Assessment of quality of life of oral cancer survivors compared with Spanish population norms.

This study evaluated the quality of life (QL) of patients who survived oral cancer more than 5 years after treatment, using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), and assessed the impact of factors influencing QL compared with the Spanish population norms. 60 oral cancer patients (65.41 years; 49 males) with cancer-free survival after surgery of >5 years were enrolled. The outcomes of every dimension of the SF-36 questionnaire in every patient were compared with those of a reference Spanish population. Females had statistically significant negative differences in the dimensions of role-emotional, social functioning and vitality. Patients under 65 years had statistically significant negative differences in the dimensions of physical functioning and general health. In the other variables analysed the differences between groups were only clinically relevant. The QL of patients with oral cancer who survive more than 5 years, when assessed with the SF-36 questionnaire, presented similar values to those of the general population, even exceeding these reference values in some dimensions. It is necessary to evaluate QL in the long-term since patients may need a long time to recover from the disease, and to complement QL assessment with other specific questionnaires.

Fine needle aspiration in the pre-operative diagnosis of melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy.

A case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy is described. The pre-operative diagnosis was made on cytological material obtained by fine needle aspiration. The patient was a three-month-old male infant with a rapidly growing maxillary tumour mass that also involved the pterygomaxillary fossae and the floor of the orbit. In addition to the typical clinical presentation, the cytology is also distinctive showing a dual population of small neuroblastic cells and large melanin-containing epithelial cells. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examination of the excised mass confirmed the initial diagnosis. The pre-operative distinction of this tumour from other small round cell tumours of infancy (rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma and lymphoma), is essential in order to plan the most complete resection therefore reducing the possibilities of tumour recurrence. This tumour belongs to a field of pathology with which many otolaryngologists may not be familiar.

[Small cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. A case report]. / Carcinoma de células pequeñas de glándula parótida. A propósito de un caso.

A case of small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the parotid gland in an 82-year-old woman is reported. SCC arising in major salivary glands are extremely rare. By immunohistochemical study, this case was classified as a small-cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. These neoplasms seem to have a far better prognosis than those arising from the bronchial tree. Treatment is mainly local and regional surgery with complementary radiotherapy.

[Tumors of the carotid body. A case report]. / Tumores del glomus carotídeo. A propósito de un caso.

Tumors of the carotid body are uncommon. This primary neoplasm arises from the paraganglionar cells located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. They are usually multicentric and bilateral. Most patients consult for a painful, pulsatile mass situated in the angle of the jaw. Diagnosis is based on contrast CT, MRI and angiography. The treatment of choice is selective embolization followed by surgery.

[Acute mediastinitis with fatal outcome secondary to odontogenic infection]. / Mediastinitis aguda de evolución fatal secundaria a infección odontógena.

This article describes a patient who developed a deep neck and mediastinal infection that was initiated by a odontogenic infection. The history of the patient's illness and the surgical procedures are reviewed and the anatomic and microbial considerations of deep neck infections are discussed. Despite antibiotic therapy, cervicomediastinal drainage, tracheostomy and treatment for septic shock, the patient expired.