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PubMed1998

[Differentiated thyroid gland carcinoma p-T2/T3--extent of lymphadenectomy].

Systematic lymphadenectomy, which is compartment-orientated, from central node dissection to (modified) radical neck dissection, is not controversial in cases with intra-operative macroscopic node involvement. General "prophylactic" dissection, at least of the ipsilateral central compartment, is advocated due to a high incidence of "occult", microscopic positive nodes, and the elevated risk regarding recurrency and survival which is connected to node-positivity, and lowered recurrence rates with systematic lymphadenectomy. Nevertheless, the biological impact of occult positive nodes, as an independent risk-factor, is not yet clear, with important differences between papillary and follicular carcinoma ("marker" or "governor" of the disease?). Enhanced operative morbidity by extensive lymphadenectomy, especially hypoparathyroidism, must be taken into account.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed2006

[Diagnostic value of 18F-fDG Pet/CT in the detection of the cervical lymph nodes metastasis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of the cervical lymph nodes metastasis. METHOD: According to the pathological result, the data of neck PET, CT, PET/CT of 20 patients with head and neck tumors were analyzed retrospectively. RESULT: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET, CT and PET/CT in detection cervical lymph nodes metastasis were (92.3%, 85.7%, 90.0%), (77.0%, 57.1%, 70.0%), (92.3%, 100.0%, 95.0%) respectively, the accuracy of PET/CT was better than that of CT alone (P < 0.05) and a little better than that of PET alone. Among 13 cases after irradiation,the correct diagnose was found in seven cases by CT and in 12 cases by PET/CT. Four cases were found with cervical lymph node metastasis in the seven clinical N0 (cN0) patients after functional neck dissection (FND). The preoperative diagnose of PET/CT was completely consistent with the postoperative pathological result. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET/CT is better than CT alone and PET alone for the detection of cervical lymph nodes metastasis, especially for the recurrent tumors. It may be served as the indication of neck dissection in the head and neck cancers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage and locally advanced small bulk squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Thirty patients with Stages I, II and III squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx (6, 12 and 12 patients, respectively) were entered into a combined modality protocol using preoperative chemotherapy, followed by resection with or without radical neck dissection and radiotherapy. None of the patients received prior treatment and all had good performance status. Primary sites included alveolar ridge (in nine patients), buccal mucosa (in eight), tongue (in six), floor of mouth (in five), and hard palate and tonsillar fossa in one each. Chemotherapy was given as a neoadjuvant debulking procedure using two courses of the Price-Hill regimen (5FU, methotrexate with citrovorum rescue, vincristine, bleomycin, and hydrocortisone) followed in 10 to 14 days by local resection for Stage I-II patients and radical neck dissection plus radiotherapy for Stage III patients. Response to chemotherapy alone was observed in 70% (21 of 30), with 17% (5 of 30) complete responders. Responses were seen in 100% of Stage I, 75% of Stage II, and 50% of Stage III patients. Age greater than 80 years was a poor prognostic indicator. Both men and women responded equally well. Of the 25 patients not entering CR with chemotherapy, a further 75% (11 of 15) did so after local resection and 50% (5 of 10) after local resection, radical neck dissection, and radiotherapy. Overall salvage rate post chemotherapy was 64% (16 of 25). All five patients in CR with chemotherapy alone are alive at a median follow-up time of greater than or equal to 43 months; full survival data are discussed. Toxicity was minimal and did not affect change in treatment course in any patient. These results show that further investigations on the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage and locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx are indicated.

Adult↗
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↗
PubMed2003

Management of T3 N0 and T4 N0 glottic carcinomas: results of a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: A survey was undertaken to document the clinical management of T3 and T4 pure glottic primary carcinomas and the management of the N0 neck by otolaryngologists and radiation oncologists. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This study represents the results of a national survey of 250 otolaryngologists and 250 radiation oncologists regarding management of T3 N0 M0 and T4 N0 M0 glottic carcinomas. RESULTS: Of the surveys sent, 208 completed questionnaires were received. Results of this survey suggest that 87% and 90% will treat the neck for a T3 N0 M0 and T4 N0 M0 glottic tumor, respectively, with a large number choosing to perform a radical neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of otolaryngologists perform neck dissections in the management of T3 N0 M0 and T4 N0 M0 glottic carcinomas. Given the relatively low risk of occult metastasis, potentially high morbidity associated with overtreatment, and the lack of a well-designed outcome study investigating treatment alternatives, a prospective randomized study is needed to address the issue.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2005

George W. Crile, Ohio's first neurosurgeon, and his relationship with Harvey Cushing.

