Oral cavity cancer and its pre-treatment radiological evaluation: A pictorial overview.

PURPOSE: Oral cavity cancer, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is a prevalent malignancy globally, necessitating accurate clinical assessment and staging to enable effective treatment planning. Diagnosis requires biopsy and is followed by surgical resection and reconstruction as the primary therapeutic modality. Imaging plays a pivotal role during this process, aiding in the evaluation of tumour extent, nodal involvement and distant metastases. However, despite its value, both radiologists and clinicians must recognise its inherent limitations. METHODS: This pictorial review article aims to illustrate the application of various imaging modalities in the pre-treatment evaluation of oral cavity SCC and highlights potential pitfalls. It underscores the importance of understanding the anatomical subsites of the oral cavity, the diverse patterns of spread tumours exhibit at each site, alongside the role of imaging in facilitating informed management strategies, while also acknowledging its limitations. RESULTS: The review delves into fundamentals of current staging including nodal involvement, while, emphasising imaging strategies and potential limitations. Finally, it touches on the potential of novel radiomic techniques in characterising tumours and predicting treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment oral cavity cancer staging reflects an ongoing quest for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and prognostic prediction. Recognising the value of imaging alongside its limitations fosters a multidisciplinary approach to treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Use of Integra® on avascular tissue.

Integra® (Integra LifeSciences) is a well-known dermal regeneration template used in partial and full-thickness wound reconstruction. It can be applied directly on to vascular tissue to create a bed for a skin graft, which is often placed in a second surgery. We present our experience of its novel use in oral and maxillofacial surgery patients, using it directly on bone and cartilage (avascular tissue) without further skin grafting. Patients who required full-thickness excision of lesions down to bone or cartilage and who were treated using Integra® were included. After scalp or ear lesion resection, the collagenous dermal layer of Integra® was placed directly on to bone or cartilage and, along with its outer silicone epidermal layer, secured to the defect with absorbable sutures and a bolster dressing. The wounds were kept dry for 14 days, at which point the dressing and silicone were removed and patients continued regular wound care. Seventeen patients were included, 15 of whom had squamous cell carcinoma. One was lost to follow up. The rest achieved complete healing of the defect. Histology showed epidermis developing on the Integra® surface and at one year, the appearance of normal scarred skin. This novel approach could redefine the uses of Integra®, avoiding the need for free-flap surgery or skin grafting when reconstructing large defects. Further resection of close margins or recurrence is easier after reconstruction using dermal regeneration material than after reconstruction with a local or free flap.

Exophytic parietal skin metastases of renal cell carcinoma.

The common sites for metastasis of renal cell carcinoma are lung, kidney, adrenal glands, liver, and contralateral kidney. We report an unusual case of cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in a 68-year-old woman who was treated for renal cell carcinoma with partial right nephrectomy and multikinase angiogenesis inhibitor (sunitinib) 10 years ago.

Pleomorphic adenoma (benign mixed tumour) of the salivary glands: its diverse clinical, radiological, and histopathological presentation.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the single most common salivary gland tumour. It has a diverse histological presentation because of varying proportions of different epithelial and mesenchymal elements, and presents clinically and radiologically in various ways as it occurs at many different sites in the head and neck region. The choice of imaging is influenced by its site and size, and a range of options for treatment includes both operation and radiotherapy. The tumour can also present in various ways if it is not removed or treated successfully.