To compare the efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and nasogastric (NGT) tube administration of enteral nutrition in head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative treatment, the authors conducted a prospective study to compare nutritional outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction. PEG patients sustained significantly less reduction in nutritional parameters, measured at 6 weeks post insertion, as compared with NGT patients. There was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups in patient's quality of life scores and complications. Comparison could not be done at 6 months because all patients were converted to PEG feeding due to the earlier findings. The authors conclude that PEG is more efficacious than NGT as a channel for nutrition in advanced head and neck cancer patients over a short duration.

Objective:Verrucous lesions of the oral cavity can be of varied histopathology. The present study evaluates the clinico-pathological features of verrucous lesions of the oral cavity and analyzes the treatment outcomes.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective study of 15 consecutive patients who presented with verrucous lesions of the oral cavity, during the 5-year period from January 2006 to December 2010. Demographic, clinico-pathological features, treatment details, and outcomes were analyzed.Results:Fifteen patients with verrucous lesions of the oral cavity were treated with surgery as the primary modality. The mean age was 62.8 years (range 35–85 years). Wide excision of the primary lesion with adequate mucosal and soft-tissue margins was carried out. Free-flap reconstruction was done in eight patients. All patients remain loco-regionally controlled with good functional speech and swallowing outcome.Conclusions:Verrucous lesions of the oral cavity are a distinct clinical entity with varied histopathology. A surgical excision with wide margins and appropriate reconstruction is necessary to optimize the disease and functional outcome.

Actinomycosis is a granulomatous and fibrosing disease caused by a Gram-positive, anaerobic, nonacid fast bacterium of the genus Actinomyces.We report an unusual presentation of actinomycosis that involved the frontal sinus. Clinical features, diagnostic criteria, treatment and follow-up are presented.