Much has been written about Harvey Cushing, his contributions to neurosurgery, and his relationship with many of his contemporaries. Nevertheless, there is no independent report documenting his relationship with Ohio's first neurosurgeon, George W. Crile. Crile's role as a neurosurgeon is limited to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and he is best remembered for other accomplishments. Father of physiological surgery, pioneering surgeon, innovator, inventor, soldier, and the principal founder of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Crile lived during the golden era of surgery, when the discipline was evolving from a crude and chancy art to an applied science. Crile achieved distinction by performing and describing the first successful radical neck dissection for head and neck cancers and the first successful direct human-to-human blood transfusion. He helped introduce the measurement of blood pressure during surgery, first used cocaine for regional anesthesia in the US, proposed "anoci-anesthesia" to prevent shock during surgery, helped establish one of the first nurse anesthetist schools, and invented the Crile forceps and the pneumatic suit, which was the forerunner to the aviator's antigravity suit. He was a founding member of the American College of Surgeons, its second president (1916-1917), and chairman of the Board of Regents (1913-1939). Crile was a teacher, lecturer, and author who published more than 400 papers and 24 books. In this report the authors trace the relationship between Crile and Cushing from their initial competition for a staff surgeon's position to their common interest in blood pressure, and their roles in the American Ambulance in France and later in World War I.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2001

Educational needs and altered eating habits following a total laryngectomy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe eating-related experiences and informational needs of people following total laryngectomies. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Internet-based laryngectomy support group in the United States. SAMPLE: 34 people with a laryngectomy (68% total laryngectomy, 29% with total plus radical neck dissection, and 3% with partial laryngectomy with radical neck dissection): 29 males, 5 females; mean age of 62 years. METHODS: Members of a laryngectomy support group completed a Food Eating Experiences and Diet Questionnaire designed by the investigators. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Effect of laryngectomy on food choice, eating habits, and overall enjoyment of eating: perceptions of teaching received from healthcare professionals regarding potential eating difficulties as a result of laryngectomy. FINDINGS: 90% of the participants experienced a change in one or more aspects of eating. The most prominent changes were decreased sense of smell, decreased taste, decreased enjoyment of eating, and an increase in the length of time required to eat meals. Most participants were not satisfied with the information they received from healthcare professionals. Topics requiring emphasis during patient teaching were identified from participants' comments. CONCLUSIONS: Total laryngectomy produced significant changes in factors related to eating that can affect nutritional intake and quality of life. Participants reported that most healthcare providers did not adequately prepare them for potential alterations in eating that can occur following a total laryngectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Data from this study can be used to raise awareness of incidence and severity of changes in eating that occur after total laryngectomy and to improve patient preparation to cope with these changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The treatment results in the differential therapy of mouth carcinomas. A retrospective study of the patient population of the Oral Surgery Department (1978-1986) of the University of Göttingen].

In a retrospective observational study on malignomas of the oral and maxillofacial region a data material of 157 patients has been analyzed. Results of the therapy and the course of disease are presented. The average delay between the appearance of the first symptom respectively the beginning of a therapy and the treatment in a specialized department for maxillofacial surgery runs up to 4.3 month and 2.8 month respectively. This dissatisfying situation is corroborated by the results for TNM categories with more advanced tumors. Only 16.6% of the patients belong to the T1 category, 42% to the T2 category and 35.7% to the T3 category. In 30.5% of cases tumor cells are found in cervical lymph nodes. Correlations between the size and the localisation of the primary tumor and metastases are obviously. The results of treatment are presented in form of survival curves and curves for times of no recurrence. There is no advantage in a combination of chemotherapy and surgery instead of single surgical therapy. In cases of more advanced tumors in T2 and T3 category there is no recurrence after 2 years in 70% of surgical treatment and in 69% of combined surgical treatment and chemotherapy. The censored estimated survival rate after 5 years in cases of surgical treatment comes to 63%, in cases of combined therapy to 62%. The consistent radical neck dissection is of distinctive signification. Recurrencies in the neck dissection region appear in 8.2% of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Prognostic value of low hemoglobin concentration in adjuvant radiotherapy after total laryngectomy in group of patients with laryngeal cancer].

