Fabrication of a movable obturator following maxillary reconstruction with slit-shaped fenestration.

Extensive maxillary resection has generally been reconstructed with free skin flaps. Because drooping of the transferred flap causes instability of the obturator prosthesis, maxillary reconstruction often incorporates a slit-shaped oronasal fenestration. Although obturator prostheses for edentulous patients are stabilized with the help of oronasal slits, those for dentate patients are unstable because of flap mobility, resulting in a harmful lateral force exerted on the abutment teeth, causing dislodging of the denture. This report evaluates the benefits of a movable obturator prosthesis for a 60-year-old dentulous patient with maxillary sinus carcinoma. The patient underwent left-sided total maxillectomy, and the defect was reconstructed with a slit-shaped fenestration using a rectus abdominis flap. A conventional obturator prosthesis was inserted; however, drooping of the flap caused instability of the obturator, resulting in nasal regurgitation and fracture of the clasp. To solve this problem, we designed an obturator prosthesis with a movable connection consisting of a ball attachment (patrix) in the metal base and a socket (matrix) in the obturator, which acted as a stress breaker against the harmful force exerted by the flap. Application of this movable obturator prosthesis was a useful solution for a compromising situation created by the surgical procedure. No clinical disorders were observed at the 3-year follow-up.

NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type with sinonasal mass and palatal ulcer: a clinical case report and review of treatment.

Extranodal Nasal NK/T cell lymphoma, relatively uncommon type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is highly aggressive disease with poor outcomes. Early stage disease may response to radiotherapy alone. However the treatments are usually chemotherapy and radiotherapy combination and late stage disease may not response to any available therapy. We reported a 45-year-old woman with extranodal nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma. The patient presented with chronic nasal stuffiness and mucous bloody discharge. The nasal mass is extensively involved periorbital and sinonasal soft tissue. Due to the extensively involved of tumor, combination chemotherapy was used to induce response. This patient was involved by complicated infection and palatal ulcer with likely perforation. The salvage chemotherapy was given and the treatment of NK/T cell lymphoma from other reports and literatures were reviewed.

Chondrosarcoma of sinonasal cavity: a case report and brief literature review.

BACKGROUND: Chondrosarcomas are slow-growing malignant tumors that usually arise from cartilaginous structures. It may occur in the head and neck region with a predilection for the maxillofacial skeleton, where it has been reported to occur particularly in the mandible and maxilla. Chondrosarcoma of the sinonasal tract is very rare. AIM: Report a new case CASE: We present the case of a 43-year-old man presenting with an incidental finding of a chondrosarcoma of the maxillary and ethmoid sinus with nasal extension. The tumor was completely resected using a transnasal endoscopic approach. Treatment has followed by a radiation therapy and the patient was considered free of disease at her 5 years follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the mainstay treatment of chondrosarcomas. In selected patients, complete resection can be achieved using transnasal endoscopic approach.

Low-Grade Papillary Schneiderian Carcinoma of the Sinonasal Cavity and Temporal Bone.

OBJECTIVES:: The aim of this study was to further characterize a newly described neoplasm, low-grade papillary Schneiderian carcinoma, occurring simultaneously in the sinonasal cavity and mastoid. Additionally, the authors review the only 2 similar cases within the literature and describe the common clinical features, radiographic findings, and pathologic characteristics of this exceptionally rare disease process. METHODS:: Chart review for single patient, review of literature. RESULTS:: The patient presented with bilateral nasal obstruction. Computed tomography revealed a left sinonasal mass with skull base hyperostosis, and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed a concomitant olfactory groove meningioma. Examination showed a bilateral, completely obstructing sinonasal mass with skip areas, and biopsy confirmed inverted papilloma (human papilloma virus strains 16 and 18 indeterminate). The patient underwent bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery, left medial maxillectomy, and left partial nasopharyngectomy. Given her multifocal disease, she was advised that she would require additional excision, but was lost to follow up. One year later she developed acute left facial paralysis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing mass in the left mastoid with enhancement along the Eustachian tube in addition to her known recurrent sinonasal disease. Simultaneous endoscopic sinus surgery and mastoidectomy were performed. Polypoid tissue was removed from the nasopharynx, mesotympanum, epitympanum, and retrofacial air cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that cells stained positive for p63 and dermCK and negative for synaptophysin. Morphologically, cells were bland, without classic stromal invasion, retaining their smooth, cystic, and papillary features, despite their increased depth within the tissue. Upon further review and consultation with an outside pathologist, a diagnosis of low-grade papillary Schneiderian carcinoma was made. The patient was referred for radiation therapy and is disease free at 3-month follow-up, with return of her facial function. CONCLUSIONS:: This case represents the first report of concurrent low-grade papillary Schneiderian carcinoma of both the nasal cavity and mastoid. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing this new entity through pathologic analysis and suspecting it when the clinical course does not follow an expected pattern.

