[Alarm and detection signs of upper digestive and respiratory tract cancers].

Upper digestive and respiratory tract cancers represent, in frequency, the fourth cancer in the general population. They are responsible of non-specific symptoms. Clinical examination of this anatomical region is difficult for a layman for whom the specific material is not available to diagnose a small tumour The objective of this paper was to make more sensitive the general practictioners about these type of cancers.

[Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common disorder associated with potentially severe complications. Polysomnography is the gold standard diagnostic tool, while CPAP ventilation is recognized as the most efficient therapy. The numerous symptoms, even though little specific, should be rapidly detected to screen for the syndrome and transfer the patient to an adequate healthcare facility.

Relevance of 5 different imaging signs in the evaluation of carotid artery invasion by cervical lymphadenopathy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the relevance of 5 different imaging signs in the evaluation of carotid artery invasion.

Subjects And Methods: Between September 2001 and September 2008, 22 patients (20 men and 2 women) presented with lymph node metastasis of a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that invaded the carotid artery. The patients received either carotid artery dissection (CAD, group 1 [n = 17]) or carotid resection (group 2 [n = 5]).

Comparison of LigaSure vessel sealing system, harmonic scalpel, and conventional hemostasis in total thyroidectomy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency, safety, and cost of the different methods of hemostasis (conventional hemostasis versus LigaSure vessel sealing system [LVSS] versus harmonic scalpel) currently available for thyroid surgery.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: The study was conducted from September 2007 to December 2008 in a university hospital.

Ultrasonic partial glossectomy.

Introduction: Partial glossectomy is the main treatment for tongue carcinoma. The resection of the tongue, which is a very vascularised tissue, requires a good hemostasis. The advantage of the harmonic scalpel is in combining sectioning and hemostasis in one single instrument, allowing a bloodless dissection of soft tissue.

Carotid artery resection and reconstruction with superficial femoral artery transplantation: a case report.

Introduction: Managing advanced head and neck cancer is often a difficult task, particularly when massive invasion of the carotid artery is present. However, en bloc resection can be a curative procedure, and reconstruction of the carotid artery limits the risk for stroke. The aim of this study was to describe the interest, indication, potential risks, and methods by which we carried out resections as well as reconstructions of the carotid artery using superficial femoral artery transplantation.

FDG-PET scan in local follow-up of irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

We performed a prospective study to assess the value of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the prediction of local control in irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Forty-two patients with irradiated HNSCCs underwent 49 FDG-PET scans between 3 and 6 months after the end of radiotherapy. The mean follow-up time after the first FDG-PET scan was 17 months.

[Complications with totally implantable venous access device. A retrospective of 116 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the complications related to implantation and use of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD).

Methods: Retrospective study based on 116 TIVAD involving 113 adult patients (93M/20F, mean age 59 years). The implantation was achieved under local anaesthesia (69% of cases) and under general anaesthesia (31% of cases).