Prophylactic central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: the terms of the debate.

An increasing interest in the management of central neck lymph nodes in the surgical treatment of papillary thyroid cancer is observed. While is widely accepted that patients with clinically apparent lymph nodes metastases should undergo compartment-oriented neck dissection, controversy exists about the need for prophylactic central neck dissection. The main issues that have been raised are the following ones: the definition of the anatomic boundaries and terminology of central neck dissection, the value of the recommendations expressed by the most authoritative association, the arguments in favour and against the appropriateness of prophylactic neck dissection, the laterality of central neck dissection.

Clinical outcomes of rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck in children.

Objective: To review our experience and critically evaluate treatment strategy and results in children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.

Methods: Retrospective charts review of children affected by non-orbital rhabdomyosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck who were treated at our institution from January 1996 to August 2009.

Results: Seven consecutive children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma were identified.