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A J Balm

Publications and source records attributed to A J Balm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Hypoxia in head and neck cancer: how much, how important?

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia develops in tumors because of a less ordered, often chaotic, and leaky vascular supply compared with that in normal tissues. In preclinical models, hypoxia has been shown to be associated with treatment resistance and increased malignant potential. In the clinic, several reports show the presence and extent of tumor hypoxia as a negative prognostic indicator. This article reviews the biology and importance of hypoxia in head and neck cancer. METHODS: A review of literature was carried out and combined with our own experience on hypoxia measurements using exogenous and endogenous markers. RESULTS: Hypoxia can increase resistance to radiation and cytotoxic drugs and lead to malignant progression, affecting all treatment modalities, including surgery. Hypoxia measurements using electrodes, exogenous bioreductive markers, or endogenous markers show the presence of hypoxia in most head and neck cancers, and correlations with outcome, although limited, consistently indicate hypoxia as an important negative factor. Each hypoxia measurement method has disadvantages, and no "gold standard" yet exists. Distinctions among chronic, acute, and intermediate hypoxia need to be made, because their biology and relevance to treatment resistance differ. Reliable methods for measuring these different forms in the clinic are still lacking. Several methods to overcome hypoxia have been tested clinically, with radiosensitizers (nimorazole), hypoxic cytotoxins (tirapazamine), and carbogen showing some success. New treatments such as hypoxia-mediated gene therapy await proper clinical testing. CONCLUSIONS: The hypoxia problem in head and neck cancer needs to be addressed if improvements in current treatments are to be made. Increased knowledge of the molecular biology of intermediate, severe, and intermittent hypoxia is needed to assess their relevance and indicate strategies for overcoming their negative influence.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2004

[Cervical ranula].

Three patients, 2 men aged 21 and 39 years, respectively, and 1 woman aged 29 years, presented with a unilateral swelling of the neck, with no accompanying symptoms. In the youngest man the diagnosis of a 'plunging ranula' was made after repeated fine needle aspiration yielded viscous yellowish mucus with a high amylase content. In the oldest man the diagnosis was made during the operation and in the woman the diagnosis was finally made after two surgical explorations in the neck. In all 3, no recurrence occurred after removal of the involved salivary glands. A cervical ranula is an extension of a pseudocyst of the glandula sublingualis. Important clues for the diagnosis of a 'plunging ranula' are: the simultaneous presence of a ranula in the floor of the mouth (or a history of one), a characteristic cystic mass in the submandibular space with an extension into the sublingual space on CT and/or MRI, and the aspiration of amylase-containing mucus. Excision of the sublingual gland as the source of salivary leakage is the therapy of choice in a case of 'plunging ranula', with drainage of mucus from the ranula into the oral cavity. As the 'plunging ranula' represents a pseudocyst without an epithelial lining, excision is not indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Diagnosis and treatment of isolated neck metastases of adenocarcinomas.

