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PubMed1999

Outcome of observing the N0 neck using ultrasonographic-guided cytology for follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patients who underwent transoral tumor excision and a wait-and-see policy for the NO neck, using ultrasonographic-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) of the neck for both selecting patients for neck treatment or observation and for follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective outcome analysis of a patient cohort without palpable or US-FNAC detectable nodal metastases undergoing transoral tumor excisions. Patients were followed up for 1 to 4 years using palpation and US-FNAC. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: A consecutive sample of 77 patients mainly with oral carcinomas. Excluded were patients who had neck dissections, radiotherapy, or no US-FNAC during follow-up. INTERVENTION: Transoral tumor excision. Neck dissection with radiotherapy for regional failure. OUTCOME MEASURE: The recurrence rate in the neck, without failure at the primary site and the salvage rate of these neck recurrences were the most important measures. Treatment delay and histopathologic findings were assessed as well. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (18%) had occult lymph node metastases and neck failures. Of the 14 neck failures, 9 were detected within 7 months of which 6 were not palpable. Ten (71%) of these 14 patients were successfully salvaged, and 4 died of uncontrolled disease. Three of the 4 patients also had distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The low recurrence rate (18%) can be attributed to the initial US-FNAC. The high salvage rate (71%) indicates that strict US-FNAC follow-up enables early detection of recurrence in the neck. A wait-and-see policy thus seems warranted, provided regular US-FNAC examinations during follow-up can be guaranteed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Patterns of metastases to the upper jugular lymph nodes (the "submuscular recess").

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymphadenectomy to remove metastatic disease in level II encompasses lymph nodes associated with the upper third of the internal jugular vein and the adjacent spinal accessory nerve (SAN). Conservative neck dissection (ND) preserves these structures but requires manipulation of the SAN to remove tissue located in the posterosuperior aspect of level II. Limiting the dissection to the nodal group anterior to the SAN may reduce operating time and limit injury to it without compromising the removal of lymph nodes at risk for involvement with cancer. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with cervical lymphadenectomy at two separate institutions were prospectively evaluated. One hundred two neck dissection specimens were histologically analyzed for number of lymph nodes present and number involved with cancer. At the time of surgery, level II was separated into the supraspinal accessory nerve component (IIa) and the component anterior to the SAN (IIb). Nodal involvement in level II was analyzed according to characteristics of the cancer at the primary site as well as nodal involvement of other levels. RESULTS: Neck dissections were most commonly done for cancer of the oral cavity (n = 33), followed in frequency by the larynx (n = 17), oropharynx (n = 7), skin of face (n = 4), unknown primary (n = 4), and other sites (n = 6). Eighty NDs were selective and 22 were either radical or modified radical NDs. Pathologic staging of the neck specimen was most commonly N0 (n = 61), followed in frequency by N1 (n= 17), N2 (n= 11), and N3 (n= 11). Data were unclear for two specimens. Level IIb contained an average of 6.9 nodes and the IIa component contained an average of 4.2 nodes. Level II contained metastatic disease in 31 of 39 node positive specimens (79%). Level IIa was involved with cancer in four cases, all of which were preoperatively staged N2 or greater. CONCLUSIONS: The additional time required and morbidity associated with dissection of the supraspinal accessory nerve component of level II may not be necessary when performing elective ND. More research with larger numbers of patients, long-term follow-up, and meticulous tissue analysis is needed to permit conclusions as to where to draw the line in determining extent of cervical lymphadenectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The cost-effectiveness of fluorodeoxyglucose 18-F positron emission tomography in the N0 neck.

