Tumour-node-metastasis staging of human papillomavirus negative upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a critical appraisal.

OBJECTIVE: The tumour-node-metastasis staging system has a dynamic structure that is continuously being updated as scientific data develops. This review discusses some suggested revisions on tumour-node-metastasis staging of human papillomavirus negative upper aerodigestive tract cancers. METHODS: The seventh edition of The American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual was reviewed and important issues that could be considered for revision were identified and discussed. RESULTS: According to our assessment of the oncological outcomes of previous studies, the following factors should be considered for revision: anterior commissure involvement and subglottic extension in laryngeal cancers; underlying bone involvement in hard palate and upper alveolar ridge cancers; tumour thickness in oral cancers; and extracapsular spread and carotid artery involvement in neck metastases. CONCLUSION: Sufficient data on the prognostic importance of these issues have been reported. Suggested revisions in line with current knowledge on the clinical behaviour of upper aerodigestive tract cancers would improve the relevancy of staging.

An individualised treatment algorithm for tumour stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To report and discuss the outcome of a treatment algorithm for patients with tumour stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma. METHOD: A retrospective outcome analysis study was performed using data from a tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were treated with radiotherapy and 26 with surgery, in accordance with the treatment algorithm. Five-year overall survival rates were the same for both treatment groups (92 per cent). Five-year disease-specific survival rates were 100 per cent for surgery, 98 per cent for radiotherapy and 99 per cent overall. The overall 5-year laryngeal preservation rate was 89.1 per cent, being 95.7 per cent for surgery patients and 86.7 per cent for radiotherapy patients (p = 0.502). There was no significant association between laryngeal preservation rates and age (p = 0.779), anterior commissure involvement (p = 0.081), tumour stage (1a or 1b) (p = 0.266) or treatment modality (surgery or radiotherapy; p = 0.220). There was no significant difference in local recurrence rates between the two treatment groups (19.3 per cent for radiotherapy vs 10.0 per cent for surgery; p = 0.220). The overall 5-year regional recurrence rate was 1.2 per cent. CONCLUSION: Tumour stage 1 glottic carcinoma can be managed with different treatment modalities, following an individualised treatment algorithm, with results comparable to published outcomes.

Congenital neck masses in children and their embryologic and clinical features.

Congenital neck masses in children and their embryologic and clinical features. Neck masses of congenital origin can be diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for internists, paediatricians and surgeons. Treatment modalities of congenital neck masses are different depending on their nature, symptoms and location. Differential diagnosis includes a variety of diseases that can cause cervical masses such as infectious and neoplastic neck tumours. Our objective is to review the embryologic and clinical features of some of the most common congenital neck masses such as the haemangioma, branchial cleft anomalies, thyroglossal duct cyst, ectopic thyroid, congenital midline cervical cleft, congenital cervical teratoma, lymphangioma, cervical thymic cyst, dermoid cyst and congenital muscular torticollis.

Relationship between tumour-node-metastasis stage of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and duration of symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between disease stage and duration of symptoms for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. METHOD: We evaluated retrospectively data from 102 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients seen in the otorhinolaryngology department of the Gazi University School of Medicine between December 1996 and June 2004. Inclusion criteria were a histologic diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, no previous medical, surgical or radiological treatment for carcinoma, and the absence of any other primary tumours or distant metastatic disease. RESULTS: There was no relationship between duration of symptoms and stage of the disease, both for glottic and supraglottic tumours. When glottic and supraglottic tumours were compared, no significant difference in symptom duration could be found. CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between symptom duration and the stage of the disease for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Therefore, symptom duration does not reflect the stage of the tumour.

Ameloblastic carcinoma containing melanocyte and melanin pigment in the mandible: a case report and review of the literature.

A case of ameloblastic carcinoma containing melanocyte and melanin in a 66-year-old male with swelling and an ulcerating firm mass in the left submandibular region is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. The current histopathological diagnosis and management are discussed.

Chondrosarcoma of the parapharyngeal space. A case report.

Chondrosarcomas are the malignant cartilagenous tumors and they are seen rarely in the head and neck area. They are usually slow growing lesions. The head and neck chondrosarcomas may show an aggressive course and the occurrence of this malignant cartilagenous tumor in the parapharyngeal space is only a few. They are mostly located in relation with jaw bones and base of the skull. Chondrosarcomas of the parapharyngeal space are limited in number and among them there is no low-grade one. In this case report, a case of low-grade chondrosarcoma which was treated with a simple excision without neck dissection was reported.

