Association Between Allele Frequency and Aggressive Behavior in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (MPTC), a subset of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), is increasingly detected with advanced imaging. While most MPTCs are indolent, some exhibit aggressive behavior, complicating clinical management. The mutation, common in PTC, is linked to aggressive features, and its allele frequency (AF) may serve as a biomarker for tumor aggressiveness.

Stented and non-stented endoscopic techniques in bilateral choanal atresia repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bilateral choanal atresia is a rare congenital obstruction of the posterior nasal apertures that causes severe respiratory distress and feeding difficulties in neonates and infants. While endoscopic surgical repair is the standard of care, the use of postoperative nasal stents remains controversial due to potential complications.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared outcomes of stented versus non-stented endoscopic approaches in bilateral choanal atresia to evaluate efficacy and safety for pediatric clinical decision-making.

Pitch Alteration Techniques for Transgender Women: A Systematic Review of Surgical and Nonsurgical Approaches.

Objective: To systematically evaluate and compare the effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical pitch elevation techniques in transgender women using acoustic outcomes and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Comprehensive searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and gray literature were completed through January 2025.

3D Printing in Nasal Reconstruction: Application-Based Evidence on What Works, When, and Why.

Nasal reconstruction requires a balance between aesthetic and functional restoration. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing have introduced new approaches to this field, enabling precise, patient-specific interventions. This review explores the applications, benefits, and challenges of integrating 3D printing in nasal reconstruction.

Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Predicts Treatment Toxicity and Intolerance in Operable Head and Neck Cancer: An Ambispective Cohort Study.

Background: Pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a negative prognostic marker for survival in head and neck cancer (HNC). Its association with treatment toxicity and intolerance in patients undergoing curative-intent surgery is unknown.

Methods: Ambispective study of patients with operable stage II-IV, HPV-negative HNC treated at two academic hospitals.

Validation of the Reflux Symptom Index in French-Speaking Quebec Patients.

ImportanceThere is a need to culturally adapt this commonly used patient-reported outcome measure, the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), for use in Canada and Quebec's French population.ObjectiveTo translate and validate the RSI for use in Quebec French speakers, ensuring reliability and validity within this population.DesignProspective case-control study.

Body Image Distress and Depression in Head and Neck Cancer Patients- a Narrative Review.

Unlabelled: Body image distress (BID) and depression are significant psychosocial concerns in individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC). The unique physical and functional challenges associated with HNC contribute to alterations in self-perception and quality of life. However, the interplay between BID and depression remains underexplored in this patient population.

Impact of Molecular Testing on Surgical Decision-Making in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent Advancements.

: The management of indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III/IV) has evolved with molecular testing, aiming to reduce unnecessary surgeries. However, the comparative effectiveness of different platforms in influencing surgical decision-making remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the impact of molecular testing on surgical avoidance rates.

Lung Cancer Surveillance for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) are at a greater risk of developing pulmonary metastases and/or second primary lung cancer. However, it remains uncertain whether lung screening in these patients, when the initial staging studies are negative, confers any survival benefit.

Objective: To evaluate long-term cancer survival outcomes in patients with HNSCC undergoing chest radiography vs low-dose computed tomography screening for pulmonary metastasis and/or second primary lung cancer.

The impact of social media on sleep journals: analyzing the correlation between altmetrics and citation count.

Purpose: The assessment of scientific articles is essential for making informed decisions regarding promotion, tenure, and funding, as well as for identifying influential research within a specific field. Traditional metrics like citation count have been the standard for evaluating the reach and influence of publications, but they have limitations. A new web-based metric-the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS)-offers a dynamic analysis of online engagement through social media platforms, including X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.

Emergency Airway Management: A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Cognitive Aids in Improving Outcomes and Provider Performance.

Emergency airway management is a critical skill for healthcare professionals, particularly in life-threatening situations like "cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate" (CICO) scenarios. Errors and delays in airway management can lead to adverse outcomes, including hypoxia and death. Cognitive aids, such as checklists and algorithms, have been proposed as tools to improve decision-making, procedural competency, and non-technical skills in these high-stakes environments.

Coblation Versus Radiofrequency for Tongue Base Reduction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety profile of coblation tongue base reduction (CBTR) compared to radiofrequency base of tongue (RFBOT) reduction on sleep-related outcomes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases.

Review Methods: Literature search by 2 independent authors was conducted using the abovementioned databases.

Surgeon versus radiologist: an inter-rater reliability analysis of the CLOSE checklist for preoperative CT sinus assessment.

Purpose: To assess the inter-rater agreement of the Cribriform plate, Lamina papyracea, Onodi cell, Sphenoid sinus pneumatization, and Ethmoidal artery (CLOSE) checklist results among rhinology & skull-base surgeons and a head and neck-neuroradiology specialist for pre-operative computed tomography (CT) sinus assessment.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed 50 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the period between January 2013 and March 2014 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada. According to the CLOSE checklist, the CT scans were evaluated independently by one surgeon and one radiologist using the InteleRadiology Picture Archiving and Communication System (IntelePACS).

A Scoping Review of Patient Health-Related Quality of Life Following Surgery or Molecular Testing for Individuals with Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules.

Background: Molecular testing can reduce the need for diagnostic thyroidectomy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. However, the health-related quality of life in patients managed with molecular testing is not well studied.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to identify and analyze the health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules who are expected to undergo or have undergone surgery or molecular testing.

Ki-67 Labelling Index as a Predictor of Invasive Features in Thyroid Cancer: Retrospective Analysis and Implications.

Background: Ki-67 immunostaining is commonly used in neuroendocrine tumors to estimate the proliferative index and for grading. This study investigates its association with the invasiveness of follicular-derived thyroid carcinomas (TCs).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with TC at three McGill University teaching hospitals between January 2018 and November 2023 was conducted.

Alternative Therapies for Ankyloglossia-Associated Breastfeeding Challenges: A Systematic Review.

Ankyloglossia (AG) diagnoses are increasingly common, and management is not standardized. Nonsurgical alternative therapies are frequently recommended in conjunction with or instead of frenotomy, with uncertain evidence. To evaluate the efficacy of nonsurgical alternative therapies (chiropractic care, myofunctional therapy, and osteopathy) in improving breastfeeding for infants diagnosed with AG.

Minding the gaps: assessing and addressing clinical research core competencies across a network of Canadian cancer centres.

The Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN, the Network), established in 2014 to address the decline in academic cancer clinical trials' (ACCT) activity, has successfully achieved incremental year-over-year accrual targets as well as implemented recognized performance measures and supports for improving efficiency and quality of trial activities at member sites across Canada. As part of efforts to address ongoing challenges of staff recruitment, retention, and turnover in academic institutions that have been more recently exacerbated by the pandemic, the Network's Performance Strategy Sub-Committee (PSC) oversaw surveys of site clinical research professionals intended to capture workforce development status and identify knowledge gaps using the Joint Task Force Core Competency Framework (JTF CCF) as the standard basis for assessment. Accountable to the 3CTN Management Committee, the PSC consists of clinical research operations experts across Canada responsible for overseeing implementation and monitoring progress of this initiative.