Inflammatory focal myositis of the sternomastoid muscle: is there an absolute indication for biopsy? A case report and review of the literature

bstract Focal myositis is a localised inflammatory process affecting skeletal muscles belonging to the pathological group of inflammatory pseudo tumours of soft tissue that includes myositis ossificans, proliferative myositis and nodular pseudosarcomatous fasciitis. Very rarely, it may affect one of the neck muscles and present as a neck lump, in which case both the clinical and pathological picture can mimic a sarcoma. We describe a case of focal myositis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, present a review of this rare condition and debate the necessity of biopsy.     

Focal myositis of the neck with idiopathic orbital myositis

Focal myositis (of Heffner) in the right trapezius and paraspinal muscles accompanied by a pseudotumour of the left orbit has not been reported previously. The clinical, pathological and radiological features of these unusual benign pseudotumours of the head and neck are discussed. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the neck and orbital ultrasound were suggestive of an inflammatory process without an abscess formation. This was followed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), which confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with intravenous steroids and antibiotics, that led to complete resolution of symptoms, and there was no recurrence at six months follow-up. This report highlights the importance of imaging in inflammatory neck swellings.     

Inflammatory myositis: a rare differential diagnosis of a neck lump

Inflammatory myositis is an extremely rare benign inflammatory condition of skeletal muscle. It usually affects the extremities, and there are only 10 cases reported in the head and neck region. Its significance is that in this region it can be clinically mistaken for a neoplasm. We describe a case and review the literature.     

Proliferative myositis of the masseter muscle

The authors present a case of a 33-year-old white man with a 4-month history of a rapidly enlarging, tender, painful, circumscribed facial mass located in the masseter muscle. CT scan and fine needle aspiration cytology, coupled with clinical assessment, suggested the diagnosis of proliferative myositis. Curative intraoral excisional biopsy was done, thereby avoiding a parotidectomy incision and approach to the lesion. The pathology showed proliferative myositis. A review of the literature revealed 36 cases which indicated that proliferative myositis is a relatively rare etiology of a head and neck mass. Careful clinical, radiologic, and pathologic evaluations were required to make this unusual diagnosis and avoid any unnecessary facial mutilation in its treatment.     

Proliferative myositis of the mylohyoid muscle

Proliferative myositis (PM) is a head and neck mass of rare etiology. In a review of the literature, 57 cases of PM were found. Of these, only 12 occurred in the head and neck region. Proliferative myositis is most rare in children, with only three reported cases, none of which involved the head and neck region. A case of a 9-year-old girl with PM of the mylohyoid muscle, presenting as a neck mass, is reported.     

Proliferative myositis arising in the tongue

We describe a rare case of proliferative myositis affecting the lateral border of the tongue. The site of the lesion and its gross pathological presentation were highly suggestive of a malignant process. Subsequent biopsy and characteristic histological appearance led to the diagnosis of this benign condition. This is the first reported case of a painful presentation of proliferative myositis involving the tongue. This report serves to remind the head and neck surgeon of the need to obtain histological diagnosis of malignancy before embarking upon radical surgical treatment. We recommend careful follow-up to ensure complete resolution of the lesion.     

Die okuläre Myositis Eine seltene Differenzialdiagnose der sinugenen orbitalen Komplikation

Orbital myositis is an uncommon subgroup of the nonspecific orbital inflammatory syndromes (previously termed orbital pseudotumor) and presents with eyelid swelling and redness, conjunctival chemosis, pain, proptosis, and diplopia. The disease is to date of unknown origin; autoimmune processes are suspected for the etiology. In the case of an otherwise healthy young male patient (age 28 years), the coexistence of chronic sinusitis primarily led to the diagnosis of sinugen orbital cellulitis. Despite antibiotic drug administration and surgical drainage of the paranasal sinuses the symptoms persisted. A second computed tomography revealed fusiform, inflammatory enlargement of the m. rectus lateralis. This muscle showed a restrictive paresis so that initially the m. rectus medialis was suspected to be paretic. The patient responded dramatically to administration of prednisolone within 2 days. The differential diagnosis between a sinugen orbital complication and orbital myositis is significant because corticosteroids are contraindicated for orbital cellulitis whereas they remain the therapy of choice for orbital myositis.     

Myositis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle as a result of arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint

This article describes a rare case of a myositis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle due to an acute septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint. A 51-year-old male in reduced condition was admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with a one-week history of a painless swelling of the sternocleidomastoid muscle associated with recurrent fever. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. An intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated without improvement of the process, accordingly a specific infection or a malignancy was ruled out by biopsy. The positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging finally revealed the diagnosis of a septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint as the causal focus of the infection. After an extensive surgical debridement and under continued antibiotic therapy the patient made an uneventful recovery. The acute septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is an uncommon infection with an insidious onset and is often unrecognized until it spreads to adjacent structures leading to serious complications. This case emphasizes that a myositis of sternocleidomastoid muscle can be caused by an ascending infection due to an acute septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint. Clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon disease are reviewed in this article.     

