Immunophenotypic features of dedifferentiated skull base chordoma: An insight into the intratumoural heterogeneity.

Chordomas are rare and low-grade malignant solid tumours, despite their histologically benign appearance, that arise in the bone from embryonic notochordal vestiges of the axial skeleton, a mesoderm-derived structure that is involved in the process of neurulation and embryonic development. Chordomas occurring in the skull base tend to arise in the basiocciput along the clivus. Three major morphological variants have been described (classical, chondroid, and atypical/dedifferentiated). The pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms involved in chordoma development remain uncertain. From a pathological standpoint, the microenvironment of a chordoma is heterogeneous, showing a dual epithelial-mesenchymal differentiation. These tumours are characterised by slow modality of biologic growth, local recurrence, low incidence of metastasis rates, and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. The main molecular findings are connected with brachyury immunoexpression and activation of the downstream Akt and mTOR signalling pathways. The differentiation between typical and atypical chordomas is relevant because the tumoural microenvironment and prognosis are partially different. This review provides an insight into the recent and relevant concepts and histochemical markers expressed in chordomas, with special emphasis on dedifferentiated chordomas and their prognostic implications.

Anterior cervical abscess as a complication of CO2 laser surgery of the larynx.

Because of the increasing use of laser surgery, new complications appear in patients. Endoscopic procedures bring to patients a kind of surgery with benefits such as avoidance of external incisions, but complications not seen before are happening. We describe the case of a patient who had a big anterior cervical abscess 1 month after having undergone an endoscopic laser CO2 cordectomy to treat an epidermoid carcinoma of the left vocal cord. One month after the surgery, the patient came to the emergency department complaining about progressive anterior cervical inflammation, with odynophagia. Computed tomography scan revealed an extensive anterior cervical abscess. As far as we are concerned, our present case is the first reporting this extremely rare complication, an anterior cervical abscess appearing 1 month after an endoscopic laser CO2 procedure. Reporting this kind of infectious complication, the authors aim to make aware the surgeons about the possibility of this late event.

Simultaneous pleomorphic adenomas of the hard palate and parapharyngeal space.

We report a very unusual presentation of simultaneous pleomorphic adenomas of 2 different locations, hard palate and parapharyngeal space. Patient age of presentation is rare because these tumors are seen in younger patients. We treated a 70-year-old woman with these 2 tumors, resecting both lesions with intraoral and cervical approaches. Pleomorphic adenomas are frequent lesions, but in the literature reviewed, we have not found articles reporting 2 simultaneous pleomorphic adenomas of these locations. Complete surgical resection is very important to avoid recurrences.

Conservative treatment of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess in children.

Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections, which can potentially cause life-threatening complications, could be treated conservatively with no need for surgical drainage. A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections was performed. Information regarding age, sex, presenting symptoms, physical examination, laboratory and imaging evaluations, management, duration of hospital stay, and complications were reviewed. Seven children were identified, 4 with retropharyngeal abscess and 3 with parapharyngeal abscess. All but 1 patient were under 7 years old, and all were treated with intravenous amoxicilin/clavulanic acid and corticosteroids. Torticollis and fever were present in all the patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 7 days. There were no complications associated. We demonstrate that retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses can be treated medically, reserving the surgical drainage for complicated cases. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids is a safe option, reducing the durations of symptoms and the length of hospital stay.

Giant cell tumor of the greater wing of the sphenoid: an unusual presentation.

We report a very unusual presentation of giant cell tumor probably originated on the greater wing of the sphenoid and show a review about the knowledge and the treatment of the lesion in this rare localization. We treated a 48-year-old man with a giant cell tumor of the infratemporal fossa. He presented with a right-side hearing loss and facial pain. The tumor was resected by means of a subtemporal-preauricular approach, and after 12 months of follow-up, the patient is free of recurrence. Giant cell tumors of the skull base are an extremely rare neoplasm, and there is not much information on the literature about the treatment and the prognostic. Wide resection ought to be made, and at the follow-up, the clinician must try to diagnose not only local recurrence but also the possibility of distant metastases to the lung.