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Objectives: Our intent was lo review the clinical signs, computed tomography (CT) scans, treatment, and outcome of parapharyngeal space infections (PPIs), and to define 2 types of infections of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) according to the location of the infectious process. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized in a tertiary university hospital with a diagnosis of PPI, abscess, or deep neck abscess between 1988 and 2004. Files and CT scans were reviewed after classification into 2 groups: 1) infection located in the posterior part of the PPS (PostPPI): and 2) infection located in the anterior part of the PPS(AntPPI). Results: Twenty-two patients had a PostPPI: their ages ranged from 10 months to 24 years. Five patients underwent surgical drainage, and 17 others were treated solely with intravenous antibiotic therapy. No pus was found during surgery in 2 patients. The average time of hospitalization was 10 days. Only 1 complication (aspiration pneumonia) was observed. Seven patients had an AntPPI; their ages ranged from 1.5 years to 65 years. All patients underwent surgical drainage, and pus was detected in all cases. The average time of hospitalization was 35 days. Complications (septic shock, respiratory arrest, mediastinitis. pleural empyema. pericarditis) were observed in 4 patients. Conclusions: The term ‘parapharyngeal abscess’ was assigned long before the CT scan era, and was based on physical examination and plain film radiology. In essence, the entity PPS ‘abscess’ or ‘infection’ is composed of 2 different disorders. Infection located in the posterior part of the PPS with no invasion into the parapharyngeal fat and with no extension into other cervical spaces except the adjacent retropharyngeal space may be termed posterior parapharyngeal infection or parapharyngeal lymphadenitis. This is a relatively benign condition, and nonsurgical treatment should be considered. Infection involving the parapharyngeal fat may be termed parapharyngeal abscess or deep neck abscess. Diffusion into the mediastinum and other severe complications are frequent. Urgent surgical drainage is therefore mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/hypothesis: Parapharyngeal infections, which can potentially cause life-threatening complications, may, in certain cases, be treated conservatively with no need for surgical drainage. A review of the literature reveals that the most recommended treatment of parapharyngeal infection is surgical drainage combined with intravenous antibiotic therapy. Several retrospective reports recommend conservative treatment with no surgical drainage. Study Design: Prospective, nonrandomized. Methods: A prospective study was performed on all patients with an infection limited to the parapharyngeal space. Results: Twelve patients presented with clinical and radiological diagnosis of parapharyngeal infection during a 5-year period. Five patients showed obvious presence of pus in other spaces and therefore were excluded. Seven patients with no gross extension into other spaces and with no respiratory distress or septic shock were treated with intravenous amoxicillinclavulanic acid for 9 to 14 days (average period, 11 days). All patients except one were children. All were cured with conservative management, and no surgical drainage was needed. None had any complications. Conclusion: Our results confirm the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment of infections limited to the parapharyngeal space, at least in the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify features of major salivary gland cancers that are prognostic for disease-free survival. Study Design A retrospective study of 78 patients with major salivary gland cancer (64 parotid and 14 submandibular gland) who underwent surgery for definitive treatment from 1976 to 1996. A select group of patients also received adjuvant radiation (56%) and/or chemotherapy (13%). Method Clinical and pathological risk factors were obtained from patients' charts and pathology reports. Age, gender, tumor site, T-stage, facial paralysis, histologic neck involvement, perineural invasion, and cancer grade were analyzed with respect to disease-free survival. The role of adjuvant treatment in terms of clinical outcome was also investigated. Results In our series, the 5-year disease-free survival was 65%. Examining clinical and histologic features one at a time, we found poorer prognosis was associated with submandibular tumors compared with parotid ( P = .02), higher T-stage ( P = .001), positive cervical nodes ( P <.001), perineural invasion ( P = .002), and high-grade or adenoid cystic tumors ( P = .002). A multivariable analysis indicated that positive lymph nodes ( P = .07) and perineural invasion ( P = .03) were important histologic predictors of shorter disease-free survival. Receipt of both adjuvant radiation and cisplatin-based chemotherapy ( P = .05) was an independent predictor of longer disease-free survival. Conclusion Our study indicated that the presence of positive lymph nodes and perineural invasion is important independent predictors of disease-free survival. Our limited data also suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may improve disease-free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Define radiological and histological features in which patients with head and neck cancer would benefit from a carotid artery resection. Resection of the carotid artery has been advocated for local control of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. To provide appropriate preoperative counseling and optimize the utilization of resources, the criteria for patient selection has to be defined. Methods Thirty-four patients underwent carotid artery resection based on the clinical impression of tumor fixation. Eighteen and 28 patients were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis, respectively. The distance between the tumor cells and external elastic lamina was measured. CT scans were examined to determine the circumference of tumor attachment around the carotid artery. Results Clinical assessment predicted tumor within 1.8 mm of the carotid artery in 68% of cases. The overall survival for patients with tumor greater than 1.8 mm (N = 9) was better than that of patients with less (N = 19) than 1.8 mm (33.3% vs. 5.3%; median 24 versus 9 mo, P = .0899). Three of six patients (50%) with less than 180° circumference tumor attachment had tumor within 1.8 mm from the external elastic lamina. Eight of twelve patients (67%) with tumors encompassing more than 180° of the artery wall had tumor within 1.8 mm from the external elastic lamina. The overall survival rates for patients with tumor attachment greater and less than 180° were 8.3% and 33%, respectively. Discussion Tumor invasion into the carotid artery was the strongest predictor of outcome. Clinical assessment was as predictive as CT for tumor invasion. If tumor involvement of the carotid artery is less than 180°, peeling the tumor is an alternative to carotid artery resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an imaging case study of osteoid osteoma of the frontal bone. Patient profile; Definition of osteoid osteoma; Coronal computed tomography scan of sinuses.