BACKGROUND: Although surgery and radiation are effective treatments of regional lymphatics for classification N0 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, both have morbidities that could be avoided in approximately 70% of patients without lymph node disease with better diagnostic information. 18-F fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has shown promise in detecting subclinical lymph node disease, but its cost and availability have limited its use. Here, we sought to determine whether the use of FDG-PET was cost-effective as part of a treatment strategy for classification N0 HNSCC patients. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness of proceeding from classification of N0 by computed tomography to a PET scan was estimated using standard methods of economic evaluation. Costs were for a large, Midwestern university medical center. Probabilities were computed from a review of the literature. Utilities were obtained by a time-tradeoff method, and life expectancy was estimated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Outcomes measures were cost per year of life saved and cost per quality-adjusted life-year. RESULTS: Modified radical neck dissection was associated with the lowest morbidity (utility [u] = 0.93), and radical neck dissection plus radiation was associated with the highest (u = 0.68). Life expectancy was estimated to be 5.9 and 11.5 years for patients with and without lymph node disease, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the PET strategy was $8718 per year of life saved, or $2505 per quality-adjusted life-year. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic and treatment strategy that proceeds from classification of N0 to a PET scan is cost-effective. Prospective studies that evaluate this strategy are important to assure that these simulation results are realized in clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Mandibular reconstruction in irradiated patients utilizing myosseous-cutaneous flaps.

Myosseous-cutaneous flaps were used for mandibular reconstruction in 16 irradiated patients. Three of six sternomastoid-clavicle flaps failed (all in conjunction with a neck dissection), as did one of 10 pectoralis major-anterior-fifth rib flaps. One trapezius-scapular flap was used and it succeeded. We found the blood supply of the sternomastoid-clavicle flap too tenuous for use in conjunction with a neck dissection. The trapezius-scapular flap had too short an arc of rotation to be used for defects other than those in the horizontal ramus. In addition, this flap required a change of position and created an undesirable functional deformity. The pectoralis major-fifth rib flap, in contrast, could be used for a variety of defects, in conjunction with a neck dissection, and did not require a change of position during operation. We found it to be the most versatile and dependable of the flaps employed in this series.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Magnetic resonance imaging versus clinical palpation in evaluating cervical metastasis from head and neck cancer.

We prospectively compared the value of MRI and clinical palpation for detecting cervical metastases in patients with primary cancer of the head and neck. Sixty patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract were evaluated with MRI and clinical palpation before undergoing a total of 81 neck dissections. The results of preoperative clinical palpation and MRI were compared with the histopathologic outcome. The sensitivity and specificity were 75.6% and 97.5%, respectively, for clinical palpation and 73.2% and 95%, respectively, for MRI. The rate of occult cervical metastasis was 24% with clinical palpation and 26.8% with MRI. The use of MRI did not improve the rate of early detection of occult metastasis, nor did it improve the detection of extracapsular spread. Our findings show that we could not depend on palpation or MRI alone to determine the need for elective neck dissection. However, MRI can be used to improve the preoperative grading of cervical lymph nodes. In selected cases, this may direct surgeons to convert the treatment plan to choose a more conservative neck dissection or, after sentinel node sampling and frozen-section control, to convert the treatment to a more radical dissection.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Extended single transverse neck incision for composite resections: does it work?

Since Crile's original description of neck dissection in 1906 (Crile GW: JAMA 47:1780-1786, 1906), a variety of neck incisions has been described, suggesting that none is sufficiently versatile to satisfy the criteria necessary for the ideal neck flap. Single transverse neck incisions (STNI) for complete neck dissections have been performed since the 1950s but are not as commonly used as trifurcate incisions. A criticism of the STNI is that the perceived difficulty exposing the surgical field may compromise removal of disease and impair normal surgical technique, resulting in a higher incidence of recurrent neck disease and postoperative complications. One hundred nine patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were operated using the STNI. There was no incidence of skin necrosis or carotid artery hemorrhage. Fourteen percent developed fistulae and 12% developed wound dehiscences. Recurrence in the operated neck was not identified. Cosmesis was considered good in all patients. We conclude that STNI does not result in an increased incidence of postoperative complications or recurrent neck disease compared with standard trifurcate incisions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of functional latero-cervical dissection associated with post-operative radiotherapy in 102 cases of carcinoma of the larynx with lymph node metastases].

