De-escalating radiotherapy in HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: how much is too little?

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) had a rapidly increasing incidence rate in high-income countries, with a significant increase in cases related to human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV-positive (HPV+) OPSCC has shown better survival rates compared with HPV-negative (HPV-) cases, prompting investigations into de-escalation strategies to reduce or change chemoradiotherapy protocols. We present a case of a patient with HPV+ OPSCC who discontinued chemoradiotherapy after 2 weeks, effectively receiving a de-escalated dose of 18 Gy over nine fractions and only one cycle of cisplatin, subsequently undergoing curative surgical resection with no residual disease in the radiotherapy field 14 years later. This case challenges the concept of standard radiotherapy dosing in HPV+ OPSCC and discusses the implications on future de-escalation trials.

409 Audit of a Patient Satisfaction Survey for a Nasal Fracture Pathway?

Introduction

We present an audit of a patient satisfaction survey assessing the contentment of patients using the nasal fracture pathway created by the ENT department in University Hospital Southampton. This is a patient triggered follow-up pathway where patients presenting to the emergency department for a possible nasal fracture were given an information leaflet to self-refer if needed.

Method

The data collection took place over the phone and ranged from July to August 2021 and consisted of thirty patients. Five of which were not given the leaflet, seven were uncontactable, two did not use it and the remaining fifteen patients took part in the survey.

Results

Of the fifteen patients included 100 % were satisfied with the patient triggered pathway. The following questions were asked. Did you think the leaflet clearly explained when you should seek medical advice? 27 % said excellent, 32% very good, 32% good and 7% fair and none as poor. Did you understand when to contact ENT? 20% reported excellent, 27% very good, 32% good, 14% fair and 7% poor. Next, how easy to read was it? 27% said excellent, 32% very good, 27% good, 7% fair and 7% poor. Lastly, how well designed and formatted was it? 7% reported excellent, 60% very good, 20% good, 7% fair and none as poor.

Conclusions

This pathway was introduced due to Covid restrictions. This audit has demonstrated high user acceptability. There are resource and cost saving implications. Thus, this pathway has potential to be incorporated into routine clinical practise going forward.

1168 Radiotherapy Dose for HPV Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer: What Is Enough?

Aim

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is associated with high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer is often more radiosensitive and first line treatment includes either radiotherapy or surgical resection. Trials are ongoing to establish situations in which radiation doses can be reduced with the aim of reducing late tissue toxicity (“de-escalation trials”) . We report a case in which a patient failed to complete his prescribed radiotherapy treatment, describe his clinical outcomes and the potential questions this situation raises.

Method

In 2009 a male patient presented with a right T2N0MO P16 positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. He was scheduled to complete a course of chemoradiotherapy. However, he was only able to complete a third of the radiotherapy course. Due to unresolved symptoms, he underwent a right transoral laser extended tonsillectomy, however this showed only fibrous tissue.

Results

Despite not completing the radiotherapy course he has not experienced local recurrence of the tonsillar OPSCC 11 years post initial treatment.

Conclusions

This case illustrates that some patients with HPV driven oropharyngeal cancer can have a clinically significant tumour response to markedly lower doses of radiotherapy than is currently recommended. Further randomized controlled trials are required to establish the optimum dose in the management of HPV driven oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer.

Which patellofemoral joint imaging features are associated with patellofemoral pain? Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To review the association between patellofemoral joint (PFJ) imaging features and patellofemoral pain (PFP).

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature from AMED, CiNAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PEDro, EMBASE and SPORTDiscus was undertaken from their inception to September 2014. Studies were eligible if they used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US) or X-ray (XR) to compare PFJ features between a PFP group and an asymptomatic control group in people <45 years of age. A pooled meta-analysis was conducted and data was interpreted using a best evidence synthesis.

RESULTS

Forty studies (all moderate to high quality) describing 1043 people with PFP and 839 controls were included. Two features were deemed to have a large standardised mean difference (SMD) based on meta-analysis: an increased MRI bisect offset at 0° knee flexion under load (0.99; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.49) and an increased CT congruence angle at 15° knee flexion, both under load (1.40 95% CI: 0.04, 2.76) and without load (1.24; 95% CI: 0.37, 2.12). A medium SMD was identified for MRI patella tilt and patellofemoral contact area. Limited evidence was found to support the association of other imaging features with PFP. A sensitivity analysis showed an increase in the SMD for patella bisect offset at 0° knee flexion (1.91; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.52) and patella tilt at 0° knee flexion (0.99; 95% CI: 0.47, 1.52) under full weight bearing.

CONCLUSION

Certain PFJ imaging features were associated with PFP. Future interventional strategies may be targeted at these features.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD 42014009503.

Is reconstruction the best management strategy for anterior cruciate ligament rupture? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction versus non-operative treatment

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal clinical and cost-effective strategy for managing people following ACL rupture.

METHODS

A systematic review of the published (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, psycINFO and the Cochrane Library) and unpublished literature (OpenGrey, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Current Controlled Trials and the UK National Research Register Archive) was conducted on April 2013. All randomised and non-randomised controlled trials evaluating clinical or health economic outcomes of isolated ligament reconstruction versus non-surgical management following ACL rupture were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro appraisal tool. When appropriate, meta-analysis was conducted to pool data.

RESULTS

From a total of 943 citations, sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria. These included 1397 participants, 825 who received ACL reconstruction versus 592 who were managed non-surgically. The methodological quality of the literature was poor. The findings indicated that whilst reconstructed ACL offers significantly greater objective tibiofemoral stability (p<0.001), there appears limited evidence to suggest a superiority between reconstruction versus non-surgical management in functional outcomes. There was a small difference between the management strategies in respect to the development of osteoarthritis during the initial 20 years following index management strategy (Odds Ratio 1.56; p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The current literature is insufficient to base clinical decision-making with respect to treatment opinions for people following ACL rupture. Whilst based on a poor evidence, the current evidence would indicate that people following ACL rupture should receive non-operative interventions before surgical intervention is considered.