Unusual presentation of a soft palate mass: A rare case report of solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma.

INTRODUCTION: Plasmacytoma is a rare clonal neoplastic disorder of bone marrow that originates from plasma cells. It usually presents as a multiple myeloma (MM). Less than 5% of patients present with either a single bone lesion as a solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) or, even more rarely, as a soft tissue mass of monoclonal plasma cells representing a solitary extra medullary plasmacytoma (SEP). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 59-year-old man presenting with a mass of the soft palate evolving for a year. Physical examination showed an extension to the nasal cavity. Biopsy with immunohistochemical study demonstrated sheets of mononucleated plasmacytoid cells diffusely expressing CD138. The plasma cells showed monoclonal light chain Kappa. Further investigations did not show any other locations including bone and bone marrow. Thus, diagnosis of solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the soft palate was established. The patient was treated with chemotherapy with total remission on his one year follow-up. DISCUSSION: SEP may arise in any organ, either as a primary tumor or as part of a MM. Almost 90% of SEP arise in the head and neck, especially in the upper respiratory tract. Primary treatment for most patients is radiotherapy, but surgery may also be required, and multidisciplinary decision between surgeon, hematologist and radiotherapist is crucial for planning optimum care. CONCLUSION: SEP is an extremely rare condition which requires diagnostic and therapeutic management in the same level of MM. Prognosis is better than the two other forms (MM and SBP).

Locally advanced maxillary sinus carcinoma controlled by para-latero-nasal approach.

Sino-nasal cancers are a rare pathology, with an incidence of 0.2-0.8% of all cancers, and less than 5% of ENT cancers. The site that is most often affected is the maxillary sinus in 35% of cases, followed by ethmoid sinus (30%) and of the nasal cavity in (16%). Several histological variants are described, but squamous cell carcinoma remains the most frequent in the maxillary sinus. Its diagnosis is often late making local control very difficult. Multimodal treatment allows an improvement in the survival rate compared to single treatment. Due to the progress of endoscopic surgery, external surgery is neglected. With this work we want to highlight the value to the external approach, especially in advanced cases.

Malignant tumors of the hard palate: Report of 4 cases and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the hard palate is a fairly rare malignant tumor. Different histological types have been described in the hard palate, and that can affect its different structures. Diagnosis is based on biopsy with histological examination and possibly on immunohistochemical markers to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other diagnostic hypotheses. The aim of this study was to determine histopathologic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of malignant tumors of the hard palate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 4 patients who underwent Surgical resection by trans oral approach was performed for different histological types of malignant tumors of the hard palate. These included squamous cell carcinoma (case1 and case 2), mucosal melanoma (case 3), and adenocarcinoma (case 4). RESULTS: The T stage was analyzed for all cases. Two cases were classified as T2 stage with a tumor size between 2 and 4 cm and the two others, given the extension to the maxillary and nasal cavity were classified as T4a. Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in three patients. DISCUSSION: Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for malignant tumors of the hard palate. There is a variety of surgical procedures that can be used via a trans oral approach. Reconstruction of palatal defects with a prosthesis is sufficient, whereas larger defects will require a local, regional or even microvascular free tissue flap. The differences between these surgical techniques are presented, and indications are discussed. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic management for malignant tumors of the hard palate is essentially surgical, with or without postoperative radiotherapy, discussed on a case-by-case basis. Survival rate depends on several factors, including early diagnosis, histological characteristic and appropriate management.

Simultaneous bilateral traumatic facial palsy with different treatment protocols.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral simultaneous facial palsy is a rare clinical entity. Traumatic origin is even rarer. Long-term sequelae are disabling. Therefore, rapid and adequate management is crucial. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we present a case report of a traumatic bilateral facial palsy in a 43 years old male treated with surgery in one side and conservative treatment in the other side. He achieved eye closure at his 10 months follow up. DISCUSSION: Electroneurography showing more than 90 % of facial nerve degeneration and electromyography revealing no regeneration potentials are identified as surgical indications. The perigeniculate region is the most commonly injured portion of the facial nerve with temporal bone fractures. Surgical approach to this area remains controversial; transmastoid, middle fossa craniotomy or a combination of both. CONCLUSION: It is important to discuss expectations with the patient as it might take 12 months to regain maximal nerve function.

Spontaneous evolution of a massive hematoma caused by type 1 neurofibromatosis: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Type1 Neurofibromatosis (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a great variety of clinical features. Vascular manifestations appear in less than 7%, and venous complications are extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of an enormous cervical hematoma caused by bleeding from the internal jugular vein in a NF1 patient. As the patient refused surgery, natural evolution was marked by spontaneous fistulization and drainage of the mass. DISCUSSION: Several cases of fragility of both the vessel wall and the surrounding tissue are discussed and two jugular vein aneurysms were reported. Management of such cases remains unclear and some reports describe defective hemostatic control at surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery in NF1 vascular involvement should be considered on a case by case basis especially when the risk of iatrogenesis is high. Surgeons need to be aware of hemorrhagic risks, which could occur because of vessel friability.

Thyroid papillary carcinoma with an insular component metastasizing to the sella turcica and sphenoid sinus: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Papillary carcinoma accounts for approximately 80% of all thyroid carcinomas. It is associated with relatively good survival. Distant metastases occur in approximately 10% of the patients, with the lung and bone being the most commonly reported sites. We present a case of unusual metastasis to the sphenoid bone and sella turcica from papillary thyroid carcinoma with an insular component. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 70 years old female patient who presents a voluminous goiter with an 11 cm mass of the left sixth rib. Trans-parietal biopsy proved its metastatic origin from a thyroid papillary carcinoma. The patient was treated with total thyroidectomy and radiation therapy as the metastatic tissue is radioiodine refractory. Pathology revealed a papillary carcinoma with an insular component. A year later, the patient develops another metastasis to the sphenoid bone extending to the sella turcica, cavernous sinus, and carotid arteries. Treatment was based on kinase inhibitor. DISCUSSION: Metastatic invasion of the skull develops in 2.5%-5.8% of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and mostly affects the sella turcica, pituitary gland, cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus. The presence of an insular component in a well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma seems to be associated with a poor prognosis. For cases where the metastatic disease is found to be resistant to conventional therapies, some clinical trials show promise with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as Sorafenib. CONCLUSION: Management of such uncommon cases remains challenging and should take in consideration evidence based guidelines, prognostic factors, disease progression path and treatment morbidity.