The Role of Trans Oral Robotic Surgery in the Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: A New Evidence in the Horizon?

The detection of the primary site in Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUP) is a challenging task which can significantly alter the course of management and also prognosis. Various modalities have been assessed with varying sensitivity and specificity. Imaging and cytological diagnosis have formed a key part of the diagnostic algorithm of CUP. Trans Oral Robotic Surgery offers the advantage of being both diagnostic as well as therapeutic with promising sensitivity and specificity and can form an integral part in the management of CUP. A prospective study was carried out at a tertiary care centre over a period of one year. Patients with unilateral neck swelling which was histopathologically proven squamous cell carcinoma neck metastasis were included in the study. They were evaluated with endoscopy and radiology according to the standard algorithm. When these failed to detect the primary, the patients underwent ipsilateral radical tonsillectomy and tongue base mucosal wedge biopsy via TORS. Post-operative histopathological examination was done on the resected specimens to detect the primary site. Transoral Robotic Surgery was able to localise primary in 50% of the patients enrolled in the study. Out of the primary site identified by TORS; 55.56% were located in the tonsil and 44.4% in the tongue base. TORS can offer promising detection rates of the occult primary in CUP and should form an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm.

Pilot Evaluation of Perioperative High Dose Rate Brachytherapy in Head Neck Cancers.

Perioperative high dose rate brachytherapy involves insertion of brachytherapy catheter over the tumor bed during surgical removal of disease followed by radiation in the postoperative period. It has applications in radiotherapy dose escalation or reirradiation and for extending the surgical margins. We report here initial results of treatment in five cases of locally advanced head and neck cancers.

A FACS-based novel isolation technique identifies heterogeneous CTCs in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Isolating circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood is challenging due to their low abundance and heterogeneity. Limitations of conventional CTC detection methods highlight the need for improved strategies to detect and isolate CTCs. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CellSearch™ and other RUO techniques are not available in India. Therefore, we wanted to develop a flexible CTC detection/isolation technique that addresses the limitation(s) of currently available techniques and is suitable for various downstream applications. Methods: We developed a novel, efficient, user-friendly CTC isolation strategy combining density gradient centrifugation and immuno-magnetic hematogenous cell depletion with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based positive selection using multiple CTC-specific cell-surface markers. For FACS, a stringent gating strategy was optimised to exclude debris and doublets by side scatter/forward scatter (SSC/FSC) discriminator, remove dead cells by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and eliminate non-specific fluorescence using a "dump" channel. APC-labelled anti-CD45mAB was used to gate remaining hematogenous cells, while multiple epithelial markers (EpCAM, EGFR, and Pan-Cytokeratin) and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker (Vimentin) labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to sort cancer cells. The technique was initially developed by spiking Cal 27 cancer cells into the blood of healthy donors and then validated in 95 biopsy-proven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. CTCs isolated from patients were reconfirmed by Giemsa staining, immuno-staining, and whole transcriptome amplification (WTA), followed by qRT-PCR. In vitro culture and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were also performed to confirm their suitability for various downstream applications. Results: The mean detection efficiency for the Cal 27 tongue cancer cells spiked in the whole blood of healthy donors was 32.82% ± 12.71%. While ~75% of our patients (71/95) had detectable CTCs, the CTC positivity was independent of the TNM staging. The isolated potential cancer cells from OSCC patients were heterogeneous in size. They expressed different CTC-specific markers in various combinations as identified by qRT-PCR after WTA in different patients. Isolated CTCs were also found to be suitable for downstream applications like short-term CTC culture and RNA-Seq. Conclusion: We developed a sensitive, specific, flexible, and affordable CTC detection/isolation technique, which is scalable to larger patient cohorts, provides a snapshot of CTC heterogeneity, isolates live CTCs ready for downstream molecular analysis, and, most importantly, is suitable for developing countries.

Survival Analysis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Attending Tertiary Care Centre of North India.

