Objective:To investigate the correlations between primary location and other clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with cervical lymph node metastasis, providing evidence for optimizing surgical strategies.Methods:A total of 805 patients with unifocal PTC who underwent surgical treatment at the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2015 to March 16, 2025, were included. Data on gender, age, tumor location and size, preoperative ultrasound findings, and postoperative pathological diagnosis were collected. The associations between clinical characteristics and lymph node metastasis in the central compartment (Level Ⅵ) and lateral neck (Levels Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were analyzed. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Results:Among the 805 PTC patients, 363 (45.1%) had lymph node metastasis, including 44 (5.5%) in Level Ⅱ, 64 (8.0%) in Level Ⅲ, 79 (9.8%) in Level Ⅳ, and 345 (42.9%) in Level Ⅵ, with Level Ⅵ showing the highest metastasis rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex ( OR=1.43, P=0.031), age <55 years ( OR=2.02, P<0.001), tumor located in the lower pole ( OR=1.88, P<0.001), and tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=3.15, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for Level Ⅵ metastasis. Male sex ( OR=4.20, P=0.006) and tumor located in the upper pole ( OR=6.78, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for Level Ⅱ metastasis. Tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=2.77, P=0.006) was an independent risk factor for Level Ⅳ metastasis. Age <55 years ( OR=6.00, P=0.003), tumor located in the upper pole ( OR=2.17, P=0.002), and tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=3.65, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for metastasis involving >5 lymph nodes. Patients with tumors in the isthmus had a significantly higher Level VI metastasis rate (85.7%, 12/14) compared to those with tumors in the thyroid lobes (42.2%, 334/791, P=0.001), and a higher rate of bilateral Level Ⅵ metastasis (35.7%, 5/14 vs. 5.1%, 40/791, P<0.001). Conclusions:Lymph node metastasis in PTC is closely associated with tumor location and size. Tumors in the lower pole primarily metastasize to Level Ⅵ, whereas those in the upper pole are more likely to metastasize to Level Ⅱ. For low-risk PTC confined to the thyroid lobe, lobectomy with isthmusectomy and central lymph node dissection is recommended. For isthmic tumors, total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection is advised. Male patients with upper pole tumors require careful preoperative evaluation of Level Ⅱ lymph node involvement. For patients aged <55 years with tumors >1.0 cm in the upper pole, individualized treatment strategies should be formulated based on additional high-risk factors.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the features of retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD) and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Botulinum toxin-A as a treatment for RCPD.Methods:Twenty-two RCPD patients admitted between February 2024 and November 2024 were included through online and offline methods in The Sixth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital (15 males, 7 females, age range, 14-34 years; mean age 25.0±5.2 years). The general condition, symptoms, severity scores, and auxiliary examinations were summarized and analyzed. Operative results and postoperative complications of RCPD patients treated with Botulinum toxin-A were analyzed.Results:All patients could not burp since early childhood, followed by gurgling noises, abdominal flatulence, laryngopharyngeal foreign body sensation, and cervical constriction. The most severe symptom was the inability to burp with a mean score of 4.8. Seven patients who received botulinum toxin injections under the supporting laryngoscopes started burping six days post-operation. With a median follow-up of 5 months, all patients achieved the ability to belch. In none of these seven cases, intraoperative complications were noted including hoarseness, choking cough when drinking water, or dyspnea. One patient experienced laryngopharyngeal reflux and six patients had dysphagia, which were relieved at 1 week and 24.8 days postoperatively.Conclusion:RCPD is a disease characterized by the inability to burp, cricopharyngeal muscle injection by Botulinum toxin-A is effective and safe.

