OBJECTIVE The optimal type of neck dissection in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with clinical cervical metastases has not been determined. The following study was performed to determine the rate of regional control with selective neck dissection (SND) in these patients. STUDY DESIGN Case series with planned data collection. SETTING Single institution, cancer center. METHODS A...

BACKGROUND The neck dissection has remained a pivotal aspect of head and neck cancer management for over a century. During this time its role has expanded from a purely therapeutic option into an elective setting, in part promoted by efforts to reduce its morbidity. OBJECTIVES This review will consider the potential complications of neck dissection and on the basis of the available evidence d...

BACKGROUND In squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, when lesions reach or cross the midline, there is a higher risk of contralateral nodal metastasis. Identifying factors that are associated with higher risk of nodal metastasis may help in optimizing the treatment. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue who had undergone bila...

BACKGROUND Facial node involvement in head and neck cancer is rarely documented. Furthermore, facial node removal may increase the risk of damage to the marginal mandibular nerve. Thus, although they may receive afferent lymphatic drainage from the oral cavity, facial nodes are rarely removed during neck dissection. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 29 patients with oral cavi...

BACKGROUND The aim of this economic analysis was to model different strategies using pre-treatment nodal stage or nodal response assessment with CT or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT to determine the need for neck dissection. METHODS A cost-minimization analysis was developed on the basis of probability data from a prospective study of PET-guided management of the neck in patients achie...

UNLABELLED In squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, staging of the neck cannot rule out occult metastatic disease. An improved staging is necessary to avoid elective neck dissection in patients staged as N0. The study was performed to determine the feasibility of the detection of occult metastatic disease by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (USgFNAC) of sentinel lymph n...

BACKGROUND The goal of the current study was to assess the rates of recurrence in the neck for patients with lymph node-positive human papillomavirus-associated cancer of the oropharynx who were treated with definitive radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy). METHODS This is a single-institution retrospective study. Methodology included database search, and statistical testing including f...

Results Reoperations covered I-VII neck levels. Radical neck dissection was performed in 20 patients, selective neck dissection (SND) in 31 patients. These included 16 central compartment (CC) and 10 mediastinal excisions. Postoperative complications were stated in 13 patients: 4 chyle leaks, 3 massive bleedings, 8 injuries of RLN, hypoparathyroidism in 22 patients, 2 patients died in periopera...

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that salvage treatment may be effective for early tongue carcinoma with nodal failures after watchful waiting policy. We wanted to assess the efficacy of salvage neck dissection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with pT1 and pT2 oral tongue cancer who underwent partial glossectomy without any neck surgery and determined the survi...

BACKGROUND Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a rare but devastating complication of surgery. It has traditionally been associated with intraoperative hypotension in patients with underlying arteriosclerosis. METHODS We present a case of ION following bilateral neck dissections in which there was minimal intraoperative hypotension and preservation of both internal jugular veins. The potential...