Preauricular Node Research Articles

Primary orbital endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor)

Endodermal sinus tumor, or yolk sac tumor, is the most common malignant neoplasm of germ cell origin and usually occurs in infant testes or ovaries. On rare occasions, the tumor may arise from extragonadal sites, including sacrococcygeal region, uterus, vagina, prostate, retroperitoneum, liver, mediastinum, pineal gland, and third ventricle. The orbit is an unusual location for the primary development of this neoplasm. We report the case of a girl with primary orbital endodermal sinus tumor who was managed with exenteration and chemotherapy with the result of a disease-free survival of 9 years.

Case 19-2008

A 63-year-old HIV-positive man was referred to this hospital for management of a cutaneous Merkel-cell carcinoma on the forehead that metastasized to the ipsilateral preauricular and cervical lymph nodes. A treatment plan was established.

Giant hanging melanoma of the eyelid skin

Cutaneous melanoma of the eyelid is a rare entity. We present a 53-year-old male who had a nevus on the left upper eyelid skin since childhood, which transformed into a huge ulcerated hanging mass in the same region. Excision of the mass was done and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of nodular malignant melanoma. A small preauricular lymph node showed metastatic melanoma on fine needle aspiration cytology.

The Hippocratic treatise ‘On glands’: the first document on lymphoid tissue and lymph nodes

The Hippocratic treatise ‘On glands’: the first document on lymphoid tissue and lymph nodes

Patterns of regional head and neck lymph node metastasis in primary conjunctival malignant melanoma

In order to correlate patterns of regional lymph node metastasis with the site of origin in primary conjunctival malignant melanoma, a retrospective analysis of two London tertiary referral centers was performed There were 12 patients identified between 1990 and 2003 who had presented with regional metastases after failed local treatment for conjunctival melanoma. Results of the analysis showed six cases predominantly involving the temporal conjunctiva that metastasized to the pre-auricular lymph nodes and two cases predominantly involving the nasal conjunctiva that metastasized to the submandibular nodes.

Diseases of the pre-auricular lymph nodes mimicking parotid tumours.

Journal Article Diseases of the pre-auricular lymph nodes mimicking parotid tumours Get access M Pittam, M Pittam Westminster Hospital, London SW1, UK Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J Meirion Thomas J Meirion Thomas Westminster Hospital, London SW1, UK Correspondence to: Mr J. Meirion Thomas, Page Street Bureau, Westminster Hospital, London SW1P 2AP, UK Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Surgery, Volume 74, Issue 12, December 1987, Pages 1172–1173, https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800741227 Published: 08 December 2005 Article history Accepted: 05 July 1987 Published: 08 December 2005

Superficial parotidectomy in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck.

The preauricular lymph nodes are frequently the first site of metastatic disease from primary malignant melanoma of the upper two-thirds of the face or the anterior scalp. For these patients, or those with adjacent metastatic nodal disease, the prognosis is poor. The median survival of 13 such patients presented was 2 years, with two long-term survivors at 4 and 6 years. Palliative surgery can, however, prevent uncontrolled locoregional disease. Patients with palpable preauricular and cervical node disease should be treated by facial nerve-preserving parotidectomy and radical neck dissection. When no cervical nodes are palpable in patients with preauricular node metastasis, peroperative jugulodigastric node biopsy and frozen-section histopathological examination are useful to select patients for radical neck dissection.

Lymph node metastases arising from uveal melanoma

Since the eye lacks lymphatic vessels, uveal melanomas primarily metastasize hematogenously. Here we report the case of a patient with ciliary body ring melanoma who developed lymph node metastases after a fistulating glaucoma operation. A 40-year-old female Caucasian patient presented with unilateral pigment dispersion. Pigment dispersion glaucoma was diagnosed and since the intraocular pressure could not be managed with topical medication, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and two trabeculectomies had to be performed. Due to enlargement of the pigmented iris mass and cell deposits in the chamber angle, a ciliary body ring melanoma was presumed and the eye enucleated. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of "ciliary body ring melanoma". Six months after enucleation the patient presented multiple metastases including ipsilateral preauricular and submandibular lymph node metastases. The patient died two months later. Lymph node metastases arising from ciliary body melanomas are very rare. Tumor seeding through the trabeculectomy site into the bleb and then via conjunctival lymphatic vessels might be the crucial factor for this pathway of metastases. Therefore, in cases of unilateral pigment dispersion, malignancy should be excluded before fistulating operations are performed.