Objective:To determine appropriate cutoff values for evaluating hypoxemia severity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:This cross-sectional study selected data from 1, 781 young patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent polysomnography in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to June 2023. The cohort included 1, 604 males and 177 females, with a mean age of (32.6±5.3) years. The relationship between the minimum arterial oxygen saturation (MSaO 2) and the prevalence of hypertension in this population was investigated. Subjects were categorized into seven groups based on MSaO 2 levels: Group 1 (MSaO 2≥90%), Group 2 (85%≤MSaO 2<90%), Group 3 (80%≤MSaO 2<85%), Group 4 (75%≤MSaO 2<80%), Group 5 (70%≤MSaO 2<75%), Group 6 (65%≤MSaO 2<70%), and Group 7 (MSaO 2<65%). The prevalence of hypertension in each group was statistically analyzed, and the chi-square test was used to identify significant differences in hypertension prevalence. The diagnostic performance of the new versus traditional grouping methods was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results:Among the 1, 781 OSA patients, 915 had hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in Groups 1 to 7 was 27.8%, 42.4%, 52.2%, 54.1%, 59.5%, 70.5%, and 75.4%, respectively. Significant differences in hypertension prevalence were observed between Group 1 and other groups, Group 2 and Groups 5-7, Group 3 and Groups 6-7, and Group 4 and Group 7( χ2=187.94, P<0.001). After merging the groups based on MSaO 2 thresholds of≥90%, 90%>MSaO 2≥85%, 85%>MSaO 2≥75%, and MSaO 2<75%, the prevalence of hypertension in the new groups was 27.8%, 42.4%, 53.0%, and 71.2%, respectively, with significant differences between adjacent groups( χ2=178.99, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the new grouping method (0.676) was higher than that for the original grouping method (0.664). Conclusions:As hypoxemia severity increases in OSA, so does the prevalence of comorbid hypertension. Using MSaO 2 cutoff values of 90%, 85%, and 75% to categorize hypoxemia severity appears more appropriate compared to the existing guideline values of 90%, 85%, and 80%.

Objective:To study the characteristics of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) events in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed OSA patients who were admitted in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between November 2020 to July 2023[OSA group, 52 males, 6 females, aged 23-69 (41.22±11.42) years], and non-OSA patients admitted during the same period serve as the control group[non-OSA group, 40 males, 1 female, aged 21-68 (45.12±11.30) years]. All participants completed the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS) scale, and 24-hour Hypopharyngeal Esophageal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH (HEMII-pH) monitoring. LPR events were categorized based on their physical composition-liquid, gas, or gas-liquid mixed, according to the change of impedance values; and further classified by pH levels as acidic, weakly acidic, or alkaline. Differences in LPR events physical properties and the time trends of LPR events between the two groups were compared. Group comparisons were performed using t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Analyses were conducted using Pearson, Spearman, or Kendall′s tau-b correlation analysis. Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square test. Results:A total of 99 patients were enrolled, including 58 with OSA and 41 without OSA. Of these, 88.89% (88/99) met the diagnostic criteria for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). In LPRD patients, the median proportion of non gas reflux events and the number of alkaline reflux were significantly higher in the OSA with LPRD group than in the non OSA with LPRD group (70.00% vs 36.36%, 0 vs 0, Z-values respectively -3.373, -3.134, P<0.01). Liquid reflux proportion and the number of both liquid and mixed reflux events showed a positive correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ( r-values respectively 0.304, 0.326, 0.268, P<0.05), while the gas reflux constituent ratio was inversely correlated with AHI ( r=-0.358, P<0.01). The frequency and proportion of nocturnal reflux events showed a positive correlation with AHI ( r-values respectively 0.250, 0.211, P<0.05). A significantly higher proportion of OSA with LPRD group experienced both daytime and nighttime reflux compared to non OSA with LPRD group (66.67% vs 38.71%, P<0.05). In LPRD patients, over 50% of all LPR events occurred within 3 hours after each of the three main meals. Conclusions:In OSA with LPRD patients, LPR events are predominantly non gas in nature. OSA with LPRD patients exhibits a higher proportion and frequency of nocturnal reflux events and a greater number of alkaline reflux episodes compared to non OSA with LPRD patients.