Applying orthodontic tooth extrusion in a patient treated with bisphosphonate and irradiation: a case report.

Bisphosphonates and irradiation are useful medical treatments, but can often cause oral complications such as medication-related oral necrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) during oral surgery, including tooth extraction. Therefore, we should take all risks into consideration carefully before choosing dental treatment for patients with a medical history of such therapies. A 55-year-old woman who underwent cord blood transplantation to treat extranodal natural killer T (NK/T) cell lymphoma (nasal type IVB) had a medical history of bisphosphonate and irradiation treatments. We treated her residual tooth root by applying orthodontic extrusion to avoid extraction and successfully restored the tooth. Application of an orthodontic tooth extrusion technique for conservative treatment of a residual tooth is a useful means of avoiding MRONJ or ORN in patients who have a medical history of bisphosphonate and irradiation treatments.

Use of a frameless computed tomography-guided stereotactic biopsy system for nasal biopsy in five dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION: 5 dogs (median age, 9 years; median body weight, 31 kg [68.2 lb]) with undefined nasal masses were examined after undergoing CT of the head and nasal biopsy via a rostral rhinoscopic or unaided (blind) approach because histologic results for collected biopsy specimens (inflammatory, necrotic, or hemorrhagic disease) suggested the specimens were nonrepresentative of the underlying disease process identified via CT (aggressive or malignant disease). CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical signs at the time dogs were evaluated included open-mouth breathing, sneezing, or unilateral epistaxis. Histologic findings pertaining to the original biopsy specimens were suggestive of benign processes such as inflammation. In an attempt to obtain better representative specimens, a frameless CT-guided stereotactic biopsy system (CTSBS) was used to collect additional biopsy specimens from masses within the nasal and sinus passages of the dogs. The second set of biopsy specimens was histologically evaluated. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens collected via the CTSBS revealed results suggestive of malignant neoplasia (specifically, chondrosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, or undifferentiated sarcoma) for 3 dogs, mild mixed-cell inflammation for 1 dog, and hamartoma for 1 dog. No complications were reported. These findings resulted in a change in treatment recommendations for 3 dogs and confirmed that no additional treatment was required for 1 dog (with hamartoma). For the remaining dog, in which CT findings and clinical history were strongly suggestive of neoplasia, the final diagnosis was rhinitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Biopsy specimens were safely collected from masses within the nasal and sinus passages of dogs by use of a frameless CTSBS, allowing a definitive diagnosis that was unachievable with other biopsy approaches.

Prognostic factors in maxillary sinus and nasal cavity carcinoma.

AIMS: The aim of the present study is to define prognostic factors, particularly the impact of treatment on paranasal sinus and nasal cavity malignancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with maxillary antrum and nasal fossae malignancies. A maxillectomy classification as performed to treat malignancies in our institution is described. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors was done using the Cox's model. RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients were evaluated. Squamous cell carcinoma was found in 62 cases and in 95 patients the epicentre of the tumour was located in the maxillary antrum. Ten patients were treated with surgery only, 39 patients with surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy, 37 cases received only radiotherapy, and 18 received radiotherapy followed by surgery; in five cases a combination of chemo-radiotherapy was used. Multivariate analysis identified T classification, orbit invasion, N classification, site of origin of tumour in nasal fossae, and no surgical resection as independent prognostic factors (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: T4 tumours with orbit invasion present bad prognosis as compared to other T4 tumours. Surgical resection should be included in the treatment strategy. Because of the high frequency of lymph-node metastasis, neck treatment should be considered in T4 tumours.

Embolization of neurosurgical lesions involving the ophthalmic artery.

OBJECTIVE: A number of anteriorly located cranial base and extracranial lesions receive their vascular supply wholly or in part from the ophthalmic artery, and embolization of the ophthalmic artery can be helpful in the management of these lesions, either as the primary treatment or as an adjunct to surgery. We present situations in which the embolization of lesions involving the ophthalmic artery was performed to effect a partial or total cure of the lesion. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent a total of 15 embolization attempts on lesions involving the ophthalmic artery. Four patients had arteriovenous malformations of the orbit, four had dural arteriovenous fistulae, two had orbital meningiomas, one had a planum sphenoidale meningioma, and one had a juvenile nasal angiofibroma. In each case, a Tracker No. 18 microcatheter (Target Therapeutics, Inc., Fremont, CA) was navigated into the ophthalmic artery using a steerable guidewire and digital road mapping. Embolic agents included polyvinyl alcohol particles ranging from 350 to 1500 microm in diameter, 2-mm platinum microcoils, and n-butyl-cyanoacrylate. In 12 of 15 cases, lidocaine and amytal provocation tests were conducted before any attempt at embolization to assess the role of the ophthalmic artery in vision. RESULTS: Embolization was successfully performed in the 14 situations in which it was attempted. Positive results of two lidocaine/amytal tests were noted. In one case, embolization was not attempted. In the other case, a larger caliber embolic agent (2-mm platinum coils) was used. A single transient decrease in visual acuity lasting 4 days was the only embolization-related complication. CONCLUSION: Proper case selection, judicious use of embolic agents, and use of provocative testing can result in safe embolization of lesions supplied by the ophthalmic artery.