The cumulative survival for all stages in oral squamous cell cancers (OSCC) in the world remains poor despite the advances in management; hence, we conducted this study to evaluate the survival outcomes. This is a retrospective review and analysis of treatment, follow-up and survival records of 249 OSCC patients treated in our department from April 2010 to April 2014. Telephonic interviews were conducted for survival details for some patients who had not reported. Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier analysis, comparisons were done using log-rank test and multivariate analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model to find different variables (site, age, sex, stage and treatment) affecting overall survival (OS)/disease-free survival (DFS). Two-year and 5-year DFS for OSCC were observed to be 72.3% and 58.3% with mean survival of 63.17 months (95% CI: 58.342-68.002). Similarly, OS at 2 years and 5 years were 84.3% and 55.9% with mean survival of 65.143 months (95% CI: 60.143-69.601). Tumour site, patient age, stage of disease and treatment modality had a statistically significant hazardous effect on the overall and disease-free survival rates. The significant influence of age, site of tumour, stage of disease and modality of treatment required based on the clinic-pathologic risk factors on prognosis emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis through regular screening and early treatment which can be ensured with early referral, high clinical suspicion and awareness at the point of primary/secondary care.

Intra-operative intaoral ultrasonograpy ensures free deep resection margins in carcinoma tongue: A pilot study.

ABSTRACT: Resection of primary in carcinoma tongue is challenging as the tumor often spreads submucosal and deep in muscles. There are various Intraoperative tools available to guide tumor resection margins. We studied the use of intraoperative ultrasound-guided resection for obtaining free deep resection margins in cases of oral carcinoma tongue. To assess the feasibility of resection of tongue tumor using intraoral ultrasound intraoperatively. 5 patients of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma were included in this prospective pilot study. Intraoral ultrasound-guided resection of the primary tongue tumor was done. The surgeon moved the probe over the tumor and focussed on the point of maximum invasion by the tumor. A 26 G needle was passed in the tongue at a point that was 10 mm away from the deepest point of infiltration. It marked the deepest plane of resection. Following the above marking, a resection of tumor was done. Deep surgical resection margin was found to be >5 mm (free) in all the USG-guided surgically resected primary tongue tumors on histopathological examination. We have found intraoperative ultrasonography a useful tool for the surgical resection of primary tongue tumours.

Feasibility of Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Based Head and Neck Cancer Registry: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction Establishing and maintaining a cancer registry in a tertiary high volume centre is fraught with difficulty, inaccuracy and missed data entry. Further, the raw unstructured data must be converted into a structured digital data, so that scientists can identify trends in cancer diagnoses and treatment responses. Objective We test the feasibility of establishing a cancer registry of Head and Neck malignancy patients through a research oriented artificial intelligence (AI) enabled data collection platform, using its smartphone application version. Materials and Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education And Research, Chandigarh in collaboration with Departments of Radiotherapy and Community Medicine. After taking due clearance from the Institute ethical committee, HNC patients, who were biopsy proven, were enrolled from October 2019 up to March 2021. The obtained data was entered, followed up and analysed through Jiyyo Research application which is a commercially available dedicated research oriented AI enabled data collection platform. Results The Jiyyo Research site was browsed and after proper registration, the patient data was entered into a proforma/questionnaire. The entered patient details were browsed for review, follow up and addition of new information. The whole process of data capture for each patient, took approximately 5-8 min, while any updates or review for the same patient required less than a minute. Search and data retrieval was very quick, and can be done in 1-2 min. Through this platform, a total of 1214 HNC patients were collected, followed and analysed during the study period. Conclusion It was feasible to establish a Head and Neck Cancer Registry using an AI based smartphone app. This AI based tumor registry could benefit in further studies with longer follow up of 5 and 10 years and in future AI studies. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-022-03173-3.

Outcome of Postoperative Facial Nerve Function Following Electromyographic Facial Nerve Monitoring During Parotidectomy for Benign Lesions: a Retrospective Study.