Objective:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics and polysomnography (PSG) features of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) of different ages.Methods:From January 2015 to March 2024, the patients who underwent overnight PSG monitoring at the Sleep Respiratory Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital were sequentially enrolled.A total of 4 396 patients[aged from 18 to 97(46.04±12.60)years] with OSA who met the criteria were finally enrolled and divided into the youth group (18-44 years old, n=2 099), middle-aged group (45-59 years old, n=1 641), and elderly group (≥60 years old, n=656).The differences in general condition, Epworth sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, rapid eye movement sleep (REM) sleep time in total sleep time, micro-awakening index, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), minimum oxygen saturation at night (LSpO 2), oxygen hypoxia index (ODI) and so on were compared.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between age stratification and different severity of OSA (mild 5≤AHI≤15, moderate 1530, Times per hour). Results:The neck circumference [(39.11±3.71) cm], body mass index [BMI, (26.63±3.70) kg/m2], total sleep time [(386.13±66.09) min], the percentage of deep sleep in total sleep time [(3.05±4.80)%], the percentage of REM sleep time in total sleep time [(16.73±6.83)%], apnea-hypopnea index [AHI, (31.17±19.20) events/h], oxygen desaturation index [ODI, (46.57±33.54) events/h], microarousal index [(14.82±12.27) events/h], and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score (8.29±5.92) in the elderly group were all lower than those in the young group [neck circumference (41.36±3.37) cm, BMI (28.55±4.21) kg/m2, total sleep time [(424.67±62.21) min], the percentage of deep sleep in total sleep time (5.89±6.79)%, the percentage of REM sleep time in total sleep time (17.95±6.67)%, AHI (39.55±27.89) events/h, ODI (61.88±34.60) events/h, microarousal index (22.77±19.31) events/h, ESS score (9.63±5.82)] and the middle-aged group [neck circumference (40.75±3.59) cm, BMI (27.89±3.55)kg/m2, total sleep time [(410.98±63.02)min], the percentage of deep sleep in total sleep time (3.59±5.11)%, the percentage of REM sleep time in total sleep time (17.47±6.63)%, AHI (36.01±23.63) events/h, ODI (57.20±34.75) events/h, microarousal index (19.23±15.59) events/h, ESS score (9.98±6.11)], with F values of 102.62, 62.15, 95.87, 95.94, 8.71, 29.60, 49.72, 59.11, and 19.03, respectively, and all P values were <0.001. The proportion of females [29.57% (94/656)], the proportion of patients with hypertension [37.20% (244/656)], and the nocturnal LSpO 2 [(79.09±9.88)%] in the elderly group were all higher than those in the young group [proportion of females [6.48% (136/2 099)], proportion of patients with hypertension 18.10% (380/2 099), nocturnal LSpO 2(75.19±12.90)%] and the middle-aged group [proportion of females [15.84%(260/1 641)], proportion of patients with hypertension 33.09% (543/1 641), nocturnal LSpO 2(76.15±12.44)%], with F values of 242.62, 150.90, and 25.05, respectively, and all P values were <0.001.There were no significant differences in neck circumference, percentage of REM sleep time in total sleep time, AHI and LSpO 2 at night between young and middle-aged groups ( P>0.05). After adjusting for gender, neck circumference, BMI, and hypertension confounders, the risk of severe OSA in the older group was increased by 27.4% compared with the younger group ( OR=1.274, 95% CI=1.036-1.566, P<0.05). Further stratified analysis showed that neck circumference and BMI were independent factors for severe OSA in the young and middle-aged groups ( P<0.01), while, only neck circumference was independently associated with severe OSA in the elderly group (OR=1.119, 95% CI=1.039-1.207, P<0.01). Conclusion:The severity of OSA in young and middle-aged patients is more serious than that in elderly patients. Obesity is an important factor affecting the degree of OSA in young and middle-aged patients. After controlling for confounding factors such as obesity, the risk of severe OSA in elderly patients is higher than that in young patients, which is considered to be related to factors such as pharyngeal collapse and relaxation of pharyngeal muscles.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of glottic closure in preventing postoperative aspiration in elderly patients undergoing supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 elderly patients who underwent supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy with concurrent glottic closure at the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2024. Among them, there were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 68 to 80 years, with an average age of 74 years. There were 11 cases of supraglottic laryngeal cancer and 1 case of tongue base cancer. The TNM staging was T2N0M0 in 8 cases, T3N0M0 in 2 cases, T3N1M0 in 1 case, and T3N2M0 in 1 case. All patients existed comorbid cardiovascular dysfunction of varying severity. Pulmonary function tests were impaired in 8 cases. Comorbidities included hypertension ( n=5), prior coronary stent placement ( n=3), and thrombocytopenia ( n=1). Swallowing function was assessed using the EAT-10 (Eating Assessment Tool-10) one month postoperatively. All patients were followed up regularly. Results:The mean EAT-10 score at one month postoperatively was 2.42±1.71. Eleven patients successfully resumed oral feeding without obvious aspiration. Voice quality was intelligible when the tracheostomy tube was blocked. In the early stage, in 1 case, due to the suture technique problem of the glottis closure, the suture site of the glottis completely split open after the operation. The patient′s breathing was normal when the tube was blocked, and the tracheostomy tube was removed. As arytenoid edema resolved, the patient developed varying degrees of dysphagia with recurrent aspiration. This patient was hospitalized twice due to aspiration pneumonia, at 5 months and 19 months, postoperatively. The remaining 11 patients exhibited no signs of significant aspiration during follow-up. The 3-year and 5-year postoperative survival rates were 7/8 and 5/7, respectively.Conclusion:For elderly patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer or tongue base cancer, and those who are at high risk for persistent postoperative aspiration after fully evaluated systematically, glottis closure during supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy is an effective strategy to prevent aspiration and to facilitate safe oral intake.