A long-term study of 277 cases of equine sinonasal disease. Part 2: treatments and results of treatments.

The treatments of 277 horses with equine sinonasal disease (1984-1996), described by Tremaine and Dixon (2001), are reported here. Long-term (median duration 24 months) outcomes of treatment of the more common disorders were good, with 92% of horses with sinonasal mycosis, 84% with primary sinusitis, 82% with sinus cysts, 78% with dental sinusitis and 75% with sinonasal trauma reported to have complete remission of clinical signs. However, only 33% of horses with progressive ethmoidal haematoma (PEH) and 12% with sinonasal neoplasia reported long term remission of clinical signs.

Mast cell tumor in the nasal cavity of a dog.

An 11-year-old male Shetland sheepdog displayed epistaxis and nasal discharge from the left nasal foramen. Cytological examination of a smear sample obtained by rhinotomy revealed neoplastic mast cells in the nasal cavity, a definitive diagnostic sign of mast cell tumor. The case was treated by surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Eighteen days after the last treatment, marked enlargement of the mandibular lymph nodes and facial edema developed, and the dog was euthanized at the owner's request. At necropsy, metastatic proliferation of mast cells was confirmed in the lymph nodes and liver, but no neoplastic mast cells were observed in the nasal cavity.

Radiotherapy and hyperthermia in the treatment of fibrosarcomas in the dog.

Ten dogs with oral or external nasal fibrosarcoma were treated sequentially with orthovoltage radiation and radiofrequency (RF)-induced hyperthermia. Total radiation doses ranged from 3,200 to 4,800 rad given in 8 to 12 fractions of 400 rad. Immediately after 2 to 4 radiation treatments, hyperthermia was given. Six oral fibrosarcomas were heated to 50 C for 30 sec, using a hand-held RF generator. Four nasomaxillary fibrosarcomas were heated to 43 C for 30 minutes, using a 500-kHz RF generator. Hyperthermia of 50 C resulted in tumor necrosis and infection in 3 dogs and fatal septicemia in 1 dog. Nine of 10 tumors responded to therapy. One year after therapy, 5 dogs were free of disease. Tumor regrowth occurred in 5 dogs. Mean time to tumor regrowth and mean survival time of all dogs were 343 and 398 days, respectively. The results suggested that sequential radiation-hyperthermia is an effective therapeutic regimen for canine fibrosarcoma. It was concluded that this modality not only may be beneficial in the treatment of canine tumors but may be useful for designing new therapeutic approaches to similar tumors in man.

Teratocarcinosarcoma of the nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx.

Teratomas affecting the head and neck are rare tumours of ambiguous origin. The benign form is seen in children and mostly affects the nasopharynx. Malignant tumours in the upper jaw have been reported rarely. They are almost exclusively seen in the adult male. They are highly aggressive tumours that are difficult to diagnose pre-operatively due to the varied histological patterns. Treatment options available are surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of both. Despite intensive treatment, the prognosis is still poor. A rare case of teratocarcinosarcoma of the nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in a 25-year-old male is presented. The tumour had a non-germ cell tumour origin. The clinical features, pathologic characteristics and treatment are detailed. It was managed by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

[Combined therapy of malignant tumors of the upper jaw and nasal cavity using pre- and post-operative radiation with metronidazol radiomodification]. / Kombinirovannye lechenie zlokachestvennykh opukholei verkhnei cheliusti i polosti nosa s ispol'zovaniem pred- i posleoperatsionnogo kyrsov oblucheniia v sochetanii s radiomodifikatsiei metronidazolom.

Seventy-five patients with malignant tumors of the upper jaw and nasal cavity have received combination therapy. Administration of metronidasol (5-8 g/m2 body surface) in combination with large doses of preoperative radiation was shown to significantly improve 3-year total and recurrence-free survival-from 50 to 60% and 32 to 57%, respectively. As a result, no postoperative radiotherapy was required. Postoperative radiation treatment is indicated when means of radiosensibilization are not used. The use of radiomodifiers is mandatory in combination therapy of non-differentiated cell carcinoma, cylindroma, transitory-cell papilloma and non-epithelial neoplasms.

Direct intratumoral embolization of intranasal vascular tumors.

