Block Dissection Research Articles

The surgery of 'inguino-femoral' lymph nodes: is it adequate or excessive?

In the management of women with any but the earliest vulval carcinoma, the received surgical dogma is that there should be complete removal of all potentially involved lymph nodes in the groin (distal to the inguinal ligament). Traditionally, this has included stripping bare the femoral vessels after unroofing the deep fascia in the proximal thigh (Hunter's canal), although currently a number of surgeons carrying out block dissection of the groin would be less radical. The morbidity of the more extensive block dissection is important, and the need for a procedure of this magnitude has been challenged on the basis that a deep node chain does not extend more distally than the sapheno-femoral junction. This study examined possible reasons for this important difference of opinion. In 20 targeted anatomical groin dissections from cadavers, no nodes were identified deep to the deep fascia distal to saphenous opening. However, in the cribriform fascia covering the saphenous opening, some nodes of the superficial group were found within fenestrations of this fascia, which might account for the historic descriptions of deep femoral nodes distal to the sapheno-femoral junction. This finding also suggested that an inguinal lymphadenectomy confined to the superficial fascia may fail to include all those nodes normally regarded as being in the superficial inguinal group. Together, these findings also lend support to the contention that neither the removal of deep fascia in the femoral triangle nor its incision, with consequent stripping of the femoral vessels in the thigh, is normally necessary in a radical groin node dissection.

The surgery of ‘inguino-femoral’ lymph nodes: is it adequate or excessive?

In the management of women with any but the earliest vulval carcinoma, the received surgical dogma is that there should be complete removal of all potentially involved lymph nodes in the groin (distal to the inguinal ligament). Traditionally, this has included stripping bare the femoral vessels after unroofing the deep fascia in the proximal thigh (Hunter's canal), although currently a number of surgeons carrying out block dissection of the groin would be less radical. The morbidity of the more extensive block dissection is important, and the need for a procedure of this magnitude has been challenged on the basis that a deep node chain does not extend more distally than the sapheno-femoral junction. This study examined possible reasons for this important difference of opinion. In 20 targeted anatomical groin dissections from cadavers, no nodes were identified deep to the deep fascia distal to saphenous opening. However, in the cribriform fascia covering the saphenous opening, some nodes of the superficial group were found within fenestrations of this fascia, which might account for the historic descriptions of deep femoral nodes distal to the sapheno-femoral junction. This finding also suggested that an inguinal lymphadenectomy confined to the superficial fascia may fail to include all those nodes normally regarded as being in the superficial inguinal group. Together, these findings also lend support to the contention that neither the removal of deep fascia in the femoral triangle nor its incision, with consequent stripping of the femoral vessels in the thigh, is normally necessary in a radical groin node dissection.

Total mesorectal excision results in low local recurrence rates in lymph node-positive rectal cancer.

Most series report lymph node involvement as the main predictor for local recurrence. The principal lymphatic drainage of the rectum is to nodes in the mesorectum and then nodes along the superior rectal and inferior mesenteric arteries. If total mesorectal excision provides adequate block dissection of the lymphatics of the rectum, good local control with low rates of local recurrence should be achieved even in node-positive disease. Prospective data on all rectal cancers have been collected since 1978; 170 patients with Dukes C rectal cancer have undergone anterior resection and total mesorectal excision. We did not perform any internal iliac node dissections. Follow-up data were analyzed for local recurrence and distant recurrence. The local recurrence rate was 2 percent for Dukes A cases, 4 percent for Dukes B, and 7.5 percent for Dukes C ( P = 0.0127). The systemic recurrence rate was 8 percent for Dukes A, 18 percent for Dukes B, and 37 percent for Dukes C ( P = 0.0001). If surgical priority is given to the difficult task of excision of the whole mesorectum, anterior resection with total mesorectal excision in node-positive rectal cancer, local recurrence rates of < 10 percent can be achieved.

Some cases of severe post-mastectomy pain syndrome may be caused by an axillary haematoma

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is experienced by 20–65% of patients who undergo breast surgery for cancer. The etiology of this chronic neuropathic pain syndrome is unclear and most likely multi-factorial. Symptoms may be mild, not requiring treatment, or severe, considerably restricting quality of life. The effectiveness of available pharmacological and pain management therapies is unknown. Certainly, some women remain under-treated with poor pain control. We report three women undergoing wide local excision for cancer of the breast and block dissection of axillary lymph nodes who subsequently developed severe PMPS. In these cases the symptoms were completely relieved by the aspiration or formal drainage of an encapsulated haematoma in the axilla. The removal of a minimal amount of blood brought instant improvement suggesting that pressure within the haematoma could be an etiological factor. An axillary haematoma, which may not be clinically obvious, should be considered as a possible cause of PMPS.