Our study analyze retrospectively 102 patients (96 male and 6 female), affected by laryngeal carcinoma with histological lymph node metastases, who came under observation from 1978 to 1984. All patients underwent partial (25 cases) or total (77 cases) laryngectomy with functional neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy with functional neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy. Irradiation to the neck was administered, employing Cobalt 60, through two lateral opposing fields or an anterior and two posterior fields for a total dose of 50-60 Gy (fraction of 2 Gy for 5 days/week). According to UICC classification (1982) the distribution of cases was as follow: 4 T1, 28 T2, 54 T3, 16 T4. Relatively to the localization of the tumours we had 63 supraglottic, 35 glottic and 4 subglottic involvement. The histological grading was certified in 68 cases: 12 G1, 39 G2, 17 G3; extracapsular spread was found in 20/54 cases (37%). The actuarial global and NED survivals of the whole study were respectively 68.5% and 59.8% for 3 years and 56.5% and 48.2% for 5 years. In relation to the T the global and NED survival for 5 years 67.7% and 61.8% for T1-T2 and 53.1% and 46.4% for T3. The recurrences, observed in 26 patients were found, after 3 years follow up, in 25% of G1, 20.5% of G2 and 47.1% of G3. With relation to the integrity of the nodal capsule N-recurrences were found in 20% of R+ and 5.9% of R-. At the end of the Authors underline the importance of postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of histological N+ cancers of the larynx and the significance of histological grading and extra-capsular spread in cervical nodes as prognostic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Exclusive brachytherapy for T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinomas of the velotonsillar area: results in 44 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of interstitial brachytherapy as an exclusive radiotherapy modality for primary T1-T2 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the velotonsillar area. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1992 and 2000, 44 patients with T1-T2 SCC of the tonsil (n = 36) and soft palate (n = 8) were treated to the primary with brachytherapy alone (37 patients) or after a limited resection (7 patients). Eight patients had prior external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for previous head-and-neck carcinoma. Nineteen patients had initial neck dissection. The mean brachytherapy dose was 58.7 Gy, and the mean reference dose rate and Ir-192 linear activity were 58.2 cGy/h and 1.51 mCi/cm respectively. RESULTS: With a 75-month median follow-up, 1 patient recurred locally. Isolated nodal relapses occurred in 4 patients, none of whom had initial neck dissection, and salvage therapy was successful in 2. Five-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 76% and 68%, respectively. Full-course radiation therapy was possible in 7 of 12 patients who developed a second primary head-and-neck carcinoma. Late toxicity was limited to 6 mild soft-tissue necroses, and was significantly associated with previous surgery to the primary and high linear activity. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive brachytherapy for T1-T2 velotonsillar carcinomas is safe and effective, and permits definitive reirradiation for a second head-and-neck cancer. Initial neck dissection should be performed for optimal selection for exclusive brachytherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Toxic cure: Hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin and fluorouracil for Stage III and IVA head-and-neck cancer in the community.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the Duke University chemoirradiation regimen for locally advanced head-and-neck cancer in a regional community cancer center. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1998 and June 2002, 50 patients with Stage III or IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated definitively with concurrent combined modality therapy (CMT). Patients received accelerated, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (AFRT), 1.2-1.25 Gy b.i.d., to a median prescribed dose of 70 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin 12 mg and fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2) daily for 5 consecutive days during Weeks 1 and 6, followed by two cycles after AFRT. Patients with N2-N3 neck disease (n = 21; 42%) were considered for neck dissection depending on their response to AFRT and chemotherapy. Twenty-nine patients with Stage III and IVA disease treated between 1991 and 1997 with definitive RT alone served as historical controls. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (98%) in the CMT group completed the prescribed AFRT and 38 (76%) completed four cycles of chemotherapy. Three of 8 patients who underwent neck dissection had a pathologically complete response. The median follow-up for all patients was 23 months. The actuarial progression-free survival rate at 2 years was 75% for the CMT group vs. 40% (p <0.01) for the RT group. The overall survival rate was 80% and 43% (p <0.01), respectively, for the CMT and RT groups. Acute Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 3 toxicities for the CMT group were mucosal (n = 50; 100%), skin (n = 9; 18%), and hematologic (n = 3; 6%). Late Grade 3-4 toxicities consisted of pharyngeal stricture (n = 7; 14%), laryngeal chondritis (n = 3; 6%), osteoradionecrosis (n = 2; 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (n = 1; 2%). CONCLUSION: This aggressive regimen of AFRT with concurrent cisplatin and fluorouracil with or without neck dissection is feasible in the community setting for patients with Stage III and IVA head-and-neck cancer. Early results indicated excellent survival, albeit with universal acute mucosal, and considerable, although acceptable, late toxicity.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2005

[Decision making in postoperative incidentally found small C-cell-carcinoma].