Conjunctival Melanoma: The Role of Conservative Surgery and Radiotherapy in Regional Metastatic Disease

To evaluate prognostic factors and determine the role of conservative surgery and radiotherapy in managing metastatic conjunctival malignant melanoma (MM) involving preauricular/submandibular lymph nodes. A retrospective analysis (1990-2003) of clinical and histopathologic data from 12 patients presenting with regional metastases after failed local treatment for conjunctival MM. Patients received a common, multispecialty, conservative management approach: wide local excision, topical cryotherapy or radiotherapy to conjunctival MM (orbital exenteration for more advanced local disease), lumpectomy, and adjuvant "ring" radiotherapy of regional metastases, with chemotherapy for distant metastases. Median age at primary diagnosis was 51 (range 28-86) years with equal sex predilection. Six of the 12 patients had primary tumors of the bulbar conjunctiva; the remainder arose in the palpebral conjunctiva, the caruncle, or the fornix. Of 11 originating in primary acquired melanosis (PAM), 2 were amelanotic. Epithelioid tumor cells were noted histologically in seven of eight specimens in which cell type could be determined. Eight tumors metastasised to preauricular nodes, three to submandibular and one to both, with a median interval of 23 (range 12-108) months after primary diagnosis. After conservative surgery and "ring irradiation," 7 of 12 patients remained free of regional nodal relapse at median interval of 16 (range 3-126) months. Five patients developed regional nodal recurrence at median interval of 11 (range 6-13) months, 3 of whom were within radiotherapy portals. Eight patients developed distant metastasis at median interval of 44 (range 22-138) months. Eleven patients had tumor-related death. The mean Kaplan-Meier adjusted survival time after primary diagnosis was 76 months with death ensuing postregional metastasis within a median 18 (range 4-127) months. The sole survivor's follow-up duration was 56 months. Locoregional metastasis after treatment for conjunctival MM is associated with a poor prognosis. Both epithelioid tumor cells and PAM are associated with disseminating disease and poorer outcome. Literature review has failed to demonstrate advantages of mutilating radical surgery over a conservative approach in this rare disease.

Conjunctival Melanoma in The Netherlands: A Nationwide Study

To evaluate risk factors for local recurrence, regional and distant metastases, and mortality associated with conjunctival melanoma. This was a retrospective study of 194 patients with histologically confirmed conjunctival melanoma diagnosed between 1950 and 2002 in the Netherlands. Data were collected from all university centers and many nontertiary hospitals, using the National Pathology and the Leiden Oncologic Registration Systems. Based on the number of incidences, this study included 70% of the conjunctival melanomas in The Netherlands. Clinical and histopathological data for conjunctival tumors were reviewed and compared with data reported in the literature. Risk factors for local, regional, and distant metastases and survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Of 194 patients with conjunctival melanoma, 112 had a local recurrence (median, 1; range, 1-9) during follow-up (median, 6.8 years; range, 0.1-51.5). Location was the most important risk factor for development of local recurrence, and significantly more occurred with nonepibulbar (log rank, P=0.044) tumors. Significantly fewer local recurrences occurred with tumors initially treated with excision and adjuvant brachytherapy rather than with excision only (log rank, P=0.008) or with excision and cryotherapy (log rank, P <0.038). Forty-one (21%) patients had regional lymph node metastases, mostly to the parotid or preauricular lymph nodes (n=26; 13%). Risk factors for regional metastases were tumor thickness (log rank, P <0.001) and tumor diameter (log rank, P=0.010). Forty-nine (25%) patients (mean, 4.37 years) had development of distant metastases, mainly in the lung, liver, skin, and brain. Tumor-related survival was 86.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81.0-91.6) at 5 years, 72% (95% CI, 79.7-64.4) at 10 years, and 67% (95% CI, 58.9-76.1) at 15 years. The main mortality risk factors were nonepibulbar location (log rank, P <0.0001) and tumor thickness (log rank, P=0.0004). Nonepibulbar tumors more often recur locally and are associated with a shorter survival independent of other risk factors. Tumor thickness is also an important predictor of regional and distant metastases, as well as survival. A prospective study is needed to compare the effect of excision with radiotherapy and excision with cryotherapy on the number of local recurrences, exenteration rate, and survival.

