Cervical lymph node metastases and T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the lips.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of cervical lymph node metastasis is a major prognostic factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. This study focuses on patients with T1 stage tumours,in order to describe the prevalence of metastatic lymphadenopathies. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was performed in three tertiary care referral centers and included 59 patients surgically treated for T1 stage SCC of the lips from January 1996 to December 2006. This surgical treatment concerned the tumour, with cervical neck dissection when lymph node metastasis was suspected. RESULTS: Cervical lymph node metastasis was found and histologically proven in 7 patients (11.9% of the cases, pN+ group; 95% confidence interval, 3.6 to 20.2%) during follow-up, never at the time of diagnosis. Metastasis appeared 13.3 ± 7.9 months (min. 5.3 months, max. 29.1 months) after the initial treatment and involved the IB level in all cases. Tumour progression was significantly longer in the pN+ group compared to patients with no lymph node metastases (sN-group). The pN+ group also had a significantly higher proportion of poorly or moderately differentiated tumours, and a significant decrease in overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis occurs in roughly 12% of T1 stage SCC of the lips, and the management of neck lymph node areas is necessary. A randomized trial is needed to determine the proportion of occult lymph node metastases in T1N0 patients and the impact of this therapeutic procedure on survival.

Management of the neck in the setting of definitive chemoradiation: is there a consensus? A GETTEC study.

BACKGROUND: The management of the neck remains controversial in the definitive chemoradiation setting of advanced N2-3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Most published data favor omission of neck dissection (ND) after complete response for N2-3 or selective ND for residual disease METHODS: We studied the patterns of care in the French-Belgian Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête Et du Cou (GETTEC) through a questionnaire-based survey. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of institutions never performed up-front ND, 20% rarely, 40% sometimes, 14% often, and 8% systematically. Induction chemotherapy was indicated in 30% of the cases, and most ND were performed either between induction and radiation or after chemoradiation for residual disease. Response to chemoradiation was assessed by computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography in 72% of cases. Selective ND was more common than radical ND. CONCLUSIONS: Omission of ND based on computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography-based complete response to chemoradiation is the most common strategy for advanced nodal disease among centers. However, neck management strategies vary among institutions, and some institutions continue advocating systematic ND before irradiation. The new treatment options and the changing epidemiology, namely docetaxel-based induction chemotherapy and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma having better response profiles and prognosis, are adding to the nonconsensual approach. The best therapeutic index in terms of neck management remains to be defined in this evolving context.

Acute mastoiditis in children: 10 years experience in a French tertiary university referral center.

Acute mastoiditis have been increasingly reported in the last decade, with bacteriologic modifications and new therapeutic guidelines. This study is a retrospective review of 36 children hospitalized for acute mastoiditis in a French tertiary university referral center from 1999 to 2009, to assess incidence, bacteriology of pathogens and management. There were 10 periosteitis and 26 subperiosteal abscesses. There was a trend toward increased incidence over the past 10 years. The mean age of the patients was 31.8 months. A total of 63.2% children received 7.2 days antibiotic prior to hospitalization for acute otitis media, with sensitive pathogens in 80%. The pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (36.1%), S. pyogenes A (13.9%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative (13.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.3%), Fusobacterium necroforum (8.3%) and Haemophiluss influenzae (2.8%). Cultures were negative in 16.7%. All patients received intravenous antibiotics. Eleven patients underwent bilateral myringotomy with or without tympanostomy tubes. Mastoidectomy was performed in 24 patients. Decrease in the length of hospitalization and delay from admission to surgery were significantly correlated. We observed a trend in the increase of acute mastoiditis at our center. The pathogens were dominated by S. pneumoniae. F. necroforum and P. aerguginosae were pathogens found in children over 2 years of age. Mastoidectomy was performed in 92.3% of subperiostal abscesses. However, there has been a trend toward conservative nonsurgical treatment in recent reported studies and further prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term sequelae.

[Thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children. Study from Normandy]. / Cancers thyroïdiens différenciés de l'enfant. l'expérience normande.

OBJECTIVE: Definition of a strategy for the management of thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study from the Normandy area in France. METHOD: Analysis of the medical records of 13 children and adolescents (age > 15 years), presenting with thyroid differenciated carcinoma in three Normandy French hospitals from 1994 to 2006, to determine the clinical features and treatment of the disease. RESULTS: X of the patients were male and y were female, with a mean age at presentation of 11 years. Most frequently symptom was solitary nodes in the thyroid gland (69%). Most frequent histological type was papillary cancer (92%). Size of tumor was > 4 cm in 23% of cases. Children had undergone surgery with total thyroidectomy, radio-iodine treatment and suppressive hormonotherapy. We observed 46% post surgery complications. All patients were alive and none developed a recurrence. CONCLUSION: Thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children and adolescents were more agressif with most frequently metastasis and recurrence than thyroid differenciated carcinoma of adults. Pronostic is good with 90% of survival at 20 years. We propose a coherent plan of treatment: 1. Thyroidectomy with cervical central lymph node dissection (group VI) completed bilateral selected head neck dissection compartments (groups IIa, III, IV) if macroscopic lymph node metastases in lateral cervical compartment. 2. Postoperative radioiodine is done in all tumor > T1N0 and completed with hormonotherapy.

