Intra-parotid facial nerve path by MRI tractography: radio-clinical comparison in parotid tumors.

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the ability of preoperative MRI tractography to visualize and predict the path of the facial nerve with respect to an intra-parotid mass. METHODS: We performed an observational bicentric study from June 2019 to August 2020. All patients older than 18 years old, treated for a parotid mass with surgical indication, without MRI contraindication and who agreed to participate in the study were enrolled prospectively. All patients underwent a cervico-facial MRI with tractographic analysis. Postprocessed tractography images of the intra-parotid facial nerve were analyzed by two expert radiologists in head and neck imaging. The intraoperative anatomical description of the facial nerve path and its relationship to the mass was performed by the surgeon during the operation, with no visibility on MRI examination results. A statistical study allowed for the description of the data collected as well as the measurement of inter-observer agreement and agreement between tractography and surgery using kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were included. The facial nerve trunk and its first two divisional branches were visualized via tractography in 93.5% of cases (n = 43). The upper distal branches were visualized in 51.1% of cases (n = 23), and the lower branches were visualized in 73.3% of cases (n = 33). Agreement with the location described per-operatively was on average 82.9% for the trunk, 74.15% for the temporal branch, and 75.21% for the cervico-facial branch. CONCLUSION: Fiber tractography analysis by MRI of the intra-parotid facial nerve appears to be a good test for predicting the path of the nerve over the parotid mass and could be an additional tool to guide the surgeon in the operative procedure.

Transoral endoscopic resection of low-grade, cricoid chondrosarcoma : endoscopic management of a series of seven patients with low-grade cricoid chondrosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade chondrosarcomas account for 1 % of all laryngeal tumors and typically arise in the cricoid cartilage. They are usually indolent, slow-growing cancers that are locally invasive and rarely metastasize. Surgical excision is considered the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy generally are ineffective. Surgical management must balance tumor clearance with preservation of laryngeal functions (swallowing, voice, and respiration). METHODS: Prospective outcome analysis of seven patients operated with endoscopic resection for low grade cricoid chondrosarcomas. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 61 years (range 49-75), male:female ratio was 4:3. All patients are currently alive and free of disease with an average follow-up of 80 months (range 63-138). Overall 5-year survival is 100 %, 5-year disease-free survival rate 85.7 %, and overall recurrence rates 14.3 %. One of the seven patients developed a limited recurrence at 21 months and underwent a second endoscopic resection. During initial management two patients needed temporary tracheotomy. Successful decannulation and normal breathing were obtained within 3 months with no long-term sequelae. The airway calibre of the remaining patients was minimally affected. All patients have normal postoperative swallowing function and adequate voice that is unassisted by amplification. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the use of endoscopic resection for managing selected newly diagnosed cases of cricoid chondrosarcoma as well as the role of repeated endoscopic resection for managing cases of recurrent cricoid chondrosarcoma.

[Results and lessons after 10 years of universal neonatal hearing screening in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France]. / Dépistage systématique de la surdité à la naissance : résultats et enseignements au terme de 10 ans de pratique en Champagne-Ardenne.

In France, universal newborn hearing screening has been mandatory since April23rd, 2012, but it began in the Champagne-Ardenne region on January 15th 2004. More than 99 % of 160 196 newborns have since been systematically screened in this region. Bilateral hearing impairment was thus identified in 116 infants when they were around 3.5 months old. Earlier diagnosis improves the outcome of deafness, which is only diagnosed around age 20 months without screening. The authors report their experience and the lessons learnt.

