PAROTID TUMORS: IS SURGERY ALWAYS THE ONLY WAY?

AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the characteristics and management of parotid tumors in a tertiary care center. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: All cases of parotid tumors (or masses) in our department between Jan 1, 1999 and December 31st, 2012 were studied. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, histopathology and management were analyzed. We also evaluated the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in our center. RESULTS: Of the 216 parotid tumors, 164 underwent parotidectomy and 52 were not managed surgically; 73.1% had a benign tumor (36.6% had Warthin's tumor) and 16.7% had a malignant one. In our center, FNAC was found to have a sensitivity for reporting malignancy of 71.4% and a specificity to rule in malignancy of 100%. CONCLUSION: In our series, Warthin's tumor was the most frequent mass probably related to the high tobacco use. The prevalence of malignant tumors was relatively high in our series. Primary malignant tumors and pleomorphic adenomas should always be treated surgically, however, lymphomas, metastatic and benign inflammatory masses and cases of Warthin's tumors could be managed nonsurgically.

Rhinoliths: an unusual diagnosis of nasal obstruction.

In our modern medical practice, rhinoliths are a rare occurrence, but they ought to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a long-standing nasal obstruction. They are known to cause unilateral nasal discharge, facial pain, headache, epistaxis, and nasal obstruction. We present two cases that we encountered in our practice, and discuss them with a review of the existing literature.

[Acquired pediatric cholesteatoma: predictive factors of recurrence. A retrospective study of 11 years]. / Le cholestéatome acquis de l'enfant: facteurs prédictifs de récurrence. Une étude rétrospective sur 11 ans.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To define the predictive factors of recurrence of the pediatric acquired cholesteatoma in order to improve the long-term results, to restore a good hearing function and to prevent the complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study concerning all cases of pediatric acquired cholesteatoma, treated during the period 1997-2008 in our center, and followed up for at least one year. A description of the parameters concerning the patients, disease and treatment as well as a univariate analysis were undertaken in order to determine the recurrence predictors. The recurrence-free survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 26 ears were studied and followed over a mean period of 62 months after the first intervention. The mean age was 12 years (11.7 years) with a 2.7 sex-ratio. The main clinical presentations were otorrhea (65%) and hypoacusia in 42% of cases. Fifteen cases (57.7%) presented an extension to the mastoid, 50% of the ears had an ossicular erosion and 11 cholesteatomas revealed a local or regional invasion. Almost 3/4 (73%) of the cholesteatomas were treated using a canal wall up surgery. The cumulative rate of recurrence was 53.8% and the rate of recurrence-free survival was 84%, 56%, and 44.7% at 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. Only the extension of the cholesteatoma to the mastoid, and the local and regional invasion (sinus tympani, lateral semi-circular canal, facial nerve recess, etc.) of the cholesteatoma at diagnosis, showed a significant higher risk of recurrence (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, the extent of the disease at diagnosis is considered as the major predictive factor of recurrence in pediatric acquired cholesteatoma population raising the problem of delayed diagnosis.

T4a laryngeal cancer survival: retrospective institutional analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the survival outcomes of a homogeneous group of pT4a laryngeal cancer patients treated at our institution by primary total laryngectomy and neck dissection with adjuvant therapy when indicated, and to systematically review studies reporting overall survival outcomes in T4a laryngeal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases. METHODS: Records of 108 laryngeal cancer patients treated by total laryngectomy were reviewed. pT4a cases treated by primary total laryngectomy between 1998 and 2010 were included. Overall and disease-free survival at 2 and 5 years were reported. A systematic review was performed including all published studies reporting overall survival outcomes by treatment modality in T4 laryngeal cancer patients. RESULTS: Thirty cases met the inclusion criteria. At 2 years, overall and disease-free survival were 81.3% and 78%, respectively. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 60%. The systematic review retrieved 24 articles. Overall survival at 2 years ranged from 12% to 21.2% with radiotherapy, <30% to 65% with chemoradiotherapy, and from 30% to 100% with surgery. At 5 years, it ranged from 0% to 75% with radiotherapy, 16% to 50.4% with chemoradiotherapy, and 10% to 80.9% with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Primary total laryngectomy provides a high survival rate for pT4a laryngeal cancer patients. Randomized controlled trials including homogenous patients are still needed before shifting to organ preservation protocols in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Craniosynostosis, anal anomalies, and porokeratosis (CDAGS syndrome): case report and literature review.

CDAGS syndrome is an autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by craniosynostosis, large open fontanelles, hearing loss, anal anomalies, genitourinary malformations and porokeratosis. To our knowledge, only four families from different geographic regions and ethnic backgrounds have been reported until now and no molecular defect has been identified. Here we report two sisters presenting with craniosynostosis, microcephaly, short downslanting palpebral fissures, sparse hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows and porokeratosis that appeared at the age of one month. The youngest sister had an imperforate anus with rectoperineal fistula. Array-CGH did not reveal any pathological CNV. Molecular analysis of the c16orf57, RECQL4 and MCM5 genes was normal.