Incidence and predictors of thyroid gland invasion by laryngeal carcinoma: a 7-year experience review

Background Study the incidence of thyroid gland invasion by laryngeal carcinoma and the risk factors that may predispose to this condition. Aiding surgeons develop an evidence-based plan for the management of the thyroid gland during total laryngectomy. Results Retrospective analysis of the available medical records for patients who had total laryngectomy together with total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy in the same procedure. Associated pathological features were also investigated. Patients who had laryngeal carcinoma managed by total laryngectomy with total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. Three hundred seventy-seven records were retrieved. The incidence of thyroid gland invasion by the laryngeal carcinoma was 24 (6.4%). Three patients showed microscopic extension (3/356; 0.8%). Six patients had malignant pathology other than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Two over six had invasion of the thyroid gland; OR (95% CI): 7.9 (1.4-45.4). Patients who had primary tumor stage of T4a were 244. 23/244 had thyroid gland invasion, 13.7 (1.8-102.9). Poorly differentiated tumors had significant incidence of thyroid gland invasion (4/15), 6.2 (1.8-21.3). Patients who had subglottic extension by the primary tumor were 177 with 20 patients having thyroid gland invasion (20/177), 6.2 (2.1-18.6). Conclusion Several risk factors are associated with higher incidence of invasion of the thyroid gland by laryngeal carcinoma. Identification of these factors can help surgeons develop a surgical strategy for the management of the thyroid gland during total laryngectomy.

Laryngeal Web in the Pediatric Population: Evaluation and Management

Objective To discuss the presentation, evaluation, and management of pediatric laryngeal web. Study Design Retrospective case series. Setting Single tertiary care center. Subjects All patients with laryngeal web at Boston Children’s Hospital in the past 22 years. Methods No exclusion criteria. Charts mined for age at presentation, presenting symptoms, degree/location of web, associated syndromes, number/type of surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes. Results Thirty-seven patients were included (13 male, 24 female). Average age at diagnosis was 3.7 years (0-19.5 years). Mean follow-up was 4.4 years (range, 0-16.4 years). There were 26 congenital webs (70.2%) and 11 acquired webs (29.8%). Presenting symptoms were vocal (29 patients, 78.4%) and respiratory (22 patients, 60%). Underlying syndromes or synchronous airway lesions included the following: premature (n = 5), congenital heart disease (n = 18), subglottic stenosis (n = 5), 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (n = 10), and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (n = 4). There were 20 type 1 webs, 6 type 2 webs, 8 type 3 webs, and 3 type 4 webs; 10 had subglottic extension of the laryngeal web. Twelve patients were managed conservatively with observation. Eighty-four interventions were performed: 18 open and 66 endoscopic (sharp division, 32; dilation, 33; mitomycin C, 14; laser, 5; keel, 6; triamcinolone injection, 8; stent, 15; removal of granulation tissue, 5). Tracheotomy was required in 11 patients, and 5 patients were decannulated. Voice improved in 12 patients, with respiratory symptoms in 12 patients. Web recurred in 17 patients. One patient died due to airway complications. Conclusions Pediatric laryngeal web is an uncommon but challenging lesion. Patients need to be evaluated for comorbid syndromes and synchronous airway lesions. Management includes open and endoscopic procedures. Procedures should be tailored to the child’s presentation.

Thyroid gland involvement in carcinoma of the hypopharynx

Objective:The thyroid gland is removed en bloc during laryngectomy. There are no objective criteria for deciding the extent of thyroid gland resection in primary hypopharyngeal cancer cases. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of thyroid gland involvement in hypopharyngeal cancer and identify the various predictors of this involvement.Method:This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 358 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, who underwent total laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai between 2004 and 2010.Results:The mean age of this population was 61 years. The pyriform sinus was the most common hypopharyngeal subsite involved (in 89 per cent of cases). Most patients underwent hemi-thyroidectomy as part of their surgery. The thyroid gland was involved in only 13 per cent of cases.Conclusion:Thyroid gland involvement is not common in hypopharyngeal cancer. Cases that involved the post-cricoid area, subglottic extension, extralaryngeal spread or prior tracheostomy were associated with a higher risk of thyroid gland involvement. Ipsilateral thyroidectomy is sufficient in most patients undergoing surgery (laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy) for hypopharyngeal cancers.