Carcinomas of the external auditory canal: Management and results: A multicenter REFCOR propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse prognostic factors and survival outcomes of malignant tumors of the external auditory canal, to investigate the role of regional surgery, and adjuvant radiotherapy in early stages and to investigate the role of surgery in operable T4 stage. SETTING: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients prospectively included in the national database of the French Expertize Network for Rare ENT Cancers (REFCOR) from January 2000 to December 2016. PARTICIPANTS: 103 patients from 19 reference centers were included. A propensity score matching analysis was applied to enable comparisons between treatments. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Event-free survival, overall survival and factors of poor prognosis of the cohort were described. The interest of local and regional surgery and postoperative radiotherapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The factors of poor prognosis on event-free survival were immunosuppression (p = 0.002), Karnofsky status less than 90% (p = 0.02), body mass index less than 19 Kg / m2 (p = 0.0009), peripheric facial palsy (p = 0.0016), and positive margin (p = 0.0006). In early stages, locoregional surgery was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.003, HR = 0.21) versus local surgery alone, while postoperative radiotherapy was not associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91) or overall (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91). In locally advanced stages, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.03, HR = 0.39) and overall (p = 0.02, HR = 0.34) versus chemoradiotherapy alone. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Regional surgery is recommended for early stages of cancers of the external auditory canal. In operable cases, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy is recommended.

The role of radiation therapy in pediatric mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary glands.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of radiation therapy in rare salivary gland pediatric mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). STUDY DESIGN: A French multicenter retrospective study (level of evidence 4) of children/adolescents treated for MEC between 1980 and 2010 was conducted. RESULTS: Median age of the 38 patients was 14 years. Parotid subsite, low-grade, and early primary stage tumors were encountered in 81%, 82%, and 68% of cases, respectively. All except 1 patient were treated by tumoral surgical excision, and 53% by neck dissection (80% of high grades). Postoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy were performed in 29% and 11% of cases. With a median 62-month follow-up, overall survival and local control rates were 95% and 84%, respectively. There was 1 nodal relapse. Lower grade and early stage tumors had better survival. Postoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy were associated with similar local rates. Patients with or without prior cancer had similar outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric salivary gland MEC carries a good prognosis. Low-intermediate grade, early-stage tumors should be treated with surgery alone. Neck dissection should be performed in high-grade tumors. Radiation therapy should be proposed for high grade and/or advanced primary stage MEC. For high-grade tumors without massive neck involvement, irradiation volumes may be limited to the primary area, given the risk of long-term side effects of radiation therapy in children. Pediatric MEC as second cancers retain a similar prognosis. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess late side effects and second cancers.

Mini-invasive lateral oropharyngectomy for T3-T4a oropharyngeal cancer.

Mandibular swing is the approach of choice for resection of advanced oropharyngeal carcinomas without bone involvement. This approach requires a mandibulotomy, which is associated with complications. A prospective outcome analysis was performed for 21 patients operated without mandibulotomy for T3-T4a oropharyngeal carcinoma. Tumour size was categorized as T3 in 14 patients (66.7 %) and as T4a (33.3 %) in 7 patients. Twelve patients were N0 (57.1 %), 2 (9.5 %) were N1, and 7 (33.3 %) were N2. Surgical margins were negative in 18 cases (85.7 %), positive in 1 (4.8 %), and close in 2 (9.5 %). Average hospital stay was 14.5 days (range 10-22). Adjuvant treatment (radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy) was administered to all but three patients previously irradiated. In all cases radiotherapy started within 42 days of surgery. The 3-year overall survival was 85.7 %, and relapse-free survival was 71.4 %. Oropharyngectomy without mandibulotomy has the same indications as mandibular swing. It provides good access to achieve satisfactory clearance of tumours, sparing patients the morbidity associated with mandibulotomy.

Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma: results of surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent parotid pleomorphic adenoma surgery increases the risk of facial nerve injury, and there is also a risk of ulterior recurrence. METHODS: Postoperative results from 62 consecutive patients operated for recurrent pleomorphic adenoma were analyzed. It was the first recurrence for 49 patients (79%), the second or more for 13 patients (21%). RESULTS: Total parotidectomy was performed in 69.4% of cases. Skin resection was performed in 47 patients (75.8%). Resection of a facial nerve branch was performed in seven patients (11.3%). Pathologic examination findings revealed carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in 10/62 cases (16.1%) and microscopic multinodular disease in 39 patients (62.9%). Nine patients had preoperative facial palsy, 95% had postoperative facial paralysis ≥ grade II (House-Brackmann scale), and 11.3% still had ≥ grade III facial palsy after 1 year. Six patients developed another recurrence after our intervention (9.68%). Moreover, carcinoma was discovered after a new intervention in 40% of these patients. Initial partial parotid surgery [hazard ratio (HR) = 8.477, P = 0.008], microscopic multinodular recurrent disease (HR = 11.717, P = 0.005), and ≥ 1 recurrence number (HR = 10.608, P = 0.01) were associated with increased risk of ulterior recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgery is recommended in pleomorphic adenoma recurrence because of the high rate of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (16.1%). Nevertheless, a definitive facial paralysis ≥ grade III rate of 11.3% is reported after multiple nerve dissection. New recurrence after surgery is less frequent if the initial treatment for pleomorphic adenoma is total parotidectomy.

Laryngeal dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue liposarcomas are quite common in the adult population, whereas liposarcoma of the larynx is exceedingly rare. METHODS: We describe an exceptional case of liposarcoma of the posterior aspect of the left arytenoid in a 62-year-old woman who was treated with two endoscopic excisions and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). This is the 32nd case of laryngeal liposarcoma reported in the English literature. RESULTS: After a 20 months follow-up, no local, regional recurrences or distant metastases were detected, and no functional complications are described for the patient. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights that endoscopic surgical treatment enables excellent organ and functional preservation. However, recurrence of laryngeal liposarcoma is the principal risk, so extended follow-up is essential. RT has no defined role in treatment but can be discussed, especially considering the surgical margins and recurrence status.

The diagnostic accuracy of reverse transcription-PCR quantification of cytokeratin mRNA in the detection of sentinel lymph node invasion in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a comparison with immunohistochemistry.

PURPOSE: The main goal of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas is to limit neck dissections to pN+ cases only. However, intraoperative + diagnosis cannot be routinely done using the current gold standard, serial step sectioning with immunohistochemistry. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) is potentially compatible with intraoperative use, proving highly sensitive in detecting molecular markers. This study postoperatively assessed the accuracy of quantitative RT-PCR in staging patients from their SLN. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A combined analysis on the same SLN by serial step sectioning with immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR targeting cytokeratins 5, 14, and 17 was done in 18 consecutive patients with oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 10 control subjects. RESULTS: From 71 lymph nodes examined, mRNA levels (KRT) were linked to metastasis size for the three cytokeratins studied (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.89, 0.73, and 0.77 for KRT 5, 14, and 17 respectively; P < 0.05). Histopathology-positive SLNs (macro- and micrometastases) showed higher mRNA values than negative SLNs for KRT 17 (P < 10(-4)) and KRT 14 (P < 10(-2)). KRT 5 showed nonsignificant results. KRT 17 seemed to be the most accurate marker for the diagnosis of micrometastases of a size >450 mum. Smaller micrometastases and isolated tumor cells did not provide results above the background level. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for KRT 17 identified a cutoff value where patient staging reached 100% specificity and sensitivity for macro- and micrometastases. CONCLUSION: Quantitative RT-PCR for SLN staging in cN(0) patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma seems to be a promising approach.