Total Mesorectal Excision Results in Low Local Recurrence Rates in Lymph Node-Positive Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE:: Most series report lymph node involvement as the main predictor for local recurrence. The principal lymphatic drainage of the rectum is to nodes in the mesorectum and then nodes along the superior rectal and inferior mesenteric arteries. If total mesorectal excision provides adequate block dissection of the lymphatics of the rectum, good local control with low rates of local recurrence should be achieved even in node-positive disease. METHODS:: Prospective data on all rectal cancers have been collected since 1978; 170 patients with Dukes C rectal cancer have undergone anterior resection and total mesorectal excision. We did not perform any internal iliac node dissections. Follow-up data were analyzed for local recurrence and distant recurrence. RESULTS:: The local recurrence rate was 2 percent for Dukes A cases, 4 percent for Dukes B, and 7.5 percent for Dukes C (P= 0.0127). The systemic recurrence rate was 8 percent for Dukes A, 18 percent for Dukes B, and 37 percent for Dukes C (P= 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:: If surgical priority is given to the difficult task of excision of the whole mesorectum, anterior resection with total mesorectal excision in node-positive rectal cancer, local recurrence rates of < 10 percent can be achieved.

Block dissection of inguinofemoral lymph nodes using separate "S" incision in surgical treatment of vulvar carcinoma

Vulvar carcinomas account for almost 3-5% of all malignant tumors of the female genital organs. The primary therapeutic approach is surgical in all cases. Since 1994, we have used a separate "S" incision for inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy in the treatment of invasive vulvar carcinoma. In the period from 1985 to 2003, 46 patients with invasive forms of vulvar carcinoma were operated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Novi Sad. Inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy was performed in 37 (84.4%) patients. During 1994, a wide "block" dissection of the vulva, mons pubis and inguinal area of a "butterfly" shape was performed, whereas during the following period, the operative area was reduced by application of separate inguinal "S" incisions leaving a tissue bridge in between. There were 5 patients with stage I, 1 with stage II and 4 with stage III carcinoma. By applying the technique of two separate inguinal "S" incisions we achieved shortening the intrahospital postoperative period to 14 days and reduction of the risk of wound dehiscence and postoperative complications in the period following 1994.

The impact of involvement of biomedical scientists in specimen dissection and selection of blocks for histopathology: a study of time benefits and specimen handling quality in Ayrshire and Arran area laboratory

Aims: To assess possible time benefits of specimen dissection by biomedical scientists (BMSs) and the quality of specimen handling by BMSs, in a department where BMSs trim those specimens requiring...

Clinical significance of sentinel lymph node involvement in malignant melanoma.

In the period 1997-2002, sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery was performed on 179 primary skin melanoma patients, one to two months after the removal of the primary. Staining with patent blue was combined with an isotope technique. Histological evaluation of the sentinel lymph nodes was performed in serial sections. Immunohistochemical detection of S100, HMB-45, or Melan-A was used in the case of suspected micrometastases. Demonstration of positive sentinel lymph node was followed, preferably within 2-3 weeks, by regional block dissection. In these cases interferon-a2 in low doses or BCG immune therapy were applied as adjuvant therapy. Bimonthly follow-up of the patients included physical examination and the use of imaging techniques as specified in the melanoma protocol. Sentinel lymph node surgery was successful in 177/179 cases (98%). Positive sentinel lymph node was identified in 26/177 patients (14.7%). In node positive patients the thickness of the primary tumour was significantly greater than that of node negative ones (p<0.00001). Patients with micrometastases had significantly poorer symptom-free and overall survival by the Mantel-Cox test than those of the other group (p=0.0001 and p=0.0007 respectively). Comparison of the tumor thickness and positive SLN by discriminance analysis, yielded 81.7% and 79.9%, respectively for correct classification rates. Based on our study and data from the literature, we suggest SLN-positivity as equally strong poor prognosis factor for skin melanoma as the tumor thickness.

