Immunostaining for ret oncogene proteins in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a correlation of ret immunoreactivity and potential of lymph node metastasis.

Ret oncogenes, particularly Ret/PTC, have been associated with the potential of local invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Ret oncogene expression and the potential of lymph node metastasis of PTC. A total of 107 PTC were microscopically reviewed to identify areas of infiltrating carcinoma (IC). IC was defined as tumor cells disposed in a haphazard pattern and in lobules, nests, follicles, or single cells within a desmoplastic or sclerotic stroma. All cases were submitted to immunostaining for Ret oncogene. There were 36 noninfiltrating PTC with lymph node metastasis in 1 case and 71 infiltrating PTC with lymph node metastasis in 40 cases. For non-PTC, the positive immunoreactivity was often weak to moderate and focal. For infiltrating PTC with IC, the IC displayed strong immunoreactivity. The noninfiltrating component of PTC with IC usually showed stronger reactivity than PTC without an infiltrating component. Furthermore, 36 of 40 metastatic PTC in lymph node were immunoreactive. Three follicular adenomas with areas of scar caused by fine-needle aspiration biopsy were not immunoreactive for Ret. In view of the high potential of infiltrating PTC for lymph node metastasis, distinction of this type of carcinoma from its noninfiltrating form is clinically important. Because immunoreactivity for Ret is usually positive in areas of infiltrating PTC and is often negative or focally positive in noninfiltrating PTC, immunostaining for Ret is helpful to identify infiltrating PTC and distinguish it from changes caused by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in benign thyroid lesions.

Ret oncogene protein expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma and related lesions.

BACKGROUND: Activation of Ret oncogenes, particularly Ret/PTC, has been identified in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunostaining pattern of Ret oncogene protein in PTC and nodular non-PTC lesions with a fine chromatin pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three PTC and 139 nodular non-PTC lesions were microscopically reviewed to identify the nuclear changes of "limited nuclear features of PTC" (focal nuclear grooves, nuclear inclusions or optically clear nuclei) and areas of infiltrating carcinoma (IC) and were submitted for immunostaining with Ret oncogene protein antiserum. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for Ret protein ranged from negative in follicular adenoma (FA) with a coarse chromatin pattern, to negative or weak reactivity in FA with a fine chromatin pattern, to strong reactivity in PTC with areas of infiltrating carcinoma (IC). In FA with fine chromatin, FA and follicular carcinoma (FC) containing an admixture of areas of coarse and fine chromatin, areas with nuclear changes with "limited nuclear features of PTC" displayed varying degrees of immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunostaining varied with the degree of nuclear change. The noninvasive component of PTC with IC usually showed more extensive and stronger reactivity than PTC without IC. PTCs with and without IC were associated with a rate of lymph node metastasis of 48% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Ret oncogenes (Ret/PTC, other unknown variants or wild type) is focally or extensively present in all PTC with IC. The degree of immunoreactivity is likely to be proportional to the potential for lymph node metastasis of PTC. In the context of this study and due to the specificity of Ret oncogenes, it is likely that nodular non-PTC lesions with a fine chromatin pattern and focal positive reactivity for Ret oncogene represent PTC-related lesions.

Follicular adenoma with papillary architecture: a lesion mimicking papillary thyroid carcinoma.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of 'benign' encapsulated follicular thyroid nodules with papillary structures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of encapsulated neoplastic thyroid nodules with papillary structures and nuclear features not diagnostic of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were obtained. All cases were reviewed with particular attention to nuclear features (fine chromatin pattern, optical clearing, grooves and inclusions). Representative sections were submitted for measurement of the maximum diameter of 200 round or nearly round nuclei and for immunostaining for MIB1, CK19, HBME and Ret oncogene protein. Nine cases displayed scattered optically clear nuclei or nuclear grooves in less than 30% of total neoplastic cells. They were grouped in the category of thyroid nodules with limited nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but not diagnostic of PTC. The other 12 cases had fine or coarse chromatin, but lacked other features of nuclei in PTC. The diameter of the nuclei ranged from 5.6 to 7.2 microm and were smaller than those of PTC (6.3-10.0 microm). Immunostaining revealed positive reactivity for MIB1 in the papillary structures. Immunostaining for CK19 and HBME varied from negative or focally weak to diffusely moderate reactivity. Ret oncogene protein immunostaining showed focal and weak reactivity in one case and was negative in other cases of the study. Clinical follow-up from 6 months to 15 years revealed no evidence of metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The papillary structures in the study cases are unlikely to represent degenerative changes due to their proliferative activity. In view of (i) the encapsulation and the uniformity of the constituent cells, (ii) the varying degrees of immunoreactivity for CK19 and HBME and negative immunoreactivity for Ret oncogene protein, and (iii) the absence or insufficiency of nuclear criteria for the diagnosis of PTC and the absence of lymph node metastasis in all study cases, we believe that these lesions represent the papillary variant of follicular adenoma. Recognition of this pathological entity is important to avoid an over-diagnosis of PTC.

Sternothoracotomy for combined coronary artery bypass grafting and left upper lobectomy in a patient with low-lying tracheostoma.

