Boston, MA – The 2010 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), the largest meeting of ear, nose, and throat doctors in the world, will convene September 26-29, 2010, in Boston, MA.
Featuring more than 305 scientific research sessions, 594 posters, and several hundred instruction course hours for attendees, the annual meeting is a unique opportunity for journalists from around the world to cover breaking science and medical news. Reporters will have access to the latest research and clinical advances in the field of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery.
Information for the Media
The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Newsroom will be located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 052. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 25, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday-Tuesday, September 26 – 28, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 29, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the news media. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event. To register and view advance press releases, log onto the AAO-HNS website at http://am2010.entnet.org/attendees/press.cfm.
Massive Facial Trauma Following IED Blasts in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Presenters: Nathan Salinas, MD; Joseph Brennan, MD; Mark Gibbons, MD
Time: 11: 15 am
Location: Room 206AB
Boston, MA – Despite modern body armor, face, eye and brain injuries account for a significant percentage of improvised explosive device-related traumas sustained by United States military service members.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed a retrospective review of American military members who sustained traumatic facial injuries from improvised explosive devices and were treated at the 332nd Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq from October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2007.
One hundred and four representative patients who sustained facial trauma from improvised explosive device blasts were reviewed, including 75 patients with facial trauma and 29 patients meeting the criteria for massive facial trauma. The forehead, cheeks, and nose were the most commonly injured facial parts in the massive facial trauma group.
Race as a Social Construct in Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes
Presenters: Maria Worsham, PhD, FACMG; George Divine, PhD; Rick Kittles, PhD
Time: 11:39 am
Location: Room 210B
Boston, MA – Racial differences in diagnosis and prognosis outcomes in head and neck squamous cancer (HNSCC) are usually based on self-reported race, which does not allow for the critical scientific investigation of biological factors.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that only self-reported race was associated with the stage of cancer. Stratification within the African American group by individual ancestry showed no correlation with stage or survival, suggesting that race as a risk factor for head and neck cancer outcomes are likely due to social determinants rather than biological differences.
Compliance and Quality of Life in Patients on Voice Rest
Presenters: Bernard Rousseau, PhD; Seth Cohen, MD, MPH; Amy Zeller, MS, CCC-SLP; Andrew Tritter; Gaelyn Garrett, MD
Time: 11:38 am
Location: Room 259AB
Boston, MA – This study attempted to determine patient compliance with prescribed voice rest and to determine the impact of voice rest on quality of life (QOL).
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that self-reported compliance with voice rest recommendations was low. Given the poor patient compliance and significant impact of voice rest on voice-related QOL, further studies are warranted to examine the efficacy of voice rest, as well as factors that may contribute to patient non-compliance with voice rest recommendations.
Cochlear Implantation Using Thin Film Array Electrodes
Presenters: Kenneth Iverson, MD; Pamela Bhatti, PhD; Jessica Falcone, BS; Brian McKinnon, MD, MBA
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Room 254
Boston, MA – Current limitations in language perception may stem from an inability to provide high resolution sound input. Thin film array technology allows for a greater density of stimulating sites within the limited diameter of the scala tympani. This study examines the use of a flexible carrier to achieve adequate depth of insertion.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed ten thin film array electrodes were successfully implanted into 10 individual temporal bones via round window (5) and cochleostomy (5) approaches. Thin film array electrodes coupled with an ITD were successfully inserted into the human cochlea, with limited trauma.
Intraoperative Use of OCT in Endocrine Surgery
Presenters: William B. Armstrong, MD; Kaveh Naemi, DO; Suzanne Keel, MD; Brian Wong, MD, PhD; Jason H Kim, MD
Time: 10:46 am
Location: Room 259AB
Boston, MA – The study attempted to determine the feasibility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to image and identify thyroid and parathyroid glands, fat, and lymph nodes in the neck during endocrine surgery. OCT is a high resolution optical imaging modality that generates cross-sectional views. in turbid media such as living tissue, with resolution approaching that of light microscopy. OCT relies upon intrinsic differences in tissue optical properties for image contrast.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed the first study to systematically use OCT to differentiate thyroid and parathyroid glands from other structures in the neck. OCT can be used to evaluate these structures, which can be then confirmed with histopathologic evaluation via frozen or permanent sections.
PTPN13 Expression Correlates with Survival in HPV, HNSCC
Presenters: George Harris, MD; Aaron Bossler, MD, PhD
Time: 11:32 am
Location: Room 259
Boston, MA – The human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogene E6 has been shown to perform multiple functions (p53 degradation, telomerase activation, etc.) that play a role in oncogenic transformation. Beyond known E6 functions, a recently defined mechanism that allows cellular invasion requires the E6 PDZ binding motif (PDZBM) to induce loss of a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN13) in a PDZBM-dependent manner.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that patients who develop HNSCC associated with HPV, without the additional genetic hit associated with abnormal PTPN13, have improved survival, possibly related to fewer genetic changes. Analyzing PTPN13 status in HPV-positive HNSCC may identify those patients who will have better survival, or conversely, those patients who may require additional treatment.
About the AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 11,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's vision: "Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care."