Objective:To investigate the correlations between primary location and other clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with cervical lymph node metastasis, providing evidence for optimizing surgical strategies.Methods:A total of 805 patients with unifocal PTC who underwent surgical treatment at the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2015 to March 16, 2025, were included. Data on gender, age, tumor location and size, preoperative ultrasound findings, and postoperative pathological diagnosis were collected. The associations between clinical characteristics and lymph node metastasis in the central compartment (Level Ⅵ) and lateral neck (Levels Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were analyzed. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Results:Among the 805 PTC patients, 363 (45.1%) had lymph node metastasis, including 44 (5.5%) in Level Ⅱ, 64 (8.0%) in Level Ⅲ, 79 (9.8%) in Level Ⅳ, and 345 (42.9%) in Level Ⅵ, with Level Ⅵ showing the highest metastasis rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex ( OR=1.43, P=0.031), age <55 years ( OR=2.02, P<0.001), tumor located in the lower pole ( OR=1.88, P<0.001), and tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=3.15, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for Level Ⅵ metastasis. Male sex ( OR=4.20, P=0.006) and tumor located in the upper pole ( OR=6.78, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for Level Ⅱ metastasis. Tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=2.77, P=0.006) was an independent risk factor for Level Ⅳ metastasis. Age <55 years ( OR=6.00, P=0.003), tumor located in the upper pole ( OR=2.17, P=0.002), and tumor size >1.0 cm ( OR=3.65, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for metastasis involving >5 lymph nodes. Patients with tumors in the isthmus had a significantly higher Level VI metastasis rate (85.7%, 12/14) compared to those with tumors in the thyroid lobes (42.2%, 334/791, P=0.001), and a higher rate of bilateral Level Ⅵ metastasis (35.7%, 5/14 vs. 5.1%, 40/791, P<0.001). Conclusions:Lymph node metastasis in PTC is closely associated with tumor location and size. Tumors in the lower pole primarily metastasize to Level Ⅵ, whereas those in the upper pole are more likely to metastasize to Level Ⅱ. For low-risk PTC confined to the thyroid lobe, lobectomy with isthmusectomy and central lymph node dissection is recommended. For isthmic tumors, total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection is advised. Male patients with upper pole tumors require careful preoperative evaluation of Level Ⅱ lymph node involvement. For patients aged <55 years with tumors >1.0 cm in the upper pole, individualized treatment strategies should be formulated based on additional high-risk factors.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of glottic closure in preventing postoperative aspiration in elderly patients undergoing supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 elderly patients who underwent supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy with concurrent glottic closure at the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2024. Among them, there were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 68 to 80 years, with an average age of 74 years. There were 11 cases of supraglottic laryngeal cancer and 1 case of tongue base cancer. The TNM staging was T2N0M0 in 8 cases, T3N0M0 in 2 cases, T3N1M0 in 1 case, and T3N2M0 in 1 case. All patients existed comorbid cardiovascular dysfunction of varying severity. Pulmonary function tests were impaired in 8 cases. Comorbidities included hypertension ( n=5), prior coronary stent placement ( n=3), and thrombocytopenia ( n=1). Swallowing function was assessed using the EAT-10 (Eating Assessment Tool-10) one month postoperatively. All patients were followed up regularly. Results:The mean EAT-10 score at one month postoperatively was 2.42±1.71. Eleven patients successfully resumed oral feeding without obvious aspiration. Voice quality was intelligible when the tracheostomy tube was blocked. In the early stage, in 1 case, due to the suture technique problem of the glottis closure, the suture site of the glottis completely split open after the operation. The patient′s breathing was normal when the tube was blocked, and the tracheostomy tube was removed. As arytenoid edema resolved, the patient developed varying degrees of dysphagia with