甲状腺乳头状癌患者甲状腺肿瘤特征对颈侧区淋巴结转移的影响

目的 研究甲状腺乳头状癌患者甲状腺肿瘤特征对颈侧区淋巴结转移的预测作用。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月—2020年12月手术治疗的甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床资料509例,男105例,女404例;年龄18~85岁,平均(45.38±14.85)岁。其中临床分期Ⅰ期382例,Ⅱ期127例。采用多因素二元Logistic回归分析甲状腺乳头状癌患者颈侧区淋巴结转移的影响因素。结果 根据病理诊断结果是否存在颈侧区淋巴结转移,其中178例患者存在颈侧区淋巴结转移,331例患者不存在颈侧区淋巴结转移。存在颈侧区转移和不存在颈侧区转移的患者临床资料比较发现,存在颈侧区转移的患者中年龄<40岁、肿瘤最大直径>2 cm、转移中央区淋巴数量>5个、多灶性以及鼠类肉瘤滤过性毒菌致癌基因同源体B1(v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1,BRAF)不存在突变的患者比例显著高于存在颈侧区转移的患者(P<0.05)。采用多因素二元Logistic回顾分析结果发现肿瘤最大直径>2 cm (OR=3.482,95%CI:1.482~5.642,P=0.000)、转移中央区淋巴结数量>5个(OR=6.583,95%CI:2.384~12.373,P=0.000)、多灶性(OR=3.473,95%CI:1.387~8.684,P=0.032)以及BRAF不存在突变(OR=3.952,95%CI:1.489~9.572,P=0.000)是甲状腺乳头状癌发生颈侧区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。结论 肿瘤最大直径>2 cm、转移中央区淋巴数量>5个、多灶性以及BRAF不存在突变是甲状腺乳头状癌患者出现颈侧区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。     

原发灶不明颈部转移癌的探讨

颈部肿物诊断不易,最终依靠组织学诊断。原发灶不明的颈淋巴结转移癌发现率高,耳鼻喉科也常见。作者就1964～1985年癌中心——新泻医院,原发灶不明颈部转移癌33例加以讨论。将治疗前未能发现原发部位者定名为原发灶不明癌。其发病率为2.7％,男多于女,多于发现颈部肿物3个月内就诊。明确原发部位的有6例(其中喉癌和颈段食管癌分别为颌下、颈上、中淋巴结转移,与1981年Batsakis所述转移至颈上深、锁骨上窝淋巴结不符)。病理大部分为鳞状上皮癌和未分化癌。治疗以全摘、颈廓清术、放疗、化疗等方法并用或单用。作者认为淋巴结可因慢性炎     

有无侧颈区淋巴结转移的分化型甲状腺癌的临床特征研究

目的　探讨有无侧颈区淋巴结转移的两组分化型甲状腺癌的临床特征。方法　回顾性分析2013年1月~2019年12月中国人民解放军总医院第六医学中心耳鼻咽喉头颈外科医学部收治的经病理确诊的分化型甲状腺乳头状癌502例,根据术后病理结果是否有侧颈区淋巴结转移将患者分为阳性组（n=82例）和阴性组（n=420例）,采用多因素Logistic回归分析确定分化型甲状腺癌患者的各临床资料信息与侧颈部淋巴结转移的关系。结果 502例分化型甲状腺癌患者中,16.3%（82/502）患者存在侧颈区淋巴结转移。多因素分析结果显示,患者的原发灶数量越多、原发灶越大、原发灶侵犯被膜、有中央区淋巴结转移,发生侧颈区淋巴结转移的风险更高。原发灶多个时风险是单个原发灶的1.213倍,原发灶≥1 cm的风险是＜1 cm的2.786倍,侵犯包膜的风险是不侵犯包膜的2.155倍,有中央区淋巴结转移者风险是无中央区转移者的3.779倍,年龄≥55岁的风险是＜55岁的2.275倍。甲状腺双叶均有原发灶者发生颈侧区 淋巴结转移的风险更高。有无侧颈区淋巴结转移与患者性别、年龄、是否患有桥本氏甲状腺炎无关（P＜0.05）。结论  患者原发灶为多个、原发灶≥1 cm、侵犯双侧腺叶、侵犯被膜时应注意有无侧颈区淋巴结转移的可能。     