Late onset of serologic positive titers in a patient with Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome

Purpose. To report a case of Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (POS) in which, despite the initially negative, a late onset of serologic positive titers was observed. Methods. Case report. Results. A 65-year-old man was examined for a foreign body in the left eye associated with granulomatous nodule on the palpebral conjuctiva, chemosis and a swollen preauricular lymph node. Despite the initially negative serologic titers to Bartonella henselae, a clinical diagnosis of POS was made and treatment was instituted initially with oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice a day). Three weeks later, serologic positive titers were found which confirmed the diagnosis of POS. Conclusion. Even though the improvements in diagnostic testing such as indirect immunofluorescence antibody, negative titles could be initially observed, confusing the diagnostic process. Other techniques (such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing) should be also taken into consideration in cases with increased clinical suspicious of B. henselae indections.

Lymphatic cerebrospinal fluid absorption pathways in neonatal sheep revealed by subarachnoid injection of Microfil.

There is mounting evidence that a significant portion of cerebrospinal fluid drainage is associated with transport along cranial and spinal nerves with absorption taking place into lymphatic vessels external to the central nervous system. To characterize these pathways further, yellow Microfil was infused into the cisterna magna of 2-7-day-old lambs post mortem to perfuse either the cranial or spinal subarachnoid compartments. In some animals, blue Microfil was perfused into the carotid arteries simultaneously. Microfil was observed in lymphatic networks in the nasal mucosa, covering the hard and soft palate, conchae, nasal septum, the ethmoid labyrinth and the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. Many of these lymphatics drained into vessels located on the lateroposterior wall of the nasopharynx and from this location drained to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Additionally, lymphatics containing Microfil penetrated the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and joined with superficial lymphatic ducts travelling towards the submandibular and preauricular lymph nodes. In two cases, lymphatic vessels were observed anastomosing with deep veins in the retropharyngeal area. Microfil was also distributed within the nerve trunks of cranial and spinal nerves. The contrast agent was located in longitudinal channels within the endoneurial space and lymphatics containing Microfil were observed emerging from the mesoneurium. In summary, Microfil distribution patterns in neonatal lambs illustrated the important role that cranial and spinal nerves play in linking the subarachnoid compartment with extracranial lymphatics.

Structural and cellular architecture of conjunctival lymphoid follicles in the baboon ( Papio anubis)

Conjunctival lymphoid follicles (CLFs), present in normal individuals, undergo hyperplasia upon conjunctival infection by a specific array of pathogens; infection-associated enlargement of draining preauricular lymph nodes suggests that conjunctival follicles participate in the afferent limb of acquired immune responses for the ocular surface. The present study was performed to delineate the structural and lymphoid anatomy of CLFs in the baboon ( Papio anubis), a non-human primate conjunctival model with close similarity to the human. Conjunctiva from both eyes, along with mesenteric lymph node, spleen, tonsil, and ileum controls were harvested from ten baboons at necropsy, and studied by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Baboon conjunctival follicles were identified as dense oval collections of leukocytes in the substantia propria with infiltration into a thinned overlying conjunctival epithelium. Goblet cells were universally absent, the overlying mucin layer was attenuated, and the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) demonstrated comparatively diminished alkaline phosphatase expression. The basement membrane overlying each follicle appeared discontinuous. CD4-positive T lymphocytes were distributed in parafollicular areas and to a lesser degree in follicle germinal centers. B lymphocytes formed the predominant cell in follicles, and also heavily infiltrated the FAE. B cell IgM expression was prominent in germinal centers, while IgD staining occurred in a horseshoe-shaped distribution in the follicle mantle zone. Although B cell IgA expression was noted in the non-follicular conjunctiva, IgA expression was inconspicuous within conjunctival follicles. S-100- and CD1a-positive dendritic cells were found in FAE, while fascin-positive mature dendritic cells appeared in the deeper areas of each follicle. CD68-positive macrophages were dispersed throughout the follicles. CD35-positive follicular dendritic cells were observed only in germinal centers. CLFs appear highly organized consistent with a role in the adaptive immune response to conjunctival pathogens.

