Criteria for the diagnosis of extranodal extension detected on radiological imaging in head and neck cancer: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations.

Extranodal extension of tumour on histopathology is known to be a negative prognostic factor in head and neck cancer. Compelling evidence suggests that extranodal extension detected on radiological imaging is also a negative prognostic factor. Furthermore, if imaging detected extranodal extension could be identified reliably before the start of treatment, it could be used to guide treatment selection, as patients might be better managed with non-surgical approaches to avoid the toxicity and cost of trimodality therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy together). There are many aspects of imaging detected extranodal extension that remain unresolved or are without consensus, such as the criteria to best diagnose them and the associated terminology. The Head and Neck Cancer International Group conducted a five-round modified Delphi process with a group of 18 international radiology experts, representing 14 national clinical research groups. We generated consensus recommendations on the terminology and diagnostic criteria for imaging detected extranodal extension to harmonise clinical practice and research. These recommendations have been endorsed by 19 national and international organisations, representing 34 countries. We propose a new classification system to aid diagnosis, which was supported by most of the participating experts over existing systems, and which will require validation in the future. Additionally, we have created an online educational resource for grading imaging detected extranodal extensions.

Cervical Osteomyelitis and Diskitis as a Complication of Neopharyngeal Breakdown: A Multisite Case Series Review.

Laryngectomy and pharyngectomy are surgical options for advanced laryngeal or pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical osteomyelitis-diskitis, occurring when there is dehiscence of the posterior neopharyngeal wall, is an uncommon complication of laryngopharyngectomy. This case series describes imaging findings of pharyngoesophageal wall breakdown with subsequent cervical spine infection and demonstrates that most of these patients had undergone prior esophageal or neopharyngeal dilations for benign posttreatment stricture. Neck pain, fever, or serologic evidence of infection should prompt careful evaluation for osteomyelitis-diskitis and assessment for neopharyngeal breakdown and sinus tract formation, especially in the postdilation setting.