CT surveillance of the thorax in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a preliminary experience.

Purpose: Our goal was to determine the number of malignancies detected by thoracic CT in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) in three clinical settings.

Method: We retrospectively examined 168 thorax CT scans in 93 patients with head and neck SCCA and determined the number of malignancies (second primary cancers or metastasis) (a) at the time of diagnosis of the primary neck tumor (57 patients), (b) at approximately yearly intervals following treatment of the primary cancer (93 examinations in 43 patients), and (c) at the time of local/regional recurrence of the neck neoplasm (18 patients).

Results: CT detected malignancy in 9 of 57 patients examined during diagnosis of the neck tumor, in 9 of 43 patients during follow-up, and in 6 of 18 patients evaluated at the time of local/regional neck recurrence.

Nonexpandable silicone esophageal stents for treatment of malignant tracheoesophageal fistulas: complications and radiographic appearances.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the radiologic appearances and complications that occurred after placement of nonexpandable silicone stents used as palliative therapy for patients with malignant tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs).

Methods: Records of 11 patients (6 males, 5 females) who underwent placement of esophageal stents for malignant TEF between 1988 and 1994 were reviewed. Nine patients had esophageal carcinoma and two patients bronchogenic carcinoma.

An unusual presentation of Zenker's diverticulum.

Zenker's diverticula are esophageal outpouchings in the region of the cricopharyngeus which typically grow in a posterolateral and inferior direction and can cause esophageal compression if the diverticulum is large enough. We describe a patient in whom a Zenker's diverticulum expanded posteriorly and superiorly so that it was positioned in the posterior pharyngeal space, causing both esophageal and tracheal narrowing.

CT of vesicocorporeal fistula with menouria: a complication of uterine biopsy.

Vesicouterine fistulas are a rare complication of obstetrical-gynecological interventions and are the least common of the acquired urogenital fistulas. They are almost solely associated with cesarean section. A case is reported in which a patient with adenomyosis and pelvic adhesions presented with menouria (vesical menstruation) after uterine biopsy.