Tuberculosis and wound healing in head and neck cancer.

Globalization of tuberculosis was noted, especially in immunomodulated patient. Patients having tuberculosis involving the cervical lymph nodes, undergoing resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region would impact a detrimental effect to the surgery. We report 3 cases that had caused significant morbidity in post resection period.

Comparison of CT and MR imaging for the detection of extranodal neoplastic spread in metastatic neck nodes.

Purpose: To compare computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the detection of extranodal neoplastic spread (ENS) in metastatic cervical nodes from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: 17 patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck underwent CT and MR imaging. The neck nodes were assessed for ENS and the results compared using pathology from the surgical resection.

Total airway obstruction during local anesthesia in a non-sedated patient with a compromised airway.

Purpose: To report a case of complete upper airway obstruction after topicalization with lidocaine in a completely conscious patient with partial upper airway obstruction.

Clinical Features: A 69-yr-old man with a history of neck cancer and radiation presented for resection of recurrent neck tumour. No preoperative sedation was given.

Necrosis in metastatic neck nodes: diagnostic accuracy of CT, MR imaging, and US.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and ultrasonography (US) in the detection of necrosis in metastatic cervical nodes from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven patients (age range, 39-85 years; mean age, 62 years) with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck underwent CT, MR imaging, and US. Three radiologists evaluated the images for nodal necrosis.

External jugular vein vascular malformation: sonographic and MR imaging appearances.

Vascular malformations arising from the wall of the external jugular vein are rare. This case series discusses the sonographic and MR imaging appearances of four such cases and reviews the literature. The diagnosis should be suggested preoperatively particularly because of the close relationship such malformations to the external jugular vein, as this helps surgeons to plan the operative procedure.

Disparity of sensitivities in detection of radiation-naïve and postirradiation recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the undifferentiated type by quantitative analysis of circulating Epstein-Barr virus DNA1,2.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to compare the sensitivities of plasma EBV DNA in detection of postirradiation locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), postirradiation distant metastatic NPC, and radiation-naïve NPC.

Experimental Design: Twenty-four patients with postirradiation local recurrence of NPC were assessed for plasma EBV DNA levels by a real-time quantitative PCR system. The results were compared with those of a cohort of 140 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and with those of 25 patients with distant metastatic relapse.

Rapid clearance of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA after surgical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: Circulating EBV DNA analysis has been shown to be valuable in the detection, prognostication, and monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. A previous study has shown that, after radiotherapy, plasma EBV DNA levels of NPC patients would decline exponentially with a median half-life of 3.8 days.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland.

We described a rare case of carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma in which mucoepidermoid carcinoma arise from a previous incompletely excised pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland. The tumor was surgically resected along with a modified radical neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy. The patient remained disease free 3 years after the last operation.

Reconstruction challenge--combined use of pectoralis major and gastric pull-up flaps for massive naso-oropharyngeal/oesophageal defects.

Massive defects of the upper aerodigestive tract present a reconstructive challenge. We report a case in which a large defect of the naso-oropharyngeal and oesophagus was reconstructed with a combination of a gastric pull-up and a pectoralis major muscle flap. Postoperative function was good and survival was in excess of 16 months.

Tracheal necrosis and surgical emphysema: a rare complication of thyroidectomy.

We describe the first reported case of tracheal necrosis following a thyroidectomy. This complication resulted in massive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum, which required emergency exploration of the neck to decompress the trapped air. We also discuss the suggested etiology and management of this rare condition.

Nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a review of 31 patients and prognostic factors.

Objectives/hypothesis: Nasopharyngectomy is a well-established treatment option for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Over a period of 4 years and 3 months, in a total of 43 patients, 45 nasopharyngectomies were performed. Thirty-one patients with follow-up ranging from 12 to 58 months were studied.

Retrospective study on the need of intensive care unit admission after major head and neck surgery.

Background: The present article aims to study the pattern and need of Intensive Care Unit admission after major head and neck operations.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of the hospital records of patients who underwent major head and neck operations during the period from February 1997 to February 2000 at the Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Results: A total of 268 consecutive elective major operations were carried out over the 3 year period.

Recurrent ameloblastoma presenting in the temporal fossa.

Recurrent ameloblastoma presenting in the temporal fossa is a rarely reported clinical entity. This report presents a case of temporal recurrence that occurred 30 years after the initial surgical treatment. A 45-year-old woman had a history of multiple enucleations for recurrences of her right mandibular ameloblastoma.