Does use of Facial nerve monitors during parotidectomy decrease incidence of facial paralysis/paresis without use of facial paresis? This study was done to compare the incidence, grade and risk factors of facial palsy in patients undergoing parotidectomy for benign parotid lesions with and without use of facial nerve monitor. This is a retrospective study. Eighty parotid patients operated for benign parotid lesions from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Demography details, history of the patients, history of addictions, clinical examination findings, investigation findings like the biopsy report, FNAC report, imaging i.e., CT / MRI / USG, use of intraoperative facial nerve monitor, time taken to identify the facial nerve, postoperative facial nerve palsy, facial nerve stimulation test and recovery time were analysed. Fifty patients were operated without use of facial nerve monitor, and 30 patients were operated using facial nerve monitor. Postoperative facial nerve complications were seen in 28 out of 80 patients (35%). Postoperative facial nerve complications were observed in 5 out of 30 patients (20%) in whom facial nerve monitoring was used. Marginal mandibular nerve palsy was observed in 4 patients and 1 patient had weakness of both marginal mandibular and orbital branches. While in postoperative facial nerve complications were observed in 25 out of 50 patients (50%), marginal mandibular nerve palsy was observed in 15 patients (40%), grade 3 facial palsy was observed in 3 out of 50 patients (6%), and grade 4 facial palsy were observed in 2 out of 50 patients (4%). The use of intraoperative FNM significantly lowered the incidence of paralysis.

Simple Technique Using an Additional Landmark to Reliably Identify the Trunk of Facial Nerve During Parotidectomy: a Cadaveric and Clinical Correlation Study.

The incidence of facial palsy in parotid surgeries is up to 50% transient and 17% complete facial palsy. Locating facial nerve trunk during parotid surgery can be tricky despite using the standard landmarks. During a cadaveric dissection, we came across a simple technique to identify the trunk of facial nerve which we have also tried to use it in clinical setting and found it to be useful. Parotidectomy was done in 12 cadaveric hemi-faces. The distance between the mastoid tip and the tympanic segment of facial nerve was measured. The distance of the facial nerve and mastoid tip and tympanomastoid suture and facial nerve was measured. The trunk of facial nerve was found to cross the tympanomastoid sulcus-mastoid tip at around 8-10 mm from the mastoid tip in 70% of the cases. We extrapolated this information in 5 cases of parotidectomy in operative setting. We were able to identify facial nerve trunk accurately in 4/5 cases. Imaginary line connecting the mastoid tip and tympanomastoid suture can be used to locate the probable position of the facial nerve trunk reliably during parotidectomy.

Comparative effectiveness of two behavioral change intervention packages for tobacco cessation initiated in the tertiary care setting of North India-protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To reduce the global burden of tobacco use, clinical guidelines support behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy as preferred interventions for tobacco cessation. The evidence-based behavioral interventions has consistently shown to be impactful in community settings; however, its efficacy has not been established in hospital settings. The current study aims to investigate impact of trans-theoretical-based behavioral intervention package on tobacco users suffering from non-communicable diseases attending tertiary care settings of North India. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a tertiary healthcare hospital will be performed. A total of 360 tobacco users attending NCD clinics in four departments, cardiology, neurology, pulmonary medicine, and ENT (otolaryngology), will be recruited over a period of 3 months. After ascertaining the eligibility criteria, they will be followed up to 6 months (1, 3, 6) for their tobacco use status, readiness to quit, nicotine dependence, stage of behavior change, and self-reported and biochemical validation (urine cotinine) for tobacco abstinence. Assignment of intervention including allocation concealment, sequence generation, and blinding will be done as per SPIRIT guidelines for RCT protocols. DISCUSSION: As no strong evidence exists about the effectiveness of tobacco cessation intervention in tertiary settings, the current study will build evidence about the similar interventions in such settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2019/09/021406.

An Easy to use Periosteal Flap for Cochlear Implantation: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre.

This report describes a novel and easy periosteal flap design for cochlear implantation. This technique has been used in 37 patients between June 2019 and August 2020. The patients have been followed up for a period of 2 months to 15 months. There were no flap related complications attributed to this flap. There was no wound hematoma, wound breakdown or implant migration. The flap design is safe, easy, less time consuming and results in better coverage of the receiver stimulator unit without any tension.