颈外径路Sistrunk手术治疗成人复发性舌甲状舌管囊肿的临床分析

目的 探讨成人复发性舌甲状舌管囊肿（LTGDC）的临床特点、误诊原因及手术治疗。方法 回顾性分析2018年1月—2021年3月收治的6例反复复发的成年LTGDC患者,术前行甲状腺B超提示甲状腺位置并排除异位甲状腺,颈部CT检查明确肿物大小、部位及与舌骨的关系,喉咽部MRI明确肿物性质。手术均采用颈外径路Sistrunk手术。结果 6例患者曾误诊为会厌囊肿4例,舌根囊肿2例,均已行囊肿切除术,复发时间3周至1年。所有患者行颈外径路Sistrunk手术完整切除甲状舌管囊肿及瘘管,术后病理确诊为甲状舌管囊肿。术后随访1年以上无复发。结论 复发性舌根部或会厌间隙的囊性肿物应考虑LTGDC的可能性。所有患者术前均应行喉镜检查和颈部影像学检查以了解囊肿的形态、位置及其和舌骨的关系来选择手术方式。对于成人复发性LTGDC,Sistrunk手术可彻底切除囊肿减少复发。     

Ⅵ区淋巴结在甲状腺乳头状癌颈淋巴转移中的意义

目的 进一步认识Ⅵ区淋巴结在甲状腺乳头状癌(papillary thyroid carcinoma,PTC)颈转移中的地位及PTC患者颈部转移淋巴结的分布特点,为PTC的颈部淋巴结处理提供依据.方法 回顾性总结2002年1月至2004年12月97例病变局限于一侧腺叶的PTC患者的临床资料:72例术前检查为cNO,25例为cN+;32例原发灶长径≤1 cm,65例原发灶长径＞1 cm.术中常规取Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结做冰冻病理检查,根据淋巴结病理结果、肿瘤原发灶大小及位置决定颈部淋巴结的清扫范围.Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴转移患者行包括Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫;伴有肿瘤包膜外侵患者行双侧Ⅵ区清扫;原发灶长径≤1 cm行患侧Ⅵ区清扫;原发灶长径＞1 cm行双侧Ⅵ区清扫.结果 97例患者行Ⅵ区清扫122侧,45.1%(55/122)发生淋巴转移.72例cN0患者45.8%(33/72)发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移,25例cN+患者76.0%(19/25)发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移,差异有统计学意义(x2=6.790,P=0.009).10例原发灶包膜外侵患者的淋巴转移发生率为65.0%(13/20),87例无包膜外侵患者的淋巴转移发生率为41.2%(42/102),差异有统计学意义(x2=3.833,P=0.047).32例原发灶长径≤1 cm的患者行患侧Ⅵ区清扫,43.8%(14/32)发生淋巴转移,65例原发灶长径＞1 cm患者行双侧Ⅵ区清扫,69.2%(45/65)有患侧Ⅵ区转移,23.1%(15/65)有双侧Ⅵ区转移,两组间同侧Ⅵ区转移率的差异有统计学意义(x2=5.843,P=0.016).结论 Ⅵ区为FTC较早发生淋巴转移的区域,伴有原发灶包膜外侵犯者易发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移.原发灶长径≤1 cm的患者可发生同侧Ⅵ区转移;原发灶长径＞1 cm者可发生双侧Ⅵ区转移.PTC颈淋巴转移可单独或同时发生在Ⅵ区或侧颈区的任何一个区域.术中应常规做Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结冰冻病理检查,淋巴结阳性者行包括Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫.     

仅表现为侧颈淋巴结转移的隐匿性甲状腺癌1例

本文报道1例病理证实为侧颈淋巴结转移而甲状腺无恶性病变的隐匿性甲状腺乳头状癌病例。患者25岁女性,因发现右侧颈部肿物1年,2周前肿物细针穿刺活检见乳头状结构入院,初步诊断为颈部淋巴结转移癌,进一步影像学检查未发现甲状腺恶性征象,全身未查见原发灶,于全身麻醉下行颈部右侧淋巴结取检术,病理回报为淋巴结转移性甲状腺乳头状癌,...     

