Forty-one cervicofacial vascular anomalies and their surgical treatment--retrospection and review

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Haemangiomas in children usually involute spontaneously and surgical treatment is exceptional. Vascular malformations do not regress spontaneously and resection may become necessary. We present a series of surgically treated face and neck vascular anomalies during a 9-year period, assessing the epidemiology, presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic modalities, indications for surgery, treatment methods and clinical outcome post-treatment.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>The medical and pathological records of all patients with cervicofacial vascular anomalies treated surgically at our department from 1997 to 2005 were retrospectively reviewed in relation to current evidence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-one patients were identified. Of these, 9 patients had haemangiomas and the remaining 32 had a variety of vascular malformations. Cervicofacial vascular anomalies were most commonly located at the lip. Atypical looking vascular anomalies like masseteric intramuscular haemangiomas and parotid malformations were diagnostic problems. All 41 had surgical excision of their vascular anomalies for troubling symptoms, cosmesis or diagnostic purpose. For cervicofacial arteriovenous malformations, 28% were classified as Schobinger stage I, 50% stage II, and the remainder stage III. Combined embolisation-resection was used to treat 6 arteriovenous malformations (stage II to III) and of these, 3 required flap reconstruction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Accurate diagnosis distinguishing between cervicofacial haemangiomas and vascular malformations is key to best treatment. The diagnosis can usually be made by history and physical examination aided by early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although cervicofacial haemangiomas can be managed conservatively or with medical therapy, surgery is indicated for preventing psychological distress and in cases of chronic aesthetic alteration resulting from partial regression. Aesthetic concerns and prevention of psychosocial distress point to early excision of venous malformation as the treatment of choice. Lymphatic malformations are best treated by excision. Outcome after excision of localised cervicofacial haemangiomas and low-flow vascular malformations is excellent. Large extensive low-flow malformations as well as those located at the lips may require multiple procedures including reconstruction; patients should be informed that the outcome is generally not as good. Combined embolisation-resection is definitive treatment for arteriovenous malformations and flap reconstruction may prevent their recurrence. Tissue expansion is a useful reconstructive tool after the excision of large vascular anomalies.</p>

Extracranial non-vestibular head and neck schwannomas: a ten-year experience

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>We present a series of head and neck extracranial non-vestibular schwannomas treated during a ten-year period, assessing epidemiology, presenting signs and symptoms, location, nerve of origin, diagnostic modalities, treatment and clinical outcome.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Clinical records of all patients with head and neck schwannomas treated at our department from April 1995 to July 2005 were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was female predominance (67%). The mean age at diagnosis was 48 years. Sixteen (76%) presented with a unilateral neck mass. Eleven schwannomas (52%) were in the parapharyngeal space. The most common nerves of origin were the vagus and the cervical sympathetic chain. The tumour may masquerade as a cervical lymph node and other myriad conditions. Treatment for all but 2 cases was complete excision with nerve preservation. Two cases of facial schwannoma required sacrifice of the affected nerve portion with nerve reconstruction. All facial schwannoma patients suffered postoperative facial palsy with only partial resolution (mean final House-Brackman grade, 3.25/6). Among non-facial schwannoma patients, postoperative neural deficit occurred in 12 with partial to complete resolution in 7. The median follow-up period was 24 months. No schwannoma was malignant and none recurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Non-vestibular extracranial head and neck schwannomas most frequently present as an innocuous longstanding unilateral parapharyngeal neck mass. Preoperative diagnosis may be aided by fine-needle cytology and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic imaging. The mainstay of treatment is complete intracapsular excision preserving the nerve of origin, but for extensive tumour or facial schwannomas, subtotal resection or nerve sacrifice with reconstruction and rehabilitation are considerations. Surgery on intraparotid facial schwannomas carries considerable morbidity and conservative management has a place in treatment. Early recognition of facial schwannomas is key to optimal treatment.</p>