Surgical therapy of incidentally postoperative diagnosed small sporadic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is discussed controversially. In principle completion thyroidectomy with neck dissection and regulary tumor follow-up are under discussion. A total of 277 patients with MTC were treated between 1986 and 2004. In 22 cases diagnosis of a small (pT1 or pT2) sporadic MTC was incidental and only postoperatively confirmed. Normally total thyroidectomy with neck dissection is standard surgical therapy of a known MTC. Because of postoperative incidental diagnosis in all 22 cases surgical therapy was less then total thyroidectomy. Mutation analysis of RET Proto-Oncogen and familial history were negative in all cases. All patients were systematically followed-up in defined intervals by calcitonin, pentagastrin stimulation test, carcinoembryonic antigen and ultrasound. Median follow-up is 6.2 years (range: 2-13 years) and although a hemithyroidectomy or less was performed all 22 patients are cured by the MTC. We conclude that completion thyroidectomy and neck dissection are not mandatory in such patients, if the tumor is completely resected and genetic background is excluded. Indispensably a systematic long term follow-up of at least 10 years, better a life-long, is mandatory.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Extent of parotid disease influences outcome in patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To test a new clinical staging system in patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid gland or lymph nodes of the neck. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinicopathological data from patients with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. SETTING: Multidisciplinary head and neck unit in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Between 1987 and 1999, 126 patients (104 men and 22 women; median age, 69 years) were treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid and/or neck. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Locoregional recurrence and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients, disease involved the parotid gland in 81 patients, of whom 14 also had clinical neck disease, while 45 patients had neck involvement only. Parotid stages were as follows: P0, 45 patients; P1, 55; P2, 20; and P3, 6. Neck stages were: N0, 67 patients; N1, 31; and N2, 28. Treatment involved combined surgery and radiotherapy in 93 patients, surgery alone in 12, and radiotherapy alone in 18. Three patients received palliative treatment only. There were 47 therapeutic and 40 elective neck dissections. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated parotid involvement in 70 patients and neck involvement in 51, representing 44 therapeutic and 7 elective neck dissections. Disease involved both the parotid and neck in 19 patients. The 5-year local (parotid) control rate was 80% and this varied statistically significantly with P stage. Parotid stages 2 and 3 were independent risk factors for a decrease in local control rate using multivariate analysis. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate for the entire group was 68% and P stage significantly influenced survival: P0, 60%; P1, 81%; P2, 51%; and P3, 33% (P<.001). Pathological involvement of neck nodes did not worsen survival of patients with parotid disease. Overall multivariate analysis demonstrated that single-modality therapy, P3 stage, and presence of immunosuppression independently predicted a decrease in survival. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that the extent of metastatic disease in the parotid gland significantly influences outcome and suggests that staging the parotid separately in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma may be useful. Further evaluation of the recommended staging changes with a larger patient cohort will be required to clarify the influence of neck node involvement.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Laryngeal mucoepidermoid carcinoma: report of two cases.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the larynx is a rare neoplasm, with a review of the literature having disclosed only 83 documented cases. These tumours are believed to develop from ductal elements of the submucosal glands [Gomes V, Costarelli L, Cimino G, Magaldi L, Bisceglia M. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the larynx. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1990;248:31-4]. The most common sites are the floor of the laryngeal ventricle, false vocal folds and anterior comissure [Alavi S, Namazie A, Calcaterra TC, Blackwell KE. Glandular carcinoma of the larynx: the UCLA experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1998;108:485-9]. We describe two cases of MEC of the larynx. One of them was a transglottic and the other one a supraglottic tumour. First patient was treated with total laryngectomy (TL) and right extended radical neck dissection (RND). Second case was treated with supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL) and bilateral posterolateral neck dissection (PLND). Both patients received radiotherapy (RT) and their 1-year follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these cases are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Occult lymph node metastases posterior to the internal jugular vein.

