Chondrosarcoma of the Laryngeal Thyroid Cartilage.

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare tumor, accounting for 0.07% to 2% of all laryngeal cancers. Nevertheless, it represents the most frequent nonepithelial neoplasm of the laryngeal region.Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are usually characterized by slow growth and low metastatic potential.The exact etiopathogenesis of chondrosarcoma is still debated. Diagnosis can be difficult given the slow rate of growth and nonspecific patient symptoms at presentation.Because of its rarity, literature about laryngeal chondrosarcoma is mainly made up of case reports and small case series.Therefore, it is important to add any information regarding this pathology.The aim of this article was to present and discuss a new case of chondrosarcoma located in the thyroid cartilage in a 63-year-old woman.

Diagnosis and imaging of orbital roof fractures: a review of the current literature.

Isolated adult orbital roof fractures are uncommon, and the majority of them are typically associated with extensive craniofacial, ophthalmologic, and other body injuries. It is crucial to make an appropriate diagnosis of orbital roof fracture if present. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the current literature about diagnosis and imaging of orbital roof fracture to obtain current indications. A systematic review of articles published between January 1990 and August 2013 was performed. Early diagnosis of orbital roof fractures can reduce the incidences of intracranial and ocular complications. CT scan still plays a major role in the assessment of acute orbital trauma. Careful assessment and reporting of the CT scan findings are important. In fact, the clinicians managing the patient with acute head and facial trauma should be familiar with the common findings of CT scan in case of an orbital roof fracture.

Malignant vagal paraganglioma.

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss a new case of malignant vagal paraganglioma. A 38-year-old woman was referred for the assessment of a bilateral firm cervical mass. CT scans revealed a left cervical ovoid mass; contralaterally, a mass with a similar enhancement could be observed too. The tumor was surgically removed via a transcervical surgical approach, together with levels I to III lymph nodes. Definitive histopathological examination proved the diagnosis of malignant vagal paraganglioma with contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. One year after surgery, a PET-CT and a scintigraphy revealed the presence of a cervical recurrence and hepatic metastasis. Three months after a second surgical intervention, the patient died. Malignant vagal paraganglioma is a rare and challenging lesion that has to be carefully assessed to plan an appropriate treatment. A strict follow-up is fundamental for an early diagnosis of eventual recurrences.

Thornwaldt cysts.

Thornwaldt cysts are rare and benign congenital cysts in the region of the pharyngeal bursa, formed by a communication between the notochord and the nasopharyngeal endoderm. They result from a mechanical obstruction, inflammation, or abscess of the pharyngeal bursa. They are superficial to the superior constrictor muscle and covered by the nasopharyngeal mucous membrane. Most cases are asymptomatic, and patients may rarely present symptoms such as nasal obstruction, foreign body sensation, hearing loss, and periodic halitosis. Therefore, they are often accidentally diagnosed on MRI. Asymptomatic cysts do not require treatment, whereas symptomatic cases require surgical intervention by endonasal or transoral approach. Marsupialization is the procedure of choice to avoid recurrences. The aim of this article is to present and discuss 2 cases of Thornwaldt cysts.

Soft tissue giant cell tumor of low malignant potential with 3 localizations: report of a case.

Soft tissue giant cell tumor (GCT-ST) of low malignant potential, also called primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue, is usually located in the lower extremities and trunk, whereas it is extremely rare in the head and neck region. It is a rare neoplasm involving both superficial and deep soft tissues that mainly affects young to middle-aged adults, presenting as an asymptomatic, well-circumscribed multinodular mass covered by normal skin or with a fleshy red-brown surface when superficially located. The purpose of this article is to report a case of osteoclast-like giant cell tumors of the lip and to review the literature about GCT-STs involving the head and neck region.

Diplopia and driving: a problematic issue.

The aim of this article was to review the literature regarding diplopia and driving license and to review the West European legislations about this topic, in order to obtain appropriate indications for hospitals specialists and patients. A systematic review of articles published about diplopia and driving was performed. In addition a review of West European national legislations about driving license regulations for medical illnesses was performed, in addition to the European Union Directive on driving licenses. In the literature, the presence of diplopia has not been considered a reliable predictor of the safety of driving behavior, or it has not appeared to be a contraindication for driving according to some authors who were unable to demonstrate significant differences on driving simulator performance between subjects with chronic stable diplopia and control subjects. Nevertheless, in all western European legislations, acute diplopia constitutes an important limitation for driving, thus making the knowledge of current regulations fundamental for specialists involved in managing patients with diplopia. Ophthalmologists and maxillofacial/head and neck surgeons, may advise patients before hospital discharge about current legislations in their respective countries.