临床淋巴结阴性甲状腺微小乳头状癌患者中央区淋巴结转移危险因素分析

目的 探讨临床淋巴结阴性(cN₀)甲状腺微小乳头状癌(PTMC)患者颈中央区淋巴结转移(CLNM)预测模型。方法 本研究纳入2015—2020年在西安交通大学第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科手术确诊的cN₀-PTMC患者共1271例,根据手术记录和术后病理结果统计年龄、性别、肿瘤最大径、肿瘤位置、侧别、BRAF^V600E基因突变、伴结节性甲状腺肿(NG)和桥本氏甲状腺炎(HT)情况、腺外侵犯、被膜侵犯、颈淋巴结转移等临床病理资料,分析CLNM与各临床病理参数的相关性。结果 采用年龄45岁作为分类标准进行单因素分析。结果显示男性患者、年龄、肿瘤直径、是否伴HT、是否多灶性均与cN₀-PTMC发生CLNM相关(P＜0.05)。伴NG、BRAF^V600E基因突变、肿瘤位置、腺外侵犯、肿瘤侧、被膜侵犯均与cN₀-PTMC发生CLNM无相关性(P＞0.05)。继续进行非条件Logistic回归分析,结果显示男性患者(OR=1.929,95%CI: 1.465~2.541),年龄≤45岁(OR=2.581,95%CI:2.004~3.324),多灶性(OR=1.675,95%CI: 1.276~2.197)是cN₀-PTMC患者发生CLNM的独立危险因素;直径≤5 mm(OR=0.603,95%CI: 0.463~0.785)和伴HT(OR=0.642,95%CI: 0.452~0.913)是cN₀-PTMC患者发生CLNM的保护因素。伴HT是cN₀-PTMC患者BRAF^V600E基因野生型的危险因素(OR=3.454,95%CI: 1.865~6.397)。结论 男性患者、年龄≤45岁、肿瘤直径＞5 mm、不伴HT、多灶性是cN₀-PTMC患者发生CLNM的独立危险因素。伴HT是此类患者发生BRAF^V600E基因突变的保护因素,与其他临床病理特征无相关性。     

人乳头状瘤病毒相关口咽鳞状细胞癌的特点及临床分析

目的 分析人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）相关口咽鳞状细胞癌（OPSCC）的临床特点,探讨不同治疗方案对OPSCC患者生活质量的影响,以期更好地指导制定临床治疗方案并判断预后。方法 收集2014年1月-2019年1月在北京友谊医院诊治的38例OPSCC患者临床资料,男31例,女7例;其中扁桃体癌24例、舌根癌14例;HPV阳性患者13例,阴性患者25例;I、II期患者10例,III、IV期患者28例。38例患者中行同步放化疗4例,单纯根治性放疗2例,手术加术后放疗或放化疗27例,诱导化疗+术前放疗+手术或术后补充放疗5例。采用χ²检验分析HPV感染的临床特点,采用Kaplan-Meier法、Log-rank单因素分析和Cox回归模型多因素分析法计算生存率和预后相关因素分析;非参数秩和检验进行生活质量分析。结果 在OPSCC患者中,非吸烟、饮酒患者HPV阳性率更高（P=0.014,P=0.049）,HPV相关OPSCC患者更易发生颈部淋巴结转移（P=0.032）。HPV阳性以及肿瘤分期I、II患者总生存率更高（P=0.003,P=0.006）,且为影响患者预后的独立危险因素。3种治疗方案患者总生存率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,但同步放化疗患者吞咽功能障碍更显著,差异存在统计学意义（P=0.002）。结论 HPV相关OPSCC患者中多为非吸烟、饮酒的人群,更容易发生颈部淋巴结转移,但预后相对较好。可考虑降级治疗以保护患者的吞咽功能,改善治疗后的生活质量。     

正电子发射计算机断层和CT融合显像诊断颈淋巴结转移癌

目的探讨18F-脱氧葡萄糖(18-Fluorine Fluorodeoxyglucose,FDG)正电子发射计算机断层显像(Positron Emission Tomography,PET)-CT融合显像在颈淋巴结转移癌中的诊断价值。方法17例颈部肿块病人,CT或MRI发现可疑病变28处,其中鼻咽癌放射治疗后6例,肺癌治疗后3例,甲状腺癌手术后3例,下咽癌放疗后1例,不明原发灶4例,行全身或颈部PET-CT检查,其结果与临床病理报告对照。结果17例患者,共28处PET-CT显像阳性20例,阴性8例;对照病理结果,假阳性1例,假阴性1例,18F-FDGPET-CT诊断颈淋巴结转移癌的灵敏度、特异性、准确度分别为95.0%,87.5%,92.9%。结论18F-FDGPET-CT结合PET提供肿瘤代谢图像,CT提供解剖图像,在颈淋巴结转移癌的诊断及监测复发方面具有较大的临床价值。     

