Perineural Invasion of Superior and Inferior Laryngeal Nerves in Advanced Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx: A Case Series and Review.

Objective: To evaluate bilateral superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves for tumor spread in patients of advanced-stage laryngeal carcinoma undergoing surgical resection. Methods: A prospective study was conducted including biopsy-proven cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that were planned for total laryngectomy. Patients with metachronous or synchronous SCC were excluded from the study. All patients underwent total laryngectomy, where both superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves were harvested along with the specimen, and the proximal ends of the nerves were marked for reference. Perineural invasion (PNI) was assessed in nerves within the tumor and in bilateral extra-laryngeal nerves. Results: The study included 22 patients with a mean age of 58 years. Intra-tumoral PNI was found in 7 of the 22 cases (32%). The free nerve margins of superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves, which were examined from proximal to distal orientation, showed no tumor infiltration in any of the cases. Conclusion: Perineural invasion of minor nerves constitutes a major pathway of spread. On the contrary, invasion of superior or recurrent laryngeal nerves does not constitute a route for tumor spread. Hence, there is no need to extend the surgical boundary for total laryngectomy to include these major nerves separately.

The Role of Serum Galactomannan Assay as a Potential Surrogate Biomarker for Fungal Microinvasion in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis.

We conducted this study to determine if serum galactomannan (GM) can be used as a marker to implicate the invasiveness of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), and correlate this value with the aggressiveness of disease documented via computed tomography (CT). All paranasal CT scans done for AFRS patients prospectively over a five-year period (2015-2019) were included. An indigenous 20-point score was used to document the extent of bone erosion seen on CT, wherein a higher score meant a greater extent of bone erosion. It was then correlated with serum GM scores. The median CT scores of galactomannan-positive (GM+) patients were compared with the median CT scores of galactomannan-negative (GM-) patients 3 using Mann-Whitney U test. The patients were divided into five groups based on the extent of disease-No bone erosion, erosion of only sinus wall/orbit, 3 erosion of orbit and skull base, erosion of only skull base and lateral extension of disease into infratemporal fossa (ITF). Subgroup analysis was conducted over mean GM values in these groups using ANOVA test. p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. A total of 92 patients were included (56 males, 36 females). No statistically significant difference was found (p-value = 0.42) between the CT scores of galactomannan-positive (GM+) group and galactomannan-negative (GM-) group. The mean GM scores amongst the five sub-groups did not show a statistically significant difference. Serum galactomannan values correlate poorly with aggressiveness of disease quantified on non-contrast CT of paranasal sinuses.

Secretory carcinoma of salivary gland origin: A recently established masquerader.

Secretory carcinoma (SC) of the salivary gland is considered to be a low-intermediate grade tumor with the potential of locally aggressive behavior. This tumor is similar both genetically (ETV6-NTRK3 fusion) and histologically to secretory carcinoma of the breast. We intent to share our experience of four cases of SC in terms of clinical behavior, pathological features, and treatment outcome. Medical records of four cases of SC were retrieved and analyzed for clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and outcome. Pathological data was reanalyzed along with immunohistochemistry. Out of the four identified SC cases, three were men. Two lesions originated from the parotid gland and two from minor salivary glands. Two of these cases exhibited features of locally aggressive pattern. SC of salivary gland origin has distinct histological and immunohistochemical features apart from the characteristic genetic translocation and fusion. Surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. To establish the biological behavior of this tumor, larger case series with long-term follow-up is desirable.

Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Carotid Artery Induced by Skull Base Osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is predominantly seen in immunocompromised patients, with diabetes mellitus being the most common underlying comorbidity. Microbial aetiology is commonly bacterial, although fungal SBO is encountered in a small fraction of patients. Treatment consists of prolonged antimicrobial therapy, control of underlying comorbidity, and surgical debridement in selected cases. Involvement of cranial nerves is a common complication and is considered a poor prognostic factor. Pseudoaneurysm of internal carotid artery caused by skull base osteomyelitis is a very rare complication, limited to few case reports only. CASE: We report the case of a 55-year-old diabetic patient with bacterial SBO who developed pseudoaneurysm of cervical-petrous part of internal carotid artery during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: New onset symptoms or persistent symptoms in SBO suggest progressive disease and necessitate re-evaluation of the microbial aetiology and antimicrobial treatment. Skull base osteomyelitis induced aneurysm is rare but can be life threatening, if not identified and managed immediately.

Role of Neck Dissection in Clinical T3N0M0 Lesion of Oral Cavity: Changing Trend.

INTRODUCTION: Neck dissection is an important part in the management of head and neck malignancies especially in terms of control of nodal metastasis. The study is focused on evaluating the profile of lymph nodes in T3N0M0 lesion of different subsides of oral cavity. AIM: To evaluate the utility of neck dissection in T3N0M0 stage of carcinomas of the different region of oral cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients aged 20 to 70 years underwent treatment for carcinoma of the oral cavity at our center between 2005 and 2013. Of these, 39 patients were stage T3N0M0 and underwent excision of the primary lesion with neck dissection. The data were collected retrospectively from hospital record library. These patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically and compared with intra operative finding. Addition of radiotherapy was decided on final histopathology. RESULTS: Out of 39 patients, the site of primary tumour in 21 patients was tongue, in 13 patients was Buccal Mucosa (BM), in 2 patients was lip and in 3 patients was Floor of Mouth (FOM) with tongue. In patients with clinically negative neck nodes, ultrasonography and intra-operative examination revealed the presence of suspicious nodes in 35.9% and 30.7% cases respectively. Occult metastasis in the nodes was identified on histopathological examination in 15 patients (38.5%). A total of 14 patients of carcinoma of tongue and one patient of BM showed positive nodes on histopathology. These patients with positive neck nodes on histopathology, were sent for postoperative radiotherapy. At follow up examination, four patients showed local and distal recurrence and they were managed accordingly. Out of 39 patients, 11 patients of BM, 2 patients of lip, 1 patient of FOM and 6 patients of tongue were disease free in last follow up. CONCLUSION: Selective neck dissection is an effective therapeutic intervention in patients without clinically involved neck nodes. It can upstage the tumour and additional treatment may be advised. In patients with carcinoma of buccal mucosa and lip, the patients can be kept under regular follow up when biopsy report showed excision with adequate margin and no nodal metastasis.