Machine learning methods applied to audit of surgical margins after curative surgery for facial (non-melanoma) skin cancer.

We aimed to build a model to predict positive margin status after curative excision of facial non-melanoma skin cancer based on known risk factors that contribute to the complexity of the case mix. A pathology output of consecutive histology reports was requested from three oral and maxillofacial units in the south east of England. The dependent variable was a deep margin with peripheral margin clearance at a 0.5 mm threshold. A total of 3354 cases were analysed. Positivity of either the peripheral or deep margin for both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was 15.4% at Unit 1, 21.1% at Unit 2, and 15.4% at Unit 3. Predictive models accounting for patient and tumour factors were developed using automated machine learning methods. The champion models demonstrated good discrimination for predicting margin status after excision of BCCs (AUROC = 0.67) and SCCs (AUROC = 0.71). We demonstrate that rates of positive excision margins of facial non-melanoma skin cancer (fNMSC), when adjusted by the risk prediction model, can be used to compare unit performance fairly once variations in tumour factors and patient factors are accounted for.

Ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin A into the submandibular gland in children and young adults with sialorrhoea.

Hypersalivation is a common and distressing complaint in children with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy. Complications associated with severe drooling include daily changes of clothing, perioral dermatitis, dental problems, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia, which potentially have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of the patient and carer. In this paper we update our previous work to show the potential benefits of ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) into the submandibular gland and report on new patients and follow-up data on the existing group.

Ultrasound guided Core Biopsy, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Surgical Excision Biopsy in the diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck: an eleven year experience.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to review our 11 year experience of diagnosing metastatic squamous cell carcinoma presenting as head and neck lumps. The techniques of Ultrasound guided Core Biopsy (USCB), Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and Surgical Excision Biopsy (SEB) are compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the lymph nodes of the head and neck or parotid gland, diagnosed at Eastbourne District General Hospital between January 1998 and November 2009 were identified. The following data items were collated: biopsy location (e.g. cervical lymph node or parotid), any history of likely primary SCC and site, type of biopsy used to establish a conclusive diagnosis (index diagnostic technique), previous biopsies, the technique and their results, subsequent histology results. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The index diagnostic technique was USCB in 48 patients, FNAC in 29 and SEB in 13. In 72 (80%) patients the index biopsy was the sole tissue sample taken prior to surgery or other treatment. The remaining 18 patients underwent a total of 22 previous biopsies prior to the index biopsy. 95% (21/22) of these previous biopsies were non-definitive FNAC and 5% (1/22) was a non-definitive USCB. FNACs also demonstrated the highest non-diagnostic rate (42%). The accuracy of USCB and FNAC in correlating with final histopathology was 97% and 85% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: USCB demonstrates excellent results in the diagnosis of metastatic SCC in the head and neck with higher accuracy and greater reliability than FNAC.

Ultrasound-guided submandibular gland injection of botulinum toxin for hypersalivation in cerebral palsy.

Hypersalivation associated with cerebral palsy may be treated with injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) into the submandibular gland, and the use of ultrasound permits its accurate administration. In our series four patients with cerebral palsy and hypersalivation had bilateral ultrasound-guided injection of BTX-A into the submandibular gland. At 4 weeks there was objective improvement in all patients and subjective improvement in three. The only reported side effect was the temporary inability to retain prosthetic orbital globes in one patient. Ultrasound-guided injection of BTX-A for hypersalivation is effective, and side effects are rare, but they have yet to be fully described.

Ultrasound-guided core biopsy for investigation of cervical lymph node: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

We describe a case in which ultrasound-guided fine needle core biopsy of a cervical lymph node enabled diagnosis of dual disease. Histological examination of the core biopsy confirmed unsuspected chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with an isolated focus of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and enabled optimal preoperative planning of treatment. Such a case is extremely unusual and provides evidence of the accurate diagnosis that can be obtained from nodal investigations using ultrasound-guided core biopsy.

An oculoplastic use for the temporalis muscle flap.

PURPOSE: To report a novel method of repairing a large periorbital defect with exposed bone, using a pedicled temporalis muscle flap and split thickness skin graft. METHODS: Interventional case note review with clinical photographs, computerised tomography (CT) imaging, intra-operative photographs and histology. RESULTS: A 77-year-old man presented with an extensive neglected ulcerating lesion extending from the left lateral canthus to the tragus of the left ear. An incisional biopsy of the 15 cm lesion confirmed the clinical diagnosis of an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. A CT scan demonstrated the tumour depth and there were no infra-temporal fossa or intra-orbital extensions or associated lymphadenopathy. A wide surgical excision was performed which resulted perioperatively in a large area of exposed zygomatic and temporal bone. A pedicled temporalis muscle flap was rotated to cover the exposed bone and therefore allow placement of a split thickness skin graft. At 3 months' follow-up the graft is viable and the surgical rehabilitative result is satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: A pedicled temporalis muscle flap and split thickness skin graft is a good one-stage reconstruction technique when faced with a large area of exposed bone. The temporalis muscle provides a suitable recipient site for a split skin graft and enhances its chances of survival. This technique, to our knowledge, had not previously been reported in the literature.

Sonographically guided core biopsy of a parotid mass.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of sonographically guided core biopsy in the evaluation of parotid masses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 2004, 135 patients consecutively presenting with a parotid mass were prospectively enrolled into this study. A single operator performed initial diagnostic sonography and then sonographically guided core biopsy using local anesthesia. Biopsy was performed with an 18- or 20-gauge needle and a spring-loaded biopsy gun with a mean of two passes per patient. Outcome measures were accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of sonographically guided core biopsy compared with the final pathologic diagnosis in the surgical group. In the nonsurgical group, final diagnosis was established on the basis of histologic findings after adequate core biopsy and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: All sonographically guided core biopsy specimens were considered satisfactory for histologic evaluation. Overall there were 71 benign tumors, 35 malignant tumors, and 29 miscellaneous, nonneoplastic lesions. In 76 (56%) of the 135 patients who underwent surgery, sonographically guided core biopsy and surgical histologic findings were correlated for 74 patients. In two cases sonographically guided core biopsy and surgical histologic findings did not correlate. In one case, the sonographically guided core biopsy finding was mucoepidermoid carcinoma, but the final diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma. In the other case, the finding at sonographically guided core biopsy was squamous cell carcinoma, but the final diagnosis was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The treatment of these patients was not affected. Fifty-nine (44%) of the 135 patients avoided surgery. In differentiation of benign from malignant disease, sonographically guided core biopsy had a sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 100%. Sonographically guided core biopsy also had positive and negative predictive values of 100% in the diagnosis of malignancy. There were no significant complications of sonographically guided core biopsy. CONCLUSION: Sonographically guided core biopsy is a highly accurate technique for evaluation of parotid lesions and can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure. Sonographically guided core biopsy has potential advantages over fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination, particularly in the typing and grading of lymphoma and carcinoma and in improved differentiation of reactive nodal hyperplasia from lymphoma. The use of sonographically guided core biopsy may help reduce the need for surgical biopsy and facilitates prompt referral to the appropriate clinical team.