Embolization is a well established technique that facilitates the subsequent surgical removal of vascularized tumors such as juvenile angiofibroma. Preoperative transarterial embolization has proven beneficial for decreasing intraoperative blood loss. However, the procedure is often incomplete owing to extensive vascular structure. Direct intratumoral embolization may help overcome this limitation. We report our experience with embolization of nasal vascular tumors by means of direct intratumoral injection of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

Leiomyosarcoma of the maxilla in a 24-year-old man who initially presented with odontalgia, and suffered from tumour mismanagement.

Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon malignant soft tissue tumour originating from smooth muscle cells. It generally occurs in the female genital tract, especially in the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, retroperitoneum and rarely in the head and neck. Here we report a case of leiomyosarcoma in a 24-year-old man with a 6-month history of toothache and extraction of three right upper molar teeth, that was complicated by fistula tract formation and facial swelling. Imaging studies demonstrated tumoural lesions involving the right maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, hard palate and orbit. The histopathological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed that it was leiomyosarcoma.

Rare case of extraskeletal Ewings sarcoma of the sinonasal tract.

Ewings sarcoma (ES) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor are closely related family of small round cell tumors seen in childhood and adolescence. The incidence of these tumors occurring in the head and neck region is just 2-7%. Mandible and maxilla are the most common sites, whereas involvement of the sinonasal tract is very rare. We report a case of extraskeletal ES of the sinonasal tract in a 29-year-old female who presented with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. The patient was treated with 14 cycles of chemotherapy, combined with surgery and radiotherapy with complete recovery. We present this case due to its rarity, to analyze the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, so as to differentiate from other small round cell tumors of the sinonasal tract for appropriate treatment.

Total nasal reconstruction: use of a radial forearm free flap, titanium mesh, and a paramedian forehead flap.

BACKGROUND: reconstruction of a total nasal defect presents a significant challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The form, function, and aesthetic appeal of all the nasal subunits must be addressed. Classic teaching emphasizes the importance of restoring the internal lining of the nose, the rigid scaffolding, and the outer skin and soft tissue layer. METHODS: a restrospective review was undertaken in eight patients who had undergone total nasal reconstruction in two Canadian tertiary care centres. All eight patients had their nasal defect reconstructed with a radial forearm free flap for internal lining, titanium mesh for structural support, and a paramedian forehead flap for skin and soft tissue cover. Nasal function, graft survival, patient satisfaction, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: seven of eight patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome of their nasal reconstruction. Two patients reported poor nasal breathing owing to nasal stenosis. Two cases of minor titanium extrusion required operative intervention for repair. There were no cases of loss of the radial forearm free flap or paramedian forehead flap in this series. CONCLUSIONS: reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap, titanium mesh, and a paramedian forehead flap is a reliable, cosmetically appealing, and functional method for total nasal reconstruction. Minor surgical revisions should be anticipated to achieve the best cosmetic outcome. This is the first reported series using these three entities together to reconstruct total and subtotal rhinectomy defects.

Three-step orbitofacial reconstruction after extended total maxillectomy using free RAM flap and expanded cervicofacial flap with cartilage grafts.

Facial defect after an extended total maxillectomy is one of the most difficult deformities to reconstruct aesthetically, because the defect is not only large but also three-dimensional. Although free-flap reconstruction is useful, the patchwork-like scar, bad colour match and poor texture match are major problems. The contracture and displacement of the reconstructed eyelids and eye socket are also serious matters. To resolve these problems, we have performed a three-step reconstruction using a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap and an expanded cervicofacial flap with cartilage grafts. In the first step, a free RAM flap was transplanted to the defect after extended total maxillectomy. In the second step, tissue expanders were placed under the skin of the cheek and neck a year after the RAM flap transplantation. After expansion of the cheek and neck skin, the third step was performed. The inferior part of the external skin island of the RAM flap was raised and sutured to the superior margin of the skin island to create a pouch for the eye socket. Costal cartilage was grafted to reconstruct the orbital floor and malar prominence, and auricular cartilage was grafted to reconstruct the tarsal plates. Finally, the expanded cervicofacial flap was rotated to cover this construct. Two weeks after reconstruction, the neo-eyelids were divided to form the lid fissure. We performed the three-step reconstruction on six cases after extended total maxillectomy. In all cases, a deep and stable eye socket was reconstructed. The reconstructed eyelids and cheek were natural in appearance with good colour and texture match without conspicuous scars. To obtain symmetry and natural appearance in the orbitomaxillary reconstruction, there are five points that should be formed; the eye socket, the groundwork of the eye socket, the orbital floor and malar prominence, the tarsal plates and the surface of the eyelids and cheek. We do not reconstruct the palate to set prosthetic dentures and to clean the surface of the skin island in the nasal cavity. To reconstruct the indispensable five points and achieve satisfying results, we propose this three-step reconstruction.