Current update on the diagnosis and management of head and neck hard tissue sarcomas

Head and neck hard tissue sarcomas form a rare group of mesenchymal‐derived tumours that comprise less than 1% of all head and neck neoplasms. Hard tissue sarcomas account for 20% of head and neck sarcomas and they form a heterogeneous group with a diverse origin. Unlike head and neck soft‐tissue sarcomas, they have lower recurrence and mortality rates. In this study, we review the current management of head and neck hard tissue sarcomas.     

An update on the current management of head and neck mucosal melanoma

Primary mucosal melanomas of the head and neck are rare and aggressive tumours that arise in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and more rarely in the oral cavity. The current treatment options include radical surgical resection with adjuvant external beam radiotherapy being offered in high‐risk patients. Although the latter can improve regional control, it does not reduce overall survival. Elective neck dissection is recommended for nodular oral mucosal melanoma, but its role in the clinically node negative neck is controversial. Systemic therapies including the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for tumours with c‐KIT mutations are suitable for patients with advanced loco‐regional and/or metastatic disease, but current results are variable. Patients with head and neck mucosal melanoma have a poor prognosis due to the high incidence of metastatic disease. This review assesses the latest evidence in the diagnosis and management of primary oral and head and neck mucosal melanoma including details of systemic therapies.     

护理风险管理在头颈肿瘤外科护理管理中的应用

目的探讨护理风险管理在头颈肿瘤外科护理管理中的应用。方法2010年,通过护理风险识别、提高护理人员风险管理的意识与风险识别能力、明确护理风险管理职责、优化护理工作流程、拟定科室突发事件及护理风险预案、加强护士专科业务能力及突发事件应急处理能力、加强护理风险监控等措施,将护理风险管理应用于头颈肿瘤外科护理管理中。对2009、2010年头颈肿瘤外科患者满意度、护理投诉、发生护理风险、患者表扬护士人次进行比较。结果2009、2010年头颈肿瘤外科患者满意度、护理投诉、发生护理风险、患者表扬护士人次差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论实施护理风险管理可减少护理投诉,降低护理风险事件发生,提高患者满意度,值得在临床护理管理中进一步推广应用。     

The influence of reactivation of the telomerase in tumour tissue on the prognosis of squamous cell carcinomas in the head and neck

BACKGROUND: The reactivation of the telomerase seems to be an important step in the carcinogenesis of most human cancer types. Cell clones, which express this enzyme, get the ability of indefinite proliferation, means become immortal. METHODS: In this study, 80 patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SSC) in oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were recorded prospectively concerning a possible correlation of telomerase activity and clinical and prognostic factors. Telomerase activity was analysed by a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. RESULTS: In 75% of the tumour tissues the telomerase was demonstrated independently of the localization of the tumour. The known clinical prognostic factors did not show any correlation to the expression rate of the telomerase activity in the tumour tissues. Also, reactivated telomerase did not affect the tumour-dependent survival. Only the number of lymph node metastases was in tendency higher in patients with telomerase-positive tumours. The number and timeframe of local and regional recurrences was not influenced by the telomerase status. CONCLUSIONS: Although telomerase seems to be an important part of the carcinogenesis of SCC our data show that the reactivation of telomerase in tumour tissue did not have any prognostic significance for these tumours. The tendency that tumours with active telomerase developed lymph node metastases in a higher number should be evaluated by further enlarged studies for its clinical relevance.     

Feasibility of virtual surgical simulation in the head and neck region for soft tissue reconstruction using free flap: a comparison of preoperative and postoperative volume measurement

In the head and neck region, preoperative evaluation of the free flap volume is challenging. The current study validated preoperative three-dimensional (3D) virtual surgical simulation for soft tissue reconstruction by assessing flap volume and evaluated fat and muscle volume changes at follow-up in 13 head and neck cancer patients undergoing anterolateral craniofacial resection. Patients received 3D virtual surgical simulation, and the volume of the planned defects was estimated by surgical simulation. Following en bloc resection of the tumor, the defect in the skull base was covered using a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Following surgery, computed tomography scans were acquired at day 1 and at 6 and 12 months. Virtual planned defect was on average 227 ml (range, 154–315) and was 10% smaller than the actual flap volume in patients without skin involvement of the tumor. Between day 1 and 12 months post-surgery, the volume of fat and muscle tissue in the free flap dropped by 9% and 58%, respectively. Our results indicate that 3D virtual surgical simulation provides essential information in determining the accurate volume of the required free flap for surgical defect repair and may thus help improve surgical planning and functional and esthetic outcome.     

