Alkaline
• BA 15-40%
• Low solubility, &inconsistent absorption rate
Calcium Citrate
• Acidic
• Requires less stomach acid for absorption
• BA~ 40%
• Absorbed 22% (empty stomach) to 27% (food) better than CC
Head & Neck CUP Immunohistochemistry
• p16 - surrogate for HPV-associated oropharyngeal ca
• Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA, associated with nasopharyngeal ca
• Calcitonin for medullary thyroid ca
• Thyroid-transcription factor to distinguish from lung SCC (Lung is positive)
p16 testing and Head and Neck Cancer.
• Immunohistochemistry for over-expression of tumour suppressor protein p16 (cyclin-dependent kinase 2A) is a surrogate biomarker for HPV-mediated cancer
• HPV-E7 oncoprotein binds to Retinoblastoma blocking it from inactivating E2F
(1/3)
• E2F upregulates p16 making it a marker for HPV induced cancers
• Not only is p16 a cheap and simple test to execute; it is an independent prognosticator of outcome
• p16 overexpression is diffuse (≥75%) tumour expression, with moderate (+2/3) staining intensity.
(2/3)
• Most commonly injured nerve in rhytidectomy is Great Auricular nerve.
• Emerges from the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at a point 6.5 cm inferior to the external auditory meatus, also known as McKinney's point.
Salvage laryngectomy complications
Hasan Z et al
Systematic review
Eur J Surg Oncol 2017
· 50 studies, n=3292
· Overall complication rate = 67.5%
· Pharyngocutaneous fistula (28.9%)
· Wound infection (14.1%)
· Pharyngeal stenosis (14.3%)
· Bleeding (5.9%)
· Dysphagia (18.6)
The normal reference range of parathyroid hormone is affected by Vitamin D depletion.
68%True
32%False
40 votes • Final resultsSkeletal Actions of PTH
1. Immediate:
Mobilization of readily available calcium from skeletal stores.
2. Delayed:
Activation of bone resorption leading to more calcium and phosphate release.
(Talmage and Elliott 1958)
Incidence of Laryngeal Malignancy in a 3-year follow up of laryngeal leukoplakia biopsies.
No dysplasia ~4%
Mild/moderate dysplasia ~ 10%
Severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ ~18%
Curative management considerations of locally advanced & metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Claveau et al. 2020
Transoral surgery.
Electrosurgical units have been shown to ignite and propagate fires at 15 W and when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is greater than 50%.
Distant metastasis (DM) in HPV positive oropharyngeal SCC.
• Overall DM rate is 7.0% (95% CI: 5.9–8.2)
• T3 or T4 disease associated with a 5-fold (95% CI: 1.92–12.40) risk of DM compared to T1 or T2 disease
• Most common sites: Lung (61%)>Abdomen>Skin
Crossley et al. 2022



