In the original version of the Data Descriptor the surname of author Hesham Elhalawani was misspelled. This has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions.

Cross sectional imaging is essential for the patient-specific planning and delivery of radiotherapy, a primary determinant of head and neck cancer outcomes. Due to challenges ensuring data quality and patient de-identification, publicly available datasets including diagnostic and radiation treatment planning imaging are scarce. In this data descriptor, we detail the collection and processing of computed tomography based imaging in 215 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that were treated with radiotherapy. Using cross sectional imaging, we calculated total body skeletal muscle and adipose content before and after treatment. We detail techniques for validating the high quality of these data and describe the processes of data de-identification and transfer. All imaging data are subject- and date-matched to clinical data from each patient, including demographics, risk factors, grade, stage, recurrence, and survival. These data are a valuable resource for studying the association between patient-specific anatomic and metabolic features, treatment planning, and oncologic outcomes, and the first that allows for the integration of body composition as a risk factor or study outcome.

Characterizing the incidence and associated risk factors of ACS with concomitant SCH and forearm fracture patterns can improve clinical understanding and management of pediatric patients.

BackgroundGiven the potential for older patients to experience exaggerated toxicity and symptoms, this study was performed to characterize patient reported outcomes in older patients following definitive radiation therapy (RT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).MethodsCancer-free head and neck cancer survivors (>6 months since treatment completion) were eligible for participation in a questionnaire-based study. Participants completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck module (MDASI-HN). Those patients ≥65 years old at treatment for OPC with definitive RT were included. Individual and overall symptom severity and clinical variables were analyzed.ResultsOf the 79 participants analyzed, 82% were male, 95% white, 41% T3/4 disease, 39% RT alone, 27% induction chemotherapy, 52% concurrent, and 18% both, and 96% IMRT. Median age at RT was 71 yrs. (range: 65–85); median time from RT to MDASI-HN was 46 mos. (2/3 > 24 mos.). The top 5 MDASI-HN items rated most severe in terms of mean (±SD) ratings (0–10 scale) were dry mouth (3.48 ± 2.95), taste (2.81 ± 3.29), swallowing (2.59 ± 2.96), mucus in mouth/throat (2.04 ± 2.68), and choking (1.30 ± 2.38) reported at moderate-severe levels (≥5) by 35, 29, 29, 18, and 13%, respectively. Thirty-nine % reported none (0) or no more than mild (1–4) symptoms across all 22 MDASI-HN symptoms items, and 38% had at least one item rated as severe (≥7). Hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in 3 patient groups: 1) ~65% with ranging from none to moderate symptom burden, 2) ~35% with moderate-severe ratings for a subset of classically RT-related symptoms (e.g. dry mouth, mucus, swallowing) and 3) 2 pts. with severe ratings of most items.ConclusionsThe overall long-term symptom burden seen in this older OPC cohort treated with modern standard therapy was largely favorable, yet a higher symptom group (~35%) with a distinct pattern of mostly local and classically RT-related symptoms was identified.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article doi: (10.1186/s13014-017-0878-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objectives: We aim to report oncologic outcomes after conventional radiotherapy (ConRT) using opposed lateral beams and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for tumor (T)1 nodal (N)0 T1 N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma.Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics for patients treated at our institution during 2000 to 2013.Results: One hundred fifty-three patients (71%) were treated using ConRT and 62 (29%) using IMRT. The median follow-up for all patients was 68 months. There was no statistically significant difference in 5-year local control between patients with T1a versus T1b disease (94% vs. 89%, respectively, P = 0.5). Three-year locoregional control for patients treated with ConRT was 94% compared to 97% with IMRT (P = 0.4). Three-year overall survival (OS) for patients treated with ConRT was 92.5% compared with 100% with IMRT (P = 0.1). Twelve of 14 patients with local recurrence underwent salvage surgery with 5-year ultimate locoregional control of 98.5% and 97.1% in the ConRT and IMRT cohorts, respectively (P = 0.7). Multivariate analysis showed age < 60 years (P < 0.0001) and pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2 (P = 0.0022) to be independent correlates of improved OS. Postradiation cerebrovascular events were in four patients in the ConRT cohort (3%), whereas no patients in the IMRT cohort suffered any events.Conclusion: Because the oncologic outcomes for patients treated with IMRT were excellent and IMRT allows for carotid sparing, we have transitioned to IMRT as our standard for most patients with T1 glottic cancer.

This case report illustrates the complex management of chronic osteomyelitis in pediatric patients, its sequelae, and the importance of considering treatment of atypical pathogens.

Background: MRI is a valuable diagnostic tool in musculoskeletal imaging. However, concerns exist regarding MRI examinations in the presence of metallic implants, including loosening, heating, and migration of the implant, and magnetic field interactions. Few studies have discussed the safety of MRI in the presence of orthopaedic implants, particularly in the immediate postoperative period. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of MRI within 24 hr after orthopaedic hardware implantation and whether MRI may compromise the integrity of fixation. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at a single tertiary care pediatric hospital to identify patients who underwent postoperative MRI after hardware implantation (open reduction and femoral osteotomy) for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip during the 6-year study period. Patient records and follow-up imaging were reviewed to assess time between implantation and postoperative MRI, magnetic field strength, implant type, and patient outcomes. Results: Twenty-eight patients (ages 6 mo to 5 yr) were included in this study, accounting for 32 postoperative MRIs. All MRIs were performed within 8 hr postoperatively (average time to MRI 131 min). Implants consisted of four-hole stainless steel plates and four screws in all patients. No complications were observed regarding implant migration, loosening, nonunion, compromised fixation, or thermal effects to soft tissues. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort studied for the safety of postoperative MRIs, and the only exclusively pediatric study. Based on these findings, we conclude that orthopaedic implants can safely be imaged in the immediate postoperative period.

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