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of hemoglobin concentration (Hb) at the start and end of radiotherapy, and the drop of hemoglobin concentration during radiotherapy on the loco-regional control in postoperative radiotherapy for patients with advanced laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 1996, 254 patients with pT3 or pT4 and pN0-pN2 laryngeal cancer were treated with a total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). The median age of patients was 56.3 years (range: 30-70 years). The analyzed group consisted of 236 males (92%) and 18 females (8%). In all cases a total laryngectomy was performed. 196 out of 254 patients underwent homolateral neck dissection and 58 out of 254 underwent bilateral neck dissection. The primary tumor bed was irradiated to the median total dose of 61.2 Gy (range: 57 - 64 Gy) and all regional lymph nodes were treated in all patients to a dose of 50 Gy. Indications for postoperative RT were close postoperative margins at the tumor site or pathological status of lymph nodes described as pN1 or pN2. Univariate analyses were used to determine the predictors for locoregional failure. The following factors were studied for prognostic importance of loco-regional outcome: the hemoglobim concentration at the start of radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, and the drop of hemoglobin concentration during radiotherapy, age, sex, pT and pN categories. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year overall survival was 49%, the actuarial loco-regional control rate was 70%. Univariate analysis, using log-rank test indicated that pN +, Hb level at the end of RT (p = 0.004) and drop during RT (p = 0.038) were predicted for the loco-regional control of postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis showed that the low level of Hb at the end of radiotherapy and the drop during radiotherapy were correlated with decreasing of the loco-regional control of adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with advanced laryngeal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Interest in frozen section examination of margins and lymph nodes in laryngeal surgery.

One hundred and one patients presenting with a squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx underwent surgery in our department between January 1980 and May 1985. In most of these patients, nodes were removed from the main lymphatic drainage pathways and subjected to immediate frozen section examination. The results from frozen section examination of the nodes were then compared with those from the surgical specimens of cervical neck dissections performed on the patients according to the classic rules. In addition, margin resections were made and examined by frozen section after removal of the tumour. In the event of a positive finding, these resections were continued until healthy tissue was reached, the specimens being examined in addition by classic methods. Immediate frozen sections enable the margins of the resection to be verified correctly. In our series we were brought to extend the limits of resection in 10 cases out of 68 (15 per cent). It can also be seen that the accuracy of the pathologist's reading of the frozen sections is satisfactory. The overall level of error is three out of 68 (4.5 per cent). All the errors correspond to false negatives. The aim of avoiding neck dissections in the presence of N0, thanks to nodal selection with frozen section, is not attained. We find a 6/61 rate of false negatives for N0-N1 (10 per cent) when we compare the frozen sections of the selected nodes and the neck dissections. This is due to the fact that the surgeon may be led astray by a reactive hyperplastic node whilst other less inflammatory neighbouring nodes are in fact the site of metastasis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1998

Squamous cell granulomas of the neck: histologic regression of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma following chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: For patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), persistence of cervical adenopathy following organ-preservation therapy is a strong predictor of locoregional failure. Squamous cell granulomas of the neck may represent a regressed state of metastatic HNSCC; however, relevant clinicopathologic features of this lesion including its morphologic characteristics, association with therapy, and relationship to disease progression are not well defined. METHODS: We reviewed 866 consecutive neck dissections performed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1984 to 1996. A total of eight cases showing a foreign-body giant-cell reaction to keratin in the absence of viable tumor formed the basis of this study. RESULTS: All eight cases were from patients with stage III or IV HNSCC with concurrent neck masses. Patients were initially treated by chemotherapy (n = 1), radiotherapy (n = 1), or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (n = 6); and all patients subsequently underwent neck dissection for persistence of their neck masses. Histologically, the neck lesions were characterized by a foreign-body giant-cell reaction to keratin and extensive scarring. None (0%) of the patients developed recurrent regional disease in the treated neck. Two (25%) of the patients had tumor recurrence at the primary site. Two (25%) of the patients developed widely metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that squamous cell granulomas represent histologic regression of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in patients with HNSCC treated by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Although persistent cervical adenopathy is an established risk factor for locoregional failure in this group of patients, squamous cell granulomas of the neck paradoxically may reflect enhanced regional tumor sensitivity to cytotoxic agents.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Surgical management of trapezius palsy.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior cervical triangle leads to paralysis of the trapezius muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the indications for nerve repair or reconstructive surgery according to the etiology, the duration of the preoperative delay, and specific patient characteristics. METHODS: Of twenty-seven patients with a trapezius palsy, twenty were treated with neurolysis or surgical repair (direct or with a graft) of the spinal accessory nerve and seven were treated with the Eden-Lange muscle transfer procedure. Lymph node biopsy was the main cause of the nerve injury. The nerve repairs were performed at an average of seven months after the injury, and the reconstructive procedures were done at an average of twenty-eight months. Nerve repair was performed for iatrogenic injuries of the spinal accessory nerve, within twenty months after the onset of symptoms, and in one patient with spontaneous palsy. Reconstructive surgery was performed for cases of trapezius palsy secondary to radical neck dissection, for spontaneous palsies, and after failure of nerve repair or neurolysis. The mean follow-up period was thirty-five months. The functional outcome was assessed clinically on the basis of active shoulder abduction, pain, strength of the trapezius on manual muscle-testing, and level of subjective patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The results were good or excellent in sixteen of the twenty patients treated with nerve repair and in four of the seven patients treated with the Eden-Lange procedure. Poor results were seen in older patients and in patients with a previous radical neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Good results can be expected from a repair of the spinal accessory nerve if it is performed within twenty months after the injury, as the nerve is basically a purely motor nerve and the distance from the injury to the motor end plates is short. Muscle transfer should be performed in patients with spontaneous trapezius palsy, when previous nerve surgery has failed, or when the time from the injury to treatment is over twenty months. Treatment is less likely to succeed when the patient is older than fifty years of age or the palsy was due to a radical neck dissection, penetrating injury, or spontaneous palsy.