AIMS: Cervical metastases of adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated large cell carcinoma (ULCC) (non-squamous cell carcinoma) of unknown primary origin are rare and often accompanied by distant metastases at multiple sites in the body. Nevertheless, in the past decades, several patients have presented in our clinic with isolated neck metastases of this type of malignancy. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical behaviour of these cases and to define the role of surgery and radiotherapy. METHODS: Over the past 24 years, we selected 15 out of 270 patients (6%) with isolated cervical lymph node metastases of adenocarcinoma (six) or ULCC (nine) of unknown primary origin. Diagnosis was made either by histology or by fine needle aspiration cytology. Treatment consisted of (selective) neck dissection and/or radiotherapy. RESULTS: The clinical presentation of isolated cervical metastases of adenocarcinoma compared with ULCC is equivalent, with an overall median survival time of 25 months (confidence interval 21--29 months). Combined therapy was correlated with an increased and persistent regional control and was associated with longer duration of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with isolated cervical neck node metastases of adenocarcinoma or ULCC of unknown primary origin are rare and the diagnostic process to identify this subgroup requires a systemic work-up. In selected cases treatment should concentrate on (selective) neck dissection combined with radiotherapy to achieve a prolonged survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Occult primary tumors of the head and neck: accuracy of thallium 201 single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of thallium 201 single-photon emission computed tomography (thallium SPECT) and computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) in the detection of occult primary tumors of the head and neck. DESIGN: Study of diagnostic tests. SETTING: National Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a neck node metastasis of an epithelial tumor and negative findings by mirror examination at initial presentation were included in the study. Twenty-nine patients underwent thallium SPECT and CT/MRI before examination under general anesthesia (EUA). In 3 patients only thallium SPECT was performed before EUA. Histological confirmation of an occult primary tumor during EUA was used as the gold standard. Negative radiodiagnostic and nuclear findings in the upper aerodigestive tract in the presence of a primary carcinoma other than of the head and neck were interpreted as true-negative findings. RESULTS: For thallium SPECT the following results were recorded: sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 69%; accuracy, 69%; positive predictive value, 33%; and negative predictive value, 90%. In 1 patient, thallium whole body scan indicated a primary carcinoma beyond the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract. The CT/MRI results were as follows: sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 73%; accuracy, 72%; positive predictive value, 45%; and negative predictive value, 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Thallium SPECT and CT/MRI showed comparable results for detection of occult primary tumors of the head and neck. A potential advantage of thallium SPECT is that it allows total body screening.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Pain as sign of recurrent disease in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The role of pain in head and neck cancer is seldom addressed. This retrospective study examined in a group of 190 curatively treated patients to what extent pain complaints should be considered to be the first sign of recurrent disease. METHODS: The research population exists of 95 patients with a recurrent head and neck carcinoma and control group matched for age, gender, primary tumor, and duration of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the patients with proven recurrent disease, 70% reported pain complaints as the first symptom. In 35% of these cases, the complaints concerned referred pain, whereas in 65% localized pain complaints in the head and neck were registered. The median interval between reporting localized pain complaints and histologic confirmation of recurrence was 4 months. In the case of referred pain, this delay was 2.5 months. No statistically significant correlation between pain complaints and site of recurrence could be demonstrated. Only 2% of the control group reported pain complaints. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that each pain complaint after intentional curative treatment should be regarded as a warning sign. Recurrence of disease without preceding pain complaints (30%) emphasizes the importance of a thorough follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Percutaneous radiological gastrostomy in patients with head and neck cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the results of percutaneous radiological gastrostomy in patients with head and neck cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study design. One hundred and eighteen patients with head and neck cancer were referred 130 times for gastrostomy tube placement between 1 April 1993 and 17 August 1998. Mean age was 60 years. All data were analysed by using the following parameters: success rate, complications and mortality. Complications were divided into major, minor (complication that needed only conservative treatment) and tube-related. RESULTS: The success rate of percutaneous radiological gastrostomy was 97%. Major complications occurred in 6% of patients after gastrostomy tube placement. Minor complications occurred in 15% of patients. There was one tube-related complication. Procedure-related mortality occurred in one patient. The results of this study show no difference from those known from the literature for the percutaneous method and confirm that radiological gastrostomy has significantly lower rates of major complications than other methods of gastrostomy placement. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous radiological gastrostomy tube placement is, in our opinion, an effective and reliable method for placing a feeding tube in patients with head and neck cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Stage as major long term outcome predictor in minor salivary gland carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The myriad of histologic types and anatomic sites of occurrence make minor salivary gland carcinomas the most heterogeneous group of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. Many publications addressing this group consider different subsections, making it hard to get a clear picture of long term treatment results and of modifying prognostic factors. METHODS: Overall survival, disease specific survival, and percentage rates for no recurrence in all 55 patients with a minor salivary gland carcinoma, treated at the Netherlands Cancer Institute from 1973 to 1994, were calculated and compared to the results in major salivary gland carcinoma patients. Major prognostic factors were univariately analyzed. The median period of follow-up time for patients alive at the end of follow-up was 134 months. RESULTS: The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 66% and 57%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease specific survival rates (DSS) were 76% and 74%, respectively; and the 5- and 10-year recurrence-free rates were 63% and 60%, respectively. Prognostic for overall survival were age (P = 0.0005), site of occurrence (P = 0.0001), and the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) Tumor, Node, and Metastases (TNM) classification and stage regrouping system (P = 0.0001). Factors predicting DSS were site of occurrence (P < 0.0001) and the UICC/AJCC TNM classification and stage regrouping (P < 0.0001). In surgical patients, histologic evidence for metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.0037) and vascular invasion (P = 0.0051) conferred a lower DSS. Tumor recurrence was predicted by the UICC/AJCC TNM classification and stage regrouping (P = 0.0001). In surgical patients, soft tissue invasion (P = 0. 0085) predicted tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty percent of patients treated for minor salivary gland carcinoma were free of tumor ten years later. This equals the result in major salivary gland carcinoma patients. The recent UICC/AJCC TNM classification and stage regrouping are confirmed as major predictors of outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Diagnosis and treatment of 39 patients with cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin, referred to Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1979-98].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of diagnostic procedures and treatment results in patients with lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region with an unknown primary. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1979-98, 39 patients (30 male, 9 female; mean age 59 years; range: 39-88) were treated for cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma with an unknown primary. According to protocol, all patients underwent ENT examination, radiodiagnostic procedures and, if possible, examination under general anaesthesia of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts. Most patients were treated by neck dissection followed by bilateral radiotherapy to the neck and to mucosal sites of suspected origin. The data were collected from medical records. The number of patients who had had no local or regional recurrence and were still alive after 5 years were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: There was a median interval of three months (3-100 weeks) between the first symptoms and presentation in our clinic. During this period an extensive search for a primary tumour was performed. Most lymph nodes metastases (37/44; 84%) were found at level II and III. The N-stage was as follows: N1 (6), N2 (14), N3 (19). In two patients a primary tumour was diagnosed 20 and 37 months after treatment, respectively, both at mucosal sites which were not irradiated. A five-year locoregional recurrence-free interval was seen in 66%. The five-year overall survival rate was 52% and was significantly related to the extent of the cervical lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: Early treatment of patients with cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumour improves survival rates. Radiation therapy of the laryngo-pharyngeal axis seems effective in preventing outgrowth of an occult primary.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A decade of postlaryngectomy vocal rehabilitation in 318 patients: a single Institution's experience with consistent application of provox indwelling voice prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term results with consistent use of indwelling voice prostheses (Provox; Atos Medical AB, Hörby, Sweden) for vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical analysis. SETTING: Comprehensive national cancer center. PATIENTS: Three hundred eighteen patients (261 men and 57 women; mean age, 62 years) from November 1988, through May 1999. INTERVENTION: Standard wide-field total laryngectomy (287 patients) or total laryngectomy with circumferential pharyngeal resection (31 patients), and 2700 prosthesis replacements. Prostheses remained in situ during 364,339 days (1000 patient-years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Device lifetime, indications for replacement (device or fistula related), adverse events, and voice quality. RESULTS: Median patient-device follow-up was 67 months. Mean actuarial device lifetime for all indications for replacement was 163 days (median, 89 days). Main indications for replacement were device-related, ie, leakage through the prosthesis (73%) and obstruction (4%), or fistula-related, ie, leakage around the prosthesis (13%), and hypertrophy and/or infection of the fistula (7%). Adverse events occurred in 11% of all replacements in one third of the patients, mostly solvable by a shrinkage period, or adequate sizing and/or antibiotic treatment. Definitive closure of the tracheoesophageal fistula tract occurred in 5% of the patients. Significant clinical factors for increased device lifetime were no radiotherapy (P =.03), and age older than 70 years (P<.02). Success rate with respect to voice quality (ie, fair to excellent rating) was 88%, which was significantly influenced by the extent of surgery (P<.001). CONCLUSION: The consistent use of indwelling voice prostheses shows a high success rate of prosthetic vocal rehabilitation, in terms of the percentage of long-term users (95%), and of a fair-to-excellent voice quality (88% of patients).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sentinel node biopsy for melanoma in the head and neck region.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic drainage in the head and neck region is known to be particularly complex. This study explores the value of sentinel node biopsy for melanoma in the head and neck region. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with clinically localized cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region were included. Sentinel node biopsy was performed with blue dye and a gamma probe after preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. Average follow-up was 23 months (range, 1-48). RESULTS: In 27 of 30 patients, a sentinel node was identified (90%). Only 53% of sentinel nodes were both blue and radioactive. A sentinel node was tumor-positive in 8 patients. The sentinel node was false-negative in two cases. Sensitivity of the procedure was 80% (8 of 10). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel node biopsy in the head and neck region is a technically demanding procedure. Although it may help determine whether a neck dissection is necessary in certain patients, further investigation is required before this technique can be recommended for the standard management of cutaneous head and neck melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Immunoperoxidase detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in mouth floor and buccal mucosa cells of smokers and nonsmokers.

Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for oral cancer; mouth floor and buccal mucosa are among the most and least cancer-prone subsites, respectively, in the oral cavity. We investigated the applicability of immunohistochemistry of smoking-induced DNA adducts in oral cells for assessing the exposure to carcinogens, and estimating the risk for oral cancer. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts were measured in mouth floor and buccal mucosa cells of smokers (n = 26) and nonsmokers (n = 22) by means of a semiquantitative immunoperoxidase assay. Smokers had elevated levels of PAH-DNA adducts compared to nonsmokers in their mouth floor cells (0.045 +/- 0.022 versus 0.022 +/- 0.016, P = 0.0008 arbitrary units of immunohistochemistry) as well as in their buccal mucosa cells (0.058 +/- 0.028 versus 0.028 +/- 0.012, P = 0.001). Also, there was a correlation between the levels of PAH-DNA adducts in mouth floor cells and those in buccal mucosa cells (r = 0.4, P = 0.01). Furthermore, PAH-DNA adduct levels in both mouth floor and buccal mucosa cells were significantly related to current smoking indices (amount of tar and number of cigarettes consumed per day). Expectedly, the levels of PAH-DNA adducts neither in mouth floor cells nor in buccal mucosa cells, both being short-lived cells, were related to smoking history index (pack years). The levels of PAH-DNA adducts, however, in mouth floor cells as the cancer prone cells were lower than those in buccal mucosa cells (0.037 +/- 0.023 versus 0.044 +/- 0.026, P = 0.04). We conclude that immunohistochemistry of PAH-DNA adducts in oral cells can be used for exposure assessment of tobacco-related carcinogens, however, it cannot be used for oral cancer risk estimation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prognostic factors for long term results of the treatment of patients with malignant submandibular gland tumors.