As the virus sowed, the fungus reaped! A comparative analysis of the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of rhino-orbital mucormycosis before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The sudden surge of mucormycosis cases which happened during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic was a significant public health problem in India. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinico-epidemicological characteristics of the mucormycosis cases to determine the changes that had occurred due to COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. Patients diagnosed with rhino-orbital mucormycosis were categorised into the following groups: Pre-pandemic(May 2019 to April 2020), Pandemic Pre-epidemic (May 2020 to April 2021) and Epidemic (1 May 2021 to 12 July 2021). The epidemiological, clinical and surgical data of all the patients were retrieved from the hospital records and analysed. RESULTS: The epidemic period had 370 cases, compared with 65 during pandemic period and 42 in the pre-pandemic period. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 87% of cases during epidemic period, 92.9% in the pre-pandemic period and 90.8% in the pre-pandemic pre-epidemic period. The proportion of patients suffering from vision loss, restricted extra-ocular movements, palatal ulcer and nasal obstruction was higher in the pre-epidemic groups, and the difference was significant (p, <.01). There was no history of oxygen use in 85.9% of patients and no steroid use in 76.5%. The death rates were the lowest during epidemic (10%). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has caused a statistically significant increase in the number of mucormycosis infections. The mortality and morbidity which showed an increase during the first wave of COVID-19 decreased significantly during the epidemic period.

Prognostic Value of HPV Infection Assessed by p16 Immunohistochemistry and the Influence of Tobacco Usage in Oropharyngeal Cancers: Real World Scenario.

To find if an association could be established between Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) in a group of patients known to be regular users of tobacco, and to determine the impact of HPV status on clinical outcomes.Case records of 212 patients with AJCC-7 (The American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition) stages II-IVB non metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated using radical radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy during the years 2015-2018 were retrieved. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks from oropharyngeal biopsies were available for 177 patients and were evaluated for p16 expression by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. More than 50% nuclear staining with or without cytoplasmic staining was considered HPV+ . The association between tobacco use and HPV, as well as the influence of HPV status on survival outcomes were assessed. p16 expression was found to be positive in 23(13%) patients. Significant association was found between chewable tobacco usage and HPV positivity (p = 0.051). The median follow up was 20.5 months (range: 3-80). 5-year Overall Survival was 43.4% and 29.8% (p = 0.044) in HPV+ and HPV- patients, respectively. Local control was significantly better in HPV+ patients (38.6% vs. 25.3%, p = 0.049). There was also a trend towards improved Disease-free Survival in HPV+ patients (31 months vs. 15 months, p = 0.078). Though less in prevalence among the Indian population, improved outcomes in HPV+ OPC patients and widely available IHC HPV assays signifies the routine implementation of p16 testing in day-to-day clinical practice.

Tele-Otolaryngology at a Tertiary Care Center in North India During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Validated Patient Feedback Questionnaire Based Study.

Providing medical care using the telecommunication networks holds the promise of increased access and efficiency of healthcare particularly during global emergencies like the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Most of the hospital setups worldwide have put telemedicine into practice ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of Tele-otolaryngology (TO) at a tertiary care centre during the pandemic lockdown. A validated patient feedback questionnaire was developed and distributed to 2577 patients who utilised the TO mobile health service at our institute. Patient feedback-based assessment of TO effectiveness during COVID-19 lockdown was carried out. The validated questionnaire in English and Hindi was statistically robust with Cronbach's alpha value of 0.808 and 0.886 respectively. 1751 patients completed their feedback to the questionnaire. 97.5% utilised WhatsApp for TO consultation. 15.2% patients were detected of Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with TO guidance. Up to 75% patients had a positive response to the questionnaire and 91.1% opined of savings achieved either with travel time, cost incurred or the treatment time. With respect to patient health status, 71.5% recovered, 20.1% had no change and 8.4% deteriorated with a mortality rate of 1.65%. Telehealth in otolaryngology during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was indispensable in managing exigencies. Redesigning of clinical protocol and technical constraints, clinician training and a validated patient feedback questionnaire would effectively bestow upon the global emergencies.

Perioperative high dose rate brachytherapy in head and neck cancers: case report and review of clinical application.

Perioperative high dose rate brachytherapy is a radiotherapy treatment technique which involves intraoperative insertions of brachytherapy catheters into the tumor bed during the surgical resection followed by treatment in the post-operative period. We report here two cases to highlight its use in the primary treatment and reirradiation of head and neck cancers.