彩超在诊断分化型甲状腺癌颈淋巴结转移中的应用

目的评价彩超在诊断甲状腺癌患者颈淋巴结转移中的作用.方法回顾性分析1998年2月～2002年2月收治51例颈淋巴转移的甲状腺癌患者的临床资料：30例（34侧）颈部可触及有肿大淋巴结并经彩超检查诊断有颈淋巴结转移;21例（24侧）颈部未触及有肿大淋巴结但彩超检查诊断有颈淋巴结转移.对上述58侧颈部实行改良性颈清扫,将术前彩超检查结果与术后病理结果进行比较.结果彩超诊断有颈淋巴结转移的58侧行改良性颈清扫术后53侧病理报告有转移淋巴结,彩超检查的灵敏度为91.4%（53/58）.4例患者在随访过程中发现颈侧区淋巴结转移,复发率为7.5%.彩超可以发现39.6%有临床漏诊颈淋巴结转移的患者.术前彩超检查：中颈淋巴转移率最高71.7%（38/53）;术后病理检查：Ⅲ区淋巴转移率最高67.9%（36/53）,其结果基本相同.结论彩超在术前可以判断是否发生颈淋巴结转移并能够准确定位,在甲状腺癌的术前颈淋巴结的评价中十分重要,甲状腺癌患者应常规进行术前彩超检查.     

Incidence of Unsuspected Metastases in Lateral Cervical Cysts

Objective Solitary cystic squamous cell carcinoma metastases may be difficult to distinguish clinically from a benign cervical cyst. We sought to identify the incidence of solitary cystic squamous cell carcinoma metastasis in patients presenting with apparently benign cervical cysts. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods The records of all patients who presented with isolated lateral cervical cysts between 1983 and 1999 were reviewed. Patients with a clinically apparent primary malignancy, a history of head and neck cancer, a history of irradiation, or age less than 18 years were excluded from analysis, as were patients with a histological diagnosis of nonsquamous cell malignancy or those without a final histological diagnosis. Results One hundred twenty‐one adult patients presented with an initial diagnosis of lateral cervical cyst. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was demonstrated histologically after surgical excision in 12 patients (9.9%). The incidence of malignancy was significantly greater in patients greater than 40 years of age (23.5%, P < .0001). Results of preoperative fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) were negative for malignancy in five cases of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Panendoscopy with directed biopsies revealed an occult primary in the base of tongue in three patients, tonsil in one patient, and nasopharynx in one. No primary was found in six patients, despite repeated examinations and close follow‐up. Conclusions Solitary cervical cysts in patients older than 40 years of age should be presumed to be carcinoma until proven otherwise. A negative FNA result may be misleading, because of hypocellularity of the cyst fluid. Excisional biopsy should be undertaken with provisions made for frozen‐section analysis of the specimen and contingency panendoscopy with directed biopsies of Waldeyer's ring if frozen‐section histological examination reveals malignancy.     

Cervical thymic cyst presenting as a possible cystic nodal metastasis of papillary carcinoma in a 53-year-old man

Cervical thymic cysts are rare embryonic remnants that develop along the course of thymic migration in the neck. They usually occur during infancy and childhood, and they are extremely rare in adults. We report a case of cervical thymic cyst in a 53-year-old man. The patient presented with a small mass of the thyroid gland and a cystic mass at the left level II area of the neck. On histopathology, the thyroid mass was identified as a papillary carcinoma and the left-sided neck mass was diagnosed as a cervical thymic cyst lined with nonkeratinizing, flattened squamous epithelium. The cyst wall contained atrophic thymic tissue composed of lymphoid cells, epithelial cords, and Hassall corpuscles. Although it is rare, cervical thymic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lateral cystic neck mass in an adult.     

Cystic form of cervical lymphadenopathy. Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL). Part 1: Diagnostic procedures for lymphadenopathy in case of cervical mass with cystic aspect

ObjectivesThe authors present the guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society on diagnostic procedures for lymphadenopathy in case of a cervical mass with cystic aspect.MethodsA multidisciplinary work-group was entrusted with a review of the scientific literature on the topic. Guidelines were drawn up, then read over by an editorial group independent of the work-group, and the final version was drawn up. Guidelines were graded as A, B, C or expert opinion, by decreasing level of evidence.ResultsIn adults presenting a cystic cervical mass, it is recommended to suspect cervical lymphadenopathy: in order of decreasing frequency, cystic metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and of thyroid papillary carcinoma (Grade C). On discovery of a cystic cervical mass on ultrasound, architectural elements indicating a lymph node and a thyroid nodule with signs of malignancy should be screened for, especially if the mass is located in levels III, IV or VI (Grade A). Malignant lymphadenopathy should be suspected in case of cervical mass with cystic component on CT (Grade B), but benign or malignant status cannot be diagnosed only on radiological data (CT or MRI) (Grade A), and 18-FDG PET-CT should be performed, particularly in case of inconclusive ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (Grade C).     