BACKGROUND: Concerning malignant submandibular gland tumors, a rare disease entity, there are few recent reports of long term treatment results and of prognostic factors modifying these results. METHODS: The clinical data of 43 patients with malignant submandibular gland tumors who were treated at the Netherlands Cancer Institute between 1973 and 1994 were reviewed to evaluate treatment results and to control described prognostic factors. The median follow-up for patients alive at the end of follow-up was 143 months. Only univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The crude 5- and 10-year survival rates were 50% and 36%, respectively; the 5- and 10-year disease specific survival (DSS) rates were 61% and 51%, respectively; and the 5- and 10-year recurrence free percentages were 57% and 52%, respectively. Factors predicting crude survival were age at diagnosis (P = 0.0006), International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/ AJCC) TNM classification and its regrouping into tumor stage (P = 0.001), and clinical skin invasion (P = 0.005). In surgically treated patients, soft tissue invasion (P = 0.005), metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.006), and perineural growth (P = 0.01) were prognostic for survival. Factors predicting DSS were the UICC/AJCC TNM classification and regrouping into tumor stage (P = 0.002). In surgical patients, perineural growth (P = 0.0008) conferred a lower DSS. Factors predicting tumor recurrence were the UICC/AJCC TNM classification and its regrouping into tumor stage (P = 0.009). In surgical patients, perineural growth (P = 0.003) predicts tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients with submandibular gland carcinoma treated according to a stable treatment protocol in a European tertiary referral center, 52% were tumor free 10 years later. Patients exhibiting the described adverse prognostic factors are likely to benefit from added radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The development of a prognostic score for patients with parotid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Understanding of prognostic factors in parotid carcinoma has grown considerably. In particular, clinical tumor staging and histologic classification have been found to be prognostically important. Univariate and multivariate analyses have indicated that other variables, such as age, pain, skin invasion, and facial nerve impairment, are important predictors as well. In an actual patient, some of these factors are present and others are absent. However, a clinical tool incorporating this information, resulting in an individualized prognosis based on the combined effects of present adverse prognostic factors, has never been devised. METHODS: Of a cohort of 168 patients, 151 were evaluated to assess the prognostic value of clinical and pathologic factors in a multivariate proportional hazards analysis. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 278 months (median, 37 months). The end point was tumor recurrence. Identified prognostic factors and their hazard ratios were combined into prognostic scores. RESULTS: Clinical T classification, clinical N classification, pain, age at diagnosis, skin invasion, facial nerve dysfunction, perineural growth, and positive surgical margins acted as major factors predicting recurrence. A prognostic score (PS), generated by the weighted combination of the factors present in the individual patient, placed the patient in one of four subgroups with markedly different prognoses. In the subgroups based on the preoperative prognostic score, 5-year recurrence free percentages ranged from 92% (in the group PS1=1) to 23% (in PS1=4). In the subgroups based on the postoperative prognostic score, which took into account the histologic details of the resected specimen, 5-year recurrence free percentages ranged from 95% (in the group PS2=1) to 42% (in PS2=4). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed subgrouping, which is based on the combined effects of key prognostic preoperative and postoperative factors, provides a practical prognostic grouping system for the clinician treating patients with parotid carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Correlative 201Tl SPECT, MRI and ex vivo 201Tl uptake in detecting and characterizing cervical lymphadenopathy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: The value of SPECT with 201Tl chloride, in combination with MRI (particularly short inversion-time inversion recovery [STIR] sequences that suppress fat signals) to detect and characterize cervical lymphadenopathies (nodes > or = 1 cm), and ex vivo lymph node 201Tl uptake were studied in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. METHODS: Preoperative SPECT and MRI, displayed in similar planes, were compared with the histologic findings in 15 neck dissection specimens from 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (9 with unilateral and 3 with bilateral neck dissection). Results were evaluated topographically with regard to the lymph node compartments (levels) of the neck. In addition, in 8 of these patients, the 201Tl activity of dissected lymph nodes of 10 neck sides was measured immediately after surgery in a gamma counter and expressed as percentage of the injected dose per gram tissue (%ID/g). RESULTS: Sixty-two lymph node levels were evaluated histologically. The high sensitivity of MRI (92% versus 71% for 201Tl SPECT), which correctly detected lymph node involvement in 22 of 24 levels, and the high specificity of 201Tl SPECT (92% versus 71% for MRI), which correctly characterized as negative 35 of 38 lymph node levels without metastasis on histology, led to a combined 201Tl SPECT/MRI accuracy of 92%. 201Tl SPECT was particularly effective in excluding involvement in 9 tumor-free neck levels with pathologically enlarged lymph nodes on MRI but failed to confirm involvement in 5 other tumor-positive levels. Mean 201Tl uptake in 53 lymph nodes with confirmed histologic involvement was significantly higher than uptake in 145 tumor-free lymph nodes (0.0043+/-0.0022 %ID/g versus 0.0023+/-0.0014 %ID/g, P = 0.0001), muscle and fat tissue but clearly lower than salivary gland uptake. CONCLUSION: Although 201Tl SPECT is not sensitive enough to be used as an independent imaging modality for staging of the neck, its correlative application with MRI appears to be an accurate method for the assessment of regional spread in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The ability of 201Tl SPECT to characterize neck lymphadenopathies detected by MRI appears to be based on the difference in 201Tl concentration found in lymph nodes with and without tumor involvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Referred earache; an important symptom of head-and-neck cancers].

