Head and Neck

Double deep inferior epigastric arteries encountered during vertical rectus abdominis flap harvest: A case report and literature review

June 11, 2013     Thomas K. Chung, MA; Keith Wilson, MD; and Yash J. Patil, MD
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Abstract

The rectus abdominis flap offers a number of advantages over other flaps used in head and neck reconstruction. The flap can be harvested by a separate team and can be tailored to include skin, muscle, and fat. In addition, the available vascular pedicle is long and its large caliber provides an appropriate size match with recipient neck vessels. Central to reconstructive success is defining an arterial and venous pedicle that provides balanced perfusion to all components of the flap. Anomalous vascular anatomy presents principal challenges in reestablishing free flap perfusion. We present a case of double, right deep inferior epigastric arteries encountered during vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the tongue and floor of the mouth and discuss the clinical outcomes of this reconstruction.

Giant cell tumor of the larynx: A case of malignant sarcomatous transformation

June 11, 2013     Richard J. Vivero, MD; Sandeep P. Dave, MD; Carmen R. Gomez, MD; and Donald T. Weed, MD
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Abstract

We report what is to the best of our knowledge the first case of malignant transformation of a giant cell tumor of the larynx. The patient, a 34-year-old man, presented to our tertiary care university teaching hospital where he underwent hemilaryngopharyngectomy with radial forearm free flap reconstruction and 11 of 15 cycles of chemotherapy. He remained disease-free at approximately 6 years and 4 months of follow-up. The patient is decannulated and continues to have a good voice with excellent quality of life to this day. We discuss the patient's clinical course and subsequent treatment within the context of a review of the current literature regarding this disease entity. Our experience demonstrates that giant cell tumor of the larynx may present as a malignant neoplasm without adversely affecting the patient's prognosis when treated aggressively with surgical resection and adjunct chemotherapy.

Previous presentation: The information in this article has been updated from its original presentation as a poster at The Triologic Society's Combined Southern and Middle Sections Meeting; January 8-11, 2009; Bonita Springs, Fla.

Facial nerve preservation in total parotidectomy for parotid tumors: A review of 27 cases

June 11, 2013     Soliman El-Shakhs, MD; Yaser Khalil, MD; and Asmaa Gaber Abdou, MD
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Abstract

We conducted a study to evaluate the success of facial nerve preservation in 27 adults with a parotid tumor who underwent total parotidectomy. Of this group, 11 patients had a malignant tumor, 10 had a recurrent benign tumor, and 6 had a primary benign tumor. Preoperatively, 7 patients had facial nerve paresis. Postoperatively, facial nerve preservation was achieved in all but 1 case; in the exception, the nerve was sacrificed and grafting was necessary. In conclusion, facial nerve preservation can be achieved in almost all cases of total parotidectomy.

Metastatic choriocarcinoma: A rare presentation as a neck mass

June 11, 2013     Hilmi Alper Senkal, MD; Taner Yilmaz, MD; and Ahmet Bulent Sozeri, MD
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Abstract

Testicular carcinoma metastatic to the neck is rare. Even more rare is a finding of choriocarcinoma as a neck mass without any sign of a primary testicular tumor, as only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We describe a new case that occurred in a 29-year-old man who presented with a neck mass. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy identified the tumor as a malignant epithelial neoplasm. Radiologic findings indicated the presence of a systemic metastasis of a tumor to the chest and abdomen, as well as the neck. Findings on an incisional biopsy of the neck mass were consistent with a choriocarcinoma. The testicles were normal on palpation and ultrasonography. The patient was diagnosed with metastatic choriocarcinoma with an unknown primary, and he was started on chemotherapy. On the second day of treatment, which was 25 days after his referral to our clinic, he died of respiratory insufficiency.

Oral hairy leukoplakia in an HIV- negative patient

June 11, 2013     Evan M. Graboyes, MD; Clint T. Allen, MD; Rebecca D. Chernock, MD; and Jason A. Diaz, MD
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Abstract

We report the case of a 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who was found to have oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL). She was on immunosuppressive therapy but was human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative. OHL has been previously reported in HIV-negative patients who were immunosuppressed for other reasons, such as solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hematologic malignancies, or systemic diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of OHL in an HIV-negative patient reported in the otolaryngology literature. It adds to the growing list of cases of OHL in HIV-negative patients and serves as a reminder to physicians to include OHL in the differential diagnosis for oral cavity lesions in all immunosuppressed patients. The article also summarizes the current state of knowledge about the pathogenesis of OHL, its relation to the Epstein-Barr virus, and the treatment options.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of neonatal suppurative parotitis: A report of two cases and review of the literature

June 11, 2013     Sean T. Donovan, MD; Grant T. Rohman, MD; John P. Selph, MD; Roy Rajan, MD; Rosemary M. Stocks, MD; and Jerome W. Thompson, MD, MBA
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Abstract

Suppurative parotitis is an uncommon entity identified in newborns. While Staphylococcus aureus has been frequently identified as the causative pathogen among the few patients diagnosed with neonatal suppurative parotitis (NSP), there has only been one prior case described in the literature that was due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Because of its virulence, MRSA presents new and substantial challenges for the surgeon; we describe two cases of NSP caused by MRSA and the subsequent surgical intervention necessitated for cure. We also include a review of all cases of NSP described in the English-language literature.