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid in a 10-year-old child

Thyroid carcinomas are relatively infrequent in the pediatric age group, the majority of which are papillary carcinomas. Poorly differentiated carcinomas are very rare in this age group. Insular carcinoma is a unique subset of poorly differentiated carcinoma of thyroid, which occurs predominantly in adults older than 50 years. In terms of prognosis, insular carcinoma of thyroid occupies a place in between that of well-differentiated papillary/follicular carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma. The authors describe a case of insular carcinoma of thyroid in a 10-year-old girl who underwent hemithyroidectomy based on a preoperative diagnosis (by fine-needle aspiration cytology) of colloid goiter, and after histopathologic diagnosis of the specimen, a completion thyroidectomy was performed with block dissection of the neck. The authors believe this to be the youngest case of insular carcinoma of thyroid to be reported.

Report on clinical observations obtained with sentinel lymph node surgery in malignant melanoma and during their follow-up at the Department of Dermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest

Report on clinical observations obtained with sentinel lymph node surgery for malignant melanoma and during follow-up at the Department of Dermatology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest. In the period from November, 1997 to September, 2002, the above surgical intervention was made with 179 patients having primary tumour, one to two months after primary tumour removal. Staining with patent blue was combined with isotope technique. The primary melanoma and the pertaining sentinel lymph node(s) were removed. Histological evaluation of the sentinel lymph nodes was performed in serial sections. Immunohistochemical detection of S100, HMB-45, or Melan-A was used in the case of suspected micrometastases. Demonstration of positive sentinel lymph nodes was followed, preferably within 2-3 weeks, by regional block dissection. Interferon in low doses or BCG immune therapy were applied as adjuvant therapy. Bimonthly follow-up of the patients included physical examination and the use of imaging techniques as specified in the melanoma protocol. Sentinel lymph node surgery was successful in 177/179 cases (98%). Positive sentinel lymph node was identified in 26/177 patients (14%). In node positive patients the thickness of the primary tumour was significantly greater than that of node negative ones (p<0.0000). Patients with micrometastases had significantly poorer symptom-free and overall survival by the Mantel-Cox test than those of the other group (p=0.0001 and p=0.0007, respectively). In the discriminance analysis of our data, the discriminant function established from tumour thickness yielded 81.7% and the positivity of sentinel lymph nodes 79.9% correct classification rates. In good harmony with literature data, positive sentinel lymph node(s) were found in the case of thicker tumours. The involvement of sentinel lymph node indicated a significantly poorer prognosis.

Allergic reaction to nanocolloid during lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node biopsy