Laryngostroboscopic evaluation after supracricoid partial laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) results in laryngeal preservation in more than 95% of patients with T2 glottic carcinoma. Postsurgical glottic function is characterized by an absence of vocal cords, and phonation quality is a key post-SCPL quality-of-life factor. OBJECTIVE: This investigation was designed to enhance post-SCPL vocal function, study anatomic function of the post-SCPL larynx, and correlate anatomic findings with perceptual and instrumented measurements of voice. METHOD: Twenty-five patients were included. All had undergone SCPL with cricoepiglottopexy for T2 glottic carcinoma. All patients were evaluated by laryngostroboscopic examination, voice sample recording, and instrumented voice analysis with the aim of gaining further insight into postoperative larynx function. Laryngostroboscopic parameters such as laryngeal occlusion, epiglottic length, arytenoid movement, and vibratory area were assessed. The perceptual evaluation was based on the GRBAS scale. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters were recorded, including fundamental frequency (F0), intensity, jitter, shimmer, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), oral airflow (OAF), maximum phonation time (MPT), and estimated subglottic pressure (ESGP). Nonparametric tests were used to compare laryngostroboscopic parameters with instrumented measurements and perceptual evaluations of voice quality. RESULTS: Correlations were established among occlusion, epiglottic length, and general grade of dysphonia. Oral air flow (P = 0.006) was found to be correlated with occlusion. Voice roughness was correlated with the presence of a clearly identifiable vibratory area (P = 0.003), whereas these vibratory areas were correlated with shimmer (P = 0.041), OAF (P = 0.001), and SNR (P = 0.001). The number of preserved arytenoids was not identified as a voice quality factor (P = 0.423). CONCLUSION: This study highlighted correlations between the laryngostroboscopic examination results and the perceptive and instrumented measurements of voice. Glottis occlusion and epiglottis length were found to be key factors for postoperative voice quality. These results should help to advance technical development on surgical techniques to enhance voice results.

Fourth branchial pouch sinus: from diagnosis to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fourth branchial pouch sinus (FBPS) is rare and frequently unknown to clinicians. Misdiagnosis is common and definitive surgery is often made difficult by previous episodes of infection and failed attempts at excision. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the diagnostic criteria and the methods used for the surgical management of FBPS. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From a series of 265 head and neck cysts and fistulae, 7 cases of FBPS were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical technique is detailed. RESULTS: Six cases were located on the left side and one on the right. CT scanning showed an air-filled structure on both sides of the lesser horn of the thyroid cartilage in 2 cases out of 4, and barium swallow found a FBPS in 1 case out of 3. Direct pharyngoscopy allowed confirmation of the diagnosis in all cases and permitted catheterization of the tract with the spring guidewire of a vascular catheter which helped surgical location and subsequent dissection. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was systematically dissected to avoid inadvertent damage. A hemi-thyroidectomy was performed in one case. A transient laryngeal paralysis (lasting 9 months) was noted in a 3-week-old newborn operated on. None of the 7 cases had a recurrence after complete resection of the FBPS (3.7 years average follow-up). CONCLUSION: Symptoms on the right side do not exclude the diagnosis of a FBPS. Endoscopy is the key investigation. It allows confirmation of the diagnosis and catheterization of the tract, which aids the surgical dissection. Total removal of the sinus tract tissue with dissection and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is recommended. EBM RATING: A-1.

Prophylactic neck dissection for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancers: Risk-benefit analysis.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of neck dissection is the subject of debate in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We analyze the risk-benefit of neck dissection for low-risk DTC without detectable lymph nodes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study from 1983 to 2003; which included 295 patients without detectable lymph nodes who were treated by thyroidectomy with (C+) or without (C-) neck dissection. All patients had iodine131 therapy. We compared the frequency of remission, disease progression, and permanent complications between groups. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients comprised the C+ group, and 83 patients the C- group. Respectively for C+ versus C-, remission rates were 92% versus 89.2% (p = .40), and progressive disease observed was 3.3% versus 7.2% (p = .10). Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 15.1% in C+ versus 3.6% in C- (p = .006). CONCLUSION: The risk-benefit analysis of neck dissection in patients with low-risk DTC shows no benefit in terms of complete remission or occurrence of progression. However, risk of complications seems to be higher in patients with neck dissection. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1091-1096, 2016.

