BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major complication after radical neck dissection (RND) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). We investigated the incidence, risk factors, and etiology of SSI among patients who underwent RND. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on HNC patients, excluding those with thyroid cancer, who underwent first RND at a teaching hospital between January 2006 and June 2010. Medical records were collected and analyzed to evaluate the risk factors and microbiological etiologies. RESULTS: A total of 370 patients underwent first RND. The overall incidence of SSI was 19.7% (73/370). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 4.281; p = 0.004), cardiovascular diseases (OR, 1.941; p = 0.020), large amount of blood loss during surgery (OR, 4.213; p = 0.001), and surgery lasting longer than 6 hours (OR, 4.213; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with SSI. The most common causative pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (32.6%), and 93.2% of S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant. Klebsiella pneumoniae (13/92, 14.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11/92, 12.0%), and Enterococcus species (11/92, 12.0%) were also frequently detected. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we predict that certain groups of patients are at high risk for SSIs after major HNC surgery. Preventive measures or close monitoring in these patients may be required to reduce the likelihood of postoperative SSIs. Furthermore, even though additional research is required, we would consider changing the prophylactic antibiotic regimens according to the causative organisms.
Aged ; Bacteriological Techniques ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Cardiovascular Diseases/complications ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/*surgery ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Records ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neck Dissection/*adverse effects ; Odds Ratio ; Operative Time ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Surgical Wound Infection/diagnosis/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Treatment Outcome

Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is a rare low-grade malignant neoplasm derived from the eccrine glands. PCMC most commonly arises in the head and neck, with the eyelid being the most common site of origin. This case report describes a 51-year-old male with a painless, pigmented superficial nodular lesion over his right lower eyelid. The lesion was considered to be benign, and the initial treatment was simple excision with a 3-mm margin. However, histologic examination revealed the diagnosis of PCMC, and the patient underwent re-excision of the tumor site with an additional 3-mm margin from the initial scar. Histologic study of this second margin was free of any malignant cells. The patient experienced no postoperative complication or recurrence after 2 years. In our case, the skin lesion had benign morphologic findings and was strongly suspected to be a benign mass. Physicians should be aware of this tumor and be able to differentiate it from benign cystic or solid eyelid lesions.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Eccrine Glands ; Eyelids* ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins* ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is a rare low-grade malignant neoplasm derived from the eccrine glands. PCMC most commonly arises in the head and neck, with the eyelid being the most common site of origin. This case report describes a 51-year-old male with a painless, pigmented superficial nodular lesion over his right lower eyelid. The lesion was considered to be benign, and the initial treatment was simple excision with a 3-mm margin. However, histologic examination revealed the diagnosis of PCMC, and the patient underwent re-excision of the tumor site with an additional 3-mm margin from the initial scar. Histologic study of this second margin was free of any malignant cells. The patient experienced no postoperative complication or recurrence after 2 years. In our case, the skin lesion had benign morphologic findings and was strongly suspected to be a benign mass. Physicians should be aware of this tumor and be able to differentiate it from benign cystic or solid eyelid lesions.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Eccrine Glands ; Eyelids* ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins* ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate specific dysphagia patterns and to identify the factors affecting dysphagia, especially aspiration, following treatment of head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 57 patients was performed. Dysphagia was evaluated using a modified barium swallow (MBS) test. The MBS results were rated on the 8-point penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and swallowing performance status (SPS) score. RESULTS: Reduced base of the tongue (BOT) retraction (64.9%), reduced laryngeal elevation (57.9%), and cricopharyngeus (CP) dysfunction (47.4%) were found. Reduced BOT retraction was correlated with clinical stage (p=0.011) and treatment modality (p=0.001). Aspiration in 42.1% and penetration in 33.3% of patients were observed. Twenty-four patients had PAS values over 6, implying aspiration. Forty-one patients had a SPS score of more than 3, 25 patients had a score greater than 5, and 13 patients had a SPS score of more than 7. Aspiration was found more often in patients with penetration (p=0.002) and in older patients (p=0.026). In older patients, abnormal swallowing caused aspiration even in those with a SPS score of more than 3, irrespective of stage or treatment, contrary to younger patients. Tube feeders (n=20) exhibited older age (65.0%), dysphagia/aspiration related structures (DARS) primaries (75.0%), higher stage disease (66.7%), and a history of radiotherapy (68.8%). CONCLUSION: Reduced BOT retraction was the most common dysphagia pattern and was correlated with clinical stage and treatment regimens including radiotherapy. Aspiration was more frequent in patients who had penetration and in older patients. In contrast to younger patients, older patients showed greater risk of aspiration even with a single abnormal swallowing irrespective of stage or treatment.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Barium Sulfate ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Contrast Media ; Deglutition ; *Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications/*radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Respiratory Aspiration/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Vasculopathy is rarely reported in neurofibromatosis type 1, but when it occurs it primarily involves the aorta and its main branches. Among vasculopathies, aneurysmal dilatation is the most common form. Although several case reports concerning aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms of visceral arteries in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients have been reported, there are no reports describing gastroduodenal artery aneurysms associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. We experienced a case of life-threatening duodenal ulcer bleeding from a ruptured gastroduodenal artery aneurysm associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. We treated our patient by transarterial embolization after initial endoscopic hemostasis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its type. High levels of suspicion and prompt diagnosis are required to select appropriate treatment options for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Embolization of the involved arteries should be considered an essential treatment over endoscopic hemostasis alone to achieve complete hemostasis and to prevent rebleeding.
Adult ; Aneurysm/*diagnosis/etiology ; Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gastroscopy ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications/*diagnosis ; Hepatic Artery/diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1/complications/*diagnosis ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/*etiology ; Radiography

