Outcomes of urgent suspicion of head and neck cancer referrals in Glasgow.

INTRODUCTION: Primary care patients with a suspected head and neck cancer are referred through the urgent suspicion of cancer referral pathway. Rates of cancer detection through this pathway are low. Evidence surrounding the pathway of these patients is lacking. This study aimed to determine the outcome of urgent suspicion of cancer referrals for head and neck cancer. METHODS AND METHODS: All head and neck cancer urgent suspicion of cancer referrals in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde between June 2015 and May 2016 were analysed in regard to their clinical pathway. RESULTS: There were 2116 urgent suspicion of cancer referrals in the one-year period. The overall cancer rate was 235 (11.8%), compared with 152 (7.6%) that resulted in a primary head and neck cancer diagnosis. Of the total, 851 (42.6%) were reassured and discharged after one clinic appointment; 536 (26.8%) were followed up for suspected benign pathology and 436 (21.8%) were actively investigated for cancer. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients attending urgent suspicion of cancer clinic appointments can be seen and discharged in one clinic appointment, provided there is same day imaging available. Cancer identification rates through urgent suspicion of cancer pathways remain low.

Cochlear patency following translabyrinthine vestibular schwannoma resection: implications for hearing rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine when cochlear fibrosis occurs following a translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection, and to determine the safest time window for potential cochlear implantation in cases with a preserved cochlear nerve. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the post-operative magnetic resonance imaging scans of patients undergoing a translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection, assessing the fluid signal within the cochlea. Cochleae were graded based on the Isaacson et al. system (from grade 0 - no obstruction, to grade 4 - complete obliteration). RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The cochleae showed no evidence of obliteration in: 75 per cent of patients at six months, 38.5 per cent at one year and 27 per cent beyond one year. Most changes happened between 6 and 12 months after vestibular schwannoma resection, with cases of an unobstructed cochlear decreasing dramatically, from 75 per cent to 38.5 per cent, within this time. CONCLUSION: The progress of cochlear obliteration that occurred between 6 and 12 months following vestibular schwannoma resection indicates that the first 6 months provides a safer time window for cochlear patency.

The value of chest X-ray in the Scottish Referral Guidelines for suspected head and neck cancer in 2144 patients.

OBJECTIVE: In Scotland, patients with suspected head and neck cancer are referred on the basis of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, rather than the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. A chest X-ray should be requested by the general practitioner at the same time as referral for persistent hoarseness. The evidence for this is level 4. METHODS: This audit identified adherence to this recommendation and X-ray results. All 'urgent suspicion of cancer' referrals to the ENT department in the National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde for 2015-2016 were audited. RESULTS: Persistent hoarseness for more than 3 weeks instigated referral in 318 patients (15.7 per cent). Chest X-ray was performed in 120 patients (38 per cent), which showed: no abnormality in 116 (96.7 per cent), features of infection in 2 (1.7 per cent) and something else in 2 patients (1.7 per cent). No chest X-ray altered the management of a patient. CONCLUSION: Performance of chest X-ray does not alter management and its removal from the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer is recommended.