Invasive basosquamous cell carcinoma of the head treated with wide excision and reconstruction with fascia lata graft and two muscle flaps. Case report

Abstract

Background: Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a variant of basal cell carcinoma subtype that is locally aggressive with high tendency for recurrence and metastasis and a poor prognosis. Up to 95% are located in head and neck area. Treatment for invasive BSC with aggressive growth pattern is wide excision and reconstruction. Complex defects require free tissue transfer to protect underlying structures and to sustain the adjuvant radiotherapy. Case report: A 57 year-old male presented with ulcerated, bleeding tumors in frontal and periauricular area, identified as BSC on biopsy. CT-scan revealed contact to dura mater. Wide excision included frontal bone and dura mater, frontal sinus, lateral orbital wall and exenteration, ear en-bloc with parotid gland. Dura mater was replaced with fascia lata graft, frontal sinus was filled with pedicled temporalis muscle and 20/25 cm soft tissue defect was covered with free Latissimus dorsi muscle anastomosed to superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein branch, respectively. The muscle was skin grafted 14 days later. Results: Postoperative recovery was complicated: cerebrospinal fluid leak, extradural hematoma, posthemorrhagic anemia, pneumonia, and withdrawal syndrome, remitted under specific treatment. Muscle flap survived entirely with skin graft fully integrated. Positive margins on dura mater and mastoid bone required radiotherapy. Conclusions: Wide excision of head invasive BSC resulted in complex defect reconstructed with fascia lata graft, temporalis muscle and Latissimus dorsi free flap grafted secondarily. Short-term evaluation showed no recurrence and good life-quality; follow-up is needed to evaluate long-term results. Interdisciplinary approach is the key for patient’s successful treatment.