Prognostic value of tumor mutational burden in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma treated with upfront surgery.

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity is the most prevalent site of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Most often diagnosed at a locally advanced stage, treatment is multimodal with surgery as the cornerstone. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular landscape of a homogenous cohort of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCCs), and to assess the prognostic value of tumor mutational burden (TMB), along with classical molecular and clinical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-one consecutive patients with OCSCC treated with upfront surgery at the Institut Curie were analyzed. Sequencing of tumor DNA from frozen specimens was carried out using an in-house targeted next-generation sequencing panel (571 genes). The impact of molecular alterations and TMB on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Pathological tumor stage, extranodal spread, vascular emboli, and perineural invasion were associated with both DFS and OS. TP53 was the most mutated gene (71%). Other frequent molecular alterations included the TERT promoter (50%), CDKN2A (25%), FAT1 (17%), PIK3CA (14%), and NOTCH1 (15%) genes. Transforming growth factor-ß pathway alterations (4%) were associated with poor OS (P = 0.01) and DFS (P = 0.02) in univariate and multivariate analyses. High TMB was associated with prolonged OS (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, in the highest 10% and 20% TMB values, respectively), but not with DFS. Correlation of TMB with OS remained significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.01 and P = 0.005 in the highest 10% and 20% TMB values, respectively). Pathological tumor stage combined with high TMB was associated with good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a high TMB is associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with OCSCC treated with upfront surgery.

Endoscopic revision of external dacryocystorhinostomy failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic analysis and surgery of the lacrimal sac in cases of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure. MATERIAL & METHOD: In a retrospective study, 17 endoscopic procedures in 17 patients during 11 years with recurrent lacrimal obstruction after external DCR were performed. Endoscopic analysis and procedures were carried out with a routine silicone tube catheterization for 3 to 6 months. RESULTS: In 13 patients, scar tissue was the cause of the obstacle, while in 3 patients an unsuitable location of the ostia and in 1 case an inflammatory polyp were found. After a long-term follow-up (56 months), the epiphora was controlled in 94% of the cases. The mean delay between the first DCR and the recurrence of epiphora was 22 months. CONCLUSION: A persistent or recurrent epiphora can be explored after an external procedure and treated by endoscopic procedure. The endonasal approach for DCR was considered safe, and effective particularly in patients with unsuccessful external DCR.

[CT scan, MR imaging and anatomopathologic correlation in the glottic carcinoma T1-T2]. / Corrélation TDM, IRM et anatomopathologique dans les cancers glottiques T1-T2.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopy and imaging are necessary to diagnose glottis carcinoma. Today, CT scan is the gold standard but MR imaging should be more sensitive for neoplastic invasion detection. The purpose of this study was to determine which exam to perform (CT scan or MRI) for neoplastic invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study span a 18 months period. Seven patients with glottis carcinoma (TI-T2) underwent CT and MR imaging before surgery. Findings at imaging and pathologic examination were compared. RESULTS: Both CT and MR imaging were interesting, more specific (90%) than sensitive (74%). The anterior commissure, ventricles, subglottis, thyroid and arytenoid cartilages are the more difficult area analyzing. CONCLUSION: CT imaging stays the gold standard. MR imaging is more effective on second intention to refine the data. Indications are being improved, with complete cure and more preserved laryngealfunctions.

Silent sinus syndrome with spontaneous orbital floor reconstruction.

PROBLEM: Silent sinus syndrome is rare and its pathophysiology is unclear. We report a case of silent sinus syndrome characterized by progressive enophtalmos with chronic maxillary atelectasis and asymptomatic chronic maxillary sinusitis. METHODOLOGY: The patient had no history of sinusitis, facial trauma, or sinus surgery. Computed tomography revealed opacification of the right maxillary sinus and inferior bowing of the osteopenic orbital floor. Silent sinus syndrome was diagnosed and functional endoscopic maxillary antrostomy without orbital floor reconstruction was performed. RESULTS: At one-year follow-up, computed tomography showed optimal ventilation of the maxillary sinus, restoration of the orbital floor, and withdrawal of the orbital content to its normal position. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy without orbital floor reconstruction is effective and associated with limited risks for complications; however, the results are observed in the long term.

[Comparison of two antibioprophylaxis protocols in ear surgery]. / Comparaison de deux protocoles d'antibioprophylaxie dans la chirurgie de l'oreille.

