Head and Neck Flashcards
(109 cards)
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)




