Laser-induced interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a preferred method of minimally invasive therapy. MRI is a noninvasive method by which to monitor the thermal effects of LITT. To properly control such effects, changes in MRI parameters during and after LITT should be correlated with changes in the tissue. T1-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) MRI (1 image/10 seconds) at 1.5 T monitored LITT in vivo in rabbit liver (n = 6) using an interstitial bare delivery fiber (600-microm diameter; 3.0 W; 1,064 nm; 150 seconds). During laser irradiation, MRI signal intensity decreased around the fiber tip; after irradiation, this hypointensity proved reversible and permanent lesions were evident. The lesions had hyperintense margins that were brighter than surrounding normal tissue (P < .001); the tissue in these bright regions was mapped to tissue necrosis characterized by the presence of thermally damaged ghost red blood cells amid generally normal hepatocytes. T1-FSE identified the spatial extent of the LITT lesions.

Background Temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN; RhinAer) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic rhinitis. Objective To determine clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) following TCRF neurolysis of the PNN. Methods A prospective single-arm study of 129 patients with chronic rhinitis at 16 medical centers in the United States and Germany. Results The mean 24-h reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) improved from 7.8 (95% CI, 7.5-8.1) at baseline to 3.6 (95% CI, 3.2-4.0) at 3 months and continued to improve to 2.9 (95% CI, 2.5-3.3) at 6 months ( p < .001 comparing follow-up to baseline and p = .002 comparing 3 and 6 months). This represents 53.8% improvement over baseline at 3 months and 62.8% improvement at 6 months. Rhinorrhea, congestion, sneezing, and itching subscores and postnasal drip and cough scores were all significantly improved over baseline at both timepoints. At 3 months, 76.2% (95% CI, 68.1%-82.8%) of patients achieved a minimal clinically important difference of ≥30% improvement in rTNSS over baseline and the percentage was higher at 6 months (83.5% [95% CI, 75.8%-89.0%]). At 3 months, 80.3% (95% CI, 72.6%-86.3%) reported a minimal clinically important difference of ≥0.4-point improvement in the mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire score, and the percentage was higher at 6 months; 87.7% (95% CI, 80.7%-92.4%). There were no serious adverse events with a relationship to the device/procedure reported through 6 months. Conclusion In this large, multicenter study, TCRF neurolysis of the PNN was safe and resulted in a significant reduction in rhinitis symptom burden at 3 months that was sustained/improved through 6 months. The majority of patients reported a clinically relevant improvement in QoL at 3 and 6 months postprocedure.

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a malignant neoplasm that tends to follow a benign clinical course. Recurrences are uncommon. We report a case of recurrent PLGA of the paranasal sinuses that manifested as a large mass that filled the entire nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a recurrent PLGA of the paranasal sinuses.

Anomalies of the bran chial appa ratus occ ur with some fre quency in the adult andpediatric populations. Bran chial anomalies are most often derivatives ofthe fi rst or seco nd pouch. Bra nchial anomalies invol ving the third pouch may present as cysts, sinuses.fistulas, and ectopic glands. They are relati vely rare, and they respond well to surgical removal. We report the case ofa 53-yea r-old woman who lVas ref erred to us fo r evaluation ofa persistent left upper neck mas s. The p atient had no history of a cervica l mass as a child or yo ung adu lt. The mass was exc ised uneventf ully, and the fi na l pathology revealed a normoc ellular parath yroid gland and thymic tissue.

Few studies have evaluated the degree of xerostomia in long-term cancer survivors or its impact on quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to objectively measure the degree of xerostomia and to determine the effect of xerostomia POSTERS Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Volume 131 Number 2 Research Posters P183