Accessory Nerve Injuries↗
PubMed2005

Surgical management of trapezius palsy.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior cervical triangle leads to paralysis of the trapezius muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the indications for nerve repair or reconstructive surgery according to the etiology, the duration of the preoperative delay, and specific patient characteristics. METHODS: Of twenty-seven patients with a trapezius palsy, twenty were treated with neurolysis or surgical repair (direct or with a graft) of the spinal accessory nerve and seven were treated with the Eden-Lange muscle transfer procedure. Lymph node biopsy was the main cause of the nerve injury. The nerve repairs were performed at an average of seven months after the injury, and the reconstructive procedures were done at an average of twenty-eight months. Nerve repair was performed for iatrogenic injuries of the spinal accessory nerve, within twenty months after the onset of symptoms, and in one patient with spontaneous palsy. Reconstructive surgery was performed for cases of trapezius palsy secondary to radical neck dissection, for spontaneous palsies, and after failure of nerve repair or neurolysis. The mean follow-up period was thirty-five months. The functional outcome was assessed clinically on the basis of active shoulder abduction, pain, strength of the trapezius on manual muscle-testing, and level of subjective patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The results were good or excellent in sixteen of the twenty patients treated with nerve repair and in four of the seven patients treated with the Eden-Lange procedure. Poor results were seen in older patients and in patients with a previous radical neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Good results can be expected from a repair of the spinal accessory nerve if it is performed within twenty months after the injury, as the nerve is basically a purely motor nerve and the distance from the injury to the motor end plates is short. Muscle transfer should be performed in patients with spontaneous trapezius palsy, when previous nerve surgery has failed, or when the time from the injury to treatment is over twenty months. Treatment is less likely to succeed when the patient is older than fifty years of age or the palsy was due to a radical neck dissection, penetrating injury, or spontaneous palsy.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed1985

Lymph node metastases from well-differentiated thyroid cancer. A clinical review.

The records of 77 patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer and proved lymph node metastases have been reviewed. The control of regional metastases was satisfactory in those with only a few nodes involved when limited dissections were utilized initially. In those patients with more extensive nodal involvement, the ultimate rate of failure to control disease in the neck was unacceptably high among those who initially underwent conservative localized neck dissection. Although regional control will not influence mortality, a more aggressive modified neck dissection is recommended for patients presenting with significant nodal involvement.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Parotid cancer in Auckland 1970-1986--too little, too late.