Supraomohyoid neck dissection is a reliable staging procedure in patients with oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and no clinical evidence of node metastases. We have recorded the yield and distribution of occult lymph node metastases in the fibro-fatty strip of tissue posterior to the internal jugular vein and beneath the sternomastoid in 35 neck dissections. Occult lymph node metastases were found in 12/35 (34%); 3 of these had metastases in the posterior strip, which were never in isolation. We think that it is worthwhile to sample the posterior strip. Firstly it removes tumour that would have been left behind in a small number of cases had a conventional supraomohyoid neck dissection been done, and secondly it enables postoperative radiotherapy to be targeted at the anterior triangle alone when the posterior strip is clear of tumour.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Postoperative chylous fistula prevention and management.

Postoperative chylous fistulas occur as a complication in 1-2% of all radical neck dissections. Twelve cases are reviewed herein. Chylous fistulas are more common with left neck dissections, but 25% occurred on the right side in this series. An intraoperative chylous fistula was recognized and treated in 75% of the cases which later developed a postoperative fistula. Postoperative fistulas may be divided into two groups: minor fistulas may be treated with pressure dressings and repeated aspirations; fistulas which do not respond to conservative management should be re-explored early and the fistula ligated.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Microsurgical lymph node dissection for metastatic asymptomatic C-cell carcinoma.

In persistent, clinically inapparent medullary thyroid carcinoma, microsurgical dissection of all lymph node compartments of the neck was performed. Between August 1988 and September 1991, 28 cases (mean age 43.3 years) were treated with 38 surgical interventions. Twenty patients had the sporadic form and eight patients the familial form. Unilateral neck dissection resulted in normalization of serum calcitonin (CT) levels even after pentagastrin stimulation in two patients whereas 16 patients exhibited abnormal CT stimulation tests. Eight of ten patients who had bilateral neck dissections had positive pentagastrin test results after surgery. The main postoperative complications included loss of local cutaneous sensation, generally temporary, and unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting nodal metastases in patients with oral cancer staged N0 by clinical examination and CT/MRI.

UNLABELLED: (18)F-FDG PET has a high accuracy in staging head and neck cancer, but its role in patients with clinically and radiographically negative necks (N0) is less clear. In particular, the value of combined PET/CT has not been determined in this group of patients. METHODS: In a prospective study, 31 patients with oral cancer and no evidence of lymph node metastases by clinical examination or CT/MRI underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT before elective neck dissection. PET/CT findings were recorded by neck side (left or right) and lymph node level. PET/CT findings were compared with histopathology of dissected nodes, which was the standard of reference. RESULTS: Elective neck dissections (26 unilateral, 5 bilateral; a total of 36 neck sides), involving 142 nodal levels, were performed. Only 13 of 765 dissected lymph nodes harbored metastases. Histopathology revealed nodal metastases in 9 of 36 neck sides and 9 of 142 nodal levels. PET was TP in 6 nodal levels (6 neck sides), false-negative in 3 levels (3 neck sides), true-negative in 127 levels (23 neck sides), and false-positive in 6 levels (4 neck sides). The 3 false-negative findings occurred in metastases smaller than 3 mm or because of inability to distinguish between primary tumor and adjacent metastasis. TP and false-positive nodes exhibited similar standardized uptakes (4.8 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.2 +/- 1.0; P = not significant). Sensitivity and specificity were 67% and 85% on the basis of neck sides and 67% and 95% on the basis of number of nodal levels, respectively. If a decision regarding the need for neck dissection had been based solely on PET/CT, 3 false-negative necks would have been undertreated, and 4 false-positive necks would have been overtreated. CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG PET/CT can identify lymph node metastases in a segment of patients with oral cancer and N0 neck. A negative test can exclude metastatic deposits with high specificity. Despite reasonably high overall accuracy, however, the clinical application of PET/CT in the N0 neck may be limited by the combination of limited sensitivity for small metastatic deposits and a relatively high number of false-positive findings. The surgical management of the N0 neck should therefore not be based on PET/CT findings alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Hyperfractionation for head and neck cancer.