INTRODUCTION: During surgical procedure, antibioprophylaxis is known to decrease bacterial proliferation and limit postoperative complications such as infections. In France, antibiotic prescription guidelines have been established for ear surgery, but applied with discrepancies. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the necessity of antibioprophylaxis in ear surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of two consecutives series of ear surgery with two different antibioprophylaxis protocols. In the first series (n=100), antibioprophylaxis by amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was given only in cases of chronic otitis media with otorrhea and cholesteatoma (contaminated surgery). In the second series (n=107), no antibiotic was administered. The number of infected complications was evaluated by reviewing medical charts. RESULTS: The percentage of infected complications was 5% versus 6.5% in the second series (with no antibioprophylaxis), for all types of ear surgery, 9.4% versus 4.2% after ear contaminated surgery. No statistical difference was observed between the two series. CONCLUSION: In ear surgery, postoperative infected complications do not more frequently occur without antibioprophylaxis, either in otorrhea or in cholesteatoma surgery.

[Primary malignant tumors of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct]. / Les tumeurs malignes primitives des voies lacrymales.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical characteristics, the workup, therapeutic approach and pathological findings of primitive tumors of the lacrimal sac. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three cases were retrospectively reviewed from the database of our ENT department. They were analyzed and compared to cases reported in the literature. RESULTS: One adenoid cystic carcinoma and two adenocarcinomas were observed, all were adults and the sex ratio was one man for 2 women. Clinically they presented neither significant lacrimal or rhinologic sign. A CT-scan and a MRI were performed along with a physical examination. An entire surgical resection was done with subsequent postoperative radiotherapy. Two patients died, and one is alive, free of disease. CONCLUSION: Lacrimal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a banal chronic epiphora. The ENT practitioner must associate this factor to any clinical evaluation. The management of these lesions requires a complete surgical resection, routinely associated with postoperative radiation.

[Acute mesenteric ischemia and rhinopharyngeal carcinoma]. / Ischémie aiguë mésentérique et cancer du cavum.

UNLABELLED: This work is a part of a pharmacovigilancy survey. OBJECTIVES: To determine the links between radiation therapy, chemotherapy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and mesenteric ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case of 69 year old man with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, who developed a lethal mesenteric ischemia is described. Etiology of mesenteric ischemia was unknown. A review of literature had been made on Pubmed with terms: "Mesenteric ischemia" and cisplatin, 5-FU or fluorouracil, radiation therapy, cancer or neoplasm, "head and neck cancer" or "carcinoma of the nasopharynx. RESULTS: In our case, the origin of the mesenteric ischemia is not atheromatous. Chimiotherapy with 5-fluorouracile and cisplatine, radiation therapy and morphine were suspected. According to literature, responsibility of morphine and radiation therapy is uncertain. In opposition, the 5-FU and the cisplatine can be incriminated. CONCLUSION: Mesenteric ischemia is an uncommon adverse effect of a treatment with cisplatin and 5-FU. It's the second case of mesenteric ischemia associated with a treatment with 5-FU and cisplatin in a patient with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ENT physicians must be aware of this complication.

Morbidity and mortality revue of the French group of transoral robotic surgery: a multicentric study.

Transoral robotic assisted surgery (TORS) represents an innovative endoscopic therapeutic alternative in the treatment of head and neck tumors. Many publications favor this surgery, especially in terms of functional results. The aim of this study was to investigate the TORS morbidity and mortality and to identify the risk factors for complications. It is a multicenter retrospective study. All head and neck tumor patients treated by TORS were included in the study over a period of 5 years (2009-2014). The studied parameters were the intraoperative and post-operative complications including hemorrhage, fistula, tracheotomy, aspiration pneumonia and death. The parameters were correlated with age, tumor location, tumor stage, endoscopic exposure and patient's co-morbidities. 178 patients were included in the study. Malignant tumors classified as T1 were found in 169 cases (n = 51), T2 (n = 100), T3 (n = 16) and T4 (n = 2). The tumor locations were distributed as follows: larynx (n = 84), oropharynx (n = 51), and hypopharynx (n = 43). Fifty-three patients followed post-radiation therapy. We observed 12 intraoperative complications including 6 hemorrhage, 3 pharyngeal fistulas and 3 external surgical conversions. Postoperatively, we detected 33 hemorrhage, 27 aspiration pneumonia, 9 tracheostomy, 2 pharyngostomes, 2 cervical spondylitis and 2 deaths. The risk factors identified were (i) anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy for hemorrhage, (ii) tumoral stage and the laryngeal location for aspiration pneumonia and (iii) laryngeal location for tracheostomy. Higher age over 65 years has been identified as a risk factor for all post-operative complications. TORS is a safe technique for the treatment of head and neck tumors. We identified some risk factors for complications which should systematically be studied in order to reduce its morbidity.

