Arterial stiffness as an ultrasound biomarker of radiation-induced carotid artery disease.

Background: Radiation-induced carotid artery disease (RICAD) is an important issue in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors after radiotherapy (RT). The risk of cerebrovascular disease in these patients is doubled. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of RT on carotid artery stiffness in HNC patients. Patients and methods: Conventional arterial stiffness parameters were measured in a total of 50 HNC survivors treated with RT for at least 5 years and compared to 50 unirradiated HNC patients. Elastic modulus (Ep) and Beta stiffness index (ß) were measured in proximal, mid and distal common carotid artery (CCA). Results: The mean age of the subjects was 68±9 years (range: 44-84) in the irradiated group and 67±10 years (range: 45-85) in the control group. The RT group was treated with a mean radiation exposure of 60.3±6.7 Gy (range: 44-72) in the neck. Carotid stiffness parameters showed significant group differences: Ep in the RT group was 2.329±1.222 vs 1.742±828 in the non-RT group (p=0.006) and ß index in the RT group was 23±11 vs 15±8 in the non-RT group (p<0.001). Radiation-induced carotid stiffness was quantified and cervical exposure to RT increased Ep in 575 kPa (p=0.014) and ß in 7 units (p<0.003). Conclusions: Ep and ß index could be suitable ultrasound biomarkers of radiation-induced atherosclerosis in HNC survivors. Further prospective studies are needed to feature RICD in this setting.

Surgical management of intrathoracic goitres.

BACKGROUND: Intrathoracic goitres (ITG) often present with compressive symptoms and require specialised care by experienced surgical teams. Most ITG can be accessed by a transcervical approach (TCA) and only between 1 and 15% will require an extracervical approach (ECA). Many controversies exist regarding the clinical presentation, evaluation, selection of cases for ECA, surgical technique and outcomes. This paper reviews the recent literature on the management, outcomes and evidence-based treatment strategies of ITG. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature on the evaluation, management and outcomes of surgery for ITGs. RESULTS: The incidence of cancer in the ITGs ranges between 4 and 20%. Multiplanar CT scanning offers the best preoperative evaluation and aids to determine the approach. Most ITG can be accessed by TCA and ECA are only needed in maximum 15% of cases. In experienced hands, the outcome of these surgeries is comparable to thyroid surgery for non-ITG. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for ITG is challenging. The experienced surgeon however, with few exceptions can address ITG via TCA, with outcomes comparable to those of uncomplicated thyroid surgery.

Management of petrous bone cholesteatoma: open versus obliterative techniques.

The objective of this study was to expose our results in the treatment of petrous bone cholesteatomas (PBC), paying attention to diagnosis, surgical strategy, facial management, results, and recurrences. The main objective is to compare the results of obliterative and open techniques in their management concerning the recurrence rate, due to the controversy elicited on obliterative or closed techniques in large cholesteatomas. A retrospective study was performed from July 1977 to September 2007 at the Tertiary referral cranial base center. Thirty-five patients were treated for PBC through different surgical approaches, and in 25 cases (72%) the surgical cavity was obliterated with a muscle flap. Four patients (11%) had a long-term recurrence. These patients received an open technique and after surgical re-exploration using a closed technique they had no recurrence. There were no recurrences in patients who underwent an obliterative technique and they received periodic MRI controls. The facial function after surgery was acceptable (71% of patients had House-Brackmann grades I to III). PBC is a complex pathology and presents difficulties in its diagnosis and treatment. Surgical technique should be suitable for removing the pathology and preventing damage to structures such as the facial nerve or great vessels. Obliterative techniques, where possible, are at least as safe as open cavity procedures and they have fewer postoperative complications; however, regular follow-up with CT and MRI is mandatory.

Multimodality approach for advanced-stage juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) with significant skull base involvement and intracranial extension are challenging tumors. We evaluated our experience in the treatment of extensive JNAs through resection followed by radiosurgery. METHODS: From 1999 to 2007, 10 advanced JNAs (Andrews grade IV) were treated by primary surgical resection followed by gamma knife radiosurgery of residual tumor. Tumor control and treatment morbidity were evaluated. RESULTS: Six months after radiosurgery and annually thereafter, an imaging study was done that revealed decrement in tumor size in 3 patients and no change in 7 patients, after a 3-year minimum follow-up. Clinically, patients are asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: An efficient strategy in the management of extensive JNAs is the use of a multimodality approach, in which surgical resection is followed by the treatment with radiosurgery in critical locations. These therapeutic schemes are safe and offer long-term tumor control.