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: In treating schwannoma patients, it is critical to determine the origin of the tumor to preserve nerve function. We evaluated the validity of preoperative imaging studies in distinguishing the neurological origin of the schwannomas of the head and neck, and the efficacy of intracapsular enucleation in preserving nerve function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 7 cases of schwannomas in the head and neck region, we predicted whether the tumor originated from the vagus nerve or the cervical sympathetic chain through imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients were performed intracapsular enucleation, and the function of the vagus nerve and the sympathetic nerve was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative imaging studies showed 6 cases where the tumor was located between the carotid artery and the internal jugular vein, and 1 case where the tumor was located posteriorly, displacing the carotid artery and the internal jugular vein anteriorly. At the time of operation, we confirmed schwannoma originating from the vagus nerve on the first 6 cases, and schwannoma originating from the sympathetic nervous system on the last case. All patients went through successful intracapsular enucleation, and of the seven schwannoma cases, 6 patients maintained normal postoperative neurological function (85.7%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative imaging studies offer valuable information regarding the location and origination of the tumor, and intracapsular enucleation helped us to preserve the nerve function.
Aged ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis/*pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma/complications/diagnosis/*pathology ; Peripheral Nervous System/injuries/physiology ; Sympathetic Nervous System/physiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Vagus Nerve/physiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAmyloid deposition is rare. If there was a great amount of amyloid depositions in the skin tissue, it would be considered to be amyloid deposition disease at first, and then primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZL). This study was to analyze the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of two cases of PCMZL with amyloid deposition.

METHODSClinicopathologic characteristics and follow-up of two cases of PCMZL were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by EnVision method using antibodies LCA, CD19, CD20, CD79a, CD3, CD7, MUM1, kappa, lambda, Ki-67. IgH and TCRgamma gene rearrangement was detected by polymerase chain reactive (PCR).