Treatment of overt extraocular retinoblastoma.

Overt extraocular retinoblastoma is common in developing countries and little information about its treatment is available. The aim of this study is to report our experience in the treatment of these cases using a uniform approach. Patients with overt extraocular retinoblastoma including orbital extension, preauricular lymph node invasion and/or metastatic disease on diagnosis or after extraocular relapse admitted to the Hospital JP Garrahan from August 1987 to December 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated according to two different protocols (1987-1993 and 1994-2000). Treatment included: neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy followed by limited surgery in case of orbital extension (enucleation or resection of residual orbital mass) and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy included cyclophosphamide, vincristine, etoposide, doxorubicin (in protocol 87), idarubicin (in protocol 94), cisplatin (in protocol 87), and carboplatin (in protocol 94). Forty-one patients were included. Fifteen of them had orbital or preauricular disease and had a 5-year event-free survival (pEFS) of 84%. Twenty-six had distant metastatic disease and non survived 5-years. One patient died of toxicity and one died in complete remission. One patient had a secondary leukemia. The remaining adverse events included CNS and/or systemic relapse. This treatment strategy was highly efficacious for patients with orbital and/or lymph node extension. Orbital exenteration is not necessary for these patients. Those patients with distant metastatic or CNS disease were not curable with this approach.

The Conjunctival Lymphoid Follicle in Mucosal Immunology

The conjunctiva forms a continuous mucosal surface from the eyelid margin to the cornea, and makes contact with airborne antigens and those on the adjacent eyelid skin and preocular tear film. Conjunctival lymphoid follicles (CLF) undergo hyperplasia upon conjunctival infection by a specific array of pathogens; infection-associated enlargement of draining preauricular lymph nodes suggests that CLF participate in the afferent limb of acquired immune responses for the ocular surface. In this review, we examine the evidence for classification of CLF as part of the common mucosal immune system, and explore the possible therapeutic implications.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva: clinicopathological features in 287 cases

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently encountered malignant tumour of the conjunctiva. The objective of this study was to describe the clinicopathological features of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva seen at a large ophthalmologic hospital in Mexico City.Methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathological files of all patients with documented squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva seen at the hospital between 1957 and 1996.Results: A total of 287 cases (286 patients) were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 60.4 (range 12 to 99) years; 55% were male. The clinical diagnosis was accurate in 41 % of cases. Typical keratinized squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva accounted for 98% of the lesions, and there were small numbers of histologic variants: lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (three cases), spindle cell carcinoma (two cases) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (one case). Evidence of local extension of the tumour was found in 150 patients (52%), with the cornea being most frequently involved (108 cases [38%]). Regional metastasis was found in two patients, to a submandibular lymph node in one and to a preauricular lymph node in the other. The most common form of treatment was local resection (258 cases [90%]). The mean length of follow-up was 7.7 (range 2 to 24) months. The recurrence rate was 5.2%.Interpretation: We report a large series of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. The incidence of local extension was high. Three cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, a variant not previously reported in the conjunctiva, were encountered and were confirmed by immunohistochemical reactions.