Letters to the Editor

June 11, 2013    
article

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in a child with upper airway compromise and spontaneous periorbital bruising

June 11, 2013     Jay Goswamy, MRCS, DOHNS; Rohini Aggarwal, FRCS(ORL-HNS); Iain A. Bruce, MD, FRCS(ORL-HNS); and Michael P. Rothera, FRCS
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Abstract

A hemangioma that rapidly increases in size has the potential to trap platelets and cause a consumptive coagulopathy. We describe the case of an 18-week-old boy who was brought to a local emergency department with ecchymosis on his nasal bridge and medial epicanthi, as well as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. He was noted to be anemic and thrombocytopenic. Packed red blood cells and platelets were transfused. However, despite hematologic correction, the ecchymosis and petechiae worsened, and a mass became evident in the right posterior triangle of the patient's neck. Computed tomography demonstrated a lobular soft-tissue-density mass in the right posterior triangle that extended to the level of the skull base. Histologic analysis of a biopsy specimen revealed that the lesion was a giant kaposiform hemangioma. The patient was diagnosed with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and prednisolone was commenced as a first-line treatment. However, the mass continued to grow, resulting in inspiratory stridor. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed encroachment into the thecal sac and compression of the spinal cord. The lesion was embolized, and vincristine therapy was commenced. Following a second embolization, the size of the lesion decreased and no further blood products were required. The hemangioma was deemed to be unresectable. The successful treatment in this case was dependent on the maintenance of hemostasis, the initial medical treatment with a corticosteroid, repeat embolization, and longer-term control with vincristine.

Intraparotid neurofibromatosis presenting with multiple nodules

June 11, 2013     Ryan F. Osborne, MD, FACS; Jason S. Hamilton, MD, FACS; and Reena Gupta, MD, FACS
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Often asymptomatic initially, neurofibromas may cause pain, weakness, and numbness as they grow as a result of compression of the underlying nerve fascicles.

Huge hibernoma of the neck with extension into the mediastinum

April 17, 2013     Ramanuj Sinha, MS, DNB; Saumik Das, MS, DNB; Pranabashish Banerjee, MS, MRCS; Atish Halder, DLO, MS; Mainak Dutta, MS
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Abstract

Hibernomas are benign tumors made up of brown fat. They are rarely encountered in otolaryngologic clinical practice, as they are usually located in the interscapular area, axilla, thigh, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. We report an extremely rare case of a very large hibernoma in a 45-year-old man who presented with a 4-year history of neck swelling. Radioimaging was suggestive of a mass in both parapharyngeal spaces; the lesion was more prominent on the left side. The mass extended from C2 into the retropharyngeal space and superior mediastinum. Fine-needle aspiration cytology failed to yield a diagnosis. On surgical exploration, a tumor measuring 17 x 16 x 5 cm was removed and sent for histopathologic examination. Light microscopy was suggestive of a hibernoma. Staining with oil red O confirmed the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, a large hibernoma with such massive extension has not been previously reported in the literature.

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the thyroid gland: Case report and review

April 17, 2013     Magdalena Chirila, MD, PhD; Mihaela Muresan, MD; Elisabeta Ciuleanu, MD, PhD; and Marcel Cosgarea, MD, PhD
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Abstract

The Ewing family of tumors and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) represent different manifestations of the same entity. Immunohistochemical and cytogenetic studies suggest that these tumors have a common origin. Ewing sarcoma is more common in bone, while pPNET is more common in soft tissues. Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (EoES) is rare. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with acute obstructive respiratory failure secondary to a large thyroid swelling. The patient was initially diagnosed with giant B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and treated with chemotherapy. However, subsequent immunohistochemical staining of biopsy specimens revealed that the patient actually had EoES/pPNET of the thyroid gland. We performed a nearly complete surgical resection of the tumor plus a total laryngectomy and resection of five tracheal rings. However, the patient died of a cerebral metastasis 1 month later after he had completed one cycle of postoperative chemotherapy.

Giant jugular foramen tumor

April 17, 2013     Wen-Sen Lai, MD; Jih-Chin Lee, MD; Chih-Hung Wang, MD, PhD; Yueng-Hsiang Chu, MD, PhD
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Jugular foramen syndrome is characterized by unilateral paralysis of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves, which emerge in a line from the medulla oblongata and then run at the lateral part of the jugular foramen, where they leave the posterior cranial fossa.

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