Acoustic and aerodynamic measurement of speech production after supracricoid partial laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) results in laryngeal preservation in more than 95% of patients with T2 glottic carcinoma. After surgery, glottis function is characterized by an absence of vocal cords and poor glottis closure. Voice is an important postSCPL quality of life factor. OBJECTIVE: Enhance postSCPL vocal function. Obtain postsurgical acoustic and aerodynamic measurements and correlate multiple objective parameters with perceptual results. METHOD: Continuous speech voice samples from 61 patients who had undergone SCPL more than 1 year before were scored according to the global, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale by a jury of listeners. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters were recorded: fundamental frequency (F0), intensity, jitter, shimmer, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-noise ratio greater than 1 kHz (SNR>1), oral airflow (OAF), maximum phonation time (MPT), and estimated subglottic pressure (ESGP). Nonparametric tests and logistic regression analysis were used to compare objective measurements and perceptual evaluations. RESULTS: All patients had various degrees of dysphonia: grade 1, 4.9%; grade 2, 55.7%; and grade 3, 39.4%. Correlations between perceptual grades and objective parameters were obtained for jitter, shimmer, SNR, SNR>1, ESGP, and OAF. No correlations were obtained between the different parameters and age, number of arytenoids, and time elapsed since surgery (TESS). Logistic regression analysis of jitter, SNR, ESGP, and OAF parameters revealed 92.6% agreement with the perceptual evaluation results.

Supracricoid partial laryngectomies after failure of radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Conservation of laryngeal function is a key surgical objective in cases of limited recurrence after previously irradiated T1b or T2 glottic carcinoma. Only a few articles have mentioned the use of supracricoid partial laryngectomies (SCPL) to treat recurrent T1/T2 tumors that cannot be managed with vertical partial laryngectomy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate oncologic and functional results of SCPL in selected cases of T1/T2 glottic carcinoma recurrence after primary irradiation therapy. METHOD: Between 1986 and 2000, 23 selected patients (T1b, 12 cases; T2, 11 cases) underwent SCPL as salvage treatment: cricohyoidepiglottopexy (CHEP) in 18 cases and cricohyodopexy (CHP) in 5 cases. RESULTS: The mean cannulation time was 28 (14-90) days. The mean nasogastric feeding tube time for CHP and CHEP was 55 (28-96) days and 21 (9-45) days, respectively. Four (17.4%) patients had major swallowing recovery problems. Three patients died in the postoperative period, one of intercurrent disease and two because of aspiration pneumonia. Six (26.08%) patients relapsed and underwent total laryngectomy. Three were subsequently controlled. The T stage was correlated with the onset of a new recurrence (P = .0258). The surgical margins were not correlated with recurrence (P = .0741). At 3 and 5 years, the global survival rate was 82.9% and 69.04%. The success rate for oncologic control and oncologic control with organ preservation was 74% and 66.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In selected cases of limited recurrence after radiation therapy for T1/T2 vocal cord carcinomas, SCPL can be an alternative to total laryngectomy when partial vertical surgery appears unsuitable.

Continuous facial nerve monitoring during pleomorphic adenoma recurrence surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Surgery of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma (RPA) is known to lead to a high facial nerve complication rate. The efficacy of the continuous facial nerve monitoring (CFNM) technique remains to be proven in RPA surgery. The goal was thus to evaluate facial nerve palsy rates and the recovery period after parotidectomy for RPA using CFNM by way of continuous electromyography and to compare these rates and the operation time with those of patients who had undergone surgery without facial nerve monitoring. DESIGN: Cohort study. PATIENTS: Forty-seven patients were referred for RPA (1981-2003). Among them, 32 (18 unmonitored and 14 monitored) patients displayed no preoperative facial palsy, and histologic analyses revealed evidence of recurrence. The operation time and the extent and duration of postoperative facial nerve palsy were examined in both groups (monitored vs. unmonitored). Both groups had a similar clinical appearance distribution. RESULTS: Facial nerve paralysis was estimated using the House-Brackmann grading scale. CFNM reduced the intensity of facial nerve paralysis independently of the kind of surgery performed. The complete deficit rates were 0% for the monitored group and 5.6% for the unmonitored group. Postoperative facial nerve paralysis was significantly lower (P = .01) in the monitored group than in the unmonitored group. CFNM improved the duration of facial paralysis (P = .001) in the monitored group. The operation time was significantly lower in the monitored group than in the unmonitored group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of CFNM during RPA surgery improves the surgical outcome. The facial nerve deficit can be reduced, and the recovery of facial nerve function is faster.