Management of dysphagia in inclusion body myositis.

Inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory myopathy in which dysphagia has been considered a rare finding. However, recent literature finds dysphagia an increasingly common symptom as more cases of inclusion body myositis are identified. Unlike some inflammatory myopathic disorders, inclusion body myositis is resistant to treatment with corticosteroids, and therefore, the otolaryngologist may be consulted regarding surgical options for relief of dysphagia. A patient is described in whom severe progressive dysphagia associated with inclusion body myositis developed. Impaired pharyngeal wall motion and cricopharyngeal achalasia were demonstrated by videofluoroscopic evaluation, and the patient was successfully treated by cricopharyngeal myotomy. The pathophysiologic nature of inclusion body myositis and the mechanisms of cervical dysphagia in the inflammatory myopathies are reviewed.     

Traumatic myositis ossificans of the superior belly of the omohyoid

The first case of traumatic myositis ossificans (TMO) involving a strap muscle of the neck is reported. TMO typically presents with an unresolved mass following trauma or surgery, requiring differentiation from other soft tissue and bone neoplasms. Opacification may be present on soft tissue X-rays. Computed tomography (CT) scan may demonstrate a characteristic zoning phenomenon to establish the diagnosis. The disorder is frequently self-limiting but surgery may be required for persistent symptoms.     

A 5-year study of patients with neck lymphadenopathy

The purpose of this study was to investigate neck lymphadenopathy patients in our hospital, and to investigate items requiring attention on the occasion of examination of these patients. In this study, 134 patients with neck lymphadenopathy in the five years from April 2005 to March 2010 were included. The kind of diseases, the period of suffering (the period from onset to consultation), relationship with pain, radiological examination, fine needle aspiration cytology and lymph node biopsy findings were examined. Of 134 patients, the disease was inflammatory in 109 patients (81.3%) and malignant in 25 patients (18.7%). The suffering period was longer in the malignant group than in the inflammatory group. Furthermore, the inflammatory group had more patients with neck lymph node pain than the malignant group, and the group with the short suffering period had more patients with neck lymph node pain than that with the long suffering period. Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed in 36 patients (26.9%), and finally, all of the seven patients with class III were diagnosed as having malignant disease. A neck lymph node biopsy was performed in 38 patients (28.4%), and four of 38 patients were diagnosed as having metastatic carcinoma. Two patients in the inflammatory group and two patients in the malignant group took more than 90 days to reach a definite diagnosis. Many kind of diseases cause neck lymphadenopathy, and, therefore, it is important to perform a neck lymph node biopsy immediately, if it is difficult to establish a diagnosis.     

Cervical myositis ossificans. A case report

This is the case of a middle-aged male with a slow growing lateral cervcal painful tumour, and without previous history of local trauma. Radiological testing reveals an ossifying soft tissue lesion without any osseous compromise. The lesion is completely resected, and the histological result is of ossifying myositis. It is an osseous tumour non neoplastic that originates within muscle and in particular the flexors of the inferior extremities and thigs or in the soft tissues. The incidence within the head and neck region is low (20%). There is an hereditary progressive form, Munchmeyer's disease, and another circumscribed, which can be subdivided in traumatic or atraumatic.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe radiolocalization and to determine the predictive value of the SLN for occult metastasis of the neck in N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx. DESIGN: A prospective study of 20 consecutive patients with N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and SLN biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: On the day before surgery, each patient who completed the study underwent a submucosal peritumoral injection of unfiltered technetium 99m sulfur colloid followed by lymphoscintigraphy. Focal areas of radioactivity were marked on the overlying skin. The following day, the patients underwent resection of the primary tumor, elevation of subplatysmal flaps, identification and removal of the SLNs as identified by gamma probe, and complete neck dissections. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy and gamma probe radiolocalization accurately identified 1 or more SLNs in all 20 patients. In 4 (20%) of the 20 patients, the SLN correctly identified metastatic disease. In no instance was the SLN negative when the lymphadenectomy specimen was positive. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the SLN had a negative predictive value of 100%. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is feasible and appears to accurately predict the presence of occult metastatic disease. Although further study is warranted, SLN biopsy could potentially guide head and neck oncologists to the patient with N0 disease who would benefit most from selective neck dissection and prevent the morbidity of unnecessary neck dissection.     

Prediagnostic malakoplakia presenting as a chronic inflammatory mass in the soft tissues of the neck.

Malakoplakia presenting in the head and neck is very rare. We present a case of an inflammatory mass in the neck, clinically mimicking actinomycosis in a 67-year-old man. Repeated culture of E. coli and histological and electron microscopic examination of biopsy material showed an infiltration of granular macrophages and intracellular gram negative bacilli, but no classical Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. The clinical and pathological findings and criteria for the diagnosis of malakoplakia are discussed.     