recurrent aspiration. This patient was hospitalized twice due to aspiration pneumonia, at 5 months and 19 months, postoperatively. The remaining 11 patients exhibited no signs of significant aspiration during follow-up. The 3-year and 5-year postoperative survival rates were 7/8 and 5/7, respectively.Conclusion:For elderly patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer or tongue base cancer, and those who are at high risk for persistent postoperative aspiration after fully evaluated systematically, glottis closure during supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy is an effective strategy to prevent aspiration and to facilitate safe oral intake.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the features of retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD) and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Botulinum toxin-A as a treatment for RCPD.Methods:Twenty-two RCPD patients admitted between February 2024 and November 2024 were included through online and offline methods in The Sixth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital (15 males, 7 females, age range, 14-34 years; mean age 25.0±5.2 years). The general condition, symptoms, severity scores, and auxiliary examinations were summarized and analyzed. Operative results and postoperative complications of RCPD patients treated with Botulinum toxin-A were analyzed.Results:All patients could not burp since early childhood, followed by gurgling noises, abdominal flatulence, laryngopharyngeal foreign body sensation, and cervical constriction. The most severe symptom was the inability to burp with a mean score of 4.8. Seven patients who received botulinum toxin injections under the supporting laryngoscopes started burping six days post-operation. With a median follow-up of 5 months, all patients achieved the ability to belch. In none of these seven cases, intraoperative complications were noted including hoarseness, choking cough when drinking water, or dyspnea. One patient experienced laryngopharyngeal reflux and six patients had dysphagia, which were relieved at 1 week and 24.8 days postoperatively.Conclusion:RCPD is a disease characterized by the inability to burp, cricopharyngeal muscle injection by Botulinum toxin-A is effective and safe.

Objective:To determine appropriate cutoff values for evaluating hypoxemia severity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:This cross-sectional study selected data from 1, 781 young patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent polysomnography in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to June 2023. The cohort included 1, 604 males and 177 females, with a mean age of (32.6±5.3) years. The relationship between the minimum arterial oxygen saturation (MSaO 2) and the prevalence of hypertension in this population was investigated. Subjects were categorized into seven groups based on MSaO 2 levels: Group 1 (MSaO 2≥90%), Group 2 (85%≤MSaO 2<90%), Group 3 (80%≤MSaO 2<85%), Group 4 (75%≤MSaO 2<80%), Group 5 (70%≤MSaO 2<75%), Group 6 (65%≤MSaO 2<70%), and Group 7 (MSaO 2<65%). The prevalence of hypertension in each group was statistically analyzed, and the chi-square test was used to identify significant differences in hypertension prevalence. The diagnostic performance of the new versus traditional grouping methods was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results:Among the 1, 781 OSA patients, 915 had hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in Groups 1 to 7 was 27.8%, 42.4%, 52.2%, 54.1%, 59.5%, 70.5%, and 75.4%, respectively. Significant differences in hypertension prevalence were observed between Group 1 and other groups, Group 2 and Groups 5-7, Group 3 and Groups 6-7, and Group 4 and Group 7( χ2=187.94, P<0.001). After merging the groups based on MSaO 2 thresholds of≥90%, 90%>MSaO 2≥85%, 85%>MSaO 2≥75%, and MSaO 2<75%, the prevalence of hypertension in the new groups was 27.8%, 42.4%, 53.0%, and 71.2%, respectively, with significant differences between adjacent groups( χ2=178.99, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the new grouping method (0.676) was higher than that for the original grouping method (0.664). Conclusions:As hypoxemia severity increases in OSA, so does the prevalence of comorbid hypertension. Using MSaO 2 cutoff values of 90%, 85%, and 75% to categorize hypoxemia severity appears more appropriate compared to the existing guideline values of 90%, 85%, and 80%.