Incidence of occult thyroid carcinoma metastases in lateral cervical cysts

PURPOSE: To establish the incidence of thyroid carcinoma metastasis in adult patients presenting with apparently benign cervical cysts. The authors report their experience with four cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma who present with a lateral cervical cystic mass and no palpable disease in the thyroid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing surgery for solitary cervical cysts in our clinic from 1994 to 2002 was performed. Patients with a clinically obvious primary malignancy, age less than 16 years were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were identified. A diagnosis of benign cervical cyst was shown by histological examination of the resected specimen in 32 patients (86.4%), with a mean age of 34 years (range, 16-59 years). A diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma metastasis arising from an occult tonsillary primary was confirmed histologically in one patient (2.7%). Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis was confirmed by histological examination of the resected specimen in 4 patients (10.8 %), with a mean age of 29 years (range, 18-37 years). Diagnostic studies performed included ultrasound, computed tomography scan, fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and excisional biopsy. FNA was found to be helpful in only one of the 3 cases with papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis. Final histopathological examination exhibited primary focus in the thyroid gland in all 4 patients, with a mean size of 0.5 cm (range, 0.3-0.8 cm). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that nearly 1 out of every 10 lateral cervical cysts in young adult patients represents lymphatic metastases from occult thyroid carcinoma. An excisional biopsy for definitive diagnosis should be undertaken without prolonged delay, even if FNA does not reveal malignancy.     

Multilocular cervical thymic cysts in adults. A report of two cases and review of the literature

Cervical thymic cysts are rare benign lesions that are hardly ever considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic neck masses. In the vast majority of cases, thymic cysts are found in infants and children. This article illustrates two cases of multilocular cervical thymic cysts in adults presenting as asymptomatic swellings in the neck. The clinical presentation, evaluation, surgical management and pathological findings are described. The possible pathogenesis as an acquired disease is reviewed and discussed. The authors recommend that, despite its rare occurrence, multilocular cervical thymic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all equivocal cases of unilateral cystic neck masses in adults.     

Bronchogenic cysts of the neck in adults

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital sacs that result from maldevelopment of the primitive foregut. Although they occur predominantly in the chest, there are reports of lesions in extrathoracic locations. The majority of reported bronchogenic cysts located in the neck are found in the pediatric population; a review of the literature reveals few reports of bronchogenic cysts of the neck among adults. The diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst relies on the histology and location of the lesion. Here, we review our experience in the diagnosis and management of 2 adult patients with pathologically proven bronchogenic cysts. Both patients presented with solitary neck masses that proved to be bronchogenic cysts on histologic examination. Our purpose is to define the histopathologic and clinical characteristics of bronchogenic cysts and discuss the features that distinguish them from other cervical cysts. In conclusion, congenital bronchogenic cysts can occur in the neck of adults and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic cervical masses in adults, as well as children.     

Cervical cysts: Cancer until proven otherwise?

A cystic neck mass can be either malignant or benign; 22% of patients (4/18) admitted with the tentative diagnosis of branchial cyst in a recent 2-year period (1977-1979) had metastatic carcinoma: epidermoid, thyroid or salivary gland. Preoperative fine needle aspiration was diagnostic in 1 instance and unhelpful in 2. Frozen section analysis of the gross specimen invariably provided the correct diagnosis. All patients with malignancies had subclinical primary disease and in 1 instance random biopsies identified its origin. The prudent surgeon will avoid untoward results if he approaches a neck cyst in an adult as if it were malignant. Guidelines he can follow to prevent the inadvertent removal of a metastasis under the misapprehension that it is a benign neck cyst include: 1. Prior to operation, perform a thorough head and neck examination to identify a primary carcinoma; 2. Do a fine needle aspiration of the mass for cytology. A negative report must be considered inconclusive; 3. Make a gross examination in the operating room of the opened cyst and frozen section processing of suspicious areas; 4. Follow with a panendoscopy and random biopsies of appropriate areas and omplete the neck dissection on the involved side, after a metastatic deposit has been recognized. The preoperative procurement of contingency consent for these procedures is understood.     