Feasibility of Using Posterior Auricular Artery as Landmark for Identification of Facial Nerve Trunk in Parotid Surgery: A Cadaver Study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite good surgical knowledge of the anatomy of parotid gland and meticulous surgical technique, the incidence of facial palsy in parotid surgeries is up to 26.7% transient and 1.7% complete facial palsy(1). The risk of facial palsy increases further in malignant and revision cases. METHOD: Superficial parotidectomy was done in 14 cadaveric hemi faces in 10 cadavers. Posterior auricular artery and its stylomastoid branch was dissected and facial nerve trunk was identified in all cases. The relationship of posterior auricular artery along with its stylomastoid branch with the facial nerve trunk was studied and recorded. RESULT: Posterior auricular artery was found running inferior to the facial nerve trunk in 12 cadaveric dissection while the posterior auricular artery was found crossing below the main trunk of facial in 2 cadaver dissection. The average distance between PAA and facial nerve trunk was 7 mm (2-14 mm) Stylomastoid artery was found arising from Posterior auricular artery in 12 of 14 and it was found running medial to the facial nerve trunk in all the 8 cadavers. CONCLUSION: Post auricular artery can be used as another landmark for identification of the main trunk of facial nerve in parotid surgeries.

Differential independent impact of the intraoperative use of navigation and angled endoscopes on the surgical outcome of endonasal endoscopy for pituitary tumors: a prospective study.

Despite widespread popularity of navigation and angled endoscopes in endonasal endoscopy, there are hardly few studies on their efficacy with the extent of resection or retreatment. This is probably the first study to assess the independent impact of these adjuncts among pituitary tumors. Patients with pituitary tumors undergoing endonasal endoscopy were prospectively studied for their demographics, clinico-radiological features, intraoperative use of navigation, and angled endoscopes, in relation to gross total resection (GTR), near total resection (NTR), endocrine remission, and retreatment. Pertinent statistical analyses were performed. Among a total of 139 patients, navigation and angled endoscopes could be used in 54 and 48 patients, respectively, depending upon their availability rather than chosen as per the case. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics in relation to their use. The surgeon's perception of immediate benefit was noted among 51.9% while using navigation. The use of angled endoscopes towards the end of resection could help with additional tumor removal in 62.5% of patients. Overall, the use of navigation resulted in a significantly higher GTR (80.8% vs. 59.7%, OR 2.83, p = 0.01), a higher GTR/NTR (86.5% vs. 70.8%, OR 2.65, p = 0.04), and a lower retreatment rate (7.7% vs. 20.8%, OR 3.15, p = 0.05) than the others. In functioning tumors with cavernous sinus invasion, navigation had significantly increased remission rates (69.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.03). The use of angled endoscopes yielded a significantly higher GTR/NTR (91.7% vs. 70.6%, p = 0.04) and a lower retreatment rate (0% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.05) among only non-functioning adenomas. In multivariate analyses, the use of neuronavigation had a significant association with both GTR and retreatment rates (p values 0.005 and 0.02 respectively), independent of other confounding factors. The elective intraoperative use of navigation has a significant independent impact on the extent of resection and retreatment overall. While navigation results in better remission rates among functioning tumors with cavernous sinus invasion, angled endoscopy has a significant association with surgical outcomes in non-functioning tumors.

Endonasal endoscopic versus microscopic transsphenoidal surgery in pituitary tumors among the young: A comparative study & meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The transsphenoidal approach presents unique challenges in young, with scanty literature. This study compares the outcome of pituitary tumors among young in our center between endoscopic(EES) and microscopic(MTS) transsphenoidal surgery, with a meta-analysis. METHODS: Patients within 20 years were studied for their surgical approach to a favorable outcome of endocrine remission (ER) (functioning) or Gross/Near-Total resection (nonfunctioning), besides the need for retreatment. Relevant studies were pooled and analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 64 young patients with pituitary tumors, 48 underwent transsphenoidal surgery using MTS(33) or EES(15). Of these, 21, 14, 5, and 8 had Cushing's, somatotropinomas, prolactinomas, and non-secreting tumors, respectively. Mean symptom duration was 28months, with weight gain(50 %) and visual complaints(29 %) most prevalent. Hypogonadism(21 %) was the most frequent endocrinopathy. The mean tumor volume was 3.8 cm3. Over mean follow-up of 4.4years, favorable outcome was significantly higher after EES than MTS(78.6 % vs. 46.7 %)(odds ratio 4.18, p = 0.05). EES's better outcome was homogeneous across subgroups of age and tumor type, with no significant subgroup difference. Symptom duration was significantly higher among those who required retreatment(p = 0.05), while ER had a non-significant association with tumor volume(p = 0.07). Overall, 40 %, 27 %, 17 %, and 8% were on hydrocortisone, thyroxine, sex hormone, and desmopressin, respectively, at follow-up with no significant difference between EES and MTS. In pooled analysis of literature, both favorable outcome(74 % vs. 48 %,p = 0.02) and retreatment rate(8% vs. 37 %,p = 0.004) were significantly better with EES than MTS. CONCLUSION: Among young patients with pituitary tumors, the favorable outcome and retreatment rates are better with endonasal endoscopy and associated with symptom duration and tumor volume.

