Persistent Tracheostomy after Organ Preservation Protocol in Patients Treated for Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer.

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is currently the second most common malignancy of the airway after lung cancer, and hypopharyngeal cancer accounts for fewer than 5% of head and neck cancers. The nonsurgical options for patients with this disease are related to significant long-term toxicities and the need for persistent tracheostomy, which adversely affects the quality of life of these patients. Objective To evaluate the need for tracheostomy, and the influence of this in the overall and specific survival rates of patients diagnosed with all stages of laryngeal carcinoma treated by chemoradiotherapy. Methods A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma was performed according to the criteria of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition, in a tertiary hospital. Results A total of 21 patients were evaluated, 8 patients required a tracheotomy (31%) during the treatment protocol, 7 (35%) men and 1 (100%) women. According to subsite 4/4 patient with glottis cancer (p ≤ 0.001), 2/10 patients with supra glottis cancer and 2/7 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. During follow up, just in 1 patient was possible to close the tracheostomy. Conclusion Persistent tracheostomy dependence after primary chemoradiation increases significantly the morbidity, and decreases the quality of life of those patients. Patients with glottis cancer are prone to need a tracheostomy, but no statistical difference regarding the oncological stage and the need for a tracheostomy were detected. A more thorough selection of the patients is needed to improve the quality of life and reduce permanent tracheostomy dependence.

Carotid blowout syndrome in patients treated by larynx cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid blowout syndrome is an uncommon complication for patient treated by head and neck tumors, and related to a high mortality rate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the risk of carotid blowout in a large cohort of patients treated only by larynx cancer. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients older than 18 years, treated by larynx cancer who developed a carotid blowout syndrome in a tertiary academic centre. RESULTS: 197 patients met the inclusion criteria, 192 (98.4%) were male and 5 (1.6%) were female. 6 (3%) patients developed a carotid blowout syndrome, 4 patients had a carotid blowout syndrome located in the internal carotid artery and 2 in the common carotid artery. According to the type of rupture, 3 patients suffer a type I, 2 patients a type III and 1 patient a type II. Five of those patients had previously undergone radiotherapy and all patients underwent total laryngectomy. We found a statistical correlation between open surgical procedures (p=0.004) and radiotherapy (p=0.023) and the development of a carotid blowout syndrome. CONCLUSION: Carotid blowout syndrome is an uncommon complication in patients treated by larynx tumours. According to our results, patient underwent radiotherapy and patients treated with open surgical procedures with pharyngeal opening have a major risk to develop this kind of complication.

Tuberculosis de la glándula parótida / Tuberculosis of parotid gland

Hoy en día la tuberculosis es una de las más importantes infecciones reemergentes en el mundo. Hasta un 20% de las formas de presentación son extratorácicas. Sin embargo, la presencia de tuberculosis a nivel parotídeo es infrecuente incluso en países subdesarrollados, donde la incidencia de esta enfermedad es mayor. Presentamos un paciente de 83 años que acude por tumoración en región parotídea de 4 semanas de evolución sin antecedentes personales. La exploración clínica revela una masa en cola de parótida izquierda de aproximadamente 3 × 2 cm, no dolorosa a la palpación y sin evidencia de adenopatías a nivel cervical. Tras el estudio radiológico y punción con aguja fina, no se obtienen datos concluyentes, por lo que se procede a realizar exéresis. Se envía muestra para estudio de PCR, se confirma diagnóstico de tuberculosis parotídea. Tras recibir quimioterapia antituberculosa complementaria, el paciente es dado de alta por remisión de la enfermedad (AU)

Tuberculosis is currently one of the most important re-emerging infections worldwide. Up to 20% of cases are extra-thoracic. However, the presence of parotid tuberculosis is uncommon even in developing countries where the incidence of this disease is higher. The case of an 83 year-old patient is presented who had a tumour in the parotid region of 4 weeks onset, and with no previous personal history. Clinical examination revealed a mass of approximately 3 × 2 cm in the left parotid. It was not painful on palpation and there was no evidence of cervical lymph node involvement. After inconclusive radiological examination and fine needle aspiration, an excision of the lesion was performed, and the specimen sent for a PCR study. This confirmed the diagnosis of parotid tuberculosis, and after receiving additional tuberculosis treatment the patient was discharged due to remission of the disease (AU)

Tuberculosis de cabeza y cuello: estudio retrospectivo de 6 años / Head and neck tuberculosis: 6-year retrospective study

