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Biomedical subjects

Alessandra Rinaldo

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandra Rinaldo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Laryngeal paraganglioma: an updated critical review.

Laryngeal paragangliomas are rare submucosal lesions that arise from paraganglion cells located in the false vocal fold and subglottic larynx. To date, 76 recognized cases have been reported in the world literature. Symptoms arise when the lesions become large enough to impair function. Supraglottic paragangliomas cause hoarseness and deglutition disorders, whereas subglottic tumors become symptomatic when they obstruct the airway. Evaluation of these tumors includes obtaining a complete history. Familial paragangliomas and hypertension should be sought but are rarely, if ever, associated with laryngeal paragangliomas. MRI can detect these lesions and permit characterization of the vascularity of the lesion. Adding 111In pentetreotide scanning can distinguish neuroendocrine tumors from other submucosal laryngeal lesions, making the preoperative diagnosis clearer and obviating the need for biopsy. The biggest dilemma regarding laryngeal paragangliomas is making the correct pathologic distinction between paraganglioma, typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid and medullary thyroid cancer. Immunohistochemical markers, supplementing standard histopathologic evaluation, can distinguish paragangliomas from the aforementioned tumors. This distinction is critical as the prognosis for treated paragangliomas is excellent compared to that for other neuroendocrine neoplasms. Almost all alleged malignant paragangliomas of the larynx are in reality atypical carcinoid tumors that have been misdiagnosed. Treatment should always comprise excision. Thyrotomy has the best chance of achieving a sustained cure without damaging phonation or deglutition. Laser excision has been used successfully but there is no great experience with this modality. Surgery is preferable to radiation for paragangliomas in all locations but especially so in the larynx, due to issues such as swelling, airway protection and destruction of cartilage. With increased clinical suspicion and the use of modern imaging techniques, laryngeal paragangliomas should be routinely diagnosed and treated without loss of laryngeal functions.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2004

Otologic manifestations of metastatic tumors to the temporal bone.

The temporal bone appears to be affected by metastatic tumors in rather characteristic clinical presentations. More effective cancer treatments have interrupted the course of the disease, allowing more time for metastatic spread. This has increased the importance of prompt diagnosis in a group of diseases that may mimic external auditory canal or middle ear infections. In this paper, we review the distinctive patterns of involvement and presentation of metastatic tumors of the temporal bone, with emphasis on measures that should be taken to ensure early diagnosis.

Ear Diseases↗
PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical studies in the identification of lymph node micrometastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

In the prediction of likely disease-free and overall survival intervals in patients with squamous carcinomas of the head and neck, cervical lymph node status assumes a prime role, and patients with cervical node metastases have diminished survivals, as a group, compared with patients whose cervical nodes are reported as negative for metastatic carcinoma. Conventional means of pathologic examination of cervical node biopsy specimens include examination of a single section through each individual node identified on gross examination, a process which, of necessity, leaves a significant portion of the node unexamined by microscopy. Recently, it has become apparent that more exhaustive pathologic sampling techniques, such as examining multiple sections of each lymph node, or staining each lymph node with antibodies to keratin via immunohistochemistry, will reliably yield a greater incidence of positive cervical lymph nodes ("micrometastases") than do conventional pathologic techniques. This suggests that the next line of inquiry should answer this question: just because micrometastases can be detected, should they be? Does the identification of (otherwise likely to be overlooked) tiny microscopic foci of spread of tumor in regional nodes by more sophisticated techniques yield additional data of real import to the patients, or is such information of lesser value? Should a role be defined in the care of head and neck cancer patients for the use of such advanced inquiries in the structuring of therapies, then the best approach to finding such elusive micrometastases (intraoperative immunohistochemistry? immunohistochemistry using routinely fixed tissues? polymerase chain reaction?) may subsequently be established.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2004

Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear. A review.

While head and neck surgeons are accustomed to recognizing malignancies in their practices, developmental lesions are much less often encountered, and as such are not as likely to be included amongst other (more aggressive) differential diagnostic considerations. One such developmental lesion is the choristoma, defined as an architecturally normal arrangement of mature tissues found in a location not normally host to such tissues. Choristomas composed of recognizable salivary gland tissue may be found in a variety of locations including the middle ear. Middle ear salivary choristomas are distinctly unusual lesions and typically manifest as unilateral conductive hearing loss; while both adult and pediatric patients have been diagnosed with middle ear choristomas, most patients have been in the first two decades of life. As these are benign, nonprogressive lesions, treatment has been directed toward complete surgical excision whenever feasible, and biopsy for diagnosis with subsequent observation in the case of those lesions which are difficult to remove without endangering the facial nerve. There have been rare instances in which choristomas have been linked to the subsequent development of neoplasms, but in the main choristomas are regarded as self-limited developmental heterotopias.