We have reviewed the records of 98 parotid cancer patients seen in Auckland over the seventeen year period January 1970 to December 1986. The average duration of symptoms prior to receiving surgical attention was fifteen months and 58% of patients had stage III disease on presentation. The histological profile of our group of patients was different from that reported in other series with increased numbers of patients having bad outlook tumours. There were seven histological types of parotid cancer and these could be divided into two distinct prognostic groups with mucoepidermoid, malignant mixed, adenoid cystic and acinic cell comprising the more indolent tumours and squamous cell, undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma following a more agressive course. The overall five year cure rate was 35%: 65% of patients were either dead or had developed recurrent disease within this period. Radiotherapy appeared to be beneficial for stage I and II lesions, but in advanced cases it had no obvious impact on survival. The initial surgery for parotid cancer should comprise at least a superficial parotidectomy plus a suprahyoid neck dissection if possible. In addition, patients with positive nodes or more aggressive histology should undergo radical neck dissection. All patients with parotid cancer should have adjuvant radiotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A prospective, longitudinal study of pain in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the epidemiology of pain in head and neck cancer, the effects of curative treatment on this pain, and the impact that pain experience may have on patients' quality of life (QL). METHOD: The prevalence and severity of pain was studied in 93 patients who were first seen with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer, were treated, and remained disease free at two years. QL assessment utilised the life-satisfaction scale and the General Health Questionnaire as specific measures. Pain was assessed by a linear analogue scale anchored by words and numbers. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent had head and neck pain when first seen, whereas only 25% and 26% had such pain at 12 and 24 months. Approximately 8% of patients rated the pain as "severe" when first seen, whereas 3% had severe pain at 12 months and 4% at 2 years. The prevalence of shoulder and arm pain increased from 14% at diagnosis to 37% at a year and 26% at 24 months, but the percentage of patients with severe pain at any stage postoperatively was only 5% and 2%, respectively. Any pain (pain in either in the head and neck or shoulder and arm or both) at 2 years was strongly predicted by earlier posttreatment pain (at 3 months or at 12 months.) Shoulder and arm pain at 2 years was strongly correlated with surgical treatment of the neck, although no difference in pain experience was noted between those who had radical neck dissections and those who had more conservative procedures. There was no correlation between radiotherapy to the neck and subsequent shoulder and arm pain. Pain had an adverse effect on the general well-being and psychological distress of head and neck cancer patients who were free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Pain is common among those presenting with curable head and neck cancer. Pain can be reduced by curative treatment but neck dissection may cause increased shoulder and arm pain. Ongoing pain is predictable and impacts adversely on patients QL.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effect of tumour thickness and other factors on the risk of regional disease and treatment of the N0 neck in early oral squamous carcinoma.

A high occult metastatic rate and a high regional recurrence rate are reported among patients with early oral squamous carcinoma; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the merits of elective neck dissection in this group. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of various histological factors on the risk of occult neck disease, neck conversion and recurrence among 63 patients with stage I and II oral cancer. Tumour thickness (P = 0.0175) and size (P = 0.023) were both significantly predictive of outcome. Among tumours of a given thickness, those with infiltrative margins also showed a tendency towards a poorer outcome; however, this was not significant (P = 0.0768). Patients undergoing elective neck dissection with pathological evidence of cervical metastases or with subsequent neck recurrence had a better 3-year survival (55%) than those developing neck conversion after primary neck observation (20%). Our data would suggest considering tumours greater than 5 mm in thickness or with infiltrative margins as potential candidates for elective neck treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Anatomy of the spinal accessory nerve plexus: relevance to head and neck cancer and atherosclerosis.

The term spinal accessory nerve plexus may be defined as the spinal accessory nerve with all its intra- and extracranial connections to other nerves, principally cranial, cervical, and sympathetic. The term is not new. This review examines its applied anatomy in head and neck cancer and atherosclerosis. Over the centuries, general studies of neural and vascular anatomy and embryology formed a basis for the understanding upon which the plexus is described. During the past century, its anatomy and blood supply have come to be better understood. The importance of almost all of the plexus to head, neck, and upper extremity motor and sensory functions has come to be realized. Because of this understanding, surgical neck dissection has become progressively more conservative. This historical progression is traced. Even the most recent anatomic studies of the spinal accessory nerve plexus reveal configurations, new to many of us. They were probably known to classical anatomists, and not recorded in readily available literature, or not recorded at all. Human and comparative anatomic studies indicate that the composition of this plexus and its blood supply vary widely, even though within the same species their overall function is very nearly the same. Loss of any of these structures, then, may have very different consequences in different individuals. As a corollary to this statement, data are presented that the spinal accessory nerve itself need not be cut during surgical neck dissections for severe impairment to occur. In addition, data are presented supporting the theory that atherosclerosis by obstructing vessels to this plexus and its closely connected brachial plexus will very likely result in their ischemic dysfunction, often painful. Finally evidence, as well as theory, is stated concerning anatomic issues, methodology, outcome, and possible improvements in surgical procedures emphasizing conservatism.

Accessory Nerve↗