Merkel cell carcinoma: histopathologic and prognostic features according to the immunohistochemical expression of Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen correlated with viral load.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine skin malignancy frequently associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), which is suspected to be oncogenic. In a series of MCC patients, we compared clinical, histopathologic, and prognostic features according to the expression of viral large T antigen (LTA) correlated with viral load. We evaluated the LTA expression by immunohistochemistry using CM2B4 antibody and quantified viral load by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples (n = 36) and corresponding fresh-frozen biopsies when available (n = 12), of the primary tumor and/or metastasis from 24 patients. MCPyV was detected in 88% and 58% of MCC patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The relevance of viral load measurements was demonstrated by the strong consistency of viral load level between FFPE and corresponding frozen tissues as well as between primary tumor and metastases. From FFPE samples, 2 MCC subgroups were distinguished based on a viral load threshold defined by the positivity of CM2B4 immunostaining. In the LTA-negative subgroup with no or low viral load (nonsignificant), tumor cells showed more anisokaryosis (P = .01), and a solar elastosis around the tumor was more frequently observed (P = .03). LTA-positive MCCs with significant viral load had a lower proliferation index (P = .03) and a longer survival of corresponding patients (P = .008). Depending on MCPyV involvement, 2 MCC subgroups can be distinguished on histopathologic criteria, and the CM2B4 antibody is able to differentiate them reliably. Furthermore, the presence of a significant viral load in tumors is predictive of better prognosis.

Management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is caused by downward spread of neck infections and constitutes a highly lethal complication of oropharyngeal lesions. This infection previously had a much worse prognosis. In recent years, more aggressive management has been recommended. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results with the association of thoracotomy and cervicotomy, medical care in an intensive care unit, and daily washing of drained cervical and thoracic tissues. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 17 patients treated from 1984 to 1998. METHOD: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis was consecutive to pharyngitis (6 cases), peritonsillar abscess (3 cases), dental abscess (6 cases), foreign body infection (1 case), and laryngitis (1 case). Corticotherapy was reported in seven cases. Twelve patients had no particular medical history. Mean age was 42 years. Mean duration of signs before diagnosis was 6 days. Thoracotomy was associated with the cervical approach in 14 cases, whereas 3 patients were treated by cervicotomy only. RESULTS: Fourteen patients of 17 (82.3%) were successfully treated. Three deaths occurred. The mean duration of hospitalization in the intensive care unit was 30 days, and the mean total duration of hospitalization was 45 days. CONCLUSION: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis must be detected as soon as possible by computed tomography (CT) scanning in patients with persistent symptomatologia after treatment for oropharyngeal infections. Prompt surgical drainage with thoracotomy and cervicotomy in all cases of mediastinal involvement below the tracheal carena, use of CT scanning to monitor the disease evolution, and medical management in an intensive care unit significantly reduces the mortality rate to less than 20%.

Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of nasoethmoidal adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of radiotherapy in the treatment of nasoethmoidal adenocarcinoma. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective study. SETTING: Eleven French hospitals. PATIENTS: The medical records of 418 patients who presented with nasoethmoidal adenocarcinoma from January 1, 1976, through December 31, 2001, were evaluated. A total of 324 patients were treated with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, and 55 were treated with surgery only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival rates, disease recurrence, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The 5-year Kaplan-Meier survey revealed survival rates of 64.5% for the surgery-only group and 70.8% for the combined-treatment group. In the surgery-only group, 28 patients (51%) had disease recurrence (24 local, 2 regional, and 2 distant). Of the 55 patients in the combined-treatment group, 31 patients (56%) had disease recurrence (29 local, 1 regional, and 1 distant). Immediate postoperative complications in the combined-treatment group were hemorrhages in 2 patients, meningitis in 3 patients, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 4 patients, but no deaths occurred. In the surgery-only group, 1 patient had meningitis, 2 had cerebrospinal fluid leaking but no hemorrhage, and 5 died postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective study suggest that radiotherapy can be used to treat nasoethmoidal adenocarcinoma, but its usefulness should be confirmed with further prospective studies.