Choristoma↗
PubMed2003

Current management of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck.

While mucosal-based melanomas of the head and neck region are uncommon lesions, when they do arise they usually follow an inexorably aggressive course. Experience with these tumors is, necessarily, limited; as such, well-worked out treatment protocols for the treatment of such lesions are in short supply. It appears as though mucosal melanomas (MuMs) develop more frequently in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus region, and less often in the oral cavity. It seems that the incidence of nodal metastasis is significantly lower for sinonasal MuMs than it is for MuMs of the oral cavity; this observation may influence decisions about performing neck dissection as a function of location of the primary MuM. At present, surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment; however, anatomical complexities within the region can hamper attempts at complete excision. Radiotherapy has not traditionally been relied on for routine treatment of MuM, although some recent reports have challenged this view. Chemotherapy is, at present, employed principally in the treatment of disseminated disease and for palliation. As a diagnostic matter, MuM belongs to the class of tumors that, on light microscopy, may with some regularity be confused with other malignancies (including sarcomas, plasmacytomas, and carcinomas); as a consequence, this is a diagnosis which is often best confirmed by way of ancillary testing via immunohistochemical studies. A better grasp of the best means of treating MuM will likely come only when large referral centers are able to pool their experiences with these uncommon yet virulent malignancies.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Management of sarcomas of the head and neck in adults.

Sarcomas account for less than 1% of all malignant neoplasms occurring in the head and neck in adults. These tumors exhibit variable growth and degrees of aggressiveness which are primarily dependent on histologic grade. The pattern of growth demonstrated by sarcomas is generally by local advancement with high-grade tumor exhibiting extensive involvement of adjacent visceral and neurovascular structures. Regional metastasis is uncommon. Etiologic considerations include the tumorigenic effects of prior external beam radiotherapy and the development of second malignancies in the form of sarcomas. The clinical presentation of these neoplasms is variable and dependent on subsite of involvement as well as the aggressiveness of tumor growth. Histologic diagnosis is frequently challenging, often requiring the aid of immunohistochemical staining techniques. Treatment is predominantly surgical, utilizing wide local excision where en-bloc resection is feasible. Radiotherapy, by means of external beam or implant, plays an important adjunctive role in management, especially for tumors where en-bloc resection with margin control is not possible. Chemotherapy regimens are available for soft tissue neoplasms and osteosarcoma and are primarily designed to improve local control. Survival is predicted on the incidence of local recurrence and risk of distant metastasis, both of which are influenced by tumor grade. Low-grade tumors exhibit improved survival over that of less differentiated tumors.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Current philosophy on the management of cancer of the base of the tongue.

Cancer of the base of the tongue is a challenging disease for the head and neck surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. However, over the last 10-15 years, improved treatment strategies have evolved which offer patients high probability of loco-regional control, survival, and good quality of life. The ability to offer patients good oncologic and functional outcomes serves as a paradigm for the successful application of multidisciplinary care, and the emphasis on quality of life in head and neck cancer treatment. This review provides an overview of the treatment options that exist, their advantages and disadvantages, and hopefully provides proper guidelines for the current management of this challenging disease.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed2003

Neck disease and distant metastases.

While the implementation of multi-modality neoadjuvant therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer has resulted in an improvement in local regional control, there has been a resultant increase in the reported incidence of distant metastasis. This shift in the pattern of patient treatment failure highlights the importance of identifying patients at high risk of developing metastasis, accurately detecting metastasis, and improving treatment strategies for advanced disease. Currently, metastatic lesions from head and neck primaries portend a poor prognosis; however, molecular biologic techniques offer a promising approach to the diagnosis and treatment of micrometastasis and distant metastatic lesions. The identification of tumor-specific gene mutations and the cell surface antigens may play a key role in the future management of head and neck cancer. The following review outlines just several of the current issues related to the contemporary diagnosis and management of metastatic lesions of the head and neck.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