Prognostic factors for development of distant metastases in surgically treated high-grade salivary gland carcinomas: results of retrospective single center study with 213 patients.

PURPOSE: Distant metastases (DM) are the primary cause of treatment failure and death of patients with salivary gland carcinomas (SGC). The purpose of present study was to evaluate factors predictive on DM development in a cohort of patients with high-grade salivary gland carcinomas. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients surgically treated with curative intention at the authors' institution from January 1993 to December 2018. Outcomes evaluated were overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), recurrence free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS). RESULTS: A total of 213 patients, 117 males (55%) and 96 females (45%), were included in the study. Parotid gland malignancies accounted for 56% of all cases. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (119 cases; 56%) was the most common tumor type. Cumulative OS for the 5-and 10-year follow-up period was 80% and 58% respectively. DM occurred with 75 patients (35%). The most common locations for DM were lung (55 cases; 73%) and liver (12 cases; 16%). Pathological nodal status, particularly the number of metastatic nodes, was the independent prognostic factor for OS, DSS, RFS and DMFS. CONCLUSION: Number of metastatic lymph nodes, instead of extranodal extension and largest nodal diameter, was the contributing factor related to DMFS. Since the main function of staging system is to predict outcomes, the significance of extranodal extension and nodal dimension in salivary gland cancer staging system requires further clarification. The elective neck dissection could be considered therapeutic approach for high-grade SGC since occult metastases were detected in 33% of cases.

A New Mechanical Mouth Opener for Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint.

(1) Background: During the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is necessary to scan the joints in the closed- and open-jaw position, as well as in the maximally open-jaw position. In order to examine both joints in these positions, an MRI compatible mouth opener is required, which allows the articular surfaces to maintain their position stably. (2) Methods: In this study, we included 200 patients aged 18 to 65, with various levels of clinical severity. The mouth opener is made of polymethyl methacrylate and used for dynamic imaging of TMJ. It is in the form of an arrow, with incisures on upper and lower surfaces 1 mm apart and these match possible variations in jaw opening. All the patients were scanned with mouth opener and, immediately after this scanning, with syringe (20 ccm) as a standard device used for mouth opening in clinical setting. (3) Results: A total of 200 MR examinations of TMJs were performed and the mechanical mouth opener was successfully applied without artifacts in all patients. The mouth opener device proved to be adequate in case of MRI of the TMJ for different ranges of mouth opening with the proper protocol for provoked imaging, because the incisures are located at a distance of 1 mm and no objective artifacts were observed in any examination that degraded the diagnostic quality of the examination. (4) Conclusions: The design of the acrylate mouth opener is precisely defined, and it has a purpose in the MRI diagnosis of TMJ disorders.

Pathological nodal status as a main predictive factor of survival and treatment outcomes of submandibular salivary gland cancers: A 25-year single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study was to explore the survival predictive factors and treatment outcomes in a cohort of SGC patients treated at a single center over a period of 25 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had received primary treatment for SGC were enroled. Outcomes evaluated were: overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), recurrence free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DFS). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with SGC were enroled in the study. The most common tumor was the adenoid cystic carcinoma (60% of cases). Cumulative OS for 5-and 10-year follow up period was 81% and 60%, respectively. Thirteen patients (32.5%) developed distant metastases during follow-up. Nodal status, high-grade histology, tumor stage and adjuvant radiation-therapy (RT) were significant variables on multivariate analysis for survival and treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Submandibular gland carcinomas represent rare and heterogenous tumor group regarding histological appearance and locoregional and distant metastatic potential. Tumor histological grade, AJCC tumor stage and nodal status were the strongest predictive factors for survival and treatment outcomes. RT improved OS and locoregional treatment outcome, but not DFS. Elective neck dissection (END) could be beneficial for selected cases of SGC. Superselective neck dissection of levels I-IIa may be the level of dissection for END. Distant metastases were the main cause of death and treatment failure. Prognostic factors for poor DMFS were AJCC stage III and IV, high tumor grade and nodal status.