Complications and treatment errors in peri-implant soft tissue management

Inadequate quality, quantity, or aesthetics of the peri-implant soft tissues can result from a combination of factors related to the outcome of treatments performed before, during, or after implant placement. In this paper, we describe in detail the treatment errors that can pave the way for the onset of mucositis or give rise to soft tissue complications such as peri-implant soft tissue discoloration or dehiscence, graft exposure, or scar formation. By tracing the error back to the planning or surgical stage, clinical insights on surgical soft tissue management are provided to avoid or treat complications that affect the status of the peri-implant soft tissues. Mastering the learning curve and knowing the limitations of each technique are fundamental for preventing added treatment failures that can result in increased patient morbidity and overall discontent.     

Surgical management of vascular lesions of the head and neck: a review of 115 cases

Vascular anomalies are amongst the most common congenital abnormalities observed in infants and children. Their occurrence in the head and neck region is a source of functional and aesthetic compromise. This article reviews the surgical management of 115 cases of vascular anomalies involving the head and neck area treated by the authors between 1998 and 2009. It discusses the diagnostic aids, treatment protocol and the results obtained. A new classification based on the anatomical location and depth of the lesion has been proposed. This allows guidelines for surgical ablation of the vascular lesions. The complications encountered are discussed. The use of external carotid artery control as opposed to pre-surgical embolization has proved effective and the technique is described. The location and extent of a vascular malformation should dictate the preoperative investigations, surgical procedure and subsequent outcome.     

Development of a tracheostomy scoring system to guide airway management after major head and neck surgery

The use of elective tracheostomy in major head and neck surgery is well established, although practice varies between units. There is no published method that reliably predicts the need for tracheostomy. This paper describes the development of a surgical scoring system designed to achieve that aim. The system was devised using data obtained retrospectively from 148 consecutive major head and neck procedures. These procedures were grouped according to the airway management plan in place at the end of the procedure: elective extubation (group E, 52 procedures, 50 patients); elective overnight ventilation via an endotracheal tube (group ETT, 55 procedures, 52 patients); and elective overnight ventilation via a tracheostomy (group T, 41 procedures, 41 patients). 8 patients from group ETT required a late tracheostomy for either medical or surgical indications. Using statistical methods, a threshold score was defined above which the high risk of upper airway obstruction should prompt consideration of an elective tracheostomy.     

Salvage surgery in head and neck cancer

Salvage surgery after failed organ preservation treatment offers challenges for both the patient and the surgeon. The outcome is often uncertain and even today, 5‐year overall survival does not exceed 50 per cent. The chemoradiotherapy induced toxicity asks for meticulous discussion and planning in a multidisciplinary manner in a changing environment of increasing incidence of human papillomavirus induced oropharyngeal tumours, evolving surgical techniques and patient participation. Herein, we discuss the latest literature on salvage surgery and the need for identifying the proper prognosticators to ensure for an optimal treatment plan in potentially salvageable patients.     

Current applications of ultrasound-guided wire localization in head and neck surgery

Ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGWL) was originally developed for the removal of impalpable breast lesions. More recently, USGWL has been described in head and neck surgical practice and it has a number of applications in this field, with the potential to guide surgical exploration and the benefits of reducing operative time and morbidity. This technical note describes the use of preoperative USGWL to facilitate the removal of an impalpable neck node. A review of the current literature relating to the present applications of this technique in head and neck surgery is reported, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages.     