Guidelines update: Post-treatment follow-up of adult head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Screening for metastasis and metachronous esophageal and bronchial locations.

OBJECTIVE: The present article is an update of the guideline of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) on the post-treatment follow-up of adult head and neck squamous cell carcinoma concerning screening for metastasis and metachronous esophageal and bronchial locations. METHODS: A multidisciplinary work-group was entrusted with a review of the literature on the above topic. Guidelines were drawn up, based on the articles retrieved and the work-group members' own experience. These were then reviewed by an editorial group independent of the work-group. A coordination meeting then finalized the guidelines. Guidelines were graded A, B, C or "expert opinion" according to decreasing level of evidence.

Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL), short version. Diagnosis of local recurrence and metachronous locations in head and neck oncology.

Surveillance is fundamental to the management of head and neck cancer. The present guidelines of the French ENT society (SFORL) were drawn up by a group of experts in the field, and are intended to specify the modalities of management, based on a review of the literature and, where data are lacking, to provide expert opinion. The present paper deals with guidelines for the diagnosis of local and regional recurrence and metachronous head and neck locations. Locoregional recurrence usually occurs within 3 years of primary treatment and is mainly related to the characteristics of the primary tumor and the treatment measures taken. Laryngeal location, safe primary resection margins, low level of lymph node invasion, unimodal primary treatment and early diagnosis of recurrence are factors of good prognosis. Systematic imaging surveillance may be considered for patients for whom a curative technique exists and when surveillance is difficult. The role of PET-scanning remains to be determined. Metachronous locations are frequent, even in the late course; prolonged surveillance is appropriate. The best preventive measure is cessation of alcohol abuse and smoking. Patient education is primordial.

French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines for care pathway organization in head and neck oncology (short version). Early management of head and neck cancer.

Early management in oncology is based on coordination and high-quality exchange between the various health-care partners. The present guidelines are based on a literature search with levels of evidence. Treatment waiting time can be optimized by performing assessment as early as possible (Expert opinion), to limit the interval (ideally, less than 4 weeks) between first consultation and data collection. In the first specialist consultation, diagnostic work-up should be scheduled and the data required for management should be determined (Grade B). Work-up may be conducted on a day-care basis or with conventional admission (Expert opinion). The patient's medico-social context should be taken into account from the outset, with social work involvement whenever necessary (Expert opinion). Pain and nutritional management should be planned for (Grade A) and realistic therapeutic education be provided (Expert opinion). Community-hospital teamwork for supportive care should be optimized (Expert opinion). Management should be early and multidisciplinary, to shorten delay between diagnosis and treatment initiation.

Guidelines (short version) of the French Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society (SFORL) on patient pathway organization in ENT: The therapeutic decision-making process.

OBJECTIVES: The authors present the guidelines of the French Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society (SFORL) for patient pathway organization in head and neck cancer, and in particular for multidisciplinary team meetings. The present article concerns the therapeutic decision-making process. METHODS: A multidisciplinary work group was entrusted with a review of the scientific literature on the above topic. Guidelines were drawn up, based on the articles retrieved and the group members' individual experience. They were then read over by an editorial group independent of the work group. The final version was established in a coordination meeting. The guidelines were graded as A, B, C or expert opinion, by decreasing level of evidence. RESULTS: It is recommended that: an organ specialist should contribute to all multidisciplinary meetings on head and neck cancer; all members of the multidisciplinary meeting should have specific knowledge in head and neck cancer; any referring physician who does not follow the multidisciplinary meeting's advice should justify that decision; there should be sufficient time to prepare, discuss and sum up the cases dealt with in the multidisciplinary team meeting.

Infiltrating lipoma of the head and neck: a report of one pediatric case.

Infiltrating lipomas are rare benign tumors. Several cases have previously been reported in the oral cavity but only three cases have been reported to date in children. We report a case of a 7-year-old child with an infiltrating lipoma of the neck and a posterior extension to the fourth and fifth cervical roots and the vertebral artery. The absence of any neurological signs, negative clinical and radiological examination results, as well as, the surgical risk of total removal and high rate of recurrence suggested a period of watchful waiting. After 5 years, the patient's clinical and radiological characteristics remain stable. A review of the literature regarding this pathology in the head and neck area, in both children and adults is also presented.

[Adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses: results of a retrospective study in Rouen]. / Les adénocarcinomes de l'ethmoïde.

Ethmoid adenocarcinoma is a rare tumour of the ethmoidal sinuses. The authors report on the clinical features, treatment and follow-up results in 19 cases. Risk factors were those regularly encountered. Delay to diagnosis was long due to the nonspecific clinical features and course. Nasal endoscopy was essential for follow-up. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were also required to assess tumour spread. Our results suggest that radiotherapy following surgery should be preferred. Survival rate is generally low for this type of tumor. We had 77% survival at 5 years.