Which characteristics can be expected from p16+-squamous cell carcinomas of the posterior oral cavity and oropharynx? - Distinctive results from Central Germany.

PURPOSE: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) link to a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Our aim was to identify clinicopathological characteristics (CPC) of squamous cell carcinomas of the posterior oral cavity and oropharynx (SCCPOCO) associated with HPV p16+. METHODS: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we enrolled a sample of SCCPOCO patients treated in a Central German hospital over a 3-year period. The predictor variables: CPCs, were grouped into demographic, social, anatomic and prognostic. The main outcome variable was p16+. Appropriate statistics were computed, and P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 199 HNSCC patients, 23 had SCCPOCO and entered the analysis (mean age, 67±12 years; 4 females; 16 in stage I; 4 p16+; 22 underwent primary surgery). We found 8 cervical lymph node metastases (34.8%), 3 distant metastases (13%), 9 recurrences (30.1%) and 3 overall deaths (13%). With the exception of recurrence (P=0.006) and overall death (P=0.02), p16+ was not associated with predictor variables: young age, male gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, tumor location, TNM stages, time to recurrence, metastases, death from disease and survival of smokers (P>0.05). Primary brachytherapy failed to improve survival of p16+-SCCPOCO patients (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that p16+- and p16--SCCPOCOs in Central Germany share similar CPCs, except recurrence and overall death. Upfront surgery with/without radio(chemo)therapy is recommended for all operable SCCPOCOs, regardless of HPV-status. Patients with p16+-SCCPOCOs require close follow-up. Future research should investigate the cause of these distinctive CPCs.

Intraoperative injection of combined fibrin sealant and methylene blue dye for surgery of branchial cleft cysts: A case report.

Differential diagnosis of a lateral neck mass, especially in paediatric patients, should include branchial cleft cysts (BrCC). It is often difficult to identify and completely resect all cystic components, especially when the lesion becomes infected and/or gigantic. Incomplete excision increases the likelihood of recurrences. We reported a simple technique to facilitate the BrCC resection. Tisseel fibrin glue (FG: Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) was mixed with methylene blue dye in inverse portion to the cyst size and/or the FG volume before injecting into the cystic lumen. After polymerisation of the dyed glue, the lesion was better visualised and extirpated in toto with the aid of the dye colour and gelatinisation by FG. An up-to-date diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for BrCC was also presented.

Oral lichenoid lesion related to dental amalgam: A case report.

Dental amalgam remains one of standard direct restorative materials for posterior teeth. However, direct contact of oral mucosa with this material can cause oral lichenoid lesion (OLL), albeit rare. It has been proposed that hypersensitivity reaction to mercury is responsible to the pathogenesis of OLL. In addition to clinical features and histopathological examination, allergic patch test and removing the suspected causal material are pivotal to the diagnosis. We reported a case of OLL associated with dental amalgam. The lesion subsided clinically after replacement of amalgam with resin composite material with no need of biopsy or pharmacological treatment. A concise review of clinico-pathological aspects and current recommendations on management of this disease was also presented.