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Objective Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence and late distant metastasis. The status of an elective neck dissection (END) is controversial in the literature. Study Design In this study we retrospectively analyzed the surgical treatment and follow-up examinations of 59 patients with ACCs of a salivary gland treated in a single center between 1980 and 2016. Results The incidence of occult nodal metastases among all patients who underwent END was 20.6%. The overall survival and the disease-free survival of patients who underwent END versus patients without END had no significant differences. Even in the case of positive lymph nodes metastasis there was no significant benefit in survival or local recurrence control. Conclusion The incidence of occult neck metastases in patients with ACC was 20.6%. There was no significant enhanced survival in the group of patients who underwent an END.

The chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized chicken eggs in an early phase of breeding presents an approved test situation for the growth and treatment of human cancer cells.These models work due to the inoculation of cells into the membrane that stays within the egg shell during the time of investigation. In this study a modification of this model is presented. Samples of native tumors, rather than cell lines, are transplanted into the membrane and the body of the egg is taken out of the shell and placed in a plastic bowl. These modifications lead to an enhanced accessibility to the chorioallantoic membrane and the surrounding vessels thus facilitating intra venous access and application of pharmaceuticals and a focused radiotherapy. With the current modifications the embryo was kept alive and additionally, the vascularized tumor environment was preserved.

Objective We compared the intraindividual effects of increasing zoledronic acid (ZA) concentrations on osteoblast-like cells with different embryologic origins. Study Design Cultured osteoblast-like cells from mandible and iliac crest bone samples of domestic pigs were exposed to increasing concentrations of ZA (0, 10 −8 , 10 −6 , and 10 −4 M). Proliferation was assessed by cell counting. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand and osteoprotegerin (OPG) messenger RNA expression were assessed at 0, 1, 4, 7, and 10 days. Results The OPG expression level was higher in the iliac crest than in the mandible. Neither ZA concentration nor the cells' origin affected the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand. At 10 −6 M, OPG expression from both locations reached the same level after 7 days of cultivation, as OPG expression increased to a greater extent in the mandible in comparison to the iliac crest. Conclusion Cultured mandibular osteoblast-like cells reacted more sensitively to high ZA concentrations than did osteoblast-like cells from the iliac crest.

The diagnosis and therapy of obstructive inflammatory disorders of the salivary glands have changed in the past decades following the introduction of sialoendoscopy. The aims of the present study were to analyze the relevance of sialoendoscopy using our own data and to compare the results to those of other studies. A retrospective analysis of 70 patients was performed, who were treated for obstructive disorders of the parotid and/or submandibular gland in whom sialoendoscopy was indicated. Two categories of interventions were considered: diagnostic interventional sialoendoscopy and endoscope-assisted interventions. Interventional sialoendoscopy procedures requiring extirpation of the gland were included in the analysis, as were abnormal intraductal processes that were detected during endoscopy. Treatment was successful in 58 of 67 (86.6 %) procedures (sialoendoscopy without surgical intervention n = 59; endoscope-assisted surgical intervention n = 8). Based on the underlying disease, the success rate was 88.6 % (n = 39) in patients with obstructive sialadenitis without sialolithiasis and 86.6 % (n = 19) in patients with sialolithiasis. It was not possible to draw definitive conclusions on the underlying disease from the observed pathological intraductal changes. Sialoendoscopy is an effective and safe diagnostic and therapeutic option with low complication rate. However, limiting factors such as the size or the position of potentially removable obstacles must be taken into consideration. The rate of gland extirpations can be reduced using sialoendoscopy.

Background and Purpose: With the use of antibiotic therapy, the incidence of deep neck infections has decreased in recent decades. The aim of this investigation was to review the clinical course and the management of deep neck infections in our department, compare them to the experiences of the common literature and identify predisposing factors for lethal complications. Material and Methods: In this single-center analysis, 63 patients with deep neck infections were treated surgically. The following clinical data were analyzed and compared: age, gender, laboratory data, spatial manifestation, therapeutic modalities, comorbidities, length of hospitalization and complications. Results: There was a predominance of male patients (58.7%) and a mean age of 57.9 years. The most common symptoms at diagnosis were sore throat (96.8%) and neck swelling (92.0%). Cardio/pulmonary diseases and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. There was a significantly longer hospital stay for patients with diabetes mellitus. The most common manifestation was a parapharyngeal abscess in 24 patients (38.1%), followed by peri-/retrotonsillar infections in 19 patients (30.2%). In 29 patients, a multiple space infection was observed, with a significantly longer duration of hospitalization and a higher rate of complications. The main life-threatening complication was the development of airway obstruction in 20 patients (31.7%), who all received a tracheostomy. The duration of hospitalization for patients with complications was significantly longer. Conclusions: Close attention must be paid to the management of patients with deep neck infections, especially patients with diabetes mellitus and cardio/pulmonary diseases or patients with multiple space infections. Key words:Deep neck infections, comorbidities, surgical treatment, tracheostomy, diabetes mellitus.

Objectives Deep neck infections are among the most dangerous acute diseases in the head and neck region. This analysis gives an overview of the bacterial and histopathologic findings of deep neck infections. Study Design From January 2002 to December 2012, 63 patients were diagnosed with and treated for deep neck infections at the University Medical Center Gottingen. Bacterial and histopathologic examinations were made, and the occurrence of bacterial pathogens and histopathologic findings were analyzed. Results The most commonly isolated aerobic gram-positive pathogen was Streptococcus viridans (26.7%); Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus were each found in 16.7% of infections. The most commonly isolated aerobic gram-negative pathogens were Escherichia coli , Klebsiella oxytoca, and Haemophilus influenzae . In 1.6% of patients, a malignant cancer was detected. Conclusion For clear diagnosis and effective therapy, a bacteriologic investigation of deep neck infections is essential because of the heterogeneous spectrum of the detected bacteria. In contrast to Asia, where Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogen, in South Lower Saxony, Germany, we discovered a dominating spectrum of aerobic gram-positive cocci. Biopsy obtained from an abscess cavity for histologic examination should always be part of the diagnostic process in order to exclude a malignant process.

Purpose Adenoid cystic carcinomas are rare malignant tumors of the salivary glands. They are characterized by a high rate of local recurrence, late distant metastasis and a poor disease-free survival. In this study, we analyzed a series of 61 patients who were all treated at the University of Gottingen over a period of 21.0 years. Materials and methods In all 61 patients with salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma, clinical data, demographic data, risk factors, tumor location, tumor stage, status of surgical margin, surgical treatment, postoperative radiotherapy and follow-up interval were assessed. Results The overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) of patients who underwent surgery and those who underwent combined surgery with radiotherapy showed no significant differences. Neither did the T-stage (T1/T2 vs. T3/T4) show significant differences in OS and DFS. Only the status of the surgical margin was significantly associated with a longer OS and a longer DFS. Conclusion The present results confirm that the radical surgical resection with clear tumor-free margins is the most important predictor for a longer survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be discussed from case to case, but should not be seen as an absolute prognostic factor for OS.