Editor—We read with interest the case report by Stefanutto and colleagues,1Stefanutto TB Shapiro WA Wright PMC Anaphylactactic reaction to isosulphan blue.Br J Anaesth. 2002; 89: 527-528Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar concerning an anaphylactic reaction to isosulphan blue dye during routine sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast surgery. We agree that anaesthetists must be aware of the potential serious risks of anaphylaxis in this group of patients. However, this is not a new finding; anaphylaxis to the blue dye has been well documented.2Cashman JN Editorial—Sentinel lymph node biopsy: anaesthetic implications.Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2001; 18: 273-276Crossref PubMed Google Scholar We would like to add a further potential area of concern that was highlighted recently in a patient, of what appears to be an allergic reaction to technetium99m nanocolloid during lymphoscintigraphy. The patient, a 31-yr-old male weighing 75 kg, was admitted to hospital after previous removal of a malignant melanoma (Breslow thickness 1 mm) from over his left scapula, for further wide local excision, lymphoscintigraphy, and sentinel node biopsy. He was taking no medications, and was without any significant medical history. There was no past history of asthma or any atopic episodes. On the day before surgery, he underwent an intradermal injection of technetium99m nanocolloid albumen. Within 10 min of injection of the colloid, the patient developed a widespread, non-itchy urticarial skin reaction. There was no associated wheeze, difficulty breathing, or cardiovascular symptoms. Immediately, he was given chlorpheniramine 10 mg i.v., and the rash settled without further consequence over the next hour. The subsequent general anaesthetic was carried out uneventfully. Induction of anaesthesia was facilitated with fentanyl 0.5 mg kg−1 and propofol 2.5 mg kg−1. Anaesthesia was maintained using isoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide with the patient breathing spontaneously. Chlorpheniramine 10 mg and hydrocortisone 100 mg were given intravenously at induction. During surgery, patent V blue dye 0.5 ml was injected intradermally without incident. Another general anaesthetic 5 weeks later for block dissection of axillary nodes was equally uneventful. The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the staging of malignancies, particularly melanomas and breast cancers, has gained in popularity in recent years. The accuracy of injecting blue dye around the site of the primary malignancy can be increased using lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe detection after radiocolloid injection. The most commonly used radiopharmaceutical agent is technetium99m nanocolloid, which requires standard radiation precautions to be taken when handling to protect personnel. We are unable to find any reports of anaphylactoid type reactions to the radiocolloid in the literature. It could be argued that there is no evidence that the patient in this case had a true anaphylactic reaction. Further skin-prick testing was not carried out as the intradermal injection is a form of skin testing in itself. However, according to a classification based on symptom severity,3Mertes PM Laxenaire M-C Allergic reactions occurring during anaesthesia.Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2002; 19: 240-262Crossref PubMed Google Scholar our patient reacted with Grade 1 type cutaneous symptoms that can consist of generalized erythema, urticaria or angio-oedema. A similar reaction with a widespread blue rash occurred after injection of blue patent V dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast carcinoma.4Mullan MH Kissin MW Deacock SJ Minerva.Br Med J. 2000; 321: 460Crossref Google Scholar This was treated successfully with hydrocortisone and chlorpheniramine. We suggest that it is possible that there may be some cross reactivity with blue dye and it is worth noting even though the patient did not suffer any serious consequences. Patients who have urticarial reactions at lymphoscintigraphy may have an increased risk of anaphylaxis intraoperatively, which anaesthetists must be aware of and give prophylactic treatment. We would also like to point out that, in our establishment, all such patients are treated as inpatients and not as day cases. We would agree with the authors that the day surgery setting may not be a suitable clinical area for such cases.

Adverse alteration of wound flora with topical negative-pressure therapy: a case report

Topical negative pressure (TNP) has achieved widespread use in the treatment of problematic wounds. We report the case of a patient treated with TNP for groin-wound dehiscence following inguinal block dissection. During treatment, clinical signs of sepsis developed, in association with a progressively worsening anaerobic wound infection. This infection settled with antibiotic therapy and cessation of TNP treatment. We postulate that the air-free environment created by TNP potentiated the growth of the anaerobic bacteria, resulting in significant sepsis, and therefore recommend close surveillance of bacterial flora while using this therapy, particularly in susceptible patients.

An approach to dissecting the congenitally malformed heart in the forensic autopsy: the value of sequential segmental analysis.

The demonstration of congenital heart disease at autopsy necessitates the careful preservation and examination of the heart, the vessels, and their connections. Techniques preserving these connections and using a reproducible and systematic approach are preferred. The Rokitansky method of organ block dissection, in combination with a system of heart examination termed sequential segmental analysis, provides such an approach. This study is based on the examination of heart specimens accessioned into the Frank E. Sherman, M.D., and Cora C. Lenox, M.D., Heart Museum (containing approximately 2400 specimens) of the Pathology Department, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Specimens received in consultation during a 25-year period from hospitals and coroners'/medical examiners' offices were examined, and the corresponding reports were reviewed. Of 46 total heart specimens examined (1975-1999), 29 (63%) were dissected properly or left intact for dissection at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and 17 (37%) were incorrectly dissected for the demonstration of congenital heart disease. Of these 17 cases, 11 (24%) displayed dissection errors, which did not hinder a complete diagnosis, 3 cases (6.5%) had errors that enabled only an incomplete diagnosis, and in 3 cases (6.5%), no diagnosis of congenital heart disease could be made. Dissection mistakes and means of avoiding them are discussed. Review of medical and family history, external and internal examination, and a reproducible and sequential method of examining the heart and its connections enables documentation of even the most complex cardiovascular anomalies.

Concomitant Methotrexate and Radiotherapy in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: 15-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Long-term follow-up for patients who receive chemoradiation for head and neck cancer is lacking from most studies reported in the literature. This report gives a 15- year review of the use of concomitant methotrexate and radiation in advanced head and neck cancer. Although there has not been any significant benefit in overall survival, the primary control rate is higher in patients who received methotrexate in addition to radiotherapy. However, in those with oropharyngeal cancer, both primary control and survival were significantly improved when chemotherapy was used. The other most significant benefit from chemoradiation is the much lower rate of salvage operations for primary recurrence. The addition of methotrexate failed to show any effect on the development of metastatic neck nodes. The rate of block dissection of the neck was similar in both arms of the study and is comparable with the historical data collected at this institute. There has not been any significant increase in serious late morbidity. The timing of the methotrexate with radiotherapy has a significant influence on primary control and survival in head and neck cancer.

Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy guided sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma

The authors present preliminary experience with preoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy carried out with lymphoscintigraphy in patients with malignant melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present study patients operated for primary cutaneous malignant melanoma of moderate and high severity were included. On the day of surgery isotope labelled colloid was injected intradermally around the tumor to indicate the lymphatics and to obtain basic information about the localization of the sentinel lymph node(s).During surgery the lymph node(s) previously visualized by the injection of patent-blue staining were detected with the aid of a gamma probe. Simultaneously, the excision of the primary tumor was extended. Histologically verified metastasis in the surgically removed lymph node(s) necessitated block dissection possibly within two weeks. RESULTS: The distribution of patients (19) according to tumor localisation: 2 - upper extremities; 9 - lower extremities; 2 - sacral region; 6 - trunk. Tumor thickness ranged from <1.5 mm (6 patients) to 1.5-3 mm (5 patients) and to >3 mm (8 patients). In two cases the identification of the lymph node has failed. Positive sentinel ymph nodes were detected in two patients. It is noteworthy that with one patient the sentinel lymph node was not regional but intransit. This study was aimed at the development of a suitable method. Further on we wish to try it in prospective randomized studies.

An immunohistochemical study of matrix molecules associated with barrier membrane-mediated periodontal wound healing.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a clinical procedure developed to facilitate periodontal regeneration by using barrier membranes to selectively promote the repopulation of a periodontal defect by periodontal ligament and bone cells at the expense of epithelial and gingival connective tissue cells. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the biological events occurring during membrane mediated periodontal wound healing by examining the immunohistochemical expression of a number of extracellular matrix components in tissues treated via the GTR technique. Experimental periodontal defects were created around the second premolar tooth in 4 dogs and wound closure was achieved by application of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes around each tooth and flap positioning coronal to the cementoenamel junction. The dogs were sacrificed after a 4-wk healing period, block dissections of the part of the mandible containing the experimental tooth were obtained and paraffin sections were prepared. Using standard immunohistochemical techniques, the sections were stained with a monoclonal antibody against bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 (BMP-2 and -4) and polyclonal antibodies against collagen I, collagen II, decorin, biglycan, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and osteocalcin. Collagen I was predominantly localized within the regenerating bone, whereas collagen III staining was more abundant in the soft connective tissues of the defect. Decorin and biglycan staining was faint within the extracellular matrix of the regenerating defect, although both proteoglycans exhibited intense intracellular localization within some of the cells inhabiting the defect. The staining for BMP-2 and -4 was weak within the bone but strong within the extracellular matrix of the regenerating soft tissue. Osteopontin and bone sialoprotein were strongly localized in the regenerating bone and cementum found within the defect. Osteocalcin staining was present in both the regenerating and mature cementum and associated cementoblasts, and it was relatively weaker in the regenerating bone compared to the mature bone. The observed pattern of immunolocalization of the extracellular matrix macromolecules suggests that the heterogeneous cell population filling the GTR wound had created an environment that was conducive to periodontal regeneration.

The pedicled anterolateral thigh island flap for inguinal defects

The interpolated anterolateral thigh flap islanded on its vascular pedicle, is a durable local flap option for large skin and soft tissue defects caused by inguinal block dissections. So far, this flap has not been described for resurfacing such defects. Two cases are presented to highlight the technique.

Differentiated thyroid cancer: a retrospective analysis of 832 cases from Greece.

