Platysma myocutaneous flap for oral cavity reconstruction.

A retrospective study was conducted to assess outcomes of reconstruction of the oral cavity with the platysma myocutaneous flap, in terms of flap survival, complications, and quality of life. Included were 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (stage T1 to T4; nodal status N0 to N2) of the oral cavity who were treated between 2002 and 2006. Each patient underwent tumor resection, modified radical neck dissection, and primary reconstruction with a platysma myocutaneous flap. Operating time, length of stay, time to swallow, and complications were assessed, and the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire was administered. Mean operating time was <4 hours, mean length of stay was 11 days, and mean time to swallow was 9 days. One patient had distal flap necrosis and one had wound dehiscence. No total flap failures or fistulas occurred. The authors conclude that the platysma myocutaneous flap provides thin, pliable, reliable tissue for use in the oral cavity. The additional operating room time is negligible, the surgical complications minimal, and the overall quality of life very good. This flap should be used more frequently in the reconstruction of oral cavity defects.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the parapharyngeal space.

Solitary fibrous tumors are benign neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. They usually arise from the visceral or parietal pleura and peritoneum, although they have been found in many areas throughout the body. We report a case of solitary fibrous tumor of the parapharyngeal space. Microscopically, the tumor contained spindle cells with areas of marked hypercellularity without a definitepattern. Consistent with a benign lesion, there were few mitoses and no necrosis. The tumor cells stained strongly positive for CD34 and vimentin. At the 2-year follow-up, the patient was well and free of local and/or distant disease.

Office-based intralesional cidofovir injections for nasal septal papilloma: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if nasal septal papilloma is responsive to intralesional cidofovir injections. METHODS: Five adult males, ages 37 to 57, presented with nasal septal or columellar papilloma. Three lesions had been previously excised with the laser and recurred. The lesions were injected with cidofovir on a monthly basis until complete resolution or any residual lesion was excised afterwards with the laser. RESULTS: All patients achieved disease remission sustained over 10 to 24 months. Overall doses were much lower than those described for laryngeal papillomatosis and no toxic effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based intralesional injections of cidofovir may show benefit in the treatment of nasal septal papilloma. EBM RATING: C-4.

Hidradenoma papilliferum of nasal skin.

Pathologic examination of an excisional biopsy specimen of a subepidermal nodule from the nasal tip of a 37-year-old black man demonstrated papillae covered by eosinophilic columnar epithelial cells, suggesting cylindric cell papilloma or well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma of nasal mucosa. The patient did not submit to further investigation of the sinonasal tract but sought attention 15 months later because of local recurrence of the lesion. A protuberant, 3-cm, cystic nodule of the subcutis over the left nasal ala and tip was excised completely and found to have characteristics of hidradenoma papilliferum, an apocrine gland neoplasm most commonly occurring in the anogenital skin of white women. This case demonstrates how easily an apocrine neoplasm arising near a mucocutaneous junction can be confused with a mucosal tumor, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment.