Head and Neck Flashcards
Contraindications for partial laryngopharyngectomy
- Involvement of piriform sinus apex or post cricoid region
- Ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis
- Cricopharyngeus involvement
- Poor pulmonary reserve
Parapharyngeal space boundaries
Inverted pyramid with base at the skull base, apex at the greater cornu of hyoid bone.
Medial - lateral pharyngeal wall
Lateral - parotid gland
Anterior - medial pterygoids
Posterior - pre vertebral fascia
Infections here can spread everywhere except prevertebral space
Retropharyngeal space boundaries
Anterior - buccopharyngeal fascia
Posterior - alar fascia (prevertebral)
Lateral - paraphryngeal spaces (+ carotid sheath)
The danger space is behind it and can allow for communication into prevertebral space and mediastinum!
What is BRAF mutation specific for in thyroid cancer?
Papillary thyroid carcinoma, predicts more aggressive course (likely to have a higher TNM stage)
Indications for neck dissection for parotid tumor
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Tumor > 4 cm
- High grade histology
- ACC of minor salivary glands (higher cervical met rate)
Features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid that decrease survival rates?
Greater squamous components and atypia = more aggressive behavior, poorer survival
Most common MALIGNANT salivary gland tumor in kids?
Most common BENIGN salivary gland tumor in kids?
Malignant - Mucoepidermoid (same in adults)
Benign - Pleomorphic adenoma (just like in adults, also more common in parotid just like adults). Second most - Hemangioma
High risk features for thyroid cancer
Microcalcifications, taller than wide, irregular margins, extrathyroid extensions, PET positive, personal history of radiation, presence of Hurthle cells
Mechanism of PPIs
Act on parietal cells (which secrete gastric acid and IF)
Action of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Medial rotation of the arytenoids, ADDuction of VC
Water clear cell hyperplasia features
Only parathyroid disorder where superior parathyroids are larger than inferior. Histopath resembles renal cell carcinoma. Patient should undergo 4 gland exploration (at risk for bilateral disease).
Features: Severe hypercalcemia
What can you use to avoid taking patient of thyroid hormone during RAI?
Give thyrogen (human recombinant thyroid hormone)
Most common type of spread of mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland?
30-40% preponderance toward lymphatic spread upon diagnosis.
Most common benign tumor of the lacrimal gland
Pleomorphic adenoma, progressive proptosis
What automatic stage does anaplastic thyroid get?
Automatically a stage IVa due to the aggressive nature (intrathyroid only)
IVb - extrathyroid spread or regional mets
IVc- distant mets
Risk of malignant transformation for severe dysplasia in head and neck?
~30%
Course of the parotid duct?
Passes OVER the masseter muscle and then pierces buccinator then enters oral cavity.
What is the gonion?
Most posterior aspect of angle of mandible (only one of the “ions” that is NOT midline)
TNM breakdown for MUCOSAL melanoma
Starts at T3!
T3 - mucosal disease but no evidence of cartilage erosion.
T4a - includes deep soft tissue, cartilage, bone, overlying skin.
T4b - includes dura, brain, skull base, CN, masticator space, carotid, prevertebral space, mediastinal
N0 - No regional LN mets
N1 - Yes regional LN mets
M0 - No distant mets
M1 - Distant mets
What are Killian’s triangle borders?
Located between cricopharyngeus and thyropharyngeus muscles (inferior constrictor muscle, where a ZENKER’s is located)
What is the Reflux Symptom Index, how is it scored
9 Qs about reflux, score greater than 13 suggests laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
Methods of laryngeal carcinoma pathway to spread?
Broyle’s tendon (vocalis tendon insertion thyroid cartilage), pre epiglottic space, paraglottic space
When do you add adjuvant chemotherapy to radiation therapy?
Extracapsular extension and/or positive margins
Where is Killian Jameson triangle located?
Between oblique and transverse fibers of cricopharyngeus muscles (lateral diverticulum)
General effect of PTH (ca2+ and phos)
PTH increases tubular reabsorption of Ca2+ (increases serum calcium) and decreases tubular reabsorption of phos.
What are the chances of a hypofunctioning thyroid nodule in a patient with Graves being malignant?
45%. These tumors are usually more aggressive (more local and distant mets) as compared to someone without Graves.
What percentage decrease of baseline PTH at 10 min post op confirms succesful removal of a hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenoma?
50%
What is the role of HPV oncoprotein E6 and E7 in tumorgenesis?
E6 - Bind and degrades p53 (tumor suppressor gene)
E7 - Binds and inhibits RB tumor suppressor gene
Three types of adenoid cystic carcinoma?
Treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma?
- Tubular
- Cribiform with less than 30% solid
- Cribiform with greater than 30% solid (WORST prognosis)
TX: Parotidectomy + ND + adjuvant RT should be offered to patients with risk factors for recurrence such as intermediate or high-grade tumors, close or positive margins, perineural invasion, lymph node metastases, lymphovascular invasion, and T3-4 tumors.
T staging for piriform sinus
T1 - One subsite and/or < 2 cm
T2- More than one subsite OR 2-4 cm
T3 - Primary tumor > 4 cm OR vocal cord fixation or extension into esophagus
T4 - Invades adjacent structures.
T3 Tumour more than 4 cm in greatest dimension, or with fixation of hemilarynx or extension to oesophageal mucosa
T4a Tumour invades any of the following: thyroid/ cricoid cartilage, hyoid bone, thyroid gland, esophagus, or central compartment soft tissue.
T4b invades prevertebral fascia, encases carotid artery, or invades mediastinum
Boundaries of the paraglottic space?
Superior: Quadrangular membrane
Inferior: Conus elasticus
Posterior: Pyriform sinus
Lateral: Thyroid cartilage
Medial: Ventricle
Malignant associations for Sjogrens? Pleomorphic Adenoma?
Sjogrens - MALT (non hodgkins) lymphoma
Pleomorphic adenoma - 2-3% risk of carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma.
Features of tongue base cancer cervical mets?
- 20% bilateral cervical mets
- Often levels II-IV
- 60% have detectable cervical mets at time of presentation
- SCC accounts for 90% of all tongue base cancers.
Narrowest part of airway in peds vs adults?
Pediatrics: Cricothyroid
Adults: glottic inlet
Features of granular cell tumor?
- Sessile grey mass on posterior true vocal cord.
- Histopath: pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia
- Stains positive for PAS and S-100 (arise from schwann cells.
Grades of laryngeal trauma (5)
1 - Minor hematoma, no fracture
2 - Edema, hematoma, minor mucosal disruption, non displaced fracture
3 - Massive edema, large displaced fracture, exposed cartilage (need trach, surgical repair)
4 - Same as above but two or more fractures
5 - Complete seperation. Needs fiberoptic intubation then repair…
SAW mnemonic for laryngeal subsites for sarcoid, amyloid and Wegeners
Sarcoidosis - supraglottis
Amyloidosis - glottis
Wegeners - subglottis (get ANCA)!
Role of the suprahyoid muscles?
Aid in elevating hyoid and widening esophagus during swallowing.
How does adenoid cystic carcinoma spread and what is most common site of distant metastasis?
Peirneural spread, most common distant site is the lungs (often shows up later). Rarely metastasizes to the lymph nodes.
What is Lemierre Syndrome?
Fusobacterium infection in oropharynx –> jugular vein suppurative thrombophlebitis.
Risk for septic pulmonary emboli.
TX - IV abx (pip-tazo)
Borders of the pre-epiglottic space?
Thyroid cartilage + thyrohyoid membrane: Anterior
Hyoepiglottic ligament + hyoid: Superior
Thyroepiglottic ligament + epiglottis: Inferior/posterior
What CN pass through/along the cavernous sinus?
III, IV, V1, V2 and VI.
Arterial supply to the SCM?
Occipital, Superior thyroid, Suprascapular (from thyrocervical trunk)