Impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The impact of metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) group is poorly understood because of the difficult access of the retropharyngeal space. Previous studies concluding to the negative impact of RPLN metastasis rely heavily on radiographic assessment, which introduces the possibility of diagnostic error.

Objective: To better define the prognostic significance of metastatic retropharyngeal adenopathy in patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The impact of malignant disease on facial nerve function after parotidectomy.

Objectives/hypothesis: Studies of immediate postoperative facial nerve function following parotidectomy focus on benign disease. The purpose of the study was to compare facial nerve function with regard to benign or malignant disease in patients undergoing superficial parotidectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing parotidectomy between 1995 to 2002.