Pathological tumor volume as a simple quantitative predictive factor of survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the eighth most common type of cancer in the world. Knowledge of prognostic factors of survival in OSCC is key. Several clinical and pathological prognostic factors have been investigated to develop a prognostic model of survival for patients with oral cancer. The present study focused on the association between pathological tumor volume (PTV) and overall survival time in patients with OSCC, regardless of cervical nodal status. The present study was a prospective study and covered 65 consecutive patients who received surgical treatment for oral cancer. The PTV was calculated according to dimensions of the postoperative specimen. Other pathological parameters as perineural and perivascular tumor spreading and extra-nodular propagation were also determined. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software. Cox PH regression model was built to analyze association between the PTV and survival time. Survival time was defined as the period from surgery to a target event or last contact. The results of the present study showed that PTV >4.24 cm3 was significantly associated with shorter overall survival time in patients with OSCC. The PTV value was higher in patients with metastasis and in patients with higher pathological tumor and node stage. In conclusion, PTV was an important pathological prognostic factor for survival in patients with OSCC.

Metastasis of the Mucionous adenocarcinoma of breast to the mandibular gingiva: Rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a rare type of cancer in which more than 50% of the tumor is composed of extracellular mucin and malignant epithelial cells. MACs account for only 1.8% of all breast cancer cases. Most breast cancers present as localized diseases and are well-differentiated. Breast MAC has a better 5- and 10-year survival rate than ductal and lobular carcinomas. Distant metastasis in breast MAC is rare, especially in the oral cavity. Only 1% of all oral malignancies present with metastases to the oral cavity. The bony structures are more involved than the soft tissues. Involvement of the oral soft tissue is rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of oral metastases. CASE DESCRIPTION: This report describes a rare case of mucinous breast adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the mandibular molar region. Diagnosis was established based on anamnesis, clinical presentation, tumor biopsy, computed tomography, mammography, and core biopsy of the breast tumor. The patient was sent to the oncology committee for breast disease where chemotherapy was indicated. DISCUSSION: The clinical presentation of oral metastasis is not pathognomonic, and pyogenic granuloma, periodontal abscesses, sarcomas, and squamous carcinoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is a rare case of oral metastasis of breast MAC, which was indicated for detection of the primary tumor.

Congenital Cervical Bronchogenic Cyst: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the embryonic foregut. They are caused by abnormal budding of diverticulum of the embryonic foregut between the 26th and 40th day of gestation. Bronchogenic cysts can appear in the mediastinum and pulmonary parenchyma, or at ectopic sites (neck, subcutaneous tissue or abdomen). So far, 70 cases of cervical localization of bronchogenic cysts have been reported. Majority of bronchogenic cysts have been diagnosed in the pediatric population. Bronchogenic cysts of the cervical area are generally asymptomatic and symptoms may occur if cysts become large or in case of infection of the cyst. The diagnosis is made based on clinical findings, radiological examination, but histopathologic findings are essential for establishing the final diagnosis. Treatment of cervical bronchogenic cyst involves surgical excision. CASE OUTLINE: Authors present a case of a 6-year-old female patient sent by a pediatrician to a maxillofacial surgeon due to asymptomatic lump on the left side of the neck. The patient had frequent respiratory infections and respiratory obstructions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck was performed and a well-circumscribed cystic formation on the left side of the neck was observed, with paratracheal location. The complete excision of the cyst was made transcervically. Histopathological findings pointed to bronchogenic cyst. CONCLUSION: Cervical bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations. Considering the location, clinical findings and the radiological features, these cysts resemble other cervical lesions. Surgical treatment is important because it is both therapeutic and diagnostic. Reliable diagnosis of bronchogenic cysts is based on histopathological examination.