RESULTSCase 1, a 71-year-old Chinese male, had a subcutaneous mass on the right elbow that was initially diagnosed with "amyloidosis" in 2004. Three years after the initial diagnosis, he developed recurrences on the right para-auxillary that was still diagnosed with "probably amyloidosis". Four years after the first diagnosis, the patient presented a lesion on the right para-auxillary with a diameter of 2 cm and a lesion on the temporal-parietal dural with a size of 6.0 cmx3.0 cmx3.0 cm. Case 2, a 68-year-old Chinese male, had a subcutaneous mass next to back of the left ear with a size of 9.0 cmx5.0 cm, and he underwent a operation one year previously because of subcutaneous mass in the same site. Microscopically, the tumors of both cases were located in dermis and subcutaneous, tumor cells were medium size with a nodular or diffuse distribution, and some of tumor cells were plasmacytoid/plasma cells. Morphologically, the temporal-parietal dural lesion was similar to subcutaneous lesion and infiltrated into cranial (case 1). Juxtaposed the tumor cells of two cases, there were the large amyloid deposits of amorphous hyaline material and concentrically laminated hyaline spherules in case 1, while cord-like amyloid deposits in case 2. Reactive lymphoid follicles with germinal centers and foreign body giant cells in the stroma were found surrounding the amyloid deposits. Congo red staining showed positive of amyloid deposition in tumor tissues of both cases. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that LCA, CD19, CD20, CD79a and MUM1 expressions were positive in tumor cells, and Ki-67 expression was about 8%-10%. IgL restricted expression as kappa positive while lambda negative was found in both cases. PCR results showed monoclone gene rearrangement of IgH gene in both cases.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that amyloid deposition rarely present in both primary and metastatic tumors in PCMZL, and its diagnosis should be considered to avoid misdiagnosis. The patients with PCMZL should undergo regular examinations and chemotherapy as well as a long-term follow-up since it is apt to recur or relapse.

Aged ; Amyloidosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Skin Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

Teratomas comprise the most common extragonadal germ cell tumors in childhood. Most teratomas involving the thyroid are benign and occur in children. However, the adult cases reported are mostly malignant and commonly arise in the thyroid. We report a case of a 31-yr-old female with a huge neck mass. Pathologic examination revealed it to be malignant teratoma composed of primitive neuroepithelial tissue with primitive neural tubes and loose myxoid to fibrous immature mesenchymal stroma. The patient underwent extensive evaluation of the thyroid gland with computed tomography (CT) scan and positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which revealed no evidence of metastatic disease. She underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral modified radical neck dissection, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At 22-months of follow-up, the patient has remained euthyroid and showed no evidence of recurrence. This is the first case, to our knowledge, of malignant thyroid teratoma with a exuberant primitive neuroectodermal tumor component in Korea.
Adult ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/*complications/diagnosis/*pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods ; Teratoma/*complications/diagnosis/*pathology ; Thyroid Diseases/diagnosis ; Thyroid Gland/*pathology ; Thyroidectomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Pancreatoduodenectomy is a common procedure for periampullary cancer, but pancreatic leakage is the most dreaded complication after pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the level of amylase in the drain fluid and the level of development of the complications that are related to pancreatic leakage after pancreatoduodenectomy. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy by two surgeons between January 1998 and August 2002 were evaluated retrospectively. A pancreaticojeunotomy was performed by intussuscepting end-to-end anastomosis with an internal stent. Amylase level of the drain fluid was checked every 2 days (postoperative 1, 3, 5, 7 day). Synthetic somatostatin was infused postoperatively for 7 days. RESULTS: The mean age of the 51 patients was 64.8 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.4: 1. The classification by pathologic diagnoses were 20 cases of common bile duct cancer (39%), 19 cases of pancreas head cancer (38%), 6 cases of chronic pancreatitis (12%), 4 cases of ampullar of Vater cancer (8%), and 2 cases of duodenal cancer (4%). There were 24 (47%) postoperative complications. Of these complications, the most occurring complication was the 5 (10%) cases of delayed gastric emptying. The other complications were 4 (8%) cases of pancreaticojejunostomy leakage, 4 (8%) cases of intraabdominal abscess, wound infection, and pulmonary complications. The patients were divided into a complication group related to pancreatic leakage and a non-complication group. There were 14 cases allocated to the complication group, and 37 cases were allocated to the non-complication group. The level of amylase in the drain fluid was higher in the complication group (P<0.05). Four cases of pancreaticojejunostomy leakage developed after pancreatoduodenectomy. All cases had symptoms of high fever, leukocytosis, and abdominal tenderness. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of complications related to pancreaticojejunostomy leakage is suspected if the level of amylase in the drain fluid is higher than the normal serum amylase level after 5 days post operation, and fever, leukocytosis, or abdominal tenderness were the typical complication symptoms.
Abscess ; Amylases* ; Classification ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis* ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; Female ; Fever ; Gastric Emptying ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Pancreas ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy* ; Pancreaticojejunostomy ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Somatostatin ; Stents ; Wound Infection