Otalgia is a common symptom in general practice and represents the sensation of pain in the ear. In four patients, three women aged 63, 57 and 37 years, and a man aged 64 years, ear pain was found to be caused by laryngeal carcinoma (two patients), oropharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (in a Turkish patient). Referred otalgia is an earache that is caused by a nonotologic source. In many cases it is difficult to identify the underlaying disease of referred otalgia. It may be the first symptom of a head-and-neck carcinoma. In case of otalgia with normal otologic findings, the differential diagnostic process must be specifically directed to the common sensory innervation of the ear and the head-and-neck structures. By carefully taking the patient's history with special attention to epidemiological factors such as smoking and drinking habits, racial traits, a positive family history of head-and-neck neoplasms and accompanying complaints and by performing repeated ENT examination including advanced imaging techniques, long delay in diagnosing head-and-neck cancer can be prevented.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cervical lymph-node metastasis from cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck: a search for prognostic factors.

AIMS: To identify prognostic factors determining overall survival in patients with surgically treated neck node metastases of cutaneous melanoma. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in 70 patients who were surgically treated with curative intent for cervical lymph-node metastasis from cutaneous head and neck melanoma at our institution between 1960 and 1986. RESULTS: Median follow-up of the 14 patients still alive was 10 years. Of the 70 patients, 64 underwent a radical neck dissection, four a modified radical neck dissection and two a postero-lateral neck dissection. In 63 patients, the node dissection was for palpable involved nodes and in seven for microscopic disease. Survivals after 5 and 10 years were 23% (SE 5%) and 20% (SE 5%), respectively. Five-year survival was 62% (SE 17%) for patients with a melanoma less than 1.5 mm thick and 16% for lesions thicker than 1.5 mm. A regional recurrence in the neck occurred in 16 (23%) patients, of whom 14 were found also to have distant metastases. All patients with regional recurrence died from disease. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 15 patient-, tumour- and treatment-related factors tested, only the Breslow thickness of the primary lesion carried prognostic significance for survival (Bonferroni corrected P-value: 0.026).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Computed tomography for the detection of neck node metastases in melanoma patients.

AIMS: To assess the value of CT scanning for detection of lymph node metastases in the neck. METHODS: The appearance and site of the metastases was studied, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of CT. RESULTS: Nodal metastases did not always show a high contrast uptake and nodal density therefore cannot be used as a criterion for metastasis. Irregular contrast enhancement was seen in seven of the 21 tumour-positive necks. Frequently, metastases in the parotids, superficial nodes in the neck and in the posterior triangle were seen. The sensitivity and specificity of palpation and CT scanning were 87 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: However, because small, clinically occult, melanoma metastases were frequently overlooked on CT, the role of this imaging modality in assessing occult metastases remains limited. Based on recent data from literature it is reasonable to speculate that ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) will prove to be more effective than a non-invasive staging procedure of the neck in melanoma patients.

Adult↗