Eagle's syndrome - A report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Eagle's syndrome is defined as elongation of the styloid process or the stylohyoid ligament mineralization complex which consist of styloid process, stylohyoid ligament and lesser horn of hyoid bone. It is a rare entity, is not commonly suspected in clinical practice. It is characterized by recurrent facial and throat pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, parapharingeal foreign body sensation, otalgia and neck pain. Eagle's syndrome can be treated conservatively (lacing local anesthetic into the styloid process and stylomandibular ligament attachment) or surgically. Its pathogenesis and threatment modalities are still being debated while different theories have been presented. CASE REPORT: The two traditional surgical approaches to styloidectomy (removal of the elongated portion of the styloid process) were presented the intraoral approach and the extraoral approach. We presented two cases (49 years and 34 years old males), with bilateral and unilateral elongated styloid process. The surgical treatment included unilateral right side stiloidectomy by intraoral approach in the first case and right styloidectomy by extraoral approach in the second case. In both eases post-operative course passed regularly with no complaints at regular postoperative control. CONCLUSION: Surgical techniques for treatment of Eagle's syndrome have many advantages and disadvantages. We believe that the length of the styloid process or the calcified ligament is a decisive parameter for the selection of techniques and approach.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a very rare familial disease with the predisposition to the development of malignant tumors, such as osteosarcoma, breast cancer, brain neoplasm, leukemia, and adrenal tumors. Inheritance is autosomal dominant and is caused by heterozygous mutations in the p53 gene. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria: a person under the age of 45 years suffering from sarcoma, the closest relative younger than 45 years diagnosed with cancer and a relative of the first or second degree, which is up to 45 years, was diagnosed with cancer and was diagnosed with sarcoma at any age. CASE REPORT: The presented family with three members diagnosed with malignant disease typical for LFS suggests the need to carefully follow those diagnosed with LFS related tumor. A 24-year-old man diagnosed and treated for osteosarcoma of the maxilla died in the first year. His younger brother was submitted to surgery due to osteosarcoma of the mandible three years later, and a year later in his 24 year he had no signs of locoregional recurrence. Their mother was operated in 1996 for glioblastoma multiform brain cancer and ductal carcinoma, and died two years later at the age of 33. CONCLUSION: The presented family highlights the need for careful examination, inspection and notification of the risks of family members diagnosed with LFS related tumors.

[Epidemiology of lower jaw fracture in patients treated at the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery of the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina].

INTRODUCTION: The position and prominence are the reasons why the lower jaw is one of the most commonly injured facial bones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze medical records of patients who had been treated at the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery in the period from January 1st, 1998 to December 31st, 2012. These data included patients' age and gender, mechanism of injury, anatomic localization of the fracture, associated injuries and treatment of fractures. RESULTS: Out of 630 treated patients, 531 were men (84.3%) and 99 were women (15.7%). The highest incidence of the lower jaw fractures was found in the age group 21-30 years (36.2%) and the lowest in the age group over 70 years (1.1%). The most common causes, of injuries were physical assault (47.3%), followed by traffic accidents (24.3%) and falls (20.8%). Most patients referred to our Department were treated non-surgically 436 (69.2%), 165 of them (26.2%) were treated surgically, whereas in 29 patients (4.6%) none of the above treatments was performed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study has shown that fractures of the lower jaw are mainly found in men aged 21-30 years. The obtained statistical data could certainly be used to establish the health system that would allow better prevention of these injuries, and the possibility of an adequate and effective treatment modality.

[Infratemporal fossa schwannoma].

INTRODUCTION: Due to its contents and relations with neighboring regions, the infratemporal fossa has a great clinical significance. Primary tumors of this region, both benign and malignant, are rare, but they do require surgical treatment, which is determined by the size and localization of the tumor. CASE REPORT: The paper presents the case of a 72-year-old female patient who was referred to hospital for paresthesia in the left half of the face after having been found to have a tumor of left infratmeporal fossa by imaging methods. The tumor was completely removed by transfacial-transzygomatic approach and, according to histopathological findings, it was a schwannoma. The postoperative course was without complications and the patient did not have any discomforts at the check-up a month later. CONCLUSION: In addition to the accurate diagnosis, the success rate of the surgical treatment of tumors depends on the appropriate surgical approach to ensure the complete removal of the tumor while preserving the content of the infratemporal region.