Radiotherapy for the management of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background:  Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) affect approximately 35 000 people in the United States yearly. Although survival has improved with advances in therapy, patients with advanced stages of SCCHN continue to have a poor prognosis. An understanding of rationale for treatment selection, newer developments in therapy, and treatment toxicity is critical.
Methods:  Standard methods of treating locally advanced SCCHN are reviewed. Advances in medical and radiotherapeutic management are discussed and the toxicities of therapy are described.
Results:  Postoperative chemoradiation is used in patients with high-risk characteristics. Induction chemotherapy and altered fractionation radiation treatment have been evaluated as alternatives to definitive chemo-radiotherapy. Targeted agents such as cetuximab may prove to increase survival with minimal increase in toxicity profile. Technological improvements such as the use of intensity-modulated radiation treatment have proven to decrease some debilitating side effects from radiation treatment.
Conclusions:  Locally advanced SCCHN continues to present a therapeutic challenge. Survival, local control, and quality of life are all goals of treatment. The optimal method of treating locally advanced SCCHN is the subject of ongoing research. Long-term side effects can be minimized with the use of newer technologies and with careful treatment planning.     

颌面颈部非金属异物的超声诊断评价

目的 探讨B超对颌面颈部非金属异物的诊断价值。方法 对112例颌面部非金属异物进行B超检查并将B超结果与手术结果进行对照分析。结果 B超检查结果经手术证实，其灵敏度、特异度、误诊率、漏诊率、准确度、尤登指数，分别为92.22%、90.90%、0.09、0.08、91.96%、0.83。结论 B超在对颌面颈部非金属异物诊断中，真实、可靠，具有较高的诊断价值。     

Tissue microarray – a high-throughput molecular analysis in head and neck cancer

With the identification of a number of novel markers having diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance, the application of tissue microarray (TMA) has become a valuable tool for validating candidate markers in cancer research. The TMA is a high-throughput technique, which allows large-scale analyses of hundreds of archival clinical tissue samples using the 'array' approach. This paper highlights briefly its robust technology, technical aspects of its construction, and the validity of the TMA results for oral pathology diagnostics by reviewing data from recent literature particularly with reference to head and neck cancer.     

TRACHY score: a simple and effective guide to management of the airway in head and neck cancer

Our aim was to provide a simple and effective scoring system to guide decision making in management of the airway. We retrospectively reviewed the casenotes of all patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and who were treated by resection with primary flap reconstruction. Those factors that were significant (p< 0.05) were analysed by logistic regression to establish their weighting. A total of 149 patients were included, 67 of whom (45%) were managed with endotracheal tubes, and 82 with tracheostomy (55%), of which eight were unplanned and late. From this we produced a score based on: T (T staging), R (Reconstruction), A (Anatomy of tumour), C (Coexisting conditions), H (History of previous treatment for head and neck cancer), Y (lateralitY- bilateral neck dissection). A score of 4 gave a sensitivity of 91.4%, a positive predictive value of 90.9%, a specificity of 90.8% and a negative predictive value of 88.2%. We applied this score to the patients, and it gave a mean score of: 2.1 (intubated), 5.7 (primary tracheostomy), and 4.6 (late tracheostomy). This is the largest published study to our knowledge of tracheostomies in head and neck cancer flap reconstructions that presents a scoring system for management of the airway. This scoring system can appropriately predict those patients who do not need tracheostomy and can act as a reliable screening tool in preoperative planning of the airway. It could aid management, and reduce the incidence of postoperative tracheostomies, with the potential that patients could be managed more safely, with reduced morbidity and mortality.     

Prevention and management of bacterial infections of the donor site of flaps raised for reconstruction in head and neck surgery

Purpose

In the field of reconstructive head and neck surgery, surgical site infections (SSI) are commonly investigated for the recipient site of various reconstructive procedures. Data about SSI of the donor site of different flaps raised for reconstruction are rare.

Malignant lymphoma of the head and neck

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 119–128 Malignant lymphomas represent approximately 5% of all malignant neoplasms of the head and neck area. They are classically divided into two subgroups, Hodgkin’s lymphomas (HLs) and non‐Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs). We describe the clinical characteristics of head and neck lymphomas and the methods to establish the diagnosis. The World Health Organization classification of lymphoid tissues describes more than 50 different histological types, and we analyse the most common staging system for lymphomas, the Ann Arbor staging system. Finally, the different therapeutic approaches are discussed.     

Role of real-time colour-flow Doppler in perforator free flap head and neck reconstruction

We discuss the use of real-time colour-flow Doppler ultrasound to optimally evaluate the vascular anatomy of patients receiving free perforator flap head and neck reconstruction. We explore the advantages of the technique and its role as a valuable adjunct for the planning and harvesting of perforator flaps.