A 64-year-old man had a low-lying tracheostoma and presented with unstable angina and a mass in the pulmonary left upper lobe. Simultaneous coronary revascularization and resection of the lung neoplasm were completed through a sternothoracotomy (clam-shell) incision. The advantages of this approach include excellent exposure to the mediastinum and the lung fields, and the option of using both internal thoracic arteries for bypass grafting.

Optimal treatment of descending necrotising mediastinitis.

BACKGROUND: Descending necrotising mediastinitis is caused by downward spread of neck infection and has a high fatality rate of 31%. The seriousness of this infection is caused by the absence of barriers in the contiguous fascial planes of neck and mediastinum. METHODS: The recent successful treatment of seven adult patients with descending necrotising mediastinitis emphasises the importance of optimal early drainage of both neck and mediastinum and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The case is also presented of a child with descending necrotising mediastinitis, demonstrating the rapidity with which the infection can develop and lead to death. Twenty four case reports and 12 series of adult patients with descending necrotising mediastinitis published since 1970 were reviewed with meta-analysis. In each case of confirmed descending necrotising mediastinitis the method of surgical drainage (cervical, mediastinal, or none) and the survival outcome (discharge home or death) were noted. The chi 2 test of statistical significance was used to detect a difference between cases treated with cervical drainage alone and cases where mediastinal drainage was added. RESULTS: Cervical drainage alone was often insufficient to control the infection with a fatality rate of 47% compared with 19% when mediastinal drainage was added (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early combined drainage with neck and chest incisions, together with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, should be considered standard care for this disease.

A prospective comparison of octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and suture for the closure of head and neck incisions.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the tissue adhesive octylcyanoacrylate with subcuticular suture for the closure of head and neck incisions. DESIGN: A prospective comparison with a blinded assessment of cosmetic outcome. SUBJECTS: Fifty consecutive patients undergoing head and neck procedures at two University of Ottawa teaching hospitals. METHODS: Twenty-six patients underwent skin closure with monofilament suture and 24 were closed with tissue adhesive. At 4 to 6 weeks the incisions were evaluated with a validated wound scale. Photographs of the incisions were rated using a visual analogue scale by two facial-plastic otolaryngologists who were blinded to the method of skin closure. RESULTS: The adhesive provided faster skin closure (29.7 seconds vs 289.0 seconds, p < .0001), and there were no differences in complications between the two groups. The primary outcome measure was the cosmetic appearance of the incision at 4 to 6 weeks. Although the adhesive group scored higher on both cosmesis scales, the visual analogue scale (octylcyanoacrylate 58.7 mm vs suture 53.2 mm) and the wound evaluation scale (57% vs 50% optimal wound scores), there were no statistical or clinically significant differences on either scale. The two facial-plastic otolaryngologists had good intraobserver and interobserver agreement when rating the cosmetic outcomes (0.87 and 0.71 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Octylcyanoacrylate was found to be an effective method of skin closure in clean head and neck incisions. The practical advantages of tissue adhesives are reviewed.

Head and neck sarcomas: a review.

Sarcomas of the head and neck are rare. They present a challenge to the head and neck oncologist that is frequently quite different from that found in epithelial, salivary, and endocrine malignancies of the head and neck. The focus of this article is on diagnostic criteria, prognostic indicators, and therapy, and due to the large number of lesions, an in-depth review of the commonest: osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CS), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), fibrosarcoma (FS), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and synovial sarcoma (SS). Less common variants will also be mentioned. Twelve cases are presented, consisting of OS(2), RMS(1), CS(3), MFH(2), SS(2), FS(1), and miscellaneous(1). Conclusions consist of an enunciation of the general principles of management of sarcoma of the head and neck.

Infections of the fascial spaces of the neck.

Infections of fascial spaces of the neck continue to be life-threatening events. The frequency of these infections has been drastically reduced by antibiotics and good dental care. Intravenous drug use and immunosuppressed states have altered the modern presentation of these infections. This paper represents a review of these conditions, the anatomical and microbiological factors involved and the treatment. Attention is given to the use of modern imaging and contemporary antibiotic management. A clear understanding of regional anatomy remains critical to the proper resolution of these conditions.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck cancer surgery.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial of cefamandole in the prophylaxis of infection after major head and neck surgery was performed. Patients were given the drug on call to the operating room, and again four and eight hours after the initial dose. Twenty of 25 patients were evaluable. Wound infection developed in five of nine placebo recipients (55%), and three of 11 (33%) receiving cefamandole. Mean duration of hospitalization was 91.1 days in the placebo group, 34.3 in the cefamandole group (p less than 0.05). The study was stopped because of excessive morbidity in the placebo group. Cefamandole decreases the duration of hospitalization following major head and neck cancer surgery.

Tracheo-esophageal disruption.

Two cases of traumatic tracheo-esophageal disruption are presented. Based on these cases and a review of the literature, we recommend that early neck exploration is essential for accurate diagnosis. Early repair has been the most important factor in minimizing complications in our cases and in those reported in the literature.