To analyse the initial manifestations, pathological findings, therapy, outcome and prognostic factors in patients with papillary and follicular carcinoma. 832 patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinoma managed in our department during a period of 30 years (1965-1995). Follow-up data were available for 609 patients for a mean of 5.5 years (range 1-38 years), the remainder having been lost to follow-up. The patients were 677 (81%) with papillary and 155 with follicular carcinoma. They were predominantly female (75%), presenting mainly with a single nodule (53%), while at the time of diagnosis 72% had intrathyroidal carcinomas (class I), 17% had nodal metastases (class II), 7% soft tissue invasion (class III) and 4% distant metastases (class IV). Fifty-five percent of the patients had a complete thyroidectomy (36% had a near total or total thyroidectomy and 19% near total or total thyroidectomy plus block dissection), 2.6% received external radiotherapy and 94% had radioactive iodine as part of the treatment of the original disease. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate both cancer related mortality and disease free survival in the patients followed-up. Although mortality (21 cancer-related deaths) was slightly higher for follicular than papillary carcinoma (10% vs. 5% and 16% vs. 10% in 10- and 15-year survival, respectively) the difference was not statistically significant. Extent of disease at diagnosis, male sex, tumour size and age > 60 years affected probability of cancer death. Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis for disease free survival showed that adverse independent prognostic factors were, for papillary carcinoma, male sex, class II or higher, tumour size > 1 cm and age > 60 years, while for follicular, class III or higher, size > 4 cm and age > 40 years. We conclude that there is a higher prevalence of follicular carcinoma in our country probably due to a moderate degree of iodine deficiency still existing in Greece. Age and extent of disease at diagnosis were important prognostic factors affecting morbidity and mortality, whereas sex, tumour features and histological type were of minor importance. All these prognostic factors and their relative importance should be taken in consideration in the management of this disease.

Combination of radioiodine (131I) and probe-guided surgery for persistent or recurrent thyroid carcinoma.

To improve the completeness of surgical excision of persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma, the following protocol was used for the treatment of 54 patients with functioning lymph node metastases: administration of 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 mCi) 131I; total body scintigraphy (TBS) on day 4; surgery on day 5, using an intraoperative probe (Gammed 2, Eurorad); and postoperative TBS with the remaining 131I activity on day 7. The 54 patients (35 women and 19 men presenting 47 papillary carcinomas, 2 well differentiated follicular carcinomas, and 5 poorly differentiated follicular carcinomas) had already undergone surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma: total thyroidectomy (51 patients) or lobectomy with isthmusectomy (3 patients), with lymph node dissection in 33. One to 7 131I treatments were performed before inclusion. Preoperative 131I-TBS with a high dose of 131I allowed accurate localization of previously suspected neoplastic foci and detection of yet unknown foci in 56%; it was the most sensitive tool for localizing neoplastic foci. The use of an intraoperative probe was considered decisive in 20 patients, as neoplastic foci were found inside sclerosis due to previous surgery (n = 9), at unusual sites behind vessels or in the mediastinum (n = 10), or both (n = 1). In 26 patients, it facilitated the preoperative detection of foci with 131I uptake already depicted at preoperative 131I-TBS. In all 46 patients, the completeness of excision was demonstrated by both the probe and the postoperative 131I-TBS and was confirmed during follow-up. Of note, lymph node metastases undetected by 131I-TBS or by the probe were found in 14 patients at histological examination. This clearly shows that en block dissection is the only recommended procedure. In four patients, no neoplastic foci were found and in four patients, uptake was either due to the thymus (in two) or to the salivary glands (in two).

Extended temporal bone resection for squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical results of a series of patients from this unit who underwent extended temporal bone resection for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma as a salvage procedure. DESIGN: The surgical records of 15 patients were analyzed in detail. Each patient had salvage surgery in the form of an extended temporal bone resection with supraomohyoid block dissection, dural grafting, and free microvascular forearm or scalp rotation flap repair for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma in a radical mastoid cavity. RESULTS: Radical surgery yielded a 47% 5-year survival. Twenty-nine percent of the survivors had temporal lobe involvement that necessitated a partial excision of the temporal lobe of the brain. Histologic evidence of local lymph node involvement in the supraomohyoid neck dissection was present in 13% of cases. Those who died did so in the first postoperative year. All those with poorly differentiated tumors died. The survivors had well or moderately differentiated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy alone or partial temporal bone resection, most commonly a radical mastoidectomy with or without preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy is used by the majority of otolaryngologists in treating squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone. The 5-year survival rate after this treatment remains depressingly low and the prognosis gloomy, particularly for advanced tumors. The findings in this series of extended temporal bone resections as salvage surgery in recurrent disease is encouraging, and radical surgery combined with radiotherapy from the outset may give much better 5-year survival figures in the future than the conventional partial temporal bone resection and radiotherapy. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;116:617-23.)