Introducción: En el 80% de los casos de infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis existe afectación pulmonar, sin embargo hasta en un 20% de casos puede haber compromiso extrapulmonar. En el área otorrinolaringológica la localización más frecuente es la linfadenitis cervical, que afecta aproximadamente al 95% de los casos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en pacientes que acudieron a consulta de ORL en un hospital terciario por sintomatología en cabeza y cuello y que fueron diagnosticados de tuberculosis, entre diciembre del año 2007 y diciembre del año 2013. Resultados: Un total de 73 pacientes fueron incluidos, 41 (56,2%) hombres y 32 (43,8%) mujeres (ratio H/M = 1,28), con una edad promedio de 39,4 años (±26,5 años; mín: 1/máx 88). Un total de 53 (72,6%) casos correspondieron a linfadenopatía cervical, 11 (15%) a tuberculosis laríngea, 3 (4,1%) a tuberculosis hipofaríngea, y los restantes 6 en otras localizaciones. Del total, 14 (19,2%) pacientes eran VIH positivo y 10 (13,7%) tenían antecedentes de contacto con familiares que habían sufrido tuberculosis pulmonar. En 51 (69,8%) de los casos se realizó una PCR como medida de confirmación, siendo positiva en 47 de estos (92,1%). Conclusión: La similitud de la tuberculosis con enfermedades de mal pronóstico y la dificultad que entraña su diagnóstico hacen necesario tener en cuenta la tuberculosis a la hora de explorar a pacientes con lesiones granulomatosas o ulcerativas del área ORL. Al analizar nuestros resultados, la incidencia de tuberculosis según su localización en el área ORL es similar a la reportada en la literatura. Es importante hacer mención especial del uso de la PCR en nuestro estudio y las ventajas que su aplicación significa para el diagnóstico (AU)

Introduction: Pulmonary involvement exists in 80% of cases of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; however, in up to 20% of cases there may be extra-pulmonary involvement. In the ENT area, the most common site is cervical lymphadenitis, affecting approximately 95% of cases. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of patients attending an ENT department in a tertiary hospital for head and neck symptoms that were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), between December 2007 and December 2013. Results: The study included 73 patients, 41 (56.2%) males and 32 (43.8%) females (M/F ratio = 1.28), with a mean age of 39.4 years (±26.5 years; Min 1, Max 88). There were 53 (72.6%) cases of cervical lymphadenopathy, 11 (15%) of laryngeal tuberculosis 3 (4.1%) of hypopharyngeal tuberculosis, and six cases in other locations. Of the total, 14 (19.2%) patients were HIV positive and 10 (13.7%) had a history of contact with relatives who had suffered pulmonary tuberculosis. PCR was performed in 51 (69.8%) cases to confirm being positive, of which 47 (92.1%) cases were. Conclusion: The similarity of tuberculosis to diseases of poor prognosis and the difficulty of its diagnosis make considering tuberculosis necessary when exploring patients with ulcerative or granulomatous ENT lesions. Analysing our results, the incidence of TB according to its ENT area location is similar to that reported in the literature. It is important to make special mention of the use of PCR in our study and the benefits that its implementation means for diagnosis (AU)

Head and neck tuberculosis: 6-year retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary involvement exists in 80% of cases of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; however, in up to 20% of cases there may be extra-pulmonary involvement. In the ENT area, the most common site is cervical lymphadenitis, affecting approximately 95% of cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients attending an ENT department in a tertiary hospital for head and neck symptoms that were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), between December 2007 and December 2013. RESULTS: The study included 73 patients, 41 (56.2%) males and 32 (43.8%) females (M/F ratio=1.28), with a mean age of 39.4 years (± 26.5 years; Min 1, Max 88). There were 53 (72.6%) cases of cervical lymphadenopathy, 11 (15%) of laryngeal tuberculosis 3 (4.1%) of hypopharyngeal tuberculosis, and six cases in other locations. Of the total, 14 (19.2%) patients were HIV positive and 10 (13.7%) had a history of contact with relatives who had suffered pulmonary tuberculosis. PCR was performed in 51 (69.8%) cases to confirm being positive, of which 47 (92.1%) cases were. CONCLUSION: The similarity of tuberculosis to diseases of poor prognosis and the difficulty of its diagnosis make considering tuberculosis necessary when exploring patients with ulcerative or granulomatous ENT lesions. Analysing our results, the incidence of TB according to its ENT area location is similar to that reported in the literature. It is important to make special mention of the use of PCR in our study and the benefits that its implementation means for diagnosis.