Cost-effectiveness of treating head and neck cancer using intensity-modulated radiation therapy: implications for cancer control program in India.

BACKGROUND: The newer cancer treatment technologies hold the potential of providing improved health outcomes at an additional cost. So it becomes obligatory to assess the costs and benefits of a new technology, before defining its clinical value. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as compared to 2-dimensional radiotherapy (2-DRT) and 3-dimensional radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for treating head and neck cancers (HNC) in India. The cost-effectiveness of 3-DCRT as compared to 2-DRT was also estimated. METHODS: A probabilistic Markov model was designed. Using a disaggregated societal perspective, lifetime study horizon and 3 percent discount rate, future costs and health outcomes were compared for a cohort of 1000 patients treated with any of the three radiation techniques. Data on health system cost, out of pocket expenditure, and quality of life was assessed through primary data collected from a large tertiary care public sector hospital in India. Data on xerostomia rates following each of the radiation techniques was extracted from the existing randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: IMRT incurs an incremental cost of $7,072 (2,932-13,258) and $5,164 (463-10,954) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained compared to 2-DRT and 3D-CRT, respectively. Further, 3D-CRT as compared to 2-DRT requires an incremental cost of $8,946 (1,996-19,313) per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: Both IMRT and 3D-CRT are not cost-effective at 1 times GDP per capita for treating HNC in India. The costs and benefits of using IMRT for other potential indications (e.g. prostate, lung) require to be assessed before considering its introduction in India.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the parapharyngeal space arising from cervical sympathetic chain: A rare entity.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) of parapharyngeal space are rare and if present are most often in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Only a few cases of MPNST have been reported in the literature without coexisting NF. We report one such case of an MPNST of parapharyngeal space tumor in a 35-year-old female with no associated features of NF-1. She presented with right-sided neck swelling and ptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 7 cm × 8 cm × 11 cm irregular swelling in the right parapharyngeal space with invasion of surrounding muscles. The mass was excised using a transcervical approach. Postoperative histopathological examination of the specimen revealed MPNST possibly arising from the cervical sympathetic chain.

Can Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Predict Various Levels of Echelon Nodes in Oral Cancers?

Abstract Introduction The efficacy of sentinel node biopsy in early stage oral cancer is well established. Its evolving role can be reinforced by further studies. Objective Analyzing the predictability of the levels of echelon nodes for various oral cavity tumor subsites on sentinel node biopsy. Methods A prospective study of 20 patients with stage I/II oral squamous cell carcinoma who underwent sentinel node biopsy-guided neck dissection between January 2017 and 2018 at our institute. The procedure included radiotracer injection, imaging (lymphoscintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography), and gamma probe application. Sentinel node detection on imaging and gamma probe were compared. Results Out of 20 patients, 13 (65%) had carcinoma of the tongue, 6 (30%) had buccal mucosa carcinoma, and 1 (5%) had retromolar trigone carcinoma. Themean age of the patients was 52.3 years. A total of 13 (65%) patients were male, and 7 (35%) were female. The sentinel node identification rates with imaging and gamma probe were of 70% and 100% respectively. In tongue and retromolar trigone primaries, the most common first-echelon nodes in both modalities were levels IIA and IB respectively. For buccal mucosa primaries, first-echelon nodes were detected only with the gamma probe, which was level IB. On imaging, second-echelon nodes were detected only for tongue primaries, and had equivalent incidence of levels II, III, and IV. On the gamma probe, level IIA, followed by III, and IV for the tongue, and level IIA were the most common second-echelon nodes for the buccal mucosa. Third-echelon nodes were detected only with the gamma probe for tongue carcinoma at level IV. Conclusion The combined use of imaging and gamma probe provides the best results, with high identification rate and predictability of echelon levels.