Scanning electron microscopy of hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal and conventional gauze strip nasal packing materials.

The application of nasal packing is one of the most commonly performed procedures in rhinology. Various materials have been used as nasal packing, including conventional gauze strips and hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal. Complications related to nasal packing may cause problems that lead to increased morbidity. Among those complications, infectious ones range from localized infection in the nasal cavity to toxic shock syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate conventional gauze strips and hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal nasal packing materials by scanning electron microscopy, to reveal their surface characteristics that would promote or prevent the development of infectious complications. The two types of materials were examined before and after application into the nasal cavity. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal material had a smooth surface, whereas conventional gauze strips had an irregular surface with fibers projecting, thus increasing the surface area for bacterial adherence and allowing possible evasion of bacteria from the elements of the immune system within this fibrillar structure.

Submandibular accessory salivary gland causing Warthin's duct obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Submandibular masses are mostly secondary to sialolithiasis. Salivary gland tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In this case report, an unusual cause of Warthin's duct obstruction caused by an accessory salivary gland tissue is presented. METHODS: Sialography revealed the submandibular accessory salivary gland. RESULTS: Submandibular gland excision was performed and histopathologic investigation showed the accessory salivary tissue, which was narrowing the Warthin's duct. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of a symptomatic submandibular accessory gland, excision extirpation of the submandibular gland and accessory salivary tissue should be undertaken.

Accessory nerve function after modified radical and lateral neck dissections.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate preoperative and postoperative electrophysiological changes related to the accessory nerve with reference to dissection technique, modified radical neck dissection, and lateral neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective electrophysiological analysis of accessory nerve function in a total of 20 laryngeal carcinoma patients after neck dissection, 12 being lateral neck dissection (4 bilateral) and 8 being modified radical neck dissection. METHODS: Distal latencies, compound muscle action potentials, and electromyography findings were investigated before surgery and, in early and late postoperative periods in 20 laryngeal carcinoma patients. Results were evaluated by Student t test and chi2 test for intragroup and intergroup differences. RESULTS: In the lateral neck dissection group, postoperative distal latencies were longer, without statistical significance, whereas in the modified radical neck dissection group postoperative latencies were statistically longer. Postoperative compound muscle action potentials were significantly lower in both groups. Electromyographic work-up showed deterioration in early postoperative periods and improvement in late postoperative periods. When intergroup differences were compared, both postoperative compound muscle action potential and electromyographic findings were worse in the lateral neck dissection group. CONCLUSIONS: The accessory nerve function after modified radical neck dissection is better than function after lateral neck dissection because of increased stress applied to the nerve during retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle for achievement of a better exposed surgical field in lateral neck dissection.

Clinical presentation of a sphenochoanal polyp.

Although choanal polyps frequently arise from the maxillary sinus, a choanal polyp originating from the sphenoid sinus is a rare entity. In this report, an unusual case of a large choanal polyp taking origin from the sphenoid sinus is presented. The reasons for its development and methods of management are discussed.

Clinical importance of the Korner's septum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical importance of the petrosquamosal lamina (Korner's septum [KS]), which is not only a bony plate dividing the mastoid cells at the level of antrum, but is also a lamina starting from the posterior aspect of the glenoid fossa that extends above the middle ear cavity and courses in an inferior direction lateral to the facial canal and proceeds to the mastoid apex. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective review of 688 mastoidectomies performed in University Hospital from 1987 to 1992. PATIENTS: The study group consisted of 389 males and 299 females (mean age 30.85 +/- 12.80, the youngest being 8 and the oldest being 67 years of age). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the prevalence of KS encountered during mastoidectomies and comparison of prevalence of retraction pockets (RPs) or retraction and/or adhesion of the whole tympanic membrane (R/A-TM) between ears with KS and without KS. RESULTS: The prevalence of KS was 30.4% among the ears with RP or R/A-TM, 6.58% in normal ears, and 17.4% in ears with chronic otitis media without RP or R/A-TM. CONCLUSIONS: KS is an important anatomic handicap predisposing the individual to chronic otitis media, particularly when it is characterized by attic retraction pockets and cholesteatoma, and adhesive otitis media, because KS contributes to attic blockage. This statement is in accordance with the original articles written by Cheatle (1910, 1923) and Williams (1966), and recently published data related to supratubal recess and the cog (Tono et al., 1996).