Between March 1978 and April 1984, 144 patients with 148 moderately advanced to advanced primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck received treatment with curative intent with twice-a-day irradiation (120 cGy/fraction, 4-6 hour interfraction interval). Eighty-eight percent of the patients had AJCC Stage III-IV cancers. One hundred and thirty-two patients received irradiation alone to the primary site with or without radical neck dissection, with surgery reserved for salvage. The total doses administered were 7440-7920 cGy in the majority of instances. In 19 patients with oropharyngeal lesions, a 1000-1500 cGy radium needle boost was added after the basic dose. Twelve patients received preoperative irradiation (5040-6000 cGy) followed by primary resection and radical neck dissection. Local control results following irradiation alone to total doses of greater than 7000 cGy with minimum 2-year follow-up were 25/31 (81%), 38/50 (76%), and 5/25 (20%) for T2, T3, and T4 cancers, respectively. Local control rates did not correlate well with total dose. Local control following preoperative irradiation plus primary resection was obtained in 4 of 5 T3 and 2 of 3 T4 primary lesions. The 5-year actuarial rates of neck control were 100% for N0 (45 patients), 90% for N1 (25 patients), 77% for N2 (23 patients), 50% for N3A (9 patients), and 70% for N3B (42 patients). The 5-year actuarial rates of continuous disease control above the clavicles were 73% for Stage III, 64% for Stage IVA, and 32% for Stage IVB. The actuarial 4-year rate of continuous disease control above the clavicles was 78% for Stage II. For patients whose disease was controlled above the clavicles, distant metastases developed in 4% of patients with Stage II-III disease and in 18% of patients with Stage IV disease. Radiation complications following irradiation alone to the primary site correlated with total dose. Complications of planned neck dissection(s) were acceptable. Complications of salvage surgery at the primary site were similar to those seen in patients treated once a day. The actuarial 5-year survival rates, according to modified AJCC stage, were 59% for Stage III, 37% for Stage IVA, and 23% for Stage IVB. The actuarial 4-year survival rate for Stage II was 69%. Compared to historical control groups treated with once-a-day, continuous-course irradiation at our institution, twice-a-day treatment has produced local control results that are higher by 10-15 percentage points.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Extension of intracranial thrombosis after unilateral dissection of the internal jugular vein.

OBJECTIVE: Resection of the internal jugular vein can be necessary in cases of radical neck dissection or even in cases involving benign neoplasms such as glomus tumors. According to the triad described by Virchow (ie, stasis of blood flow, damage to the endothelium, and changes in hemostasis), the development of a thrombosis in the venous vessels superior to the resected internal jugular vein seems to be possible. The aim of this study was to determine the extension of possible intracranial thrombosis after wound healing. DESIGN: A total of 17 patients requiring resection of the internal jugular vein were evaluated prospectively using magnetic resonance imaging and 2-dimensional (time-of-flight) magnetic resonance angiography after the surgical treatment. Preoperative magnetic resonance images were obtained in all 17 patients for staging purposes as well as to exclude preoperative thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. Sixteen patients had malignant tumors, and 1 patient had a glomus tumor. RESULTS: Intracranial thrombosis with thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus was found in 4 patients, and thrombosis of the transverse sinus was found in 3 patients. There were no complications such as intracranial hemorrhage or signs of increased intracranial pressure in any patients. There was no evidence of intracranial thrombosis in 10 cases. In these cases, thrombosis of the venous vessels superior to the resected vein ranged from none to complete thrombosis of the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein. After unilateral resection of the internal jugular vein, the venous blood leaves the brain mainly via the venous network of the contralateral side of the neck. CONCLUSIONS: Although intracranial thrombosis of the sigmoid or transverse sinus seems to occur more frequently than was previously thought, intracranial complications such as venous infarction or increased intracranial pressure appear to be very rare. After unilateral radical neck dissection, the venous blood leaves the brain mainly via the venous system of the other side of the neck and the ipsilateral collateral veins.

Aged↗