Faculty Bibliography

The contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scans of 18 patients at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had painless facial swelling were reviewed. All scans demonstrated parotid cysts and diffuse homogeneous cervical adenopathy. The cysts were bilateral in all but three cases. Eleven of 13 patients tested had antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and two of the five untested patients later developed AIDS. The authors believe that the CT findings of multiple parotid cysts and cervical adenopathy suggest that the patient may be infected with the HIV virus, and the radiologist should alert the referring physician so that appropriate precautions and treatment may be initiated

Destructive lesions of the clivus produce symptoms related to adjacent anatomic structures. Radiographic evaluation of a patient presenting with cranial neuropathies revealed a cystic lesion of the clivus, and surgical and histologic findings established a diagnosis consistent with a mucocele. There have been no previous reports in the literature describing a primary mucocele of the clivus. Appropriate treatment for these fluid-filled structures is marsupialization or exteriorization into the sphenoid sinus. A trans-septal sphenoidal approach was used in this case and is advocated as an effective means of managing cystic lesions in this area

Carcinoma adherent to the carotid artery may be present in advanced head and neck cancers. Angiography, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are available for the preoperative evaluation of the carotid artery. This study demonstrates that CT is not accurate in demonstrating malignant invasion of the carotid artery. Ultrasonography appears to be the best modality for assessing carotid artery invasion. Magnetic resonance imaging may prove helpful in this determination

Studies of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx in young adults differ as to whether younger patients resemble the general population of head and neck cancer patients. A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients (40 years old or younger) with oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma at New York University Medical Center between 1961 and 1984. Patients with oropharyngeal cancer resembled the general population of head and neck cancer patients. In contrast, oral cavity carcinoma occurred more frequently in women under the age of 35 and lacked the usual etiologic factors of tobacco and alcohol abuse. Survival correlated best with the TNM stage of disease at initial presentation. Patients with Stage I and II lesions had an excellent response to surgical treatment alone and a high 5-year survival rate. Patients with advanced Stage III and IV disease had a poor survival rate with single modality treatment. We recommend surgery and radiotherapy in patients with advanced disease

Sonographic images of the vocal cords were obtained in 41 healthy human subjects using a phased array realtime ultrasound scanner. The thyroid cartilage provides the acoustic window for sonographic visualization of the vocal cords. The false vocal cords appear as hyperechoic structures, while the true vocal cords are seen as hypoechoic structures. The symmetry of movement of the vocal cords during respiration becomes apparent on examination in real time. Sonography may prove to be a potentially useful technique for the examination of the vocal cords

There is no universally acceptable classification or method of treating congenital vascular lesions of the head and neck. An historical perspective, the hemodynamics of arteriovenous fistulas, and the various modalities of treatment are presented. The importance of superselective angiography in studying these lesions is emphasized. Embolization represents a major advance in the treatment of these patients and cooperation between head and neck surgeon and the vascular radiologist is encouraged. The evaluation and treatment of 66 patients with congenital head and neck vascular lesions are presented. The rationale for various types of treatment is reviewed.

Nineteen arteriovenous fistulas of the external carotid branches in 17 patients were treated by a variety of percutaneous transvascular techniques. There were nine females and eight males; 11 fistulas were traumatic in origin, five were "spontaneous," and three were thought to be congenital. The most frequent presenting symptoms were a bruit and thrill, followed by pulsatile tinnitus, pulsatile mass, headaches, and ocular problems. The symptoms were related to fistula site and venous drainage. The middle meningeal artery was involved most often, followed by the superficial temporal, occipital, internal maxillary, and ascending pharyngeal arteries. All patients except one were successfully cured, including one recurrence. There were no complications, and the hospital stay averaged 3 days.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis is a vascular disorder that is easily overlooked or misdiagnosed. It occurs in a variety of clinical settings which disrupt normal blood flow through the internal jugular vein. Intravenous drug abusers represent a high risk group in this study. Diagnosis is readily made by computed tomography. Seven patients are presented, with discussion of the pathogenesis, clinical findings, radiologic features, potential complications, and treatment rationale

Cricopharyngeal myotomy is an effective procedure for the treatment of swallowing disorders due to dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharyngeal musculature. Eight patients with documented pharyngeal and sphincteric dysfunction have undergone myotomies with significant improvement in swallowing associated with restoration of oral feeding without aspiration in 5, while 3 patients have not improved. The preoperative work-up and evaluation is discussed as well as criteria that may identify those patients most likely to benefit from this treatment