Cystic form of cervical lymphadenopathy in adults. Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (short version). Part 2–etiological diagnosis procedure: Clinical and imaging assessment

IntroductionThe authors present the guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL) for clinical and radiological assessment of cystic neck lymphadenopathy of unknown primary in adults. Most cases concern head and neck carcinoma metastasis, often in the oropharyngeal area, or less frequently differentiated thyroid carcinoma or non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodsA multidisciplinary task force was commissioned to carry out a review of the literature on the etiological work-up in cystic neck lymphadenopathy in adults: clinical examination, conventional imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI) and metabolic imaging. Guidelines were drafted based on the articles retrieved, and graded A, B, C or expert opinion according to decreasing level of evidence.ResultsOriented clinical examination, cervical and thyroid ultrasound scan and contrast-enhanced neck and chest CT scan are recommended in the assessment of cystic neck lymphadenopathy of unknown primary in adult patients. PET-CT is recommended prior to panendoscopy, to identify the primary tumor.ConclusionClinical and radiological assessment is fundamental for etiologic diagnosis of cystic neck lymphadenopathy in adult patients, and should be completed by cytological examination before in initiating treatment.     

Management of lateral cystic swellings of the neck,in the over 40s' age group

We present a series of three case reports of patients over the age of 40 with cystic swellings in the lateral neck. Clinically they masqueraded as branchial cysts, but subsequently were diagnosed as being squamous cell carcinoma cystic lymph node metastasis arising from an occult tonsillar primary. Currently there is an absence of national guidelines for the treatment of lateral neck cysts in the over 40s' age group that subsequently prove to be cystic metastases from occult tonsillar primaries. This disease process is more common than thought, with up to 80 per cent of so-called branchial cysts in the over 40s' age group being malignant. We recommend that patients over the age of 40 presenting with lateral cystic swellings in the neck should have a high suspicion of malignancy and require a panendoscopy, ipsilateral tonsillectomy and blind biopsies of Waldeyer's ring. This avoids inadvertent excision of a possible cystic lymph node metastasis. If the panendoscopy histology proves to be benign, then proceed to excision of the cyst with frozen section analysis of it. If this confirms it to be benign then that is all that is necessary; if the frozen section is however positive for carcinoma then the surgeon can proceed at that time to a formal neck dissection and therefore avoid a further procedure. In the event of an occult tonsillar malignancy, excision of the cyst as part of a neck dissection with post-operative radiotherapy is recommended. It is our aim to treat a cystic lymph node metastasis as you would a solid lymph node metastasis.     

The clinical value of image cytometry DNA analysis in distinguishing branchial cleft cysts from cystic metastases of head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: A branchial cleft cyst presents as a lump in the neck that, generally, is easily cured by surgical excision. The preoperative diagnosis is based on clinical examination and, especially in the Scandinavian countries, fine-needle aspiration cytology. However, at times, the histopathological analysis of the excised cyst reveals a cystic metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. If adequate diagnosis could be obtained preoperatively, patients would most likely fare better. The study was performed to investigate whether the diagnostic accuracy for these lesions could be improved preoperatively by image cytometry DNA analysis of the fine-needle aspiration cytology specimen. STUDY DESIGN: Image cytometry DNA analysis was performed on the preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology specimen and the surgical specimens from 51 patients with solitary cysts in the lateral region of the neck. Thirty-six patients were selected because there was a discrepancy between findings on fine-needle aspiration cytology and the final histopathological diagnosis or an uncertain cytological diagnosis. There were 25 metastatic squamous cell carcinomas and 3 thyroid cancers, there was 1 lymphoma and 1 sialoadenitis, and there were 21 branchial cleft cysts. METHODS: The cytodiagnostic Giemsa-stained slides were destained in Methanol and then stained with Schiff's reagent. The paraffin-embedded material from excised cysts were cut and deparaffinized and then stained with Schiff's reagent. Ahrens image analysis was used for DNA analysis and lymphocytes were used as control cells. DNA valves exceeding 5c was regarded as aneuploid. RESULTS: Image cytometry DNA analysis of the preoperative cytological specimen was possible in 41 of 51 patients. We found that in 53% of the cases with cystic metastasis, image cytometry DNA analysis, when possible, revealed aneuploidy, thus indicating malignancy. DNA analysis showed diploidy in all benign cases. CONCLUSIONS: Aneuploidy is highly specific for malignancy. Image cytometry DNA analysis increases the diagnostic sensitivity for malignant cystic metastasis and therefore is a valuable supplement to conventional cytological study for these lesions.