Tufted angiomas of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Tufted angiomas (TAs) are uncommon benign vascular tumors mostly located cutaneously or subcutaneously in the skin of the neck and upper trunk, which appear during childhood and grow slowly. TAs are a variant of lobular capillary hemangiomas. This is the first study to provide an overview of the current literature in combination with the authors' own clinical experience on this rare entity in the head and neck area with non-dermatological localization. METHODS: A selective Medline and Google Scholar database search was performed. Additionally, we conducted an ICD-10-based database search on hemangiomas (D18.0) in the Charité SAP patient records. RESULTS: We identified 13 reports in the literature consisting of 16 cases of TA of the head and neck. Males were predominantly affected by TAs (70.6%). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 31.5 years; the mean maximum diameter of the tumors was 16.3 mm. Additionally, we report on one case of TA in our Department of Head and Neck Surgery. A male patient presented with swelling and redness of the left upper eyelid. Radiological examination with computed tomography showed a suprabulbar tumor with a diameter of 13 mm. The tumor was surgically removed via a transcutaneous blepharoplasty approach with the patient under general anesthesia. DISCUSSION: There is only one other case report on the surgical excision of an intra-orbital TA described to date. Here, we present an epidemiological overview, therapeutic considerations, and differential diagnoses.

[Tufted angiomas of the head and neck. German version]. / Büschelartige Hämangiome ("tufted angiomas") im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

BACKGROUND: Tufted angiomas (TAs) are uncommon benign vascular tumors mostly located cutaneously or subcutaneously in the skin of the neck and upper trunk, which appear during childhood and grow slowly. TAs are a variant of lobular capillary hemangiomas. This is the first study to provide an overview of the current literature in combination with the authors' own clinical experience on this rare entity in the head and neck area with non-dermatological localization. METHODS: A selective Medline and Google Scholar database search was performed. Additionally, we conducted an ICD-10-based database search on hemangiomas (D18.0) in the Charité SAP patient records. RESULTS: We identified 13 reports in the literature consisting of 16 cases of TA of the head and neck. Males were predominantly affected by TAs (70.6%). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 31.5 years; the mean maximum diameter of the tumors was 16.3 mm. Additionally, we report on one case of TA in our Department of Head and Neck Surgery. A male patient presented with swelling and redness of the left upper eyelid. Radiological examination with computed tomography showed a suprabulbar tumor with a diameter of 13 mm. The tumor was surgically removed via a transcutaneous blepharoplasty approach with the patient under general anesthesia. DISCUSSION: There is only one other case report on the surgical excision of an intra- orbital TA described to date. Here, we present an epidemiological overview, therapeutic considerations, and differential diagnoses.

[Position paper "Chemosensory testing for expert opinion in smell disorders"]. / Positionspapier "Die chemosensorische Testung bei der gutachterlichen Abklärung von Riechstörungen"

Providing expert opinion in the context of smell disorders is often challenging, not only with regard to general aspects of providing an expert opinion but particularly with regard to chemosensory testing. Currently there is no consensus which chemosensory test should be selected and how they should be executed. This positions paper from Committee on Olfaction and Gustation of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery aims to give concrete recommendations for chemosensory testing for providing expert opinion for smell disorders with regard to the selection and execution of these test.

[Nasopharyngeal space-occupying lesion with middle ear effusion. Malignant or benign?]. / Nasopharyngeale Raumforderung mit assoziiertem Paukenerguss. Ein maligner Prozess?

Warthin tumors (cystadenolymphoma, cystadenoma lymphomatosum papilliferum) account for approximately 10-15 % of all benign salivary gland tumors and are bilateral in approximately 10-15 %, as well as extraparotideal in approximately 8 % of cases. Nasopharyngeal Warthin tumors are extremely rare; however they should be borne in mind as a consideration of differential diagnostics. Furthermore, parotid glands and cervical lymph nodes should be examined as associated synchronous or metachronous manifestations are possible. Palpation, sonography and other radiological imaging of the cervical region, if applicable, might be required.

[Current status of therapeutic approaches with targeted therapies in malignant thyroid cancer. Highlights from the 2011 ASCO Congress]. / Stellenwert neuer Behandlungsansätze mit Targettherapeutika bei malignen Schilddrüsenerkrankungen. Highlights vom ASCO-Kongress 2011.

Increasing interest in the treatment of locally advanced and already metastasized thyroid cancer is reflected in the high number of submitted and accepted conference papers at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO Congress) 2011. Many patients suffering from differentiated, undifferentiated and medullary thyroid cancer do not respond to established therapeutic procedures, so that new strategies have to be developed. Targeted biological agents are a new and promising therapeutic method that selectively affects complex signaling cascades, especially angiogenesis, of the malignant cells. Clinicians and researchers should understand the potential of these therapeutic strategies and be aware of the typical side effects.

[New aspects of HPV-positive head and neck cancer. Highlights from the 2011 ASCO Congress]. / Neue Aspekte HPV-positiver Kopf-Hals-Karzinome. Highlights vom ASCO-Kongress 2011.

HPV-positive head and neck carcinoma is significantly different than tobacco- and alcohol-induced cancer. Between 30% and 50% of oropharyngeal cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Studies still show an increasing incidence. HPV-positive head and neck cancer patients have a better prognosis due to a better response to therapy. Especially patients with gene overexpression of immunological proteins in the antigen presentation are suggested to benefit from radiotherapy. A current retrospective study shows better outcomes for patients treated with radiotherapy in combination with biological targets compared to radiochemotherapy.

[High duplication of an internal jugular vein]. / Hohe inkomplette Duplikatur einer Vena jugularis interna.

The internal jugular vein is an important landmark in most cervical operations. The surgeon should know the exact position and possible variations to prevent complications. We report on a duplicated internal jugular vein, which is a rare anatomic anomaly and discuss aetiology and appearance of this malformation and the possible affecting of the accessory nerve.