Patterns of regional and distant metastasis in patients with conjunctival melanoma: Experience at a cancer center over four decades

Objective The regional lymph nodes generally are believed to be the most common first site of metastasis for conjunctival malignant melanoma, but the pattern of nodal metastasis in this disease has not been well established. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency, location, and timing of regional lymph node metastasis in patients with conjunctival melanoma treated at one cancer center over four decades. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Twenty-seven patients. Methods The clinical records of 27 patients with conjunctival malignant melanoma were reviewed retrospectively. Main outcome measures The rates of local conjunctival recurrence, regional nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis were analyzed along with overall survival. The follow-up time ranged from 2.5 to 17 years (median, 6 years). Results Eleven patients (41%) experienced clinical regional lymph node metastasis 1.5 to 6.0 years (mean, 3.2 years) after the initial diagnosis. The involved lymphatics were the preauricular (parotid) nodes in 8 patients (73%), the submandibular nodes in 1 patient (9%), and the deeper cervical nodes in 2 patients (18%). In seven patients (26%), distant metastasis developed without evidence of prior or concurrent regional nodal disease. Patients in whom distant metastasis developed without clinical evidence of regional nodal involvement were more likely to have had local conjunctival recurrence ( P = 0.03) and a higher number of local recurrences ( P = 0.05) compared with patients with regional lymph nodes as the site of first metastasis. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 74% and 41%, respectively. Conclusions Regional lymph node metastasis occurred in a higher percentage of patients with conjunctival malignant melanoma than has been reported previously. Preauricular lymph nodes were most commonly involved. Distant metastasis without prior or concurrent lymph node involvement was not a rare event.

A Case of Giant Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma Without Adequate Treatment

A patient with a sebaceous gland carcinoma without adequate treatment is reported. A 67-year-old man underwent an operation on his left upper eyelid after a diagnosis of chalazion in 1981. Two years after the initial operation, he noticed a tumor in the left upper eyelid. In 1987, he visited another hospital and was diagnosed with sebaceous gland carcinoma by a tissue biopsy. He left it untreated against medical advice. When he visited our hospital in 1996, the tumor was as large as 80 x 75 x 40 mm and the left upper and lower eyelids stuck together. After admission, he died of myocardial infarction 23 days after his visit to our hospital. Autopsy revealed that the tumor had extended into the orbital cavity, paranasal sinus, and base of the skull, with metastasis to the preauricular, submandibular, and cervical lymph nodes and both lungs. The pathology of the tumor was a moderately differentiated sebaceous gland carcinoma. This case showed the natural course of extension and metastasis of a sebaceous gland carcinoma.

頭頚部，えきか部におけるｓｅｎｔｉｎｅｌ ｌｙｍｐｈ ｎｏｄｅの検討

The location of sentinel lymph nodes was evaluated about the head and neck, and the axilla area using blue dye. In the axilla area, sentinel lymph nodes were mainly located in the central and lateral lymph nodes, because the lateral and central lymph nodes were draining mainly the deep lymph channels of the upper extremity. However, the case with metastasis in several lymph nodes has a lower detection rate in the original sentinel lymph nodes because of the change in lymph flow, and the evaluation of the cubital lymph node is a study assignment. In the head and neck area, the location of sentinel lymph nodes was almost in accord with anatomical lymph flows ; sentinel lymph nodes were recognized in submandibular lymph nodes which originated in cheek skin tumors, submental lymph nodes which originated in underlip skin tumors, pre-auricular lymph nodes which originated in temporal skin tumors, and occipital lymph nodes which originated in occipital skin tumors. The lymph vessels of the head and neck area were s ort, and both afferent lymph vessels and efferent lymph vessels were dyed. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2001; 16: 299-304]

Periorbital giant congenital melanocytic nevus with malignant changes: A clinicopathological study

Large periorbital congenital melanocytic nevus is a pigmentary lesion larger than 4 cm with potential for malignant transformation. The authors report a clinicopathological study of a rare case of large periorbital congenital melanocytic nevus which underwent malignant transformation with metastasis to preauricular lymph nodes.