Malakoplakia of the neck

Malakoplakia that presents in the head and neck is very rare. We describe a 76-year-old man who presented with an inflammatory mass in the lateral aspect of the neck that clinically mimicked a tumoral expansion and was consistent with a cervical malakoplakia. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported with manifestations of this chronic inflammatory disease localized in the neck. Malakoplakia is a rare granulomatous disease that most frequently involves the genitourinary tract and occurs in an immunodeficient host. The symptoms are nonspecific and the diagnosis is based on the histologic findings. In the present case, the biopsy specimen of the cervical mass revealed a collection of numerous von Hansemann cells containing Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, which are pathognomonic of malakoplakia. Bacteriologic analysis identified Escherichia coli. The evolution was favorable after surgical excision and prolonged antibiotic therapy with fluoroquinolones.     

Mediastinal nontuberculous mycobacteria as a cause of pediatric airway obstruction

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are seen frequently in the head and neck region in immunocompetent young children in their toddler years. These infections usually present as an inflammatory neck mass that is refractory to standard antibiotic therapy. We describe a previously healthy 16-month-old boy presenting with persistent wheezing despite treatment for reactive airway disease. At bronchoscopy a large carinal mass compressing both main stem bronchi was found. Subsequent thoracoscopic biopsy and culture revealed Mycobacterium avium complex. The rationale for serial bronchoscopies as well as diagnostic, medical and surgical management options are discussed.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy

OBJECTIVES: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a technique in which a fine needle is introduced into a mass, cellular material is aspirated, and a cytological diagnosis is rendered. It separates reactive and inflammatory processes that do not require surgical intervention from neoplasia and benign from malignant tumors. FNAB lends itself to the diagnosis of palpable head and neck masses, in particular, those that persist following antibiotic treatment. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: This clinical state-of-the-art review article is intended to provide an overview of the clinical use of FNAB in the management of head and neck masses. Relevant case histories are used to illustrate this point. RESULTS: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has a high overall diagnostic accuracy of 95% for all head and neck masses, 95% for benign lesions, and 87% for malignant ones. CONCLUSIONS: There are virtually no contraindications, and complications are minimal. Advantages of FNAB are that it is safe and simple, it can be performed as an outpatient procedure, and it is well tolerated by patients. In the present managed care environment, it also proves cost-effective. The diagnosis is readily known to the clinician, and appropriate treatment modalities can be discussed with the patient. It is recommended as a first line of investigation in palpable head and neck masses.     

Muscle pathology in idiopathic cricopharyngeal dysphagia

Summary The structural changes in the cricopharyngeal muscle (CM) were examined ultrastructurally and by enzyme histochemistry in five patients suffering from idiopathic cricopharyngeal dysphagia (ICD). Diagnosis was established by fiberoptic esophagoscopy, esophageal manometry and cineradiography. Cricopharyngeal myotomy was performed with marked improvement in all patients. Intraoperatively, a biopsy was taken from the CM. Additionally, all patients underwent neurological examination for possible generalized muscle disease, and a biopsy was taken from a limb muscle. CM from nine cadavers without known history of dysphagia served as control. The control samples disclosed structural changes which were considered to be pathological in other skeletal muscles, and required that the criteria for CM pathology we modified accordingly. In three patients changes in CM histology suggested specific pathogenesis: one patient had evidence for a generalized myositis but was only symptomatic for dysphagia. Another patient had muscle fiber atrophy and slight inflammation in her CM, possibly due to alcohol abuse. The third patient had loss of CM fibers with replacement by connective tissue enough to cause functional disturbances. In two patients no cause for dysphagia was found in either immunohistochemistry or electron microscopic studies. These results demonstrate the special structural features of the CM and indicate that ICD can have multiple etiologies.     

Neck masses: diagnostic analysis of 630 cases in Turkish population

Neck masses can be classified into three main categories: congenital, inflammatory and neoplastic. Our aim was to determine the distribution of diagnosis in patients who were followed-up for a neck mass and had undergone surgery for diagnostic indications. Six hundred and thirty cases referred to the Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital between January 2005 and February 2012 with a neck mass who underwent excisional or incisional biopsy to establish a histopathologic diagnosis were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with a diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract malignancy were excluded from the study. As well as the patients with thyroid masses were excluded. Only unknown primary neck masses were included in the study. The neck masses were categorized as inflammatory (33.49 %), congenital (18.9 %) or neoplastic (47.6 %). Neoplastic masses were either benign (51 %) or malignant (49 %) tumors. The most common causes were tuberculous lymphadenitis (40.28 %) among inflammatory masses, thyroglossal duct cysts (32.77 %) among congenital masses, pleomorphic adenoma (22.33 %) among benign neoplastic masses, and lymphoma (20 %) among malignant neoplastic masses. The most common types of mass were congenital in the 0–20 year age group, benign neoplastic in 21–40-year-old and malignant neoplastic in the >40-year group. Any neck mass, especially in an elderly patient, should be managed with caution as a considerable proportion may be malignant. In children and adolescents, a neck mass requiring surgery is most likely to be congenital. Tuberculosis should be considered as a cause of a neck mass due to a long-term inflammatory process in a developing country.